Two Years Later…An inn in Tian Dou City.
The gentle hum of rain tapped against the wooden shutters as Max leaned back in his chair, a steaming cup of tea in hand. The soft lantern-light flickered, casting shadows across the modest inn room. Outside, the streets of Tian Dou City bustled beneath gray clouds — merchants shouting, Spirit Masters wandering, and preparations underway for one of the grandest spectacles the continent offered.
The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.
Two years had passed since Max — under the name Feng — first began quietly roaming Douluo Dalu. Two years of wandering through cities, exploring forests, watching the movements of factions and powers. And now, they had circled back to the imperial capital of Tian Dou.
Lan Xue sat by the window, her long legs curled beneath her as she stared down at the crowded streets below, lightning-blue eyes faintly glowing beneath her hood.
Mu Qing lounged in the far corner, her ivy-green hair loosely braided down her back, fingers absently weaving a strand of Sky Poison Ivy into delicate patterns.
Both were Spirit Elders now — like Max — and more than just his companions. The three of them had traveled, trained, and quietly grown stronger together, keeping a low profile while the continent's tides shifted around them.
"This city's grown busy," Lan Xue remarked, tapping the window. "All the famous academies are arriving. I saw Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's banners earlier… and Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect's convoy."
Mu Qing's lips curled faintly in disgust. "You think Tang San's around yet?"
Max chuckled quietly, sipping his tea. "He will be. The Shrek Academy wouldn't miss this for anything. But we're not here for them."
Lan Xue tilted her head, brushing her silver-blue hair behind her ear. "We're not?"
"I want to beat the shit out of them for last time," Mu Qing muttered, clenching her fist, her sharp green eyes flashing with irritation.
It had been nearly a year now.
They'd gone to the Sunset Forest — a seemingly simple trip to secure a Spirit Ring for Mu Qing. But fate had other plans. There, deep in the forest, they crossed paths with Tang San and the other brats from Shrek Academy.
A dispute broke out over a rare Spirit Beast, both parties wanting it. A duel was proposed — standard Spirit Master etiquette.
Max had easily won, of course. His skill, his control, his disguised strength — none of them could match him. But just as they were about to claim the Spirit Beast, Tang San, with that self-righteous face of his, played the sympathy card. Talking about how his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, had trained Liu Erlong and Flender, how their group deserved the Spirit Beast more because of their "noble background" and "right intentions."
Max had simply laughed in their faces.
But as expected, Tang San's pride couldn't take it. Hidden weapons came flying. They fought, the Shrek kids eventually retreating after realizing Max was no one they could handle.
And then their teachers came, Flanders and others so Max decided to retreat to not disturb his peaceful Travel, and other reason was he didn't want to kill them yet , letting them live exactly for todays competition.
"Don't worry," Max said, his voice calm but carrying the faint edge of promise. "You'll get your revenge soon enough. I know people from Ghidorah already signed up for this tournament. All I have to do is give the word, and they'll beat the Shrek Academy kids so bad their mothers won't even recognize them."
Mu Qing's expression eased, her smirk returning. "Good. Watching them get crushed publicly will be so satisfying."
Lan Xue laughed softly, shaking her head. "You two hold grudges like old grandmas."
Max only smiled, eyes drifting toward the city outside. Tian Dou City buzzed with energy, Spirit Masters from all over the continent gathering for the tournament. Flags flew, taverns overflowed, rumors ran wild.
The streets of Tian Dou City were overflowing as Max, Mu Qing, and Lan Xue made their way toward the tournament venue. It wasn't hard to find—the crowds all moved like a tide in the same direction, toward the north district where the Great Spirit Arena stood tall and proud, gleaming in the morning sun.
The arena was massive, built of white stone and reinforced ironwood, capable of seating tens of thousands. Flags of different colors flapped in the breeze, each one bearing the sigil of a participating academy or influential sect. The symbol of the Imperial Family flew highest of all, its golden threads glinting like fire in the sky.
Lan Xue whistled softly as they approached the arena gates. "Now this is a proper tournament stage."
Max said nothing, hands tucked in his pockets, eyes scanning everything—the guards, the layout, the crowd, the quiet observers hidden among them. He wasn't here to compete, but information was worth its weight in gold.
A large banner stretched across the arena's front:
"Tian Dou Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament — In Association with Spirit Hall"
Beneath the banner, teams were already lined up, filing through checkpoints where officials inspected participants and registered their names.
Mu Qing's sharp gaze flicked over the groups, a slight frown on her face. "Shrek Academy's not here yet."
"They'll be fashionably late," Max muttered, spotting a few familiar emblems—the Thunderclap Academy, Elephant Armored Academy, and others—but no sign of Tang San and his merry band of troublemakers.
What caught his attention more, however, was the team clad in deep silver and black standing apart from the crowd.
Ghidorah Academy.
Max's academy.
Officially based in the western regions, Ghidorah Academy had exploded in reputation these past few years as a rising powerhouse. Known for producing unconventional talents, monstrous battle styles, and individuals with strange, terrifying Martial Spirits, they were considered unpredictable… and dangerous.
A faint smile tugged at Max's lips as he watched them.
"They made it," he said quietly.
The Ghidorah team stood confident, aloof even, ignoring the buzz around them. Most of the other academies gave them wary glances, but few dared provoke them.
"Want to go say hi?" Lan Xue teased.
Max shook his head. "No need. We're ghosts in this crowd, remember? For now, we observe."
The three of them slipped through the general spectator entrance, blending into the mass of Spirit Masters, merchants, nobles, and curious civilians filling the stands. From here, they had a perfect view of the arena below—a wide, polished fighting platform ringed with Spirit Master formations and protective barriers.
Announcements echoed across the arena as the officials began introducing teams, reading off names, ranks, and affiliations.
***
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