"Shrek Academy is nothing but a con artist's school."
"Who's there?"
"Who?"
Both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing turned in unison toward the voice. A masked Ye Hao emerged slowly from the shadows.
"Who are you?" Ning Rongrong asked warily.
With the increasing victories of the Shrek Seven Devils at the Soto Great Spirit Arena, their fame had grown immensely. Anytime the arena was mentioned, their name was on everyone's lips.
The audience was captivated by the mystery surrounding the team—all masked, their identities hidden. Many speculated about the faces behind the masks, imagining grand and exotic personas.
The Grandmaster had instructed the team to wear masks not only to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings but also to conceal Tang San's identity, which was a ticking time bomb—a revelation that could shake the world.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had only removed their masks after ensuring no one was around. They hadn't expected someone to recognize them. Seeing this masked stranger approach, the two girls quickly put their masks back on.
The atmosphere grew tense.
"You two must be Netherworld Spirit Cat and Seven Treasures Glazed Tile, right?"
Ye Hao smiled faintly, addressing the two directly.
Step One: Divide.
Tang San, if you are heartless, don't blame me for being unjust. The first step to defeating an enemy is sowing discord within their ranks—breaking their unity from within.
"Who exactly are you?" Zhu Zhuqing asked coldly, her tone cautious.
In the Soto Great Spirit Arena, only the Shrek Academy staff and the other five team members knew their true identities.
Zhu Zhuqing rarely interacted with outsiders. She and Ning Rongrong viewed the arena as a chaotic melting pot. As pristine as lotuses in muddy water, their only goal was victory, avoiding unnecessary complications.
"Who I am doesn't matter," Ye Hao said calmly. "But let me give you some advice: Shrek Academy is nothing more than a scam."
"Why are you insulting Shrek Academy?" Ning Rongrong snapped, her temper flaring.
"Why?" Ye Hao chuckled. "Because of their hollow slogan: We only take monsters, not ordinary people."
"They're not even registered. They can't participate in the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament. What gives them the right to boast such nonsense?"
Ye Hao continued, "Take their so-called rule of not allowing graduation below level 40. Anyone leaving before that supposedly shames the academy. Ridiculous! They're restricting the freedom of soul masters. A school like that might as well not exist. What's the point of it?"
"Have you said enough?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice turned colder, her displeasure evident.
Ye Hao ignored her hostility. This was precisely the reaction he wanted.
"Not yet. Fine, let's leave the academy aside and talk about your team members."
"Your leader, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, was a notorious womanizer before joining. Late nights, endless parties—it was his routine."
Zhu Zhuqing's face darkened beneath her mask, her frosty aura growing more intense.
"Enough! If you say one more word, I'll call Third Brother to deal with you!" Ning Rongrong threatened, her patience wearing thin.
Unfazed, Ye Hao pressed on. "Your Third Brother isn't any better—a two-faced hypocrite who says one thing but does another. Don't be fooled by appearances. Let me tell you the truth: Tang San is nothing more than a petty schemer. His true nature was on full display during today's battle."
Both girls fell silent.
"You saw it yourselves. Just because someone taunted the rabbit on your team, they were left half-paralyzed. You know the relationship between Tang San and that rabbit, don't you?"
"If this hadn't been the Spirit Arena, that soul master would likely have disappeared from the continent altogether—and by Tang San's own hand."
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong struggled to process his words. Could their always-composed "Third Brother" really have such a dark side? It seemed impossible.
"And that rabbit," Ye Hao continued, his tone sharper. "Beware of her. She's the most dangerous of all—vicious and manipulative."
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile, if I'm not mistaken, you're from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan. Take this advice: bring one of your clan's Titled Douluo to meet that rabbit. Then you'll learn her true nature."
With that, Ye Hao waved dismissively. "I've said all I need to. Farewell."
"Wait!" Ning Rongrong called out. "What's your name?"
"Me?" Ye Hao turned back slowly, his voice playful. "Ye Ritian."
With a faint smile, he disappeared into the shadows, leaving behind the two bewildered girls.
"Ye… Ritian?"
The two exchanged glances, the unfamiliar name leaving no impression.
"Rongrong, what do you think about what he said? Could the dean and Tang San really be…?" Zhu Zhuqing asked cautiously.
Ning Rongrong sighed deeply. Since joining Shrek Academy, Tang San's actions had consistently drawn her admiration. If it weren't for Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong might have devoted herself entirely to pursuing him.
I offered the entire Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, and you chose a rabbit?
"Let's head back," Ning Rongrong said simply.
The two girls returned to their resting room in thoughtful silence. Ye Hao's words had undeniably shaken them—they needed time to process everything.
When they reached the resting room, Zhu Zhuqing reached for the door, but Ning Rongrong stopped her.
Ning Rongrong's sharp instincts—something she inherited from her cunning father, Ning Fengzhi—kicked in. Motioning for Zhu Zhuqing to stay quiet, she led them back to the spot where Ye Hao had been.
From there, they overheard voices inside the room.
"Brother, that guy went too far! How dare he insult me? At Nuoding Primary Academy, I was never treated this way!"
The two girls exchanged uneasy glances.
So dramatic… What a tea-drinking schemer.
They shivered involuntarily. So much tea.