"But though your life may be spared, your crimes cannot be ignored. As a wanted man by the Spirit Hall, your hands are stained with the blood of countless innocents."
Without the killing intent weighing on them, Ning Rongrong finally snapped out of her daze. She hurriedly grabbed Yu Tianming's arm and said softly, "Teacher Zhao may be a bit hot-tempered, but he's not a bad person. Maybe Spirit Hall's warrant is just a misunderstanding."
Hearing her, Yu Tianming let out a sigh, feigning a look of reluctant difficulty. He said nothing more and directly released his hold over Zhao Wuji.
Having just skirted the edge of death, the usually domineering Zhao Wuji was now drenched in sweat mixed with blood, his blackened face a complete mess. But having just escaped death, he didn't even have time to clean himself up. He immediately bowed and thanked Yu Tianming. "Thank you, my lord, for showing mercy. Thank you."
"Zhao Wuji, I'll let this go today for the sake of Xiao San and Rongrong. But next time, watch where you're going. You may not be so lucky."
Zhao Wuji didn't dare to be careless and quickly nodded in agreement.
After a brief pause, Yu Tianming spoke again. "I can have your wanted status removed from Spirit Hall's records. You'll be able to walk the continent freely again. However..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but Zhao Wuji's eyes instantly lit up. He had gone into hiding in this remote dump called Shrek because he injured Titan's younger brother and provoked Spirit Hall. Though a decade had passed and only Titan still kept tabs on him, with the Spirit Hall's bounty still in place, it was only a matter of time before a powerful soul master would come to take his head.
Now that there was a chance to be delisted, Zhao Wuji immediately voiced his loyalty. "I, Zhao Wuji, am willing to go through fire and water for you, my lord—"
Yu Tianming cut him off and turned his gaze toward Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, then shifted it to Ning Rongrong with a light smile. "In two years, the Soul Master Tournament will decide the successor of the Star Luo royal family, won't it? If you two lose, just talk to Rongrong. Helping you would just be a flick of the wrist."
Ning Rongrong froze upon hearing her name, unsure of how to react.
Though she was considered a little witch in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, even she couldn't decide someone else's life or death so lightly. But now, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's fates were suddenly handed over to her—just like that. She didn't know how to respond.
Moreover, the bloody display from Yu Tianming just moments ago, the hellish killing intent he exuded—it all left her deeply terrified. At this moment, she didn't even dare to answer.
"I'll bring you a gift the next time we meet, Rongrong. I promise you'll like it." Seeing she didn't respond, Yu Tianming didn't seem to mind. He just left that sentence behind and walked out of the private room.
As the door quietly closed, the suffocating atmosphere instantly lightened.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately got up and sat down in the seat Yu Tianming had vacated. She didn't even glance at the blood-soaked Zhao Wuji to her left, instead locking her eyes onto Ning Rongrong. "Rongrong, if you don't mind, I'll serve you from now on."
Dai Mubai also sprang up and gave her a deep bow, plastering on a grin. "My attitude wasn't the best before. If you ever need anything, just let me know."
The people from Shrek nearby were stunned. Dai Mubai, the once prideful Evil-Eyed White Tiger, now looked no different from a tail-wagging lapdog.
But they didn't understand—as members of the Star Luo royal family, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing grew up under a brutal system of elimination. They knew exactly what they needed to survive. When the life-saving rope dangled in front of them, abandoning pride came naturally.
Unlike them, Zhao Wuji the scoundrel reacted a beat too late. He quickly wiped the blood off his head, revealing a red ring-shaped wound. Instead of thanking Tang San first, he looked to the more influential Ning Rongrong and said sincerely, "Rongrong, thank you for speaking up for me. If not for you, I, the Immovable King, would've been finished today."
Looking around at everyone, Ning Rongrong felt a strange shift. Not long ago, she'd been marginalized at Shrek Academy. Now everyone was trying to please her.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing were practically placing their lives in her hands. Tang San and Oscar looked at her with warm smiles. Even the unruly Zhao Wuji now acted like a docile pup in her presence.
Her thoughts moved quickly. Somehow, Yu Tianming's terrifying demeanor now didn't seem so frightening anymore. If it wasn't for him, everyone wouldn't be treating her this way.
But what she forgot was—in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, even two Title Douluos obeyed her word. A bunch of useless princes and a Soul Saint like Zhao Wuji? Of course, they should lower their heads before her.
After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms.
Only Tang San stayed behind with Zhao Wuji, showing no intention of leaving.
Seeing Tang San waiting, Zhao Wuji thanked him earnestly. "Xiao San, thank you for speaking up today. You really saved my life."
"Teacher Zhao, don't say that. During the entrance test, you always held back, while I… I never got the chance to apologize."
Zhao Wuji gave a bitter laugh and waved him off. "Enough, can we not bring that up again? I've already forgotten it."
They shared a glance and couldn't help but chuckle.
After a few warm words, Tang San casually asked, "Just what level is that Yu Tianming? He's so young, yet already stronger than a Soul Saint like you?"
"I'm not sure. Normally, even regular Title Douluos don't carry such oppressive force. To defeat me instantly… even if his spirit is a high-quality variant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, he'd have to be at least a Spirit Douluo."
Satisfied with the answer, Tang San nodded. "Thanks, Teacher Zhao. It's getting late. We'll be heading to the Star Dou Forest tomorrow, so I'll rest now."
