For several nights now in the Soto City Fighting Spirit Arena, Shrek's matches had grown monotonous. Most "team battles" pitted them against mixed squads of Great Soul Masters and the occasional low‑ranked Soul Sect. Competitions ended before they truly began.
Xiao Tian never needed to move a finger.
At most, he'd stand quietly at the back, sword sheathed, mere presence enough to rattle opponents. He found it almost comical that points kept coming in under his name while his actual role was nothing more than "reserve."
Finally, he sought out Manager Ao and spoke plainly.
"Manager Ao, surely your great arena has stronger disciples? You can't leave me as a substitute forever. If I keep drawing points I didn't earn, I'll feel guilty taking them."
The rotund manager wiped fresh sweat from his forehead. His instincts told him this boy was dangerous, not just power‑wise, but in wit and calculation. He forced a smile.
"Don't worry, young one. I have already petitioned headquarters. I hear… within two days… a special team will arrive. Seven Soul Masters. Every one of them already at the top tier of their rank. They come from Tiandou City directly."
The shock rippled through the Shrek group.
"From Tiandou City?" Yu Xiaogang's brows tightened in a frown as he stepped closer. "Why would a Tier One city team come all the way to Soto? This arena only hosts middling conflicts, nothing worth their time. Isn't that… excessive?"
Manager Ao coughed lightly, tilting his head in a clear gesture. "Forgive me, Master. I can't release details. But one thing at least—" His voice lowered, almost conspiratorial. "Their captain carries the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex spirit."
The title landed like lightning itself.
Yu Xiaogang's pupils trembled. He steadied himself, then inclined his head slightly, gratitude behind his taciturn mask. He understood.
Though estranged from his clan, he had never stopped following its succession rumors. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had ambitious candidates, and among them, a youth at Tiandou Royal Academy—a certain name he could never ignore.
Inwardly, Yu Xiaogang's heart twisted bitterly. So… fate drags him here too? Yu Tianheng.
Opportunity or torment—he didn't know yet. But what was certain: if Shrek Academy aspired to participate in the next Soul Master Competition, their team required recognition and endorsement from an advanced academy recognized by the empire.
Tiandou Royal Academy, sparkling jewel of the capital, was the obvious path. Now? The path walked toward them instead.
Yet heavy knots marred him. The internal fractures within his team grew worse by the day.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, even Ma Hongjun—all restless, all smoldering with dissatisfaction. Especially with Xiao Tian.
Where Xiao Tian drifted like effortless starlight, respect followed. Xiao Wu adored him openly. Ning Rongrong and even aloof Zhu Zhuqing walked naturally at his side.
The three girls' proximity carved deep splinters in relationships. Xiao Wu was the girl Tang San yearned for; Flender schemed silently to push Oscar closer to Ning Rongrong; Zhu Zhuqing's betrothal to Dai Mubai had turned to a cold farce.
Now those same three orbited Xiao Tian.
Every silent night, Tang San clenched his fists tighter. Every day, Dai Mubai ground his teeth sharper.
The resentment was hushed only because Chen Xin—Sword Douluo—lingered nearby. Not even the reckless dared breathe disrespect when a Titled Douluo stood at their side.
But everyone knew—the day Chen Xin departed, sparks would fall.
After Ao's private words, Xiao Tian himself chuckled under his breath.
"So… my arrival pulled the strings again." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "The Royal Fighting Team, this early?"
The butterfly effect danced in the storm of fate.
To Xiao Tian, this wasn't trouble—it was blessing. With the Royal Fighting Team's arrival, his timeline accelerated. It gave him the perfect moment to prepare to leave Shrek.
If not for one lingering objective—the chance to brush shoulders with Dugu Yan, to reach her grandfather Dugu Bo—he would have already flown away with Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, under Chen Xin's care.
These days, resentment's weight grew too clear. Whispers, bristling gazes. Xiao Tian felt it. The dissatisfaction of Tang San's faction. The jealousy riding under Dai Mubai's glare. And Oscar's petty bitterness.
Good. All the better as reason to walk away.
Could it be blamed on him if their mediocrity failed to earn the women's attention?
