Chapter 124: Tang San Kneels
After Teacher Sun explained the events, Qin Ming finally understood what had happened. His expression turned grim.
"Teacher Sun, I believe I already told you I personally invited Shrek Academy to join Heaven Dou Royal Academy," Qin Ming said sharply, glaring at Xue Beng, the source of all this commotion.
"Prince Xue Beng, don't you think your behavior has been excessive?"
Xue Beng froze, then his face twisted with anger. "Excessive? Are you saying their attacking me wasn't excessive? So I said a few unpleasant words—but they couldn't even produce proof that you invited them! Am I supposed to let strangers walk in freely?"
His tone grew louder as he went on. "And let's not forget, Teacher Qin Ming, you do draw a salary from Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Yet you protect outsiders instead of defending your own students. Do you think the Empire pays you to betray your own academy?"
The accusations left Qin Ming dumbfounded. Even Teacher Sun was caught off guard.
Yet Xue Beng's words couldn't be dismissed outright.
After all, Xue Beng had only argued verbally, but Shrek's students had struck first. And Qin Ming was a teacher of the academy—showing such bias could indeed seem improper.
Qin Ming stood there, speechless, unable to comprehend that the prince would dare accuse him so brashly.
Around them, the other academy students whispered among themselves, their gazes toward Qin Ming growing uneasy and questioning.
Teacher Sun coughed softly to break the tension. "Enough, Prince Xue Beng. Let's end this here. Teacher Qin Ming graduated from Shrek Academy, so it's natural for him to feel respect toward his former dean—"
"What's all this noise?"
A commanding voice interrupted him from the courtyard entrance.
Two richly dressed figures walked toward them, their presence immediately drawing attention.
"Your Highness, the Prince," Teacher Sun greeted respectfully, bowing his head.
"Uncle, you must uphold justice for me!" Xue Beng cried, hurrying toward the older man at the front.
It was Qian Wang, the Star Crown Prince, one of the most powerful nobles in the empire.
Standing beside him, Xue Beng glared hatefully at both Qin Ming and Tang San.
"Xue Beng," the prince said calmly, "what happened this time?"
The young prince began recounting his version of events, heightening each detail with indignant exaggeration.
Once he finished, the Star Crown Prince turned cold eyes toward Shrek's group.
"So, you're Shrek Academy. I've heard of you," he said faintly. "To have been beaten one-on-seven by the Warlock—you're quite fortunate to still be standing."
His tone was smooth, but the mockery within was unmistakable. Laughter rippled among the nearby academy students.
The Shrek members stiffened, anger boiling beneath their forced composure.
From the moment they'd arrived, they'd faced nothing but scorn. Their defeat at the hands of the Warlock had become their brand of shame.
Earning the Silver Team Spirit Badge at the Great Spirit Arena in just one month should have been glorious—but because of one crushing defeat, no one took them seriously anymore.
"Your Highness," Qin Ming said hurriedly, cheeks flushed, "that's unfair. They lost to the Warlock only because of his power. Even in Spirit City, he's defeated entire teams of Soul Kings and Soul Elders alone!"
"Yet these students—barely thirteen years old—already possess the strength of Soul Elders. Their potential is beyond measure!"
The prince listened impassively, then replied, "Teacher Qin Ming, the Heaven Dou Royal Academy is the Empire's pride. You may recruit new talent as you like, but at least choose those who understand loyalty and restraint."
"It's not enough to have talent—they must also have respect for the Empire. Brutes who start fights at the academy gates at the slightest offense are not worthy of this place."
"Prince Xue Beng represents imperial dignity. That cannot be sullied so easily."
His tone was calm but final.
Xue Beng smirked triumphantly beside him.
Flender's contempt boiled over. These self-righteous nobles disgusted him.
"Hmph. Since the prince deems us arrogant and unworthy, we'll take our leave!" he snapped, turning away.
He gestured for the Shrek students to follow.
But before they could move, the prince raised a hand.
"You insult the Empire's royalty and think to leave so easily?"
Flender's hands tightened into fists, his expression dark. He had already backed down, but now they were pushing further.
"What does Your Highness propose, then?" Flender asked through clenched teeth. His eyes flicked to the green-haired elder standing silently beside the prince. The aura coming from the man sent a chill down his spine.
He realized this was no ordinary guard—it was a monster. To protect his students, he forced himself to stay civil.
The prince smiled lightly. "It's simple. The one who struck Prince Xue Beng will apologize. Or…"
He paused and looked at the green-haired elder. "He will last five minutes against Mister Dugu here."
"I'll take the second option," Tang San said firmly before Flender could speak.
He stepped forward, looking directly at the green-haired elder—Dugu Bo.
"Xiao San!" Flender called out, alarmed.
He could sense the immense danger emanating from this "Mister Dugu." An apology would have been far safer than this challenge.
Yu Tianheng's face paled as well. He knew exactly who Dugu Bo was.
Dugu Bo—a Titled Douluo.
To pit Tang San, a Soul Elder, against him was madness.
He was about to step forward to intervene when a chilling gaze turned his blood to ice.
Dugu Bo looked at him briefly, then averted his eyes again. That look alone froze Yu Tianheng in place.
Luo Ling and Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, simply watched, amused—like an audience enjoying a show.
Dugu Bo concealed his power well; to anyone ignorant of his identity, he looked like an ordinary elder.
But unlike the poison-tormented Dugu Bo of the past, this one had long since cured himself with the immortal herbs Luo Ling had provided. Now, he was a level 94 Titled Douluo at his peak.
"You've got guts, boy," Dugu Bo chuckled, stepping into the center of the courtyard.
"Please, senior, enlighten me," Tang San said calmly. He opened his Purple Demon Eyes instantly, ready to give his all.
But before he could even move, Dugu Bo's aura exploded outward.
An irresistible wave of spirit power crushed down upon the entire area like a tidal mountain.
Tang San felt his entire body lock up. It felt as though the sky itself pressed upon his shoulders.
A wheezing sound escaped him—and he collapsed to his knees.
The emerald gleam in Dugu Bo's eyes intensified as thick spiritual pressure rolled through the courtyard.
Behind him, an enormous serpentine shadow unfurled. Awe rippled through the onlookers as one glowing ring after another rose behind him.
Nine rings.
Nine spirit rings.
A Titled Douluo.
Tang San stared wide-eyed in disbelief as he knelt. Flender and the others could only do the same—frozen in pure shock.
(END CHAPTER)
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