Elsewhere, the Hongchen siblings stared, dumbstruck.
Even after Su Wen and the white ape vanished, they hadn't recovered.
They had planned to return to the Grand Hotel, then stumbled on this scene. Meng burned to help; Xiao agreed. Though Su Wen's injury would tilt the upcoming tournament in their favor, they wouldn't stoop to that.
Hot blood of youth—with little of adult scheming—compelled them to act.
But before they could shout, they were stunned.
A white ape from nowhere slaughtered the muggers one-sidedly. One Soul Ancestor managed Martial Soul Possession, only to be pulped on the wall a second later.
As for the Soul King, he didn't even have the courage to act…
This was a Soul Ancestor?!!
Xiao Hongchen's face twitched.
Not long ago, Su Wen had shattered the dagger with soul power. He'd estimated around level 40 and labeled him a Soul Ancestor.
After all, being a Soul Ancestor two or three years younger than himself was already monstrous. As Shrek's reserve captain, he'd naturally have something special.
But now…
Things weren't as he'd thought.
"Bro, follow?" Meng asked blankly.
"Gulp… Let's see." Xiao Hongchen swallowed, complicated.
The Chengs were clearly local snakes, backed by a Worshiper—Title Douluo.
He dared charge the door?
…
"This is it?"
Outside a sprawling manor in Star Luo's southern city.
Su Wen sized it up with interest.
A grand gate, glittering. It was said the Chengs owned a fifth of the southern city. Mostly riding on Worshiper Cheng Gang's coattails. The other heirs had talent, but not enough even for the Royal Academy's team.
"Y-Yes…" the middle-aged man panted, head drooping.
One sleeve hung empty. He was pale, wracked with pain, but forced to bear it.
"Can I go now? I—" He glanced at Su Wen, trembling. Before he finished, a giant white-furred hand grabbed him and hurled him at the gate.
Boom!!!
Wood exploded.
The heavy, old gate burst open.
Pu—
He sprawled, vomiting blood, one-armed, crawling slowly forward and leaving a long smear behind.
Su Wen clasped his hands behind his back and strolled through the shattered gate.
Noise rose within. Wall-mounted soul lights flared to life. Dozens of soul masters rushed out, surrounding Su Wen, weapons in hand, eyes cold.
"He just… barged in?!!" Xiao Hongchen's mouth made an O. The siblings hid nearby, watching lights blaze and voices rise. His Adam's apple bobbed.
Something big was about to happen.
If Shrek had experts in tow, that'd make sense… Wait—did they?
Xiao Hongchen realized: so that was his reliance.
Of course. Shrek was the continent's number one academy. For this tournament, there had to be a Title Douluo-level—or higher—escort.
They exchanged a look and exhaled.
So that's it!
…
"Boy, explain to me: smashing my estate's plaque in the dead of night and forcing your way in—what do you intend?"
A noble-looking middle-aged man in fine clothes narrowed his eyes at the center of the gathered flock.
Clearly the Cheng Family Head.
"Do you know this man?" Su Wen didn't answer; he smiled.
Gale tossed the Soul King by the man's feet.
"Master, save me!"
The servant was terrified, flopping one-armed across the floor, trailing blood.
"Wu Lin?" The man's eyes hardened. He recognized him—a house retainer. For a Soul King to be beaten like this said much of the boy's strength. But this was the Cheng estate—not a place for anyone to run wild.
"Good. You know him—that makes this easy." Su Wen's smile widened.
Gale grabbed the man's leg and dragged him back.
Wu Lin's face went slack with despair, sobbing. His hands scraped grooves into the floor—useless.
"Young man, isn't this going too far?" the Family Head, Cheng Qing, narrowed his eyes, face dark.
A youth this strong at this age was monstrously talented—backed by a great power. Hence his patience.
But this was pushing it.
Did he think the Chengs were paper tigers?
"Master, seems it's the Eldest Young Master's doing…" a servant whispered. "At dusk, the Eldest met a stunning girl—the boy's companion. Wu Lin and the others egged him on, so the young master sent—"
"What?!!"
Cheng Qing's eyes bulged. He glared daggers, teeth grinding. "Why speak only now!"
"The Young Master said if I leaked anything, he'd have my old mother killed—immediately…" the servant wept.
"You—" Cheng Qing's face twitched.
He understood.
Because father Cheng Gang had joined the imperial Worship Hall ten years ago, the Chengs had risen. He'd sired a son late and spoiled him rotten. Those years, the capital's beauties—unless of extremely high status—had all been harassed by this brat.
But the Chengs could handle it. Small households were easy to crush.
Lately, the brat's courage had soared.
A bit of horse piss, and he dared abduct Shrek's students!
No—
To dare abduct Shrek's contestants meant he knew the escorts were absent. Earlier, he had discussed this with his father Cheng Gang—and the brat had been nearby. He must have heard.
"Young man."
Cheng Qing mustered a smile. Much as he wanted the brat dead, a greater crisis stood before him.
"Wu Lin is yours to dispose of. As for that bastard, I'll punish him now. However many rods, however many lashes—until your anger is spent. Our Chengs are hospitable—"
"No need for trouble. Give me his head." Su Wen cut him off with a smile.
"…"
Silence fell.
Cheng Qing's smile stiffened.
