In Xiao Wu's private lounge…
Yu Tianheng entered.
Looking at Xiao Wu's beautiful, graceful figure and breathing in her sweet scent, Yu Tianheng was mesmerized.
"Why did you want to join Shrek Academy?" Xiao Wu asked.
"Why?" Yu Tianheng replied dreamily,
"Because the moment I first saw you, I knew… there's no other woman in the world for me.
Being separated from you was more painful than descending into the deepest level of hell."
"But…"
Xiao Wu hesitated, her eyes filled with mixed emotions.
"I'm much older than you. (Over a hundred thousand years, actually.)"
"I don't care." Yu Tianheng replied firmly.
"And… I have lots of other men besides you."
"I still don't care." Yu Tianheng said again, unwavering.
Xiao Wu continued:
"I carry a blood feud. My enemies are beyond your imagination.
And walking through the human world with my identity puts me in constant danger.
I can't promise that you won't get caught in the crossfire."
"I still don't care.
If anyone tries to kill you, I won't back down. I'll stand in front of you.
Even if I die, they'll have to walk over my corpse first." Yu Tianheng declared.
Xiao Wu turned to face him and asked softly:
"Then what do you care about?"
Yu Tianheng said:
"Only one thing matters to me."
"Then say it."
Yu Tianheng took Xiao Wu's hand, gazing into her eyes:
"I only hope that I can stay by your side forever.
To keep watching you.
As long as I haven't taken my last breath…
You're not allowed to die."
The two of them stared into each other's eyes, filled with deep affection.
Then Xiao Wu suddenly threw herself into his arms and nestled into his chest.
Just then, the door suddenly opened—
Er Ming walked in.
He froze.
Seeing Xiao Wu snuggled happily in another man's embrace, his eyes dimmed.
"…Sorry. Maybe I came at a bad time."
But Xiao Wu reached out her hand and said gently:
"No—you came at just the right time."
Er Ming smiled, walked over, and embraced Xiao Wu together with Yu Tianheng.
He didn't expect Xiao Wu's heart to belong solely to him.
He just wanted to have a place in her heart—that was enough.
As the next Soul Arena Tournament approached, the Shrek team was discussing their upcoming strategy.
In their private booth, the now "Shrek Eight Devils" were divided into three factions.
On one side: Tang San, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun—the Reincarnator Faction.
They were anti-newcomer, and the Three Shrek Brothers were staunchly supporting Tang San as the leader of the team.
On the other side: Er Ming and Yu Tianheng, the newly added members—forming the Newcomer Faction, banding together against the discrimination they faced.
And finally, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong stood as the Neutral Faction.
"Honestly," Dai Mubai scoffed,
"Across the entire continent, there are only a handful of truly elite teams.
All this talk of 'mysterious' teams is nonsense.
Back in our past lives, we fought the best.
Everything else is just garbage.
Even if one of those 'mystery' teams shows up—I'm not scared. Been there, done that."
Yu Tianheng said calmly:
"Our academy might be known for raising monsters, but don't underestimate the geniuses of the world."
Ma Hongjun grinned and chimed in:
"If you're a monster, then act like one.
Playing it safe makes you a coward.
Where's the monster in being cautious all the time?"
"I'm only doing this for the good of the team. With the way you guys are acting, it's only a matter of time before you suffer a loss," said Yu Tianheng.
Dai Mubai pointed directly at Yu Tianheng and said coldly, "Yu Tianheng, don't tell me you're afraid? And to think you're the direct heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. You don't even have the guts to get into trouble when needed? Pathetic. I suggest you get the hell out of Shrek Academy. We don't accept trash here—only monsters."
"Who are you calling trash?" Yu Tianheng growled in anger.
"You think I'm scared of you?" Dai Mubai shot back, equally fierce.
At that moment, Tang San stepped forward to stand beside Dai Mubai. "Yu Tianheng," he said, "all we know about this mysterious team is that their members are at the Soul Elder level. Their cultivation shouldn't exceed that of Shrek's team. So how about we make a bet?"
"What kind of bet?" Yu Tianheng asked warily.
"There are eight of us. Since each match only allows seven to participate, one person has to sit out. I suggest that Xiao Wu doesn't enter the battle. You and I will both join the match, and we'll see who contributes more—who eliminates the most opponents. The loser voluntarily quits and stops pestering Xiao Wu. How's that?"
