Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
I would appreciate your help if you could join my Patreon and support me because it would keep me motivated.
******
With a look of sheer panic, Yu Xiaogang scrambled onto the tournament stage, gathering Tang San's body into his arms and crying out, "Little San!!"
Upon smelling the familiar scent, Tang San instantly lost consciousness in Yu Xiaogang's embrace.
Yu Xiaogang shook Tang San's body repeatedly, desperately trying to jolt him awake.
Accompanying Yu Xiaogang onto the stage was Flender.
Flender's face was a mask of fury. He angrily stormed up to Qin Ming and interrogated him, "Qin Ming, what a display of skill! It's only been a few years, and your wings have already grown so hard? Are these the students you've trained? To be so vicious and cruel in their methods?"
Qin Ming did not respond to Flender immediately. Instead, he turned and gave a direct order, "Leng Leng, heal everyone on the stage completely."
Although he was now incredibly disappointed in Shrek Academy, the Shrek Five Devils were, after all, students from his alma mater.
Ye Leng Leng glanced back at Ye Lan, who instantly understood her meaning.
Ye Leng Leng was asking for her permission to treat the Shrek Five Devils.
Without much thought, Ye Lan nodded in agreement.
This was because, while the Shrek Five Devils appeared gravely injured, they would actually recover on their own within a few days.
Having them healed a little sooner posed no real loss for Ye Lan.
Furthermore, Ye Lan was worried that Tang Hao might go on a rampage.
For the personal safety and well-being of the Imperial Fight Team members, it was best to provide treatment to this group.
In any case, the severe beating the Shrek Five Devils had received at the hands of the Imperial Fight Team had already soothed the simmering frustration in Ye Lan's heart.
After seeing Ye Lan's nod, Ye Leng Leng unleashed her full soul power, converting her remaining energy into a shower of Nine Heart Begonia petals.
Countless pale pink petals drifted down from the sky, creating a dreamlike spectacle.
Witnessing this ethereal rain of begonia petals, the heated excitement that had surged through the audience during the soul duel gradually began to subside.
As the flower rain descended upon Yu Feng's chest, the bloody hole in his torso healed in moments, restoring him to his original state.
Meanwhile, Ye Lan observed Tang San, who was beside Yu Feng. After the 'Nine Heart Begonia' petals floated into Tang San's body, he no longer suffered a backlash from the 'Ultimate Life' force.
This outcome perfectly aligned with the speculation in Ye Lan's mind.
The reason Tang San had suffered a backlash from absorbing the 'Ultimate Life' energy was that his 'Eight Spider Lances' absorbed life force and soul power to supplement and complete his 'Blue Silver Grass' spirit.
In contrast, Ye Leng Leng's use of her spirit ability was purely to heal Tang San's physical body.
This was a very logical deduction; regardless of your spirit's attribute, the 'Nine Heart Begonia' could heal you completely.
It wasn't as if having a demonic-attribute spirit would somehow prevent your physical body from being healed by the 'Nine Heart Begonia'.
Tang San's backlash from the 'Ultimate Life' was entirely his own doing.
During the pre-battle intelligence gathering, when Ye Lan saw that Tang San's rank was thirty-four instead of thirty-two, she had already guessed it.
Ye Lan deduced that Tang San had been using his 'Eight Spider Lances' to absorb life force and soul power to increase his own rank.
In the original story, Tang San had once used his 'Eight Spider Lances' to absorb the life force of six members of the Spirit Hall team.
Discovering that Tang San was already absorbing soul power and life force at this stage, Ye Lan certainly did not believe he would show any mercy to the Imperial Fight Team.
Therefore, as a precaution, Ye Lan had explicitly instructed Ye Leng Leng to activate her spirit ability at maximum power the moment Tang San used his 'Eight Spider Lances'.
If you, Tang San, dared to absorb even a little, then we would see if your spirit could withstand the force of 'Ultimate Life.'
