Suotuo City Turmoil (End)

The day after the slaughter. Suotuo City.

The next morning city awake to the shocking news coursing around like a wildfire.

Several dozen people disappeared overnight without a single clue. Some were nobles, some just some regular folks or even street gang members. Their properties, if they had any, were already processed and bought by other people. Needless to say, it was Dragon Fang on the move and they assigned their Shadows to manage seized properties legally, paying for them from the money they ransacked after killing everyone connected to Division.

It was such a fast move that no one could react. And with the help of several high ranking spies, it covered everything under the rug.

This time Seven Shrek Devils had a shift in composition. They all attended funerals and after had grim eyes full of thirst for power and revenge. Having lost one of their own they were no longer kids and matured far more than their peers. Now the one who took the place of Hongjun in their team was Bing'er.

However, there were a couple of people who knew that Hongjun is still alive, and Aaron fine too. Naturally, one of them was Tang San. He was mature enough to understand the necessity of such a move. Another one was Flender himself. If that man can be shameless enough to run around the street after a coin rolling on the ground with a happy smile then he can do anything.

As a Divine Ice Phoenix master with the third ring being pure attack one, she could become a control and attack type master at the same time. Coupled with her cultivation in arts and body she can easily go hand in hand with Tang San and Dai Mubai.

And her control over ice made the team simply astonished. She was fast at conjuring ice power and used it to an unbelievable degree. Truly a talent worthy of the monster title. The Emperor team didn't pose as much trouble as in the original novel. In fact, they were dispatched easily.

"No wonder they are so strong. So it turns out to be a team of my alma mater!" - Qin Ming came to the room and bowed in front of Flender. - "This student greets the teacher."

Others were very surprised that he is actually their senior from the previous Shrek generation.

"It is fine, forgo the formalities." - Flender waved his hand. - "Let's take our seats and have a meal."

Qin Ming led his team to the table and they all sat down.

"So this is my juniors and the best of Shrek?" - he asked in respect and curiosity. - "As expected of teacher and Grandmaster."

"We are not the strongest by far." - sounded calm voice. Tang San took some meat and placed it on his plate and later filled Xiao Wu plate with vegetables.

Situation and emotions here, at the dining table, were complex, almost like some shadow loomed over everyone on the side of Shrek Academy. They didn't laugh or joked, neither did they celebrate the win. Shrek team looked like they don't give a damn about victory and defeat.

Actually, the Emperor team felt it during combat – a kind of grim determination, unstoppable yet very dangerous.

Zhu Zhuqing didn't raise her head. But once in a while, she will steal some meat from Mubai in lightning-fast motion, making the latter smile slightly. Mubai was the one who knew about Hongjun too.

Aiden thought that as a captain, he needs to keep people together and be their support. If even he will go around downcast, then the effect will be bad, to begin with. They will be depressed, not inspired to be stronger.

"Indeed, the strongest person actually couldn't participate." - said Dai Mubai, while glancing at the corner of the table where Aiden sat quietly deep in his own thoughts. Everyone followed his line of sight and froze for a bit.

"He?" - Osler smirked. - "Doesn't look strong to me."

Aiden raised his head, glanced at the people present, and stayed silent, only nodding in greeting. It was kind of rude actually, but he didn't care and no one bothered with it. He was starving and didn't have enough sleep as all night and most part of the morning Dragon Fang was on the move.

Suddenly a plate appeared in front of him and a whisper came from the side. She was so close that Aiden felt her breath on his face.

"Eat something. I know your cooking is better, but you haven't eaten since morning." - Bing'er passed him chopsticks smiling slightly. She too was sad, like all of them but can it change things? Maybe bring back the dead?

Aiden felt slightly guilty, but they all decided not to tell girls about Hongjun situation.

'Ah, I will have a round of apologies to make... what a drag. Hm... need to prepare presents to quell their anger faster. What should I make? Or buy? Bing'er can be quite forceful at times. Zhuqing will be left for Mubai to take care of. Rip Mubai, I will miss you. Well, little Wu is easier, carrots and Tang San for the win. Rong Rong? Luckily she is Oscar's headache. Yue'er... well, Hongjun pestered her a lot, but I don't think she was close with him or anything.'

