Another Kind of Genius

Staring back at her in the mirror were none other than Ru Zuanshi and Huo Wushuang. "Shen Shen."

"Mom, Dad," Ru Shenqi sobbed.

"We've seen all that you've done. Mom and Dad are so proud of you," Ru Zuanshi said.

"We're sorry to have left you so early," Huo Wushuang added. "But it's good that the Golden Iron Triangle took you in. And your friends are your best support. We can feel relieved knowing you have people to look out for you."

"Mom, Dad, then you've seen I've done it? I've avenged you and ended Spirit Empire once and for all?"

They nodded. "Shen Shen, you've done well."

Pride and relief flooded through Ru Shenqi. These words, I've hoped for years to hear. Now that I have, I think I can move on. I can devote myself to the souls and to Haishen Island.

She took a deep breath. "Mom, Dad, Shen Shen is glad to have spoken with you all again."

Her parents smiled. "Go, live for yourself now. Go where you want to go and be with who you want to be with."

Turning towards Yi Xiangli, she bowed in gratitude. "Goddess, thank you for letting me see my parents again."

"Of course. Now, one day you will live here in Ghost Pavilion. But for now, return to Douluo Continent. Be with your friends."

Ru Shenqi looked back at the mirror, but Ru Zuanshi and Huo Wushuang were gone. Taking a shaky breath, she teleported away from the Douluo Divine Realm. When she returned to Heaven Dou City, she met up with Gu Xingyun, Shu Jiaxiang, Bai Shanxin, and Fang Youyou outside of Tang Sect.

Two weeks later, the Shrek Seven Devils and the Golden Iron Triangle, along with Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Gu Rong, and Xue Beng, approached them.

Yu Xiaogang cleared his throat. "It's unclear when we'll meet again. You little Tyrants, take care."

Tang San stepped forward. "Xiao Shen, since you've decided to sit as Head Flamen, then help me protect the Ocean spirit masters."

She bowed respectfully. "I will."

He faced Bai Shanxin and Fang Youyou. "You two have the full permission from Uncle Ning to buy resources to build a branch location in Seahorse City. As disciples of the Tang Sect, you also have a duty to Ocean spirit masters."

"We won't let you down, Sect Leader!"

Flender adjusted his glasses and said, "Go on then, you Tyrants. Show the world the power of Shrek and the might of the Tang Sect."

The Shrek Five Tyrants saluted, and Ru Shenqi waved her Golden Scepter. A portal appeared, leading them straight to Vast Sea City. She turned to her friends.

"Shall we?"

They nodded. "Let's go."

The five friends walked through the portal and stepped out amongst the blue topped buildings. Salty sea air instantly hit their nostrils.

"Xiao Shen, where to?"

She smirked. "There's one last thing I need to do here on Douluo Continent before we return to Haishen Island. Let's head to the Great Spirit Arena."

Gu Xingyun, Fang Youyou, Bai Shanxin, and Shu Jiaxiang frowned and looked between one another. "Why are we going there?"

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When the five arrived at Vast Sea City's Great Spirit Arena, they entered. Ru Shenqi registered them for one group battle and leaned in towards the receptionist.

"I'd like to request for us to compete against the Five Terrors."

Looking the youthful woman up and down, the receptionist frowned. "Miss, are you sure? They're a very powerful team of all Ocean spirit masters just above the seventieth rank."

"That's not a problem. Even though my team is made up of Land Spirit Masters, we're evenly matched with the Five Terrors."

"Very well then."

She took her badge and returned to her friends. Another smirk grew across her lips.

"Xiao Shen... what's with that devious look?"

"After all these years, it's time to let go and move on from some things. But before I return to serve as Head Flamen of Haishen Island, I need to do this. For both my current self and my past self. I need to prove that being a Monster is the best thing that could've happened to me."

She led her friends over to the waiting area. They sat down in a room resembling a clam shell. An attendee came in with a folder and handed it to Ru Shenqi. Having not recognized her instantly, he gasped when he saw her friends.

"Y- you're those land spirit masters who came to challenge the Five Terrors the last time!"

Ru Shenqi nodded. "That's right. And this time, it's a fairer match. There's only five of us instead of our full seven."

Gu Xingyun whipped around. "Xiao Shen, we're challenging the Five Terrors again?!"

Fang Youyou, Bai Shanxin, and Shu Jiaxiang shared a worried look. "Xiao Shen..."

She glanced at her friends. "It's alright. I'm fine. But I'd like to get closure."

Understanding, they nodded. "We'll support you all the way."

