"Yo! Fengzi, you're down too!? "

Due to exhaustion, Han Feng had been escorted to the back row by Tang San. Supported by Ning Rongrong and having eaten a few recovery sausages, he finally looked a bit better.

Dai Mubai, seeing Han Feng in such a weakened state, couldn't help but laugh mockingly in a teasing tone—though his own condition wasn't great either. But during the earlier Spirit Fusion technique, Zhu Zhuqing had ceded complete control to him, which left him in high spirits. Seeing Han Feng sharing in the aftermath now only made him more gleeful.

Ning Rongrong pouted and playfully scolded, "You always go all out like this in every match. Can't you take it easy sometimes? "

Han Feng rolled his eyes. "Can I really afford to hold back? What if we lose? "

"But I've been training hard too! "Ning Rongrong argued, puffing out her cheeks in a way that made her look adorably aggrieved.

Han Feng didn't press the matter. Ning Rongrong's hard work recently was obvious to all—she had reached nearly Level 28 in just a month or two.

He turned his attention to Dai Mubai and snapped, "And you! You smug bastard! Weren't you just flopping around like a limp shrimp? Couldn't even stand up! "

"Still better than you," Dai Mubai grinned, whistling cheerfully, clearly in too good of a mood to argue.

Meanwhile, on the battlefield, after draining Yu Tianheng's spirit power dry, Tang San had quickly appeared beside Xiao Wu. The cold gleam of his eight Spider Lances pointed directly at Ye Lingling's forehead. He didn't speak a word—he didn't have to.

Han Feng, for his part, wasn't worried at all about Tang San revealing his external spirit bone. Tang San wasn't like him; he had plenty of powerful protectors, including none other than the legendary Clear Sky Douluo. But if Han Feng's own secrets were exposed, such as the mask of emptiness he wore, who knew how many greedy eyes would be drawn to him?

From afar, Oscar clicked his tongue at the scene. "That little couple bullying the poor girl like that."

"Are you planning to defect to the enemy? " Han Feng quipped.

"No, no! Not at all! " Oscar laughed nervously and waved it off.

"I surrender! "

At that moment, Ye Lingling was the only one left on the Heaven Dou Imperial Team. Though her spirit power was mostly untouched and her level wasn't low, she was a healing-type support spirit master. What resistance could she put up? She surrendered immediately, terrified that Tang San's lances might strike.

In truth, Ye Lingling was quite unlucky. Due to the tight, strategic rhythm of Shrek Academy's team, she never had a chance to use her Nine-Hearted Begonia to heal anyone—her teammates had all been eliminated before she could even act.

With her surrender, it was official: the Heaven Dou Imperial Team, reigning champions at the Soto Great Spirit Arena for over a month, had finally fallen. Cheers and groans erupted from the audience—some thrilled by Shrek's power, others despairing over the losses to their bets.

In the VIP box of the Imperial Team, a refined young man stood up, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he quietly exited the room.

Back in Shrek's own VIP room, Zhao Wuji and Flender leapt up in excitement, these two powerful Spirit Sages grinning like children.

The Grandmaster, however, remained calm. Though proud of his students, his thoughts were with Yu Tianheng...

He knew how proud Yu Tianheng was and feared that this defeat might crush him.

With a heavy sigh, he whispered something to Flender before quietly leaving the room.

"Boss Dai! Han Feng! You guys don't even know how awesome that fight looked from the stands! A giant armored flame titan scorching the battlefield, and a white-striped black tiger slapping away four Spirit Elders like toys! You two stole the whole show! So cool, so epic! You have to let me fight next time! "

Back in the corridor, Ma Hongjun had been waiting eagerly. From the moment he saw Han Feng and the others return, he hadn't stopped chattering, face flushed with excitement as if he had just been on stage.

Hearing all the noise, Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged smiles, opening the door with pride.

"Well done, little monsters! "Flender bellowed. "You made Shrek proud today! "

Everyone chuckled at his praise.

