At dawn, just as the sun began to rise, a red car pulled up in front of Shrek Academy.
A man and a woman stepped out of the car.
The woman appeared to be in her twenties, tall and elegant, exuding an air of nobility. Her long, fiery-red hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes shone brilliantly. Though a woman, she carried an innate majesty that commanded respect. Her beauty and aura were unmatched.
Beside her stood a young man with a bright smile, looking about fourteen or fifteen years old. However, his height was already close to 1.75 meters, only slightly shorter than the woman beside him.
He had long, flowing black hair that gleamed like polished obsidian, draping over his chest and back. His refined and graceful demeanor was akin to a jade-like gentleman—warm and elegant.
As the morning sunlight stretched their shadows long, the silhouettes of the two extended all the way to the grand plaque of Shrek Academy.
Anyone who didn't know their identities would undoubtedly assume they were a celestial couple, a pair of lovers envied by all.
And, well… they really were!
"Go on, hubby. I'll come pick you up after work."
Under the stunned gazes of the onlookers, the woman gently kissed both of the young man's cheeks before watching him walk into Shrek Academy. She then turned and drove away toward the Spirit Pagoda.
"I must be seeing things. The world has gone mad," one of the surrounding students muttered while gulping hard.
"Hey, why did you pinch me?"
"I was checking if I was hallucinating."
"If you wanted to check, why not pinch yourself?"
"I'm afraid of pain. So… did it hurt?"
"What do you think?"
Ignoring the murmurs and shocked stares around him, Xia Yi strode confidently into Shrek Academy.
Leng Yaozhu knew exactly how difficult it was for her and Xia Yi to be together. Last night, she had taken him directly to the Leng family's ancestral hall and, in front of her clan members and the spirit tablets of her deceased parents, declared Xia Yi as her husband.
At first, the Leng family members were taken aback. But soon after, they secretly felt happy for Leng Yaozhu.
Though Xia Yi and Leng Yaozhu's relationship was indeed unconventional, at least it was better than her spending a lifetime alone.
Leng Yaozhu had dedicated so much to the Leng family, elevating it to new heights. The clan members had always hoped for her to find happiness.
Had it not been for the particular nature of her and Xia Yi's relationship, the Leng family might have thrown a grand celebration.
What they didn't know was that after everyone left, Leng Yaozhu had called Leng Yulai over, and the three of them held a simple wedding ceremony in front of the ancestral tablets of Leng Yaozhu and Leng Yulai's parents.
Leng Yulai was deeply moved—not just because Xia Yi had fully accepted her, but also because she never thought she would be allowed back into the Leng family's ancestral hall.
Early this morning, Leng Yaozhu personally drove Xia Yi to Shrek Academy. She wanted the world to know that Xia Yi was her husband—openly and proudly. She had no need to sneak around.
She, Leng Yaozhu, never regretted her decisions.
Nor did she fear any gossip.
The Leng family members assumed she avoided holding a grand banquet because she was embarrassed.
But that wasn't the case.
The real reason was that she didn't want to celebrate it in front of Gu Yue.
Perhaps it was because she had spent a lifetime unable to be with Xia Yi, only managing to be together with him in her later years. Xia Yi could sense just how much Leng Yaozhu cherished him now.
In some ways, it even surpassed Gu Yue.
Now that she had decided to let go of her psychological burdens, Leng Yaozhu feared no obstacles.
The only person she felt guilty toward was Gu Yue.
As for anyone else? They could think whatever they wanted.
She couldn't care less.
If she could face Gu Yue, why would she be afraid of irrelevant people?
However, there was one person who was already seething with rage.
Inside the Spirit Pagoda!
Boom!
Qian Gu Dongfeng slammed his palm down on an exquisitely crafted desk, shattering it into dust.
Losing to Yun Ming, he could accept.
But losing to that brat Xia Yi?
Unforgivable!
Compared to the Spirit Pagoda's fury, Shrek Academy's inner court wasn't faring much better.
Yun Ming smiled bitterly. It was impossible to say he wasn't affected.
A stunning beauty who had admired him for decades had suddenly ended up in someone else's arms. Even for him, it was hard to accept so quickly.
"Brother Yun…" Yali held onto Yun Ming's arm, silently comforting him.
Just now, she had checked the surveillance footage, unable to believe her eyes. Seeing Leng Yaozhu's radiant expression, Yali—having been through it all—instantly understood.
There was no doubt.
Leng Yaozhu and Xia Yi had already become husband and wife.