If Tang San's spirit were a normal Blue Silver Grass, then Ye Leng Leng's 'Ultimate Life' would undoubtedly be a great supplement for him.
But for a poison-attribute Blue Silver Grass, 'Ultimate Life' was nothing short of a potent toxin!
Suddenly, Ye Leng Leng's voice interrupted Ye Lan's thoughts. "Ye Lan, Yu Feng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo have been healed by me. But they are still in a poisoned state. Do you have a solution?" Ye Leng Leng felt somewhat helpless against the poison and looked to Ye Lan for an answer.
Ye Lan glanced at the purplish-black complexions of Yu Feng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo and knew that the 'Man-Faced Demon Spider' poison on them had not yet been eliminated.
The current state of Yu Feng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo was as if they were being continuously healed by the 'Nine Heart Begonia' while simultaneously losing health due to the 'Man-Faced Demon Spider' poison.
If Ye Leng Leng had sufficient soul power, she could have enabled the three to develop a resistance to the toxin.
However, Ye Leng Leng's soul power was clearly about to be depleted, so this method of building resistance was not feasible.
At this moment, Tang San happened to regain consciousness.
When Yu Xiaogang saw that Tang San was awake, his voice was choked with emotion as he asked, "Little San, are you alright?"
"Teacher, I'm fine," Tang San said, his gaze sweeping over the members of the Imperial Fight Team.
He then asked, "Do you need me to administer the antidote?"
Ye Lan gave a sarcastic laugh. "Hehe, we won't trouble you, Tang San. My Blue Silver Grass can detoxify them."
You, Tang San, helping with the antidote?
Aren't you just looking for another chance to absorb some life force?
A flicker of soul power appeared in Ye Lan's palm, from which a slender, golden Blue Silver Grass emerged. He then distributed the delicate grass to Yu Feng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo.
After the three of them swallowed the Blue Silver Grass, their complexions improved markedly.
Watching the detoxifying effect of Ye Lan's Blue Silver Grass, Tang San dug his fingers fiercely into the flesh of his palm.
The poison of the Man-Faced Demon Spider, why could Ye Lan's Blue Silver Grass neutralize it?
And also, why did my Blue Silver Grass spirit suffer a backlash earlier?
Could it be that one cannot absorb the life force of humans?
After seeing that all the members of the Imperial Fight Team were healed, the blaze of anger in Qin Ming's heart could no longer be suppressed. He abruptly turned his head to face Flender and roared:
"Dean Flender, you have the audacity to ask me how I've taught my students?"
"This is the Great Spirit Arena, yet you brazenly used hidden weapons during the match. Dean, you still have the nerve to call my students vicious?"
"Has your academy's creed now truly become 'timid mediocrities who dare not cause trouble'?"
"Why is it that when I was studying at your esteemed academy, I failed to learn this particular essence from you, Dean?"
"Yesterday, Ma Hongjun was the one who started the trouble."
"And the one who came out to clean up his mess was the 'Spirit Saint' Lord Zhao Wuji?"
"A dignified 'Spirit Saint,' while clearly in the wrong, actually attacked a Spirit Ancestor??"
"I would like to ask, where is the honor of today's Shrek Academy?"
Once Qin Ming saw that his students had recovered from their injuries, the rage in his heart could no longer be contained.
He hadn't even started questioning Dean Flender, yet Flender had dared to question him first?
Faced with Qin Ming's relentless barrage of accusations, Flender was utterly unable to refute a single point.
Qin Ming was merely recounting the things Shrek had actually done.
Flender's expression darkened, and he retorted in a fit of rage, "Fine, just fine. Truly worthy of being the most outstanding student to ever graduate from Shrek. Now you even know how to betray your master and your roots."
"From this day forward, your name, Qin Ming, will no longer be on the list of Shrek Academy's graduates!"
