While Yu Tianming and Yu Luomian were discussing how to deal with Yu Xiaogang in the arena, Liu Erlong had already met up with the Shrek group.
Perhaps because she had imagined Yu Xiaogang's face countless times in her mind, even after over a decade apart, Liu Erlong was able to recognize him in the crowd at a glance.
"Xiao... Xiaogang? Is it really you? Am I dreaming?" In an instant, Liu Erlong crossed a hundred-meter distance and appeared before Yu Xiaogang. Tears streamed down her slightly pale cheeks, and her gentle voice trembled uncontrollably.
Even the Shrek Seven Devils hadn't seen how she crossed such a great distance so quickly. The Shrek teachers were also stunned by her speed.
As for Yu Xiaogang, who had the weakest cultivation, the moment he saw her, his instincts screamed to turn around and leave along the path he came from—but Flender firmly grabbed his arm and stopped him.
"Xiaogang, how much longer are you going to keep running? You're already here, and you still want to leave?" Flender growled in a low voice, anger barely restrained behind his glasses.
His grip on the Grandmaster's shoulder was steady and strong, but his heart was filled with rage and sorrow. 'Xiaogang, Erlong… I worked so hard just to get the two of you back together. Why are you always running away, Xiaogang? Don't you know how to treasure this relationship?'
Hearing Flender's words, the Grandmaster finally turned around, his eyes bloodshot as he looked at Liu Erlong—the woman he longed for day and night, but never dared to face. His lips trembled, but he couldn't say a single word.
Liu Erlong stared at the middle-aged man before her, his face unshaven, and remembered how they looked when they first met. She remained silent for a long time.
Flender let out a soft sigh, breaking the silence. "Our so-called Golden Iron Triangle... we've finally reunited today. Erlong, it's been years. How have you been?"
At that moment, Liu Erlong's unfocused pupils finally sharpened. She noticed Flender standing beside Yu Xiaogang. "Boss Flender, it's been so many years, and you've finally brought Xiaogang here. Our Golden Iron Triangle is back together again."
"Erlong, these are teachers and students from Shrek Academy. We've come to your territory to make a living," Flender said with a bitter smile.
He introduced the teachers of Shrek one by one to the beautiful woman, and finally turned to the students. "This is Liu Erlong. You may have heard of her before. She's the final corner of the Golden Iron Triangle, the one who used to roam the soul master world with me and the Grandmaster."
The name Liu Erlong was familiar to the Shrek group thanks to Yu Tianming. They all respectfully stepped forward to greet her, and she quickly wiped her tears and returned the greetings politely.
"Boss Flender, what's going on? Why have you brought the entire Shrek Academy with you? Since when have things gotten this bad for you?" Liu Erlong asked bluntly, seeing the group of nearly twenty people, young and old.
Normally, Flender wasn't one to take criticism kindly. If someone else had bluntly exposed his troubles, he would've flown into a rage. But when it came to Liu Erlong—someone who had haunted his dreams for years—he found her directness charming and only gave a wry smile.
"I founded Shrek Academy, but we didn't qualify for the Soul Master Tournament. We tried to join the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy but were kicked out. So I had no choice but to bring Xiaogang here to rely on you."
Liu Erlong looked at the silent Yu Xiaogang and thought to herself, 'Xiaogang, this time, I won't care what others think. No matter what, I won't let you leave me again.'
She then smiled slightly and said generously to Flender, "Boss Flender, say no more. We of the Golden Iron Triangle are one. Tomorrow, I'll call an all-staff assembly and announce the renaming of the academy to Shrek. Just treat this place as your home."
"Huh?"
The moment she spoke, both the teachers of Blue Tyrant Academy and the Shrek group were stunned.
Flender knew Liu Erlong was straightforward and generous, but he hadn't expected her to casually rename a major academy in Heaven Dou City after Shrek.
"Ridiculous!! Erlong, are you trying to hand over the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's property to outsiders?"
