On the Battle Stage
This match: Shrek Team vs. Thunderclap Team.
The latter was a well-known powerhouse, yet the battle ended in the blink of an eye.
Why?
Because of... hidden weapons!
This was the official debut of Tang San's hidden weapons.
The Thunderclap Team, completely unprepared, was devastated and declared defeated.
The members of the Shrek Team stood tall on the arena stage, each one with their head held high, basking in the stunned silence.
Everyone had looked down on them—Yet they had come through with the most powerful answer!
Yu Tianxin lay crumpled at Dai Mubai's feet, blood soaking his clothes.He tried to push himself up, unwilling to accept defeat, but he no longer had the strength.
"Still trying to get up?" Dai Mubai sneered. "A loss is a loss. Want us to beat you to death for it?"
"Y-you guys... ambushed us with dirty tricks... this isn't fair…" Yu Tianxin glared at him with resentment.
Dai Mubai raised a foot and kicked him clean off the stage.
"Not fair? Then suck it up."
As Dai Mubai turned things over in his mind:
"That Tang San's hidden weapons are seriously dangerous. If Star Luo Empire had these... they might've actually turned the tide in the war…"
Tang San then raised his voice and declared:
"The winner is the Shrek Team—Shrek Academy!!"
His announcement shattered the silence.Only now did the audience begin reacting.
An absurd battle.An even more absurd ending.
But instead of applause or cheers—There came a flood of boos.
Even though the Shrek Team had won decisively,Their victory came through external means.
Tang San's eyes turned toward the Lanba Academy section, his gaze cold.
"See? You all looked down on the Shrek Team—but we've evolved! This is only the beginning! We'll keep pushing forward, all the way to the championship!"
Ma Hongjun let out a strange scream of joy, sprinting to the edge of the arena and shaking his big, fat butt mockingly at the Lanba section.
Oscar grinned, throwing a flying kiss to Ning Rongrong.
She just rolled her eyes but kept her gaze fixed on those hidden weapons, deep in thought.
Suddenly, voices of protest erupted:
"Cheating! Disqualified! Cancel their results!"
"They used methods outside of their Martial Souls—have they no shame?!"
"To openly use something like that on a soul arena—disgraceful!"
The scene became chaotic.
Nearly everyone was condemning Shrek's methods.
Had the hidden weapons only been used as support, or in a crucial moment, they might've let it slide.
But Thunderclap Team had been completely defeated by them.
That raised a terrifying thought:
What if a bunch of regular people got their hands on them—could they win too?
Then what's the point of soul battles at all?
Even the referees couldn't restore order.They simply escorted the Shrek Team offstage and sent Thunderclap's members for emergency treatment.
Backstage, Shrek Team
The atmosphere was heavy.
They could hear the furious crowd outside.Far from being impressed by Shrek's performance, they were disgusted.
Flender scratched his face anxiously.
"That kid's done for! Our reputation's completely ruined! I was planning on selling naming rights for the team uniforms—who's gonna want that now?"
He shot a glare at Yu Xiaogang, who sat in the corner.
"This was all your terrible idea…"
Yu Xiaogang snorted coldly, stroking his chin:
"What do you know? Without this tactic, how would Shrek make a name for itself?"
"A name? More like infamy," Flender muttered bitterly.
"Doesn't matter—whether fame or infamy, we're known now. The rest depends on how far we can go!"
"And with the trump cards I've designed, we won't lose!"
Yu Xiaogang had a self-satisfied grin on his face.
So what if Shrek's name was mud?
He felt amazing right now!
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had cast him out.
And now?
Thunderclap Team—part of the clan—had been crushed by his Shrek Team.
Who among those arrogant fools would dare look down on him now?
"This match brought us major advantages. People now underestimate us. They don't know our true strength. As long as we scrape by until the finals—bam! We'll shock them all!"
"Tang San, your hidden weapons are famous now. You can start selling them big time!"
He turned toward Tang San with satisfaction.
Tang San nodded:
"Yes, Teacher. I'll donate half the profits from selling hidden weapons to help build Shrek Academy."
That completely shut Flender up.
"W-Well then, I've got nothing to say… but seriously, will anyone buy those things?"
Tang San beamed:
"Dean, my hidden weapons are one-of-a-kind. No one can replicate them. And anyone—even ordinary folks—can use them. They'll be in huge demand."
