A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of My "Wandering Reader":
-Davis Nguyen
-Cain
-Goha21
-Jacob Mooe
-HADES
-Varun Madhu
-Mp Gaming
-Aziz Makda
-Gonzalo Sumalavia
-Klip
-JWolf
-kevin Williams
-Shadow260802
-MIKE
You can read 30 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - [email protected]/lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
"Old Tang."
In Tang Wulin's spiritual world, he once again encountered the enigmatic figure who had accompanied him throughout his growth. Old Tang had always refused to reveal his identity, only saying that he would disclose everything once Tang Wulin had grown strong enough.
This time, however, Old Tang was displeased with Tang Wulin's choices. He scolded, "When facing a powerful enemy, the first priority is to protect yourself. Moreover, that wasn't a life-or-death battle—it was just a competition. Why did you push yourself so hard? Do you realize how close you were to death? If not for the protective power of the Golden Dragon King's bloodline, you would have died."
"Old Tang, I know. But this match was about Shrek Academy's honor. I had to defend it with everything I had! From Aolai City all the way here, I gave my all to get into Shrek. I truly love the academy—it's where my friends are, where my home is."
Seeing Tang Wulin's unwavering resolve, Old Tang murmured, "Shrek's honor? Home?"
"Fine. What's done is done. I won't interfere with your decisions, but know this—I will always be your strongest support. As long as I live, you will not die."
---
"You couldn't find him?" Gu Yue stood in the room, her expression dark. Unlike in the original timeline, where she would have blamed Di Tian and the others, this time she simply felt that the waters of Douluo Continent ran far deeper than she had imagined.
"Forgive us, Your Majesty. That person left too quickly, and we weren't nearby at the time, so—"
"Stop searching. Just wait. Tang Wulin will return for the competition."
"Yes."
As the acting team captain, Gu Yue had been filling in for Tang Wulin during his absence, participating in the team battles.
With her explosive power, she was confident she could defeat Long Yue. But this was something she believed should be left to Tang Wulin. She preferred to observe from the sidelines, hoping to uncover some of Tang San's methods.
"Once the team competition is over, I'll head to the northwest of Star Luo to find you again."
Without the soul fusion skill in this final battle, she wondered how things would ultimately play out.
Long Yue, a six-ringed Soul Emperor with the supreme martial soul, Mountain Dragon King, and a two-word battle armor master, held an absolute advantage over the Shrek team.
---
Bai Xu and Na'er arrived at the peak of an unnamed mountain, where they had been staying for several days. With Bai Xu's control over the five elements, they had quickly built a suitable dwelling.
During this time, Na'er had been channeling the Dragon God Core's immense energy to aid Bai Xu's cultivation. As a result, his progress in refining his six internal organs had accelerated significantly. It might take only half a year for him to reach full mastery.
"The food's ready. Come eat." Na'er had learned some basic life skills, something she would have scoffed at in the past. Yet now, she had even taken up cooking.
"Alright."
Seated at the table, Na'er didn't touch her chopsticks. Instead, she silently watched Bai Xu.
"Why aren't you eating?" Bai Xu asked.
"I'm not hungry. After you finish, there's something I want to tell you."
"Something to say?" Bai Xu was puzzled.
"Yes. It's about Gu Yue's and my decision. We don't want to hide anything from you anymore. Actually, you already knew, didn't you? That I've been secretly exchanging messages with Gu Yue all along—you just never brought it up."
Bai Xu nodded. "You're not good at hiding your emotions. You'd often stare at me from behind, filled with guilt, thinking I wouldn't notice. But with my divine sense, as long as I activate it, I can perceive everything around me clearly."
"So that's how it is."
Na'er smiled bitterly, lost in memories—memories of the message Gu Yue had sent her, conveying the decision of the soul beasts.
---
A Few Days Earlier.
An hour before the match, the Star Luo Grand Coliseum was already packed to the brim, the atmosphere electric.
The commentators were ready.