What Flender did not know was that if Shrek hadn't offended Qin Ming, he would have likely come to Shrek Academy to teach Ye Lan's scientific training methods. Although Shrek lacked the healing capabilities of the 'Nine Heart Begonia,' scientific training was far superior to simple weight-bearing running drills.
After Flender expelled Qin Ming from the list of outstanding Shrek graduates, Yu Xiaogang shot a resentful glare at the members of the Imperial Fight Team, then turned and said, "Let's go!"
The five bald-headed youngsters followed Flender and left the stage. With Flender present, their confidence had been restored.
A flicker of sorrow appeared in Qin Ming's eyes. He turned to Ye Lan and said, "Ye Lan, you can review the seven-on-seven spirit duel today. I'm heading back first."
Seeing Qin Ming's melancholic expression, Ye Lan nodded. "Come back soon. You are the leader of the Imperial Fight Team!"
Hearing Ye Lan's affirmation, Qin Ming's gaze swept over the high-spirited Imperial Fight Team.
Qin Ming nodded with a sense of relief and then turned to depart.
Ye Lan, along with the six other members of the Imperial Fight Team, returned to their rest area.
The very instant they entered the room.
A figure in white suddenly threw herself into Ye Lan's arms.
With a tearful voice, the white-clad figure cried out, "Teacher!! Will you abandon me??"
Ye Lan suddenly felt a damp warmth on his chest; it was clear the young woman's tears had soaked his clothes.
Ye Lan held the girl in white, gently patting her back.
With Ye Lan's comforting gesture, Ning Rongrong began to cry even more fiercely.
On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing, who had just stood up to welcome Ye Lan, saw Ning Rongrong throw herself into Ye Lan's arms and weep uncontrollably.
Her fingers couldn't help but tremble slightly.
I was clearly here first…
The members of the Imperial Fight Team now wore varied expressions; they truly hadn't expected Ye Lan's appeal with women to be this good.
Although Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were Ye Lan's students, they didn't even return to Shrek's rest area!
Instead, they took a long detour to wait for Ye Lan in the Imperial Fight Team's lounge?
The most, most, most crucial point was that Dugu Yan and Ye Leng Leng were still standing right behind Ye Lan!
Ao Siluo and Yu Feng cast a sympathetic glance at Ye Lan.
Captain Ye, you're on your own!
"Captain, what kind of celebration wine are we drinking tonight?" Shi Mo said, clapping Yu Tianheng on the shoulder.
Ao Siluo laughed and said, "Of course, it's the wine of heartbreak~"
"Ao Siluo, you son of a bitch, if I don't drink you under the table tonight, my surname isn't Yu anymore," Yu Tianheng roared.
Ao Siluo was the first to dash out of the rest area, cheekily calling back, "Captain, you have your eyes on my sister? My sister is only six years old!"
Sparks of lightning erupted around Yu Tianheng as he chased after Ao Siluo.
Yu Feng shouted, "Tianheng, Ao Siluo, wait for me!"
Yu Feng, Shi Mo, and Shi Mo followed Yu Tianheng's lead and ran out of the room, leaving the now-spacious rest area to Ye Lan and the four young women.
Ye Leng Leng looked at Ning Rongrong in Ye Lan's arms with a calm expression. She then walked over to Zhu Zhuqing's side and asked with concern, "Zhuqing, you weren't injured in your fight with Ao Siluo, were you?"
"Sister Leng Leng, I'm fine. Ao Siluo held back!" Zhu Zhuqing smiled, her previously tense expression relaxing upon seeing Ye Leng Leng.
Dugu Yan, however, cast a slightly resentful glance at Ye Lan before teasing, "And here I was wondering who was attacking Ye Lan. Turns out it's the crybaby Rongrong~"
Upon hearing Dugu Yan's words, Ning Rongrong's ears instantly turned bright red.
She immediately stopped crying and forcefully rubbed her face against the fabric of Ye Lan's chest.
