Chapter 51: Here You Go Again, Annoying Everyone

"Apologize? Why should I?" 

After leaving the Shrek Academy's lodging, Qin Ming hurried back to the Emperor Team's quarters. He sought out Ye Hao immediately to discuss the situation. 

Upon hearing the full story, Ye Hao outright rejected Qin Ming's request. 

"I heard from Dean Flender that you were once classmates with Tang San and Xiao Wu. Given the condition you left Xiao Wu in, it's only reasonable for you to apologize," Qin Ming said earnestly, trying to persuade him. 

"Classmates?"

Ye Hao rolled his eyes and shook his head in exasperation. "I don't recall having such illustrious classmates." 

"And let's get one thing straight—I didn't beat up Xiao Wu." 

Qin Ming raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "You expect me to believe that?" 

"I'm telling the truth." 

"Then how did Xiao Wu end up like that?" 

"She fell on her own." 

"You're seriously claiming that you're not Spicy Rabbit Head?" 

"I'm not."

"Got any proof?" 

Ye Hao crossed his arms and said righteously, "Teacher Qin, I officially changed my name to Ye Hao not long ago. Spicy Rabbit Head is Spicy Rabbit Head; Ye Hao is Ye Hao. You can't confuse the two." 

"So if there's nothing else, I'll be going now. Bye!"

With that, Ye Hao turned and walked away, leaving Qin Ming standing there, baffled. 

As he watched Ye Hao leave, Qin Ming couldn't help but sigh in frustration. He knew Ye Hao all too well. Claiming he wasn't Spicy Rabbit Head was about as believable as the sun rising in the west. 

By dusk, the Soto Great Spirit Arena was already bustling with people. The packed crowd surged like waves, a testament to how vital the arena was to the soul-master world. Its success reflected the prosperity of the city and the nation as a whole. 

The Shrek Seven Devils arrived early that evening, settling into their designated resting room to prepare for the crucial team battle ahead. 

Meanwhile, at the front desk of the arena, Tang San approached a staff member. 

"Hello, I'm Thousand-Handed Asura from the Shrek Seven Devils. Could you please provide me with the information on a soul master named Spicy Rabbit Head?" 

Tang San's eyes burned with determination. After yesterday's events, Spicy Rabbit Head was now on his personal kill list. 

Due to Xiao Wu's severe injuries, Tang San had reluctantly held back his vengeance. But he had no intention of letting Spicy Rabbit Head get away unscathed. 

"I'm sorry, sir," the receptionist said firmly. "The Soto Great Spirit Arena has strict rules. We do not disclose the personal information of participating soul masters. If you persist, the consequences will not be something you can bear." 

Tang San clenched his fists in frustration. The staff had seen through his intentions; to them, it was clear he was seeking personal revenge. 

The previous day's fight between Spicy Rabbit Head and Xiao Wu had been the talk of the arena. 

Furthermore, Tang San's blatant disregard for the arena's rules—attempting to intervene in a sanctioned match and using underhanded methods like hidden weapons—had tarnished his reputation. 

The receptionist wasn't done. "Soul master battles are supposed to be fair and just. Using hidden weapons—tools meant for sneak attacks—is disgraceful. And those who use them? They're no better." 

"You—" Tang San's voice faltered, his frustration mounting. He couldn't retaliate, not here. The Soto Great Spirit Arena was too well protected, and its rules were too strict. 

With a cold snort, he stormed off, his mind racing. He was desperate to uncover Spicy Rabbit Head's true identity. His burning anger and desire for vengeance consumed him. 

As Tang San disappeared into the distance, the receptionist muttered under their breath, "If you can't handle it, don't play. You harassed Spicy Rabbit Head yesterday, and now you're here bothering me. What kind of person does that?" 

Back in the Shrek Seven Devils' resting room, Xiao Wu sat silently in a corner, her face sullen. She glanced over at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who were chatting happily, their camaraderie seemingly unshaken. 

She felt utterly isolated. 

Her thoughts churned with self-doubt. Why?

Why are they avoiding me? What did I do wrong?

All she had done was ask Tang San to teach those people a lesson—a simple punishment. Was that really such an unforgivable act? 

The door creaked open as Tang San walked in. Without a word, he sat down beside Xiao Wu. At this moment, he was the only one willing to stay by her side. 

People gravitate toward their kind. 

In this case, birds of a feather flocked together. 

Moments later, Grandmaster, Zhao Wuji, and Flender entered the room. Flender's expression was heavy with concern. The Seven Devils had fractured; their unity was crumbling. He couldn't help but wonder how much longer Shrek Academy could endure. 

Grandmaster cleared his throat and addressed the team. 

"Tonight, you won't be participating in any preliminary matches. Your only focus will be on the team battle." 

"Your opponents are formidable. Be mentally prepared." 

He handed a stack of documents to Dai Mubai, the team captain. "Your opponents will be the Emperor Team." 

Dai Mubai flipped through the information. His expression grew serious as he read aloud: 

"Team Name: Emperor Team. Eight members, all Silver Spirit Fighters. 

Captain: Yu Tianheng, Martial Soul: Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, Level 39 Assault Soul Master (Two Yellow, One Purple Soul Rings). 

Vice-Captain: Dugu Yan, Martial Soul: Jade Phosphor Serpent, Level 38 Control Soul Master (Two Yellow, One Purple Soul Rings). 

- Members:

Shi Mo and Shi Mo'er, Martial Soul: Black Tortoise, Levels 37 and 36 Defense Soul Masters (Two Yellow, One Purple Soul Rings). 

Oslo, Martial Soul: Ghost Leopard, Level 36 Agility Soul Master (Two Yellow, One Purple Soul Rings). 

Yu Feng, Martial Soul: Wind Spirit Bird, Level 36 Agility Soul Master (Two Yellow, One Purple Soul Rings). 

Ye Lingling, Martial Soul: Nine Hearts Begonia, Level 35 Support Soul Master (Two Yellow, One Purple Soul Rings). 

Ye Hao, Martial Soul: Death Spider, Level 34 Control Soul Master (One Yellow, Two Purple Soul Rings)." 

Dai Mubai froze. "Ye Hao?"

He turned to Tang San, eyes wide. "Isn't this the same person you mentioned before?" 

Tang San snatched the papers, scanning the information rapidly. When he saw the name "Ye Hao" and the terrifyingly optimal spirit ring configuration, he inhaled sharply. 

"A hundred-year ring and two-thousand-year rings... It's him. It has to be him!" 

His expression twisted with fury. "He's part of the Emperor Team?" 

Hearing this, Ma Hongjun's eyes gleamed with excitement. 

"So it's him? That's the guy who dared to humiliate Shrek Academy? He won't get away with it. Fat Grandpa's going to be the first to teach him a lesson!"