Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Shadow Monarch

"Tianheng, stop talking." The Grandmaster waved his hand, his body twitching slightly as he spoke, "Even if I were to go back, I can't return like this. Until I prove myself to the world, I won't return just to be mocked by those people."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tianheng tactfully remained silent, though a sense of admiration still lingered in his gaze as he looked at the master.

Although the master had been away from home for many years, Yu Tianheng still remembered when he was little that his father, being the eldest son, was busy every day managing family affairs and training. The person who spent the most time with him was this uncle standing before him.

After all, because of the Grandmaster's unique spirit, his own cultivation had not progressed significantly.

The two remained silent for a long time. The master took a deep breath, calming the complex emotions in his heart, and then asked, "Tianheng, can you tell me how Cheng Xiao ended up joining the Royal Fighting Team? He's just a commoner without a noble status, so how did he get into the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy?"

"Uncle, I'm sorry, but Cheng Xiao was recommended by His Highness the Crown Prince to join the academy. As for the rest, I don't really know." Yu Tianheng thought for a moment and replied.

"The Heaven Dou Imperial family?" The master was stunned for a moment, then he grabbed Yu Tianheng's shoulder and said seriously, "Tianheng, tell me: would you be willing to join our Shrek Academy? Or perhaps, help me prove myself to the world?"

"Uncle, what are you saying...?" Yu Tianheng looked at the master in confusion. He hadn't expected such a request from his uncle. But he wasn't foolish—if he left the Royal Fighting Team to join Shrek, his father and grandfather would surely break his legs! "Uncle, for something like this, I'd need to ask my father and grandfather. I can't make that decision on my own."

Hearing this, the master sighed in disappointment, releasing his grip and said, "Tianheng, if you still acknowledge me as your uncle, then just agree to this. Do you know that the Blue Silver Grass spirit master, Tang San, is my direct disciple? At thirteen, his spirit power has already reached level thirty-three. You've experienced his strength firsthand. If it weren't for Cheng Xiao's unusual spirit, and our lack of understanding of his abilities..."

"Your Royal Fighting Team would have been crushed by my direct disciple. If you let me guide you in spirit cultivation, how could you not become one of the top experts on this continent?"

"Tianheng, you need to seriously think about this."

After finishing, the master's face lit up with a confident smile.

"Thirty-three spirit power at thirteen?" Yu Tianheng was startled. "At thirteen, I had just broken through to the rank of Spirit Grandmaster. Uncle, how did he cultivate? What kind of monster is he?"

"Strange, right? He's just a Blue Silver Grass user, yet his cultivation speed is far beyond yours." The master chuckled softly, a sharp glint of wisdom flashing in his eyes. Standing tall, he said, "Yes, my own strength may be lacking, but that doesn't mean I can't teach outstanding disciples. If my disciple Tang San hadn't been careless in that battle, your Royal Fighting Team wouldn't have stood a chance."

"Moreover, Tang San, at such a young age, already possesses an extremely rare external spirit bone, which is something that can't be sought but only stumbled upon. One day, I will make the world recognize that I, Yu Xiaogang, am not useless. The disciples I've trained will become the top experts on this continent."

"Alright, Tianheng, I'm leaving. I hope you seriously consider what I've said. Will you help your uncle prove himself to the world, or spend your life under the thumb of your family? I hope you make the right choice."

With those words, the master gave his nephew Yu Tianheng a long, meaningful look before turning and walking into the shadows without looking back.

Yu Tianheng stood frozen in place, unable to shake off the master's words, which had indeed struck a chord with him. Yet, on second thought, something didn't feel quite right.

…

At the same time, in Suotuo City's Grand Hotel.

The hotel where the Shrek group stayed wasn't far from the Suotuo City Grand Hotel. After quickly tidying up, Flender led the group to the arranged meeting.

Because Tang San was nervous about meeting the master, he didn't accompany the others to the banquet. Except for Tang San and his master, almost all of Shrek's team was present.

As soon as they entered the hotel, Flender spotted Qin Ming and others seated at the center of the restaurant, where an elaborate feast had already been laid out.

From the Royal Fighting Team's side, Cheng Xiao and Ye Lingling were also absent. Cheng Xiao had too much conflict with the others, while Ye Lingling simply didn't enjoy rowdy gatherings. Besides, the whole situation had started with Ma Hongjun's inappropriate behavior.

