Yu Xiaogang spoke gravely.
"Since Tang San's Clear Sky Hammer has already been revealed, then four days from now, when you face the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's first team, the Clear Sky Hammer will be the key to victory."
"Master, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's first team is the tournament favorite. Can I go on stage to help Third Brother?" Ning Rongrong asked anxiously.
Yu Xiaogang shook his head.
"No. Rongrong, your special training isn't complete. The lineup will remain the same as it was against Skywater Academy."
"Don't worry, Rongrong." Oscar stepped forward quickly, noticing her disappointment. "I'm already a level 41 food-type spirit master. The boost I provide isn't weaker than your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda. And you're our last trump card—we have to save you for the finals."
Yu Xiaogang continued with the strategy discussion.
"Xiao San, Heaven Dou's first team has won sixteen matches in a row, but their weakness has also been exposed. Do you see it?"
Tang San thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Ji Wuming's Heaven Dou team is made entirely of high-burst land-based fighters. They lack aerial advantage. We can deal with them the same way we handled Elephant Armor Academy."
"Exactly. That will be your key to victory."
Everyone turned their gaze toward Oscar. The battle's success would rest entirely on his Flying Mushroom Sausages. With them, the team could soar through the air at the speed of a thousand-seven-hundred-year-old Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent—for a full minute. That was enough to turn the tide of battle.
Feeling his companions' burning eyes, Oscar straightened and said firmly,
"Don't worry, everyone. I won't let you down."
"Good. You all have four precious days of rest. Make the most of it—four days from now, defeat Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's first team."
At Yu Xiaogang's words, the Shrek Nine cheered. Laughing and joking in pairs, they left the rest chamber together.
But Dai Mubai stood watching, bitterness burning in his chest. The sight of couples only deepened his frustration. What gnawed at him most was seeing her—her shining performance at Heaven Dou Academy, surpassing him in every way.
Why should a woman he had rejected now overshadow him? He refused to accept it.
"By now, the family must have received my letter," he thought grimly. "This time, I'll see to it that Zhu Zhuqing and the entire Zhu clan vanish from the Star Luo Empire."
---
Meanwhile, in Star Luo City—
The Star Luo Empire's qualifier had concluded. Emperor Dai Xier had only just returned to the palace when a black-clad figure of Soul Sage strength appeared before him, voice hoarse with age.
"Your Majesty, the Third Prince has written a letter."
At the mention of Dai Mubai, Dai Xier's relaxed expression hardened, anger flaring in his eyes.
"That cowardly disgrace still has the face to write to me?"
Dai Mubai's flight from the empire had meant abandoning his claim to the throne. Even so, as his son, Dai Xier had still shown some affection, sending him gold soul coins in secret. Never once had Mubai replied. Until today.
Dai Xier tore open the letter. Inside were only a few words:
"I have severed ties with Zhu Zhuqing. She has now joined Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, serving the royal family of Heaven Dou."
—Dai Mubai.
At first, Dai Xier's rage was mixed with disbelief. But seeing the signature, his fury boiled over. He slammed the table and bellowed toward the hall doors:
"Summon Zhu Yu immediately!"
Moments later, Zhu Yu, patriarch of the Zhu clan, rushed in, only to be met with the emperor's murderous glare. Trembling, he stammered,
"Your Majesty, did I… do something wrong?"
"See for yourself—the fine deed your third daughter has done!"
Dai Xier hurled the letter at his feet. It stabbed into the floor like a blade.
Zhu Yu picked it up with shaking hands. After reading, his knees buckled, and he collapsed in terror, kowtowing repeatedly.
"Your Majesty, the Zhu family would never betray the Dai clan! For thirty-six hundred years, our two houses have risen and fallen together. This is the ancestral oath of my family!"
His words tumbled out in panic. Fear choked him—fear that his rebellious daughter might drag the Zhu clan into ruin.
The Dai and Zhu clans were bound by bloodline martial fusion skills, but Star Luo had other cat-type martial spirits that could also fuse with the White Tiger—even if not as perfectly. If the Zhu family made the emperor displeased, even slightly, extermination was a real possibility.
More than that, centuries of intermarriage had built the Zhu clan enormous prestige. And in a kingdom, only one family could hold supreme power. If another family's influence rivaled the throne's, it would inevitably be crushed.
"I know your loyalty, Zhu Yu," Dai Xier said coldly. "But your children's actions represent not only your clan—but the Star Luo royal line itself. My word alone cannot silence the rumors. Do you understand?"
"I… I understand, Your Majesty. From this day forward, Zhu Zhuqing is dead. She is no longer of the Zhu clan. Her name will be erased from our genealogy forever."
Without hesitation, Zhu Yu disowned his daughter completely. To him, the Zhu family's power and survival outweighed any child—especially one who had been born with only rank-seven innate spirit power. He was still young enough to father more children.
Dai Xier's expression eased slightly.
"Good. Zhu Zhuqing is a traitor—ungrateful, disloyal, abandoning her empire for Heaven Dou. Cutting her off is for the best. You may go."
Zhu Yu bowed low, trembling, before backing out of the hall.