Ning Rongrong snapped at Dugu Yan in a fit of pique, "I am not a crybaby!!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's tear-streaked face, Dugu Yan immediately covered her mouth and began to laugh mercilessly.
Ye Lan gently ruffled Ning Rongrong's hair and said, "There, there, how could your teacher possibly abandon you~"
Ning Rongrong's tears turned into laughter, her eyes curving into crescent moons!
On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing's hair stirred slightly. She suddenly felt as if a large hand were gently stroking her head.
Zhu Zhuqing looked left and right. Sister Leng Leng isn't petting my head at all?!
It wasn't until she saw her teacher's comforting gaze that Zhu Zhuqing realized this must be a new ability of his!
Feeling the reassuring touch from her teacher, the unease in Zhu Zhuqing's heart vanished completely.
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing was no longer despondent, Ye Lan couldn't help but marvel: This is the most useful application of the 'Form of the Formless' yet!
Although Ye Lan was somewhat slow when it came to matters of emotion, he had still clearly noticed Zhu Zhuqing's downcast state.
Thus, while he was comforting Ning Rongrong, he had not forgotten about Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the blue-haired girl wearing a black veil and asked directly, "Sister Leng Leng, did you have some kind of conflict with the Shrek team and Teacher Zhao Wuji yesterday? Why is Teacher Zhao Wuji's arm gone?"
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing ask about serious matters, Ning Rongrong finally realized that she had thrown herself into the arms of the person Zhuqing liked the most.
A trace of guilt welled up in Ning Rongrong's heart, and at this moment, she didn't quite dare to meet Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
In response to Zhu Zhuqing's confusion, Ye Leng Leng explained, "Zhuqing, the conflict with the Shrek team yesterday was caused by Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai making disrespectful remarks to Yan Yan. After that, we had some disputes."
"However, Zhao Wuji's arm was not lost because of our conflict. It was because several months ago, back when Ye Lan was still in Suotuo City."
"Zhao Wuji intended to seize the spirit bone from Ye Lan. One morning, he directly ambushed Ye Lan!"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression instantly darkened. She never imagined that Zhao Wuji had actually attacked Ye Lan!
Zhu Zhuqing rushed to Ye Lan's side in an instant, grabbing his arm and examining it repeatedly, her tone urgent, "Teacher, are you okay!?"
Ning Rongrong grasped Ye Lan's other hand, looking at him with a nervous expression.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's reaction, Dugu Yan shot a meaningful look at Ye Leng Leng.
The look seemed to say, See? I told you so! The relationship between Ye Lan and these two students is definitely not ordinary!
Ye Lan offered reassurance, "I'm fine, I'm fine. It was only after being attacked by Zhao Wuji that I learned I have always been protected by a Spirit Douluo level 'Holy Imperial Warrior.'"
"When I have the chance in the future, I'll introduce Uncle Lang to you all."
"At the time, I was afraid of worrying you, so I didn't tell you the news about a Spirit Saint attacking me."
"I also never expected that the Spirit Saint who attacked me that day was actually Zhao Wuji."
Zhu Zhuqing let out a sigh of relief, "As long as Teacher is alright. If something had happened to Teacher…"
"Don't say another word!"
Ye Lan vigorously ruffled Zhu Zhuqing's hair.
This time, Zhu Zhuqing could feel her teacher's hand, which was warmer and more real than the 'hand' from before.
Zhu Zhuqing closed her eyes, savoring the feeling.
Ning Rongrong asked curiously, "'Holy Imperial Warrior'? Ye Lan, do you have connections with Spirit Hall?"
"Daddy told me that Spirit Hall is incredibly ambitious and that I shouldn't associate with its members."
Ye Lan chuckled. "Hahaha, then you'll have to interact with your teacher a lot less."
"Because your teacher, me, is destined to be the Holy Son of Spirit Hall in the future~"
Ning Rongrong pouted, "No, no, I want to associate with the evil Spirit Hall!"
Pfft!
Everyone was amused by Ning Rongrong's remark.
