"However, if she falls into the path of darkness… don't blame me for taking action."
Gu Rong's expression changed, but before he could respond, Qingluan Douluo had already soared into the sky.
Qingluan was extremely fast. Gu Rong could only sigh.
"Rongrong…"
At the same time, Qian Renfeng stepped quietly out of his room.
The courtyard was empty now, the only signs of life being scattered footprints and fallen leaves—a scene of quiet disarray.
He slipped the blue ring on his hand into his pocket, changed into a sleek set of black training clothes, looking sharp and efficient.
Around his neck hung a newly forged Angel Gold Coin necklace, his token, to be used later as needed.
He pulled a white full-face clown mask onto his face. With a gentle tap of his toes, he moved like the wind.
In just a few steps, Qian Renfeng disappeared into the winding streets—now nowhere to be seen.
Later…
Outside Lanba Academy— no, it should now be called Shrek Academy.
A black-clothed youth appeared at the school gates. His posture was lazy and carefree, he looked exactly like a wandering street thug.
He stood idly at the entrance, watching every student who passed by—especially the boys.
At first, the female students of Shrek Academy gave him disdainful glares.
"Pervert!"
"Creep!"
"Shameless scoundrel!"
But as some lingered nearby, they started feeling an odd tension behind them.
…Wait.
Was he also watching the guys?
Is he into men?!
Qian Renfeng paid no attention to their reactions. He was focused only on finding someone—that black-haired, blue-clothed brat named Tang San.
Although he'd never seen him in person, he had a strange feeling that he'd recognize him on sight.
But after waiting outside for a long while, he still didn't see his target.
Helpless, he reached out and grabbed a nearby student with his soul power.
"You've been staring at me. Got a grudge or something?"
His tone was calm and deep—completely unlike the youthful rogue he'd appeared to be moments before.
"N-No, not at all,"
"I just noticed you were checking out the boys... and I thought maybe... well, if you're interested, I'm versatile!"
Qian Renfeng's hand froze in midair.
Neither grabbing nor letting go felt appropriate anymore.
After a pause, he patted the dust off the young man's collar and quickly withdrew his hand, as if burned.
"Sorry. I just wanted to challenge one of your Shrek students."
"By the way, can you bring out your strongest one? Uh… I mean the one with the highest spirit power."
He glanced around, noticing everyone giving him cautious distance, with a certain mutual… discomfort.
"Tch. Handsome people get misunderstood everywhere."
He finished with a laugh, then gave the young man a kick to the rear.
"Well? Get moving!"
The student, oddly excited after the kick, jogged back toward the academy—occasionally turning to look back, which only disgusted Qian Renfeng further.
A moment later, someone walked out from Shrek Academy.
He had golden-blonde hair and blue-green eyes, and his hair looked like a tiger's mane freshly smoothed—radiating wild dominance.
His mismatched pupils gave him a legendary presence.
He wore a white combat suit paired with a gold-and-white ornate robe, a symbol of his noble status.
He was tall—comparable to Qian Renfeng's stature.
If he were dressed in a scholar's pale blue robe, his heroic aura might not outshine Qian Renfeng's, but each had their distinct charisma.
"Where is he?"
As Dai Mubai stepped through the academy gates, the crowd made it hard to spot his challenger.
Qian Renfeng studied him and smiled.
"The leader of the Shrek Seven Devils—Dai Mubai?"
Dai Mubai's gaze finally landed on Qian Renfeng.
He looked him over and replied,
"Seems like you've done your homework."
"Still got the nerve to challenge us?"
"And hiding your face? What—afraid to show it if you lose?"
Qian Renfeng chuckled.
"I just don't want you to lose your will to cultivate after seeing my face."
"I can assure you—I'm younger than you."
"If you don't dare accept the challenge, then scram."
"Go get your dean, Flender, or even that so-called 'Master.' I'd love to see what kind of garbage soul master stays stuck at Rank 29 forever."
These words were like pissing on Shrek Academy's face.
He gave Dai Mubai no respect at all.
Still, Qian Renfeng had no intention of humiliating them.
Given his spirit power, fighting Shrek was essentially bullying kids.
But there was no other way.
Tang Hao had hidden himself too well.
If he didn't stir up trouble at Shrek, how would Tang Hao ever show himself?
And without Tang Hao, Qian Renxue's revenge would remain unfulfilled—his God Test mission incomplete.
So during special times, special methods were necessary.
Dai Mubai's expression shifted from smugness to a dark, angry scowl.
Never had anyone publicly disrespected Dean Flender to his face before.
And calling the continent's top theory master a waste?
Absurd!
Sure, the Master had the innate spirit power of only half a rank, but if not for that, he'd have long since broken past Rank 29.
As for the validity of his theories… that wasn't for outsiders to judge.
The students of Shrek were furious.
They quickly cleared a space for the two to fight.
Several girls even shouted from the crowd:
"Senior Dai Mubai, go get him!"
"Show him Shrek's strength! Show him how awesome our Master is!"
Whether they got along in private or not, now that an outsider had come to provoke them, they all stood united.
Dai Mubai listened to their cheers.
His expression softened slightly as he let out a long breath.
He raised his right hand, placing his left behind his back.
"Dai Mubai, Shrek Academy."
"Rank 39, Assault-type Battle Soul Master. Please, teach me."
As he spoke, a white tiger phantom appeared behind him. His body began shifting toward a beast-like form.
Yellow, Yellow, Purple.
Three spirit rings glowed as they circled him.
Within the Soul Elder realm, he wasn't easily beaten.
Far off, Zhao Wuji and Flender were watching silently.
Challenges to Shrek weren't rare.
But someone wearing a mask like this?
Qian Renfeng was the first!
Everyone else wanted to gain fame from their school—why would they hide their face?
They practically wanted their names printed on their foreheads.
Zhao Wuji crossed his thick arms. His muscles bulged like stone slabs.
"Heh… another one with a death wish."