Moreover—compared with the reactions of the Shrek Academy group before, the Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team seemed to have never paid attention to the "Shrek" name at all. From beginning to end, their eyes were fixed firmly on the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.
"She's awake!"
"Quick, call the teacher…"
"..."
In the ensuing commotion, Zhu Zhuqing slowly opened her eyes.
Instinctively, she touched her leg—but it felt smooth and soft, without the slightest trace of any wound. Evidently, Ye Lingling from the team had healed her specifically.
"Thank, thank you…"
Zhu Zhuqing staggered to her feet, her expression complex.
"You're… Zhu Zhuqing?"
Not far away, a figure slowly appeared.
It was Su Wen, whom she had glimpsed before at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Even Dean Flender was left speechless by the legendary beast under his control, and he had shocked everyone so much that they only dared to murmur behind his back.
"Mm." The girl nodded nervously.
"Where are your teammates?" Su Wen asked curiously.
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing's face dimmed. She opened her mouth, but didn't say much.
"Because of the Martial Soul Fusion?" Su Wen narrowed his eyes.
According to the original timeline, with the immortal herbs backing them, the Shrek Seven Devils were very self-assured, each striving for a high spirit master level. Before the contest, Tang San even got a ten-thousand-year spirit ring, so there was no concern over this issue. Thus, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's fusion came naturally.
But now, things were different.
Even the mightiest, Dai Mubai, had just broken through to Level 39 Soul Elder. Their team was considerably weak, needing Yu Tianheng to patch up their power.
Thus, the martial soul fusion skill became especially prominent.
A way to quickly boost combat strength.
The "Grandmaster" naturally wasn't about to let this pass easily.
No wonder he saw Qin Ming waiting up in a nearby tree, watching silently. When Zhu Zhuqing was on her last legs, only then did Dai Mubai arrive, slowly, from the distance.
He was deliberately aggravating the conflict.
Given this, Su Wen would certainly not let the chance slip.
He moved ahead of Dai Mubai and rescued Zhu Zhuqing first.
"You know all that?!" Zhu Zhuqing looked up, babbling in disbelief.
"Heh, I know the Grandmaster's personality quite well…" Su Wen smiled lightly. "When it comes to misleading students, he's never disappointed anyone."
The girl was speechless.
Having experienced all this, she felt it even more deeply.
"So, what about next? Any thoughts?" Su Wen didn't rush her, speaking gently.
"I... I don't know…" Zhu Zhuqing's eyes darkened once again.
"Then stay with us for now. When Lingling gets her fourth spirit ring and we return to Heaven Dou City, make your decision." Su Wen smiled, his figure melting into the night.
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned.
"Silly girl, why are you still spacing out? Wanna have a bite?" Dugu Yan pulled her down to sit beside her, smiling brightly.
"Th-thank you…" Zhu Zhuqing looked a little awkward.
Just before, sworn enemies—now...
"Why not join Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?" Dugu Yan said playfully, like a longtime best friend, whispering in Zhu Zhuqing's ear.
"Eh…"
"The contest is just a few days away. If you quit Shrek Academy, you'll have a hard time finding a good team. Don't you want to stomp Shrek into the mud on the battlefield?" Dugu Yan clearly struck a nerve, her voice snake-like in Zhu Zhuqing's ear, not fading away.
"Besides, only the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy in the entire continent won't be wary of your background. Any other academy probably can't keep you safe~"
"I… Let me think about it…"
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, clearly swayed, but still hesitated and struggled.
She would quit the Shrek team, but joining a new team was just too sudden…
Morning.
Mist shrouded the forest.
From the tents, figures emerged, stretching lazily and chatting with smiles.
In the past, when Qin Ming led the team, everyone was always nervous—it was already close to the core of the Star Dou Forest. But with Su Wen here, no one worried about safety anymore.
"Let's go."
Dugu Yan, being the big sister, pulled Zhu Zhuqing forward by the hand.
"Oh, okay…" Zhu Zhuqing blushed a little, nodding as she replied to polite greetings from the Heaven Dou squad.
The team moved forward like a lively dragon.
As Zhu Zhuqing was injured, she was placed at the center, alongside Ye Lingling.
They encountered several soul beasts along the way, but what really shocked Zhu Zhuqing was how much the six had changed. In their last life-and-death battle, she had faced them, so she knew their abilities well.
But this time…
Yufeng and Osler, the agility attack types she focused on last fight—their spirits had now seemingly evolved, their speeds utterly terrifying, five times faster than her at Soul Sect!
The Shi brothers' martial souls were even sturdier and more stable; Ye Lingling's martial soul color changed, exuding a holy aura. Never mind Dugu Yan, the team's top power at Level 48—her poison could even corrode souls!!!
Turns out, a great teacher's influence on a team is terrifying!
Zhu Zhuqing was shaken.
By comparison, the Grandmaster was just...
Making her train with sandbags strapped on; making Ning Rongrong watch ants move...
Focusing way more on physical training than on martial spirit or combat training.
It's a fantasy world, and he's still obsessed with stamina? This isn't hunting, most battles are about spirit power. Even if you killed yourself training, your body wouldn't increase that much—why not just level up your spirit power for a bigger boost?
It's like insisting on being different, treating everyone else as idiots, just so he looks cooler.
He compressed cultivation time to the extreme, only using battle arenas for deadly fights.
Two years ago, at age twelve, she was Level 27.
Two years later, she had just reached Soul Elder…
When they enrolled, all seven were undisputed peerless geniuses—real monsters. But until now, no resources, forced to fight for life in the arena.
"Sigh, it's Shrek Academy! Everyone's out, including the Dean, Grandmaster, and… Qin Ming."
"Should we say hi?"
Osler, flapping his wings in midair, circled back with a wicked grin.
"Go ahead," Dugu Yan said, waving her hand.
"With Teacher Su here, they don't dare do anything."
"We can also help Zhu Zhuqing get justice."
"..."
So the two groups met near the core of Star Dou Forest.
"Zhu Zhuqing?!" Several shocked voices rang out.
"Come back!" The Grandmaster frowned, pretending to act concerned.