Chapter 144 - Chapter: 151-160

Chapter 151: Yu Xiaogang's Return

Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, the seed team and representative of the Heaven Dou Empire, was a lineup of entirely Spirit Ancestors—a powerful team by any academy's standards.

Their captain, Yu Tianheng, possessed the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, the most powerful beast spirit in the world. The vice-captain, Dugu Yan, was the granddaughter of the renowned Poison Douluo. Among their members was Ye Lingling, a top-tier support spirit master wielding the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit.

With such a luxurious lineup, they were expected to make it to the finals. Yet, the Spirit Hall team dispatched only two members, who defeated all seven members of the Heaven Dou team in just one minute. None of them could resist, resulting in a complete rout.

"The reigning champions of the battlefield, undefeated—so this is the true strength of the Spirit Hall team!"

"At such a young age, they've achieved this level of power. Spirit Hall's foundation is unfathomable."

"No wonder they are the Golden Generation of Spirit Hall—today, their reputation has truly been proven!"

The competitors, teachers, and nobles present were all shocked and buzzing with astonishment. Their perceptions of Spirit Hall deepened even further.

The Shrek team was visibly discouraged and heavy-hearted. Even Flender and Liu Erlong were doubtful about their chances of defeating the Spirit Hall team.

Forget one minute—Shrek Academy couldn't even guarantee a win against an all-Spirit-Ancestor team in two minutes, let alone a team as formidable as Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

Two individuals had swept through the entire Heaven Dou team. Faced with such power, even Tang San was uncertain. Could he and the Shrek team really defeat these opponents?

Having witnessed the one-sided battle, Chen Xuan remained calm. Instead of losing confidence, he felt he wasn't inferior to the opponents.

After all, back when he was still a Spirit Ancestor, he had killed a Spirit Emperor and a Spirit Saint specializing in illusions. Both were no weaker than Enchantment, so why should he fear?

Since they had already reached the finals, Chen Xuan saw no reason to hide his strength any longer. Winning the championship was the culmination of months of effort.

As the tournament continued, teams from Divine Wind Academy, Tianshui Academy, Thunderclap Academy, and Star Luo were up next.

Chen Xuan didn't linger. Spirit Hall's match was over, and he was already familiar with the other academies. He left the arena ahead of time, leaving the observations to Flender and Qin Ming.

Instead of returning to the hotel, he wandered through Spirit City, noting important terrain and seeking out the top blacksmiths to forge some items.

By afternoon, the day's tournament had concluded. Tianshui, Thunderclap, and other academies were eliminated. Among the fifteen teams representing Heaven Dou Empire, only Divine Wind Academy and Shrek Academy remained.

Chen Xuan wasn't surprised by this outcome; it was all within his expectations. By the next tournament, where teams would average Spirit Ancestor levels, teams without such strength wouldn't stand a chance.

"The finals are getting closer. I wonder if the outcome will follow the original timeline," Chen Xuan muttered as he left the blacksmith's shop.

At times, he couldn't distinguish between illusion and reality. In this world, would Xiao Wu's identity as a spirit beast still be discovered and lead to Spirit Hall hunting her down?

If Bibi Dong truly discovered her, would Tang Hao still save Xiao Wu?

Now that Xiao Wu was pregnant, Chen Xuan dared not take chances. He had to start preparing an escape route. Rather than pinning his hopes on others, he preferred to carve out an opportunity himself.

He placed another order with the blacksmith for a batch of weapons before heading back to the hotel in the evening.

Eager to open his upgrade package, Chen Xuan hurried back, moving like the wind. Soon, he reached the outskirts where their hotel was located.

However, upon entering the hotel, he immediately sensed something was off. The lobby was dimly lit and eerily empty, as though it had been deliberately cleared out.

As he walked through the lobby, a sudden voice startled him.

"Chen Xuan, you're back." The cold, emotionless voice of Flender echoed in the dim room.

Chen Xuan turned toward the voice. In the dark, several pairs of eyes stared at him.

The lights flickered on, illuminating the room. Flender, Liu Erlong, Qin Ming, and Dugu Bo sat on a row of sofas in the reception area. Behind them stood the Shrek Seven Devils, including the substitute members. The area behind the sofas and on both sides was filled with people.

At that moment, Tang San, Flender, and the others wore expressionless faces. No one spoke, and the atmosphere was tense.

Most of their gazes were icy, coldly fixed on Chen Xuan, but no one uttered a word.

Even Dai Mubai, who was seriously injured just days ago and should have been recuperating, was present, sitting on a single sofa and glaring at Chen Xuan with hostility.

Chen Xuan frowned. Such a grand setup—it puzzled him at first. But when his eyes landed on a wheelchair nearby, everything became clear.

"So, you survived?" He froze momentarily, feeling utterly astonished.

Indeed, the disheveled middle-aged man in the wheelchair was none other than the presumed-dead Grandmaster, Yu Xiaogang.

Back in the wilderness, Chen Xuan had struck Yu Xiaogang's chest with a punch that left a gaping hole. His lungs and ribs were destroyed. Such injuries should have been fatal—how had he survived?

Yu Xiaogang was only a Spirit Elder, with a fragile body. Moreover, Chen Xuan had inflicted hundreds of cuts on him, enough to cause fatal blood loss alone.

If it had been any Spirit Ancestor in the same condition, death would have been inevitable. For a stagnant Spirit Elder like Yu Xiaogang to survive without intervention seemed impossible to Chen Xuan.

"Chen Xuan, do you have anything to say?" Liu Erlong's voice was as cold as ice, her expression dark as she glared at the young man before her.

Dugu Bo shook his head and sighed. He had held high hopes for this young man, but he never expected him to be a teacher-slayer. It was truly shocking.

Without much thought, Chen Xuan quickly pieced together the sequence of events.

Yu Xiaogang must have deduced his identity as an assassin and, upon returning to Shrek, revealed everything to Flender, Liu Erlong, and the Shrek Seven Devils.

The one most enraged was undoubtedly Tang San. Having already been upset over Xiao Wu, the return of his teacher had soothed his emotions somewhat.

But to learn that Chen Xuan, the man who had taken Xiao Wu, was also his teacher's killer—it was a bitter pill to swallow.

If Tang San had believed himself capable of defeating Chen Xuan, he would have sought vengeance that very morning.

"Chen Xuan, is this true?" Xiao Wu, Jiangzhu, and Zhu Zhuqing spoke, unwilling to believe what they were hearing.

"Chen Xuan, you humiliated and tortured me that day. It's a shame... Heaven was watching, and I survived." Yu Xiaogang sat in his wheelchair. Although he was alive, some of his injuries were irreparable, leaving him crippled.

Liu Erlong's heart ached. Her man, once so extraordinary, had been reduced to this state. His tendons were severed, and he would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Chen Xuan quickly calmed himself. After the initial shock, he suppressed his turbulent emotions.

He wasn't worried about being exposed. He had a solid alibi for that day, and it wasn't his real body that had attacked Yu Xiaogang—it was a shadow clone, leaving no traces.

"Grandmaster, I'm happy you've returned alive. But accusing me of attempting to assassinate you upon your return is a bit excessive, don't you think?"

Chapter 152: The Setup

In the hall, Flender, Liu Erlong, Dugu Bo, Qin Ming, the Shrek Seven Devils, and the four substitutes all stood opposite Chen Xuan, each of them watching him with grave expressions.

Chen Xuan, however, was unperturbed. Even when confronted by the entire Shrek team, he remained calm and collected.

After months of interaction, he had a good understanding of each member of Shrek, especially Liu Erlong and Flender. If they were certain he was the one who assassinated Yu Xiaogang, they would have suppressed him long ago instead of wasting time on this scene.

Chen Xuan stayed composed. This overly theatrical setup, akin to a public trial, only proved one thing: Shrek's people were suspicious but not sure who the true culprit was.

At the same time, he could confirm something else—his current importance to Shrek. He held a pivotal position. Otherwise, with Liu Erlong's temperament, she wouldn't have hesitated to attack first and ask questions later.

"Confess and you'll be spared, resist and you'll face consequences. Chen Xuan, just admit it—did you or did you not ambush Xiaogang that day?" Flender asked coldly, his gaze piercing and his tone devoid of emotion.

Chen Xuan, unfazed, adopted a puzzled expression. "Dean, I don't understand what you're saying. Please clarify."

Feigning ignorance, he remained unconcerned, confident that the actions of his shadow clone would leave no traces behind.

After multiple rounds of questioning, Chen Xuan maintained his look of confusion, causing Flender and Dugu Bo to begin doubting whether they might have misunderstood something.

"Well done, Chen Xuan, denying to the end. The Grandmaster said it was you, and I, Tai Long, have truly misjudged you. I thought you just had personal conflicts with the Grandmaster, but I never imagined you'd harbor such resentment over trivial matters and stoop to assassinating your teacher. Have you forgotten his guidance?" Tai Long fumed, glaring at Chen Xuan.

Dugu Bo nodded slightly. Whether or not this young man was the culprit, the fact remained that he had clashed with his teacher.

