Tang San.
Upon hearing this name, Cai Xu brows furrowed slightly.
Both the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had shown clear dislike—perhaps even contempt—for this man.
And now...
He shows up here. For what purpose?
Could it be that, upon seeing Zhu Zhuqing's displayed talent, he's trying to take her back?
No...
If that were the case, he wouldn't have come alone!
Besides...
With the current strength of the Shrek Academy teachers, they wouldn't have the nerve to stir up trouble again.
Over the course of the one-month preliminary competition, while Li Yu hadn't paid much attention to the matches, Cai Xu—as acting headmaster and team leader—naturally had studied the status of each academy carefully.
Among them...
Shrek Academy, who had previously caused trouble at Qianyu Academy, was of course one of his key focus points.
And this focus led to a shocking discovery!
Zhao Wuji, the Immovable King who nearly beat him senseless, had his spirit power drop to level 59!
No longer a Spirit Saint!
Flander spirit power had dropped to level 69. Liu Erlong had vanished entirely.
Even Yu Xiaogang, once touted as "invincible in theory," had changed. His manner of speech grew strange, he rarely appeared, and shockingly, his spirit power had plummeted—to level 9!
What the hell had happened?
Not a single word of this had leaked out!
Cai Xu was baffled.
Other academies had also taken note.
After all, Shrek's earlier disruption at Qianyu Academy had created quite a stir.
Let's not even talk about Spirit Saints clashing—
The mere appearance of Sword Douluo Chen Xin had already made the incident widely known.
So...
When it was discovered that even Zhao Wuji—once invincible among Spirit Saints—had suddenly dropped in power, many began investigating.
But without exception, none could find any information.
It was as though it had all happened overnight, silently, without a trace of news.
Some tried probing directly or indirectly—still, no answers.
Therefore...
Cai Xu believed that Shrek had provoked a terrifying existence and, as a result, suffered in silence—too afraid to even complain.
However...
To be cautious, Cai Xu still sent a message to "Xue Qinghe."
Not long after...
He received a reply. A hint of surprise flickered through his eyes. Then, he stood and left.
"Those damn Shrek people again. Don't they ever learn?!"
"They already got smacked down last time. I figured they'd at least be too ashamed to come back, but clearly, shame doesn't apply to them!"
"If it were anyone else, I might say, 'Zhen Ji draws her sword.' But with Shrek... I can only say—it makes sense."
"Why?"
"Because they must draw their swords. They're too 'extreme' to do otherwise."
"...Colorful."
"..."
Everyone at Qianyu Academy was gathered near the front gate, staring at Tang San who stood outside, eyes closed in silence.
Yet—
Tang San didn't respond. Nor did he try to enter.
So they were still relatively restrained. Aside from mocking Shrek and flinging verbal insults, they made no real moves.
As participants in the month-long preliminaries, they had followed every moment closely.
Thus, they were aware of Tang San's strength and didn't dare act recklessly.
Besides, the academy gate itself felt like a protective umbrella—providing them security and a boundary none dared cross.
Tang San said nothing.
He just waited silently.
He believed—if that person was really Xiao Wu, then she would know he was here.
If that person was truly Xiao Wu, she would not refuse to meet him.
At the very least, she would offer an explanation—a reason.
Not just leave quietly without a word.
Sometimes, Tang San questioned himself.
Could Xiao Wu have been angry that he didn't protect her during the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's spirit battle? That he had even attacked despite the risks?
But—
Was that truly wrong?
It had just been a spirit duel, and although there was a bet involved, it had never posed a real threat to life.
Therefore...
Both sides had been safe!
If Xiao Wu truly thought otherwise, then Tang San felt she needed to be called out.
Compared to the secret of Li Yu terrifying spirit ring combination, taking some injury was no big deal!
Even though it was later proven that Li Yu's spirit ring configuration was due to sheer luck, that was hindsight.
At that time...
It had been the right decision!
Anyone who wanted to become a powerful Spirit Master—an unmatched powerhouse—would've wanted to uncover that secret!
So if Xiao Wu thought that way... Tang San felt her perspective was too narrow.
But now...
He had waited for nearly two hours, and still no sign of Xiao Wu.
Even Tang San was starting to feel uneasy.
Could it be...
She really wasn't Xiao Wu?
Was he mistaken?
But how could that be?
Countless doubts rose and fell in Tang San's heart.
Then suddenly—
"You should leave."
A cool, distant voice cut through the air.
Tang San opened his eyes and looked up—Zhu Zhuqing stood at the school gate, her expression complicated, but quickly returned to cold indifference.
"Zhuqing?"
Tang San frowned slightly. "Where is Xiao Wu? Why won't she see me? Why did she leave?"
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing.
"I understand why you left me. Dai Boss… wronged you. But Xiao Wu…"
Tang San's brow knotted even tighter.
"Enough!"
Zhu Zhuqing snapped. "Tang San, go back! She is not Xiao Wu. Stop wasting your energy!"
"Not?"
Tang San's frown deepened, then he shook his head. "No, impossible, that's impossible…"
"Nothing is impossible!"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was icy. "Since that day, Xiao Wu has already died. Stop clinging to fantasy. She's not Xiao Wu. Leave!"
She repeated herself, then turned and walked away.
Having reunited with Xiao Wu for some time now, and though their situations differed—Xiao Wu forced, Zhu Zhuqing voluntary—
Still...
They had bonded, deeply. They truly opened up to one another and saw each other as irreplaceable.
Therefore, Xiao Wu had shared her secret with Zhu Zhuqing.
At first, Zhu Zhuqing could hardly believe it. She resisted the idea.
But...
Xiao Wu was there, real and alive. Their shared experiences, their time together, their mutual comfort—none of it was fake!
Zhu Zhuqing accepted it.
And valued their friendship all the more.
She understood that by telling her this secret, Xiao Wu had placed her life in her hands.
Such trust...
Was self-evident.
Thus, once she learned the truth behind Xiao Wu's past and reason for leaving, Zhu Zhuqing supported her without hesitation.
She knew what Xiao Wu might face if she stayed.
That's why she said: Since that day, Xiao Wu has already died.
Dead...?
Tang San's body trembled violently, as though struck by lightning. His very soul felt like it would escape his body.
Dead?
How could she be dead!?
Tang San didn't believe Zhu Zhuqing's words—but his emotions were ignited nonetheless.
She didn't want to see him—fine. But why make up a lie like that!?
Absurd!
"You're not going anywhere! You owe me an explanation! What the hell happened!?"
Tang San's aura suddenly exploded. Two yellow, one purple, and one black spirit ring emerged around him.
Blue Silver Grass burst from the ground—aiming straight for Zhu Zhuqing, ready to entangle her.