Zhu Zhuqing stood silently between Xiao Tian and Ning Rongrong, her sharp feline eyes flickering back and forth. Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda glowed faintly as she practiced the beginnings of the sword‑controlling method under Xiao Tian's guidance. Zhu Zhuqing couldn't shake off the prickle of unease.
The way those two interact… it doesn't feel simple. Something is not right.
In Xiao Tian's spiritual space
Er Ming rumbled, his great arms folded, his bovine head tilting. "Brother, don't you think Xiao Tian is… maybe too popular with the girls? Isn't Sister Xiao Wu…"
Daming's calm, ancient voice flowed back. "Er Ming, that's not our concern. As long as Xiao Wu chooses willingly, no one—including us—has a right to interfere. We are guardians, not parents."
Er Ming muttered under his breath, but eventually gave a reluctant grunt of agreement.
In the Tiandou Imperial Palace
Deep within the Prince's study, "Xue Qinghe" quietly read petitions from the hall. Of course, this was no ordinary Crown Prince, but Qian Renxue, her disguise flawless as ever.
Without looking up, her crisp voice slipped into the quiet air. "Uncle Snake Spear, has anything unusual occurred in Tiandou City these days?"
Ripples shimmered in the air. Two silhouettes bowed into view from the void—Snake Spear Douluo and Thorny Porpoise Douluo, shadow guardians of her masquerade.
Snake Spear replied gravely, "Young Master, the city is quiet. The only noteworthy matter: a few days past, Sword Douluo Chen Xin suddenly left the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect after receiving a letter. A man thought to be a sect shadowguard then met with Ning Fengzhi in private. We suspect he carried Chen Xin's news."
The Thorny Porpoise Douluo added grimly, "And news from Soto City: a particular team has been stirring commotion. The Royal Academy Team One, led by Yu Tianheng, has left Tiandou and, under Qin Ming's lead, traveled to Soto to fight in its arena. Their reason—an unrecognized group that fights there calls itself the Shrek Fighting Soul Team. Their captain? A young swordsman. Strong enough that reports already call him a Soul Sect."
"Oh?" Qian Renxue raised her head, interest sparking in her elegant golden eyes. "A Soul Sect? At that age?" Her voice slowed, but her quill across the petition page never halted.
"Haha, Young Master," Snake Spear chuckled, sensing her fleeting spark of curiosity. "Their data is curious. Qin Ming was once associated with Shrek Academy of Soto City—the founder is Flender of the Golden Iron Triangle. The team hides behind code names, but we've sniffed certain truths."
Thorny Porpoise bowed his head, supplementing. "Firstly, one of them bears the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda Spirit, unmistakable. It's whispered the sect's little princess, Ning Rongrong, vanished some weeks ago."
Snake Spear continued, "Second, the team also boasts martial spirits of the Evil-Eyed White Tiger and the Nether Spirit Cat."
At that, Qian Renxue's pen stilled completely. A cold but bemused smile tugged her lip.
"The Ning clan's princess… plus heirs of Xingluo's three‑eyed White Tiger and Zhu clan bloodline? Hiding in that ragged little school? What is Flender playing at?"
She tapped her desk lightly, her disguise never faltering. Her mind calculated layers.
"And Chen Xin moving alone, delivering secretive word with no escort. Interesting."
She turned her gaze to Snake Spear. "The Seven Treasures Sect and Star Luo's imperial house have long opposed one another. Yet here their juniors mingle freely in a minor backwater. Uncle Snake Spear—go. Investigate this Shrek Academy thoroughly for me."
"Yes, Young Master!" Snake Spear bowed, vanishing as swiftly as a coiled strike.
Qian Renxue leaned back, fingertips brushing her temple.
A young Soul Sect captain… barely in his teens. If true, that alone warrants notice. Perhaps even a seedling worthy of cultivation.
The Great Soto Fighting Arena — Shrek Lounge
Inside the bustling preparation room, Manager Ao himself pushed open the door, habits of courtesy intact. He placed a folded parchment on the table before Yu Xiaogang.
"Master, this contains the records of your next opponents. As I informed you… it is the Royal Fighting Team that arrived two days ago."