In the eyes of outsiders, Shrek's students were exceptionally talented. However, their success and achievements were also tied to Yu Xiaogang's guidance as their mentor.

Chen Xuan scoffed and said sarcastically, "Three years as classmates—I won't deny that Lanba Academy provided me with some care and direction. But whether the Grandmaster actually taught me anything, you know better than anyone, Tai Long. Or have you grown so used to kneeling that you can't stand up anymore?"

It was true that the original Chen Xuan had benefited from the academy, but to claim that Yu Xiaogang had shown him any meaningful mentorship was far-fetched.

Objectively assessing himself, Chen Xuan knew that most of his growth came from the system, with only a small part attributed to his own effort and research. Yu Xiaogang's contribution was negligible.

The Shrek members exchanged glances, their expressions complex. Even Tang San and Dai Mubai stayed silent, not offering any rebuttal.

Liu Erlong, usually quick to defend Yu Xiaogang blindly, surprisingly didn't argue this time and remained silent.

As for Yu Xiaogang, he knew better than anyone whether he had truly guided Chen Xuan. If he claimed otherwise, it would be outright shameless.

Noticing the shift in the group's attitude, Dugu Bo's expression turned thoughtful. He began to suspect there might be more to the story than he initially thought.

Tai Long sneered and remained adamant. "Chen Xuan, stop deceiving yourself. Over the past three years, your progress was slow. But after joining Shrek as a substitute, your improvement skyrocketed. You know it in your heart—without the Grandmaster's guidance, you wouldn't be where you are today."

"Clown." Chen Xuan rolled his eyes, his disdain evident. He no longer felt the need to engage with Tai Long.

Flender, unwilling to drag the matter on, turned to Chen Xuan and asked directly, "Chen Xuan, just tell the truth. Did you ambush Xiaogang that day?"

"It wasn't me." Chen Xuan's response was brief and firm. Speaking more would only raise suspicion. He added, "Dean, you know me. I'm not the kind of person to hold grudges over petty issues, let alone resort to something as extreme as assassination."

"Enough with your sharp tongue! What are you trying to say?" Yu Xiaogang's face flushed with anger, his voice trembling with fury.

"Grandmaster, I truly don't know what you're talking about," Chen Xuan replied calmly.

The Shrek members couldn't help but twitch their lips. It was obvious to everyone that Chen Xuan was playing dumb, but his words also carried an underlying sarcasm. It was a subtle jab at Yu Xiaogang's own pettiness during the qualifiers, where he had intentionally sidelined and hindered certain members over minor grievances.

"You despicable scoundrel, spewing nonsense! The person who attacked me may not have looked like you, but their tone, demeanor, actions, and habits were identical to yours. How dare you deny it!" Yu Xiaogang roared, his fury unabated.

He tried to lift his hand to point at Chen Xuan, but his arm fell limp. No matter how much effort he exerted, he couldn't even raise a single finger.

"Grandmaster, you can make baseless accusations, but don't you think this is outright slander?" Chen Xuan retorted with a calm and composed demeanor.

He continued, "You just admitted that the attacker didn't look like me. And yet, based on habits and demeanor alone, you concluded it was me? Isn't that a bit rash?"

Flender, Liu Erlong, and the others were stunned. This statement contradicted what they had been led to believe earlier.

"Xiaogang, the attacker didn't look like Chen Xuan?" Flender asked, his tone uneasy. The implications were significant.

When Yu Xiaogang had been brought back and recounted his ordeal, he had explicitly named Chen Xuan as his assailant. The entire situation had been orchestrated based on that claim.

Even Dugu Bo was displeased. After all the effort to confront Chen Xuan, they were now hearing that the assailant's appearance didn't match?

Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Jiang Zhu simultaneously let out sighs of relief. They knew Chen Xuan's character well enough and didn't believe he would commit such an act.

Seeing the shift in everyone's reactions, Yu Xiaogang felt bitter. The Shrek Academy he had helped cultivate now seemed to doubt him.

"Grandmaster, we're all relieved you survived. And I understand you look down on me. But to slander me over a minor grudge—don't you think that's too much?" Chen Xuan added, feigning indignation.

"Moreover, if I truly wanted to harm you: first, I wouldn't know when you left Heaven Dou; and second, during the days after the qualifiers, I was always at the academy, training and living with the team. I didn't have the time to orchestrate such an attack."

Chen Xuan's explanation was clear and logical, matching the timeline perfectly.

Liu Erlong sighed. Though reluctant to admit it, she had to accept the facts. During the time Yu Xiaogang was attacked, Chen Xuan had indeed been with the academy.

The Shrek members weren't fools. After being reminded of the timeline, they quickly recalled that Chen Xuan had been training and living with them. Each of them could vouch for him as a witness.

Even Tang San had to acknowledge this fact, much as he disliked it.

Flender sighed and turned to Yu Xiaogang, saying, "Xiaogang, could you have made a mistake? Chen Xuan was at the academy during that time. The timeline doesn't match."

Yu Xiaogang was stunned. Hearing everyone's accounts left him in disbelief. If Chen Xuan had been at the academy, it defied logic for him to have carried out the attack.

He could only conclude that Chen Xuan had used some extraordinary method to appear in two places at once. But proving this was impossible.

Yu Xiaogang felt chills down his spine. This young man was meticulous, ruthless, and had even covered his tracks flawlessly. The situation was utterly hopeless.

Though he believed he had uncovered the truth, he had no evidence to expose Chen Xuan. With Flender, Liu Erlong, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the entire Shrek Academy as Chen Xuan's alibi, his claims would sound absurd to anyone.

Frustrated and powerless, Yu Xiaogang felt like an ant trying to shake a mountain, utterly insignificant and unable to fight back.

Chapter 153: The Grand Gift

"Grandmaster, you must be mistaken. There's no way Chen Xuan could be the culprit. I trust he isn't that kind of person," Jiang Zhu said, her tone displeased as she stood up to defend Chen Xuan.

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun remained silent, refraining from supporting the Grandmaster.

They were witnesses themselves—during that time, Chen Xuan had been training with them. He couldn't possibly have had the opportunity to commit the attack.

"Xiaogang, think carefully. The culprit might be someone else. Xiao Chen has a kind heart; he's not someone who would do such a thing," Flender said, surprisingly speaking in Chen Xuan's favor.

The Shrek members were stunned, staring at their dean in surprise. When had the stingy, profit-driven Flender ever stood up for someone like this?

Chen Xuan was a bit taken aback as well. Flender had always been on Yu Xiaogang's side, yet today he seemed to support him.

Unbeknownst to Chen Xuan, as a Spirit King, his strength had already surpassed the Shrek Seven Devils, raising his status within the academy. Quietly, many people's attitudes toward him had shifted.

Especially Flender and Liu Erlong, who understood that Shrek's chances of winning the championship now heavily relied on Chen Xuan. With Dai Mubai injured and his Netherworld White Tiger move rendered unusable, their road to the championship had become significantly harder. Chen Xuan's importance to the team had grown exponentially.

This was also why Liu Erlong hadn't spoken in support of Yu Xiaogang throughout the confrontation.

Yu Xiaogang's face turned ashen, filled with bitterness. He couldn't express the frustration in his heart. Even his old friend Flender and the Shrek Academy he had nurtured now doubted him.

Liu Erlong opened her mouth, intending to say something for her lover, but in the end, she stayed silent.

Tang San felt conflicted. It wasn't that he didn't want to believe his teacher, but his sharp intuition told him otherwise. He had scoured every detail yet found no evidence linking Chen Xuan to the attack.

If there were no traces, it could only mean two things: either the perpetrator was exceptionally skilled, or Chen Xuan had nothing to do with it. Tang San leaned toward the latter. It was hard to imagine Chen Xuan as someone so meticulous and cunning—it would be terrifying if he were.

"Grandmaster, I think you're mistaken. This young man doesn't seem like someone who would do such a thing," Dugu Bo finally spoke, siding with Chen Xuan as well.

The Poison Douluo had a good impression of Chen Xuan. A Spirit King at only sixteen or seventeen years old—his potential rivaled Tang San's.

Yu Xiaogang's heart ached, feeling utterly helpless. Despite knowing that Chen Xuan was the attacker, he couldn't prove it, and now everyone seemed to be standing against him.

"Dong'er, do you not believe me either?" Yu Xiaogang asked, his voice trembling as he turned to Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong stiffened, her face conflicted. She turned her head away without answering.

She had always supported Xiaogang, but the facts couldn't be ignored. Chen Xuan had been in Shrek during the time of the attack, always under her watch. How could he have had the chance to attack the Grandmaster?

"Xiaogang, calm down for now," Liu Erlong said with a sigh, shaking her head. For the first time, she wondered if Yu Xiaogang's trauma from the attack had affected his judgment.

"Grandmaster, it's said that great calamities bring fortune. You survived, so perhaps you should rest and recover," Jiang Zhu suggested, her tone laced with exasperation.

The Shrek members nodded. The evidence was clear—denying it would make them seem unreasonable.

"Grandmaster, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Chen Xuan said politely before heading upstairs without waiting for a response.

