The next day, after some persuasion from Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing decided to go to Shrek Academy. She held no feelings for Dai Mubai, but with no other options, staying there to improve her strength was a practical choice. Most importantly, Xiao Tian was ready to go too. Once at school, she hoped to seek advice from him and become stronger.
Though not ideal, she still harbored doubts about Dai Mubai. Born into a duke's family, she understood the turbulence among aristocrats—it was impossible for a powerful man to be strictly monogamous. The only reason Davis had no other companions was his focus on political struggles and the throne's competition, which infuriated Zhu Zhuqing. She lacked objection to multiple wives or concubines, knowing such customs were inevitable, but Dai Mubai's decadence during the King Selection made her suspect he had abandoned any loyalty. Compared to Davis, who outwardly despised Dai Mubai but secretly respected him and refrained from wild escapades, Dai Mubai seemed lost.
This was Zhu Zhuqing's perspective, which explained her cold attitude when she saw Dai Mubai with the twins. But now, helpless in her current strength, she couldn't stand against Davis and Zhu Zhuyun alone—her hope was pinned on Dai Mubai. Though unable to surpass Xiao Tian, Dai Mubai's level 38 strength, if nurtured properly, might close the gap with Davis. Victory wasn't impossible, and stepping carefully was reasonable.
Led by Yu Xiaogang, Xiao Tian and the group walked from Soto City to a nearby village.
"Master, are you sure Shrek Academy is here?" Xiao Wu frowned in dissatisfaction.
Yu Xiaogang had promised that Shrek Academy wouldn't disappoint, but this place looked worse than Notting College—right outside the city's suburbs, surrounded mostly by villagers and nothing else.
Yu Xiaogang confidently explained, "Xiao Wu, haven't you heard that powerful masters prefer secluded places?"
Xiao Wu didn't quite understand, but Xiao Tian and Tang San did. Tang San was curious, though Xiao Tian smiled disdainfully.
Yu Xiaogang meant that Shrek Academy was a hidden school, free from secular interference, staffed by masters of the hidden world.
Xiao Tian wanted to laugh inwardly.
"Oh? So according to Master, all the teachers at Shrek Academy are very powerful? Does that mean the strongest force there is Dean Flanders, the Soul Sage, and even Titled Douluo? What else could they be? According to your earlier explanations, Titled Douluo are rare on the mainland, so that must be it. Unless necessary, everyone just works hard to reach higher realms," Xiao Wu said stiffly when she heard the mention of Titled Douluo.
Xiao Tian calmly held Xiao Wu's hand tightly, signaling her not to panic. This intimate gesture caught Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, who both unconsciously shone with interest.
Tang San looked curiously at Yu Xiaogang, wondering if there really was a Titled Douluo at Shrek Academy.
Yu Xiaogang's face stiffened but, seeing everyone's focus on him, he relented, "Yes, but he's rarely seen in the academy. He only returns if the school is in danger."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's face paled, and she instinctively moved closer to Xiao Tian, trembling slightly.
Xiao Tian never expected Yu Xiaogang to be so shameless. Where in the shabby Shrek Academy could there be a Titled Douluo?
"Master, what's the title of this Titled Douluo? Can you tell me?" Xiao Tian asked directly, eager to hear Yu Xiaogang's answer.
At the same time, he gently infused soul power into Xiao Wu to soothe her and sent a message to assure her not to worry about her identity being exposed just yet. It wasn't the right time to tell her that Tang Hao had already found out—better to wait until Tang Hao left.
Yu Xiaogang thought these people were no fools. Suddenly, he recalled Tang Hao's sudden appearance years ago. Now, Tang Hao was Tang San's teacher, the father of Tang San, and soon to join Shrek himself.
Could Tang Hao be the mysterious Titled Douluo?
Yu Xiaogang quickly solved the puzzle, and his eyes lit up.
But knowing Tang Hao's current identity, he said seriously, "His status is special. You're too weak now to know details. Once he appears, the continent will be shaken. All I can say is, even the two Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect are no match for him."
Yu Xiaogang thought quietly: Your Majesty Tang Hao, if you're nearby now, forgive me!
Now Xiao Tian finally understood who Yu Xiaogang meant—it was Tang Hao!
This was a clever move. He wondered if Tang Hao was listening now, laughing at the thought.
Secretly, Tang Hao's mouth twitched, tempted to smash Yu Xiaogang with a hammer, but considering he was Tang San's teacher, he restrained himself.
Others were stunned. Who could possibly be stronger than two Titled Douluo of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?
Tang San thought deeply, aware such people were rare—but no matter how he thought about it, this had nothing to do with Shrek Academy.
Though puzzled, seeing his master's confidence, Tang San didn't suspect deception.
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