"So that's why I didn't tell you beforehand nor those who handled the task," Dugu Feng said, the corner of his mouth curling with pride. "If too many people knew, it would've leaked. And a single flaw would've cost us everything."
Tang Hao's reputation was as fierce as ever; the look of shock still frozen on Old Scorpion's face was proof enough. As for what Dugu Feng had taken from Tang Hao's lair, Old Scorpion didn't dare ask.
That was no longer "news." That was a secret so deep it could bury a man alive!
He wisely kept his curiosity locked behind his teeth.
Dugu Feng waved a hand lightly. "From here on, keep a close watch on Shrek Academy.This supply town is the nearest stop for them before entering the Star Dou Forest. You understand what that means."
Old Scorpion's pupils shrank, "Yes, Young Master. You're planning to—"
Dugu Feng smiled faintly but didn't answer.
Tang Hao's whereabouts?
He was certain that the man must have returned to the Clear Sky Sect by now.
The Pope, Bibi Dong, had been missing from Spirit City for more than two months, leading the Titled Douluo of the Elder Hall. Such a long absence—everyone knew.
Bibi Dong wanted people to know.That was the point!
A declaration of power, a reminder to the world: the hand of Spirit Hall could reach anywhere.
And right in that window of chaos, Tang Hao had razed nine branch halls to the ground.He and Spirit Hall were now like flint and tinder! Only one spark away from detonation.
Dugu Feng could already see the storm gathering over the mountains.The center of the continent's next upheaval… would be outside the gates of the Clear Sky Sect.
He narrowed his eyes slightly."So then… when Tang San goes to the forest for his next spirit ring, will he still encounter the Human-Faced Demon Spider?"
"Will he still… gain the Eight Spider Lances?"
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
That was worth waiting for.
If Tang San could obtain that external spirit bone…then Dugu Feng would simply take it from him.
If he succeeded—the Blue Silver Emperor's right leg bone and the Eight Spider Lances would both be his!
A perfect harvest.
And so, Dugu Feng waited.
Two days passed quietly.
Then, his eyes flickered open.
Two familiar ripples of energy—two Pearls—were rapidly drawing closer.
Zhu Zhuqing!
She was here.
"Seems Shrek Academy has set out."
From his second-floor room by the window, Dugu Feng gazed lazily down at the street below.Evening had just begun to fall when he finally saw them.
A small group approached from the northern road, the setting sun casting long shadows across their figures.
He frowned slightly.
"Hmm? Flender?", He came himself? And Zhao Wuji too?"
That was unexpected.
Only Zhu Zhuqing's spirit power had changed since the last time he'd observed them. The others were the same.
But perhaps the chaos between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall had made Flender cautious. He must have come to personally ensure their safety.
His gaze shifted toward Ning Rongrong.
Should he… say hello?
If he happened to "meet" them by chance in the Star Dou Forest, it wouldn't seem strange.
He could exchange a few words, earn their trust…then strike when the time came and seize the Eight Spider Lances.
A perfect plan.
But after a brief thought, Dugu Feng shook his head.
No.Not this time.
He wasn't here for sentiment or nostalgia.This operation wasn't one that could risk exposure.
If anyone connected him to what was about to happen… even tangentially…it could unravel years of preparation.
He preferred the shadows.The dark always favored those with patience.
Downstairs, laughter and conversation filled the inn.
As he expected, Flender—stingy as ever—had chosen the cheapest, largest inn in the entire town.
From the second floor, Dugu Feng could clearly hear the noise of Shrek's little monsters below.
Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar were laughing raucously.Dai Mubai was in the middle of explaining to Tang San and Xiao Wu the "philosophy" of Shrek Academy.
"Listen, the safest people to provoke are those from other academies! Worst case, you get into a fight. That's it!"
Dugu Feng leaned by the window, shaking his head with a faint smirk.
"Typical. Still bullying the weak while pretending it's 'courage.', Flender knows full well his students all have powerful backgrounds, so he can afford to be reckless."
"Ning Rongrong? Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, always with guards nearby. Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai? Both heirs of Star Luo nobility. But when they met someone they couldn't provoke, like Dugu Bo at the Royal Academy later…why didn't they talk about 'not fearing trouble' then?"
He chuckled quietly to himself, "To twist cowardice into a school motto… Flender, for all his roughness, does know how to survive."
Laughter rose from the dining hall.A scuffle was breaking out.
So predictable.
"Fight?" Xiao Wu's excited voice rang out, "I like fighting!"
Dugu Feng's brows lifted slightly.
As expected, the little rabbit was still as reckless as ever.
A ten-thousand-year soul beast—Running around flaunting herself like a spoiled girl in human form.
No wonder Tang Hao had already marked her as his son's future spirit ring.
Within moments, Xiao Wu's delicate figure flashed across the room and using her Soft Skill to toss several students from Canghui Academy straight out the door.
Soul beast turned human, and still this arrogant.
Dugu Feng could barely watch, "How did such a fool ever cultivate to ten thousand years?" he muttered.
Sure enough, the altercation spilled out into the street. Canghui Academy's team had taken offense; fists and spirit rings followed.
Dugu Feng rested an elbow on the windowsill, watching with amusement.
The Shrek Seven finally showed their fangs.
Even the Canghui soul king, Ye Zhiqiu, was forced into the open—and promptly humiliated.
For all his strength, he couldn't withstand the seven working together.
Especially with Ning Rongrong's support, her coordination was masterful, each burst of light from her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda precise and efficient.
Dugu Feng's eyes glinted with appreciation.
Her split-focus control had reached the third stage: the "Three Aperture Governing Heart."
To maintain three separate support streams simultaneously with each tailored precisely to the target's needs who;e still minimizing her own spirit power consumption…
That was rare talent indeed.
As she worked, Ning Rongrong suddenly froze, turning her gaze toward the second floor of the inn.
Her bright eyes swept across the windows.
Someone was watching her.
She could feel it.
The gaze was sharp—and strangely… familiar.
But when she looked closer, there was nothing there.
"Still sharp as ever, little witch."
Dugu Feng allowed himself a faint smile and let his presence fade completely into the darkness.
Moments later, Zhao Wuji arrived, stomping into the fray like an angry bear.
The "Unmovable King" lived up to his name: brutal, arrogant, and loud.
When he'd met the old serpent couple before, he'd been all politeness and flattery.
But facing a mere soul king like Ye Zhiqiu?
Completely different story.
Zhao Wuji stood there with arms folded, spirit unactivated, and mocked Ye Zhiqiu to his face—until the man snapped and attacked.
One palm.
A single casual strike—and Ye Zhiqiu went flying across the street like a broken kite.
Then, as if nothing had happened, Zhao Wuji turned calmly to his students, his tone suddenly "teacherly."
"You see? That's what happens when you lose composure in a fight. Next time—watch your teamwork."
Dugu Feng chuckled softly from his window seat.
"So righteous after the fact. Truly, this bunch never disappoints."