The other Shrek members exchanged glances and went to rest as well. They had a tournament to prepare for the next day.

With the students gone, Dugu Bo also prepared to leave. Waving to Flender, he said, "Dean Flender, I'll take my leave now."

The Poison Douluo departed, leaving only Flender, Liu Erlong, and Yu Xiaogang in the lobby.

Flender gave Yu Xiaogang a long look, sighed, and said nothing before heading upstairs to address the team.

Under the moonlit night, the stars sparkled as their soft, silvery glow illuminated the world below.

Chen Xuan sat by the window, basking in the moonlight as he opened his system interface. It was finally time to unlock the upgrade gift pack. He wondered if it would contain anything critical to his current needs.

Reflecting on his journey, he recalled how his abilities had originated from the system's gifts, forming a solid foundation that later allowed him to develop numerous ninjutsu and taijutsu techniques.

Despite his calm appearance, Chen Xuan felt a flicker of nervousness. He wasn't expecting anything that could challenge a Title Douluo, but something that could hold its own against a Spirit Douluo would suffice.

Taking a deep breath, he clicked the "Open" button. Instantly, the gift pack exploded into a dazzling burst of light.

Five streams of light, each a different color, shot out from the pack and landed on the blue system interface, shimmering brilliantly.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host, Chen Xuan, for obtaining 100,000 gold spirit coins!"

The first reward wasn't surprising—every pack seemed to include money. Still, it came at the right time, as he owed a large sum to the blacksmiths.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the forbidden technique: Dead Demon Consuming Seal!"

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining Yin Chakra Shield!"

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the 50,000-year Bright Wisdom Skull!"

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Silver Sword and Mental Combat Technique!"

"Huh?"

Chen Xuan focused on the last reward as a stream of light materialized on the table, forming the items.

A small silver sword, slightly larger than a palm, lay on the table. Its blade glimmered faintly with white light, giving it an extraordinary appearance.

Beside it was a sheet of golden parchment etched with complex symbols. The text was intricate and indecipherable.

"Mental Combat Technique? Is this some kind of spiritual art?" Chen Xuan muttered, pondering its purpose. The aura emanating from the silver sword gave him chills, as though it could directly dismantle mental defenses.

He picked up the golden parchment, studying the symbols. Though incomprehensible, the faint golden light and the intricacy of the symbols hinted at its extraordinary nature.

"System, translate this for me!" Chen Xuan called out. These unreadable instructions, no matter how powerful, were useless if he couldn't understand them.

The system, usually silent, surprisingly complied. In an instant, the first three lines of text on the parchment transformed into legible words, leaving the rest unchanged.

"Only three lines? You've got to be kidding me!" Chen Xuan was about to complain when the system's mechanical voice interrupted.

It explained that due to his low spirit power, only the initial portion could be deciphered. He would need to reach the Spirit Sage level to unlock further translations.

Chapter 154: Shelved

Late at night, the stars twinkled in the sky, and moonlight, as soft as water, gently cascaded down.

In the room, Chen Xuan stared at the blue panel before him, his eyelid twitching uncontrollably.

"'Weak Soul Power,' 'As Feeble as a Chicken.'"

He really wanted to ask, Is this even proper language? How biased do you have to be to say something like this?

If the system couldn't analyze something, it could just admit its inability. Why pin the blame on him for lacking power?

Not to boast, but after self-reflection, Chen Xuan knew he wasn't a top-tier expert, but he certainly wasn't weak. At his age, reaching level 51 was no small feat. Calling that "weak soul power" was blatant prejudice.

"Forget it, system. You can't do your job and still have the nerve to blame others," Chen Xuan muttered with a disdainful curl of his lips, too lazy to argue further.

He activated his Sharingan and picked up the golden sheet of paper on the desk, studying it carefully.

The Sharingan's abilities to copy and analyze were immensely helpful in deciphering these complex symbols.

"Flying sword?" Chen Xuan murmured in astonishment, his face showing disbelief.

After thoroughly examining the golden paper, he was shocked to discover that it described techniques for controlling a flying sword—something entirely unexpected.

In this vast continent or the ninja world, there had never been any mention of flying swords. Clearly, this small silver sword was extraordinary and not of this world. It represented a new kind of power.

Chen Xuan picked up the silver sword, weighing it in his hand. It was just over a foot long, smooth and radiant. Its material wasn't silver or iron—its composition was unknown.

He mentally reviewed all the known forging materials on the continent but found no match. This was puzzling. It seemed this sword didn't belong to this world.

Despite his curiosity, he didn't dwell on it too much. He pulled out the golden sheet again and attempted to decipher the remaining lines of symbols, hoping to uncover more answers.

The first three lines described a spiritual mantra that detailed how to control the silver sword and integrate it with soul power. It wasn't too hard to understand.

The mantra was complex, though, and most people would need a long time to practice it. Even with the assistance of his Sharingan, Chen Xuan estimated it would take him several days to master.

With the final match approaching and the competition ongoing, there simply wasn't enough time.

"Forget it, I'll use the nights to practice," Chen Xuan sighed.

He grabbed the silver sword, leaped out of the window, and headed to a distant forest to train.

Day turned to night and back again. As the night receded, dawn broke, and the sun rose in the east, painting the dim sky with vivid crimson hues like a magnificent painting.

At the hotel, the Shrek team woke up one after another and gathered in the dining hall for breakfast.

When Chen Xuan arrived at the dining hall, he noticed two familiar figures—Liu Erlong pushing a wheelchair-bound Yu Xiaogang through the door.

Chen Xuan glanced at them briefly before looking away, not wanting to engage. He picked up a plate of food and headed to another table.

However, he was still targeted. Yu Xiaogang seemed intent on confronting him.

"Chen Xuan, come here," the master said in a low voice.

Tang San, Tai Long, Oscar, and the others paused in surprise and turned to look at Yu Xiaogang, whose face was dark with displeasure.

"What's going on? Did Brother Chen upset the master again?" Ma Hongjun asked, confused, as he continued to wolf down a meat bun.

Chen Xuan frowned, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately walked over.

"Master, what do you want?" he asked impatiently, wondering what new trouble the man was brewing.

In truth, he had expected this. After Yu Xiaogang lost face yesterday, it was inevitable he'd cause trouble today. He just hadn't expected it to happen over breakfast.

Yu Xiaogang sat in his wheelchair, his lower body crippled, but still exuded an air of authority. A mocking smile tugged at his lips.

"Chen Xuan, I've been observing you these past days. You don't seem to be meshing well with the Shrek team. Today's match is critical, so I've decided to let the original Shrek lineup compete. You'll sit this one out."

Yu Xiaogang sneered inwardly. Even though he was crippled, he was still Shrek's leading teacher and held absolute authority.

After discussions with Flender, Liu Erlong, and others last night, Yu Xiaogang began to suspect that the person from that day wasn't truly Chen Xuan. The timing and location didn't match, and there were too many impossibilities. It might have been someone exploiting this connection.

But what did it matter? Yesterday, Chen Xuan humiliated him in public. As a teacher, Yu Xiaogang had to make sure the boy paid for it.

For someone passionate about competition, being sidelined like this was a heavy blow. Yu Xiaogang could already imagine Chen Xuan's frustrated expression.

Unfortunately for Chen Xuan, even if he begged, Yu Xiaogang wouldn't change his decision.

"Xiaogang, isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Liu Erlong interjected, trying to mediate.

With Dai Mubai injured and unable to compete, sidelining their strongest player could jeopardize Shrek's chances.

However, Yu Xiaogang was adamant. "Erlong, don't argue. This is for Shrek's sake. The team has lived and trained together for years, and their synergy speaks for itself. It's decided."

His expression smug, Yu Xiaogang looked at Chen Xuan and added, "Chen Xuan, for the sake of Shrek advancing further, I'm sure you understand…"

"Are you done?" Chen Xuan interrupted coldly, not wanting to hear any more nonsense.

"If that's all, don't waste my time," Chen Xuan said calmly. He no longer relied on Shrek. If anything, the team needed him. Did Yu Xiaogang really think he could push him around as before?

Yu Xiaogang's attempt to sideline him, to "shelve" him, was laughable.

"What do you mean?" The master frowned, displeased with Chen Xuan's reaction.

"Exactly what I said." Chen Xuan ignored him, grabbed his breakfast, and walked out.

Benched? Shelved? He was more than happy to be left alone. It gave him more time to train with the flying sword.

Watching Chen Xuan's indifferent attitude, Yu Xiaogang's face darkened. His dislike for the boy deepened, and he even considered expelling him from Shrek.

The rest of the Shrek team quietly observed the entire scene, stunned by the master's decisive actions.

"Brother San, do you think we can beat the Kamikaze and Spirit Hall teams without Brother Chen?" Ma Hongjun asked hesitantly.

With Dai Mubai injured and their only Soul King sidelined, it was hard to understand the master's reasoning.

"Teacher must have his reasons, Fatty. We need to trust him!" Tang San said, though even he felt his argument was weak.