A loud and powerful voice boomed through the area. Yu Luomian's power as an 89th-level Soul Douluo was on full display in that shout, causing the Shrek members to tense up as if facing a deadly threat. Xiao Wu, with her rabbit ear headband, shivered in fear, her back drenched in cold sweat.
Seeing her distress, Tang San took her hand and a red glint flashed in his eyes. 'Scare Xiao Wu? You're asking to die.'
A tall, muscular middle-aged man entered their line of sight, flanked by Yu Tianming.
Yu Luomian, Yu Xiaogang's second uncle, upheld the principle of strength above all. He always viewed Yu Xiaogang, the shame of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, with disdain. You could say that Yu Xiaogang was raised under his scolding.
Over a decade ago, Yu Luomian had crashed Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong's wedding, publicly berating him and dealing a massive blow to his already fragile heart, causing him to flee to Nuoding City and never return.
Now, seeing Yu Luomian again, the Grandmaster's knees went weak. Without Flender supporting him, he would've collapsed on the spot.
"Blue Tyrant Academy belongs to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. Erlong is merely managing it. She has no right to give it away," Yu Luomian said coldly, ignoring Yu Xiaogang and staring straight at Flender. "Flender, I'll handle this impartially. If your Shrek teachers and students have the strength, then they can join Shrek Academy."
Flender had officiated the Grandmaster and Liu Erlong's interrupted wedding and naturally recognized her father, Yu Luomian. At the time, he had just become a Soul Emperor, Liu Erlong was a Soul King, and Xiaogang had fled. They couldn't even perform their Martial Soul Fusion Technique. That day had shown him what true powerlessness felt like.
Now, although he had reached Soul Sage level 78, Yu Luomian had surpassed his natural limits to become an 89th-level Soul Douluo.
But Flender didn't back down this time. Thinking of his gathered comrades, he looked Yu Luomian in the eye and proudly said, "Brothers, release your soul rings and show them Shrek's strength."
At his words, excluding the Grandmaster, Qin Ming and the other teachers simultaneously released their martial souls. In a flash, three Soul Emperors and three Soul Sages displayed their soul rings before Yu Luomian.
"Level 62 Fiery Sky Wolf Battle Soul Emperor, Qin Ming. Power Attack type."
"Level 63 Dragon Pattern Staff Tool Soul Emperor, Li Yusong. Power Attack type."
"Level 66 Star Chessboard Tool Soul Emperor, Lu Qibin. Control type."
"Level 71 Candy Bean Tool Soul Sage, Shao Xin. Food type."
"Level 76 Vigorous Vajra Bear Battle Soul Sage, Zhao Wuji. Power Attack type."
"Level 78 Four-Eyed Owl Battle Soul Sage, Flender. Agility Attack type."
Blue Tyrant Academy only required teachers to be Soul Kings. The sudden presence of multiple Soul Emperors and Soul Sages made everyone present marvel. What they didn't know, however, was that Shrek's students largely had to rely on self-cultivation, often risking their lives hunting thousand-year soul beasts while teachers returned unharmed, leading to many students' deaths.
Even Yu Luomian couldn't help but applaud their strength. "Impressive—three Soul Emperors and three Soul Sages. Flender, I underestimated you. If it were you marrying Erlong, I would've fully supported it."
Flender had only helped matchmake Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang because she loved the Grandmaster more, but he had always had feelings for her. Hearing Yu Luomian say that, he instinctively looked at Liu Erlong.
But she didn't even notice him. Her gaze, filled with fury, was locked onto Yu Luomian. "Father, why do you only value strength? Can't you see how outstanding Xiaogang is? You don't understand love at all!"
Seeing her reaction, Flender's gaze dimmed again.
Yu Luomian chuckled and pulled Liu Erlong to his side. Looking at Yu Xiaogang, he said, "I watched Xiaogang grow up. I've never seen anything outstanding in him. As for love? I think you've been brainwashed by that Martial Soul Fusion technique to fall for this loser. He's your brother!"