Flender grinned. "Tonight, we celebrate! Dinner's on me! "

Before anyone could cheer, a gentle voice spoke from the doorway:

"No need for you to spend, Headmaster. Let this humble student treat tonight."

That familiar voice brought wide smiles to both Flender and Zhao Wuji as they turned toward the door. There stood a refined young man with glasses, smiling politely.

"Teacher Zhao, Headmaster."

"Hahaha! You rascal! " Zhao Wuji laughed, clapping the man on the shoulder. "At this rate, you'll surpass us old fogeys in no time! "

"Qin Ming! You bring honor to the academy! " Flender said warmly.

"It's all thanks to my teachers," Qin Ming replied humbly. He himself was surprised by how warm and friendly Flender and Zhao Wuji now seemed.

The Shrek students looked on, stunned.

Wait a second... Wasn't that guy the team leader for the Imperial Team they just defeated?

Dai Mubai finally pieced it together. "The headmaster called him 'Xiao Ming'... Could he be that senior of ours? The Firestorm Wolf, Qin Ming? "

"Qin Ming? That's Qin Ming? The youngest Spirit Emperor on the continent? " Ning Rongrong gasped, clearly recognizing the name thanks to her clan's intelligence network.

Han Feng silently rolled his eyes. He wasn't impressed by the "youngest Spirit Emperor" label and just nodded. "Judging by how the headmaster and Teacher Zhao act around him, probably."

The group exchanged awkward glances.

Qin Ming, a former Shrek student, was now the leader of the very team they had just defeated... Talk about coincidence.

"Oh right! Xiao Ming, you said you're paying for dinner. That still counts, right? "Flender, quick to show his stingy side, gave Qin Ming a suspicious look.

Qin Ming chuckled, thinking, "The Headmaster really hasn't changed." "Of course."

Flender beamed. Saving a meal was always a win in his book—especially after splurging two days ago.

But then Qin Ming's tone grew serious. "Actually, Headmaster, I came here today for another reason. I'd like to discuss something important..."

"Speak freely! You're one of us. No need to be shy," Flender said enthusiastically, clearly still in a great mood.

Qin Ming hesitated, then said, "As you know, I'm now a mentor at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Most of the students there are nobles—spoiled and soft, though some have potential. But what we really lack is talent. Desperately."

"So I was wondering... If the students here are willing to transfer to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, I will personally ensure they receive the best treatment possible."

Though he tried to put it delicately, the meaning was clear.

"Absolutely not! "

Flender's smile vanished, replaced by a thunderous roar. "They are Shrek students! They will never join some Heaven Dou Royal Academy! "

Qin Ming was startled, about to speak and explain, but then a voice interrupted from the hallway.

"We accept."

It was the Grandmaster.

Flender turned in shock. "Xiao Gang!? "

The Grandmaster walked in, his face still showing signs of concern from his visit with Yu Tianheng. Ignoring Flender, he walked straight up to Qin Ming.

"We're not opposed to joining Heaven Dou Royal Academy," he said calmly. "But on one condition."

Qin Ming asked quickly, "What is it, Master? "

"Our students must be allowed to participate in the next Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Tournament," the grandmaster said firmly. "Agree to this, and we'll join. Otherwise—no deal."

"You know what you're saying, right, Yu Xiaogang!? "Flender!" exploded, calling the Grandmaster by his full name—clearly furious.

Shrek Academy was Flender's life's work. He would never let it be absorbed.

The Grandmaster met his gaze, calm but unyielding. "I'm doing this for the children. You know their talent. Shrek can no longer meet their needs or offer the best education. Keeping them here would only hold them back."

Every word hit Flender like a hammer—harsh, but true.

The two men began to argue fiercely.

The rest of the room fell into complete silence.

Even Zhao Wuji didn't dare to speak.

PS: Read Advance Chapters at patreon.com/c/Shinazuki