CHAPTER 304: CHAPTER 304: SHREK’S BIG TROUBLE

Yu Xiaogang was feeling smug as he lectured Flender.

Flender’s face turned red. Being scolded by Yu Xiaogang—right in front of the entire Shrek group—as the dean no less... it was outrageous!

But he could only endure it.

After all, the source of all those gold soul coins was Yu Xiaogang’s student.

Tang San nodded and said,"Dean, don’t worry. I’ll just make more hidden weapons. Besides, my hidden weapons can’t be replicated. This business is exclusively ours!"

Flender felt slightly more at ease when he heard this.

As long as the business was a monopoly, there would be no risk of collapse.

In fact, he had once hired blacksmiths to try copying the hidden weapons—but they couldn’t even open one before it self-destructed.

Flender forced a smile and nodded."I’ll go along with you guys. We old folks are too set in our ways."

Yu Xiaogang patted Flender on the shoulder and grinned:"That’s how it should’ve been from the start, Flender. Just watch—we won’t disappoint you. The future belongs to Shrek!"

Amid their laughter, the group arrived at the Grand Auction House.

Because of their hidden weapon business, they were VIP clients and had a private lounge. Even the manager personally greeted them.

Yu Xiaogang nodded and said,"We’re here to auction off a new batch of hidden weapons. This time, I want to raise the starting price by ten percent."

"What?!"Flender was shocked. The last auction’s base prices were already astronomical—and now he wanted to raise them?

Yu Xiaogang smirked and gave Flender a look:Don’t argue. Just let me handle this.

Flender had no choice but to stay quiet, though he looked anxiously at the manager.

But the manager looked unhappy and replied,

"Master Yu, didn’t you say your hidden weapons were exclusive to your group?"

"Yes?"Yu Xiaogang nodded.

"Then explain this: why are other forces selling similar hidden weapons on the market now? Did you sign on new partners? Don’t forget—we signed an exclusive cooperation agreement. Otherwise, we never would’ve given you that interest-free loan to buy land!"

The manager’s tone turned cold and accusatory.

"What?!"Yu Xiaogang froze and turned to Tang San.

Tang San frowned and said seriously,"All exported hidden weapons were designed with anti-theft mechanisms. It’s impossible for others to replicate them. But before that, I did consign a few pieces to earn money for my father’s medicine..."

"But it was fewer than thirty pieces in total. It shouldn’t matter."

Yu Xiaogang gave Tang San a helpless look.Saving money for Tang Hao? Totally not worth it!

"Yes, yes, only a few dozen items. It’s insignificant."Yu Xiaogang laughed nervously.

But the manager sneered."A few dozen? Try hundreds of thousands! You really don’t know what’s going on, do you? The entire Heaven Dou City’s hidden weapons market is flooded!"

"Just from the military’s orders alone, there are over 200,000 units!"

The manager’s voice rose with emotion.

!!!

Everyone was stunned.

Then panic surged in their hearts.

If their exclusive business had really been hijacked, it wasn’t just about lost profits anymore!

Even though the Grand Auction House had given them an interest-free loan, it came with the condition of exclusive cooperation.

If what the manager said was true, and their weapons were being mass-produced and sold, then they’d owe the auction house huge damages—tens of millions of gold soul coins!

At the time, the breach penalty had been set very high.Flender didn’t like it, but Tang San had guaranteed no one could copy them—so Flender had agreed.

Now? It was all falling apart.

Flender staggered, nearly unable to stand.

"That’s impossible! No one can replicate my hidden weapons!"Tang San shouted, eyes blazing with conviction.

Yu Xiaogang added,"Right! There must be a mistake. Or maybe they’re just cheap imitations that look similar but lack the real functions!"

"Oh yeah? Then take a look at this—tell me how different it is from yours!"

The manager sneered and pulled out a Zhuge Crossbow from his storage tool, tossing it to Tang San.

Tang San caught it and fired it at the wall—

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!!

A string of black holes appeared on the white wall.

Tang San’s face changed dramatically.This crossbow wasn’t his—but its power was identical!

Could it really have been replicated?

He quickly disassembled it with flying hands.

The internal components were exposed.

!!!

Tang San was dumbfounded.

This Zhuge Crossbow... was authentic!

It didn’t even have his anti-theft mechanism!

Which meant the ones on the market were real hidden weapons!

"No way... I’m the only one who should know how to make this! How could more appear...?"

Tang San’s eyes were full of terror.

He even wondered—could it be that other Tang Sect disciples had come to Douluo Continent?

