On the open grounds of Shrek Academy—

  Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others stood in stunned silence, watching Chen Xiaoming flee the scene. Xiao Wu, however, remained by Tang San’s side, her face full of concern as she gently cradled him.

  "Brother, are you alright?"

  Her tender voice reached Tang San’s ears. Realizing he was still nestled in Xiao Wu's embrace, Tang San’s eyes flicked toward Ning Rongrong and the others, his face instantly flushing. He hastily tried to stand up.

  "I... I'm fine."

  With his cheeks burning, Tang San’s heart pounded. Being this close, especially with others watching, left him flustered—though he himself wasn’t sure what exactly he was trying to conceal.

  Dai Mubai, watching from the side, seemed to pick up on something. His eyes fshed with amusement as he approached Tang San from behind, draping his arm over Tang San’s shoulder.

  "How did it feel just now?"

  "Don't joke around! Xiao Wu and I are siblings!"

  Tang San’s face reddened even further at Dai Mubai’s teasing. He quickly broke free, hurriedly expining himself.

  Dai Mubai smirked knowingly but said nothing more. Instead, he called out to Oscar, who quickly approached and handed Tang San a recovery sausage. However, Tang San politely declined—the taste was still too unbearable. Besides, his injuries weren’t too severe and could recover through self-regution.

  Physical wounds could heal, but the shock from what had just happened lingered.

  A Soul Saint with seven hundred-thousand-year soul rings... Tang San felt the need to write to his teacher. Years of studying soul master theory under the Grandmaster now seemed to have been utterly upended by Chen Xiaoming.

  The joy of passing the entrance exam was overshadowed by the mysterious powerhouse. Even Ning Rongrong’s eyes glimmered with contemption—Shrek Academy’s hidden depths, along with Chen Xiaoming’s bizarre strength, made her think it was time to contact her father.

  Not far away, Flender and Zhao Wuji finally recovered from their shock. Their hearts were far heavier than those of the younger generation.

  A month ago, Chen Xiaoming’s soul rings had been perfectly normal. In just one month, everything had changed—and in such a terrifying manner. Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged gnces, both inwardly relieved. It was fortunate they hadn’t offended such a formidable figure—and even more fortunate that Chen Xiaoming had chosen to stay at Shrek.

  Meanwhile, the man at the center of the storm was leisurely reclining atop a distant tree, gazing at the blue skies.

  Bullying the weak... what fun was there in that? Chen Xiaoming had come to a profound realization:

  Being invincible was truly lonely.

  Without even noticing, he drifted off into slumber. Perhaps loneliness really did bring a certain chill—the night wind whispered through the trees, leaving his nap somewhat uncomfortable.

  Nightfall.

  On the outskirts of Shrek Academy, in the dense forest—

  Ning Rongrong stood alone on a clearing.

  "Come out."

  Her voice echoed through the empty woods. A shadowy figure emerged, cd in the attire of the Seven Treasure Gzed Tile Cn. The figure knelt on one knee before Ning Rongrong.

  "Deliver this letter—immediately."

  "Yes, Miss."

  The figure took the envelope and vanished into the night. Ning Rongrong cast a gnce toward Shrek Academy, anticipation flickering in her eyes.

  At the same time, in his dormitory, Tang San sat beneath the flickering mplight, finishing a letter of his own. The day’s events had shaken him too deeply—perhaps the Grandmaster would have the answers he sought.

  In the forest outside Shrek.

  "Hmm? Did I fall asleep?"

  Chen Xiaoming’s eyes blinked open. The night sky, dotted with stars, stretched above him. No wonder he felt cold—night had already descended.

  "Time to head back."

  Leaping down from the treetop, Chen Xiaoming barely took a few steps before halting in pce. With a faint smile, he turned toward the shadows behind him.

  "You've come all this way—what’s the point in hiding?"

  A figure cd entirely in bck slowly emerged from behind a tree. His face was concealed beneath a bck hood, but his towering frame was unmistakable.

  "You don't seem surprised by my arrival."

  The hoarse voice carried a hint of doubt.

  "You’re already here—what’s there to be surprised about?"

  Chen Xiaoming chuckled, having already guessed the man's identity. Who else would seek him out in the dead of night, if not for what had transpired earlier?

  A Soul Saint with seven hundred-thousand-year soul rings... who else but Tang Hao would come to investigate?

  "It’s been a while since I've stretched my muscles."

  "I was hoping you'd say that."

  A fiery battle spirit ignited in Chen Xiaoming’s eyes. Titled Douluo—or rather, the legendary Clear Sky Douluo—this was a rare opportunity to gauge his own strength.

  Tang Hao slowly raised his right hand. A bck light gathered in his palm, forming the Clear Sky Hammer. Nine soul rings materialized around him—two yellow, two purple, four bck, and one crimson. The rings hovered silently, enveloping Tang Hao’s towering figure in a chilling aura.

  "A Titled Douluo... interesting."

  Chen Xiaoming’s smile deepened. His body trembled slightly, and seven blood-red soul rings emerged at his feet, suspended in perfect order.

  "Come."

  With a soft murmur, Chen Xiaoming struck first—his figure fshing forward, right fist clenched without summoning his martial soul. He wanted to test the limits of his physical strength.

  Tang Hao’s brows furrowed. No soul ring? Did this youth intend to fight him bare-handed?

  Given the gap in their soul power, Chen Xiaoming’s only chance at victory y in his hundred-thousand-year soul rings.

  Yet Tang Hao quickly suppressed his doubts. To possess seven hundred-thousand-year soul rings, Chen Xiaoming’s physique must be unfathomably strong. He didn’t dare underestimate him—soul power surged into his own fist as he met the strike head-on.

  Boom!

  A muffled explosion echoed through the night. Shockwaves rippled outward, sending their robes fpping in the wind. The ground beneath their feet cracked and crumbled.

  "Again!"

  Chen Xiaoming’s voice rang out. Twisting his body, he unched another punch.

  Tang Hao’s eyes flickered with admiration, but he remained cautious, meeting the blow without hesitation.

  Crack, crack, crack...

  The earth could no longer bear the strain—shattered fragments scattered as dust and rubble cloaked the two figures, obscuring their battle from view.

  —————

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