This time, Shrek Academy had clearly become the center of attention. Anyone with eyes could see that the black-clad attackers were targeting them directly. What's more, two Titled Douluo had been mobilized—an extraordinary measure, considering how few Titled Douluo existed across the continent.
Due to concern for their granddaughter's safety, Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady decided to accompany the caravan and did not depart. Crown Prince Xue Qinghe personally arranged a carriage for them to rest in.
After settling other matters, Ning Fengzhi brought Sword Douluo Chen Xin to Shrek's group, summoning Tang San and Lin Jie into the carriage for a private conversation, while the rest of Shrek Academy remained outside.
Lin Jie felt a little awkward—why was he being included in what seemed to be a matter unrelated to him?
In contrast, Tang San was unusually withdrawn. He had always considered himself a top-tier Spirit Master among his peers, even capable of fighting above his level. But today, when facing true powerhouses, he had felt utterly helpless. Whether it was his hidden weapons or combat skills, at his current level, none of them could threaten such opponents.
Lin Jie, however, entered the carriage calmly. Having met both Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo multiple times, he felt no pressure.
Sword Douluo closed his eyes and began resting the moment he entered.
Ning Fengzhi looked at the two youths and spoke gently, "I trust you've both realized that today's incident was no ordinary ambush."
"Yes, we could tell. Those attackers were from Spirit Hall. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had so many Spirit Masters—or deployed two Titled Douluo," Lin Jie replied.
Tang San had also regained his composure. "Uncle Ning, if we know they're from Spirit Hall, why not expose them?"
Ning Fengzhi said calmly, "Because if we did, everyone here would've died."
"Killing witnesses…" Lin Jie muttered.
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Neither Dragon Duke nor Serpent Lady revealed anything either—because we didn't want to give Spirit Hall an excuse to silence everyone. You must have noticed that most of those Spirit Masters didn't even release their Martial Souls. If they had, it wouldn't have been so easy for you to handle them."
Lin Jie asked, "Uncle Ning, why would Spirit Hall target us?"
Ning Fengzhi grew serious. "It's about your talent and Tang San's identity. Spirit Hall possesses the most powerful intelligence network on the continent. Your profiles—age, power levels—are surely well-documented by them. Tang San, you are the heir of the Clear Sky Clan, son of Tang Hao, and you possess twin Martial Souls. With that potential, once grown, you'd be a major threat to Spirit Hall."
Tang San frowned. "But I've never revealed the Clear Sky Hammer publicly. How could they know I'm from the Clear Sky Clan?"
Ning Fengzhi replied, "You're underestimating Spirit Hall. Are you sure you never revealed your second Martial Soul?"
Lin Jie added, "Uncle Ning is referring to the time when Tai Tan, patriarch of the Strength Clan, visited."
"Exactly," Ning Fengzhi confirmed. "Back then, many people saw your Clear Sky Hammer. The Strength Clan has always served the Clear Sky Clan and only recognizes its bloodline. For Spirit Hall's intelligence network, making that connection is child's play. But what truly exposed you was the Honorary Elder Token (Spirit Hall Token) your master took out—only three exist. The Upper Three Sects each had one. One is with me, one was with the Clear Sky Clan, and the third... was in the hands of your father, Tang Hao. That alone gave you away."
"As for you, Lin Jie," Ning Fengzhi turned to him, "your talent is simply monstrous. A Spirit Ancestor with a ten-thousand-year fourth ring at your age? I've never seen anything like it. Spirit Hall would never let someone like you grow unchecked—especially if you might oppose them someday."
Tang San asked, "So they tried to assassinate us? Why not just send Titled Douluo from the start?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled faintly. "Titled Douluo have their pride. The two who appeared today are Elders of Spirit Hall, die-hard loyalists of the Supreme Pontiff—and they also serve as enforcement elders. They wouldn't stoop to assassinating a bunch of children. If Spirit Hall truly intended to kill you, they wouldn't have sent just one Spirit Douluo. Fortunately, Dragon Duke and Serpent Lady intervened."
