"So, I didn't inform you beforehand, nor did I tell those involved in the operation. Otherwise, we would have surely given ourselves away!"
Dugu Feng looked rather pleased with himself.
Tang Hao's reputation was indeed formidable, as evident from Old Scorpion's reaction.
As for what Dugu Feng had obtained from Tang Hao's home, Old Scorpion didn't dare to inquire further.
That was no longer mere information—it was a secret.
He had no intention of prying.
"Next, keep a close eye on Shrek Academy.
This supply town we're in is the nearest one to Shrek Academy on the way to the Star Dou Great Forest. You understand now, don't you?"
Dugu Feng instructed.
Where was Tang Hao now?
Dugu Feng speculated that he must have returned to the Clear Sky Sect.
Bibi Dong, leading the Titled Douluos from the Elders Hall, had been missing for over two months.
Given how long it had been, even the Dugu Family had learned of this news, so other factions must have as well.
Of course, this was also because Bibi Dong had never intended to conceal it.
She wanted to demonstrate her decisiveness and dominance as the Pope, thereby showcasing the might of the Spirit Hall.
Why would she hide her whereabouts?
Coincidentally, at this very time, Tang Hao had destroyed so many Spirit Hall branches.
The two sides were undoubtedly like fire and lightning colliding.
Tang Hao had investigated so many Spirit Hall branches—he couldn't possibly be unaware of this news.
Thus, the center of the storm on the continent would now be outside the gates of the Clear Sky Sect.
So, would Tang San still encounter the Man-faced Demon Spider during his Spirit Ring absorption this time?
Would he still obtain the Eight Spider Lances?
Dugu Feng planned to wait and see—what if it happened?
Two days after Tang San arrived at Shrek Academy, Oscar was the first to break through to the thirtieth rank.
Then, Zhao Wuji led the Seven Devils to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for Spirit Rings.
In the Star Dou Great Forest, Tang San broke through, stole the Spirit Ring meant for Meng Yiran, the granddaughter of the Dragon and Snake Duo, and ultimately acquired the Eight Spider Lances.
Dugu Feng had chosen this supply town precisely to wait for the Shrek Seven Devils.
He hoped Tang San wouldn't disappoint him.
If he could obtain the Eight Spider Lances—an External Soul Bone—this trip would be a complete success.
Dugu Feng continued waiting in the supply town.
In the blink of an eye, two days passed.
Dugu Feng's eyes lit up.
Two Core Pearls were approaching—there was no doubt they were the ones inside Zhu Zhuqing.
It seemed the Shrek team had set out.
Dugu Feng was staying in a second-floor room by the window, from which he could see the town's streets.
As evening approached.
He could already sense Zhu Zhuqing entering the supply town.
Dugu Feng looked out the window.
Soon, he spotted a distinctive group walking through the town.
"Huh? Flender? Why is he here! Both Flender and Zhao Wuji came!"
Dugu Feng was surprised.
Among the Shrek Seven Devils, the only change was Zhu Zhuqing's Soul Power reaching the thirtieth rank, requiring her to absorb a Spirit Ring.
Everything else remained the same.
Could it be due to the recent conflict between the Clear Sky Sect and the Spirit Hall? Did Flender feel uneasy about the Seven Devils' safety and thus decided to come along?
Dugu Feng then glanced at Ning Rongrong in the group. Should he go and meet her?
Running into Ning Rongrong during his training in the Star Dou Great Forest would seem perfectly natural.
Then, he could casually greet the Shrek Seven Devils before secretly making his move to seize the Eight Spider Lances. The thought alone was thrilling!
But after some consideration, Dugu Feng decided against it.
This time, he was after the External Soul Bone.
If they could truly obtain an External Soul Bone, everyone they encountered afterward would likely become a suspect.
Dugu Feng still preferred the feeling of lurking in the shadows.
He wouldn't give Tang Hao the slightest chance to connect the incident to the Dugu Family.
He wasn't ready to surface yet.
Not long after, Flender and his group of nine also arrived at the same hotel where Dugu Feng was staying.
This hotel was the largest and cheapest in the small town—exactly the kind of place the frugal Flender would choose.
Shortly after they entered, Dugu Feng could hear the loud laughter of Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar from the second floor.
Dai Mubai was explaining the unique aspects of Shrek Academy to Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"Those who dare not stir up trouble are mediocrities. A Soul Master who avoids trouble is no good Soul Master."
Dai Mubai continued, "Picking fights with people from Soul Master academies is the safest—at worst, it's just a brawl!"
Dugu Feng shook his head from the second floor and sighed, "It's still just bullying the weak and fearing the strong. Flender knows all these talented students have powerful backgrounds.
"If they cause trouble, their families can handle the fallout.
"Take Ning Rongrong, for example—she probably has bodyguards following her at all times. Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai might too.
"But if they ever hit a real obstacle, they'd run faster than anyone. Remember when they encountered Dugu Bo at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy? Suddenly, 'daring to stir trouble' didn't apply anymore.
"Turning 'bully the weak, fear the strong' into a school motto—you have to admit, Flender, coming from a commoner background, has some skill!"
Noisy chatter rose from the dining area on the first floor.
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were looking for trouble, while Xiao Wu and Tang San were never ones to back down.
"A fight? I love fights!"
Dugu Feng heard Xiao Wu's voice.
She really was just like the Blue Silver Emperor, A Yin—a perfectly good hundred-thousand-year Spirit Beast, yet she insisted on coming to the human world to be a lovestruck fool.
No wonder Tang Hao had long since marked her as his son's future Spirit Ring and Soul Bone.
Xiao Wu arrogantly used her Supple Skill to toss several members of Canghui Academy aside.
A Spirit Beast taking human form, yet still acting so recklessly.
Dugu Feng couldn't bear to watch. How had Xiao Wu even survived for a hundred thousand years?
Canghui Academy was truly unlucky to run into Dai Mubai and his group.
Tempers flared, and the fight spilled out into the streets.
From the window, Dugu Feng had a clear view of the battle.
All seven monsters joined forces against Canghui Academy's Soul King, Ye Zhiqiu.
Even as a Soul King, Ye Zhiqiu was left battered and humiliated by the seven.
This time, Ning Rongrong went all out with her support abilities, her precise enhancements drawing a couple of impressed sighs from Dugu Feng.
Her Distraction Control must have reached the third stage—Three Orifices Control Heart—allowing her to focus on three Soul Masters simultaneously, applying different boosts tailored to their needs while minimizing Soul Power consumption.
Midway through her enhancements, Ning Rongrong suddenly turned her head toward the hotel.
She felt like someone was watching her.
The gaze felt oddly familiar.
But she saw nothing.
"That little devil girl is quite sharp!"
Since Dugu Feng had decided not to reveal himself, he wouldn't let her spot him.
After a while, Zhao Wuji made his appearance.
Zhao Wuji was the epitome of a troublemaker.
When facing the Dragon and Serpent duo, he was all about reason—but against a mere Soul King like Ye Zhiqiu?
The scene was entirely different.
Zhao Wuji stood there arrogantly, not even summoning his Martial Soul. After provoking Ye Zhiqiu, he slapped him away with a single strike.
Then, putting on an ostentatious display, he publicly pointed out the coordination issues in the Shrek Seven Devils' earlier battle, acting like a dedicated teacher carefully instructing his students.
(End of Chapter)