If so, then as a Tang Sect traitor using the sect’s weapons and techniques—he was practically asking to die!

Everyone looked at Tang San’s expression and instantly knew:

The hidden weapon was real.

Flender slumped against Zhao Wuji, mumbling:"Shrek Academy... is finished..."

Yu Xiaogang kept trying to hold on:"Maybe... maybe this was just a one-off... a fluke..."

The manager laughed coldly."One? They’ve released over 200,000 units! Heaven Dou City is swarming with orders. Other cities’ sects are also buying like crazy."

"And we at the auction house proudly claimed we had an exclusive deal with you. Now look what you’ve done!"

"Figure out how you’re going to compensate us."

As he spoke, a group of soul masters stormed in.

They were going to keep a close watch on Shrek’s people.

Those millions in damages?They would squeeze them out of their hides!

Meanwhile, inside Zhu Zhuyun’s spiritual space...

The God of Speed had summoned her, wearing a satisfied smile.

"You saw it, right? All those Titled Douluo trying to win over your sister?"

He smiled smugly.

Zhu Zhuyun nodded, eyes complicated.So it was the God of Speed behind this...But why was everyone so good to Zhu Zhuqing?

"Yes, all those Titled Douluo made moves. She really drew attention..."Zhu Zhuyun’s tone was tinged with envy.

Things her sister didn’t even want—were what she dreamed of!

The God of Speed nodded."Then good. But it’s almost night now—why hasn’t Zhu Zhuqing come to Sea God Tower?"

"..."

Zhu Zhuyun hesitated, biting her lip in silence.

"What is it? Speak. Is she too moved and doesn’t know how to repay me? Or did someone stop her?"

The God of Speed frowned.

If anyone dared to block his chosen successor, he’d show them the wrath of a god!

Zhu Zhuyun sighed and whispered,"It’s Zhuqing... she doesn’t like it. She’s very angry, and said... she doesn’t want your divine position."

"???"

The God of Speed froze.

Did he hear that right?Someone actually rejected a god’s inheritance?

Absolutely ridiculous!!!

Zhu Zhuyun repeated,"Yes, she truly meant it... Zhuqing doesn’t want to inherit your god position."

"Preposterous!!!"The God of Speed nearly exploded, his face flushed, practically coughing up blood from frustration.

Since when had his divine status become something to be rejected?

Zhu Zhuyun lowered her head.She didn’t understand it either.

Are things easier to obtain simply not valued?

She thought her sister was being ridiculous.

To spurn such a great honor from a god...

"Why?! Give me a reason."

The God of Speed closed his eyes and tried to suppress his rage.

It was only because Zhu Zhuqing’s talent was so exceptional that he hadn’t already given up on her.

Zhu Zhuyun’s eyes widened.Even now—he still wasn’t giving up on Zhu Zhuqing?

"Because... I’m not really sure."

She shook her head.

She couldn’t risk bringing trouble to Mr. Dan Heng.

At least she still had that much self-awareness.

The God of Speed gritted his teeth."Fine. Then do me one more favor—figure out why she’s rejecting me."

"If you succeed, I’ll raise your divine trial by one level. If she inherits my divine position, you’ll become my High Priestess. One day, you’ll reach Titled Douluo rank 99."

Zhu Zhuyun’s expression changed—joy, then hesitation, finally landing on a complex mix of feelings.

This meant:The God of Speed didn’t believe she could become a god herself.

But being level 99 was still a dream she’d once thought impossible...

And now, she was getting there by riding her sister’s coattails...

The next day, the Soul Master Tournament resumed.

Zhu Zhuyun had planned to talk to Zhu Zhuqing—perhaps gently probe her thoughts.

But when Zhu Zhuqing returned, she said nothing.She barely touched her food, then went straight to bed.

The next morning, after looking at the matchups and seeing that she wouldn’t be needed, she just left.

No one knew where she was going.

Zhu Zhuyun opened her mouth but said nothing as she watched Zhu Zhuqing vanish.

Then, the rest of their close friends came over.

"What’s wrong with Zhuqing?"Huo Wu asked curiously.

Meng Yiran hesitated, then said nervously,"Did you notice? Zhuqing’s face looked so cold—kind of scary! Did someone make her mad?"

Xiao Wu and Shui Yue’er both nodded.They had definitely felt it too.

Zhu Zhuyun gave a wry smile."Probably... yesterday’s events really upset her."

