"Little Tiger… what an old memory…"
Hearing that name, Zhang Peng felt a dead memory surge back and attack him. Instinctively, he spun around into a defensive stance.
"It's you! You're still alive?!"
When Zhang Peng saw who it was, he was shocked.
Before him sat an old man in a wheelchair — Mu En himself.
Hearing Zhang Peng's words, Mu En's previously calm face instantly darkened.
"I spared your life back then, and this is how you talk to your savior?" Mu En snorted coldly, his voice low and heavy.
"Huh?"
Zhang Peng froze, his eyes wide.
Did he even hear what he just said? Was that even human speech?
You hunted me down for no reason, then let me go — and now somehow you're my savior?
Back then, before Zhang Peng had even joined the Holy Spirit Cult, he was just fond of drinking a little soul beast blood to aid cultivation. He hadn't killed a single human.
Then, by some rotten luck, while happily sipping beast blood, he happened to run into Mu En.
Mu En immediately decided Zhang Peng was an evil soul master and proceeded to utterly thrash him. In the end, he said Zhang Peng's sins weren't too deep and let him off.
Zhang Peng remembered it clearly — Mu En had been leading a group of Shrek Academy students on a soul beast hunt at the time…
And now Mu En had turned into his so-called savior.
Zhang Peng's temper flared for a moment, but the bottomless pressure rolling off Mu En cooled his defiance.
He swallowed down his frustration, again and again.
"What business do you have with me, Elder?"
Finally, Zhang Peng's complexion cycled from blue to purple, then from purple to pale white. After regaining calm, he forced a smile and spoke politely.
"He's not here for you. He's here for me. You may go."
A streak of black light appeared beside Zhang Peng, gradually forming into a figure — Long Xiaoyao, who had been guarding Jiang Jue.
"So my suspicions were indeed correct."
"This next move was not a mistake."
Looking at Long Xiaoyao, a flash of clarity cut through Mu En's cloudy eyes, though he spoke only in his heart.
Zhang Peng glanced at Long Xiaoyao, bowed slightly, and then vanished from the rooftop of the Star Emperor Hotel.
Watching Zhang Peng leave, Mu En let out a quiet sigh.
"Ah… I gave you a chance back then, but you didn't take it."
Back then, Mu En had let Zhang Peng go partly because of his talent. If only Zhang Peng had understood his intentions, there might have been one more seat in the Sea God Pavilion by now.
After all, Zhang Peng had only absorbed soul beast blood, not human blood — strictly speaking, he didn't qualify as an evil soul master.
And across the entire continent, who would dare question Shrek Academy?
"What do you want from me?"
Long Xiaoyao looked at Mu En with some complexity.
After all, it had been Long Xiaoyao who had crushed Mu En's love with Ye Xishui, separating them. He couldn't help but feel some lingering guilt.
"Come, have a drink with me."
"Just like we used to…"
Mu En's voice carried both a heavy sense of time and a faint longing for the past.
Long Xiaoyao focused silently, saying nothing.
It had been at least ten years since they'd last seen each other. Mu En's words stirred some emotions in him — yet he hadn't forgotten what Zhongli Wu had asked of him.
"Don't worry about that kid. It's the tournament right now — with a Star Luo Empire Titled Douluo there, and Zhang Peng too, his safety isn't an issue. Besides, I already gave Xuanzi a stern lecture last time I went back."
Seeing Long Xiaoyao unmoved, Mu En continued.
"You won't even give an old brother this small courtesy?"
"Besides… I'd like to ask how Xishui's been all these years."
The once silent Long Xiaoyao's expression shifted involuntarily at the mention of Ye Xishui.
After a pause, he finally spoke in a low tone.
"Fine. Let's go. I hope it's a good place — preferably one with meat."
A glimmer passed through Mu En's eyes, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Don't worry. Not just meat — good wine too."
Mu En laughed heartily. Back when they were young, Long Xiaoyao couldn't go without meat. Seems that hadn't changed.
"To look back now… it's no longer like the carefree days of youth…"
Though Mu En smiled, deep inside, he sighed.
They could never return to those carefree years, roaming the world with swords in hand. Those memories could only remain memories.
"Old Dragon, this time it's my turn to wrong you."
"I have no choice. Back then there were choices — now, I have my responsibilities."
In the next moment, the two figures disappeared from the rooftop of the Star Emperor Hotel.
…
"How about it, Sect Master? I was right, wasn't I?"
"Mhm. I'll count that as a merit."
"Thank you, Sect Master."
In the stands, Du Busi sat together with Lang Ya and Yu Tao, having just watched Jiang Jue's match.
Du Busi's face was full of satisfaction — this was exactly the kind of talent their Body Sect needed.
"Shrek Academy likely won't survive the individual matches. You two get ready — as soon as the tournament ends…"
"Rest assured, Sect Master. Everything's prepared. All seasoned hands — smooth work."
"Grab the kid, and we bolt immediately."
Lang Ya patted the black hood in his hand, his tone brimming with confidence.
"Sect Master, same here!"
Yu Tao also held a black hood, thumping his chest.
"Good. Then we'll wait quietly for the tournament to end — at least to show that kid some respect."
…
"The individual matches are about to begin. We'll stick to the plan. Those who fought in the team battle — restore as much soul power as you can."
"Hongchen, you're up first. Be careful out there."
Elder Lin looked at Jiang Jue and the others as they recovered soul power, finally letting his gaze fall on Meng Hongchen, who hadn't yet fought.
Meng Hongchen wasn't just a team member — she was the granddaughter of his direct superior. He had to be extra cautious.
He might not care about personal progress anymore, but better benefits were always welcome.
"Understood, Elder Lin."
Sitting next to Jiang Jue, Meng Hongchen responded. Her beautiful eyes glanced sideways at him.
Jiang Jue opened his eyes, meeting hers, and said gently:
"Take care up there. If you can't win, step down immediately. Leave the rest to me."
"I know. You focus on restoring your soul power. I'm heading up now."
Meng Hongchen's voice was soft, then she stood and walked toward the stage, her eyes now filled with determination.
She had never been a vase — nor did she intend to become one.
"In the future, I'll face enemies alongside Jiang Jue. These battles before me are nothing."
Meng Hongchen thought quietly to herself.
When one's heart holds a greater goal, the present obstacles no longer seem insurmountable.
On the other side, in Shrek Academy's waiting area—
"Beibei, are you sure you can do this? Your injury…"
Wang Yan looked worriedly at Beibei, who was about to go up.
"No problem, Teacher Wang. I've got a trump card. I'm confident I can take out at least two of them."
Beibei's tone was firm as jade-like light glimmered in his hand, sweeping across his waist.
"Alright. Just be careful."
Seeing this, Wang Yan said no more. Their team was short on people now.
"Teacher Xiao Ya, watch as I carry forward the glory of our Tang Sect hidden weapons!"
Beibei thought to himself as he stepped onto the stage.
(End of Chapter)