Yali also found it hard to accept. In her mind, Leng Yaozhu and Yun Ming were the perfect match.
However, she wasn't particularly angry.
What had happened had happened. She could only silently wish them well.
She just hoped the backlash they would face wouldn't be too severe.
She hoped they would be happy.
But within Shrek Academy, two people were utterly furious.
Dragon Moon and Cai Yue'er.
"Shameless! Slut! She rejected Yun Ming just to end up with her own student? What right does she have to be the Vice Tower Master of the Spirit Pagoda?" Dragon Moon cursed through gritted teeth.
A part of her resentment stemmed from how Leng Yaozhu's rejection of Yun Ming a year ago had disgraced Shrek Academy.
But another part? Pure jealousy.
They were all Ultimate Douluo.
Why was Leng Yaozhu able to find love while she could only suffer?
Why did she have to endure a loveless marriage, forced upon her while the man she truly loved was still alive?
Cai Yue'er, on the other hand, had a much simpler reason for her anger. She stormed into Yun Ming and Yali's office, her fury barely contained.
"Leng Yaozhu betrayed you! She cheated! She publicly betrayed your love! We must demand an explanation!"
"Uh…" Yali almost fainted from hearing that.
What kind of logic was this?
Cai Yue'er was usually a rational woman. How did she become so… unusual whenever Yun Ming was involved?
This had nothing to do with Yun Ming!
Even Yun Ming was at a loss, shaking his head.
"Silver Moon, I think it's time for you to move on, like Heavenly Phoenix Douluo. Have you noticed? Leng Yaozhu looks younger and more beautiful than ever."
"I'd never stoop to Leng Yaozhu's level and marry a kid!" Cai Yue'er spat disdainfully.
"Ahem." Yun Ming cleared his throat. "I meant Red Dragon Douluo and Blazing Dragon Douluo. They're strong and have suitable backgrounds. Perhaps—"
"My love for you is sacred! I will never betray my feelings for you, unlike Leng Yaozhu!" Cai Yue'er declared stubbornly.
"…Sigh." Yun Ming sighed softly, deciding not to say anything more.
———
Meanwhile, in Shrek Academy's outer court, Xia Yi had just arrived at the working student dormitory when he was met by Tang Wulin and his group.
"Xia Yi, let's have a duel," Tang Wulin challenged, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
"Not interested," Xia Yi said flatly, shaking his head and walking toward his dorm.
He could tell that Tang Wulin and his friends had been waiting for him.
Today was the final day after the semester-end exams. Xia Yi was bound to return.
Since they dared to challenge him, they must have prepared something against him.
But… they were too weak.
Xia Yi wasn't interested.
"I'll wager contribution points," Tang Wulin offered.
"Time and place?" Xia Yi's interest was instantly piqued. Free contribution points? Why not take them?
"Now. Soul Dueling Arena." Tang Wulin responded decisively.
Although he had not yet broken through to the fourth ring, Na'er had given him two thousand-year spirit items, allowing him to break through the fourth seal of the Golden Dragon King.
As a result, he gained an additional Qi and Blood Soul Ring and acquired a soul skill akin to a divine ability—Golden Dragon Tyrant Body. This skill could temporarily increase his defense to more than three times its original level. If he successfully absorbed the opponent's attack power, he could convert it into his own strength, unleashing an even more powerful counterattack. The stronger the opponent's attack, the more power he could absorb for himself.
If he could utilize it well, perhaps he could catch Xia Yi off guard and even defeat him.
"Big brother will definitely beat you!" Na'er provocatively glanced at Xia Yi as they arrived at the Soul Dueling Arena. At this moment, even she was uncertain whether she could defeat Tang Wulin.
Tang Wulin's Golden Dragon King bloodline inherently granted him extremely high defense.
With Golden Dragon Tyrant Body further tripling his defense, his resilience would become utterly terrifying.
Xia Yi chuckled but said nothing.
He had already guessed that Tang Wulin's strength had increased significantly—otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to challenge him.
But if Tang Wulin had grown, did he think Xia Yi had not?
Did he really believe that during this period, all Xia Yi did was indulge in romance?
…Well, perhaps he did things even more excessive than that.
However, just yesterday, he had finally broken through to the fourth ring.
And he was eager to test out his new soul skill.
Tang Wulin, huh?
Since you've presented yourself as an opponent, then…
Even if you're a bit weak, I guess I'll make do.
(End of Chapter)