On the Martial Arts Stage, Er Ming (Dragon King Version) slowly walked up to Er Ming, looking down at the now-human Er Ming lying on the ground, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
"I won. As agreed, you have to change your name."
Er Ming lay on the ground, gasping for breath, his bones feeling as if they were falling apart. Hearing this, he struggled to lift his head, looking at the face that was ninety percent similar to his own, a bitter smile squeezing onto his face.
Lost.
He had truly lost.
He took a deep breath, staggered to his feet, and patted the dust off his body, his honest face full of helplessness.
"Fine, I admit it." He scratched his head. "From today onwards, I'll change my name—to Tai Tan."
The name Tai Tan had actually been used by Er Ming for a while after his resurrection, when he served as the Vice Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect. However... personally, he still preferred to be called Er Ming. Of course, now he didn't have to worry about it; he had lost the name Er Ming in the bet.
From now on, he could only be called Tai Tan. Of course, that was only in front of Er Ming (Dragon King Version). In other places, what if he used it? The other wouldn't know; it wasn't like he could track him from thousands of miles away and just knock him flat, right?
"Second Dad!" Wang Dong'er ran over quickly, her small face full of worry. "Are you okay?"
Tai Tan looked into Wang Dong'er's concerned eyes, and a wave of emotion surged in his heart. This girl actually cared about him?
He quickly straightened his back, waved his hand, and said with feigned ease.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Your Second Dad has thick skin and tough flesh; this little injury is nothing!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Er Ming (Dragon King Version) nearby spoke up.
"That's for sure." His tone was indifferent, yet it carried an undisguised hint of mockery. "Because I held back my strength. Otherwise... it would be very difficult for him to get up right now."
The smile on Tai Tan's face froze instantly. He turned his head to look at the man, the corners of his eyes twitching wildly. This guy... in front of Wang Dong'er, he really doesn't leave me any face at all! However, he also knew the other was telling the truth. If that punch had really used full strength, he would probably be seriously injured by now!
Tai Tan took a deep breath, calmed his expression, looked at the man, and asked the doubt in his heart.
"Are you a Spirit Beast?"
When Er Ming (Dragon King Version) had grown massive, that Spirit Beast aura had already been released. Tai Tan believed everyone in this academy was clear about Er Ming (Dragon King Version)'s true identity, but... he still couldn't help asking.
This academy was clearly a Spirit Master academy; how could there be a Spirit Beast? And looking at the other's status, he was actually a teacher at the academy!
Given the blood feud accumulated over countless generations between humans and Spirit Beasts, this was simply incredible.
A Spirit Beast with strength approaching Di Tian's level, willing to become a teacher at a human academy?
What exactly was hidden behind this?
Er Ming (Dragon King Version) raised an eyebrow slightly upon hearing this.
"Naturally." He nodded, answering succinctly.
Wang Dong'er and Huo Yuhao were both stunned. Wang Dong'er's eyes widened, looking at the man who was ninety percent similar to her Second Dad in disbelief. Huo Yuhao was even more shocked, his mind in a state of chaos.
An academy teacher... is a Spirit Beast?
He subconsciously communicated with the Skydream Ice Worm in his Sea of Consciousness.
"Brother Tianmeng, did you hear that? An academy teacher is actually a Spirit Beast!"
In the Sea of Consciousness, the Skydream Ice Worm's fat face was equally bewildered.
"I... I don't know either! How can this academy have a Spirit Beast as a teacher?"
But as soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly remembered something.
Half a month ago, the Ice and Snow Two Emperors who had streaked through the sky following Yun Ming! Those two kings of the Extreme North Land had also appeared in this academy at that time!
The Skydream Ice Worm's expression suddenly became complicated. It had been half a month. For a full half-month, he hadn't sensed those two auras again.
Where did they go?
Did they leave? Or...
At that time, a terrible thought flashed through the Skydream Ice Worm's mind.
Could it be... they were already dead?
Had his love, which he hadn't even had time to confess, died prematurely?
The Skydream Ice Worm's eyes turned red, and he burst into tears on the spot, mourning for his dead love!
But just then, this current matter threw him into confusion again.
If the Ice and Snow Two Emperors were really dead, then what was with this Spirit Beast teacher in front of him?
Could it be... the Ice and Snow Two Emperors had also become academy teachers? It was just that he hadn't sensed them?
The Skydream Ice Worm fell into deep self-doubt.
Meanwhile, Tai Tan had already asked the second question. "This academy recruits Spirit Beasts as teachers?"
Er Ming (Dragon King Version) glanced at him, his gaze as if looking at a fool. "What's there to be so surprised about?"
Tai Tan was choked up.
Da Ming walked forward from the side, also looking at the man with a serious face. "You don't hate humans?"
This question was even sharper than the previous one. After all... the hatred between humans and Spirit Beasts wasn't just between a specific Spirit Beast and a specific human, but between entire races. Spirit Beasts generally detested humans; only Sea Spirit Beasts, who rarely interacted with humans, had less hatred.
Even for him and Er Ming, the reason they could coexist peacefully with Tang San was because of Tang San's sincerity toward Xiao Wu and his later kindness in resurrecting them.
But even so, deep in their hearts, they didn't have much goodwill toward the human race. And this Spirit Beast before them, whose strength approached Di Tian's, was actually willing to be a teacher at a human academy?
Da Ming couldn't understand it.
Er Ming (Dragon King Version) heard this and fixed his gaze on Da Ming, his look meaningful.
"I don't hate the humans in this academy." He said indifferently, specifically emphasizing the words "in this academy."
Da Ming's brow furrowed slightly, and he was about to follow up—
"That's enough." A cold voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw Cai Yue'er appear at the edge of the Martial Arts Stage at some point, her wrinkled face set in a deep frown.
"Unrelated personnel, leave as soon as possible." She didn't even use the word "please." That tone and attitude were clearly driving people away.
When Da Ming and Tai Tan saw Cai Yue'er's face, their bodies stiffened, and they almost subconsciously nodded in agreement.
"Yes, yes, yes, we're leaving right now, leaving right now!" Without another word, the two grabbed Wang Dong'er and headed out.
Of course, Wang Dong'er didn't resist and obediently followed Da Ming and Tai Tan away from the Martial Arts Stage.
After all... in Wang Dong'er's young heart, she still felt a lot of fear toward Cai Yue'er; she was just too fierce.
Teacher Shen Yi and Teacher Wu Changkong were much better!
It was now after-school time, and after watching the match, the crowd quickly dispersed.
Da Ming and Tai Tan glanced at each other, both seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes. A Spirit Beast, and a Quasi-God level Spirit Beast at that, serving as a teacher in this academy—this matter... had to be told to Tang San. The water in this academy was deeper than either of them had imagined.
However... Er Ming (Dragon King Version)'s words just now made Da Ming's heart itch with curiosity.
Could it be... this academy had the ability for humans and Spirit Beasts to coexist peacefully?
No, it was absolutely impossible. As long as humans still needed Spirit Rings and still needed to hunt Spirit Beasts, then... so-called peaceful coexistence could not exist.
The two flew out of that Floating Island with Wang Dong'er and landed back on the ground.
Just then, a majestic voice rang out in the minds of Da Ming and Tai Tan.
"Report the situation."
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.