Now that eight members of Shrek Academy had chosen to forfeit their claim, only four candidates remained for the three available Spirit Bones.
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang spoke up:
"The Wind Chasing Left Leg Bone is best suited for agility-type Spirit Masters—it undoubtedly belongs to Zhu Zhuqing.
As for the Immolation Flame Right Arm Bone, it's most suitable for an assault-type fire-attribute Spirit Master—so, Ma Hongjun.
As for the Mind Condensing Wisdom Skull Bone—"
As he reached that point, Yu Xiaogang's eyes fell upon Tang San and Lin Jie. In his heart, he believed this Spirit Bone was perfect for Tang San and dearly wished to give it to him. But... there was Lin Jie.
Tang San and Lin Jie both looked toward the head Spirit Bone. If Lin Jie said he didn't want it, he'd be lying.
Tang San desired it too. He yearned for it. But... he looked at Lin Jie. Deep down, he knew that no matter how one measured merit, this Spirit Bone ought to go to Lin Jie.
Among the twelve members of Shrek Academy, from an outside perspective, it was clear to Tang San that Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Lin Jie were the closest. Ma Hongjun, Jiangzhu, Jing Ling, and Huang Yuan also centered themselves around Lin Jie. Even Xiao Wu was more intimate with Lin Jie than anyone else. Oscar had a good relationship with him too.
Tang San understood perfectly: Lin Jie was the true core of the Shrek team. Moreover, during the tournament, the one who had contributed the most was Lin Jie. By all rights, this Spirit Bone should be his.
Yet at that moment, Yu Xiaogang insisted:
"Xiao San, this Spirit Bone is best suited for you."
Before he could finish, Tang San quickly cut him off.
"No, Teacher. I believe this Spirit Bone is better suited for Lin Jie."
Hearing Yu Xiaogang's obvious favoritism, Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Liu Erlong all turned to glare at him. The rest of the Shrek team also gave him a look.
Yu Xiaogang's face reddened under their collective gaze. Yes, he was biased—but what of it? He was a teacher looking out for his disciple. Still, seeing Tang San's decision now… he sighed inwardly.
Tang San suppressed his own desire and turned to Lin Jie.
"Lin Jie, I think this Spirit Bone should go to you. In the tournament, you were the one who carried the team. Without you, we wouldn't have won the championship. No matter how you look at it, it belongs to you."
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San with disappointment, then sighed once again.
Lin Jie met Tang San's eyes and didn't reject the offer—because Tang San was right.
"In that case, Tang San... I'll accept it. But I owe you a favor."
Tang San nodded, though a trace of loss still lingered on his face. Giving up a ten-thousand-year Spirit Bone was no small matter—it required immense willpower. Yet he had done it.
Lin Jie respected him for that.
He stored the Spirit Bone into his spatial soul tool ring, then handed the Explosive Blaze Right Arm Bone to Ma Hongjun.
Looking at the Spirit Bone in his hand, Ma Hongjun's eyes gleamed with excitement and gratitude.
Had it not been for Lin Jie gifting him the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower, his Martial Soul's defects would never have been cured, nor would his power have grown so much. He'd already felt the medicinal effects of that immortal herb—his cultivation speed had improved significantly, and his physique was far stronger than before.
Now, with this incredibly precious Spirit Bone in his possession, Ma Hongjun found it impossible to express how grateful he felt.
He stored the Spirit Bone into his own spatial ring—yes, Ma Hongjun may have been poor, but even he had a soul tool.
Then, Lin Jie turned and brought the Wind Chasing Left LegBone to Zhu Zhuqing. He whispered something softly to her, and she nodded before putting it away. Her ring, too, was a spatial soul tool—one Lin Jie had gifted her. If one looked closely, they would notice that Zhu Zhuqing's ring resembled Lin Jie's.
Meanwhile, atop the platform, Bibi Dong, after briefly gazing at Xiao Wu, said a few words to Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo. Both men's expressions changed slightly, their eyes instantly locking on Xiao Wu with burning intensity.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, noticing the direction of their gazes, followed suit. At first, he noticed nothing unusual—but on the second glance, something stirred in his perception. On the third, his expression matched Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo's exactly.
Ning Fengzhi, observing the shift in the elders' mood, also followed their gaze to Xiao Wu. But no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't perceive anything off.
Chen Xin calmed himself and leaned closer to Ning Fengzhi, quietly relaying what he had discovered.
Upon hearing it, Ning Fengzhi was visibly shocked as he turned his eyes back toward the Shrek students—his face now solemn.
Bibi Dong, having completed the awards ceremony, made no move to leave. Instead, she looked at the Shrek team.
"Have you finished distributing the rewards?"
Hearing her voice from above, Lin Jie sighed.
