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On the other side, Blue Tyrant Academy was brightly lit.
Liu Erlong was raising her cup, drinking heartily with the Shrek group, the candlelight illuminating her heroic eyebrows and eyes. After three rounds of drinks, she was just recounting interesting stories from her travels across the continent with Flender when a rapid series of footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.
"Dean." Yinshu gently knocked and entered, leaning down to whisper a few words into Liu Erlong's ear.
"What?" Liu Erlong's hand, holding the wine cup, paused, the amber liquid in the cup swaying slightly. Her sharp gaze swept over everyone present, then she instructed Yinshu, "Bring him over."
"Yes." Yinshu bowed respectfully, his robes stirring a slight breeze as he turned. In his deliberately light footsteps, the faint clinking of metal armor could be heard.
Flender pushed up the glasses on his nose, his gaze behind the lenses filled with confusion: "Erlong, who is coming?"
Liu Erlong's fingers, holding the wine cup, tightened slightly, the amber liquid in the cup rippling into fine waves. She subtly glanced at the silent Yu Xiaogang, her tone carrying a hint of suppressed anger: "It's Xiaogang's nephew, that child Tianheng... He must have heard about you all being forced out by Dugu Bo."
As she spoke the last few words, her voice unconsciously dropped. In the candlelight, a slight twitch could be seen at the corner of her eye—according to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's family tree, her father was precisely Yu Tianheng's second grand-uncle, making her Yu Tianheng's maternal aunt. But this identity was the secret she dared not mention most in front of Yu Xiaogang.
Flender's glasses glinted, and he exchanged an unspoken look with Liu Erlong. He picked up his wine cup and took a sip to cover his expression, forgetting that the cup was already empty.
Upon hearing this, the Shrek group's faces all showed indignation. Ma Hongjun, his mouth full of food, mumbled indistinctly, "A weasel paying respects to a chicken." Grease slid down the corner of his mouth, staining his collar.
"Exactly!" Oscar immediately agreed. He secretly glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then added, "Who knows if he's here to gloat at us."
Dai Mubai frowned: "Alright, Fatty, can't all this food shut you up?" As someone from the Star Luo royal family, he was all too familiar with such intricacies—he naturally understood that this was not something Yu Tianheng and the others could decide, and he was the one who had hit the person. When he learned that Xue Beng was a prince, he also realized he had been set up.
Xiao Wu sat quietly beside Tang San, seemingly playing with the carrot in her hand, but in reality, a hint of lingering fear flashed in the depths of her eyes. If she hadn't tried her best to conceal her Spirit Beast aura today, it wouldn't have been as simple as just being expelled from the academy. Perhaps everyone from Shrek would have died without a burial place. Thinking of this, she unconsciously leaned closer to Tang San.
Ning Rongrong elegantly sipped her juice in small mouthfuls. For her, it didn't matter which academy she was in. As for Zhu Zhuqing, she had already prepared herself mentally.
"Everyone, say less." Tang San said softly, while reassuringly patting Xiao Wu's hand. A hint of purple flashed in his Purple Demon Eye, but his gaze remained calmly fixed on the doorway.
When Yu Xiaogang heard this news, his brows couldn't help but furrow slightly. A complex emotion flashed in his cloudy eyes. After a moment of silence, he finally sighed softly.
Not long after, Yinshu led Yu Tianheng into the hall. When the Shrek group's gazes simultaneously fell upon him, the usually high-spirited young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan showed a rare expression of shame.
Yu Tianheng stood before Yu Xiaogang, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long while.
"Sit down and eat first," Yu Xiaogang said slowly, his voice hoarse but gentle, "This isn't your fault."
These words seemed to strike the softest part of Yu Tianheng's heart. He suddenly looked up, his eyes even faintly welling up: "Uncle... I've already withdrawn from Heaven Dou Royal Academy." He took a deep breath, knelt on one knee, "Please allow me to follow you in cultivation!"
At these words, everyone in the room was astonished. Ma Hongjun's chicken leg fell onto the table with a "thud," Oscar's eyes widened, and even the usually calm Tang San couldn't help but show surprise—who would have thought that this heir from a prominent Sect would go to such lengths for Yu Xiaogang?
Yu Xiaogang's expression suddenly changed, and his withered hand slammed heavily on the table, making the dishes clatter: "Foolish!"
Flender quickly pressed his shoulder: "Xiaogang, let the child eat first..."
"You shut up! Flender!" Yu Xiaogang, uncharacteristically, sharply interrupted his old friend, his cloudy eyes fixed on the kneeling Yu Tianheng, "You're not a child anymore, you're a grown man, do you know what you're doing? You represent not only yourself; your every word and action represent the stance of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!" His voice trembled, "If you can't even endure this small grievance, how will you bear the heavy responsibility of the Sect in the future?"
