Xiao Tian stood firmly in the open square outside Soto Arena, his expression indifferent. With one wave of his hand, he cut through the air like his own sword.
"Why? Dean, are you really blind… or pretending to be blind?"
His words echoed, silencing the crowd.
"Anyone with eyes can see Tang San, Dai Mubai, and half your courtyard seethe with resentment toward me. And we all know what just happened inside the arena—not speculation, fact. As captain, you told me to show mercy… not to my comrades, not even for strategy—but for someone unrelated to me! Did you think I cannot control my sword?"
His tone grew heavier, his aura pressing against their breathing.
"And in front of tens of thousands, you shouted out my real name, exposing me, for what? Do you value others more than your own disciples?"
Flander and Yu Xiaogang exchanged glances. Their lips opened, then sealed, ashamed.
Silent guilt was answer enough.
Behind them, the Royal Fighting Team had already been healed fully under Ye Lingling's Nine‑Hearted Begonia. Yu Tianheng stepped forward, pride burning in his eyes.
"That move of yours—'Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Origin.'" His teeth clenched. "You meant to cripple us! Don't deny it."
Xiao Tian didn't flinch. His response was cold as iron:
"Cripple you? Don't flatter yourself. That wasn't even fifty percent of my edge. In truth, not even thirty." His eyes cut directly into Yu Tianheng's. "If you three were truly about to break under such restraint, then the future patriarch contender of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan is… disappointing."
The Royal Team twitched. Qin Ming too frowned—Xiao Tian's voice sounded unbearably arrogant.
But Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing all nodded unconsciously. They had fought with Xiao Tian long enough. They knew—he wasn't exaggerating. That sword rain could have erased lives, not just shaken them.
Even then, he had not layered intent nor unleashed elemental attributes.
Yu Tianheng's fists tightened, fury rising. "You—how do you even know of my position? Who told you I'm among contenders for patriarch?"
Xiao Tian's gaze regarded him like one watches a foolish child. "With your uncle Yu Xiaogang standing right there, calling to save you in panic before thousands? Think for only a moment. The answer is plain."
The words landed like stones in deep water.
Gasps burned through the watching audience. The scattered crowd that had followed this far murmured heatedly. Uncle? Nephew? What drama unfolds here?
And Xiao Tian—having already declared departure from Shrek—bothered no longer to call Yu Xiaogang "Teacher." His voice was pointed, sharp as an unsheathed edge.
"Xiao Tian!" Tang San finally snapped, eyes blazing. "How dare you call Teacher by name!"
Xiao Tian didn't even look at him. His lip curled faint, dismissive. "Let's go."
He turned, beckoning to Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. They nodded once, stepping to follow him.
But Flender's voice crashed out, desperate.
"Wait!" His wings trembled with hidden fury. "If you've quit Shrek then fine—say it. But where? Where do you plan to run?!"
Without hesitation, Xiao Tian answered:
"Tiandou Royal Academy."
The ripple struck instantly across both sides.
"You… want to join Tiandou Royal Academy?" A voice interjected suddenly. It was Qin Ming. For the first time since recognizing his old mentors, coldness touched his tone.
"I regret this… but I cannot agree."
The crowd stiffened. Ning Rongrong's eyes lit with shock. "What gives you the right?"
Qin Ming sighed heavily. "When I saw your talent, my heart wanted to recommend. Truly. But now? You turn your back on Shrek? On the Dean who raised me? Then forgive me—I cannot carry traitors to Tiandou."
His words were soft, but firm. He chose Flender over Xiao Tian.
For Qin Ming, Shrek meant gratitude. He could not betray that debt, no matter the talent before him.
"What authority do you carry, Qin Ming? You're only captain of the Royal Team," Ning Rongrong snapped, face red. "Do you really believe you hold power enough to block us? Do you know me? With one word from me, you'd be stripped from Tiandou Royal Academy like dust."
Ning Rongrong finally stepped forward, unable to restrain herself while pressure mounted against Xiao Tian.
His earlier instruction—stand aside and watch me deal with it—melted under her indignation.
Her presence thundered in the air. Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda heir, undisguised.
"And if I object too?" Yu Tianheng stepped closer, his dragon aura crackling.
Haughty, fierce—yet to Dugu Yan standing beside him, there was a flicker, something unfamiliar.
Fear.
For the first time, Yu Tianheng trembled against another's existence.
Dugu Yan's eyes widened faint. Tianheng… afraid? Why? It's only one defeat. Can't it be reclaimed? And if Xiao Tian joined us—wouldn't that increase our chances against Spirit Hall in the Tournament? Why choose pride over strength?
But Ye Lingling, standing behind silently as she always did, watched keenly. Her memories still burned—Xiao Tian easing his force when he could have killed her. The gentleness of that invisible push stayed inked in her heart. Is this boy truly arrogant? Or has everyone misunderstood?
Yu Tianheng's jaw snapped back. He forced coldness, refusing softness. "He bragged shameless that he only used thirty percent of strength. Do you want such a reckless, unstable man in our Academy?"
He turned half toward Dugu Yan. His tone forced reason, but in truth his pride was bleeding. How could he be younger, yet stronger? How dare this boy slice me apart before her eyes?
Ning Rongrong burst into derisive laughter.
"Just because you bear Blue Lightning blood? You think that's enough?" Her eyes were blades.
"Yes!" Yu Tianheng declared loudly, gaze unyielding. "My clan backs me. Seventy percent of our elders stand for me as next lord. With Dugu Bo's support once I bind with Yanyan, none can shake my seat!"
He puffed with pride.
Yu Xiaogang flinched suddenly, fearing calamity. He interjected fast: "Tianheng, do not offend needlessly! She isn't ordinary—this girl is Ning Rongrong, daughter to Ning Fengzhi, sovereign of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!"
The air twisted.
Yu Tianheng's face whitened, his pupils shrinking sharp as blades. Panic flicked for the first time.
The heir herself… here? In filthy Soto? In this ramshackle little school?
Rongrong smirked merciless. "Pathetic coward."
She turned to Xiao Tian. "Come. Forget them. When we reach Tiandou, I will have Father arrange personally. Our entry to Royal Academy will be official."
Dai Mubai, left behind, boiled. His fists clenched until nails broke skin. He barked, his voice cracked, "No! You can't leave! Zhuqing! If you take one more step—you betray me too?! You betray your destiny!"
His eyes slid cold onto Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze iced. "I only crave to grow strong. Unfortunately…" Her eyes narrowed in cutting disappointment. "…you are not worthy."
Words sharper than swords.
Dai Mubai roared like a wounded beast. In rage, his white tiger martial spirit burst, his body swelling with fury. "Then I'll kill you! Today I'll show you who rules!"
He lunged, claws bared.
"Fifteen."
Xiao Tian whispered one soft word.
The black iron sword whirred—slamming Dai Mubai back into stone with shattering bang. He coughed blood, fainted where he fell.
Shocked silence lingered—but Tang San and Ma Hongjun shared a glance, a dark nod. Together, they surged, spirit rings alight, their attacks rushing toward Xiao Tian himself.
The crowd gasped—a war within Shrek had erupted.
And in the center, Xiao Tian only stood calmly, lips curving faint, eyes sharp as galaxies.
"…So. At last, the break is here."
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