For this match, to ensure the safety of both teams, the organizers had arranged for four referees—all of them Title Douluo-level powerhouses. Additionally, the Star Luo Empire's royal family had assured the delegation from the Douluo Federation that another incident like Long Yue's outburst would not occur.
Even before the match began, the tension was palpable.
The two teams entered the arena almost simultaneously. The green uniforms of Shrek Academy stood in stark contrast to the red of Monster Academy.
From Monster Academy, the team was led by Dragon King Long Yue, followed by Tiger King Dai Yueyan, Wind King Lin San, Fox King Su Mu, Wolf King Hua Lantang, Tower King Ye Zhi, Shadow King Teng Teng, and Spirit King Dai Yun'er.
All eight Heavenly Kings were present.
As for Shrek Academy's team:
The first position remained empty, followed by Gu Yue, Ye Xinglan, Yuanen Yehui, Le Zhenyu, Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, and Xu Lizhi—seven members in total.
Gu Yue served as the acting captain.
The team finals thus commenced. Just as Gu Yue had anticipated, after only a few rounds, Tang Wulin returned in perfect condition, displaying even greater power than before. He now wielded the Golden Dragon King's exclusive weapon—the Golden Dragon Spear—and even possessed a golden third soul ring.
At this moment, he was brimming with confidence as he faced Monster Academy's team, locking eyes with Long Yue.
The team finals reached their most critical juncture. Gu Yue employed an earth-element sealing technique, instantly locking down Long Yue's abilities—even his soul power became immobile.
Xu Xiaoyan's Starlock Chains linked everyone together, allowing them to sense each other's auras and soul power fluctuations. By pooling the power of all six members into Tang Wulin, they elevated him to the Soul Emperor level, giving him the strength to confront Long Yue head-on.
Yet the final decisive blow remained elusive. Even with his abilities sealed, Long Yue's physique as a two-word battle armor master, combined with the Mountain Dragon King's formidable endurance and strength, made him a difficult opponent.
Unlike in the original timeline, Gu Yue did not perform a soul fusion skill with Tang Wulin. Without it, they lacked the finishing move to defeat Long Yue. If Gu Yue's earth-element seal wore off before they could strike, it would all be over.
"Are we going to lose?" Tang Wulin's spirits sank. His aura weakened, his power dropping from six rings back to four. Though the Golden Dragon Spear had dealt significant damage to Long Yue, it wasn't fatal—instead, it only drove him into a greater frenzy.
Gu Yue's earth-element seal was on the verge of breaking. If no miracle occurred, Shrek would lose this match.
"Sigh."
A mournful sigh echoed from the depths of Tang Wulin's heart. A divine presence surged forth, its pure essence spreading outward, awakening Long Yue's consciousness from its bloodline-induced frenzy.
"Using one of my methods this early is premature. But fine, I'll help you this once—and settle some troubles along the way."
The Sea God continued, "Watch closely. Though 'A Thousand Years in an Instant' is still beyond your current level, I hope you can glean some insight from it."
Tang Wulin's golden eyes abruptly turned azure, and streaks of blue appeared in his hair. Though he was fifty meters away from Long Yue, the Golden Dragon Spear carried an indescribable profundity as it thrust forward.
In that instant, Long Yue felt as though he was facing the entire ocean. The spear's force struck him from a distance, sending him flying and knocking him unconscious—his battle armor pierced clean through.
With a glance, Tang Wulin's eyes locked onto Gu Yue, a profound meaning hidden within them. Gu Yue's mind seared with pain as a spiritual imprint branded itself deep within her consciousness.
Then, Tang Wulin collapsed.
At that moment, in the Star Luo Grand Coliseum—packed with countless spectators—and even among the hundreds of thousands watching outside, silence reigned.
If not for Long Yue lying unconscious on the ground, his two-word battle armor pierced through, and the only ones left standing or sitting being Shrek Academy's team, no one would have believed what had just happened.
But it was true—Shrek had won!
They were the champions!
Yet Gu Yue's expression was grim as she hurriedly left the arena.
"Damn it… That mental intrusion just now—he definitely did something to me! As I thought… Tang San has known my identity all along!"