Inwardly, he thought, 'Yu Tianming seems to be from the same generation as me. Since he's so close to Rongrong, he can't be much older. But to already possess Spirit Douluo-level power at such a young age—did he use some demonic method?'
Unknowingly, the image of Yu Tianming's strength had taken root in his heart, slowly growing a deep thirst for power.
---
After a night of rest, they entered the Star Dou Forest the next morning.
Everyone from Shrek seemed to have forgotten yesterday's events. Except for Xiao Wu, who looked thoughtful, and Ma Hongjun, who was too injured to talk, the others laughed and chatted, closer than they ever had been.
Oscar, having experienced yesterday's fright, completely dropped his previous awkwardness. He stuck to Ning Rongrong's side like a loyal dog.
"Rongrong, want some water?"
"No."
"Want a sausage?"
"How many times do I have to tell you? Get that disgusting thing away from me. Stop annoying me."
Despite her disgusted face, Oscar wasn't fazed. In fact, he seemed to enjoy being scolded. "If you need anything, just tell me. I promised Tianming I'd take care of you."
"Stop dragging him into everything. Just stay away from me. That would be the best help."
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to be getting along very well with Ning Rongrong. She held her arm and laughed. "Little Ao, if Rongrong needs help, I'll let you know."
At the front of the group, Dai Mubai cut through the thorns with his claws while keeping an ear on what was happening behind him.
He had once run away from responsibility, wasted time on women and wine, and had no drive to cultivate. But now, with a renewed hope for life and after a night of reflection, his possessiveness over Zhu Zhuqing seemed to fade. He told himself, 'There are so many women in the world. Why cling to Zhu Zhuqing? If I can ride this wave to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan...'
As Dai Mubai daydreamed, Zhao Wuji suddenly pulled him back with a massive hand.
A chilling, intense aura burst from Zhao Wuji. With a low roar, he summoned his spirit—Vigorous Vajra Bear—instantly entering battle state, eyes fixed dead ahead.
"Everyone, fall back now! Run!" he shouted.
"What's wrong, Teacher Zhao?" Dai Mubai asked, confused. The others looked to him for answers.
Zhao Wuji didn't respond. He simply stared ahead.
Following his gaze, they saw two massive trees slowly parting. From between them, a towering figure silently emerged.
At the sight of it, everyone stopped breathing.
They finally understood why Zhao Wuji was so terrified.
It was a gargantuan ape, its tail long and agile like a monkey's. Its lantern-sized eyes glowed with a crystal yellow light, and its black fur shimmered under the moonlight.
Despite its immense size—standing ten meters tall even while on all fours—it made no sound as it moved. Not even its breathing could be heard.
Tang San's eyes narrowed. "That's the King of the Forest—the Titan Giant Ape."
As one of the apex soul beasts, on par with the Sky Blue Bull Python, the Titan Giant Ape possessed unmatched strength and speed, capable of defeating higher-ranked opponents. In this forest, it reigned supreme.
It should've only existed deep within the forest's core, not here on the outskirts. Any soul master unlucky enough to meet it might as well consider themselves dead.
The Titan Giant Ape stepped closer, clearly targeting the Shrek group.
Zhao Wuji bowed and pleaded, "Great King of the Forest, we mean no offense. We'll leave immediately."
But the beast ignored him, letting out a black shockwave that surged toward them at an impossible speed.
Regardless of rank—whether the Shrek Seven or Zhao Wuji himself—they were all blasted away. Xiao Wu was thrown directly toward the Titan Giant Ape.
Oscar and Dai Mubai both looked to Ning Rongrong, but Zhu Zhuqing was faster. She pulled Ning Rongrong into her arms, shielding her with her own body.
The shockwave sent them all flying, coughing blood as they hit the ground.
Under everyone's stunned gaze, the Titan Giant Ape caught Xiao Wu in one paw and turned to leave. Even with his Xuan Tian Skill, Tang San couldn't stop it. His insides were churning. He could only watch as it vanished.
Zhao Wuji, seeing the beast retreat, immediately flopped down like the others, feigning exhaustion.
'Those brats—princes, sect princesses, Tang Hao's son, even Oscar and Fatty have Flender backing them. Only Xiao Wu has no background. Good thing it took her, not me... or I'd be dead meat. Good thing it left fast, or I'd have had to pretend to protect them.'
Moments later, Zhao Wuji noticed Tang San glaring at him, eyes bloodshot, killing intent leaking out.
He hurriedly pointed to the small scar on his head. "I got hit in the head yesterday. It affected my combat ability. That's why I couldn't stop the Titan Giant Ape. Tang San… I'm sorry for your loss."
Ning Rongrong, having recovered thanks to Zhu Zhuqing's protection, quickly comforted him. "Teacher Zhao, don't blame yourself. You already did your best."
She didn't know how ruthless the soul master world could be. If she did, she'd never feel sorry for Zhao Wuji's dramatic display.
Zhao Wuji sighed and lowered his head.
Tang San, a man of two lives, said nothing, but inwardly he thought, 'You let Xiao Wu be taken right in front of you. I never should've saved you yesterday. You're no teacher. You deserve death.'
He walked over to Oscar.
Oscar, ever the perceptive one, wanted to say something but ultimately stayed silent. Instead, he just handed over a recovery sausage.
(End of chapter)
---
This Fanfiction Has Been Completed on Patreon, Go Check It Out.
Support me if you like this Fanfiction.
Patreon,com/Fallen_Archangel_
(Remove comma for dot.)
Leave a 5 star Review and a Power Stone.