At that moment, seated in Shrek Academy’s section, Tang San suddenly felt a jolt of dread. His heart tightened as if some terrifying existence had locked its gaze upon him.
His eyes snapped open. He swept his surroundings, but nothing unusual appeared.
Slowly, Tang San turned his gaze toward Spirit Hall’s seating area. His expression shifted, a trace of unease flickering across his features.
Noticing this, Dai Mubai smirked.
“What is it, Little San? Thinking of defecting to Spirit Hall?”
Flander adjusted his spectacles, his eyes glinting as he glanced at the luxurious entourage of Spirit Hall.
“When it comes to wealth and power, no one can compete with them. I’ve even heard they’ve established a new Spirit Academy this year. Odds are high they’ll be the strongest contender for the championship.”
Dai Mubai shrugged, folding his arms.
“What, you’re saying we Shrek Seven Devils can’t even make it to the finals?”
“They’re directly seeded into the finals,” someone replied flatly.
“...”
The Shrek Seven Devils all ground their teeth, glaring toward Spirit Hall with thinly veiled hostility.
Tang San thought for a moment before cautiously asking,
“Does Spirit Hall have a Douluo called Chrysanthemum Douluo?”
Flander blinked in surprise.
“You know Chrysanthemum Douluo?”
He continued,
“From what I’ve heard, Chrysanthemum Douluo is now the vice dean of Spirit Academy. This batch of competitors has been personally trained by both the academy’s dean and Chrysanthemum Douluo.”
“Wow! Doesn’t that mean their talent and resources are even better?”
Ma Hongjun’s jaw dropped, envy flashing across his face.
But inside Tang San, waves of shock crashed violently.
His face went pale, cold sweat beading across his brow.
Chrysanthemum Douluo?
But… didn’t he die?
No matter how he replayed that day, he could clearly recall Chrysanthemum Douluo falling before his very eyes.
So how could he still be alive—now even serving as vice dean of Spirit Academy?
Flander noticed Tang San’s pallor and asked with concern,
“What’s wrong, Little San? Feeling unwell? Or maybe just nervous?”
Tang San shook his head, but then a spark lit in his mind.
“Then… who is the dean of Spirit Academy?”
Flander frowned, thoughtful.
“No one knows for certain. They say he’s a mysterious figure, one deeply trusted by the Pope herself.”
Tang San froze.
Of course… that explains everything.
His eyes widened in realization.
This Spirit Academy dean was absolutely abnormal.
Tang San had never believed in resurrection—but Chrysanthemum Douluo’s survival was undeniable.
If his suspicions were correct, then Spirit Hall might have already been infiltrated by that strange, unknown force!
And yet… the tournament finals would be held in Spirit City.
If that hidden faction wanted to make its move, it would surely be during the most public, crowded event possible.
The Continental Soul Master Elite Tournament Finals.
Tang San’s head throbbed.
If he gave his all, it might draw dangerous attention. If he held back, it would betray Shrek’s efforts. Either path spelled trouble.
After a long internal struggle, he clenched his fists.
Forgive me, everyone. This time, Shrek Academy cannot make it to the end.
He lifted his gaze once more toward Spirit Hall—only to stiffen in horror.
A pair of eyes, dark crimson and steeped in bloodlust, locked onto him. Malice and corruption oozed from that gaze, suffocating in its intensity.
Tang San’s body trembled as he followed the line of sight.
It was him.
Lin Fan.
Those scarlet eyes met his across the arena. Lin Fan’s lips curved in a faint smile, mocking yet indifferent, as though life itself was nothing more than a plaything to him.
He’s with Spirit Hall? Could it be… he’s the dean of Spirit Academy?
Tang San hastily lowered his head, afraid to meet that gaze again.
Even the dormant insectoid power within him stirred uneasily. The sheer oppressive force radiating from Lin Fan made Tang San feel as if any reckless move now would mean certain death.
And with so many people present, he dared not act.
But if Lin Fan truly marked him as prey, then sooner or later, he was doomed.
Tang San’s resolve to keep Shrek away from the finals solidified further.
“Interesting.”
Lin Fan withdrew his gaze, expression contemplative, and leaned close to whisper something to Bibi Dong.
“Oh? Is that so?”
Her expression immediately darkened, her eyes glinting strangely as they flicked toward Tang San.
“Every word is true, Your Holiness,” Lin Fan said with a faint bow.
“If this child cannot be brought under Spirit Hall, then in the future, he will certainly become our greatest enemy.”
“I understand.”
Lin Fan smiled, satisfied, and withdrew.
Bibi Dong remained deep in thought, her gaze drifting between Tang San and Yu Xiaogang. The chill in her aura only grew colder.
“Congratulations to Shrek Academy on their victory!”
“Woooaaahhh!!!”
The crowd erupted into cheers, though the numbers were modest. Most applauded the decisiveness of Shrek’s battle.
Tang San, in particular, stunned the audience with his mysterious aura and overwhelming strength. He became the first contestant anyone had ever seen to possess a fourth spirit ring of ten-thousand-year level, a sight that shook the entire stadium.
Even Bibi Dong could not suppress the icy conviction rising in her heart. Lin Fan had been right—this boy would one day be a disaster for Spirit Hall.
In Sunset Forest, within a quiet and mysterious basin…
Strange flowers and plants thrived, each radiating a dazzling light of various colors.
The dense spiritual energy and surging vitality saturated the air.
“The Eyes of Ice and Fire… truly a miracle of heaven and earth,” Lin Fan murmured, hands clasped behind his back as he stood beside Dugu Bo. Awe flickered across his scarlet gaze.
If the Douluo Continent had sacred grounds, then the Eyes of Ice and Fire and Seagod Island were among its greatest.
And the immortal herbs here had long surpassed the limits of this world.
A pity. In the original timeline, Tang San squandered them all—though a few seeds remained, they would take decades to mature, long after Dugu Bo’s life had run its course.
Lin Fan clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, tsk. What a waste. Imagine the Swarm reinforced with these immortal herbs.”
His instincts told him that if the Zerg assimilated these herbs, the genetic database and energy reserves of the Swarm would surge to terrifying new heights.
Especially the gene pool—each herb’s unique properties could be distilled into pure power, granting Zerg units functional mutations beyond anything this world had ever seen.
“Of course, everything shall follow the will of the Overlord,” Dugu Bo replied, bowing deeply, a crimson gleam flickering through his eyes.
“Has Dugu Yan returned?”
“According to your command, Master, she has been recalled from her academy.”
Lin Fan laughed, the sound low and sinister.
“Excellent. Very good.”
****
If you want to support me or read advanced chapters (21+), consider checking out my pat.
patr*