The truth was obvious. The master's actions were far too personal to ignore. Everyone could see it.

No matter what, the master wasn't going to change his decision. Chen Xuan wouldn't be competing. The Shrek team would have to rely on themselves for today's match.

Chapter 155: Yu Xiaogang's Ultimate Move

In the morning, as the sun rose, the warm sunlight spread across the land, casting a bright red hue across the horizon, like a beautiful painting.

Above the Martial Soul Hall, the duel arena, the final six teams had entered the competition area and were about to begin the final elimination round.

The Shrek group entered the observation platform and couldn't help but sigh. The once vast competition area now only had six teams left, with only a few soldiers stationed, making it feel somewhat calm.

At the start of the competition, there were over thirty teams, but now only six academies remained. Even the direct-entry teams from Star Luo and Heaven Dou had been eliminated, which showed how fierce the competition was this year.

According to the rules of the tournament, the six teams would draw lots to determine their opponents. Jingling, Xieyue, and Huo Wushuang sent their representatives to the drawing.

The draw was completed quickly, but the results surprised everyone. Shrek, Shenfeng, and Martial Soul Hall did not face each other; each drew teams from Star Luo.

Chen Xuan glanced at the sign, which was engraved with the words "Asura Academy," the opponent Shrek would face today.

"Great! We didn't draw Shenfeng or Martial Soul Hall, we have no pressure in advancing to the finals!" Tai Long, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and others danced with joy, incredibly excited.

The others from Shrek also showed smiles, feeling a weight lift from their hearts. Among the five teams, the strongest were undoubtedly Shenfeng and Martial Soul Hall. Not drawing them meant they had a victory rate of at least 90%.

Everyone knew that they just needed to win one more match to reach the finals. At worst, they would be third place, which was enough to excite anyone.

Emperor Xue Ye had promised many rewards. The better the team ranked, the more rewards and financial support their academy would receive. If they ranked third or higher, they could even receive more noble titles.

This kind of reward was common in the Heaven Dou Empire, but Star Luo Empire offered even more.

After the draw, some nobles from Martial Soul Hall, black bishops, platinum bishops, and others gradually arrived, and the competition was about to begin.

After the opening ceremony, Chen Xuan found an excuse to leave the venue and went back to practice the techniques in the scriptures.

Yu Xiaogang returned, and Shrek once again became his one-man show. He knew very well that he wouldn't be able to participate in the upcoming finals, and this would be their last chance in the elite competition.

"Master, without Brother Chen here, today's match is no problem, but what about the finals? Should we still fight?" Once Chen Xuan left, Ma Hongjun immediately started complaining.

Although he was fat, with a round face, he wasn't foolish. But in his eyes, Yu Xiaogang's actions were stupid.

Many people in Shrek felt dissatisfied with this morning's decision. In their view, Yu Xiaogang's decision was adding fuel to the fire, extremely foolish.

The Martial Soul Hall team had three Soul Kings, and Shenfeng Academy's team were all Soul Emperors, and they definitely had hidden moves. Shrek, though also made up of all Soul Emperors, had overall strength inferior to the new Shenfeng.

Moreover, Captain Dai Mubai was injured and couldn't participate, and the only remaining Soul King was relegated to the substitute bench. They didn't know what Yu Xiaogang was thinking.

Yu Xiaogang, sitting in a wheelchair, felt the skeptical gazes of everyone and couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

He had only recently learned from Flanders that Chen Xuan had reached level 51 and had obtained a 30,000-year soul ring. He was quite well-known in the competition area at present.

Yu Xiaogang felt some regret, but so what? As a wise man and the team's leader, how could he change his decision? Wouldn't that be embarrassing? Wouldn't it diminish his authority?

"Master, now that Captain Dai is injured and can't compete, please reconsider," they pleaded.

"Master, please let Chen Xuan rejoin the team for the next match," Jiang Zhu, Ning Rongrong, Jingling, and others all persuaded him, hoping Yu Xiaogang would change his mind.

The others from Shrek also looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping the Master would relent. They were about to enter the finals, and all their hard work would soon pay off. None of them wanted to lose; they only wanted to advance further.

"Alright, no need to say more."

At that moment, Tang San spoke up, looking at everyone, and comforted them, "Please trust the teacher. He surely wouldn't harm us. He must have a good reason for doing this."

"Tang San is right." After a long silence, Yu Xiaogang spoke, finally responding to everyone's concerns.

The Master looked serious and began to explain: "The reason I replaced Chen Xuan is that he doesn't have good synergy with you all. Over the past month, I have developed a fusion technique called 'Seven in One,' and this technique requires perfect coordination to perform. Chen Xuan has always fought alone, and there's no way he could synchronize with you to complete the technique I've created."

"Seven in One fusion technique?" Everyone in Shrek was stunned, filled with confusion. Different people with different martial souls—how could such a fusion technique be possible?

Tang San's pupils contracted, as if he realized something, suddenly becoming a bit excited. His voice trembled as he asked, "Teacher, did you succeed?"

He suddenly remembered that during the preliminaries, Canghui Academy had used a seven-person fusion technique, but it had a fatal flaw and wasn't perfect.

But if it was the teacher... with his intelligence and ability, it was possible that he really succeeded.

Yu Xiaogang smiled knowingly, teasing them. "You'll know when the time comes."

"Alright, the match is about to start. Go ahead and compete," Yu Xiaogang said, dispersing the group.

Though the Shrek members still had doubts, they could only go ahead and prepare for their match with Shura Academy.

Elsewhere

After leaving the competition area, Chen Xuan didn't rush back to the hotel. Instead, he visited three blacksmith shops, paying the deposit for the items he had custom-made.

The blacksmith informed him that the batch of items he had ordered was almost finished and could be picked up tomorrow.

"Alright, I'll come back tomorrow."

Leaving the blacksmith shop, Chen Xuan didn't stop and returned to the hotel to work on perfecting some ninjutsu and the techniques in the scriptures.

The scriptures were too complex and difficult; even after a whole night of trying, he hadn't made any progress. It was harder to learn than any S-rank forbidden technique.

Chen Xuan sighed, wondering if he would be able to master it before the finals.

He had always believed he was talented in learning techniques, but the sword technique on the golden paper was too complicated. He couldn't figure out the key.

"There are only two days left," Chen Xuan muttered, feeling heavy-hearted.

It would be best if Xiao Wu didn't reveal her Soul Beast identity. If nothing happened, it would all be fine. But you can never be too careful—what if something went wrong? What should he do then?

Time passed quickly, and soon the day was over. By the time the sunset arrived, the Shrek Seven Monsters and substitute members had returned.

Without a doubt, with six Soul Emperors, Shrek's victory over Shura Academy was a given. They would definitely advance to the finals.

Night fell, and Chen Xuan, drenched in sweat, dragged his exhausted body out of the woods, finishing a day of training.

Back at the hotel, he found Zhu Zhuqing to ask about the situation and how the next matches would be arranged.

Zhu Zhuqing informed him that Shrek had defeated Shura Academy today, and Martial Soul Hall and Shenfeng had also won their respective matches. The three teams would enter the final match, which would take place the day after tomorrow.

At that time, the Pope, Martial Soul Hall elders, and black bishops, platinum bishops, and others would personally attend to watch the final.

"Alright, I understand." After a day and night of training, Chen Xuan was too tired to continue. His mind and body were exhausted, and he just wanted to sleep well.

Xiao Wu was in the hallway and naturally noticed Chen Xuan's tired face. His clothes were dirty, and she didn't know where he had been, returning only at this time.

"Chen..." She was about to approach, but Chen Xuan had already returned to his room, not giving her a chance to speak.

Zhu Zhuqing looked back and also noticed Xiao Wu in her pajamas. However, the two didn't greet each other and each returned to their respective rooms.

Chapter 156: Champion's Reward

The next day

In the morning, the sun was shining brightly, casting a radiant glow on the Angel Statue, making it appear even more dazzling.

Above the Spirit Hall, at the Elite Tournament battlefield, many people had gathered, including white-robed stewards, purple-robed stewards, black-robed bishops, and platinum bishops from all directions.

In addition, nobles and high-ranking officials from the Star Luo Empire, as well as Ning Fengzhi and two Title Douluo from Tiandou, had also arrived.

After twenty to thirty days, today finally marked the grand finale of the Elite Tournament. Over thirty teams had been reduced to just three: Shrek Academy, New Spirit Wind Academy, and the Spirit Hall Battle Team.

According to the rules, eliminated teams could not attend to watch the final. Even the lead teachers from advancing academies could only watch from the resting area.

The final three teams entered the highest area of Wuhun City— the Pope's Palace.

Looking around, the palace was majestic and magnificent, truly standing above the clouds. The towering buildings were brilliant in gold and jade, surrounded by mist, exuding a divine aura.

In front of the grand Pope's Palace, a large square had been set up as the competition venue.

Here, one hundred golden-armored and silver-armored knights had gathered, each holding a weapon and standing in strict formation.

They were all tall, fierce-eyed, and their armor gleamed as they stood in formation. Their imposing presence made it clear that they were a fierce army.