Though it sounded reasonable, in truth Tang San had already sentenced Yu Tianheng to death in his heart. He proposed this bet not just for sport—but to show Xiao Wu how useless Yu Tianheng was, and how powerful he was. He wanted Xiao Wu to see for herself who truly loved her most.
Although Yu Tianheng believed these Shrek freaks were arrogant beyond reason—especially how confident Tang San sounded about winning the next battle—when it came to Xiao Wu, he would never back down. Caution was already tossed to the wind.
"This isn't something I can decide alone," Yu Tianheng said. He turned to Xiao Wu. "We'll go with your opinion."
Xiao Wu looked at Tang San with some irritation. "Ah San-gege, can you not keep deciding things for me? You're just my gege, remember?"
"Xiao Wu, I—" Tang San began.
"No need to explain. Don't let it happen again," Xiao Wu interrupted, waving him off impatiently. "I still remember the promise I made to you. So I'll sit this match out. Let me see what you're capable of."
Tang San nodded solemnly. He hadn't forgotten the agreement: if he could lead Shrek to victory, Xiao Wu promised she wouldn't perform any Martial Soul Fusion Techniques with other men.
That meant… this match was absolutely one they couldn't afford to lose. A spark of determination lit up in Tang San's eyes.
After their previous match with the Emperor Team, and now with Yu Tianheng involved, Flender's confidence in Shrek Academy was at an all-time high.
That night, at the Soto City Soul Arena, the mysterious team was set to face off against Shrek. Before the match, bets were being placed. Flender handed Li Yusong a sack containing all his savings.
"Bet it all on the Shrek Seven Devils to win," Flender said.
Li Yusong looked at the bulging sack of Gold Soul Coins and hesitated. "Headmaster… this is a lot of money. Are you sure about this?"
Flender adjusted his glasses and replied, "There's nothing to worry about. Don't you trust the strength of our little monsters?"
"I do…"
"Then that's enough. We're going to make a killing tonight!" Flender grinned.
Meanwhile, in the prep room on the left side of the arena:
The Snow Woman stood before the Spark Team, facing its seven members. "Your opponents tonight are people you're already familiar with. You've challenged them many times in the Eternal Spiral Tower."
"Teacher, you mean the Shrek Seven Devils from reality are the same ones from the tower projection?" asked Mu Yuanfang.
The Snow Woman nodded. "But there's a key difference. The Shrek Seven in the Eternal Spiral Tower lack some of the trump cards that the real team possesses. However, don't let your guard down—they also have abilities the projections in the tower don't have. That means you must go all out from the very start. Leave them no opening."
"Victory just isn't the goal I'm giving you tonight," she continued. "My requirement is: defeat them within five minutes."
Mu Yuanfang replied solemnly, "Understood, Teacher."
The arena was packed. The crowd was buzzing with excitement and curiosity about the mysterious challenger team.
The host stepped onto the platform, microphone in hand. "Welcome to Soto City Soul Arena! Tonight's match: the mysterious challenger team versus the Shrek Seven Devils!"
"First, let's welcome the Shrek Team to the stage! Hailing from Shrek Academy—an institution known only for raising monsters—they are undefeated in team battles thus far. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome… the Shrek Seven Devils!"
The crowd erupted in cheers. Fans shouted wildly:
"Seven Devils! Seven Devils! Shrek Seven Devils!"
From the lounge, the Shrek team stepped out, walking down the corridor toward the stage.
In the audience, Flender nearly choked on his own spit.
"Where's Xiao Wu? Xiao Gang, where's Xiao Wu?!"
Yu Xiaogang looked a bit awkward. "I don't know either… I left the match arrangements entirely up to Tang San."
"Tang San?! Then why the hell did he bench Xiao Wu?!" Flender shouted. "You realize I bet all of Shrek's years of savings on our win—ALL of it!!"
His scream echoed like a groundhog being strangled.
Flender had so much faith in the team's victory only because of Xiao Wu and Er Ming. With Yu Tianheng's Martial Soul Fusion, and Er Ming's yet-to-be-revealed fusion technique with Xiao Wu, the team had an unstoppable trump card—especially at the Soul Elder level.
That was why Flender went all in.