Yu Xiaogang added with a calm smile:
"That's right. You'll be counting money soon, Flender. No more complaining about being broke."
Flender frowned and muttered:
"But what if they disqualify us altogether?"
"No worries. I'll handle it personally."
Yu Xiaogang was full of confidence.
In Lanba Academy's VIP Box
Liu Erlong sat on one side of Gu Yuena, with Dan Heng on the other.
"Damn it! What was that thing? A weapon? That was way too brutal! And they went that far? That bastard Yu Xiaogang…"
Liu Erlong sprang to her feet, her face filled with rage.
Yu Tianxin, a member of Thunderclap Team, was her nephew—someone who greatly respected her.
And Yu Xiaogang's team had nearly crippled him?
"Hidden weapons," Gu Yuena said calmly.
"Hidden weapons? What's that? I've never heard of them…"
Liu Erlong was puzzled.
"Most likely invented by that Tang San. They strike from the shadows—tools for killing."
Gu Yuena's lips curled into a faint smile as she gazed at little Bao'er.
Even after watching that bloodbath, Bao'er showed no fear—She was actually watching with excitement.
As for Longlong, who was in Dan Heng's arms, he was even more thrilled—Waving his tiny claws like he wanted to jump into the fight himself.
"Despicable! Making something like that! What future is there for soul masters now? If ordinary people can threaten us with hidden weapons… what's the point?"
"And our Lanba Team…"
Liu Erlong looked over at Zhu Zhuqing and her sister.
"Zhuqing will be fine," Gu Yuena said lightly. "The weapons are fast, but Zhuqing is faster. Evading them is easy. And in terms of firing speed, even soul masters can't outmatch her."
"That's good… we're counting on Zhuqing," Liu Erlong said, patting her chest in relief.
Then Gu Yuena suddenly smiled and said:
"Actually… this presents a business opportunity."
"Business opportunity?" Liu Erlong blinked.
"We can manufacture hidden weapons too. Since Tang San chose to reveal them, that means he intends to sell. But his production capacity will be limited, and the price will soar… We'll mass-produce and steal the market."
Gu Yuena's tone was casual.
Liu Erlong scratched her head.
"You can make those too? I thought Tang San invented them? Sister Gu, you're amazing!"
Gu Yuena shook her head slightly.
"It's not me—it's my husband. He's already deciphered the mechanics."
Liu Erlong looked at Dan Heng again, her eyes full of admiration.
As expected of Mister Dan Heng!
In that case, we're golden!
Dan Heng just shook his head without replying.
"Zhuqing, do you want to head down and warm up? It's almost our team's turn," Liu Erlong said eagerly.
"Alright…"
Zhu Zhuqing stood up and headed out, taking her sister Zhu Zhuyun with her.
…
Zhu Zhuqing and her sister stepped out of the VIP box, heading toward the preparation zone.
On the way, the fury stirred up by the Shrek Team's match had finally begun to settle.
Now, the audience was focused again, cheering on the battles happening on the other soul fighting platforms.
Zhu Zhuyun glanced at her sister Zhu Zhuqing and suddenly sighed.
"Zhuqing, even without the Fontain Empire… when the time comes for our final battle, you'd still be able to defeat both me and Davis on your own, wouldn't you?"
Zhu Zhuqing gave her a side glance and gently shook her head.
It wasn't that she couldn't—she just didn't think it was worth discussing.
By that point, she'd likely be a Soul Sage already.If she still couldn't defeat Davis and Zhu Zhuyun, she might as well find a wall and bash her head in.
Even if Dai Mubai joined them, she could still beat all three alone.
"I'm learning from Teacher. That's how it should be."
Zhu Zhuqing answered naturally.
In her heart, Dan Heng was the strongest person in the world, so any student he taught should never lose to anyone.
Zhu Zhuyun looked at her sister with admiration and envy.
"Zhuqing, are you really not going to remind Mister Dan Heng that you haven't entered the Sea God's Tower yet?"
"No need. Even without a godly trial, I won't fall behind anyone."
Zhu Zhuqing shook her head.
She was utterly loyal.
Even though she knew full well that, with her talent, entering the Sea God's Tower would very likely lead to inheriting a godhood, she would never disobey Dan Heng.