Unlike his brat, who'd only heard gossip, he knew more.
Shrek's team had their main force almost entirely crippled; only reserves remained. But among them was one hardest to deal with—Su Wen.
He didn't know why the Emperor himself rated him so highly, but there had to be reasons. A single person could raise a team of "remnant soldiers" into top-four contention… such talent indeed.
He had seen a preview tonight.
"I'll exchange everything of value in the Cheng estate for his life." Cheng Qing breathed.
They had to placate this youth before Shrek's seniors arrived.
Otherwise not only the brat would die—the entire Cheng estate might be dragged down—even Cheng Gang's Worship seat!
Shrek was among the top one or two powers among all open factions. Star Luo could not afford this—let alone a little Cheng family.
"Not enough." Su Wen smiled and shook his head.
"However… since it's Worshiper Cheng Gang's personal grandson who did this filth, taking his head as payment works just the same. I don't mind." Su Wen drawled.
"I'll trade mine!" Cheng Qing's eyes bled red.
"At best, a bonus. A mere Soul King. Not enough." Su Wen smiled mildly.
"Su Wen, when able to spare, one should spare. If our Chengs have wronged you somehow, I'll kowtow!" Cheng Qing snapped.
"If kowtows worked, why kill?" Su Wen sighed.
"Shut the gates. See no guests!" Cheng Qing's heart thrashed.
He had to consult Father.
If Shrek's seniors arrived…
Boom!
Before he could move, several of the Cheng's retainers flew out. Even a peak Soul King was crushed and spat blood—then had his head stomped by the white ape.
It all happened in a blink.
Cheng Qing's face trembled in shock.
He knew the youth was monstrous—but never imagined the immediate danger was not Shrek's elders days away—but the youth himself!!!
"If you won't do it yourself, I'll do it for you." Su Wen's smile faded.
"Gale, search!"
"Turn the entire Cheng estate upside down."
Roar!!!
Gale blurred into white wind, hauling the half-ruined Wu Lin, and vanished.
"Bastard!" Cheng Qing gritted his teeth.
"Elder Jiang!"
"Heh. Worshiper Cheng once saved my life. I'll act to keep the young master safe." A white-bearded elder at his side—who had watched coldly till now—smiled.
A powerful aura burst forth.
Soul Sage!
He flashed toward Gale.
In his view, the boy's reliance was this white ape. Subdue it, and the boy would behave.
Next instant—
Boom!
Elder Jiang was blasted back, smashing through several thick walls and landing in the street.
"Elder Jiang?!!"
Cheng Qing's voice trembled.
At Su Wen's side, a terrifying figure like a small mountain had appeared. Soul-light flooded the courtyard, showing it clearly.
Brown-black fur, bristling like needles. Heavy bear paw still held mid-slap. The nearly seven-meter figure stood taller than the walls; even from midair, Little Gold towered over all like a crane among chickens.
Buzz—
"Young man, fine methods…"
Elsewhere, Elder Jiang staggered up, hair disheveled, blood on his lips. The disdain in his eyes was gone—only gravity remained.
He was a Soul Sage; he wouldn't die to one slap.
But in that split second—
Plop—
A head rolled to the ground.
Cheng Qing trembled, forcing himself forward. It was his son's head.
"Ah!!!"
He slowly looked up.
He met the white ape's indifferent gaze from the rooftop.
"I'm compassionate. Since he's dead, this matter's settled." Su Wen smiled.
He glanced at several powerful auras rising in the distance, racing toward them.
They'd made enough noise tonight.
Time to leave.
Better not stir the pot before Elder Xuan arrived.
"Withdraw!"
He took Wang Dong'er and headed for the Grand Hotel.
…
"Master… the boy's means are unfathomable. I've failed Worshiper Cheng." Elder Jiang opened his mouth, helpless, watching Cheng Qing clutch his son's head and wail.
"No, Elder Jiang, this isn't on you." Cheng Qing wiped his tears.
His eyes turned vicious.
"I'll report all to Father. As for that brat—if he has the ability to live his whole life under Shrek's protection, fine!"
"Otherwise…"
Outside the Cheng estate.
Xiao and Meng Hongchen stared, dumbfounded.
"Bro, what just happened?" Meng asked.
"This Su Wen… is not simple." Xiao exhaled long, eyes growing solemn.
Earlier, he'd wanted to help out of chivalry. Now… he was the Sun-Moon Royal Academy reserve captain, seeing a future opponent.
"Was that an Armored Bear? Can he control soul beasts?" He tapped his fingers.
"Meng, let's go!"
He tugged her toward the hotel.
Tonight was too shocking.
The championship they thought was in the bag suddenly had a powerful rival.
Still… Shrek were just remnants—a bunch of reserves. Could each be so monstrous? Unlikely.
To carry all of Shrek alone—hard!
Xiao's mind churned.
…
Back at the hotel, they were called to a meeting.
All were silent. Xiao reached for a letter on the table—already opened—and his pupils shrank.
"The Zhongli Three Brothers' deaths were tied to him?!"
At last.
He and Meng exchanged a look.
Hearts thundered.
Shrek had birthed a true dragon.
They, these flood dragons, had hoped to seize the crown before his status was set. But now… it seemed that status had already taken shape.
This time, it would truly be dragons and tigers clashing…