As the battle at the Soul Arena came to an end, Xiao Wu led the way as the group walked over. Qi Lin immediately put down his popcorn and started clapping.
"Xiao Wu, that was a beautiful performance!"
It was safe to say that among everyone in the arena, Xiao Wu's performance stood out the most. She had single-handedly taken down both of the opposing team's core combatants.
Of course, Zhu Zhuqing had done well too, but her soul power level still limited her full potential. Being able to hold her own against Oslo without falling behind was already impressive.
As for Ning Rongrong...
Well, there wasn't much to say about her performance—because no one from the Royal Fighting Team even managed to get close to her.
Xiao Wu skipped over with a playful grin and plopped down beside Qi Lin.
His praise made her glow with pride, and she lifted her snow-white chin slightly in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiaogang turned his attention toward Tang San and Dai Mubai.
"San, Mubai—you both did quite well. Especially you, Mubai. You managed to hold off two soul masters of the same level, both with Black Tortoise spirits. That was no small feat."
Dai Mubai beamed at the compliment, but then his expression suddenly tensed. He quickly turned to Shao Xin, who was seated beside Flender.
"Teacher Shao Xin, give me one of those healing beans! I might've gone a little too hard out there—my meridians are screaming in pain. It feels like I'm about to explode."
Shao Xin frowned slightly but took out a healing bean and handed it over.
"Mubai, is this kind of fighting style really sustainable?"
"You'd better not be doing any lasting damage to yourself."
Dai Mubai waved it off with a chuckle.
"Relax, Teacher Shao Xin. It's just that the battle dragged on a bit longer than expected. My body isn't used to maintaining that level of pressure yet. Once I adapt, it'll be fine."
"Besides, isn't that what you're here for? To patch us up when things get rough?"
Shao Xin hesitated briefly, but eventually nodded. Still, his eyes lingered on the red, swollen veins running along the back of Dai Mubai's hand—a look of concern flashing through them.
As soon as Dai Mubai swallowed the healing bean, his expression visibly eased, and he let out a deep breath.
The inflamed meridians on his hand began to settle quickly, leaving behind only faint reddish marks.
While the Shrek group was laughing and celebrating their hard-earned victory, Flender suddenly stood up.
Everyone turned to him curiously.
With a smile, Flender said, "Come with me. I want to introduce you to someone."
Yu Xiaogang raised an eyebrow. "Who is it?"
Flender grinned mysteriously. "You'll find out soon enough."
The other teachers from Shrek Academy exchanged knowing smiles—they clearly already knew.
Following Flender's lead, the group soon arrived outside a lavish VIP suite.
Inside the suite, the members of the Royal Fighting Team sat like wilted eggplants—slouched and dispirited.
Being thoroughly defeated by opponents with soul power levels mostly lower than their own was a bitter pill to swallow.
Especially for Yu Tianheng. He sat hunched on the sofa, head down, completely despondent.
Dugu Yan's face was equally grim. Xiao Wu's powerful kick had fractured her back. Although Ye Lingling had helped heal her, the injury hadn't fully recovered.
Qin Ming looked at them and sighed with a wry smile.
These kids were talented, no doubt—but their mental fortitude left much to be desired.
As the VIP room doors opened, Qin Ming's eyes lit up the moment he saw Flender and the group behind him. He quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"Dean, you're here!"
Flender laughed heartily. "Hahaha! Qin Ming, it really is you! It's been years, hasn't it?"
Qin Ming chuckled and nodded. "Yeah… it's hard to believe how quickly time flies."
Flender turned to the others. "Everyone, meet your former senior from Shrek Academy—Qin Ming."
"Don't underestimate him. I heard he broke through to Rank 60 earlier this year and became a Soul Emperor."
"A thirty-four-year-old Soul Emperor—he's the second-youngest Soul Emperor recorded by the Spirit Hall."
The group was stunned by the news.
Of course, no one paid too much attention to the "second-youngest" part. Most of them quietly scoffed, thinking Flender lacked exposure.
Any genius with the potential for a Title Douluo could break through to Soul Emperor by their early thirties.
Not everyone, perhaps—but certainly most of them.
Flender smiled. "Qin Ming, we've got a batch of real monsters this year at Shrek."
He then began introducing the team, including Xiao Wu.
When Qin Ming saw Xiao Wu's true appearance, his eyes went wide with shock.
And he wasn't the only one—members of the Royal Fighting Team were just as stunned.
"D-Dean… you're saying she's the same Xiao Wu who fought in the Soul Arena just now?"
Qin Ming stared at the girl standing beside Qi Lin, his throat dry as he swallowed hard.
Twelve or thirteen years old. Rank 38. A Soul Elder!
What kind of monster was this?
The Royal Fighting Team burst into a flurry of disbelief, whispering among themselves as their eyes locked on Xiao Wu.
"No way!"
"She's really that same Xiao Wu?!"
"Rank 38 at twelve or thirteen? Is this a joke?"
"I've never heard of anyone reaching that level so young—not even with innate full soul power."
Flender couldn't help but feel a little smug as he nodded at Qin Ming's stunned expression.
"Why would I lie to you?"
"I'm telling you, this year's Shrek students are the most gifted we've ever seen."
Qin Ming frowned slightly. "But Dean, Xiao Wu didn't look like this before…"
The Royal Fighting Team members nodded in agreement, suspicion in their eyes.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu proudly stepped forward and casually demonstrated a transformation—switching her appearance right before their eyes.
"Is that… a Soul Tool?"
"I didn't know Soul Tools like that even existed!"
"Seriously—it can even change your appearance?"
Now that they had seen it for themselves, Qin Ming and the others had no choice but to believe it.
Qin Ming's gaze then shifted to Qi Lin, standing beside Xiao Wu. He couldn't help but ask curiously:
"Dean, what about this student?"
"I didn't see him listed among Shrek's official team members."
Hearing that, the rest of the Royal Fighting Team turned their questioning eyes toward Qi Lin as well.
Qi Lin responded with a calm, warm smile.
Flender cleared his throat and said somewhat awkwardly, "Qin Ming, Qi Lin isn't one of our students."
"Huh? He's not a Shrek student?"
"Then why is he with your group?"
Flender's expression twitched slightly. "Qi Lin isn't a student… because he's a teacher at Shrek Academy."
"What?!"
The entire room erupted in shock, including Qin Ming and the Royal Fighting Team members.
Everyone turned to stare at Qi Lin's youthful, gentle face.
He's that young… and he's a teacher?
You've gotta be kidding, right?!