Amid Qin Ming's enthusiastic invitation and Dean Flender's complex considerations regarding his former student and a "potential financial backer," the Shrek Seven Devils and the main members of the Royal Fight Team, along with teachers from both sides, decided to have a joint dinner at the most renowned hotel in Suotuo City.
The atmosphere at the banquet was initially somewhat delicate. On the Shrek side, despite winning the match, Xiao Wu was injured, Tang San had lost control and revealed his trump cards, and they had suddenly learned about formidable figures like Marco backing their opponents, leaving them unsettled. On the Royal Fight Team side, Yu Tianheng, Shímò, and others were still recovering from their injuries, and the loss to the "unknown" Shrek team left them disheartened and humiliated.
At the long dining table, the two groups sat on opposite sides. For Shrek, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Grandmaster sat at the head, with Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others seated in order. On the Royal Fight Team side, Qin Ming sat near Flender, with Marco beside him, followed by Dugu Yan, Osler, and others. The more severely injured Yu Tianheng and the Shi Family Brothers were absent.
As the host (though the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was actually footing the bill), Qin Ming raised his glass first, striving to lighten the mood: "Dean Flender, Teacher Zhao, Grandmaster, and all you talented youngsters from Shrek, it's an honor to gather today. I propose a toast to everyone! Your academy's strength has truly left me in awe!"
Flender chuckled heartily, a shrewd glint flashing behind his glasses. "Teacher Qin Ming, you're too kind. Your Royal Fight Team is the one brimming with talent—that Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon lad is truly remarkable!" He deliberately avoided mentioning Marco, acting as if he were unaware of his existence.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, the atmosphere eased slightly. Oscar, ever restless, couldn't resist his curiosity and asked Qin Ming, "Teacher Qin, we've heard your Royal Fight Team is full of experts. Aside from Brother Yu Tianheng, are there even stronger members?"
At this question, the Shrek Seven Devils pricked up their ears, and even Tang San set down his chopsticks, his gaze fixed on Qin Ming.
Qin Ming smiled faintly, his tone carrying both pride and a hint of deliberate revelation: "Our current Royal Fight Team is indeed quite capable. Besides Tianheng, who is at the peak of level 39 and about to break through to Soul Ancestor, we have three team members who are already at the Soul Ancestor level." He pointed to Dugu Yan beside him. "Yanzi's Domain Momentum has reached level 42 as a Control-type War Spirit Ancestor. Osler is a level 41 Agile-Attack-type War Spirit Ancestor. And Ye Lingling is a level 43 Healing-type Tool Soul Sect."
Three Soul Ancestors! Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others exchanged glances, their hearts sinking. They had struggled immensely to defeat a level 39 Yu Tianheng—facing three coordinated Soul Ancestors would have been unimaginable.
Qin Ming paused, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over Marco, who was quietly dining beside him, and continued, "Additionally, our team has one member who has reached the Soul King level, with extraordinary strength." He didn't specify who it was, but the direction of his gaze made it clear.
A Soul King! The Shrek Seven Devils fell completely silent. Ning Rongrong covered her small mouth in astonishment.
However, Qin Ming's next words delivered the real blow: "As for Marco..." He smiled without directly stating his level, but the admiration in his tone was unmistakable, "He is the exception in our team, and the pride of our Heavenly Dou Royal Academy. His strength has long surpassed the scope of conventional academy teams. Some rumors circulating outside are not entirely unfounded."
Though not explicitly stated, phrases like "surpassed the scope of conventional academy teams" and "rumors are not unfounded" practically confirmed Marco's strength at the Soul Emperor level! A sixteen-year-old Soul Emperor! The continent's number one genius!
A deathly silence fell over the dining table. The Shrek Seven Devils, including the usually calm Tang San and Dai Mubai, couldn't hide their shock and a trace of frustration. They had always considered themselves geniuses, monsters, but compared to the Royal Fight Team's lineup before them—especially the unfathomable Marco—the gap was suffocating. Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged bitter smiles, while Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang frowned deeply, lost in thought.
Marco remained quiet throughout the meal, as if the center of discussion wasn't him. Only when he felt the complex gazes from the Shrek side did he look up, meeting Tang San's scrutinizing eyes. The faint, enigmatic smile still lingered on his lips as he raised his glass in a slight gesture before taking a sip. Tang San's gaze sharpened, but he didn't respond, merely tightening his fist silently.
The next day, at Qin Ming's invitation—and partly due to Flender's desire to "show off" his humble base that had nurtured talented students—the Royal Fight Team members, led by Qin Ming and Marco, visited Shrek Academy.
