Rest Area.
"When dealing with someone so unreasonable, there's no way to hold him back." Dai Mubai shrugged helplessly. "Even if they pick Edward alone, let alone team up, I wouldn't know how to handle him."
This time, Tang San didn't argue.
In fact, he couldn't argue.
Before this, most of their discussions had been about encouragement—avoiding defeatist thoughts before a fight was crucial, and Tang San understood that better than anyone.
But if Xiao Tianyang's strength had remained at the level they'd seen before, it might still have been manageable.
After all, those who had consumed the immortal herbs were no longer the same as they once were.
If they fought together, they might still have stood a chance.
But that hope was shattered the moment Xiao Tianyang faced the Blazing Academy.
Deep down, they'd already suspected it was impossible—but without seeing it firsthand, they'd clung to that sliver of delusion.
Today had proven otherwise.
Xiao Tianyang wasn't just improving—his strength scaled relative to his opponents.
To put it simply, his power was unfathomable. Against opponents of their level, he could dominate effortlessly.
And worse—he was holding back to conceal his true strength.
This time, Tang San had no rebuttal.
As others had pointed out before, Xiao Tianyang wasn't fighting alone. The Whitebeard team had four members, each one a monster in their own right.
But the real problem wasn't just their strength—if that were the case, Shrek could simply admit defeat.
The true dilemma was their combat style.
No matter how much they analyzed it, they couldn't find a way to counter it.
Fei Xue's attacks, for example—they understood the principle, but couldn't evade or block them.
Xiao Tianyang's shockwaves? Same issue. How were they supposed to defend against that?
Then there was Saber's sheer aggression and Zhou Cheng's relentless ferocity.
These weren't just challenges—they were impossible to overcome.
It was like trying to open a lock without a key.
Except Xiao Tianyang's team hadn't just locked the door—they'd welded it shut.
Unless their strength far surpassed his, there was no way through.
"What's got you all so serious?" Xiao Tianyang's voice cut through the tension as he approached from behind, grinning. "You're all looking like the fat guy's about to give birth and you can't afford the gift money."
Everyone: "..."
Couldn't he see how tense they were?
And yet he was still joking around…
Still, aside from Ma Hongjun, the others relaxed slightly.
"You have your Zhang Liangji, we have our Wall Ladder. Edward's nothing—don't we still have Xiao Tianyang?"
Of course, if they knew Edward and Xiao Tianyang were one and the same, they wouldn't be so optimistic.
"Brother Tianyang," Tang San suddenly asked, "how do you think Edward compares to you in strength?"
"Hmm… not an easy question." Xiao Tianyang rubbed his chin. "Physically, he's no match for me. But if he pulls out some strange trick—"
"Then what?" Ning Rongrong pressed, curious.
"Still no match for me." Xiao Tianyang smirked, watching their hopeful expressions before adding, "But I won't help you with this. And I won't step in to fight him either. Right, Grandmaster?"
"Correct." Before anyone could react, Yu Xiaogang's voice came from behind.
"Grandmaster, can I ask why?" Oscar scratched his head awkwardly. "I know being timid before a fight is bad, but honestly… we'd rather face Teacher Liu than Edward."
"That's the wrong mindset. Haven't you heard the saying, 'Nothing is impossible to a willing heart'?" Xiao Tianyang teased.
"Uh… no?" Oscar blinked. "I've only heard, 'If life knocks you down and you can't fight back, why not lie down and enjoy it?'"
Xiao Tianyang's face darkened. "Where did you pick up nonsense like that?"
It was typical salted fish mentality—content to just coast through life.
Oscar shrugged. "It's written in books. You can't blame me."
"Must be that damn Bubu again… Speaking of which, where has that guy been lately?" Xiao Tianyang cursed inwardly. He hadn't seen Bubu in a while—and oddly enough, he kinda missed him.
"Alright, let's head back." Yu Xiaogang waved them off, then turned to Xiao Tianyang. "Didn't you say you had personal matters to handle after the match?"
"Since the fight ended early, I can't supervise your training. Go and return quickly."
Xiao Tianyang paused, then nodded. "Then I'll take my leave."
Ning Rongrong wanted to follow, but Yu Xiaogang dissuaded her—unless she wanted double the training.
With that threat, even if she had the desire, she didn't dare.
Mental exhaustion was far worse than physical strain.
So without further obstacles, Xiao Tianyang left alone.
Xiao Tianyang's actual destination wasn't anything grand—just a meeting with Miao Zhenshan to clarify some things.
There was nothing to hide, really. But some preparations needed to be made discreetly.
The fewer people who knew, the better.
That was why Yu Xiaogang had sent him away.
…
The moment he stepped out of the Great Soul Fighting Arena, Xiao Tianyang's eyebrows rose.
"You're watching me this closely? The moment I leave, tails appear."
Before his pursuers could react, his figure blurred—vanishing in an instant.
"Huh? He was just here!"
"Where'd he go?!"
"Forget it, let's report back. Not our problem anymore."
Their mission wasn't strictly to track Xiao Tianyang—Shrek Academy was the primary target.
But their superiors had taken a special interest in him.
Not that it mattered.
Xiao Tianyang's strength spoke for itself.
Pushing too hard would only backfire.
But not everyone was willing to let go.
Hidden in the shadows, a Soul Emperor from Spirit Hall gritted his teeth, staring at the empty spot where Xiao Tianyang had stood.
"I swore to keep eyes on him, and he slips away the moment he appears?!"
"Damn brat… this isn't over!"
But with no target left, there was nothing to do but retreat.
…
[I've just launched a new fanfiction project titled Protagonist's Mother Is My Wife.
First 30 Chapters: Available for free to everyone.
From chapters 31: Exclusive to Patreon paid members.]
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