At this moment, he was truly enraged.
Lay a hand on Huo Yun'er?
For ten years, he had been laying his plans, and in order not to disturb the flow of fate, he had chosen not to bring Huo Yun'er directly into the academy. Instead, he had entrusted her safety to Dai Yueheng as a compromise.
This had also been one of his methods of countering Tang Shenwang while keeping control of Huo Yuhao's fate.
That alone showed how important she was.
And now, this foolish child dared to try and cut off his path?
The sky, clear and bright just moments before, suddenly erupted with a terrifying storm that swirled above, mirroring the fury in his heart.
Frost spread outward at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Though it was the heat of summer, everyone in Shrek Academy suddenly felt as though they had been thrown into the Far North — the temperature plummeted in an instant.
"L-Lord Neuvillette, you mustn't be impulsive, this is still Shrek Academy…"
Mu Jin pleaded desperately.
She stared at the figure in deep blue standing calmly ahead, unspeakable terror welling inside her. That overwhelming pressure — she did not doubt at all that it could crush her effortlessly.
But right now, she could only swallow her fear and beg on the side.
If Dai Huabin truly came to harm, as his homeroom teacher, she would be the first to take the blame!
"Huff… huff…"
Dai Huabin stared at the figure before him, his anger slowly draining away, replaced only by sheer terror.
All around was silent.
Snow and frost howled with the wind, blanketing the ground in white.
His body had already gone numb; he couldn't even muster the strength to fall. Frozen stiff like an ice statue, he could only stare at Neuvillette in dread.
It was as if a giant hand had seized his heart, stopping it from beating — this was the closest he had ever come to death.
All of his former arrogance was gone, leaving only helpless disgrace.
And yet, unexpectedly, the storm above soon dissipated. The sky cleared once more, sunlight pouring down from the heavens.
Neuvillette lightly tapped his staff.
Expressionless, he cast a glance at Dai Huabin, who still stood there "stunned."
His trousers seemed a little damp.
With a disdainful shake of his head, Neuvillette turned and strode away.
Behind him, the three little ones exchanged looks, each seeing the same awe mirrored in the others' eyes.
Mu Jin, meanwhile, finally let out the breath she had been holding.
"Huabin! Huabin, are you alright?!" Zhu Lu rushed forward, clinging to him — only to shiver as though embracing a block of ice.
Dai Huabin's face was pale as the feeling slowly returned to his body. As Neuvillette departed, his bodily functions began to recover, and as he regained control, he looked at his tearful fiancée at his side.
But then his eyes dropped lower.
It seemed he had… wet himself.
"Lord Neuvillette, would you like to join us for grilled fish?" Wang Dong was pushed forward by the other two, asking cautiously.
"Haven't you eaten already?"
Neuvillette paused, giving Wang Dong a sidelong glance. Seeing the boy grin sheepishly, trying to please him, he could only sigh and shake his head.
His gaze shifted to the young girl standing with her head lowered.
He felt a pang of thought. Today, thanks to Dai Huabin's "reminder," he realized that although Shrek Academy had powerful experts secretly watching Huo Yun'er outside the White Tiger Duke's mansion, there were always chances for negligence.
And the safest place now, without a doubt, was within Shrek Academy itself.
Xuan Zi was unreliable, yes, but Elder Mu and Yan Shaozhe were different.
It was time to bring Huo Yun'er here. Since the girl was already enrolled and before long would advance into the inner court, it would be perfectly justifiable.
And even if it wasn't, his status alone was enough that no one would dare object.
"…Very well. Let's go together."
Neuvillette spoke calmly.
"It's been a long time since I've had this girl's grilled fish."
And so the group made their way toward Shrek City.
Once at their usual cart, the girl skillfully teamed up with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, swiftly preparing the grill.
It was just after classes let out.
Shrek City was overflowing with people.
Vendors filled the streets, hawking everything from soul beast bones and hides to rare treasures gathered from all corners of the Douluo Continent.
Compared to these wares, the grilled fish seemed utterly mundane.
And yet, a crowd packed tightly in front of the girl's cart, all drawn by its fame.
Neuvillette sat nearby, observing the surrounding students — mostly from the outer court, though even a few inner court disciples had come.
That alone spoke to how delicious her grilled fish was.
Still, that aside — grilling fish with spiritual power? Such treatment was rare indeed, even across the entire Douluo Continent.
Just as Neuvillette closed his eyes to rest, a sudden movement caught his attention.
Opening them, he saw three figures not far away, their bodies completely swathed in black robes, approaching the girl's stall.
Black robes were a common sight — often worn to hide one's identity or move in secret. Nobody thought much of it.
After all, it wasn't as though there were identity cards to check.
But Neuvillette sensed it — a faint trace of death emanated from these three.
It carried resentment, anguish, emotions steeped in malice, like the most wicked force in existence.
From beneath their cloaks seeped a chilling reek of blood. Yet the people around passed by as if nothing were amiss, oblivious to the horror.
Neuvillette's eyes narrowed.
This was… the aura of evil soul masters.
He had once served as an enforcer, personally executing many such criminals. He recognized the stench instantly — it was identical to those who had piled mountains of corpses beneath their feet.
These three had blood debts at least that heavy.
Their disguises were masterful; if not for his presence here today, no one would have noticed.
Neuvillette's gaze fixed on the leader among them.
A rare solemnity entered his expression.
This one was strong…
The danger radiating from him was no less than Elder Xuan's — perhaps even greater.
Ye Xishui? No… she would likely have Long Xiaoyao at her side, and her aura would be even stronger than this.
Could it be…
Neuvillette's brows furrowed. His long, pale fingers tapped gently against his staff, his expression outwardly calm, though his heart stirred.
He did not fear. But with the three children nearby, the aftermath of such a clash alone could flatten the entire Shrek City.
And evil soul masters had no sense of restraint.
If it served their interests, they could slaughter every innocent soul here without hesitation.
"How much for this grilled fish?"
A hoarse, gravelly voice issued from beneath the leader's hood. He lifted his head slightly, looking at the girl tending the grill.
"Five copper soul coins," Wang Dong replied, tidying up the used charcoal as he spoke.
"One."
The leader ordered, his tone calm.
Neuvillette noticed the two behind him swallow hard, their throats moving, yet they remained silent and still.
They wanted to eat. But they dared not.