At Shrek

<3rd POV>

At Shrek's grounds, two groups were fighting. On one side, there were Shrek's members, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Rongrong. They were facing four people that were part of 3 of the elementary academies, they were the leaders of their respective academies at the previous tournament, the leader of the Skywater Academy, the leader of the Godwind Academy, and the siblings of the Blazing Academy.

Even in a 3vs4, Shrek's side had the advantage and was pushing the other side. It seemed that at this time they greatly improved, at least compared with their rivals. The most surprising was Oscar who was fighting against the man of the Blazing Academy, for a food spirit master to fight in equals grounds against and attack power it's strange.

Even with all of this, this match wasn't anything more than entertainment, the truly powerful ones were staying out for now. The two powerful couples staying away.

Just as Shrek's side was about to win, Hongjun activating his 5th spirit skill causing a rain of meteorites. A rain of lightning fell destroying Hongjun's attack. From a corner, a black-haired man followed by a charming purple-haired woman stepped in the fight, Lightning flowing from Tianheng right arm that was transformed in a dragon claw

Tianheng directly ignored the people who were fighting and pointed to the other couple that was also observing, the couple was a handsome blue-haired young man and a beautiful brown-haired young woman, they were Tang San and Xiao Wu "Let's decide it between us. If we win our academies would obtain Shrek's grounds"

Tang San seemed extremely calm "In the case of our victory, you all will become part of Shrek Academy. Will you accept?"

"Of course" Lightning started surging from Tianheng's body, followed by his spirit the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon surrounder by six rings, 2 yellows, 2 purple and 2 blacks. Yan followed Tianheng, activating her spirit, her legs becoming the tail of a snake, she was also with 6 spirit rings.

Tang San and Xiao Wu answered activating their spirits, both of them with 6 spirits "Let's beat them, third brother!" cheered Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu and Tianheng charged at the same time, Tang San and Yan stayed behind deciding starting supporting, blue-silver vines surrounded Xiao Wu while a green mist surrounded Tianheng. Rings shined, Tianghen's claw grew bigger and Xiao Wu's fits were surrounded by a pink aura.

Just as both fists were to hit, a white shield appeared between them. Both of them hit it and were rebounded 2 meters away.

"Humm" someone coughed causing everyone's attention to the sky. A white-haired man was floating, he had a strange sword surrounded by a light aura on his right hand and two big white wings at his back. The combination of his handsome face and his warm aura created a holy feeling while he looked down at the others.

<Bai POV>

Having obtained their attention, I started descending "So, anyone can explain to me the situation?" I asked.

They were all shocked, surprised by my interruption, the different ones were Xiao Wu and Rongrong. Xiao Wu had a smile in her face, she must have detected me priorly. In Rongrong's case, her face was a combination of shock, happiness, and fury.

"It's simple" Xiao Wu was the first to answer "Their academies are being torn apart by Spirit Hall, so they decided to take over Shrek as we are not being targetted". Xiao Wu explained helped the other to recover from their stupor.

I turned to Tianheng and Yan "I don't mind the others, but I thought that you wouldn't crawl to attack others, what is the difference between you and Spirit Hall?"

"You don't understand, Bai!" Shouted Yan, however, she was stopped by Tianheng who clenching his hands said "My clan was exterminated by Spirit Hall and even the Thunderclap Academy had been destroyed, I will use all in my power to make my clan flourish again, I don't mind the methods"

I nodded "For what it seemed, you are fighting to obtain Shrek's grounds for your academy in a struggle to resurrect your clan. Don't do pointless things"

"It's not pointless, I must-" he said furiously. "It is, Spirit Hall is out there and can attack again. We shouldn't be fighting between us, we must cooperate to face Spirit Hall. Your clan is already destroyed, it can't go worst, wait until Spirit Hall's problem had finished" I waved my hand "You can join Shrek for now. Anyway, you would have lost the fight"

"What?!" said offended Tianheng "I'm a lot stronger than before"

"I don't doubt it, but I know Xiao Wu and I got a glimpse of Tang San, they are over your level" I turned to Tang San "Could you use your domain?"

Tang San nodded, from him, black aura extended enclosing all of us in it, endless killing intent could be felt by it trying to suppress us "Hum!" I snickered, compared with Paul's, this was leagues below, I would be able to completely destroy it.