Yu Tianheng buried his head even lower, his bangs covering his reddened eyes: "Nephew knows his mistake, I'm sorry, Uncle."
"You shouldn't apologize to me!" Yu Xiaogang suddenly stood up, the hem of his old robe knocking over a wine cup, and amber liquid spread across the tablecloth.
"Enough!" Liu Erlong suddenly slammed the table and stood up, fiery spirit power swirling around her body. "What's wrong with Tianheng withdrawing from school?" She pulled Yu Tianheng up, her phoenix eyes filled with authority. "Does the Heaven Dou Imperial Family dare to turn against us? I don't see anything wrong with Tianheng coming here; after all, this is our own academy. If you ask me, following those wastrels is what truly delays one's future! Isn't Tianxin doing well at Thunder Academy?" She turned to Yu Xiaogang, her tone suddenly softening, "This matter... I'll go explain it to those old stubborn folks in the Sect."
"Erlong..." Yu Xiaogang stared at her blankly, his unfinished words turning into a long sigh.
Yu Xiaogang looked at his nephew's stubborn yet anxious expression and finally couldn't bear to criticize him further. He let out a long sigh and wearily waved his hand: "Since you're here, sit down and eat with us."
A hint of joy flashed in Yu Tianheng's eyes, but he still stood awkwardly in place. Teacher Qin timely waved to him: "Tianheng, come sit here."
"Teacher Qin." Yu Tianheng quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"No need for formalities." Teacher Qin gently patted the empty seat beside him, then said sternly, "However, I still have a few words to say to you. Heaven Dou Royal Academy doesn't lack one teacher like me; when I leave, someone new will naturally take over. But as a captain, have you ever considered how your teammates will manage themselves in the future?"
Yu Tianheng's body stiffened at the words, and the scene of his defeat by Feng Xiao's hand today flashed before his eyes. He lowered his head, staring at his fingertips, his Adam's apple bobbing a few times, but he ultimately couldn't utter a single word—how could he confess that he had not only taken his anger out on his teammates but also suffered a crushing defeat in front of everyone?
Teacher Qin saw his silence, assuming he was deeply reflecting, so he softened his tone: "Since you're here, make yourself at home. With Xiaofeng and Yanyan around, the team shouldn't have any major issues."
These words, however, made Yu Tianheng feel even more uncomfortable. He mechanically picked up the dishes in front of him, chewing them like wax. The candlelight flickered on his lowered eyelashes, casting a trembling shadow.
As the Shrek captain, Dai Mubai felt somewhat apologetic. He raised his wine cup and solemnly said to Yu Tianheng, "Ultimately, this matter is my fault for being impulsive and getting you involved."
Yu Tianheng silently shook his head, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the rim of the cup.
"Welcome to join us." Tang San timely raised his teacup and smiled gently. A hint of understanding flashed in his Purple Demon Eye, but he tactfully didn't ask further.
Yu Tianheng forced a smile and raised his cup in acknowledgment. At this moment, Ma Hongjun had already come over, his greasy hand directly resting on his shoulder: "Brother, you're right to come to our Shrek! Those nobles with their noses in the air, you should have cut ties with them long ago!" He said, making an exaggerated expression of disdain, which made Oscar chuckle.
Under everyone's harmonious chatter, the heavy atmosphere in the hall gradually livened up. Candlelight illuminated young faces.
Flender pushed up the glasses on his nose, his gaze behind the lenses sweeping over everyone one by one, a satisfied smile unconsciously gracing the corners of his mouth. The world's number one Tool Spirit, the world's number one Beast Spirit, the world's number one Support Spirit—these top-tier Spirits had all gathered at his Shrek Academy. In a trance, he seemed to already see the scene of Shrek winning the championship in future competitions.
"Cough." He lightly coughed to conceal his inner excitement, and as he raised his wine cup, the liquid in it rippled into fine waves due to the slight tremor in his fingers.
Only Yu Xiaogang's brows were tightly furrowed, his cloudy gaze constantly lingering on Yu Tianheng. He knew his nephew too well—the white knuckles gripping the wine cup, the unnatural twitch at the corner of his eye when he forced a smile, and the gaze that always avoided his own... This was definitely not just because of withdrawing from school.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, as night deepened, the laughter and chatter at the banquet gradually faded.
Liu Erlong was about to instruct a servant to arrange lodging for Yu Tianheng when Yu Xiaogang suddenly spoke: "Tianheng, stay for a moment." His voice was very soft, but it carried an undeniable authority.
Yu Tianheng's body paused slightly, his fingers, holding the wine cup, unconsciously tightened. He slowly nodded, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
"Erlong, you go back and rest first," Yu Xiaogang turned to Liu Erlong, his tone softening a few degrees, "Tianheng and I have something to discuss."