And now you're telling me the key fusion component—Xiao Wu—isn't even playing?!
"Relax, Flender," said Yu Xiaogang. "Even without Xiao Wu, Tang San is still on the stage. He can lead Shrek to victory."
"…Let's hope so." There was nothing more Flender could do. All he could do now was pray the Shrek Seven Devils would win without Xiao Wu.
"We have to win…" Flender muttered, staring fixedly at the stage. This wasn't just about pride anymore—it was everything he owned on the line.
The host then gestured to the opposite entrance. "Now, let me announce tonight's mysterious challenger team…"
"They are the Spark Team, hailing from Spark Academy! Let's welcome… the Spark Team!"
Spark Team?
Both the reincarnated and original members of the Shrek Seven Devils froze when they heard the name.
They all began combing through their memories—especially the four reincarnated ones led by Tang San. Even in their previous lives, they couldn't recall ever hearing of a "Spark Team."
Was this team born of a third-rate academy… or an unpredictable dark horse?
Tang San and the others turned their attention to the other side of the arena. Four men and three women, slightly older than themselves, with soul power so well concealed that it was impossible to judge their level. Knowing they were all likely at the Soul Exalted stage, it was clear they must have some means to hide their aura.
Following Shrek's principle that "avoiding trouble is cowardice," Dai Mubai stepped forward, whistled mockingly, and said:
"Greetings, Spark Academy's Spark Team. Forgive my ignorance, but I've never heard of your academy. Could it be… a third-rate school?"
The opposing captain, Mu Yuanfang, replied calmly:
"You call Spark Academy third-rate? Then let me ask you—Shrek, your academy, has it undergone formal registration? Is it eligible to participate in the Soul Master Tournament? If not, wouldn't that make Shrek Academy a third-rate institution as well?"
Dai Mubai's face darkened. Though his reincarnation had brought many changes, one thing remained unchanged—Shrek's honor. As a member of the original Seven Devils, how could he allow anyone to insult Shrek Academy?
With a grim expression, Dai Mubai snapped, "Shrek Academy may be unknown now, but soon its name will be known across the entire Douluo Continent. Once the match begins, you'll understand."
"I return your words to you," said Mu Yuanfang. "The same goes for Spark Academy."
"Then let's settle it with our fists," Dai Mubai said coldly.
After their verbal clash, the two returned to their respective teams.
The host raised the mic and announced, "Oho! Sparks are already flying as these two teams meet for the first time. It seems tonight's Soul Arena match is destined to be intense!"
"Combatants, please note: you have one minute to release your martial spirits. After one minute, the match will officially begin." With that, the host flapped his wings and left the stage.
"Let's show these third-rate nobodies what real martial spirits look like," said Dai Mubai.
With that, the Shrek Seven activated their martial spirits. The spirits on Shrek's side were truly top-tier.
Sausage, Evil Fire Phoenix, White Tiger—each one a powerful spirit.
Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda, Yu Tianheng's Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon—and if you counted Tang San's hidden Clear Sky Hammer—Shrek's team had practically gathered the martial spirits of the former three great clans.
Even Er Ming's martial spirit bore the bloodline of the divine beast, the Titan Giant Ape.
All seven had the standard soul ring configuration for their age and spirit level: yellow, yellow, purple.
Compared to Shrek's flamboyant reveal, the Spark Team was much more understated in activating their spirits—but then…
When Luo Xingqi opened his palms and revealed a pagoda spirit similar to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda but with nine levels, Ning Rongrong was the first to freeze in shock.
When a hammer bathed in shining golden essence appeared in Mu Yuanfang's hand, Tang San froze.
When Lin Chen spread his arms and his body let out a dragon's roar, lightning surged as a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit fused with him, Yu Tianheng froze.
When Ye Qingmei summoned her spirit and a Nether Cat appeared behind her, Dai Mubai froze as well.
Then came the angel that bathed the arena in holy light, then the space-devouring Bone Dragon, and the emerald angel radiating support and healing energy… one after another, all of them had spirits that screamed: this team is no joke.
Even more terrifyingly—their soul rings were: purple, purple, purple.
Three purple soul rings.
The last one, at a glance, clearly had at least 7,000 to 8,000 years of spirit age.
In the audience:
Two people were already breaking down.