As he walked, Chen Xuan observed closely. Not only were there knights inside the arena, but hundreds of meters around the area were also heavily guarded. Every section was watched over, not even a mosquito could fly in.

He furrowed his brow. In a typical scenario, not only would it be impossible to break in, but even those inside would find it hard to escape.

However, he wasn't too worried. This was not a deadlock. After all, he wasn't following a normal route but using spatial movement, so he wasn't afraid of the guards.

At times like this, the Flying Thunder God technique would be useful. Now, he just needed to figure out how to place the medium.

At the competition venue, everyone had arrived, including the elders from the Spirit Hall. Ju Douluo and Gui Douluo escorted the empress into the arena.

On a high platform 50 meters away, an extremely beautiful woman in her prime stepped forward. She held a scepter and wore a purple Pope's robe, its hem dragging on the ground as she walked.

She was extraordinarily beautiful, with a stunning face, dressed in the finest clothing, a purple-gold crown atop her head and a silver scepter in hand. The bandages on her arms were inlaid with gems, each worth a fortune.

Bibi Dong was beautiful and seductive. Her long gown swept the floor, not hiding her proud figure but instead accentuating her graceful curves, imbued with purple charm.

Under the gown, her feet were visible, wearing purple stockings and stepping on metallic high heels inlaid with several gems, radiating an alluring purple hue.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope!" As the empress appeared, all the knights, stewards, and high-ranking bishops immediately knelt.

Hu Liena, Xie Yue, Yan, and the Spirit Hall Battle Team all knelt and shouted "Long live!"

New Spirit Wind Academy also followed suit, with Huo Wu, Huo Wushuang, Feng Xiaotian, and others kneeling.

When the empress appeared, everyone in the audience showed respect. No one dared to be disrespectful.

Chen Xuan thought that deliberately standing out in someone else's territory was akin to making trouble. There was no reason to provoke someone like her.

Moreover, she was an immensely powerful figure, and could easily take lives. He had no reason to provoke her.

All the knights and bishops in the audience turned their eyes toward Shrek's direction. Under the pressure, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, Tyron, and others reluctantly knelt.

However, Tang San remained standing, unshaken, directly ignoring Bibi Dong and the more than one hundred knights.

"Only my father and teacher are worthy of me kneeling, what's the Pope to me?" Tang San sneered in his heart.

Everyone present frowned, disapproving of his stubbornness. After all, he was just a Soul Sovereign, and it seemed like he was putting on airs.

Especially Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and others, whose expressions turned cold. Bibi Dong was the person they revered most, and Tang San's actions were undoubtedly an affront to her, which only made them dislike him more.

Chen Xuan twitched his eyelid, especially when he saw Tang San's smirk. It seemed like he thought he looked cool.

"How audacious! How dare you disrespect the Pope, do you want to die?" The black-robed bishop angrily scolded, pointing his sword at Tang San.

Bibi Dong raised her hand and surprisingly did not get angry, instead stopping the black-robed bishop.

"Rise," she said calmly.

With her words, everyone stood up and looked toward the high platform, waiting for the Pope's instructions.

"Xiao Gang, I have shown you enough respect," Bibi Dong thought to herself, her beautiful eyes gleaming as she glanced toward the stands.

Liu Erlong sensed the gaze and smiled. She naturally walked to Yu Xiaogang's side, leaned on his shoulder, and gave a sweet smile.

She also provocatively glanced at Bibi Dong, almost as though declaring her ownership.

Seeing this, Bibi Dong's expression visibly turned colder, her beautiful eyes turning icy.

"You slut!"

Her anger was rising in her heart. She had saved Yu Xiaogang's life and promised him that after the competition, he would return to her side. If not, she would never let him go back to Shrek Academy.

At first, she thought Yu Xiaogang was in a hurry to return to the academy for some urgent matter, but now she understood—he was just eager to reunite with his old lover.

Bibi Dong's face turned cold. She felt betrayed, her anger rising rapidly. She had already decided—once the final was over, she would kill that slut, Liu Erlong.

The eyes of the two locked in a challenge, and Yu Xiaogang, how could he not notice? He remembered his promise to Bibi Dong, which made him feel awkward and uncomfortable.

"The mighty Pope of the Spirit Hall, at the top of the world, infatuated with a messy middle-aged man. How absurd," Chen Xuan thought helplessly. It seemed like these people were all mad.

…

After the ceremony, Bibi Dong took out three soul bones and announced the rewards for the final match. The champion would receive these three soul bones.

With a wave of her scepter, three rays of light shot out—one blue, one red, and one green—three soul bones floating in the air, full of soul power, exuding the fierce aura of ten-thousand-year soul beasts.

At this moment, Gui Douluo stepped forward and explained, "These three soul bones are all from ten-thousand-year soul beasts. The Wisdom Skull Bone, in particular, comes from a soul beast over fifty thousand years old, personally slain by the previous Pope."

The beautiful Ju Douluo smiled and informed everyone that apart from the mental-type Wisdom Skull Bone, the other two were also thirty thousand years old: the Explosive Burn Right Arm Bone and the Swift Wind Left Leg Bone. Each one was priceless and rare, with no price in the market.

The appearance of these three soul bones was sure to cause a stir. Everyone present was moved, some with burning eyes full of greed, wishing to claim these treasures for themselves. But they knew it was Spirit Hall, so they quickly dismissed the unrealistic idea.

"As always, there can only be one winner. Therefore, these three soul bones belong to the champion. All contestants, show your best and fight for first place!" Bibi Dong smiled faintly, pleased with the reactions of the crowd.

"I wonder who will end up with these three soul bones," Chen Xuan muttered.

Among them, the Wisdom Skull Bone was perfect for mental-type soul masters. It would greatly benefit him, Tang San, and Hu Liena.

The Swift Wind Left Leg Bone, on the other hand, was suited for speed-oriented soul masters. It was perfect for Zhu Zhuqing, who had already absorbed a right leg bone and now only lacked the left one.

Zhu Zhuqing was naturally moved. No one would turn down a soul bone, especially one with thirty thousand years of age and one that perfectly matched her abilities.

She knew that if she absorbed the soul bone, she could break through to Soul King, possibly even beyond level 51.

Clearly, the attributes of these three soul bones were highly suitable for Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan. It was hard to tell who would benefit in the end.

With the champion's rewards now revealed, the final match was about to begin.

The final battle would be a personal elimination match. The winner would directly enter the final, while the two losing teams would compete in a team battle in the afternoon to determine the last participant in tomorrow's final.

The competition was about to start, and the teams would draw lots to determine their participation order.

Chen Xuan didn't stay long and quietly left the arena. The remaining matches had little to do with him, and there was no need to waste time here.

He had more important matters to attend to. He had many tools waiting for him to inscribe formulas and complete preparations.

Chen Xuan understood that in order to successfully escape from the heavily guarded Wuhun City, he needed to master the terrain here and plan the perfect route.

Chapter 157: Preparations Complete

The area outside the Papal Palace was fortified with buildings, towers, and artillery platforms spanning a thousand meters. The Wuhun City knights stationed there made it the most heavily guarded place in the region.

Chen Xuan contemplated. To teleport using the Flying Thunder God technique, he would have to pass through this area—it was an unavoidable geographic location.

At this moment, he needed to tamper with this area to set up mediums for the Flying Thunder God.

The area was guarded like an iron fortress, and for an outsider to conduct any covert operations here was almost impossible.

However, Chen Xuan wasn't worried. He had long since prepared a countermeasure. Reaching into his storage soul guide device, he took out a few small stones, holding them in his hand as he made his way toward the Papal Palace's outer area.

Without summoning his martial soul, he merely willed it, and lines of small black characters appeared on the surface of the stones.

Chen Xuan walked casually, leaving the competition area. Passing one heavily armored knight after another, he didn't draw any attention.

After walking over two thousand meters away from the camp, he entered an area where knights still patrolled, diligently keeping watch.

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Xuan flicked one of the stones. It zipped through the air and landed in a flower pot far away, embedding itself into the soil.

He scanned the area. The two heavily armored soldiers on patrol were heading toward another zone, unaware of his actions.

To ensure safety, Chen Xuan didn't rush to leave. He lingered in the area, looking for opportunities to place more marked stones.

After a few minutes, he had successfully hidden five stones, all within the maximum range of the Flying Thunder God technique. Even if one stone was discovered, the other markers would serve as replacements.

"Hey, kid, I've been watching you for a while. Why haven't you gone into the competition area or left? What are you up to here?"

Suddenly, a stern voice rang out, startling Chen Xuan. He turned around sharply, finding a middle-aged man in a purple robe with a steward's badge on his chest approaching him.

"Have I been discovered?" Chen Xuan frowned. His sensory abilities had been active the whole time, and he was sure no one had noticed him placing the stones.

Quickly calming himself, Chen Xuan chose to trust his senses. The man had either been outside his detection range or was too strong to be detected.

"And who are you? Why are you here?" Chen Xuan retorted. Judging from the man's aura, he was at most at the Soul Emperor level—not a supreme powerhouse.

