Tang Hao did not linger long at the Moon Pavilion. After giving Tang Yuehua a few brief instructions, he left in a hurry.
With his current injuries, he couldn't afford any delays—he had to return to Holy Soul Village as quickly as possible.
As long as he had Ah Yin's soul bone, there was a real chance for him to regenerate his lost limb.
Though he already possessed a soul bone in his left leg, that didn't pose a problem. At worst, he'd sever the leg and replace it with Ah Yin's soul bone.
With the terrifying regenerative power of Ah Yin's bone, there was even a chance he could retain his soul power.
(In the original story, before Xiao Wu's sacrifice, Tang San also cut off his own leg to save her. Yet after she sacrificed herself, his leg inexplicably regenerated, and even his soul power was unaffected. Realistically, Xiao Wu didn't have healing abilities—this was one of many inconsistencies in the original, like when Tang San used the Blue Silver Emperor soul bone to regenerate Tang Hao's limbs later on.)
After Tang Hao left, Tang Yuehua did not immediately head to Heaven Dou Academy.
Given her status, visiting the academy at this time would attract too much attention.
The next day, at Heaven Dou Academy—
Shrek Dormitory.
Yu Xiaogang had waited through the entire night for Tang Hao. His bloodshot eyes told the story of sleepless obsession.
Flender awoke to find Yu Xiaogang's hollow, deranged expression and sighed deeply.
"Xiaogang, like I said… maybe the mysterious Titled Douluo who fought with Poison Douluo yesterday wasn't actually the Clear Sky Douluo."
"No! Impossible!"
"Flender, you have to believe me. The one who fought Dugu Bo yesterday was Clear Sky Douluo."
"There's no one else it could have been!"
Yu Xiaogang's hoarse voice sounded as if it had been scraped raw, filled with desperation.
Flender could only shake his head in silence.
At that moment, Qin Ming approached from a distance.
"Headmaster, I'm here."
Seeing him, Flender's expression turned complicated. "Xiao Ming, you didn't have to come with us."
The day before, Flender had already informed Qin Ming of his plan to leave Heaven Dou Academy along with the rest of Shrek's members.
Qin Ming had initially tried to persuade him to stay.
But Flender was resolute in his decision.
When Qin Ming saw he couldn't change Flender's mind, he hesitated for a while, then ultimately decided to leave with them.
He wasn't the only one.
Yu Tianheng had also chosen to leave.
After regaining consciousness, Yu Tianheng had originally intended to remain at the academy.
After all, he had planned to shine in the upcoming Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament. How could an ordinary team be worthy of someone like him?
But the thought of Qi Lin stealing his teammate and then defeating him with a single strike...
If word of that got out, he'd become the laughingstock of the academy.
So, Yu Tianheng eventually decided to leave with Flender and the others as well.
Qin Ming smiled faintly. "There's no need to say more, Headmaster."
"I was once a part of Shrek Academy. Now that the academy is in trouble, how could I turn my back on it?"
"Xiao Ming…" Flender looked at him with genuine emotion.
Everyone knew Qin Ming was favored by the three deans of Heaven Dou Academy. In another twenty or thirty years, once he reached the rank of Soul Douluo, he might even take over their positions.
To say he had a bright future would be an understatement.
And yet, he was willing to abandon it all—for Shrek.
How could Flender not be moved?
If only Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and Oscar had the same sense of loyalty…
Little did he know, Qin Ming was also full of regret.
He held a deep resentment toward Yu Xiaogang and Tang San.
In his eyes, it was that pair of master and disciple who forced Headmaster Flender and the others into this situation.
But he had already spoken rashly yesterday. If he went back on his word now, he'd only become a joke.
So even if he had to grit his teeth, Qin Ming chose to leave with Shrek.
Meanwhile, Tang San and the others stepped out from their dormitory.
Tang San's expression was dark. Though he had already copied down the Tang Sect's secret techniques, he was reluctant to hand them over.
And after learning that they were to leave Heaven Dou Academy, that reluctance grew into defiance.
Yet a sliver of worry remained in his heart—if he refused to hand over the Tang Sect's secrets, what if Poison Douluo came after him?
The image of Dugu Bo forcing him to kneel and apologize to Qi Lin flashed in his mind again, and killing intent surged in his eyes.
That old Dugu Bo… he was courting death!
Just as Tang San's thoughts spiraled, a graceful and elegant woman in silver court robes walked toward them from afar.
It was none other than Tang Yuehua.
Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and Oscar—the trio of lechers—immediately perked up, eyes gleaming as they stared at her.
Their blatant gazes did not go unnoticed. Tang Yuehua's expression soured.
What kind of looks are those?
Are these really the friends of Xiao San? Where is their upbringing?
And Second Brother actually trusts these people to stay by Xiao San's side?
Qin Ming stepped forward politely. "Miss, may I ask who you're looking for?"
Seeing his respectful demeanor, Tang Yuehua's expression softened slightly. "May I ask which one of you is Yu Xiaogang? I'm here to speak with him."
Everyone turned to look at Yu Xiaogang, curious as to why such a noble and elegant woman would seek him out.
Even Yu Xiaogang himself looked puzzled as he studied Tang Yuehua.
Though she was quite well-known in the capital, he had never met her and wondered, Could she be a fan of mine?
Why else would she ask for me by name?
That thought made him smile unconsciously. Hands behind his back, he strode forward.
"I'm Yu Xiaogang. May I ask what business you have with me?"
Tang Yuehua studied him closely and sensed a peculiar contrast in his aura—
Confidence, mingled with deep-rooted inferiority.
She found it fascinating that such opposing traits could exist in one person.
Still, this was Tang San's teacher, so she kept her expression neutral and simply pointed into the distance. "I was entrusted to deliver a message. May we speak over there?"
At first, Yu Xiaogang was disappointed—so she wasn't an admirer after all.
But then it clicked.
A messenger?
She must've been sent by Tang Hao!
He instantly grew excited. "Of course!"
The two of them walked away to talk.
A few moments later, after receiving Tang Yuehua's message, Yu Xiaogang suddenly lost all composure.
"What?!"
"That's impossible!"
Tang Yuehua frowned slightly at his reaction.
From her perspective, this man did not seem particularly reliable.
And yet Second Brother entrusted Xiao San's future to him?
After delivering her message, Tang Yuehua didn't linger. She gave Tang San a meaningful glance from afar, then turned and took her leave.