The parchment creased open. At the very top page, bold letters stared back.
Captain: Yu Tianheng.
Yu Xiaogang's hands trembled faintly as he read. He inhaled deeply, pressing his face back into calm as he passed the information sheet.
He turned to the students. "Shrek, the Royal Fighting Team will be your challenge tonight. Their average level is uniformly high. Xiao Tian will definitely participate. So then—we must decide. Who sits as substitute?"
He swept his gaze across the eight of them.
By normal metrics, the weakest had always been Ma Hongjun or Zhu Zhuqing. But… the Royal Team's lineup was far from ordinary. They had flying type agility, proper frontlines, even poison support. Against them, every piece mattered.
Yu Xiaogang's mind flicked numerically. "Oscar's sausage… his assist is not comparable to Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda. Against Dugu Yan's Green Phosphorus Snake Venom, detox sausages will fail. Thus… the most logical bench is Oscar."
Flander nodded brusquely, fingers tapping the table. "Postpone that decision. First—analyze their team's critical threat. Dugu Yan, vanguard vice‑captain. That snake venom is legacy to… someone I recall." His brow furrowed dark.
The name stirred deeply hidden memories. Her martial soul plus surname? The shadow of Dugu Bo loomed behind.
"How do you plan to handle her Green Phosphorus Snake Venom?" he demanded.
Everyone hushed.
It was Tang San who broke the silence, voice proud and 'prepared.'
"Dean, this will not be an issue. Fatty must play tonight, and with him we have the advantage. No matter the type of snake poison, all are suppressed by realgar.
"Fatty's Phoenix Flames combined with realgar wine will be enough to completely neutralize the Green Phosphorus Snake Venom."
He said it with complete confidence—knowledge from another life. He even cut a glance toward Xiao Wu, smiling softly as if to impress her.
Yu Xiaogang frowned. "Xiao San… are you certain? I've studied venom lore, but I've never once encountered suggestion that realgar can cleanse thousand‑year venoms. Much less something bred from an Emperor‑class serpent bloodline."
Tang San didn't falter. "Teacher, trust me. My understanding of poisons exceeds most. This method will suffice."
Xiao Tian nearly laughed aloud. He finally couldn't stomach it anymore.
So‑called "realm knowledge" was one thing—but Tang San was spouting tavern folklore as if it were doctrine!
"Tang San," Xiao Tian said flatly, "did you mistake something? Realgar isn't a cure to venom. At most, snakes dislike its odor. That's all. If people still die from venom in droves, what use is your supposed universal poison cure?"
His gaze snapped toward Ma Hongjun. "Fatty's Phoenix Fire itself is the poison's natural bane. Phoenix flame is pure Yang, resolute against corrosion. That alone could counter Dugu Yan's venom far better than your gimmicky 'alcohol detonation.' Why risk incompetence?"
A low hiss rose across teammates.
Tang San stiffened, eyes sharpening. "Xiao Tian. I've explained—igniting realgar with Phoenix flame increases the area of effect, and excites its medicinal potency. Your refutal is unnecessary."
Xiao Tian's lip curved coldly. "Or perhaps it's that you refuse to admit you're wrong."
Ning Rongrong, arms folded, added icily, "Xiao Tian's point is obvious. Ma Hongjun's flames are enough. Realgar is at best useless. Tang San, if it were so miraculous, why detonate it with Phoenix Fire? Wouldn't Dai Mubai's White Tiger Fierce Light Wave do as well?"
The marble silence twisted sharp.
Tang San's eyes narrowed, gloom flashing as he bit his lip. "Igniting with Phoenix Fire expands the burn zone! Only thus can realgar's properties spread wide!"
But his words felt brittle, defensive.
Xiao Tian only shook his head, inwardly sneering. Hopeless. If realgar neutralized venom, why would medical halls even need antivenoms? Why would thousands still die from snakebite? Tang San… desperate to prove every lie of your past life true.
The lounge grew tense, silent except for muffled distant cheers from the arena.
But in that silence, battle lines shifted—distrust and alliances crystallizing where words clashed.
--
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