As the host's announcement echoed through the arena, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause. The Emperor Team emerged victorious, and Shrek Seven Devils' undefeated streak came to an abrupt end.
Among the cheers, the members of the Emperor Team left the stage, their heads held high. In contrast, Tang San's face was dark as he carried an unconscious Xiao Wu, stumbling his way toward the exit tunnel.
Before reaching the tunnel's end, Tang San suddenly halted.
Noticing his pause, Zhu Zhuqing cast him a curious glance, catching a faint, eerie smile curling at the corners of his lips.
"I'll never let those who hurt Xiao Wu go."
Tang San silently vowed, his words a whisper of the promise he and Xiao Wu had made as children—a promise he had always kept.
Back in the rest area, Tang San entered to find Dai Mubai furiously pummeling Ma Hongjun, who was cornered like a rat.
"Boss Dai, mercy! Mercy!" Ma Hongjun pleaded, cowering and covering his head.
Dai Mubai was livid. "Mercy? Because of your fire, I lost my last shred of dignity in front of tens of thousands of people! Do you think an apology is enough?"
Just as Ma Hongjun's cries grew more desperate, Flender, Grandmaster, and Zhao Wuji entered the room. They had come to check on Xiao Wu's condition.
Upon seeing Flender, Ma Hongjun rushed behind him like a child hiding behind a parent. "Dean! Boss Dai is hitting me! You have to stop him!"
Flender sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Enough, Mubai. A punch or two is enough to make your point."
Dai Mubai's fury only grew. "Dean, you saw what happened today! Tomorrow, the entire city will know how Shrek Seven Devils' leader ended up exposed like—like THAT in front of everyone!"
He was too angry to finish his sentence, but the humiliation on his face was clear. All he wanted now was to teach Ma Hongjun a lesson and vent his frustration.
Flender interjected sternly, "That's enough! Or do you think my words as dean carry no weight? You all deserved this loss for underestimating your opponent!"
Pointing a finger at the room, Flender added, "Tang San warned you about Ye Hao's strength. But you? All of you dismissed it, acting high and mighty. And now that you've lost, you're blaming each other instead of reflecting on your own mistakes!"
Dai Mubai's anger deflated as he fell silent. The room became stiflingly tense.
Flender's words struck a chord: the Shrek Seven Devils were no longer united as they once were. Their decline had begun.
Breaking the silence, Grandmaster interjected, "Flender, enough scolding. The kids already feel bad enough. Besides," he said with a knowing look, "I know why you're upset. Let me guess—you bet on Shrek again, didn't you? And lost?"
Flender froze, his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
Grandmaster's words hit home. For the past month, Shrek's winning streak had brought Flender tremendous profits from betting. His ten-thousand-gold soul coin card, once his most prized possession, had ballooned into even greater wealth.
But today's loss had ruined everything. Worse still, as he passed the betting area earlier, Flender had seen Ye Hao holding several gold cards, one of which was unmistakably his own.
That kid… Flender thought bitterly. Losing his money to the very opponent who had defeated his students was a humiliation too great to bear.
Grandmaster turned to Tang San, his expression softening. "How is Xiao Wu's condition?"
Tang San sighed, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "I managed to seal her acupoints to stop the bleeding, but she's lost too much blood and hasn't regained consciousness."
Tang San clenched his fists, his tone hardening as he continued, "Teacher, why did you stop me from taking down Ye Hao?!"
Murderous intent radiated from him, chilling the air in the room. Even Dai Mubai and the others couldn't suppress a shiver.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, however, remained unfazed. They exchanged knowing looks, their expressions calm.
To them, the Tang San before them wasn't terrifying. It was the Tang San from that dark alley—when his true nature emerged—who was truly dangerous.
Grandmaster sighed heavily, his tone weary. "Tang San, Ye Hao's background is far too complex for you to handle. Endure this loss for now. A little patience won't kill you."
"Endure?" Tang San gritted his teeth. His voice rose, filled with conviction. "Teacher, I'm certain now—Ye Hao is Spicy Rabbit Head!"
Grandmaster's face darkened, but before he could respond, a soft laugh interrupted.
"He's Not That Kind of Person"
"Hehe."
All eyes turned to Ning Rongrong, who was leaning casually against the wall. Tang San's brow furrowed as he snapped, "What are you laughing at?"
Ning Rongrong straightened, meeting his gaze fearlessly. "Tang San, you're unbelievable. You act like such a petty child."
"What did you say?!" Tang San's anger boiled over.
"You heard me," Ning Rongrong retorted, her voice cold and clear. "Xiao Wu got hurt in a fair fight, and now you want to kill her opponent? Do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?"
"This is a Great Spirit Arena—a place where soul masters compete under fair rules. Injuries are inevitable. If everyone were like you—seeking revenge for every minor injury—this world wouldn't have soul masters or arenas to begin with!"
Her words were sharp, cutting through the tension like a blade.
Tang San's hands shook, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "You…!"
Ning Rongrong smirked, unfazed by his anger. "Oh, am I on your hit list now too? Go ahead. Kill me. Let's see if you have the guts."
Grandmaster's shout cut through the tension. "Enough!"
He turned to Ning Rongrong, his expression stern. "Rongrong, stop provoking him. I believe in Tang San. He's not that kind of person."
Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a mocking smile. "Not that kind of person? If you think that, then maybe you're the one who doesn't know him at all."
Her parting words hung in the air, leaving Grandmaster speechless.