At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan—
As Chen Feng led Yu Tianlong and the other two out of the sect in what seemed like a hurried escape, a familiar voice called out from behind.
"Brother Feng, how could you head to Shrek Academy without taking me along?" Ning Rongrong ran up to them with a cheerful smile.
Chen Feng looked surprised.
"You just returned from Shrek. Shouldn't you be spending some time with Uncle Ning?"
Ning Rongrong pouted playfully,
"What reunion? Since I've already decided to leave Shrek and join your team, won't I be seeing my dad all the time now?"
She smiled brightly and continued,
"Besides, even though I've chosen to leave Shrek, I can't just vanish without saying goodbye to my teachers and teammates. I need to say a proper farewell."
"Alright, let's go together then," Chen Feng nodded.
The five of them set off toward Heaven Dou City.
Not long after, they arrived at the former Blue Tyrant Academy, now renamed Shrek Academy.
Gazing up at the plaque carved with the new academy name, Chen Feng's heart stirred.
The time has come to finally face Tang San…
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong had already stepped inside ahead of them.
"Teacher Li!" she called out.
An older man stepped forward — it was Li Yusong.
He looked at her in surprise.
"Rongrong? Didn't you just go home? It's barely been a day, and now you're back?"
Ning Rongrong scratched her head awkwardly, unsure of how to begin. Glancing at Chen Feng as if gathering courage, she finally said,
"Teacher Li, I came back today… to say goodbye."
"Goodbye? Rongrong, are you leaving?" Li Yusong stepped forward in surprise and confusion.
Ning Rongrong nodded solemnly.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is establishing a direct-branch academy. I must answer my father's call and take the lead in joining it."
Li Yusong quickly said,
"Rongrong, I understand your reasoning. But the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament is just around the corner.
We at Shrek are aiming for the championship. If you leave now—"
Though he didn't finish the sentence, the disappointment in his tone was clear.
Ning Rongrong looked down, eyes tinged with sadness. She didn't know how to respond — her feelings for Shrek and its people were genuine.
Just then, a calm voice rang out behind her.
"Shrek Academy's ambition is admirable, but your tone… a little too arrogant.
As for aiming for the championship? You might want to tone that down."
The speaker stepped out of the crowd — it was Chen Feng.
Li Yusong narrowed his eyes and asked coldly,
"And who might you be?"
"The team leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's direct academy — and Ning Rongrong's new captain," Chen Feng replied coolly, unfazed by the tension.
Ning Rongrong breathed a sigh of relief, but her nerves remained taut. She had lived and trained at Shrek for so long — there was real affection there. Even if she chose to leave, she didn't want to create bad blood between herself and her mentors.
Li Yusong chuckled coldly.
"Are you saying Shrek Academy doesn't qualify to aim for the championship?"
"That's right," Chen Feng responded bluntly.
"And what gives you the right to say that?"
Chen Feng smiled lightly.
"Words alone don't prove anything. We'll let our performance speak for itself."
"I came to Shrek today for two reasons —
One, to take Ning Rongrong with me.
Two, to give your so-called 'little monsters' a lesson."
Li Yusong let out a laugh, half from amusement, half from disbelief.
This batch of Shrek students was the most talented he'd seen in decades — especially Tang San. Under the training of the Grandmaster, they had achieved victory after victory in the Soul Arena, garnering immense fame. Compared to other soul masters of their age, they were in another league entirely.
And now this boy — who didn't even look older than them—was claiming he'd teach them a lesson?
"Very well then. Follow me to the administrative office," Li Yusong said, turning around with a wave.
"Let's see if you can still talk this big afterward."
Chen Feng simply smiled and followed, along with Yu Tianlong and the others.
They walked past the teaching buildings, the school yard, the dining hall, and rest areas. Along the way, they drew plenty of attention — students whispering among themselves, wondering who these new faces were.
Are they Ning Rongrong's friends?
That was the thought on everyone's mind as they saw her walking behind them.
Halfway there, Li Yusong suddenly stopped and amplified his voice with soul power:
"Go inform Dean Flender — we've got another challenger!"
"What? A challenge?"
"Buzz..."
The crowd fell momentarily silent before erupting into a flurry of discussion.
In Shrek, "challenge" or "kicking the gate" was code for academy vs. academy sparring matches — a term coined by the cunning Dean Flender.
Every time he organized these battles, Flender would hype up the visiting team and encourage students to bet on them. Then, Shrek's star students would crush the opposition, securing both victory and profit for the academy.
It was an old trick — but over time, the students caught on and stopped betting. Flender eventually toned down the hype around these exchanges.
But now… that term was back.
Naturally, the entire academy was stirred into excitement.
While the betting may have faded, the curiosity hadn't. Who was here to issue a challenge this time?
Li Yusong smirked. Once word got out, it wouldn't take long for students to gather. He wasn't looking for money — he just wanted to knock some arrogance out of that overconfident young man.
Teach Shrek's little monsters a lesson?
Let's see who teaches whom!
So many eyes were about to witness it. Let's see how that boy would walk away with his pride intact.
Li Yusong looked confident — almost smug. In his mind, Shrek's Seven Devils couldn't possibly lose, even without Ning Rongrong.
Chen Feng, however, remained unfazed. His expression calm, he said nothing. He did not need theatrics or provocation.
To him, all this posturing was pointless.
After passing through a bamboo grove, they arrived at the teachers' office wing — the administrative section of the academy.
"Wait here. I'll inform the Dean," Li Yusong said and turned away.
Chen Feng nodded and waited with his group in silence.
Beside him, Ning Rongrong furrowed her brows and whispered,
"Brother Chen Feng, Teacher Li isn't a difficult person… I think maybe your words just upset him a little."
Chen Feng shook his head.
"Rongrong, he's trying to emotionally manipulate you. Didn't you see it?"
"Whether you choose to leave or stay should be entirely your decision.
How can he make you feel guilty by using the excuse of 'championship ambitions'?"
He looked toward the main building and added coolly,
"Besides, judging by Shrek's current lineup, winning the championship is very unlikely.
Don't worry — I'll prove it soon enough.