Sensing the aura Tianheng gulped and started cold sweating, but he didn't seem to surrender, but when Tianheng looked at Tang San murderous and determined eyes, he lifted his hands "Okay. You win. I would join Shrek, at least for now". All the other academies also accepted joining Shrek, they were guided by a near teacher to the academy's building. Being all in Shrek it would be more difficult for Spirit Hall to take them to their side so it was a good thing, we will need all our strength to fight against them.

"Now that this is decided, let's talk abo-" "Flap!" I was interrupted by someone slapping me. It was Rongrong, she had teary eyes and angrily looked at me "Why did you run away!? You left me alone, only with a little note, with all the weight of the clan to me. Not even contacting me once! You even lied! You said that you will return in 3 years!"

"Sorry, Rongrong" I hugged her tightly while she was hitting me trying to escape, of course, her being a support spirit master she was unable to do any damage to me "I always thought about you and the family, but, I had important things to do, I needed to be alone, I couldn't return"

"What could it be so important?" she stopped hitting me and looked at my eyes.

I cleaned her tears "Sorry, but I won't explain it, at least now. I'm not finished with it, once I finish I would explain all to you"

She stopped crying, but her angry face didn't change "Flap!" she slapped me again, for the shock I even weaken the hug. She took advantage and pushed me away "Hum!" she turned around her cheeks puffed "If you ignore me, I would ignore you. When you're ready try to find me" I sensed some warmth from the last words. She then took Oscar's arm and left towards the academy's building. Oscar looked at me with a mix of frightened and apologetic look.

Looking at her leaving with Oscar, I decided to put him on my blacklist.

Knowing Rongrong she would take time until she forgave me openly, but it seemed that it was momentarily resolved. I shook my head, focusing on other things. I turned to Tang San "Sorry for this"

"Don't worry, it's normal for families" Tang San smiled.

"I came here for my father and the Seven Treasure Clan. I listened about your clan's foundation and I would like to help you" I explained.

"It would be great you have your help, thanks Bai" He said, then he stopped thoughtfully for a second "I was prepared to leave tomorrow at dawn, you can join us. I am really busy now, let's talk about later. Feel free to walk around, someone will show you where to sleep" He said before leaving followed by Xiao Wu who waved at me.

"Ha" I sighed "He must be in a hurry to be so cutting". Then I went towards Tianheng and Yan, having been years since we met. After some pleasantries, we went to the cafeteria to talk while drinking tea.

They told me what they did these years, they had taken seriously their training, becoming a lot stronger. They finally passed to the next level and were now fiances, however, with all Spirit Hall's problem this passed to a second plane. Tianheng told me about his clan destruction and the death of his father and grandfather, making him the supposed clan head of a destroyed clan. He was only able to survive due to not being there. At that time, he was with Yan away, this caused him to blame himself for not being there, even when he knows that it would change anything.

Yan had grown stronger, her poison improving a lot thanks to her grandfather who showed her a 'secret' place, no doubt it was the same where I obtained my 5th ring, letting her refining her poison, becoming stronger. These days she was focused on Tianheng, trying to cheer him.

They told me about the other Emperor's members. The Shi brother's clan had decided to hide away, waiting for the outcome keeping their strength, I could help for a laugh to escape from my mouth comparing the symbolism of a tortoise hiding. I suppose it is normal for them, I couldn't blame them for their decision. Osler had decided to join Heaven Dou Empire's army and is now preparing for war, trying to gain merits.

An uncomfortable silence was created when they asked about Mayi. I finally told that she had died, that it was due to me being unable to protect her. Seeing my mood they decided to quickly change the subject, explained that they didn't know anything about Lingling or Chenxiang, even if Chenxiang didn't participate with us at the tournament, she would always be of our group. Hearing Lingling, I remembered Star Duo Forest's attack, I should find Xiao Wu alone and ask her about it, as she had stayed there. For Chenxiang, my heart beat quickly, wanting to meet her again.

Deciding to not concretely explain Lingling situation, I explained that Lingling was away training, that I found her fine and she was growing stronger, but that it didn't seem that she would return shortly.

After the talk, I left them alone to try to find Xiao Wu.