He continued, "You should also know who those two Titled Douluo were. The first was Yue Guan, titled Chrysanthemum Douluo, Spirit Power between Rank 94 and 95. His Martial Soul is a powerful chrysanthemum—but coincidentally, he is completely countered by Sword Douluo."
"The other is Ghost Douluo, real name Gui Mei, also Spirit Power in the 94–95 range. His Martial Soul is... well, 'Ghost.' It's as strange as his name."
Hearing this, Tang San's expression sank further, while Lin Jie remained relatively unaffected.
Ning Fengzhi added, "You now understand how powerful Titled Douluo are. If you ever face one alone, you won't survive. That's why I want you both to come with us to Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. There, I can protect you."
As he said this, Ning Fengzhi gave Lin Jie a pointed look.
Lin Jie gave a sheepish cough. "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Ning. But we won't withdraw from the tournament. Shrek Academy has come this far—we've all sacrificed too much. If Tang San and I abandoned the team for personal safety, we'd never forgive ourselves. A guilty conscience will block any path to advancement. That's why we'll compete. I trust they won't dare make a move during the tournament. Right, Tang San?"
Tang San nodded firmly. "That's right. We made it this far through collective effort. We can't just give up now."
A hint of admiration flickered in Ning Fengzhi's eyes, though his tone remained solemn. "Even if you win the championship, Spirit Hall won't spare you. Not even I can guarantee your safety then. Think carefully. Let me tell you a secret—of the Seven Great Sects, only the Upper Three remain free of Spirit Hall's control. The rest have already submitted."
"I can say with confidence: the combined Spirit Master forces of the two great empires don't even make up half of Spirit Hall's numbers. And their Supreme Pontiff... her strength is unfathomable."
"Are you still determined?"
Lin Jie and Tang San answered in unison, "Yes. We're going."
Ning Fengzhi shook his head slowly. Looking at Tang San now, he couldn't help but be reminded of Tang Hao in his youth—both their talent and tenacity. And Lin Jie... might be even more terrifying.
"Well then. Since you've decided, I won't try to stop you."
After chatting with the two for a bit longer, Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo returned to Xue Qinghe's carriage.
Tang San, after that conversation, redoubled his training—devoting every moment to cultivating.
Meanwhile, Lin Jie stepped out of the carriage and joined Zhu Zhuqing and the others on foot.
At the same time—far from the Shrek group—Yu Xiaogang arrived at Spirit Hall.
He had presented the Honorary Elder Token given to him by Tang Hao, allowing him to enter the Spirit Hall without obstruction.
In the grand Hall of the Supreme Pontiff, spanning over a thousand square meters, the throne at the center was adorned in regal splendor. Upon it sat a woman robed in flowing silver-purple garments, a nine-curved golden crown upon her head. She held a scepter two meters long, encrusted with countless gemstones.
Her skin was fair as snow, her jade-like brow beneath delicate violet eyebrows. Her eyes gleamed with mysterious brilliance, lips soft and red, violet locks framing her flawless face. She was majestic. Dignified. Elegant. Serene.
Words failed to describe her beauty and presence.
The holy aura that radiated from her seated form invoked a natural sense of reverence—one that compelled all to bow.
"You've come," she said softly, her voice graceful and melodic.
Standing below, Yu Xiaogang responded bitterly, "Yes... I've come. Are you well... Bibi Dong?"
The majestic woman raised her hand slightly, tapping her scepter to the floor. "As the ruler of Spirit Hall, standing above tens of thousands—even the two great empires must give way before me. Tell me, how could I not be well? Also... 'Bibi Dong' is not a name you may use. Address me as Your Holiness, or Supreme Pontiff."
Yes—this flawless, exalted woman was none other than Bibi Dong, Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall. The youngest in its history—and already one of the most accomplished.
Yu Xiaogang's pupils contracted. Looking up at her from below, he spoke with bitterness, "Yes... Your Holiness."
Bibi Dong looked down upon him, her voice cold and clear.
"So. Why are you here? If I recall correctly, it's been over twenty years since we last met."