Flender's face looked like a slapped sandal, full of grief. "No… my money… Where did this absurdly strong team come from?!"
Beside him, Yu Xiaogang gripped his buzzcut fiercely, filled with disbelief. "Three! Three thousand-year rings?! That's impossible! That violates all my theories! It's fake! It has to be fake!"
He spun to grab Flender. "Tell me—they're fake, right? Their soul rings are fake?!"
Flender snapped out of his financial mourning and examined the rings closely.
"…Sorry, Xiaogang. I hate to say it, but… they're real."
Yu Xiaogang's voice trembled. "If that's true… does it mean there are actually ways for soul masters to absorb soul rings beyond the age limit?"
Flender looked painfully at the seven members of the Spark Team and muttered, "That seems to be the case. Their spirit lineups are no joke. If Xiao Wu were available, we might have stood a chance. But now… all we can do is pray our little monsters can pull off a miracle."
On stage:
Ning Rongrong was the first to point at Luo Xingqi. "You—how do you have the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda? What's your connection to the Ning family?"
Luo Xingqi answered, "I have no connection with the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan."
"Then how did you get the Seven—no, Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?" Ning Rongrong pressed.
"Does having this martial spirit automatically make me a Ning?" Luo Xingqi replied with a counter question.
"Isn't that obvious?" she snapped.
Yu Tianheng, Tang San, and Dai Mubai had now processed what they were seeing and began firing their own questions:
"Where did you get the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit?!"
"You have the Nether Cat spirit? What's your relation to the Star Luo Empire's Duke of the Nether Cat?"
"Why do you have the Clear Sky Hammer?" Tang San couldn't help but ask directly.
(In the audience, Xiao Wu perked up. Her enemy had two traits: the Clear Sky Hammer and the name Tang Hao. So naturally, anyone with that spirit drew her attention. What surprised her more was—how did Tang San, a kid from some backwater village with a Blue Silver Grass spirit, even recognize the Clear Sky Hammer?)
Faced with all the questioning from the Shrek team, Mu Yuanfang chuckled softly and replied:
"We have no obligation to answer your questions. Just know one thing—we have nothing to do with you."
Ning Rongrong frowned deeply. She stared at the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda in Luo Xingqi's palm. That spirit only existed in her clan's historical records. Her father had long sought after this ultimate form of the Seven Treasures Pagoda—and yet it now appeared, not in the hands of a Ning clan member, but in a complete stranger's.
Ning Rongrong made a decision. Once this match ended, she would immediately notify her clan to investigate Luo Xingqi's background. And if possible, they must bring her under the control of the clan.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
With the ringing of the battle bell, both sides immediately entered combat mode. The auxiliary-type soul masters on both teams sprang into action.
"Nine Treasures, bestow—"
"Seven Treasures, bestow—"
Beams of radiant glazed light emitted from two pagodas, infusing into their respective teammates.
Su Qingqian's Jade Swan released three major soul skills—Gentle Breeze, Angel's Light, and Spring of Purification—in succession, enveloping every teammate on her side. On Shrek's end, they received various sausages from Oscar.
Using Flying Mushroom Sausages, the team gained temporary flight capabilities.
Each team quickly engaged their respective opponents. Yu Tianheng led the charge and clashed with Lin Chen, the two Thunder Dragons engaging in battle. Even though Yu Tianheng held the advantage in spirit power level, Lin Chen's soul skills were superior. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.
Er Ming fought against Mu Yuanfang. Both of their martial souls were power-type; each punch and hammer blow caused ripples in the surrounding space.
Ma Hongjun faced off with Zhao Hengning—a dragon and a phoenix (though the "phoenix" was more like a fat chicken and the "dragon" looked like a skeletal lizard—not exactly dignified, to be honest).
Lu Kai, a control-type with an Angel martial soul, used Angel's Eye to share everyone's sensory data. He multi-tasked to control the battlefield and coordinate tactics. On the Shrek side, Tang San took up the role of control-type, using Blue Silver Bind to restrain both teammates and enemies.
Suddenly, a black streak of light flashed across the field.
Ye Qingmei received speed boosts from both the Nine-Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda and the Gentle Breeze skill of the Jade Swan. Her Nether Shadow Cat activated all three of its soul rings, each one enhancing her speed.