On the way, Flender had also introduced the Shrek students to their senior, Qin Ming, calling him the second-youngest Spirit Emperor on the continent and boasting about his success. After all, he was a graduate of their academy, so a little exaggeration didn't hurt.

"Qin Ming, I've brought the younger students."

Before he even entered, Flender's voice rang out, and the door to the private room was pushed open. Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the Shrek students walked in.

Seeing the Shrek group appear, Qin Ming quickly stood up and respectfully greeted his two former teachers. Zhao Wuji, upon seeing Qin Ming, was filled with emotion. After so long, he was thrilled to reunite with his student.

"Principal, Vice Principal Zhao Wuji, please take a seat." After bowing, Qin Ming smiled and invited them to sit. Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a glance and then smiled as they took their seats.

"Heh, tonight we feast!" Ma Hongjun, eyeing the spread before him, eagerly rushed to find a seat, his greedy expression resembling that of a starving ghost.

As soon as he sat down, Ma Hongjun reached for the roasted chicken on the table.

Seeing Ma Hongjun's lack of manners, Flender became furious and slapped Ma Hongjun's hand away.

"Teacher, what are you doing?" Ma Hongjun retracted his hand, rubbing it with a look of grievance.

Flender coldly snorted, "With so many people here, don't you think your behavior is shameful?"

"Uh, Principal, I'm just really hungry." Ma Hongjun muttered, still rubbing his hand.

Noticing the awkward atmosphere, Qin Ming smiled and tried to smooth things over. "Principal, we're all family here, there's no need for formality. Brother, eat as much as you like, no need to hold back."

"See? Senior Qin said I could eat whatever I want," Ma Hongjun said triumphantly, glancing at Flender, before adding, "Thank you, Senior Qin."

Ignoring the strange looks from the others, Ma Hongjun dug in with gusto.

The Royal Fighting Team members exchanged bemused glances. What kind of oddballs were these Shrek Academy students? Had Ma Hongjun never eaten before? His eating habits were so unsightly that Dugu Yan, sitting next to Yu Tianheng, instinctively turned her head away, regretting her decision to attend the banquet. She should have returned to Heaven Dou City with Ye Lingling.

Sensing the tension, Zhao Wuji laughed and patted Qin Ming on the shoulder. "Now that everyone's here, let's eat, shall we? I must say, this is the best meal we've had in a hundred years at Shrek Academy!"

Hearing this, the Royal Fighting Team finally understood. No wonder Ma Hongjun was acting like a starving man—he really hadn't eaten well before.

Flender's face darkened, and he shot Zhao Wuji a glare. Zhao Wuji, however, simply chuckled and poured himself and Qin Ming a drink.

As everyone sat down, Flender introduced Qin Ming's identity to the Shrek students once more.

"Alright, little monsters, let me reintroduce you to your senior, Qin Ming. He is the leader of the Royal Fighting Team, a graduate of our Shrek Academy. He's thirty-four years old, and his spirit is the Fiery Wolf. He's a sixty-second-ranked Spirit Emperor, the second-youngest on the continent, with a bright future ahead of him!"

Flender's smile widened. He was clearly proud. Qin Ming was a testament to Shrek's success, a powerful figure that gave him confidence.

"Thirty-four years old? A Spirit Emperor of rank sixty-two?!"

Everyone knew that the higher one's spirit power, the slower one's cultivation. Aside from the Royal Fighting Team members, the Shrek students were all stunned. Such talent was indeed worthy of being the second-youngest Spirit Emperor on the continent.

After all, in the world of Douluo Dalu, reaching this level at that age was already an impressive feat for an ordinary person, aside from those blessed by extraordinary luck or abilities.

"Haha, Qin Ming owes all his success to your excellent teaching, Principal." Qin Ming replied modestly, giving Flender the credit.

Flender, content with Qin Ming's humility, merely smiled. In his heart, Shrek Academy was his life's greatest achievement. Qin Ming was part of that legacy, as were the Shrek Seven Devils.

"Alright, enough flattery, you two. If you don't start eating, neither will we!" Zhao Wuji laughed and added, "I'm starving here."

"Let's eat." Qin Ming said with a smile.

The meal proceeded smoothly, though Xiao Wu ate little. The person she hoped to see hadn't come, and even though the food was excellent, she had lost her appetite.