As they passed through the farmland and saw the dilapidated wooden huts, the uneven training ground, and the crooked signboard at the academy gate, everyone in the Royal Fight Team except Marco and the already-informed Qin Ming froze in astonishment.
Osler gaped, pointing incredulously ahead: "Instructor Qin, this... this is Shrek Academy? Isn't this just a... small village?"
Dugu Yan also furrowed her delicate brows, her eyes filled with disdain: "Cultivating in a place like this? What resources could there possibly be?"
Though Ye Lingling remained silent, a flicker of surprise passed through her cool eyes.
Even Yu Tianheng (who could move after Ye Lingling's treatment), Shímò, and Shímó looked stunned, utterly unable to connect this shabby place with the powerful team that had defeated them in the Soul Arena.
Flender took in their reactions without annoyance, instead pushing up his glasses with some pride: "No matter how tall the mountain, it's famed by its immortals. No matter how deep the water, it's enchanted by its dragons. Though this is a humble abode, its virtue is fragrant... ahem. Our Shrek Academy emphasizes teaching according to individual aptitude. Resources are important, but what matters more are the students' perseverance and the instructors' guidance!" His firm declaration made the Royal Fight Team members lessen their disdain slightly.
During the tour, Yu Tianheng's gaze suddenly fixed on a middle-aged man standing alone by the training ground, hands behind his back, his figure somewhat solitary. Yu Tianheng shuddered, quickly walking over, his voice trembling with excitement and disbelief: "Uncle... Uncle? Are you Uncle Yu Xiaogang?"
Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang turned around, looking at the excited Yu Tianheng, a complex emotion flashing across his stern face as he nodded. "Tianheng, it's me."
This scene left the Shrek Seven Devils utterly stunned. They had only known Grandmaster as immensely knowledgeable and unrivaled in theory, never imagining he actually originated from the world's top Beast Spirit family—the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan! The gazes of Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others toward Grandmaster instantly filled with astonishment.
Seeing this, Qin Ming seized the opportunity to propose a long-contemplated idea: "Dean Flender, Grandmaster, witnessing Tianheng's reunion with Grandmaster, I have an impertinent request. Our Royal Fight Team will remain in Suotuo City for a few more days. Could the two teams train together for several days? Sparring and exchanging insights would allow us 'seniors' to better understand the Shrek juniors. The training arrangements can be entirely entrusted to Grandmaster for guidance. I believe Grandmaster's training methods will greatly benefit the children."
This proposal stirred Flender's interest—it would both save academy expenses and allow his disciples to engage with stronger opponents. After a moment of contemplation, Grandmaster also saw it as a valuable opportunity to observe the Royal Fight Team and refine his theories, so he nodded in agreement.
However, the next morning, as members of both teams gathered on the training ground awaiting Grandmaster's training instructions, a calm yet resolute voice rang out.
Marco slowly stepped forward from the Royal Fight Team, giving a slight nod to Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, his tone polite yet distant. "Grandmaster, I appreciate the offer. However, I have my own accustomed cultivation methods and will not participate in the group training." After speaking, his gaze shifted toward Li Qiuyao and Ye Lingling in the team, and he beckoned. "Qiuyao, Lingling, come with me."
Li Qiuyao obediently replied, "Oh," and immediately ran to Marco's side. Ye Lingling also nodded silently and moved to stand beside Marco.
Marco's actions amounted to a direct refusal of Grandmaster's training arrangements, taking along the team's crucial support and healing Soul Masters. Yu Xiaogang's face instantly darkened—his meticulously prepared training plan had been questioned and partially disrupted before it even began. Qin Ming, standing nearby, opened his mouth as if to say something, but upon seeing Marco's calm yet determined eyes, he ultimately sighed helplessly and cast an apologetic look toward Grandmaster.
Just as Marco prepared to leave with the two girls, he seemed to sense something, his gaze inadvertently sweeping over the Shrek Seven Devils' direction and just happened to catch a sharp glint that flickered briefly in Tang San's eyes—a look carrying scrutiny, displeasure, and perhaps a trace of resentment at being underestimated.
Marco's steps paused slightly, the faint curve at the corner of his lips seeming to deepen imperceptibly. But he said nothing, merely offering another slight nod to Yu Xiaogang and Qin Ming before turning to lead Li Qiuyao and Ye Lingling toward the tranquil forest outside the academy, leaving behind two teams of students with varied expressions and a livid-faced Grandmaster.
Tang San watched Marco's departing figure, his brow slightly furrowed. In that momentary exchange of glances, he had felt as though the other had seen completely through his thoughts. This Marco was not only powerful in strength but also remarkably perceptive. The coming days were likely to be far from peaceful.