"Tang San!"
"He's a hypocrite, a double-faced snake! I can't believe I've been calling him 'Third Brother' all this time. Today, I've seen his true colors," Ning Rongrong huffed, her voice trembling with anger.
The earlier events replayed vividly in her mind. The man she once admired had turned out to be a manipulative schemer, willing to slaughter innocent lives just to fulfill his promise to Xiao Wu. If it hadn't been for Ye Ritian's timely intervention, another innocent soul would have been lost tonight.
Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, her expression dark. Tang San's actions disgusted her. She felt a growing loathing toward the name "Shrek Seven Devils" that she was once proud to be a part of.
At first, neither Zhu Zhuqing nor Ning Rongrong believed Ye Ritian's warnings. But now, after witnessing Tang San's actions firsthand, they couldn't deny the truth: Tang San was exactly the kind of person Ye Ritian had described.
"Let's go back," Ning Rongrong sighed, her voice filled with exhaustion. Her faith in Tang San was shattered.
Why had she ever chosen to associate with someone like him? How could she continue to be part of a team with someone so vile? The title "Shrek Seven Devils" now felt like a cruel joke.
Zhu Zhuqing gave a faint nod, equally drained. As they walked back, her thoughts lingered on the rest of the team. Everyone had their own issues, and none of them were particularly easy to deal with.
Meanwhile, at the Soto Arena, the battle between the Emperor Team and the Frenzy Team reached its climax. With the final member of the Frenzy Team down, the crowd of tens of thousands erupted into thunderous applause.
The audience had expected the Emperor Team to lose. After all, the Frenzy Team's reputation and strength were well known, despite their recent loss to the Shrek Seven Devils.
However, the Emperor Team had completely shattered expectations. Their lineup was formidable:
Yu Tianheng spearheaded the offense. Dugu Yan, a control-system soul master, provided crucial support. Ye Lingling's unrivaled healing ensured the team's endurance. Oslo's speed and agility, combined with Yu Feng's aerial strikes, created a relentless assault. The twin brothers Shi Mo and Shi Mo served as an impenetrable defensive wall.
With every member being a Soul Elder and each having optimal soul ring configurations, the Emperor Team proved to be a near-perfect lineup, leaving no exploitable weaknesses.
For many, it seemed that only the Shrek Seven Devils could stand a chance against such a team.
As the battle concluded, the Emperor Team returned to their lounge, where Qin Ming awaited them with a proud smile.
"Well done, everyone. A victory on your first night—there's nothing more satisfying," Qin Ming said with approval.
Dugu Yan scanned the room but quickly noticed someone missing. "Teacher Qin, where's Ye Hao? That rascal better not be off fooling around again!"
The others looked around, realizing Ye Hao was indeed absent.
Qin Ming chuckled lightly. "Relax. Ye Hao said he'd head back to the inn to prepare a feast for everyone. He's probably waiting for us there now. You all did well tonight, but don't let one victory make you overconfident. Tomorrow's match will be even tougher."
The mention of food instantly lifted everyone's spirits. With cheers and laughter, they gathered their belongings and left the arena, walking with the confidence of victors.
In a modest inn some distance from the arena, Flender was busy counting his winnings. His bets on the Shrek Seven Devils had paid off handsomely, and he reveled in the extra funds that would keep the academy afloat.
The streets outside were quiet, the earlier drizzle having faded into a calm night.
Dragging his weary body through the rain, Tang San staggered back to his room. His face was pale, and his expression was dark.
He had barely escaped tonight's encounter alive. The thought of Ye Ritian filled him with rage.
I'll kill you one day, Ye Ritian. I swear it.
But it wasn't just Ye Ritian who worried him. The soul master he had failed to kill might reveal everything—his twin martial souls, his secret techniques, and his attempt at murder. Such revelations could ruin his reputation and destroy Shrek Academy's standing.
As Tang San changed into dry clothes, he cursed himself for losing control. He had been so consumed by anger that he had foolishly revealed his second martial soul, the Clear Sky Hammer. Now, he could only hope that the man wouldn't live to expose him.
Luckily, he had eliminated the man's six teammates. With them gone, it was less likely his secrets would spread.
Still, the thought of Ye Ritian lingered.
Ye Ritian, I will kill you, no matter what it takes.
"Knock, knock…"
"Brother, are you awake?" Xiao Wu's voice called softly from outside.
Tang San hesitated, then quickly composed himself and opened the door.
Xiao Wu stood there, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Why aren't you asleep, Xiao Wu?" He asked gently.
"I couldn't stop thinking about what happened. Brother, you shouldn't take things too far. Just teach them a lesson next time, okay?" Xiao Wu murmured, her tone filled with concern.
Tang San nodded absentmindedly, though he had no intention of following her advice. His mind raced with thoughts of how to track down Ye Ritian and silence him for good.
As Xiao Wu spoke, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing entered the inn. Their faces were pale and drawn, and when they saw Tang San and Xiao Wu, their expressions darkened further.
The two women brushed past them without a word, their frosty demeanor unmistakable.
For Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, the events of the night had permanently changed their view of Tang San. Though they didn't speak, the growing rift between them and their teammates was clear.
The once-unified Shrek Seven Devils were no longer the same.