The middle-aged man, wearing the insignia of a Wuhun Hall steward, snorted coldly. "I am a steward of Wuhun Hall, patrolling this area to eliminate suspicious individuals. You seem very suspicious. State your affiliation. Which academy are you from?"

"Shrek," Chen Xuan replied calmly, maintaining his composure.

He then pulled a token from his chest and tossed it to the man.

The purple-robed man scrutinized the token warily, and his expression changed drastically. Immediately, his demeanor shifted.

"My apologies! I didn't realize you were a reserve member of the Wuhun Battle Team. Please forgive my earlier rudeness."

Smiling, the middle-aged man handed the token back to Chen Xuan without hostility.

Chen Xuan nodded, taking the token. "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."

The token, given to him by Bibi Dong, had included him in the reserve lineup of the Wuhun Battle Team a few days ago. Initially, he thought it was a ploy to sow discord between him and Shrek Academy, but as no public announcements had been made, it seemed his concerns were unwarranted.

"Please, go ahead," the man said with a smile.

Without lingering, Chen Xuan quickly departed, covering ten meters with each step and reaching a distance of three thousand meters in no time.

Three thousand meters was the current limit of his Flying Thunder God technique.

Activating his will, Chen Xuan pressed his palm against a stone slab, causing the black characters on it to flow like living ink to the slab's underside.

With this setup, he could teleport six thousand meters by chaining two activations of the technique. Even a Soul Douluo would take some time to cover such a distance.

Chen Xuan then strolled through the city, seemingly aimlessly but also familiarizing himself with its geography.

The crisscrossing streets were complex and chaotic, bustling with people. Occasionally, white-robed stewards appeared amidst the throng. The area was crowded, almost stifling.

After exploring the bustling downtown area, Chen Xuan moved to the outskirts. The population thinned, the streets grew quieter, and the buildings became sparse, lending the area a tranquil charm.

After spending most of the day scouting and adding to his earlier reconnaissance, Chen Xuan finally grew familiar with the city and its layout.

In the end, he devised the shortest route to the city walls, which would take just half an hour at full sprint.

He also identified an alternate, faster route that bypassed the walls by passing through a forest and leading directly outside the city. However, he dismissed it as unsafe, given the soldiers stationed in that area.

As the sun set, painting the horizon a vivid red like an oil painting, a certain melancholy hung in the air.

By nightfall, Chen Xuan had completed all his preparations. Along his planned route, he had placed twenty-five Flying Thunder God markers, extending his teleportation range to sixty kilometers.

Afterward, he visited three blacksmith shops, paid off the balances, and retrieved the custom equipment he had ordered.

"Sir, your weapon is ready," a blacksmith greeted him with a smile, instructing three apprentices to carry out a heavy spear.

The spear, two meters long and weighing 180 kilograms, had a straight, elegant shaft etched with unique cyan-gold patterns that gleamed with a metallic luster. Its tip was razor-sharp, gleaming like the eye of an eagle.

Chen Xuan gripped it firmly. Its weight felt just right without the use of soul power.

Previously, he had entrusted the cyan-gold spear to the blacksmith for upgrades, incorporating rare metals and a gram of a material reputed as the hardest on the continent, valued at 300 gold soul coins per gram. The total cost had exhausted his 100,000 gold soul coins.

After storing the spear, Chen Xuan returned to the manor on the outskirts, his fortune spent to the last coin.

At the hotel, he noticed Shrek's team members, including Flender and Yu Xiaogang, gathered in the lobby, discussing something intently.

Flender glanced toward the entrance and said, "Chen Xuan, come over."

The Shrek members paused, surprised, and looked toward the door.

Chen Xuan didn't resist. He casually took a seat at a nearby table.

The Shrek team continued their discussion. Many voices overlapped as strategies were debated.

Today, they had defeated the New Divine Wind Academy but revealed all their trump cards in the process. Their Seven-in-One Fusion Technique had channeled all their power into Tang San, who crushed the opposition with his spirit avatar.

Thus, for tomorrow's finals, the Fusion Technique would likely be countered by Wuhun Hall's team.

Chen Xuan shook his head and chuckled. Yu Xiaogang had backed them into a corner with his strategy. If it were up to Chen Xuan, he would have gone all out against the New Divine Wind Academy, securing victory at any cost. Then, he would use the Fusion Technique in the finals to seize the championship.

Unfortunately, reality couldn't be rewritten. More importantly, he no longer wanted to compete.

After half an hour of discussion, the Shrek team decided unanimously—including Tang San—that Chen Xuan must compete.

With Dai Mubai injured and unable to participate, their Seven-in-One Fusion Technique was unusable, leaving them with no trump cards.

Surprisingly, Yu Xiaogang remained silent, seemingly aware of the gravity of the situation.

"Brothers, it's shameful that I can't fight alongside you. Once the competition ends, I'll host a banquet at a luxury hotel!" Dai Mubai declared spiritedly.

Tang San patted Dai Mubai on the shoulder. "Boss Dai, even if you can't fight, your spirit is with us. Shrek is always one team."

Dai Mubai sighed, his gaze shifting to Chen Xuan. "Brother, you'll take my place tomorrow. Carry my will into the finals and make sure to crush Wuhun Hall's arrogance!"

Chapter 158: Turning the Tables

"Tomorrow is the finals. Win this last match, and the championship will belong to us, Shrek. Little monsters, give me your absolute best tomorrow!" Flender's voice was bold and encouraging as he rallied the team.

"Yes, Headmaster!" the Shrek team responded in unison, their morale high and battle spirits surging. Years of effort had led to this moment, and they weren't about to let it slip away.

Flender raised his glass towards Chen Xuan, smiled, and said, "Chen Xuan, I have high hopes for you. Do your best in tomorrow's match."

With that, he downed his drink, subtly expressing an apology for his earlier actions regarding the Grandmaster.

Ma Hongjun, Jiangzhu, Ning Rongrong, and the others looked expectantly at Chen Xuan. Having a Soul King on the team greatly increased their chances of victory.

Yu Xiaogang, however, remained silent. His expression was unusually stiff, neither agreeing nor objecting. His face was cold, his gaze piercing.

What Chen Xuan said next took everyone by surprise. Yu Xiaogang, who was already on edge due to his injuries, was almost provoked to stand up in anger.

"I'll pass on participating in the match. My fighting style is too independent and lacks synergy with the team. Such an important match doesn't suit someone like me. Let Tai Long take my place," Chen Xuan said with a smile, raising a cup of tea and finishing it in one sip.

Everyone froze on the spot. Yu Xiaogang was especially shocked. He couldn't believe it. This troublemaker, who had always wanted to compete, was now refusing? It was entirely out of character.

Dai Mubai was the first to recover, his face flushed with anger. He walked urgently to Chen Xuan and shouted, "Chen Xuan, what nonsense are you spouting? You're a member of Shrek. How can you say something like this?"

His face turned red with fury as he grabbed Chen Xuan's arm, demanding an explanation.

Ma Hongjun quickly chimed in to support him, saying, "Yeah, Brother Chen, don't you want Shrek to win this honor?"

Chen Xuan replied calmly, "That's precisely why I can't participate. I don't want to ruin this opportunity. The Grandmaster himself said my fighting style isn't suitable for team battles. I don't want to be the one to bring Shrek down."

Yu Xiaogang's face darkened further, his gaze filled with hatred as he glared coldly at Chen Xuan.

Tang San's expression turned grim. His eyes were icy as he watched Chen Xuan once again disrespect his teacher. For the sake of petty grievances, Chen Xuan was deliberately insulting the Grandmaster. It made Tang San seethe with killing intent.

"Chen Xuan, enjoy your remaining time," Tang San muttered to himself, his face dark. He had already planned to assassinate Chen Xuan after the competition.

Shrek's team wasn't foolish; they could see the underlying message. Chen Xuan's words were a blatant jab at Yu Xiaogang.

Just a few days ago, the Grandmaster had declared that Chen Xuan was too independent and unsuited for teamwork, relegating him to the substitute bench.

"Headmaster, Senior Qin, if there's nothing else, I'll head back to rest," Chen Xuan said as he stood up, ready to leave.

"Chen Xuan, stop fooling around," Qin Ming said sternly, his displeasure evident.

Fatty Ma Hongjun clung to Chen Xuan's arm, refusing to let go. "Brother Chen! Boss Chen! You can't be so heartless. Without you, Shrek can't do this!"

His blunt statement sparked resentment among the others. Yu Xiaogang, Dai Mubai, Tang San, Tai Long, and Oscar all looked displeased, their anger growing.

Even so, Ma Hongjun's comment wasn't without truth. Among the group, Chen Xuan indeed had the highest spirit power, making his absence a blow they couldn't easily counter.

Chen Xuan gently pried Ma Hongjun's hand away and gave him an encouraging look. "Believe in yourselves. I believe in you too. Shrek is a Monster Academy. Every single one of you is a monster. I'm sure you can defeat the Spirit Hall team."