The attendee cleared his throat. "It's about time for you all to move backstage. Please, follow me."

All five stood and trailed along behind him. He led them over to the backstage area. A group of Ocean spirit masters saw them as they passed and scoffed.

"Land spirit masters daring to challenge Ocean spirit masters on their turf? What a joke?"

Gu Xingyun growled and iciness seeped from him. Ru Shenqi rested a hand on his shoulder.

"Let me."

She whistled at the Ocean spirit masters. They turned towards her.

"What? Who's whistling at us?"

"I am. Before you assume what all of us are... I'd suggest you pay respect to the Power of the Ocean."

"Huh-?"

She summoned the Golden Scepter, and it pulsated with a glowing gold light. The Power of the Ocean radiated from her. Sensing this strength, the haughty Ocean spirit masters began to back up.

"W- we didn't mean to-" one sputtered.

"Let's go!" his buddy cried and dragged him away.

The other three chased after them. Shu Jiaxiang, Bai Shanxin, and Fang Youyou all snickered. "Having Xiao Shen on our side really is a blessing."

She turned around. "Everyone, I'm sorry about having gone all out to fight you. The first time, I did it for Xingyun's sake. The second time, I did it for Douluo Continent's sake. I know you all thought I had betrayed everyone again. But the truth is, the Shrek Seven Devils always knew I was still loyal to Heaven Dou Empire. Sect Leader, Laoshi, and I discussed it. The only way to bring Spirit Empire down was if someone worked from the inside. And when I found out that I supposedly belonged to Spirit Empire, I used that as my excuse to return. Our Seniors didn't think it was a good idea to tell you all since it had to seem like I had defected again. So the less people who knew the truth meant I was safer."

Bai Shanxin stepped forwards and clasped her friend's hands. "Xiao Shen, yes, we were worried about you. Yes, we couldn't understand why you had gone back to Hu Liena. But all of us hoped that there was something more to it. But, Seniors wouldn't tell us anything. Which made us think someone was going on, so we just had to hope you were still on our side."

Before Ru Shenqi could say anything more, the announcer for the Main Stage called out, "Good day everyone!! I am your announcer, Wenwen¹稳稳 - single character meaning "Steady/Stable"! Today, we should be seeing a spectacular match! Let us welcome our next groups! Everyone, your fan favorites: the Five Terrors!!"

Cheers went up all around the audience seating as Li Zhonghe, Bo Xuanqi, Ai Yonggan, Sikong Yao, Gan Qingqing walked onto the stage. When the voices had died down, the announcer added, "Now, let us welcome their challengers, the Five Tyrants of Tang Sect!!"

Ru Shenqi swallowed hard. Her four friends all surrounded her. "Xiao Shen, we're with you."

She nodded and took a deep breath. Then, they walked out. Seeing who they were competing against, Ai Yonggan pointed at them.

"Do you dare to bully us?! How can this be?! Who let them compete against us?!"

"Ai Yonggan," Li Zhonghe chided. "Enough."

She hmphed.

The Shrek Five Tyrants stood out on their waiting spot. Ru Shenqi was front and center. Bai Shanxin and Shu Jiaxiang flanked her side just behind her. Behind them were Fang Youyou and Gu Xingyun.

Bo Xuanqi cleared his throat. "This is an unfair match. There's two Gods and three Spirit Douluos amongst them."

"Actually..." three voices rose up. "There's three Titled Douluos amongst us."

For in the last battle against Spirit Empire, the rest of the Tyrants who had been at the rank ninety bottleneck had finally broken through.

People gave cries of alarm. "How is this fair?!"

"Are Titled Douluos bullying Spirit Saints now?!"

"The Five Terrors are only between the seventy first and seventy third ranks. How can they compare to Titled Douluos, and what? Gods, even?"

Ru Shenqi looked at Wenwen. "If I say that my team promises to only use spirit skills and spirit bone skills, is that okay?"

He looked between the two teams nervously.

Gu Xingyun suggested, "How about this? Four of us will admit defeat. Our Captain can battle the Five Terrors alone without using her divine powers."

Willing to take the assistance, the announcer nodded. "That'll work!"

Ru Shenqi turned around to face her friends. They smiled at her. "Jiayou!"

Gathering up her courage, she turned to face her former classmates. I must face my past. I shouldn't shy away from it any longer. Today, my grievances with them ends.

Her eyes flashed as her spirit released. The other five instantly launched their spirits and their best defense skills. Hesitance showed on all of the Five Terrors' faces.

"Begin!" Wenwen cried.