"You… you're just wasting your talent…"
Zhu Zhuyun sighed, then added:
"I think the God of Speed suits us both really well. But I'm only at Black-Level Trial Seven... and even that was only possible because the God of Speed enhanced it…"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't respond.
To her, all these so-called "god trials" meant nothing next to Dan Heng's teachings.
High in the Sky
Two divine figures were watching the scene from above.
Sea God Poseidon looked helplessly at the God of Speed beside him.
"Instead of doing your investigation properly, what are you doing down here joining the crowd?"
Poseidon inwardly sighed. Dan Heng and Gu Yuena were both down below.
If the God of Speed ran into them, and Dan Heng decided to kill him, then what was Poseidon supposed to do?
This guy was just looking for trouble!
The God of Speed chuckled and said:
"You know how fast I am. I already visited the Fontain Empire. I didn't notice anything suspicious. The soul beasts there are still completing their god trials. And honestly, that place seemed even more... happy than the other two empires."
"Who would've thought that a nation ruled by soul beasts would be so… prosperous? But what I don't understand is… who exactly is their empress? I couldn't find any leads, and I didn't want to blow my cover or alert anyone."
He rested his chin on his hand, falling into thought.
Hearing this, Poseidon nearly lost it.
"Just stop. Mind your own business. What are you sticking your nose into mortal affairs for? If there's no solid lead, go back to the God Realm. You're wasting time here—we still need you there…"
Poseidon spoke hurriedly, trying to get rid of him.
The God of Speed looked at him curiously and grinned:
"Why are you so nervous, Sea God? Got some secret you don't want me to find out?"
"Now I definitely can't leave. I've got to figure out what you're hiding!"
He laughed mischievously, swiping at the air with his hand.
"...I'm afraid you'll get killed, you idiot!!"
Poseidon could only scream internally, full of helpless rage.
Then the God of Speed said something that froze Poseidon in place:
"It's so boring in the God Realm. I just wanted to come and have some fun. Besides... I found someone I might want to pass my divine position to."
"A successor?" Poseidon's heart skipped a beat.
The God of Speed nodded slightly:
"Yes, that girl. Even though she hasn't shown any soul power, I can feel it—she's a perfect match for my godhood."
"!!!"
Poseidon followed his gaze—and nearly had a heart attack.
He was pointing at... Zhu Zhuqing!
What kind of insane luck was this?!
The successor he set his eyes on just happened to be Dan Heng's disciple!
"I have a strong feeling she's the one!" the God of Speed said cheerfully.
"Wait—don't you already have other candidates?" Poseidon's voice was dry.
The God of Speed shook his head:
"None of them are suitable. And Sea God, you're acting strange. Are you hiding something from me?"
"...Yes! Now get lost already! I don't want people to find out—anything!"
Poseidon looked utterly miserable.
The God of Speed shrugged and smiled playfully:
"Now that you've said that, I'm even less inclined to leave."
"Screw it all! Let it all burn! I'm done caring!!"
Poseidon slapped the God of Speed on the shoulder hard, eyes full of determination.
"When Dan Heng kills you, I'll make sure to burn extra paper money for you!"
"What's with that look, Sea God? You're acting like you're sending me to my death! Anyway, enough talk—I'm going to meet her. Her sister's one of my trial candidates too."
The God of Speed turned into a streak of divine light and shot downward.
Poseidon held his forehead and sighed deeply.
"Some people... just don't know when to stop. And when they do—it's already too late."
Back on the Soul Battle Arena
Lanba Battle Team was now facing off against Plant Academy.
Zhu Zhuyun, as a reserve member, was observing the match from below, ready to jump in as a substitute.
Suddenly, her head throbbed, and her consciousness was pulled into a spiritual space.
Inside the space, the God of Speed stood confidently with his arms crossed, glowing with divine brilliance—clearly a being from the heavens.
The moment she saw him, Zhu Zhuyun fell to her knees.
"Greetings, Divine One!"
She was so excited she was practically losing her mind.
For the God of Speed to appear to her personally—didn't that mean…?
"Rise. I have a question," he said. "That girl who was just with you—who is she?"
Zhu Zhuyun paused, then replied, "She… she's my younger sister."
"Very good. I admire her greatly, and I'm considering passing on my divine position to her. Has she already accepted any other god's inheritance?"
He looked at her seriously.
Zhu Zhuyun stood frozen on the spot.A deep pang of bitterness rose in her heart.
(End of Chapter)