Hearing this, the Shrek team stopped trying to persuade him. It was clear that Chen Xuan had made up his mind to sit out the match, determined to defy Yu Xiaogang.

While some thought his behavior was childish, others began to resent Yu Xiaogang for his actions. Chen Xuan had been doing fine on the team, but Yu Xiaogang had insisted on asserting his authority, leading to this situation.

Watching his old friend in a wheelchair, Flender looked grim and sighed repeatedly. He couldn't entirely blame Yu Xiaogang for the predicament, but he couldn't bring himself to criticize him either, fearing it would be too much for the Grandmaster to bear.

Zhu Zhuqing and Jiangzhu remained silent. While they hoped Chen Xuan would compete, they respected his decision and chose not to intervene.

Xiao Wu, sitting nearby, also didn't comment. While her relationship with Chen Xuan had softened due to her pregnancy, she still kept her distance, unwilling to get too close to him.

Before heading upstairs, Chen Xuan glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu. If the mother of his child had spoken up, he might have set aside his grievances to help Shrek secure victory. But none of them made a move.

For now, Chen Xuan had no intention of considering anything else. His priority was Xiao Wu's safety. Nothing was more important than the mother of his child.

Besides, things were different now. He was no longer the easily manipulated Spirit Elder of Heaven Dou City. Repeatedly sidelined to make way for Tang San, he saw no point in further sacrifices.

"Let them play their games of favoritism. I've got nothing to regret," Chen Xuan murmured to himself as he returned to his room.

The Golden Generation trio from Spirit Hall wouldn't be easy to defeat. Even if he participated, victory would come at a cost he didn't see as worthwhile.

And even if he led Shrek to win the championship and earned the three spirit bone prizes, would Yu Xiaogang hand any over to him? It was clearly unrealistic.

The 50,000-year-old spiritual skull was a perfect match for Tang San's cultivation. There was no way Yu Xiaogang would let anyone else have it.

That night, under the starry sky and soft moonlight, most of the manor's residents were fast asleep.

Knock, knock.

Xiao Wu, preparing to go to bed, heard a knock at her door.

Still dressed in her bunny-themed pajamas, she opened the door.

"It's you. What are you doing here?" Xiao Wu asked, surprised to see Chen Xuan at this hour.

"Come with me for a moment," Chen Xuan said, grabbing her hand before she could refuse. He activated his teleportation skill, and in an instant, they disappeared.

A moment later, they appeared in the quiet backyard.

"What are you trying to do?" Xiao Wu instinctively stepped back, wary of Chen Xuan.

The moonlight illuminated the garden, casting a serene glow over the scene.

"It's important. I forgot to mention this during the day," Chen Xuan said without malice.

"What is it?" Xiao Wu asked, still on guard.

"Tomorrow, you must keep your Yearning Heartbroken Red safe. Don't lose it, or you could face a fatal threat," Chen Xuan warned directly.

"Why?" Xiao Wu blinked, puzzled. Her bunny ears drooped adorably as she stared at him.

Chen Xuan explained, "That flower can hide your aura. If it's lost, your identity as a spirit beast will be exposed…"

A 100,000-year-old spirit beast was exceedingly rare. If Xiao Wu's identity as a transformed Soft Bone Rabbit were revealed, countless strong spirit masters would hunt her down.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Xiao Wu's expression grew solemn. But then, a question came to her mind. "Why are you helping me? Aren't 100,000-year-old spirit beasts incredibly valuable to humans? Why not kill me and take the reward?"

She couldn't comprehend why someone would resist the allure of immense wealth and power to protect her. After witnessing her mother's death at the hands of humans, Xiao Wu found it hard to believe.

Chapter 159: The Last Match

"Why are you helping me? Isn't the ten-thousand-year soul beast very valuable to you humans? If you're not going to kill me, why are you still helping me?"

Chen Xuan didn't think for a second and blurted out, "There's no reason. First, I don't need a ten-thousand-year soul ring right now. Second, you're the mother of a child, and my duty is to protect you. Even if I face eternal damnation, I won't let you get hurt."

Chen Xuan's expression was serious, and his words were sincere. This was a promise to Xiao Wu and a reminder to himself.

"What if there were no child?" Xiao Wu's sharp eyes fixed on him.

Chen Xuan paused for a moment. He thought back to that night at the hotel, when he had taken Xiao Wu's most precious thing, and that's when everything afterward happened. Even if she hadn't been pregnant, he had still taken her virginity. They were already like a married couple. How could he escape and do something irresponsible?

"Even if you weren't pregnant, I would still protect you for life," Chen Xuan said firmly, without the slightest hesitation.

He would never regret making this decision. He couldn't take someone's body and then run away. He couldn't do that unless he had no conscience.

"But you hesitated," Xiao Wu's beautiful eyes dimmed slightly.

The first time, he had blurted it out confidently, but the second time, he hesitated. It was clear that he was weighing between her and the child.

Unknowingly, Xiao Wu had started to care about his true feelings. She didn't want Chen Xuan to be doing all of this just because of the baby.

If it was truly because of the child, in her eyes, Chen Xuan would be like someone forced into it, not willing. If that was the case, she would rather not have his protection.

"That's right, I did hesitate," Chen Xuan nodded, not denying it. "But it's not what you think. To me, both you and the child are equally important. You are the only connection I have in this unfamiliar world. This is how I feel real existence. Even if you weren't pregnant, I would still do the same."

"Really?" Xiao Wu looked at him with suspicion, but she felt much more at ease inside.

She was genuinely surprised. Despite not having much contact, Chen Xuan seemed to value her so much, more than his own life. It brought tears to her eyes, and her heart felt warm.

Chen Xuan didn't answer directly. Instead, he met her gaze and looked into her beautiful eyes. He asked, "If it's true, will you marry me?"

Xiao Wu froze, blinking in surprise. Then her face turned red, and she quickly looked away, unable to meet his piercing gaze.

"Who would marry you? Don't daydream!"

She was both shy and angry, pretending to be mad as she punched Chen Xuan lightly. "Don't push your luck! You're shameless, a pervert, and a jerk! If it weren't for the baby, I wouldn't even consider you!"

"Alright, alright," Chen Xuan said, pretending to be deep in thought, sighing. "Sigh, since I can't marry the mother of my child, looks like I'll have to marry someone else."

Xiao Wu froze for a moment. The conversation took a sudden turn, and she didn't react in time.

"No!" Once she realized what he was saying, she felt uncomfortable and immediately rushed in front of him, glaring at him fiercely.

Chen Xuan stepped back and muttered to himself, "Sigh, when I have a family, and I have to protect you and the child, I wonder if my future wife will be angry."

Xiao Wu's face turned red with anger. She clenched her fists.

Chen Xuan continued, "If I'm going to find a partner, it should be someone familiar. I think Zhuang Zhu is a good choice—she's beautiful, kind-hearted, and gentle with everyone."

Xiao Wu's face flushed with embarrassment. Finally, unable to suppress her anger, she lifted her long leg and stomped it onto the ground.

Chen Xuan, being very observant, took a step back and dodged her aimless attack. Her pink high heel missed him completely.

Xiao Wu was enraged, her fists clenched tightly as she glared at him, shouting, "You bastard! Pervert! If you dare to marry someone else, I'll make sure the baby doesn't recognize you as their father!"

She had already made up her mind. If that bad guy dared to marry someone else, when the baby was born, she would tell the baby that their father had died. She could raise the child alone.

"No, that's not how it works. If you don't want to marry me, it's perfectly reasonable for me to marry someone else. You're being too unreasonable."

Xiao Wu lifted her neck, snorted, and said, "I don't care. You can't marry anyone else. If you dare to secretly meet with other girls, you'll never see the baby again. You won't be the father!"

Chen Xuan was speechless. He seriously wondered if this rogue rabbit was a landlord in her past life. This was a clear case of a "霸王条约" (unilateral treaty), really bullying him.

"Alright, alright, I give up. Remember to keep the heartbroken red bead safe tomorrow, don't drop it."

"Fine, I got it."

In the end, Chen Xuan used the Flying Thunder God technique to send Xiao Wu back to the hotel.

"Good night."

After saying goodbye to Xiao Wu, he returned to his room, took out a golden sheet of paper and a silver short sword, and continued his research.

It was the last night, but he hadn't even made it to the entrance. He had to hurry.

The Next Day

As the morning sun rose and a gentle breeze swept through, everything woke up.

Outside the Pope's Hall, in the fighting arena, various groups of people, soldiers, and bishops had already gathered.

The seven members of the Soul Fighting Team, the entire Shrek team, as well as Qin Ming and Dugu Bo, were all present.

Today was the grand finale of the Continental Soul Master Competition—the last match.

Pope Bibi Dong appeared, dressed in a purple gown, exuding elegance. Ju Douluo and Gui Douluo stood on either side, all three of them under the six-winged angel statue.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, the black-clad bishop no longer delayed and loudly announced, "Today is the final match. The winning team will receive three ten-thousand-year soul bones. Now, please send the players of both teams to the stage. Today, let us witness the birth of the champion."