Although the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan didn't shy away from close-relative marriages, the common folk of Douluo Continent found it taboo. At these words, everyone present shot strange looks at Yu Xiaogang.
He had avoided this for over a decade, and now had to face it again. Though he had mentally prepared, the sudden appearance of Yu Luomian shattered his fragile courage. The stares from everyone were like knives to the heart.
Right now, Yu Xiaogang felt like a rat dragged out of the sewer after ten years and thrown under the blazing noon sun—itching all over, desperate to escape.
As members of the Golden Iron Triangle, Flender and Liu Erlong responded very differently.
As Shrek's leader, recently acknowledged by Yu Luomian, Flender once again held Yu Xiaogang's arm. "Xiaogang, everything is for the kids. Don't be too stubborn."
Meanwhile, Liu Erlong, gripped tightly by Yu Luomian, shouted, "Boss Flender! Since Father doesn't welcome Xiaogang, let's leave together—just like the old days! We'll reform the Golden Iron Triangle and roam the world again!"
Even with her Soul Sage cultivation, Liu Erlong's mutated Red Dragon Martial Soul was inferior to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. She was still far weaker than a Soul Douluo, unable to break free from Yu Luomian's grip.
Realizing his daughter was flaring up again, Yu Luomian suddenly remembered the plan he had prepared—to tear the two apart at Blue Tyrant Academy. He had gotten carried away scolding Xiaogang and forgotten the rest.
Clearing his throat, he forced down his disdain and slowly said, "The Shrek teachers are indeed powerful. I welcome you to join the academy. As for Xiaogang, the academy already belongs to the clan—one more person won't make a difference."
Yu Tianming added, "The Spirit Hall has poured resources into this year's Soul Master Tournament. Even Bibi Dong can't make room for Shrek. If we miss this opportunity at Blue Tyrant Academy, Tang San might not be able to participate."
Tang San was Yu Xiaogang's hope for restoring his reputation. Thinking of Tang San's performance in the tournament and how it could bring him fame, the Grandmaster was clearly tempted. But pride held him back, and he simply stood there blankly.
Even Tang San, who had planned to follow his teacher, stopped in his tracks.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai forced down his disgust and tried to persuade him. "Grandmaster, without your guidance, how can we defeat the other teams in the tournament? Please, for Shrek's sake, stay with us."
Though Dai Mubai's words sounded sincere, as a disgraced prince from Star Luo who couldn't win favor with Yu Tianming or Ning Rongrong, his only hope lay in defeating the royal team at the tournament. His plea to keep Yu Xiaogang was purely to secure Tang San's strength.
Shrek lacked resources, proper facilities, and even the qualifications to join the high-level tournament. At most, it was a hobby project for Flender and his Soul Sage buddies. Dai Mubai only took refuge in Shrek to have some Soul Sage bodyguards to protect his pleasures before turning 25. There was no real emotion involved.
"Since you need my guidance, Mubai, I'll reluctantly stay. It's all for Shrek Academy," Yu Xiaogang said, seizing the chance to play along. He raised his head and spoke slowly, pretending to be profound.
Yu Luomian couldn't stand the Grandmaster. Though he had wanted to keep him at the academy, he hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to act so pompous so soon.
Suppressing his disgust, Yu Luomian said to Yu Tianming, "Since Shrek will be joining the academy, make arrangements for their accommodations. They're guests—treat them well."
With that, he no longer looked at Yu Xiaogang and pulled Liu Erlong away with a flick of his sleeve.
As Yu Luomian left, Yu Xiaogang straightened up again and, back facing the Shrek crowd, declared loftily, "To help you grow, I'm willing to serve as an ordinary teacher at Blue Tyrant Academy, even if it means burying my talents."
Though his authority in Shrek was already fragile, with Flender backing him and now on clan territory, no one dared speak up.
But Yu Tianming, watching him act pretentious again, couldn't help but begin plotting how to take him down a peg.
(End of Chapter)
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