On a towering mountain far from Shrek Academy, three figures stood silently Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi, and the Sword Douluo, Chen Xin.
Holding telescopes, they observed everything happening at Shrek Academy from their concealed position.
"Oh? Interesting." Ning Rongrong watched as Tang San released his spirit, three spirit rings circling around him, allowing her to roughly deduce the current timeline of events.
As expected, arriving early wasn't as good as arriving at the right moment.
Judging from the original story's plot, Tang San and Zhao Wuji had likely already visited the Star Dou Great Forest by now.
The only question was whether, without her presence, Tang San had still obtained the external spirit bone as he had in the original story.
"Let's hope things get even more interesting!"
From Yu Yuanzhen's expression, it seemed he didn't want too many people to know that Xiao Wu was a 100,000-year spirit beast. He intended to take her away directly, imprison her, and later kill her for her spirit ring and spirit bone.
"If things develop that way, Tang San will definitely lose his mind."
In the original story, when Tang San fought Zhao Wuji, he had used the Dragon Beard Needle just because Xiao Wu was slightly injured. If Xiao Wu were taken away now…
Hehe, I wonder if the Zhuge Divine Crossbow has been crafted in this timeline yet.
"If things escalate to a fight to the death and Yu Tianheng gets killed, that would be absolutely hilarious!"
As for whether Shrek Academy would turn against Yu Yuanzhen for Xiao Wu's sake that was highly unlikely.
Xiao Wu hadn't been at Shrek Academy for long. This wasn't the Spirit Master Tournament two and a half years later.
The bonds between them hadn't fully formed yet. At most, they were familiar strangers, with the added label of teacher and student.
Yu Yuanzhen would never give up Xiao Wu. At the very least, Yu Xiaogang didn't have the authority to make the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan abandon a 100,000-year spirit beast unless Tang Hao himself appeared.
But Tang Hao wasn't here right now. As for Bibi Dong, she would probably arrive soon.
Ning Rongrong's main goal this time was to see whether Tang Hao would rush over.
If he did, that would most likely mean the Asura God had intervened.
From then on, all plans would need to be reconsidered with extreme caution.
As for the spirit rings and spirit bones at Shrek Academy, it would be great if she could obtain one or two, but it wasn't a big deal if she couldn't.
A 100,000-year spirit beast might be precious to others, but to Ning Rongrong, it was nothing compared to the safety of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
"Suddenly, I feel so evil! Like some hidden final boss pulling strings from the shadows."
Ugh, I hope I don't end up getting defeated like a boss later!
After all, not every boss could laugh until the end like Shaman King's Hao Asakura.
Ning Rongrong continued watching the events unfolding at Shrek Academy through her telescope.
Given the extreme distance, there was almost no chance of being detected.
This had been personally verified by the undisputed master of the skies the 99th-ranked Qian Daoliu.
But whether a god could detect them was still debatable, so caution was still necessary.
Shrek Academy
Tang San and Yu Yuanzhen's group remained locked in a standoff. While Tang San wanted to stall for time, waiting for his teachers to arrive and find a solution, Yu Yuanzhen didn't want too many people to learn about Xiao Wu's true identity.
Glancing at the 32nd-ranked Soul Elder Tang San, a flicker of surprise crossed Yu Yuanzhen's face.
But he didn't dwell on it and simply said:
"Tianheng, put your spirit away. We're not here for a competition."
"Yes, Grandfather." Yu Tianheng nodded and withdrew his Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon spirit.
Then, with a wave of his sleeve, Yu Yuanzhen unleashed a surge of spirit power, sending a violent gust of wind that sent Tang San flying backward.
Yu Yuanzhen ignored Tang San and focused on the trembling Xiao Wu, speaking calmly:
"Little girl, you don't want anything to happen to your brother, do you? Then come with us quietly."
"I… I'll go with you. Will you really let Tang San go?" Xiao Wu suppressed her fear and asked.
"Correct. We don't want to make a scene, but you know exactly what we want," Yu Yuanzhen nodded.
"Fine. I'll go with you, but you have to keep your word." What could they possibly want from me? It's not like they're after my body it's obviously my 100,000-year spirit ring and spirit bone.
"No! Xiao Wu, if you go with them, you'll die!" Tang San roared.
As a Tang Sect disciple and a master of hidden weapons, he recognized the greed in this unknown expert's eyes.
Though he didn't understand what Xiao Wu had that was worth coveting, Tang San knew that if she left with them now, unlike her disappearance in the Star Dou Great Forest, she would never return.
She would die!
"It's no use, brother. You can't protect me." Xiao Wu forced a faint smile. "This is already the best outcome."
"No! Absolutely not!"
Tang San's fury burned as he glared at Yu Yuanzhen's group. If only he were stronger, he would have sliced these people into pieces for daring to target Xiao Wu.
Even if they were Title Douluo, they had already "invited death upon themselves."
As Xiao Wu began walking toward Yu Yuanzhen, Tang San finally snapped.
He had spent six years with Xiao Wu, treating her as his own sister. If he let her be taken away today, how could he still call himself a man?
No! Never!
"Damn it! Blue Silver Entanglement!"
Tang San unleashed his signature technique, desperate to buy even a little more time.
"Failing to recognize the gap between enemies is sheer recklessness." Yu Yuanzhen maintained his dignified demeanor as he lifted Xiao Wu and the others with spirit power, effortlessly evading Tang San's attack.
Today, obtaining a 100,000-year spirit beast had put Yu Yuanzhen in an excellent mood.
If this little girl could willingly sacrifice herself when Yu Tianheng reached level 50, that would be even better. After all, a voluntary sacrifice bypassed the usual difficulties of absorbing a spirit ring.
Thus, for Tang San the human Xiao Wu called "brother" Yu Yuanzhen's gaze softened slightly, proving that his word was unbreakable.
Seeing Yu Yuanzhen dodge, Tang San attacked again. In his absolute rage, the fabric on his back tore apart as the Eight Spider Lances erupted from his spine.
"Give Xiao Wu back!"
"Oh?" Yu Yuanzhen's expression shifted slightly at the sight of Tang San's bloodshot eyes and flushed face.
"An unrefined external spirit bone? Boy, you continue to surprise me. In that case, I'll take this as well."
"Hand it over."
Yu Yuanzhen lightly tapped his foot, sending a shockwave of spirit power crashing into Tang San.
In an instant, Tang San spat blood as he was sent flying, an excruciating pain like his bones were being torn apart exploding in his back.
"Ah !" Tang San screamed.
Yu Yuanzhen's figure seemed to flicker before returning to his original position.
Now, the Eight Spider Lances rested in his hand, the spider-leg-like external spirit bone still dripping with fresh blood.
The pungent scent of iron filled the air.
"Brother!"
Xiao Wu's face turned deathly pale at the sight of Tang San's heavily injured body, his back drenched in blood. She tried to rush to him but found herself immobilized.