Rest Area

"Go on, little monsters," said Flender, Liu Erlong, and Dugu Bo, encouraging everyone.

The Shrek team nodded and turned to walk toward the arena with heavy steps.

The battle arena, over a hundred meters long, was already occupied by the seven members of the Wuhun Team, who had been waiting for a long time.

"Strange, where's their Soul King? Why hasn't he come?" Xie Yue wondered.

Yan looked over and saw that, indeed, there was no sign of the dreaded Chen Xuan among the seven.

At the same time, the big screen displayed the list of participants, showing Shrek's team as Tang San, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, Tai Long, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu. Chen Xuan and Dai Mubai were nowhere to be seen.

"What's going on with Shrek? We can understand hiding their strength in the semifinals, but why not send out their strongest fighters in the finals? Are they looking down on us?" Yan said, furious, feeling insulted.

He had been hoping to use this match to teach that Chen Xuan a lesson for daring to spy on his Na Na.

Huo Wu couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Could it be that Chen Xuan doesn't want to face us?"

She guessed that Bibi Dong seemed to value Chen Xuan, having recently arranged him as a candidate for the Wuhun team, and he was training alongside the Golden Generation. So maybe Chen Xuan didn't want to fight them?

"Shrek Academy has made it this far, I must admit they have some skills. But unfortunately, in front of real experts, they're still not enough. I advise you to forfeit and avoid unnecessary suffering," said Yan, the Fire Lord, with a disdainful expression, looking down at the Shrek team.

Xie Yue and Hu Liena smirked, their laughter filled with contempt. If Chen Xuan were here, maybe he could have put up some resistance, but now, these seven weren't worth paying attention to.

"Anyone can talk big, don't get too arrogant. Watch out for a fall," Tai Long said, cracking his knuckles and pounding his chest to demonstrate his strength.

Tang San remained calm. Since stepping into this competition, he had a strong premonition that something unexpected would happen. Today, they were sure to win!

The black-clad bishop clapped his hands to signal for silence and announced loudly, "Alright, since both sides are in position, I hereby announce that the final match of the Continental Elite Soul Master Competition will now begin!"

As soon as his words fell, Hu Liena and Xie Yue immediately activated their martial souls, their soul power fusing, causing their martial souls to resonate and merge together.

Without any hesitation, they used their martial soul fusion technique.

Hu Liena had already become the beastly witch, her body radiating a dazzling light as her golden soul rings enveloped her. She turned into a two-meter-tall fox.

Xie Yue also released his martial soul. His body emitted a vast soul force that expanded to engulf the entire arena.

The battle was about to start!

Chapter 160: Off the Track

Competition Area

The weather was sunny and clear, and before anyone realized it, it was already noon.

A massive statue of a woman stood a hundred meters high, with three pairs of lifelike golden wings radiating brilliance and a divine aura.

Beneath the angelic statue, Bibi Dong held her scepter firmly, her sharp gaze locked on the spectators' stand where Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong sat.

"Is it done?" she asked coldly, not shifting her gaze, her eyes still fixated on Yu Xiaogang.

Chrysanthemum Douluo bowed deeply, clasping his hands respectfully before the Pope. "Your Eminence, rest assured. Everything has been arranged, and the soldiers await your next command."

Ghost Douluo sneered ominously, "Your Eminence, with us and the bishops here, plus a thousand soldiers guarding the perimeter, even a fly couldn't escape Spirit City!"

"Good," Bibi Dong smiled faintly, though the smile was anything but beautiful—more cruel than anything.

Her icy eyes shifted slightly as she said emotionlessly, "Lord Roaldia, since you've brought back useful information, your previous missteps will be forgiven. Report back later to receive your reward."

Roaldia, clad in black and exuding power, still tensed up at the Pope's words, his palms sweating.

"Thank you, Your Eminence. I'll take my leave now," he replied, breathing a sigh of relief as he left.

Recalling the desert ambush on Heaven Dou's army to capture Tang San, it was thanks to his sharp instincts that he noticed something unusual about a young girl.

At the time, Chrysanthemum Douluo had taken a peculiar red flower from the girl, but Roaldia had immediately sensed something off. How could a human emit the aura of a spirit beast?

Upon reporting the incident to Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo investigated in secret and confirmed that the girl, whose martial soul was a Soft Bone Rabbit, likely was the one that had eluded them years ago.

Bibi Dong remained indifferent, casually waving her hand. "You are to guard the city gates as well."

"Understood, Your Eminence!" Roaldia bowed deeply before flying off toward the city gates.

Arena

A red mist engulfed half of the hundred-meter-wide platform, obscuring everything within.

Without fully engaging, the Spirit Hall team had only sent Hu Liena and Xie Yue forward, yet they had already suppressed the Shrek team.

The thick mist made it impossible for normal people to see inside.

"Poison Douluo, even you can't see through it?" Flender asked in disbelief.

Dugu Bo shook his head. Despite being a Titled Douluo, even he couldn't penetrate the red mist; only those with extremely strong mental power could.

"Perhaps only Pope Bibi Dong can disregard that red mist entirely," Dugu Bo muttered.

Chen Xuan's three-tomoe Sharingan spun in his eyes as he stared at the platform. The dense mist was formidable, but under his gaze, it was rendered ineffective. He could clearly see the soul power fluctuations of both Hu Liena and the seven Shrek members, and the tide was about to turn.

With a sudden surge, six out of the seven Shrek members, excluding Tang San, sprouted lightweight, transparent wings. With a strong beat, they rose out of the red mist.

"What? How is this possible?"

"How can they fly?"

The Spirit Hall team was shocked, staring in disbelief.

"Humph, so what if they can fly? I'll knock them down!" Yan, the Flame Lord, snorted, igniting his soul power in blazing flames.

Inside the mist, the fusion form of Hu Liena and Xie Yue—Yao Mei—wielded twin crescent blades, slashing relentlessly at Tang San with deadly precision.

The immense power of their fusion skill consumed massive amounts of soul power, so Yao Mei chose to ignore the six others, leaving them for Yan and the others, focusing solely on defeating Tang San.

"Eight Spider Lances!" Tang San smirked coldly, refusing to be outdone.

With a burst, eight sharp spider legs extended from his back, exuding a deadly purple toxin.

Resting Area

Chen Xuan's gaze sharpened as he noticed an unusual increase in the number of knights at the gates. An unsettling premonition crept over him.

Looking up at the angelic statue, he caught Bibi Dong's attention. She, too, was observing him.

"This kid is quite perceptive," she murmured with a faint smile, a hint of admiration in her expression.

"Has he figured it out already…" Chen Xuan sighed softly. What was meant to come couldn't be avoided. It felt as if invisible hands were manipulating everything.

However, the most unexpected events were yet to come, ones that no one present could have foreseen.

Arena

With a loud crash, a figure was sent flying out of the red mist, landing heavily on the ground.

"Who is it? Tang San?"

Everyone instinctively assumed the figure was Tang San.

But when the figure became clear, they were horrified—the one who had been struck out was Yao Mei!

The Spirit Hall team stared wide-eyed in disbelief. A soul fusion technique, powerful enough to rival a Soul Saint, had been defeated by a mere Soul Elder!

The shock froze everyone in place.

Coughing up blood, Yao Mei was gravely injured, her armor shattered, revealing large patches of skin.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue, both injured, could no longer sustain the fusion technique. Yao Mei dissipated, leaving the two separated.

As the red mist faded, the platform returned to view.

Standing tall was Tang San, with eight spider legs extended behind him, barely a scratch on his body.

"What's happening? Why has my strength suddenly increased severalfold? Is it a hidden enhancement from the Eight Spider Lances?" he wondered, staring at his fists in confusion.

Spotting Hu Liena injured, Yan abandoned his teammates and rushed to her side.

"Perfect opportunity!" Tang San exclaimed, signaling Ma Hongjun and Zhu Zhuqing to attack the Spirit Hall team.

Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track allowed him to move like a shadow, closing a distance of 20-30 meters in the blink of an eye.

The seven members of the Spirit Hall team were now divided, with Hu Liena and Xie Yue pushed to the edge and the rest isolated on the other side.

"Are you okay, Nana?" Yan asked, worry written all over his face as he carefully helped his goddess.

Coughing up more blood, Hu Liena and Xie Yue appeared pale and gravely injured. Without their armor, Tang San's punch might have pierced Yao Mei entirely.

"Yan, get back there!" Hu Liena shouted urgently.

"Help them, Yan!" Xie Yue echoed, frustrated at his recklessness.

But it was too late. Tang San hadn't forgotten about them.

The ground suddenly burst open as hundreds of Blue Silver Grass vines shot up, intertwining into three massive cages that trapped Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.

"Well done, Tang San!" Dai Mubai laughed heartily.

Yu Xiaogang smiled proudly. "As expected of my disciple, turning the tide single-handedly."

"Remarkable, little monster," Dugu Bo admitted with a grin.

Chen Xuan's Sharingan spun as he observed every detail on the field, his heart growing heavier.

"We've already diverged from the original timeline…" he murmured, feeling the invisible hands moving the pieces on the chessboard.

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