Ye Leng Leng suggested, "We've been through a long spirit duel. Why don't we go eat something delicious together!"
"Okay!" Ning Rongrong was the first to agree enthusiastically.
When it came to food, Ning Rongrong was wide awake.
And so, the four young women and Ye Lan went to a high-end restaurant recommended by Ning Rongrong, where the five of them dined in a private room.
Although Zhu Zhuqing desperately wanted to sit next to Ye Lan, she was very shy and felt somewhat awkward.
Ning Rongrong already felt guilty towards Zhu Zhuqing, and seeing her friend's indecision, she instantly understood her feelings.
She gently pushed Zhu Zhuqing to sit on Ye Lan's right side, while she herself sat next to Zhu Zhuqing.
Dugu Yan contentedly took the seat on Ye Lan's left.
Ye Leng Leng quietly sat beside Dugu Yan.
The five of them had barely begun to chat about fun places near Suotuo City when a waitress arrived with exquisite food containers, gently placing one delicious dish after another on the round table.
There was braised cod served in celadon bowls, the amber-colored sauce coating the snow-white fish. There was crystal pork knuckle, with translucent aspic enveloping crimson meat, garnished with emerald coriander leaves.
"Teacher, try this one!!" Ning Rongrong placed a large piece of fish into Ye Lan's bowl.
"Captain Ye, you have to try this!!" Dugu Yan added a piece of turtle skirt into Ye Lan's plate.
"Teacher, eat slowly!! After you finish this, try the White Jade Pearl Phoenix Rolls I made for you," Zhu Zhuqing said, her face completely flushed as she handed the prepared vegetable roll to Ye Lan.
"Captain Ye, let me feed you!! Ahh open wide" Dugu Yan was determined to make Ye Lan feel her attentiveness.
"Teacher, Teacher, let me feed you too!" Ning Rongrong declared, not to be outdone.
Although the food was exceptionally delicious, this was the first time Ye Lan had ever had such a difficult meal.
He had no idea why Dugu Yan, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing kept piling food onto his plate!
Weren't they hungry?
Even though Ye Lan felt he couldn't swallow another bite, he looked at their expectant eyes.
Mmm!
All of this food is filled with their care and concern.
Ye Lan swallowed it down with tears in his eyes…
Ye Lan noticed that Ye Leng Leng was just quietly eating her own food. He sent her a grateful look!
He couldn't imagine if his stomach could have handled it if Ye Leng Leng had also joined the battlefield.
Night fell.
Ning Rongrong held Zhu Zhuqing's hand as they walked back to Shrek Academy.
Ning Rongrong felt a pang of guilt. She held Zhu Zhuqing's hand tightly but didn't know how to begin speaking.
"Zhuqing, were you happy to see Teacher today?"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled, "Super happy!! I also got to meet Sister Leng Leng and Sister Yan Yan!"
Ning Rongrong whispered conspiratorially, "Sister Yan Yan?! Zhuqing, if you don't want that bad woman Dugu Yan to steal Teacher away, then you have to follow my plan!"
Hearing that Ning Rongrong wanted to help her strategize on how to win over their teacher, the slight barrier in Zhu Zhuqing's heart vanished.
Zhu Zhuqing turned around and cupped Ning Rongrong's small face, saying, "Rongrong, you like Teacher too, don't you?"
"No way!! I… I don't like that sharp-tongued man at all," Ning Rongrong said in a fluster.
Zhu Zhuqing gently caressed Ning Rongrong's face and said wistfully, "Rongrong, if you like Teacher, you have to be more decisive!"
"Sister Yan Yan is a good person, and her feelings for Teacher are no less than ours."
"If you don't seize the opportunity, Teacher might really be stolen away!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes turned red. "Zhuqing, are you saying you plan to give up your chance to be with Teacher?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Yes. My status is not worthy of Teacher. Even if Teacher agreed to be with me, I would not accept it. Teacher's reputation must not be tarnished!"
