[DD]: 152

Tang San stood in place for quite a while. It wasn't until he heard Xiao Wu calling him that he finally snapped back to reality, smiled again, and walked back to the training ground.

"Is Grandmaster's injury okay now?"

Xiao Wu asked, noticing that he still seemed a bit out of it.

"It's fine; he's already recovered," Tang San replied dryly. Just as he was about to say something else, he noticed Dai Mubai walking toward them.

"Xiao San, what did Grandmaster want to see you about?"

Perhaps due to his previous injury, Dai Mubai's temperament had changed drastically. He was no longer the bright and cheerful young man he used to be; now, he appeared rather gloomy.

"The teacher was injured yesterday, so he came by to tell me that I don't need to bring him lunch today," Tang San answered without any change in expression as he glanced at Dai Mubai.

Since Zhu Zhuqing's departure, even though Dai Mubai was still a powerful teammate, his status in Tang San's heart had naturally diminished significantly. As for his identity as a prince of the Star Luo Empire, it no longer held any intimidation within the team. Even Fatty and Oscar didn't care about it anymore. In the eyes of Ning Rongrong and Tang San, who knew more about the situation, he was practically a dead man.

To be precise, when Tang San agreed to let Yu Xiaogang recommend him to the Emperor Battle Team, he had already given up on Dai Mubai.

Among the original Shrek Six Monsters, the others didn't have a strong desire to achieve outstanding results in the Continental Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament. Even if they did, it was only to secure better treatment. But for Dai Mubai, it was his only chance at survival.

Tang San had considered bringing Dai Mubai and Xiao Wu along when he joined the Emperor Battle Team, but after Yu Xiaogang's persuasion, he decisively chose to abandon the idea.

As Yu Xiaogang put it, Dai Mubai was now merely a pawn for the Heaven Dou Empire to humiliate Star Luo. Even if he was stronger than Yu Tianheng, he would not be allowed to join the Emperor Battle Team, so it was best not to think about it.

After three seconds of contemplation, Tang San, whose face had turned grim, nodded in agreement. After all, Dai Mubai was already on his path of destruction list, so he might as well go along with it.

It wasn't his decision, but rather Grandmaster's orders that he couldn't disobey.

Yu Xiaogang, seeing his expression, nodded and lectured him.

"Xiao San, you're still too soft-hearted. Even in the second team, there is still a chance for survival. I know you value your friends, but you can't give up your future because of them. When you become stronger, you can turn around and help him. If he considers you a friend, he will certainly understand."

...

In short, after Yu Xiaogang's persuasion, Tang San finally overcame his inner conflict and let go of his guilt, which is why he could now face Dai Mubai with ease.

Dai Mubai stared at Tang San for a while, not finding anything suspicious, and finally sighed in relief.

"That's good. If you need any help, feel free to ask me."

With that, he nodded at the two of them and walked away alone.

"What kind of person is he, anyway? Brother, the look in his eyes just now clearly showed that he doesn't trust you at all."

After Dai Mubai walked away, Xiao Wu angrily looked at Tang San.

Hearing Xiao Wu's words, Tang San smiled and comforted her instead. "It's fine, we're all teammates. It's no big deal. Mubai has changed because of what happened before. We couldn't help last time, and he got injured, so it's understandable that his personality has changed a bit."

"He deserved it, Zhu—"

Mentioning this made Xiao Wu even angrier.

But just as she was about to say a name, she deflated and became visibly dejected.

Right, Zhuqing has already gone missing, and last time I was standing against her, even though she said some harsh things to Brother, Brother wasn't like that at all.

If she could see Zhuqing again, she would explain everything to her—that she never meant for things to turn out that way. She was just following Brother's words, trying to make everyone stronger.

Since Zhu Zhuqing's departure, Xiao Wu had become completely attached to Tang San. With Ning Rongrong's family having a Title Douluo, she didn't dare to get close to her after they arrived in Heaven Dou City.

Among the original Shrek Seven Monsters, Xiao Wu liked talking to Zhu Zhuqing the most. Although most of the time she just listened quietly and only occasionally responded.

Moreover, Xiao Wu had noticed that after what had happened last time, if it was she who had avoided Ning Rongrong before, now it was Ning Rongrong who was indifferent to her.

Whenever the two of them were together, Ning Rongrong would always wear a faint smile. Even her responses were mostly limited to "Hmm," "Oh," and "Yes," which made Xiao Wu very uncomfortable, but she couldn't say anything and could only choose to spend more time with Tang San.

The human world was too complicated. There was a moment when she even had the urge to return to the Star Dou Forest.

Fortunately, she was able to stop herself in time. She still needed to interact with humans and borrow their aura to cultivate, and she couldn't bear to leave Tang San.

You're all I have left, Brother!

Xiao Wu looked up, gazing deeply at Tang San, and her sadness lessened considerably.

Tang San also breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, seeing Xiao Wu upset made him want to say that he would give up on troubling Zhu Zhuqing. Thankfully, Xiao Wu quickly returned to normal.

If Xiao Wu asked him to stop troubling Zhu Zhuqing, he honestly wouldn't know what to do.

He did not want to let Zhu Zhuqing off the hook. However, for Xiao Wu's sake, he could compromise by crippling her Martial Soul instead of killing her. That was already the greatest concession he could make.

Just thinking about Zhu Zhuqing made his hands ache slightly. Not wanting Xiao Wu to see this, he quickly lowered his head, trying his best to suppress the killing intent in his heart.

