"Then, should we stay and attend the Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden succession ceremony tomorrow?"
"What?! The Holy Maiden succession ceremony?! Isn't the Spirit Hall's Holy Maiden Hu Liena? Are they changing her?"
Liu Erlong asked in surprise.
"She was, but something happened within the Spirit Hall, and the Holy Maiden was replaced. As for who it is now, we don't know yet."
Ning Fengzhi murmured.
Hearing about the Holy Maiden succession, Xiao Yu couldn't help but glance at Xue Qinghe beside him.
It seemed that Qian Daoliu hadn't allowed Tang San and Yu Xiaogang to join the Spirit Hall for no reason.
Bibi Dong had suffered a significant loss this time.
After considering Ning Fengzhi's words, Liu Erlong hesitated and asked, "Then let's stay and watch. But is it appropriate? We're not part of the Spirit Hall."
At this moment, Xue Qinghe, who had been listening to their conversation, chimed in.
"Appropriate? Of course, it's appropriate! You are the legitimate representatives of the Heaven Dou Empire. I will also stay tomorrow to observe the ceremony!"
With Xue Qinghe's approval, Liu Erlong naturally decided to stay.
After all, her conflict with Bibi Dong was because of Yu Xiaogang. Now that she was with Xiao Yu, she could leave Yu Xiaogang to Bibi Dong.
Thus, everyone decided to stay and watch the Holy Maiden succession ceremony before leaving.
Inside Shrek Academy.
Flender, who had just returned from Blue Tyrant Academy, looked at the dejected faces of his students and sighed.
But he quickly rallied his spirits and said, "Alright, everyone, cheer up! We made it to the finals. So what if we lost? Even if I had been on the field, I wouldn't have been able to defeat Blue Tyrant Academy or the Spirit Hall team. Come on, pack up. Let's go home!"
"Alright!!"
"Ah!! Finally, we can go home! Dean, I want to take three days off when we get back. I've been suffocating these past few days!"
Ma Hongjun exclaimed with relief.
Looking at his precious disciple, Flender couldn't help but sigh.
Compared to Xiao Yu, or even Tang San, Ma Hongjun was far behind.
But, well, he was still his disciple. With his martial soul, just surviving this long was an achievement.
"Hey, Dean, how can you go home without me? Fatty, let's go to Drunken Spring Pavilion and get wasted for three days when we get back!"
Just as Flender was about to start packing, a familiar voice rang out.
Flender turned to see Oscar standing at the door with a bag, wearing his trademark mischievous grin.
"Little Ao?! You rascal, when did you get back?! You didn't even tell us you were coming!!"
Seeing his friend return, Ma Hongjun was the most excited.
After all, among the original Shrek Seven, only he was left. Facing a group of juniors who were weaker than him, he had to maintain the demeanor of an upperclassman.
He couldn't let loose.
Oscar rubbed his nose and laughed, "Heh, Fatty, do I need to announce my return? What, have we grown apart after just a month?"
"Home." Such a simple word.
But it was this word that brought tears to Flender's eyes.
Good, good. Not everyone was like Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, who left and never returned.
Flender's heart was filled with complex emotions.
"Dean, I, Oscar, have returned. You won't turn me away, will you?"
Oscar said, his eyes red.
"Of course not. Once a Shrek, always a Shrek. Welcome back, welcome back!! Let's go home."
Flender's voice trembled as he spoke.
As for Tang San, Yu Xiaogang, and Dai Mubai's whereabouts, Flender didn't ask, nor did he care. He just wanted to savor this moment.
Soon, Shrek Academy was filled with joy again, as Oscar's return washed away the previous gloom.
After packing up, Flender generously rented two carriages—one for himself and one for the eight students.
As night fell, under the moonlight, the room in the inn was dimly lit, but the furnishings were still visible.
In the bedroom, on a large bed, the moonlight shone through the window, illuminating the four figures on the bed.
At this moment, under the moonlight, Xiao Yu was passionately kissing Zhu Zhuqing.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Zhu Zhuqing whispered softly in Xiao Yu's ear, "Xiao Yu, the competition is over. Take me. I don't want to see you suffer anymore. I can help you too, just like Sister Erlong and Sister Yan Yan. There are three of me, after all."
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's seductive voice, Xiao Yu murmured, "Alright."
But just as he was about to engage in a true one-versus-three battle, Xiao Yu suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching from outside the window.
Immediately, he became serious and told Zhu Zhuqing to stay put and not to tell anyone about his departure.
Then, he left the room.
The Zhu Zhuqing trio watched Xiao Yu's retreating figure and exchanged glances, their eyes filled with solemnity.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yu spread his dragon wings and flew swiftly toward the source of the aura outside the city.
When he arrived, he saw a man in golden robes waiting for him.
The man had shoulder-length golden hair, a handsome face, and wore a simple golden-patterned robe.
He appeared to be in his thirties or forties.
His demeanor exuded nobility.
Moreover, he was standing in mid-air, without any visible use of soul power.
This alone demonstrated his immense strength.
"You've come."
Qian Daoliu, seeing Xiao Yu arrive, showed a hint of complexity in his eyes and spoke softly.
"May I ask why you sought me out, Senior?"
Xiao Yu asked respectfully, cupping his hands.
Although he was disappointed at being interrupted before taking Zhu Zhuqing's first time, since it was Qian Daoliu who had interrupted him, Xiao Yu could only silently note this and plan to get even with his granddaughter in the future.
"Nothing much. I saw your performance during the day and wanted to confirm something with you."
Hearing this, Xiao Yu was stunned.
What kind of answer was that?
They didn't know each other. What was there to confirm?
Then, Qian Daoliu quickly flew over.
Before Xiao Yu could react, Qian Daoliu grabbed his wrist.
A gentle surge of soul power flowed into Xiao Yu's body as Qian Daoliu carefully examined him.