With all the buffs combined, Ye Qingmei's speed reached an extreme level. The spirit cat darted into Shrek's backline in an instant.
Before anyone could react, Tang San barely managed to track her with Purple Demon Eye and hurriedly used Blue Silver Grass to shove Dai Mubai in front of her.
But Ye Qingmei was even faster. Oscar and Ning Rongrong hadn't even reacted before they were knocked off the stage. Within moments of the match starting, Shrek had already lost its two main supports.
Dai Mubai arrived late, watching helplessly as Oscar and Ning Rongrong were eliminated. He turned to Ye Qingmei with a curious look:
"I don't know where you got that spirit cat martial soul from, but it's obvious you don't understand how to use it. What kind of spirit cat has all its soul skills focused on speed? Without attack power, speed is meaningless!"
"I chose to specialize in speed because my Nether Shadow Cat doesn't need direct attacks," she replied.
As she spoke, another martial soul mark appeared on her—White Tiger. A tiger's roar echoed as a phantom of the White Tiger appeared behind Ye Qingmei, roaring toward Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai was stunned.
"Y-You... how do you have a White Tiger martial soul?!"
Ye Qingmei didn't answer. She brought her two martial souls—Nether Shadow Cat and White Tiger—close together, slowly fusing them.
"Nether Cat... White Tiger... don't tell me—"
Dai Mubai's suspicion was confirmed: Ye Qingmei had achieved alone what normally required two people in the Star Luo Empire—a martial soul fusion.
A majestic Nether White Tiger emerged in front of Dai Mubai.
It lunged.
Facing the powerful fusion technique, Dai Mubai could only defend. He was swiftly defeated. The Nether White Tiger then turned toward Yu Tianheng.
The tide turned in an instant. When Tang San turned to check the backline, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong had all been eliminated.
With no time to hesitate, Tang San hurled his custom Mother-Son Soul Chasing Deathly Darts at the two auxiliary-type soul masters of Spark Academy. Then he dashed forward using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, aiming to capture Lu Kai with his Blue Silver Grass.
If I can turn this around in such a bad situation, Xiao Wu will surely see me in a new light!
However, both of Tang San's plans failed.
When he launched his hidden weapon, Luo Xingqi and Su Qingqian dodged precisely, as if they had some movement technique similar to Ghost Shadow Steps.
As for Lu Kai—although part of his body was entangled, Tang San sensed heat surging through the Blue Silver Grass and grinned.
"Trying to counter my Blue Silver Grass with fire? Sorry, but my Blue Silver Grass is fire–"
Before he could finish, the Blue Silver Grass ignited into a roaring blaze, turning instantly to ash.
Tang San's delayed brain finally kicked in—his fire immunity didn't exist yet! That only comes after he completes the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Alchemy Body training!
From the holy fire, a Divine Staff extended—whack!—and flung Tang San away.
From the holy fire came Lu Kai's mocking voice:
"You were saying something about your Blue Silver Grass and fire...?"
Tang San landed squarely at Xiao Wu's feet—meaning, he had officially been eliminated.
Xiao Wu scoffed,
"Ah San-gege, how come you're already knocked out not even a minute into the match?"
"I..." Tang San didn't know how to respond.
"Didn't you promise that I wouldn't need to use a fusion technique? That you'd handle everything? Yet you couldn't even beat the folks on stage? I gave you your chance, Ah San-gege. Don't tell me you're really that useless?"
Tang San hung his head and said weakly,
"That's... that's because I didn't have enough intel, so I wasn't prepared. Next time... I'll definitely beat them."
A moment later, Yu Tianheng was overwhelmed by the combined assault of Nether White Tiger and Lin Chen. Ma Hongjun was soon defeated as well.
The Shrek Seven Devils had officially lost.
The audience erupted in curses—
"What the hell, Shrek Academy! Weren't you supposed to train monsters?! I bet everything I had on you! This is how you repay me?!"
"Monsters? My ass! In front of Team Spark, you're nothing but jokes. Damn it, I believed your hype and bet all my money on you!"
Xiao Wu, with a tone full of disappointment, scolded Tang San:
"Hmph, I could've fused with Yu Tianheng and Er Ming to unleash a martial soul fusion technique. If I had gone on stage, Shrek wouldn't have lost this badly! So why didn't you let me go up there?"