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Bibi Dong's gaze was dark and brooding. She had never held the Titled Douluo of the Elder Hall in high regard. Although she was the Pope of Spirit Hall, the Titled Douluo of the Elder Hall did not completely obey her commands.
As for the Hall of Elders, there was even less to say. With Qian Daoliu presiding, her influence could not reach. Therefore, in Bibi Dong's eyes, the lives or deaths of the elders were of no consequence. On the contrary, if the Hall of Elders' strength were to decline, it would bring her more benefits than harm.
Bibi Dong knew clearly that as long as she completed the full trials of the Rakshasa God, she would become the strongest being on the continent.
"But for now, I still need time. I still need people to carry out my will. Yue Guan and Gui Mei still have their uses."
Since her Rakshasa God trials were not yet concluded, she could not display her full strength. Without capable aides, she would find it difficult to move forward. Fortunately, Spirit Hall's resources were vast, and its ability to gather treasures was in no way inferior to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. If even Sword Douluo could have his severed arms reattached, surely Yue Guan and Gui Mei could be healed.
It was obvious—they would recover. As her most trusted lackeys, Bibi Dong naturally would not allow them to lose their value so quickly. As soon as Yue Guan and Gui Mei regained consciousness, she had already arranged for their treatment.
Suddenly, the doors of the Pope's Palace swung open. Yue Guan and Gui Mei, now fully healed, stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Many thanks to Your Holiness for saving us."
Yue Guan's words came from the heart, filled with deep gratitude toward Bibi Dong. Had they truly been crippled, their fates would have been grim. After all, they had offended countless people. They knew better than anyone that once a wall falls, everyone is eager to push it down.
Seeing their newfound loyalty, Bibi Dong nodded in satisfaction. The rare treasures she had expended had not been wasted.
"Enough with the empty words. Obediently carrying out my orders is worth more than a thousand thanks. For now, you two will remain by my side to avoid any more accidents."
Bibi Dong would not risk losing them again just after their recovery. Now was the time to sit back and watch the show—let the Upper Three Sects and the Hall of Elders fight it out with Lan Minghua.
"Yes, Your Holiness," Yue Guan and Gui Mei answered respectfully.
A few days later, within Shrek Academy, Tang San successfully broke through to Rank 30.
"Teacher, I've reached Rank 30!"
Tang San was filled with excitement, believing he had finally caught up with Oscar and the others.
Yu Xiaogang nodded in satisfaction. At twelve years old, Tang San had already surpassed his own teacher.
"Little San, you truly have not disappointed me. It won't be long before you surpass Oscar and the rest."
Reaching Rank 30 at just twelve years old was indeed faster than Oscar and the others. Of course, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu were exceptions. But Yu Xiaogang's mysterious confidence remained unshaken. With his guidance, Tang San would surpass them in no time.
However, what neither Tang San, Yu Xiaogang, nor even Flender knew was that Oscar and the other three had already reached Rank 40. Lan Minghua was no fool. If their spirit power rose too abnormally, it would surely attract unwanted attention. To avoid unnecessary trouble, when returning to Shrek Academy, he had deliberately concealed their spirit power fluctuations. And since they had never imagined that their strength could have leapt from Rank 30 to Rank 40, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang still naively believed they had finally caught up.
"Perfect. We had no proper excuse to leave Shrek Academy, but now that you've broken through Rank 30, you can use the pretense of hunting a spirit ring to leave openly."
In his heart, Yu Xiaogang eagerly hoped Tang San would forge ties with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. After all, it would be like having them nurture his disciple for free. How could he pass up such an easy bargain? Once Tang San became a Titled Douluo, wouldn't he, Yu Xiaogang, naturally become the teacher of a Titled Douluo?
Yet, in truth, Lan Minghua had never restricted their freedom. They were merely seeking a high-sounding excuse for their petty self-serving schemes.
"Yes, Teacher. I'm truly looking forward to it," Tang San replied, his eagerness no less than Yu Xiaogang's. The thought of his powerful hidden weapons soon being mass-produced made his lips curve with barely restrained joy.
Xiao Wu pouted slightly but voiced no complaint. Tang San had long promised her that no matter who stood at his side, she would always remain his most important person. As the heroine in the novel, such a disposition was only natural.
"Come, Little San. Let Flender personally take you to hunt a spirit ring!"
Yu Xiaogang immediately pulled Tang San and Xiao Wu along, finding Flender, who was currently training Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. He explained the situation. As for why they did not seek Zhao Wuji—well, those who understood, understood. After all, Zhao Wuji's relationship with Lan Minghua was the closest of anyone at Shrek.
Upon hearing that Tang San had broken through to Rank 30, Flender showed a trace of surprise.
"Xiaogang, you truly have taken on a monstrous disciple. To reach Rank 30 at twelve years old—within Shrek Academy, that's second only to Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing."
Hearing such praise, Yu Xiaogang nearly couldn't suppress the smug smile tugging at his lips.
"Of course. I am the Grandmaster, after all. Unlike some people, who fail to appreciate an opportunity to grow stronger even when it's right before their eyes." As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, his tone dripping with open mockery.
Dai Mubai's expression turned cold. With a sharp look, he retorted with equal disdain.
"Tang San has both innate full spirit power and twin spirits. With such talent, even a dog could teach him to this level." He scoffed. "What's more, your disciple needs others to help him obtain every spirit ring. If that's the case, what use is a teacher like you? Compared to masters who provide both resources and power, you're utterly pathetic."
Dai Mubai's temper had always been fiery, and with his body weakened lately, his arrogance had only worsened. His words were merciless, showing not even a shred of respect. The fact that he hadn't struck Yu Xiaogang outright was already giving Flender face.
"You!"
Yu Xiaogang's eyes widened, his entire body trembling with rage. Dai Mubai's words pierced him like sharp blades, stabbing at his most vulnerable weakness. His finger shook as he pointed at Dai Mubai, lips quivering, but no sound emerged.
In an instant, the entire scene fell silent. Only the flames of fury in Yu Xiaogang's eyes burned silently, as if ready to reduce Dai Mubai to ashes.
Flender let out a sigh. He had noticed that Dai Mubai's temper had been growing increasingly unrestrained. Even as headmaster, he was being disregarded.
Tang San's face darkened, a cloud of killing intent swirling in his eyes. But with Flender present, he restrained himself and instead spoke with venom.
"Dai Mubai, watch your mouth. I am where I am today because of my teacher's guidance. His strength may not be great, but his theories are unparalleled. The Ten Core Competencies of Spirit Theory are a height you will never reach. I command you—apologize to my teacher immediately!"
The room fell silent once again.
Dai Mubai burst into laughter, his tone dripping with ridicule. He hadn't expected Tang San to defend Yu Xiaogang so fiercely.
Sensing the growing tension, Ma Hongjun hurriedly tugged at Dai Mubai's arm and whispered, "Boss Dai, our true enemies are still Oscar and the others. Falling out with Tang San right now isn't wise."
But he had forgotten that it was he himself, the troublemaker, who had sown the seeds of discord.
Dai Mubai, however, cared little for that in the heat of the moment. He scoffed, "Unparalleled theories? The Ten Core Competencies of Spirit Theory? What a joke. Worshiping a plagiarist for a teacher—what a disgrace!"
The instant those words fell, the entire atmosphere froze once more.
(End of Chapter)