Ning Rongrong shook her head frantically. "Teacher wouldn't care about those things! Zhuqing, I support you being with Teacher!!"
"But I care," Zhu Zhuqing said, looking up at the starry sky.
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's true thoughts, Ning Rongrong felt no secret joy, but instead, even more guilt.
Then, something else occurred to Ning Rongrong, and she didn't continue trying to persuade Zhu Zhuqing.
Ning Rongrong decided to help Zhu Zhuqing win Ye Lan's affection and prevent that bad woman Dugu Yan from snatching him away.
The next day, early in the morning.
The Shrek Academy training grounds.
Flender and Yu Xiaogang were preparing to assign the day's weight-bearing running training plan for the Shrek Five Devils.
Flender was surprised to see Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who rarely came to the Shrek Five's training area.
A look of gratification appeared on Flender's face. Shrek Academy's loss to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy yesterday must have spurred Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing to train even harder. He assumed they would join the Shrek Five Devils in their intensive weight-bearing running.
Flender said, "Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing. Are you here to train with us?"
Ning Rongrong's expression was neutral as she said, "Flender, explain this to me. Why wasn't the Shrek team's secondary tactic yesterday discussed with me?"
Flender glanced at Tang San with suspicion. That sacrificial tactic from yesterday?
He had praised that tactic from the VIP room, but he never imagined that Ning Rongrong hadn't even known about it!
Had the relationship between Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and the Shrek Five Devils deteriorated this much?
To not even discuss such a tactic with the person involved?
No wonder Zhu Zhuqing didn't ascend into the air to attack the 'Nine Heart Begonia' with Tang San and the others at the time.
"Ning Rongrong, that tactic yesterday was something I came up with right before the Shrek team went on stage. I only told Little San at the time. He probably didn't have a chance to tell you, right?" Flender said, forcibly taking the blame to salvage the atmosphere within the Shrek team.
Oscar stepped forward and added, "That's right, I didn't know either at the time. It was only after Little San took to the air that he ordered us to fire together."
Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe this group could be so shameless, daring to act but not daring to take responsibility!
Zhu Zhuqing spoke up, "So, what Dean Flender means is that sacrificing Rongrong was the correct tactic?"
Yu Xiaogang interjected, speaking up for his disciple, "Any tactic that leads to victory is a good tactic!"
Seeing the rising tension between the two sides, Flender said, "Ning Rongrong, in the future, I will definitely inform you first of any such tactics! If there are no other problems, let's begin this morning's training."
"No other problems?? Tang San, didn't you say yesterday that Teacher Zhao Wuji's arm was destroyed by my teacher?!"
"But why didn't you tell me that it was because Zhao Wuji coveted my teacher's spirit bone first? And my teacher told me he doesn't even have a hundred-year spirit bone!"
"For a non-existent spirit bone, Zhao Wuji was going to dismember my teacher?"
Tang San retorted stubbornly, "Is it not a fact that Teacher Zhao Wuji's arm was destroyed by Ye Lan?"
Xiao Wu chimed in to support him, "Exactly! Teacher Zhao Wuji lost his entire arm, but Ye Lan's arms and legs are perfectly fine, aren't they?"
Hearing the argument between the two sides, Flender thought to himself, This is bad!
He had completely forgotten that this ticking time bomb within Shrek Academy had yet to explode!
Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, "That was Zhao Wuji's own fault. Dean Flender, I would like to ask when Zhao Wuji will be expelled from the academy? Are all of Shrek Academy's teachers murderers who would harm others for their own gain?"
"Uh, this, this…" Flender was deeply conflicted. He didn't want to give up Zhao Wuji, who was not only a Spirit Saint but had also served Shrek Academy for many years. He also didn't want to lose Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing; the Shrek team couldn't afford to lose their talents, and besides, Ning Rongrong was the daughter of Sect Master Ning.
(End of this chapter)