Dai Mubai was already hostile toward Shen An, and Shen An's mocking remarks about the academy further infuriated him.
Dai Mubai said coldly, "Our Shrek Academy has accepted only a few dozen students in the past 20 years, but only 14 have truly graduated. After leaving the academy, every single one of them has become a figure of great renown. The most outstanding among them is now the youngest Elder of the Spirit Hall, second only to the Pope in authority."
Fixing his piercing gaze on Shen An, Dai Mubai continued, "So, what gives you the right to question our academy's strength?"
"Hahaha!" Shen An couldn't help but burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. It wasn't his usual style to laugh so unreservedly, but this was too much.
Shen An, his eyes filled with mockery, said, "As far as I know, becoming an Elder in the Spirit Hall requires a strict qualification: being a Title Douluo with spirit power surpassing level 90.
"Given Shrek Academy's criteria that students graduate by the age of 20, even those from the first cohort would only be about 40 years old now.
"But isn't the youngest Title Douluo in the entire continent the one with the title 'Clear Sky'? And even he only achieved that at the age of 44. So how is it that one of your students has become the youngest Elder?"
With a smirk, Shen An added, "At first, I thought Shrek Academy just looked shabby. Turns out, it's not just that your standards are absurdly high—you're also terrible at lying. Your claims don't even hold up to scrutiny."
As soon as Shen An finished speaking, Dai Mubai's face turned a mix of green and purple, his chest heaving as he struggled between anger and shame at being exposed.
Tang San and Xiao Wu were momentarily stunned. Though they had their disagreements with Shen An, his points were undeniably valid, and the respect they had for Shrek Academy began to waver.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong covered her mouth, suppressing a laugh. As the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she loved a good spectacle, and she knew Shen An was telling the truth—Shrek Academy was indeed guilty of false advertising.
Zhu Zhuqing pressed her lips together, deep in thought. What now? After hearing Shen An's words, I feel even less inclined to join this academy.
Dai Mubai's expression grew darker as his spirit power surged. With a cold glare at Shen An, he roared, "There's no Teacher Li here now. If I cripple you, no one will stop me!"
Xiao Wu, enjoying the show, chimed in mockingly, "Dai Mubai, don't just talk. He's standing right there—why don't you go ahead and hit him?"
Placing Tom, his cat, gently on the ground, Shen An met Dai Mubai's glare without flinching. "I'd like to see if it's you who cripples me or the other way around."
Dai Mubai's combat instincts kicked in as he launched himself forward, his right fist aiming a powerful punch directly at Shen An.
Dai Mubai's straightforward punch carried a strong sense of dominance, like a tiger descending the mountain, leaving no room for retreat.
But Shen An wasn't intimidated. Though Dai Mubai had a higher spirit power level, Shen An's two spirit rings—a nearly millennia-old one and another of a full 5,000 years—had greatly enhanced his physical stats and spirit power.
With a swift sidestep, Shen An dodged the punch and countered with a straight punch of his own. Dai Mubai, surprised by Shen An's agility, had to shift his right fist into a defensive block.
Bang!
The collision of fist and arm forced both men back several steps.
Tang San, observing with his Purple Demon Eyes, was taken aback. He knew Dai Mubai's strength well, and for Shen An to match him blow for blow was shocking. Tang San began to reassess his earlier conflict with Shen An, considering the possibility of reconciliation.
Dai Mubai, on the other hand, was equally stunned. How could this be? His White Tiger was a top-tier assault-type martial spirit, yet Shen An had held his own. But rather than back down, Dai Mubai's fighting spirit surged.
"White Tiger, Possession!"
Golden light enveloped Dai Mubai as his body grew larger and more muscular. His golden hair turned black and white, a "王" symbol appeared on his forehead, and three spirit rings—two yellow and one purple—emerged beneath him.
"Roar!" A tiger's roar echoed, sending a chill through everyone present.
Shen An remained unfazed, immune to the intimidating roar. With a turn of his hand, the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass appeared, its emerald-green blade trembling with excitement.
As Shen An stood with his sword, his demeanor shifted. The previously gentle aura gave way to a sharp, imposing presence. Beneath him, a yellow and a purple spirit ring rose in tandem.
The crowd was in shock. A second spirit ring at the purple level? Such a thing was unheard of!
Even Zhu Zhuqing was stunned. When did he get his second spirit ring? Yet her initial shock was quickly replaced with annoyance. Why didn't he tell me? Hmph!
Shen An activated his first spirit ability, Wind-Chasing Lightning, doubling his speed. In a blink, he closed the distance, his sword slashing down toward Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai, alarmed by Shen An's speed, had no choice but to activate his defensive skills.
"White Tiger Barrier!"
"White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"
Clang! The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass shattered the White Tiger Barrier instantly.
Bang! Dai Mubai managed to grab the blade's flat side with his enhanced tiger claws, but the sword's innate sharpness sent waves of cutting energy that sliced through his flesh, leaving his hands trembling.
Seeing this, Shen An smirked and released the sword, letting it fall to the ground.
Dai Mubai, baffled, seized the opportunity to hurl the sword aside and charged at Shen An with his bare hands.
"Fool," Shen An thought. A beast spirit master trying to fight an agility-type weapon master barehanded?