The atmosphere in the grand hall of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy remained suspended in awe. The golden afternoon light slanted through the high windows, catching the shimmer of five spirit rings that pulsed around Li Wei Diend-armored form. Purple, purple, black, black, black.
An impossible configuration.
No one spoke.
Even Meng Shen Ji, the seasoned president of the board of education and a formidable level 86 Soul Douluo, had momentarily lost his composure. The pressure he had so casually wielded against the young man had been shrugged off, endured far past what was reasonable, and then shattered with the emergence of a Martial Spirit unlike any he had ever seen.
Flender beamed with pride, barely restraining a laugh.
"Well then," Meng Shen Ji finally said, clearing his throat as he recovered from the shock, "this Li Wei of yours is... truly extraordinary. If this is the level of genius your academy nurtures, then I must admit our Heaven Dou Imperial Academy will be honored to work with you."
Zhi Lin folded his arms, nodding. "He didn't even use his full strength until spirit rank 83 pressure. That's beyond impressive."
"It's monstrous," Bai Baoshan muttered. "The last time I saw someone with this level of talent, they ended up as a Title Douluo."
Tang San clenched his fists under the table, concealing the flicker of unease beneath a polite smile. The strength gap between him and Li Wei had grown. Again.
With the test concluded, the pressure in the hall shifted from spiritual to political.
Meng Shen Ji motioned for everyone to sit once more. "Let us discuss the terms of the merger."
Flender leaned forward. "Our students come with no intention of disrupting your system. We only seek a formal identity under Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, so our students may qualify for the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament."
Meng Shen Ji nodded. "Understood. I propose this: Your top seven students will be allowed to represent Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. The others may remain as guests and train here as a special class under a branch system."
Yu Xiaogang added, "They can retain their Shrek title. We believe in pride of origin."
The agreement was nearly sealed, mutual respect forming between both sides.
Until the interruption came.
"His Highness, Prince Xue Xing, has arrived," a servant announced from the door.
Silence fell again, but this time, tension grew.
Prince Xue Xing entered the hall with a proud, stern gait, dressed in silver and gold brocade. Behind him walked a lean, older man with a cold presence and emerald-green eyes that sent chills through the room.
Dugu Bo.
The Poison Douluo.
Xue Xing offered no pleasantries. His gaze swept over the assembled Shrek group with veiled disdain.
"President Meng," he said stiffly, "I was informed you were discussing the merger of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy with some... unaccredited outsiders."
Meng Shen Ji raised an eyebrow. "They are not outsiders. They are the students and staff of Shrek Academy, which has produced some of the most promising talents we've seen in decades."
Xue Xing gave a soft scoff. "With respect, Shrek Academy is not recognized by the empire. We cannot allow unknowns to wear our banners. What will the other noble families say?"
Dugu Bo, silent thus far, scanned the room. His gaze settled on Li Wei.
'Li Wei,' he thought. 'what this little monster doing here? He talk about going back to the academy before. Is this his academy?' He look toward Li Wei and nod without saying anything as he recognize him.
Li Wei met his gaze without fear.
Xue Xing stopped before the three education board members and offered only the barest nod of courtesy.
"President Meng Shen Ji, Vice Presidents Bai Bao Shan, Zhi Lin," he greeted formally. Then his gaze swept across the Shrek delegation with a disdainful twist of the mouth. "I was informed you are considering merging with a certain… rogue academy. Is this true?"
Flender brow furrowed, but Meng Shen Ji answered with calm dignity, "We are in discussions. Shrek Academy has demonstrated extraordinary potential. We were just evaluating their qualifications."
"Qualifications?" Xue Xing repeated sharply, turning toward the Shrek group with unveiled contempt. "Shrek Academy is not registered under the Empire. They operate outside imperial regulation and without any noble oversight. To consider allowing them to wear our Heaven Dou banners is not only disgraceful—it is dangerous."
Zhi Lin frowned. "Prince Xue Xing, with all due respect—"
"Silence," Xue Xing said coldly. "This is not a debate. As the administrative overseer appointed by His Majesty to manage the affairs of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, I will not allow unrecognized vagabonds into this institution."
He pointed a finger toward the Shrek delegation. "You have no place here. Pack your things. Leave."
Gasps rippled through the hall. Ning Rongrong face went pale. Oscar gritted his teeth. Dai Mubai's fists clenched tightly at his sides.
Even the education board members were visibly caught off guard.
Meng Shen Ji rose from his seat, voice steady but stern. "Your Highness, these students—"
"Are not recognized by the court, nor by the nobles who fund this academy!" Xue Xing's voice thundered. "You would place our institution at odds with the great houses for the sake of a few talented peasants?"
His eyes fell on Tang San, and then lingered on Li Wei.
"And especially him?" he scoffed. "I heard about your performance earlier, boy. Don't think spirit power makes you untouchable. You'll find politics far more difficult to overcome than pressure."
Li Wei said nothing, though his eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.
Dugu Bo, still quiet, shifted slightly — not toward Xue Xing or Li Wei, but somewhere in between. He remained silent, his face unreadable.
'Can't act,' he thought. 'Not here. Not now. My agreement with Li Wei doesn't override the court chain of command and I still owe Xue Xing.'
"You may leave," Xue Xing said, turning his back. "Or shall I call the guards?"
Flender expression was stony as he stepped forward. "There's no need for threats. We'll leave."
Tang San opened his mouth to speak, but a firm hand from Yu Xiaogang stopped him.
"This isn't the place," the Grandmaster whispered.
The students gathered quietly, their gazes lingering bitterly on the opulent academy halls they would never walk again.
As they turned to go, Li Wei paused only once—meeting Dugu Bo's eyes a second time. He offered no words, no gesture.
Just a glance that said, I understand.
Dugu Bo looked away.