Was that his crime, or their incompetence?
He only smiled.
That night, walking side by side after another hollow victory in the arena, Chen Xin lowered his voice with a private soul‑thread message.
"Xiao Tian," his deep mental voice rumbled, "are you certain you don't intend to leave Shrek? The only reason Tang San and the rest haven't raised blades yet is me. While I walk with you no one will cross the line. But I may not linger forever. Once I go… I fear the collision will ignite into true conflict."
Xiao Tian's eyes remained half‑lidded, his aura calm. His thread answered lightly.
"Grandpa Jian needn't worry. I've already decided. When the right excuse comes, I will declare departure myself."
Chen Xin fell momentarily silent. Then a trace of warmth edged his mental tone. "Ah… so the boy plans his path already. Then tell me. Which excuse?"
"The Royal Fighting Team," Xiao Tian answered swiftly. "The strong squad Manager Ao spoke of—they hail from Tiandou, with a Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Spirit user leading. Naturally their captain is Yu Tianheng. This gives me opportunity. I will step away under guise of transferring to Tiandou Royal Academy."
Chen Xin's pupils sharpened. "Tiandou Royal Academy… Captain Yu Tianheng…"
His mind summoned information he knew well. Yu Tianheng, famed youth of the imperial capital, heir candidate. Yu Xiaogang's nephew.
The irony struck bitterly funny.
Chen Xin said aloud, "So that was your ploy. But let me warn—if your goal is Yu Tianheng's circle, remember well: that boy belongs to the clan Yu Xiaogang abandoned. If you go there, paths may clash harder. His uncle stalks you still."
Footsteps tapped the corridor softly as Xiao Tian smiled faintly, fox's eyes gleaming.
"Grandpa Jian, half your guess is correct. I'm not going there for Yu Tianheng… but for someone in his squad. Dugu Yan. Through her, I'll find Dugu Bo. The giant serpent hidden among the empires. Royal Academy is simply the medium."
Chen Xin exhaled, realization dawned. So that was it. He smirked. "Hah. You even use the Blue Lightning scions as stepping stones. Your fox's tail shows, boy. But…" His lips curved into a wry grin. "Not bad. You even accounted for Rongrong. She won't part from you anyway. So a proper academy gives shelter, legitimacy. A fine nest."
Xiao Tian's smile widened into a sly crescent. "Grandpa Jian doesn't want Rongrong wandering homeless with us, alone. With Tiandou Royal Academy's credentials, safety is assured. Isn't that best?"
Chen Xin paused—then sighed a laugh. "…You plotted to corner me. Cheeky brat."
And indeed, the boy fox tugged strings.
Xiao Tian's tone softened into earnest steel. "And Grandpa Jian—one reminder. When Tang San's cooperation resurfaces, and your sect deals crossbows—treat it only as trade. Never… never let partnership blind. Cooperation is cooperation. Nothing more. Otherwise, you'll be paying respect while being fleeced."
The Titled Douluo's eyes flickered as he recalled past mistakes. A faint shadow crossed his ancient pride.
"True. You sound like Ning Fengzhi… pragmatic to foxes' end. For you to say this at twelve… Hah. Indeed, you think like a thousand‑year fox already."
Xiao Tian's smile vanished into cold amusement. Don't compare me to Ning Fengzhi. That man almost let his sect collapse into dust groveling at Tang San's feet. Paying high coin for worthless weapons, then thanking his fleecer for not letting his sect burn to ash?
Did dignity mean nothing?
A true businessman never grovels. Favor is shown elsewhere—not bought at ruinous price.
In the shadows, Xiao Tian clenched his hand tightly. His mind rang with the future he knew—how the Seven Treasures had nearly been destroyed under Fengzhi's softness, their disciples slaughtered, while Tang San was praised with gratitude for "helping."
Pathetic.
Chen Xin saw nothing of these future sneers. But he did see a youth with eyes like knives, already cutting deals beyond his age. Sword and fox, ink and blood.
The day approached. The Royal Fighting Team neared Soto.
And with them, Yu Tianheng… Dugu Yan… and Xiao Tian's next leap.
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