At the same time, in a secluded corner of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy—
Wearing tattered clothes, Tang Hao sat with his eyes tightly shut, the purple-black eyelids making him look like a blind man. His brows suddenly furrowed.
"How can that kid Qi Lin be this powerful? Isn't he just a support-type?"
Over the years, Tang Hao's eyes had completely deteriorated due to lack of timely treatment and had become permanently blind. However, as a Title Douluo with formidable spiritual power, he had gradually adapted to the darkness. While still inconvenient, it no longer hindered him much.
He had always known Qi Lin wasn't an ordinary support-type soul master, but he hadn't expected his strength to be so terrifying.
This misunderstanding was only because Qi Lin rarely made a move in public.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Shrek team stared at Tang San's battered form, collectively gasping.
He looked utterly miserable!
Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai both felt a chill down their spines, as though a thorn had been pressed against their backs.
This time, Shao Xin sighed. Without needing Flender's prompting, he stepped forward and created a healing candy bean.
Qi Lin said calmly, "Now… do you understand the difference between us?"
Tang San, after swallowing the candy from Shao Xin, regained some strength.
Hearing Qi Lin's words, a gloomy light flashed in his eyes.
"You won this time… but you won't always win!"
Qi Lin was the first opponent who had ever made Tang San feel such a deep sense of powerlessness.
In terms of talent, Tang San admitted he was no match for Qi Lin. However—
As a former disciple of the Tang Sect in his past life, poison techniques and hidden weapons were his greatest strengths.
Even if Qi Lin was absurdly powerful, Tang San firmly believed that once he could recreate the Tang Sect's top-level hidden weapons, Qi Lin would never be his equal.
This was Tang San's unshakable confidence!
Elsewhere nearby—
Yu Xiaogang slowly regained consciousness. As soon as he opened his eyes and looked around, he saw Qi Lin towering over Tang San.
Tang San was lying at the bottom of a large crater, his clothes torn and his body in an utterly wretched state.
Instantly, blood rushed to Yu Xiaogang's brain. A surge of strength coursed through his body as he roared in anger, "Qi Lin! What did you do to San! If you have a problem, come at me instead!"
To Yu Xiaogang, Tang San's life was more important than his own.
First, they had spent years together, and his feelings for Tang San ran deep.
Second, Tang San was his only disciple—his one chance to prove himself to the entire continent.
So, no matter what, he couldn't allow anyone to endanger Tang San's life.
Qi Lin turned to glance lazily in Yu Xiaogang's direction. Flender quickly reached out and clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Xiaogang! Damn it, shut up already! Don't cause more trouble!"
"Mmm! Mmm!"
Yu Xiaogang, muffled, struggled and pushed Flender's hand away.
"Qi Lin, if you dare harm Tang San, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan will never forgive you!"
As soon as those words fell, Flender's gaze dropped. His expression became dazed, and he unconsciously released Yu Xiaogang.
Xiaogang had completely lost his rationality today.
Flender sighed. Qi Lin now was no longer the same person he used to be—the kind who could be easily dismissed or ignored.
Just when Flender thought Qi Lin would make a move, a voice suddenly rang out beside them—
"Grandfather!"
Dugu Yan's face lit up with joy as she looked into the distance.
Following her gaze, the crowd saw an old man in a green robe walking toward them.
Everyone who knew Dugu Yan's identity immediately tensed.
Wasn't her grandfather the legendary Poison Douluo?
Qi Lin also looked toward the approaching man and smiled. "Senior Dugu, didn't you leave already?"
Dugu Bo returned the smile. "I was planning to. But I came across an interesting place and decided to stay a little longer."
As he spoke, his eyes scanned a particular direction, his expression sharpening.
As a Title Douluo, his spiritual power was incredibly sharp. Just before leaving, he had sensed a powerful fluctuation of soul power—undeniably from another Title Douluo.
Out of concern for Qi Lin and Dugu Yan's safety, he had returned.
And sure enough, there was a Title Douluo hiding within Heaven Dou Academy.
Qi Lin followed Dugu Bo's gaze and instantly guessed the reason he had come back.
So, Tang Hao's presence had been exposed.
After glancing around and seeing that the hidden Title Douluo still hadn't shown themselves, Dugu Bo figured that whoever it was must not want to reveal their identity. He withdrew his gaze and turned toward Yu Xiaogang.
With his hands behind his back, Dugu Bo's expression remained calm, yet an invisible pressure radiated from him, as if the entire Shrek group had been dropped into a swamp—unable to move.
Flender reacted first, stepping forward respectfully.
"Flender greets His Excellency Poison Douluo."
Dugu Bo cast him a glance but said nothing, instead keeping his gaze locked on Yu Xiaogang.
Under the pressure of his stare, Yu Xiaogang trembled. Beads of cold sweat the size of soybeans rolled down his forehead.
Even so, he still forced himself to speak. "Yu Xiaogang greets His Excellency Poison Douluo."
Title Douluos must not be insulted!
As a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, Yu Xiaogang knew this very well—his own father was a Title Douluo, after all.
Dugu Bo spoke lightly, "Just now… I believe I heard you say that the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would never forgive Qi Lin?"
Qi Lin?
The way Dugu Bo addressed Qi Lin caused the Shrek Seven Devils' hearts to skip a beat.
Poison Douluo was a Title Douluo—why was he being so cordial with Qi Lin?
What on earth had happened in less than a month?
Could it be that Qi Lin had really snatched away Yu Tianheng's woman… and had even gained her grandfather's approval?
At that moment, not only were Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai green with envy, but even Flender and Shao Xin—long-time bachelors—couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.
Worst of all was Yu Xiaogang. Everyone said Dugu Bo had a strange and eccentric temper. If provoked, he might very well start killing on the spot.
Yu Xiaogang wasn't even sure whether Tang Hao was nearby. How could he dare to gamble?
For the sake of everyone's lives, Yu Xiaogang had no choice but to swallow his pride.
"Your Excellency Poison Douluo, I misspoke out of concern for my beloved disciple. I meant no harm, and certainly had no intention of threatening Qi Lin. Please, I beg you to see my sincerity."
Off to the side, Tang San struggled to his feet and bowed his head slightly to Dugu Bo.
"My teacher's careless words just now were all on my behalf. If Your Excellency still wishes to punish him, then I, Tang San, am willing to accept the consequences on his behalf."
"Whether it be death or torture—Qi Lin may do as he pleases!"
His words were bold, but Tang San's eyes were already bloodshot.
A gentleman's revenge may wait ten years!
He lacked the strength today, but he would endure for now.
Ten years… twenty… thirty…
One day, this debt would be repaid in full!