At this moment, Yu Xiaogang's appearance couldn't be more miserable.
Even Tang San, his most devoted disciple, hesitated before asking uncertainly, "You… are you my teacher?"
Yu Xiaogang froze, his heart sinking. He had endured countless hardships, crawling all the way here just to warn Tang San. And yet?
Tang San barely recognized him!
Yu Xiaogang struggled to accept this outcome. He had sacrificed so much for Tang San—his legs crippled, his hands raw and bleeding.
But this wasn't the time to dwell on grievances. Gritting his teeth, Yu Xiaogang forced himself to focus on the urgent matter at hand.
"Xiao San, didn't I tell you? Until I returned, under no circumstances should you go to Spirit City!"
The two Royal Knights who had been carrying Yu Xiaogang glanced at each other before letting go of his arms.
At first, they thought he was a beggar trying to falsely claim a connection to Shrek Academy. They wouldn't have bothered bringing him here if not for the off chance he really was one of their people.
Shrek Academy's fame was soaring, and the knights couldn't risk offending them.
But now that it was confirmed, they no longer had any reason to help.
As soon as the knights released him, Yu Xiaogang collapsed to the ground. With one leg broken and the other rendered useless, he couldn't stand at all.
The knights exchanged a look and walked away. If even his own people didn't want to help him, why should they?
Tang San's expression briefly showed a flicker of disdain but quickly turned neutral again. Sighing, he bent down to help Yu Xiaogang up.
"Teacher, are you alright?"
Yu Xiaogang groaned, nearly passing out from the pain. His journey had been grueling, and his frail body couldn't endure much more.
"I… I…"
Before he could say more, he collapsed, unconscious.
Tang San: "…"
What? What were you going to say?
Never mind. This was his teacher, after all.
The group resumed their journey after the brief delay. Though curious about the reason for the sudden stop, the other participants didn't dwell on it once they were moving again, assuming it was a minor issue resolved by the Royal Knights.
Tang San, deep in thought, hoisted the unconscious Yu Xiaogang onto his back and continued toward Spirit City.
Flender cast a cold glance at Yu Xiaogang but said nothing. The Golden Iron Triangle had severed ties long ago, and Yu Xiaogang no longer had any connection to him.
Seeing Yu Xiaogang in such a pitiful state, Flender didn't even bother mocking him—out of respect for the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, if nothing else.
Dai Mubai, however, narrowed his eyes as he watched Yu Xiaogang. His mind raced, trying to piece together what had happened.
Was it possible that Bibi Dong, in a twisted attempt to protect Yu Xiaogang, had crippled him herself?
The more he thought about it, the more convinced Dai Mubai became that this was the truth.
"Something on your mind, Mubai?" a soft voice asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
Dai Mubai turned to see Zhu Zhuqing watching him with concern. Shaking his head, he replied, "I was just thinking about how to mock my oh-so-talented elder brother when we get to Spirit City. What about you? How do you plan to deal with my sister-in-law?"
After all, Zhu Zhuyun had personally led the pursuit (or "escort," depending on perspective) that drove Zhu Zhuqing to flee to the Heaven Dou Empire.
In the anime version, that's exactly how it happened.
"My sister…" Zhu Zhuqing murmured, lowering her head. Her emotions were conflicted.
Back then, she had narrowly escaped death multiple times while being hunted by Zhu Zhuyun.
Looking back now, she couldn't help but fall silent.
How could a mere Grandmaster-level Soul Master like her escape from a Soul Elder-level Zhu Zhuyun, backed by other Soul Elders and Soul Masters?
If they had truly wanted her dead, there was no way she could have survived.
Dai Mubai gently ruffled her hair, speaking softly.
"My dear Zhuqing wife, don't overthink it. Your sister might find it even harder to face you."
"No," Zhu Zhuqing said firmly. "When the time comes, I'll confront her directly."
"???"
Since it was Zhu Zhuqing's decision, Dai Mubai respected her choice and said no more.
Time passed quickly, and three days later, the Heaven Dou Empire's team arrived at Spirit City without further incident.
Other than the unexpected appearance of Yu Xiaogang, their journey had been uneventful.
Upon reaching Spirit City, the Royal Knights set up camp outside the city walls rather than staying inside. A red-robed bishop from Spirit Hall greeted the Heaven Dou team and arranged accommodations for the participants.
The Star Luo Empire's team had arrived two days earlier. To prevent conflicts between the two empires, Spirit Hall had placed their accommodations on opposite sides of the city—Heaven Dou's team in the east and Star Luo's in the west.
The finals were set to begin in two days.
Inside the Pope's Palace.
Three young individuals stood confidently before the high platform.
Bibi Dong's expression, however, was far from pleased.
Shrek Academy's appearance had disrupted her plans. There was now a real possibility that the three soul bones might fall into someone else's hands.
Shrek's lineup, featuring four Soul Kings, posed a significant threat even to the Golden Generation.
While she didn't care much about the other two soul bones, the one intended for Hu Liena could not be lost.
"Heaven Dou and Star Luo have both arrived," Bibi Dong announced. "The finals will begin in two days. Your goal is simple: win the championship!"
"You know for whom those soul bones are meant."
Her words were met with a chorus of confident replies from Hu Liena, Xie Yue, and Yan.
"Rest assured, Your Holiness (Teacher). The championship belongs to Spirit Hall!"
The three exuded absolute confidence. As Soul Kings, they believed they were leagues ahead of their opponents—students who had likely never even seen real bloodshed.
Hu Liena, Bibi Dong's direct disciple, shared a relationship with her teacher similar to the one Bibi Dong once had with Qian Xunji.
Interestingly, Hu Liena had inherited many of Bibi Dong's traits—particularly when it came to betrayal.
For the sake of unrequited love, Hu Liena had knowingly fallen for someone who was her teacher's enemy. Worse, she had even let him escape, betraying the very force that had nurtured her.
It seemed that master and disciple were remarkably alike, even in their failings.
(End of Chapter)