Liu Erlong's red lips pursed slightly, her gaze flitting between the uncle and nephew. She gently nodded, her skirt sweeping a graceful arc as she turned—now that Tang San and Yu Tianheng were both in the academy, she no longer had to worry about Yu Xiaogang leaving without a word.
Moonlight, like water, spilled onto the quiet path of the academy. Yu Xiaogang and Yu Tianheng walked side by side, their footsteps echoing on the flagstones. The night breeze brushed past, bringing the faint fragrance of the distant flowerbed.
The night wind rustled through the treetops. Yu Xiaogang stopped, his cloudy eyes fixed on his nephew: "Today, you lost to Feng Xiao?" Though a question, his tone was so certain it allowed no room for debate.
Yu Tianheng's hand trembled violently, his pupils contracting slightly: "Uncle... How did you know?"
"Hmph." Yu Xiaogang's lips curled into a knowing, cold smile, "Your little tricks, they might fool others, but they can't fool me?" His withered finger lightly tapped the stone railing by the roadside, "Given your personality, you must have gone to find Dugu Yan. The Huang Dou Battle Team is mostly Beast Spirits, except for Feng Xiao..."
Under the moonlight, Yu Tianheng's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty. He lowered his head, his voice almost inaudible: "I lost to Feng Xiao."
"Tell me about it." Yu Xiaogang leaned on the stone railing, his gray robe fluttering in the night wind, "How did you lose, being one spirit ring higher than him?"
Yu Tianheng's eyes suddenly gleamed at the words, immediately understanding his uncle's intention. He eagerly stepped forward, his speaking speed unconsciously quickening: "Uncle, Feng Xiao's spirit power has clearly broken through again in these two months. I originally thought I could win with the advantage of being a Spirit Elder, but that move of his—"
He took a deep breath, detailing every aspect of the battle—how Feng Xiao used the sound of the zither as a guide and spirit power as a medium, precisely interfering with his spirit power circulation with bizarre sound wave vibrations at the critical moment when he was about to activate his fourth Spirit Ability.
"The most terrifying thing is..." Yu Tianheng's face showed a look of horror, "When those zither sounds passed through my body, all the lightning power in me felt like it was being swallowed by something."
Yu Xiaogang's pupils suddenly contracted, and tumultuous waves surged in his cloudy eyes. His withered fingers gripped the stone railing tightly, his knuckles turning bluish-white. Under the moonlight, the bulging veins on his temples were clearly visible.
"To think... someone could actually create a self-created Spirit Ability that suppresses top-tier Beast Spirits?"
Yu Xiaogang looked up at the night sky, the starlight reflected in his cloudy eyes: "I didn't expect his comprehension of zither music to have reached such a realm."
"Uncle, how exactly did he do it?" Yu Tianheng asked, unwilling to give up.
Grandmaster slowly shook his head, his voice hoarse but filled with rare admiration: "From your description, he already showed you mercy. In that zither music, I heard at least three distinctly different combat styles—" His withered fingers traced three trajectories in the air, "Defensive capabilities strong enough to withstand your attacks, control capabilities to hinder your spirit power flow, and offensive capabilities to tear through lightning nets. Moreover, the upper limit of these abilities is extremely high; his understanding of Spirit has already broken through the Spirit's inherent strength."
The night wind suddenly became brisk, rustling Yu Xiaogang's graying temples: "Even more frightening is that these abilities, in his hands, can merge seamlessly to form an even stronger combined force. You weren't facing one Spirit Elder, but three Spirit Elders working in perfect coordination."
"Then his spirit power consumption should be astonishingly high..." Yu Tianheng said, clenching his fist.
"Indeed." Yu Xiaogang nodded slightly, "But don't forget, his spirit ring characteristics are precisely best at spirit power endurance, with a large number of spirit power amplification skills stacked. With his control, he can use his abilities freely." He suddenly gave a bitter smile, "Ordinary Spirit Masters simply cannot defeat him in a one-on-one, even if they are one spirit ring higher; you would have little chance of winning."
"Is there really no way to defeat him?" Yu Tianheng asked, feeling dejected.
"Actually, Uncle doesn't know either. If his understanding of zither music can continue to rise like your spirit power, then you won't be able to defeat him. But if, as time goes on, he stops making progress, then you will have a chance to defeat him. However, at this stage, his understanding of zither music has already far surpassed ordinary people." Yu Xiaogang said with emotion.
Under the moonlight, Yu Tianheng's figure appeared particularly forlorn. Yu Xiaogang looked at his nephew, then suddenly seemed to remember something, turning his gaze towards Shrek Academy, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. In the dormitory over there, a young man with twin spirits was cultivating, and he believed Tang San would definitely be able to defeat Feng Xiao in the future.