It's happening…
Still, he wasn't too worried about Xiao Wu.
The Mind Web had just transmitted a signal. A presence—familiar from the time back at Shrek Academy—had reappeared. Lin Jie remembered that energy signature clearly.
The Shrek team turned toward the source of the voice.
Ning Rongrong noticed that her father, Ning Fengzhi, was now frowning deeply, his expression no longer joyful despite their victory.
Bibi Dong turned her gaze to Xiao Wu and said coolly:
"Since you've completed the distribution, this tournament has come to an end.
Chrysanthemum Douluo, Ghost Douluo—take that girl into custody."
As she spoke, her finger pointed directly at Xiao Wu.
In that instant, everyone on the Shrek team—except for Lin Jie—was stunned.
They instinctively stepped in front of Xiao Wu to shield her. Yu Xiaogang furiously demanded:
"Your Holiness, what is the meaning of this?!"
Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo ignored him, stepping forward to carry out the order.
However, Ning Fengzhi quickly moved to block their path.
"Your Holiness, shouldn't we at least determine what's going on before resorting to force?"
Even though Ning Fengzhi was the leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, Bibi Dong showed no intention of backing down.
"Sect Master Ning, I advise you to restrain yourself.
If you insist on interfering, then the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan will be considered an enemy of Spirit Hall."
Her icy tone caused Ning Fengzhi's face to darken.
Though his clan was powerful and wealthy—one of the Seven Great Clans—Spirit Hall was not an opponent he wished to face. It wasn't that he was unwilling… he simply knew he couldn't win.
With a heavy sigh, he stepped aside.
Seeing Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo approaching, Yu Xiaogang pulled out a Spirit Hall Elder token and shouted:
"I'm an Elder of Spirit Hall!
If you're going to arrest someone, I have the right to know the reason.
What is your justification?!"
Bibi Dong looked at him and said coldly:
"You do have the right to know.
If she were merely a student of Shrek Academy, I wouldn't act.
But she is a transformed soul beast—and for that, I have every reason to apprehend her."
"What did you say?!" Yu Xiaogang stared at Xiao Wu in shock.
The entire Shrek team—except for Lin Jie—looked at Xiao Wu in stunned disbelief. Even Tang San was no exception.
Others might not fully understand, but Yu Xiaogang did. Bibi Dong's meaning was crystal clear.
Only ten-thousand-year soul beasts could take human form. If Xiao Wu was a transformed soul beast… then she was…
At that thought, a greedy glint briefly appeared in Yu Xiaogang's eyes, just like Chrysanthemum and Ghost Douluo's earlier. But he quickly suppressed it.
Under everyone's intense gazes, Xiao Wu instinctively leaned closer to Lin Jie.
She was afraid—afraid that the moment her secret was exposed, her teammates would view her not as a person, but as a walking Spirit Bone and Spirit Ring.
Especially when she saw the disbelief in Tang San's eyes, Xiao Wu practically buried herself behind Lin Jie.
"Do you regret it?" Lin Jie asked her softly.
"…No." Xiao Wu bit her lip, her silver teeth clenching. Her face calmed.
The panic vanished. Her gaze turned icy as she looked straight at Bibi Dong.
"If I'm not mistaken," Bibi Dong said coldly, "you're the one that escaped all those years ago."
"That's right," Xiao Wu said with hatred. "I'm that one soul beast that slipped through your net."
Bibi Dong sneered.
"To think you'd deliver yourself to me."
Tang San stared at Xiao Wu in disbelief, shock, and confusion.
"Xiao Wu… what's going on?"
He couldn't understand it. She was a soul beast?
Tang San knew what transformed soul beasts were. Yu Xiaogang had explained it before. But it had never occurred to him that Xiao Wu—someone he'd known for so long—was one.
But it made sense. His Purple Demon Eye had only reached the Detailed realm, and he didn't possess the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew. Even if his Purple Demon Eye had reached the Mustard Seed realm, he might still not have seen through her.
Seeing the doubt and unfamiliarity in Tang San's eyes, Xiao Wu's heart clenched.
To her, Tang San was like a brother. Apart from Lin Jie, he was the one she was closest to in Shrek.
But sometimes, it's the people closest to you that hurt you the most.
Her icy eyes dulled briefly. Then she remembered how Lin Jie had accepted her identity without hesitation—had even helped hide her. Her gaze brightened once more.
At that moment, Lin Jie stepped forward and grabbed Tang San by the shoulder.
"Tang San, stop asking. Xiao Wu… isn't human."
Everyone turned toward Lin Jie in shock.
He knew?!
Why hadn't he told them?
Lin Jie met their gazes without flinching.
"That's right. I've known for a long time.
The reason I didn't tell you… is because I knew this is how you'd react."