"Ye Feng?"
An old voice suddenly called from behind Ye Feng.
Turning around, Ye Feng saw an elderly man leaning on a cane. His face lit up with joy, and he hurried over, greeting him warmly, "Grandpa Jack."
The visitor was none other than Old Jack, the village elder of Holy Spirit Village who had raised Ye Feng since childhood.
"Good boy, you've grown even taller this year," Old Jack said with a chuckle.
He stretched out a hand, attempting to pat Ye Feng's head, but realized he couldn't reach it unless he bent over. Ye Feng, amused, slightly lowered his head to let Old Jack ruffle his hair.
Old Jack wasn't alone. He had arrived in a carriage. Having spent his life talking about spirit masters, it was only right for Ye Feng to send someone to Holy Spirit Village to bring Old Jack to Tiandou City so he could witness the grand competition.
"Hello, Grandpa Jack," Xiao Wu greeted with a bright smile.
"Ah, Xiao Wu! You've grown taller and even prettier." Old Jack smiled warmly at her.
Whenever Ye Feng had the chance, he and Xiao Wu would return to Holy Spirit Village for the holidays—unless circumstances prevented them. To Ye Feng, despite discovering his Nine-Hearted Begonia bloodline, Holy Spirit Village was still his true home in this world.
"Grandpa Jack," Tang San called out, stepping forward.
"Xiao San, I haven't seen you in years. Have you found your father yet?" Old Jack asked, concern evident in his eyes.
Tang San shook his head. "Not yet."
"Don't worry, you'll find him eventually," Old Jack reassured.
"Hello, Grandpa Jack," Ning Rongrong greeted politely.
"Ah, Rongrong! We meet again," Old Jack responded, nodding kindly.
During a past festival, when Ye Feng and Xiao Wu had returned to the village, Ning Rongrong had insisted on tagging along. That was when she and Old Jack had first met.
At that moment, Liu Erlong walked up to Old Jack. She had learned from Ye Feng that his parents had both passed away—his father was an unknown figure, and his mother had been the younger sister of the Nine-Hearted Begonia family head. Since Ye Feng was raised by Old Jack, Liu Erlong stepped forward and introduced herself, "Hello, Grandpa Jack, my name is Liu Erlong. I am… I am Ye Feng's future wife."
"Wife?" Old Jack blinked, stunned. He turned to Ye Feng. "Ye Feng, you're married?"
"Grandpa Jack, don't listen to her nonsense. Nothing's been decided yet!" Ye Feng quickly explained.
"Ye Feng, do you still think you can escape from me in this lifetime? Hmph! Keep dreaming," Liu Erlong declared boldly, staring him down.
Old Jack examined Liu Erlong closely and nodded approvingly. "She's a fine young woman. Ye Feng, you'd better not bully her."
"No way! It's obviously her who's always bullying me," Ye Feng protested.
"You little rascal! You've been sly since you were a kid. I've never seen anyone who could actually bully you." Old Jack scolded him playfully.
Hearing that, Liu Erlong smirked triumphantly.
"Alright, Grandpa Jack, let's head inside," Ye Feng said, eager to change the topic before Old Jack dug up more of his past.
Inside the massive arena, the square was packed with a roaring crowd. At the center of the grand golden-themed podium sat three prominent figures.
The one in the middle wore a golden-red robe and a diamond-studded golden crown. His features resembled those of Prince Xue Xing, but he looked more dignified and regal. This was Emperor Xue Ye of the Tiandou Empire.
To his right sat Ning Fengzhi, the leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. To his left sat the platinum bishop, Chrysanthemum, representing the Spirit Hall in Tiandou City.
It was worth noting that Chrysanthemum wasn't just a figurehead. As one of the four platinum bishops of the Spirit Hall, he held significant power.
"I, Emperor Xue Ye of the Tiandou Empire, on behalf of the Tiandou Empire and the organizers of this competition, hereby declare the Pan-Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Competition officially open!"
The first day of the tournament was solely dedicated to the opening ceremony. Emperor Xue Ye gave his speech, followed by a speech from Ning Fengzhi. Finally, Platinum Bishop Chrysanthemum took the stage to draw lots for the first round of the preliminaries.
"In the first round of the preliminaries, Canghui Academy will face Zixing Academy."
"In the first round of the preliminaries, Auckland Academy will face Flame Glory Academy."
"In the first round of the preliminaries, Tiandou Royal Academy's second team will face Shrek Academy."
No surprises there. As expected, Shrek Academy was up against Tiandou Royal Academy's second team in the first round.
"The third match of the first round of the All-Continental High-Level Spirit Master Elite Competition qualifiers will be between Tiandou Royal Academy Team 2 and Shrek Academy."
"Come on, Shrek!"
"Wait, is this Shrek Academy related to Shrek Real Estate?"
"They share the same name. The big sects have their own academies too. I bet this Shrek Academy is affiliated with Shrek Real Estate."
"Let's go, Shrek Academy! Shrek Real Estate sold me my house at the best price! You got this!"
Unlike the original storyline, the majority of commoners now supported Shrek Academy instead of Tiandou Royal Academy.
"You bunch of toads! Slow the fuck down!"
Some nobles and wealthy businessmen—especially those whose businesses had suffered because of Shrek Real Estate—weren't pleased. They mocked Shrek Academy relentlessly. Some called them "a bunch of toads," while others shouted things like "cut down on the damn costs."
"Both sides, salute!"
Apart from Ye Feng, Tai Long, Jing Ling, Jiang Zhu, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong all exchanged greetings with the opposing team.
"Countdown to the match… Three, two, one. The third match of the first round of the preliminaries begins!"
As soon as the referee signaled the start, all seven members of Tiandou Royal Academy's second team summoned their martial spirits. On Shrek's side, however, only Ye Feng called out his spirit.
"Ten Thousand-Year Spirit Ring!"
"His fourth ring is a ten-thousand-year ring?!"
"Five spirit rings! Spirit King!"
Ye Feng raised his left hand, revealing the crystal-like Nine Hearts Mysterious Tang in his palm. The five spirit rings beneath him—two yellow, one purple, and two black—stunned the entire audience. Even Emperor Xue Ye and Bishop Chrysanthemum, seated on the podium, looked shaken.
Ye Feng wasted no time.
Third Spirit Skill: Heavenly Wolf Transformation.
The second team of Tiandou Royal Academy panicked at the sight of Ye Feng's overwhelming strength. They launched their spirit skills in an attempt to stop him.
First Spirit Skill: Freeze.
Ye Feng activated his skill, instantly encasing all seven opponents in ice.
With a swift, effortless movement, Ye Feng dashed forward and, with a single kick, sent the frozen members of Tiandou Royal Academy's second team flying out of the ring.
The entire fight lasted less than ten seconds.
"Announce the result," Ye Feng said impatiently.
The host snapped out of his shock and quickly shouted, "The third match of the first round of the preliminaries—Shrek Academy wins!"
After the match, Ye Feng and the rest of the Shrek team exited the Great Spirit Arena. At the entrance, they ran into Ning Fengzhi, leader of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.
"Ye Feng, I've found something," Ning Fengzhi said, his expression serious. "There's someone who might know who killed your parents."
(End of Chapter)
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