"What’s there to be upset about? So many Titled Douluo publicly vouching for her—that’s like giving her an indestructible reputation!"

Meng Yiran was stunned.

She was almost green with envy.

If she could switch places with Zhu Zhuqing, she’d be grinning in her sleep.

"Dan Heng sure is lucky to have a disciple like Zhuqing..."Meng Yiran murmured.

"Don’t talk nonsense!"Shui Yue’er snapped."It’s Zhuqing who’s lucky to be able to call Mr. Dan Heng her master!"

Xiao Wu nodded in agreement."Yeah—Dan Heng is the truly amazing one!"

Huo Wu slapped her thigh, her face full of envy."Too bad it wasn’t me! I even called Mr. Dan Heng ’Dad’ back then! I would’ve changed my name to Huo Zhaodi and given him a son, but I still didn’t get my wish..."

Meng Yiran looked at the reactions of the girls and slightly opened her mouth.

Wait a minute—Weren’t all of them supposed to be proud and elite daughters of noble families?Why were they all acting so pathetic?

No matter how amazing Mr. Dan Heng was, wasn’t he still just a librarian?

Why did it feel like... he had some kind of secret power she didn’t know about?

Zhu Zhuyun continued,"Sigh, you wouldn’t believe it even if I told you. Do you know why those Titled Douluo were flocking to Zhu Zhuqing?"

"Why?"All the girls immediately focused on her words.

"It’s because of... the God of Speed..."Zhu Zhuyun was so full of emotion she just blurted it all out.

Meng Yiran blinked rapidly, her heart in turmoil.

This... couldn’t be right?

Since when were gods so proactive?

Even though the gods had lowered the difficulty of divine trials, it still hadn’t been her turn.

And now she’s hearing that the God of Speed is personally throwing a godhood inheritance at Zhu Zhuqing?!

"Sigh... but Zhuqing just refuses to accept it. She says she’ll only take the god trial if Mr. Dan Heng tells her to. She even told me not to bring it up again."

Zhu Zhuyun was completely baffled.

What’s wrong with becoming the God of Speed?For their Nether Civet martial soul, wasn’t that the highest possible future?

She even considered writing a letter to their father, asking him to come talk some sense into Zhu Zhuqing.

All the girls were stunned, thoroughly enjoying the shocking gossip.

They couldn’t believe there was such a massive secret behind everything.

And soon, they were all chattering, discussing and speculating endlessly—

All of it centered around Zhu Zhuqing’s strange behavior.

Among them, Meng Yiran stood out the most.While the others more or less understood Dan Heng’s extraordinary nature, to her, he was still just a well-read librarian.

"Yiran, I’m telling you, don’t underestimate Mr. Dan Heng,"Shui Yue’er said seriously."To me, he’s the most incredible person ever!"

Meng Yiran blinked in surprise, staring at Shui Yue’er.

"...Okay."

She could tell this friend of hers was dead serious.

It even sounded a little like a warning.

"Yue’er, you guys better be careful—your match against the Shrek team is coming up,"Huo Wu said with a smile, lightening the mood that had grown a bit tense.

"Ah!"Shui Yue’er slapped her forehead, just remembering—then hurriedly ran off.

Arena No. 3 – Tianshui Team vs. Shrek Team

The Tianshui Team was taking this match seriously—all core members were on stage.

Xue Wu rolled her eyes and said impatiently:"Yue’er, didn’t you say you were just getting a quick blessing from Mr. Dan Heng? What took you so long? Didn’t want to come back?"

Shui Yue’er scratched her head with a goofy smile,"Mr. Dan Heng did give me a blessing! We’re definitely going to win!"

"Winning or losing doesn’t matter much—it’s just the group stage. Top three still advance. But your mindset really needs work!"Xue Wu poked her forehead, clearly frustrated.

Shui Yue’er didn’t dare talk back and just smiled cheerfully."Just wait and see! With Mr. Dan Heng’s blessing, we’ll definitely win!"

Shui Bing’er said calmly,"Don’t get careless. Even without their hidden weapons, Shrek Team is still undefeated..."

The girls chatted on stage—

But the Shrek Team still hadn’t shown up.

The referee called for them several times, but no one from Shrek showed up or gave an explanation.

In the end, the referee had no choice but to declare:"Tianshui Team wins! You’ve officially advanced!"

"???"

All the girls on the Tianshui Team were dumbfounded.

Wait—that’s it?!

Shui Yue’er suddenly jumped in place, giggling."See?! Didn’t I tell you we’d make it through?!"

(End of Chapter)