"Ahem. Erlong, after all these years, your fiery temper hasn't changed a bit."
Flander struggled free from Liu Erlong's grip, adjusting his glasses before speaking in a grave tone. "Xiao Tian isn't as simple as you think. Behind him stands the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect… and his swordsmanship is fearsome. You know Sword Douluo, right? Chen Xin himself once intended to make Xiao Tian his disciple. But Xiao Tian refused. Refused! And instead of turning enemies, they became friends. They often spar and discuss swordsmanship. On that night… if not for Jian Douluo arriving, there's no way Xiao Tian could've taken those people away."
The explanation made Liu Erlong's heart skip. Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? Jian Douluo himself? Her fierce pupils narrowed while confusion rippled across her expression.
Her voice trembled slightly. "Why…? How does Xiao Tian—someone so young—have ties with Sword Douluo? The Seven Treasures Sect is far from your Shrek Academy. Why would Jian Douluo wander into your path?"
Flander coughed, his eyes flashing behind his glasses as he delivered the killing blow. "Because among the three girls Xiao Tian took away, one of them was none other than Ning Rongrong, the treasured princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
The words struck like thunder. Liu Erlong froze.
"…What?"
That connection explained everything—the Sect's protection, Jian Douluo's appearance. Xiao Tian had ties so strong that even Flander and Yu Xiaogang dared not act recklessly.
Flander sighed. "Now you see. Do you still think you can storm after Xiao Tian? Attacking him isn't just bullying a brat—it's picking a fight with one of the continental sects most connected to strength and political power. Do that, and you won't just have trouble… you'll have disaster."
Liu Erlong's face twisted, fury without outlet burning within her. "So that brat could steal students from under your noses, even your beloveds, and you all just let him? Pathetic! What's the use of men like you? Couldn't even protect the ones you loved!"
She snarled, staring daggers at Tang San and Dai Mubai, seeing convenient targets for her rage.
The two stiffened.
Tang San thought angrily: Why me? Xiao Wu… Xiao Wu chose him, not me!
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai's jaw clenched. He couldn't speak his shame aloud: Because I was a scum fiancé, that's why Zhu Zhuqing left. What can I say? Nothing. Not unless I want Liu Erlong's fist breaking my skull.
Even as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai understood the unique horror of Liu Erlong's temper. A member of the Golden Iron Triangle enraged couldn't be reasoned with.
"Enough, Erlong!"
Yu Xiaogang suddenly barked out, his sharp cry cracking oddly. His voice broke between roughness and a strange shrill clarity—like a woman imitating a man's shout. The clash in pitch startled even him.
Flander's protective instincts flared, cutting in before her fury scorched the boys further. "Erlong, Xiaogang speaks true. Don't blame them so. Besides… haven't I introduced them yet? These students carry enormous potential. There's over a year left before the Spirit Master Competition. Train them hard, sharpen them, and perhaps then you'll face Xiao Tian once more. Let victory be your answer. If your beloveds were taken away, then claim them back with strength!"
His eyes gleamed with conviction. Yet ironically, in his own heart, he thought nothing of his own failure. Liu Erlong was his beloved—but it was Yu Xiaogang she chose. Did he ever muster the courage to claim her back with strength? No. He cowered, doggedly licking wounds while accepting his rival's arm around her shoulder.
If Xiao Tian had been present, he would have snorted in disdain. Flander, you preach strength, yet wear another man's crown willingly. You call it loyalty, I call it the dog's way.
Still, his words lit some fire. Liu Erlong exhaled, her aura sizzling, but her eyes softened slightly as she sat down unwillingly.
Later, during their meal, Flander elaborated on the status of their new Shrek recruits.
"Erlong," he said between bites, "though our old academy crumbled, fortune wasn't heartless. The children we've kept are extraordinary. Tang San himself carries peerless talent; Xiao Wu, though now gone, proved her quality. Zhu Zhuqing too. Include Dai Mubai rising into Soul Sect soon… and the others, all will reach High-level Soul Masters in just a year. With training, we won't just endure—we may be champions at the next Soul Master Tournament."
Shock flared in Liu Erlong's eyes. "So Shrek's future isn't destroyed at all!"
The notion sparked new determination. Blue Tyrant Academy had never planned to compete formally. They prided themselves on giving civilian soul masters a place of safety, not of glory. But hearing this, seeing real potential… she found herself exhilarated once again at the thought of a challenge.
Night fell. Silver light poured across academy paths where the trio of the Golden Iron Triangle walked together again after so many long years. Old memories of wild adventures resurfaced, laughter stirred, hearts softened.
But then—
"Oh, that reminds me." Liu Erlong's brow furrowed suddenly. She stopped dead, turning her sharp eyes on Yu Xiaogang. "Xiaogang… earlier today, why did you make that orchid-finger gesture? Why did your voice sound so strange? It used to be deep, commanding. But now, it's… shrill. Thin. Like something's wrong."
The quiet camaraderie shattered instantly into heavy silence.
Yu Xiaogang's body stiffened, his smile frozen. His eyes darted away, shame gnawing like flame at his soul. Sadness lined every crease in his aging face. He had no words.
"Tell me!" Liu Erlong's old fire burst forth. She seized his shoulders, shaking him violently. "What is happening to you? Tell me now!"
Flander stepped forward quickly, sighing deep from his chest. "Erlong, stop. Don't press him like this. If you want truth… then I will tell you."
Yu Xiaogang's eyes flew open. What?! Don't! Stop, Flander!
But doom was already upon him.
"Xiaogang has suffered…" Flander paused heavily. "…a permanent wound. He is no longer whole. He is… a eunuch. And not he alone—my disciple Ma Hongjun as well."
"…What?"
The word slipped from Liu Erlong's lips like a blade twisting into her heart. Her eyes widened as her hand fell slack from Yu Xiaogang's shoulders. The night air froze between them.
She never heard the "also Ma Hongjun" part at all. All she could hear, echoing endlessly, was:
Xiaogang. Eunuch.
Thunder split her mind apart. Her chest caved in as grief clawed through her. For over ten years, she had carried love for her Xiaogang, believing that if fate allowed she would cast off the world to be reunited. She had ignored rumors, ignored shame, ignored reason itself.
And now? The man she loved, the man she waited for, still avoided her truth, still hid his shame—because he was broken.
Her fury erupted.
"WHO?!" Her voice bellowed, shaking the campus walls. "WHO DID THIS TO HIM?!"
Her aura burst forth, raging red flames exploding skyward. As a Soul Saint, her fury alone threatened to burn through stone. Teachers nearby gasped, students scrambled, panic swept through corridors as her pressure declared war on the heavens.
Flander himself staggered back, drenched in cold sweat. He forced himself forward, raising his hands.
"Erlong! Restrain yourself—it's your own academy! Don't destroy it yourself! Calm down!" He gasped, continuing hurriedly, soothing like pouring water on the fire. "Listen to me… this wasn't simple cruelty. There's more… let me explain—please, Erlong!"
His words eventually dragged her flame back. Trembling, sobbing, clutching her fists, Liu Erlong collapsed into quiet tears.
The woman who had wrestled beasts, dueled titled experts, who never bowed her head to nobles—now she knelt on her own knees, broken by the truth of the man she loved.
Tears streamed down her face under the moonlight, cold and unstoppable.
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