Xiao Wu, pinned under everyone's gaze, showed fear in her eyes. Her limbs stiffened unnaturally, and for a moment, she couldn't bring herself to speak. Tang San and the rest of the Shrek team already understood what her behavior revealed: Xiao Wu was a 100,000-year Spirit Beast. Each of them tensed, especially Tang San, who, seeing Bibi Dong's eyes fixed on Xiao Wu, resolutely stepped in front of her.
"Xiao Wu, no matter who you are, as long as I'm here, no one will lay a hand on you."
"Brother—"
Xiao Wu was deeply moved; she knew her third brother would never abandon her.
At the back of the group, Yù Xiǎogāng, the backbone of Shrek Academy, looked at Xiao Wu and thought differently. Though she was like half a disciple to him, she was undeniably a 100,000-year Spirit Beast. And after taking human form, her power had weakened significantly.
Since ancient times, humans and Spirit Beasts have been at odds. Spirit Masters grow stronger by hunting beasts and claiming their Spirit Rings. Few have ever kept a Spirit Beast alive.
If Tang San ever hunted Xiao Wu—or if she voluntarily sacrificed herself—he could gain a seventh Spirit Ring of unprecedented power. By the time Tang San reached Titled Douluo, the Blue Silver Grass Spirit would have three red Spirit Rings, an achievement unheard of in history. If he later added the Clear Sky Hammer Spirit as a second weapon, the scene would be exhilarating: twelve 100,000-year Spirit Rings, and the second Spirit of Clear Sky Hammer could hold nine 100,000-year rings. That would give Tang San at least nine additional 100,000-year Spirit Skills, not even counting the absorption of 100,000-year Spirit Bones.
By then, Tang San would be the strongest in the continent's history, and Yù Xiǎogāng could become the continent's top mentor and an unmatched scholar.
Thinking this, Yù Xiǎogāng glanced at Xiao Wu again, shook his head slightly, and thought:
"Xiao Wu and Tang San have a deep bond. If Tang San kills her himself, it will tear them apart. But the method of sacrifice is very feasible. If Xiao Wu's feelings deepen, and she faces an almost impossible trial, she's likely to sacrifice herself, becoming Tang San's Spirit Ring."
Yù Xiǎogāng immediately stepped forward, placing himself directly in front of Tang San and Xiao Wu, glaring at Bibi Dong:
"Bibi Dong, do not harm my student. Even if Xiao Wu is a Spirit Beast, that's not acceptable."
Seeing the Shrek members firmly encircle Xiao Wu, their eyes resolute and ready to unleash their Spirit Powers to protect her, Bibi Dong's expression darkened.
Liuer Long and Flander took positions at the front of the Shrek battle team.
"Sun and Moon Golden Spin!"
The three formed a triangle, activating their Spirit Powers. Using Luo Sanpao as a conduit, a colossal 20-meter-long Golden Holy Dragon coiled above the Shrek members.
"If you want to kill our student, you'll have to step over our corpses first."
"Teachers… everyone…"
Tears welled up in Xiao Wu's eyes. She had never imagined that, aside from her brother, everyone else would also stand between her and danger once they learned she was a Spirit Beast.
"You Shrek Academy sure knows the bond between teacher and student. Today, this 100,000-year Spirit Beast will be defended by the Spirit Hall. Anyone who interferes will face the same fate."
With a "thud," Bibi Dong slammed her staff onto the ground. Without releasing a single Spirit Skill, her Spirit Pressure and Killing God Domain shattered a three-in-one Spirit Fusion formed by one Spirit Elder and two Spirit Sages.
Yù Xiǎogāng and the others collapsed, blood seeping from their mouths, suffering severe internal injuries. Especially Yù Xiǎogāng, who had just broken through the Grandmaster bottleneck—he felt as if his body had been crushed.
In the stands, Ning Fengzhi, who had been contemplating intervening, was forced to back down by this warning. He had no choice; acting would implicate the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. As a clan leader, he had to consider the whole sect. Bibi Dong only targeted Xiao Wu and Tang San, leaving the rest unharmed, ensuring Rong Rong's safety.
Protected, Xiao Wu stepped out from the circle, glaring at Bibi Dong.
"You killed my mom. Today, I won't run anymore."
Xiao Wu glanced at Tang San, tears of reluctance slipping down, then turned her gaze firmly on Bibi Dong. A terrifying aura surged from her as a 100,000-year Spirit Beast.
"Stop her!"
Bibi Dong fully understood Xiao Wu's intent. Nine Spirit Rings appeared around her feet, and nearby, the Chrysanthemum Douluo charged toward her.
Tang San seemed to realize Xiao Wu's fate and roared as he rushed forward:
"Xiao Wu, don't—"
He swung the Clear Sky Hammer, ready to block every attack from the Titled Douluo.
Then, in the next instant:
"Boom—"
A deafening explosion shook the area, forcibly throwing back the Chrysanthemum Douluo's attack.
As the dust cleared, the Clear Sky Hammer, enveloped in a faint red blood mist, appeared in a massive crater. A distant, somewhat ethereal voice echoed from hundreds of meters above:
"One little flower, one little brat… cough… daring to hurt my son."
"Tang Hao."
Hearing the familiar voice, the Chrysanthemum Douluo froze in terror, instinctively raising her hands to shield her face.
"Tang Hao, well, well… I hadn't gone looking for you, yet you come to my Spirit Hall first? Looking for death."
Bibi Dong gripped her staff, glaring at Tang Hao in the sky.
Seeing Tang Hao appear, the Shrek members felt their burden lift. They all revered Tang Hao, the youngest Titled Douluo on the continent.
"Dad—"
Tang San was deeply moved; he hadn't realized his father had been watching his battles and protecting him all along.
The Clear Sky Hammer returned to Tang Hao's hand.
"Xiao San, watch closely. This is the true form of the Clear Sky Hammer."
A 15-meter-tall giant illusion of Tang Hao wielded the hammer, smashing toward the Spirit Hall's central authority, the Pope's Hall.
"Tang Hao, how dare you!"
Bibi Dong commanded her subordinates to activate an energy defense array. Three Titled Douluo channeled their powers into the array to maintain its integrity.
But in the next moment, Tang Hao unleashed his full power through the Clear Sky Hammer.
"Bang—"
The energy defense array shattered, fragments flying everywhere. The hammer's trajectory shifted, demolishing the Spirit Hall's Angelic Statue of authority. Amid the chaos, Tang Hao whisked Tang San and Xiao Wu away, taking care to thank Yù Xiǎogāng and Flander as they left.