Last night, while carrying Grandmaster to the infirmary, he had obtained the latest intelligence from Yu Xiaogang: Zhu Zhuqing was likely still alive. This update reignited the excitement in his heart that had been tinged with regret. It was good that she wasn't dead—he was planning to handle it personally.

"Oh, by the way, Brother, last night when you went to see Grandmaster, that annoying guy Tai Long sent another letter, saying he wants to invite us to Heaven Dou City this weekend to hang out."

Xiao Wu slapped her forehead as she remembered something, pulling out a letter and handing it to Tang San with a somewhat helpless expression.

"Him again?"

Hearing this, Tang San couldn't help but frown as he took the already-opened letter.

"Yeah, I told them we wouldn't go, but the messenger just left the letter and ran off," Xiao Wu said in frustration.

She didn't want to have any contact with Tai Long. Not only was she afraid that Tang San might misunderstand, but the fact that Tai Long's grandfather was a high-ranking Soul Douluo was enough to make her wary.

Though Tai Long had been very measured in his actions so far, given the behavior of the nobles in Heaven Dou City, who could guarantee that his grandfather wouldn't come knocking one day?

Back when the Shrek Academy members were preparing to come to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Xiao Wu had been ready to slip away. After all, the three Dean of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy were all Soul Douluos.

Thankfully, just before she was about to leave, she encountered that senior who helped conceal her aura.

If it weren't for that senior and the fact that she couldn't bear to leave Tang San, she might be living in some small town by now.

Thinking of this, Xiao Wu recalled how that senior had scolded her so harshly that she couldn't lift her head. She still didn't know which race that senior belonged to.

Next time they meet, she will ask clearly.

Seeing Xiao Wu lost in thought, Tang San cleared his throat and looked at her.

"Anyway, let's just ignore him for now. There's nothing much we can do at the moment."

Tang San felt very frustrated as well. He was furious about Tai Long harassing Xiao Wu, but he couldn't afford to provoke him at the moment, so he could only hide in the academy. Thankfully, Xiao Wu always listened to him.

...

Meanwhile, in the Emperor Battle Team's teaching office, the atmosphere was rather peculiar.

Yu Xiaogang was having a conversation with Qin Ming, while behind the screen, Zhi Lin, an elder of the Board of Education of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy and a Spirit Douluo, stood quietly, listening to their discussion.

He listened calmly as Yu Xiaogang, who had been brought by Yu Tianheng, enthusiastically explained to Qin Ming the benefits and enhancements of replacing the original control-type soul master of the team with Tang San. He even repeatedly stopped Qin Ming, whose face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, from saying anything.

Standing beside Zhilin, Flender was looking up at the ceiling, feeling both helpless and amused, with a trace of barely discernible pleasure hidden deep in his eyes.

However, when he realized that Tang San would continue to stay in the second team, he too fell silent.

It wasn't until Yu Xiaogang finished speaking that Qin Ming took a deep breath and looked at him and Yu Tianheng.

"Alright, Grandmaster, I've received your proposal. However, I really can't decide on this. I'll report your idea to the Board of Education and let them decide, how about that?"

"And Tianheng, go back to your training. As the team leader, you shouldn't be involved in this matter. I'll talk to you later."

Hearing Qin Ming's words, Yu Tianheng felt his face burn with shame. He cupped his hands toward the two of them and fled the office.

With his nephew gone, Yu Xiaogang became even more brazen. He looked around and asked, "Where's Flender? Qin Ming, didn't he talk to you about this? As the team leader, don't you have to make such a simple decision?"

"You've seen Xiao San's strength. Although his martial soul is indeed a bit weak, he's still stronger than that control-type soul master in the first team, isn't he? Just answer me: yes or no?"

"Grandmaster, I'll say it again. I'm just a teacher. Apart from my teaching duties, I'm merely a team leader and don't have the authority..."

Before Qin Ming could finish his retort, a voice sounded from behind the screen.

"Teacher Qin Ming, there's no need to say so much to him. Just refuse directly."

"You have someone else here?"

Yu Xiaogang shot a displeased look at Qin Ming, seemingly unaware that someone was eavesdropping behind the screen.

"I'm talking to him. Who are you? What gives you the right to say that? What qualifications do you have? Aren't you being too—"

His words were abruptly cut off.

From behind the screen, Zhi Lin walked out, with Flender following behind him with his head down, remaining silent.

"E-Elder Zhi Lin, hello."

Yu Xiaogang stammered a greeting.

"Just based on the fact that I'm an elder of the Board of Education, is that enough? Or do you think there's a problem?"

Zhi Lin cast a cold glance at Yu Xiaogang and added, "And as for that useless control-type soul master you mentioned in the first team, his spirit is the Sky Blue Vine, and he's my nephew. Do you have anything else to say?"

Yu Xiaogang fell silent, closing his mouth.

Zhi Lin hadn't expected that today when he simply came to check on his nephew's situation, he would witness such an interesting scene in Qin Ming's office.

Flender was understandable—he had merely mentioned it in passing, asking Qin Ming if there was a chance for the second team's soul masters, if they were excellent enough, to join the first team for the Continental Advanced Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.

As a teacher, it wasn't wrong for him to have such thoughts, and Zhi Lin could understand that even supporting it to some extent.

But could someone please explain what was going on with this Yu Xiaogang?