Aiden glanced at the girl with an energetic look and phoenix eyes. She wasn't very enthusiastic today, but neither she was depressed. Looks like it is safe.

"Thank you. I'll eat." - he said smiling at Bing'er.

This caused some males on the Emperor team side jealous. Surprisingly, most displeased was Yu Tianheng. Aiden thought he is with Dugu Yan, but it seems not so.

"If you are strong, why don't you take part in the battle? It looks to me you are a coward." - he said. Making merry chatter on the table went silent.

"You can't even win me, so shut your mouth obediently." - Bing'er looked at him with narrowed eyes full of burning anger. She was ready to pounce at him over the table and tear that filthy mouth of his off the face.

People were flabbergasted for a second, and some from the Shrek team twitched their lips in suppressed laughter. It was hard to imagine a usually gentle and suave girl like Bing'er to lash out that way. Still, it lightened the mood.

"Don't be rude." - Qin Ming admonished his student.

"Bing'er." - said Zhao Wuji with a serious voice. - "Nice one." - he beamed and gave her thumbs up under Flenders scorching gaze. - "What? The girl is right."

Oh that innocent boor, he is so cute.

"You know, if you ask me to fight brother Aiden when he is serious, I won't last after his first move even if I use all I have including my External Spirit Bone." - Tang San said lightly with no hard feelings and kept eating.

"Qin Ming, don't try guessing anymore, Aiden is not even thirteen, and he is already spirit king 52 rank with battle martial spirit. He is actually an assault-type master and his spirit is a variant Two Horned Platinum Dragon with an affinity to ice and lightning. He didn't take part in battles, even individual ones, because of his high cultivation level. But actually you might have heard of him before. Several years ago he caused quite a commotion here and even now has Immortal Title. Unrivaled Dragon Sword Asura. He is a holder of personalized Amethyst badge."

"W-What?" - Emperor team was shocked and even Qin Ming was speechless. He became a living legend of Spirit Arena not because of cultivation, but because of his battle record. All cross rank, no defeats. It was unprecedented. Funny thing, his case was discussed during lessons in Heaven Dou Academy. They even tried to devise a tactic to cope with him on one of their lectures.

Aiden was oblivious to his fame, and even among Shrek only Bing'er knew from Na'er memories about his fights. Others were just as stunned.

"Truly a little monster and an Asura. Can't say it better. But... wait, this happened years ago... that means." - and again all looked at him.

"Can we eat in peace?" - Aiden actually got irritated by Flender. What is this old thing boasting about? It is not like he is the one who did it, or taught him. His harsh question downed a bucket of icy water on everyone's heads.

"Khm... actually, Qin Ming, there is something I want to talk to you about." - Yu Xiaogang put down chopsticks and locked his arms together. Right now he exuded a more dominant air and already reached 58 rank, perhaps because of the uniqueness of his spirit, that could hold all cultivation he had accumulated throughout the years releasing it all at once, but he even received rings from it.

Now he looked young, sharp, and powerful.

"Please, Grandmaster, say it."

"I want to propose a student exchange." - Yu Xiaogang said and glared at Flender. - "Wait for me to finish Flender. Teachers will go with them and we still will have a monopoly on teaching them, but they will become Heaven Dou Academy team and participate in the tournament under its name."

Naturally, Qin Ming agreed. It would be idiotic for him not to.

"What were you thinking? Do you want to disband Shrek?" - Flender exploded the moment they left.

"Dean, children deserve the best training facilities and prospects. We can't even participate in Continental Advanced Spirit Academy Elite Tournament!" - with this being said, Flender slumped down to his chair.

"Then what about Blue Tyrant Academy?"

"Let's leave it as a backup plan. However, it is good too." - Grandmaster readily agreed, but thinking of his wife felt a headache coming.

"Fine. We are leaving tomorrow."