Chapter 125: Leaving in Shame
"T-Titled Douluo?"
Yu Xiaogang's jaw dropped open. He had been away from Heaven Dou City for years and was unfamiliar with its current power structure—but the moment he saw the enormous serpent shadow behind the green-haired elder, he recognized the man.
"Poison Douluo?" he gasped.
Flender reacted as well. The name "Poison Douluo" was one no soul master could ignore.
Seeing Tang San flattened to the ground by invisible pressure, Flender panicked.
"We admit defeat! We apologize!" he shouted hastily.
Tang San was Shrek's greatest student—and Yu Xiaogang's pride. Flender could not simply stand by and watch him die.
Yu Xiaogang quickly stepped forward, forcing himself to sound composed. "Your Majesty Poison Douluo, there's no need to trouble yourself with a junior. It was our fault. We'll apologize immediately."
He turned to Xue Beng. "Tang San is my disciple. We were wrong just now. I hope His Highness will overlook the mistake of my impulsive student."
Head lowered, his posture was humble and sincere—a rare sight from the prideful "Grandmaster."
Xue Beng looked stunned at first, then glanced down at Tang San's bleeding, crumpled form. The boy's eyes were rolled back, blood leaking from his ears and nose. Clearly, he had been pushed to his physical limit by the crushing pressure.
Xue Beng's lips curved into a pleased smirk.
"Hmph! Since you're so eager to apologize, I'll let this peasant off—for now. Tell him to remember his place next time he sees me."
"Your Excellency Dugu!" Yu Xiaogang called anxiously toward Poison Douluo, terrified that if he delayed even a second longer, Tang San might die outright.
Dugu Bo snorted softly. Killing a junior wasn't worth his time. With a faint chuckle, he retracted his spirit pressure.
Released, Tang San gasped sharply, a mouthful of blood splattering onto the ground. For a moment, he could only kneel there trembling—he had truly felt death pressing against his soul.
Yu Xiaogang rushed forward to lift him up. Tang San's body was limp, barely able to stand.
Just then, a lively female voice rang out from the courtyard entrance.
"Grandfather! Has Brother Ling arrived yet?"
A cheerful girl ran into view, scanning the crowd eagerly. When she spotted Luo Ling standing among them, she practically bounced over.
Everyone from Shrek recognized her immediately.
It was Dugu Yan—the captain of the Emperor Team back in Soto City.
And when she called Poison Douluo "Grandfather," every bystander's jaw dropped.
Before anyone could recover, Dugu Yan reached Luo Ling and smiled radiantly.
Poison Douluo sighed helplessly but still stepped forward to greet the boy.
"Well, well. Luo Ling, long time no see," Dugu Bo said warmly, his gaze probing the young man. Ghost Douluo had already informed him of Luo Ling's true identity before this meeting.
Luo Ling raised a brow. He had explicitly told Ghost Douluo to warn Dugu Bo not to acknowledge him publicly at Heaven Dou Academy. Clearly, the old snake had ignored that request.
And bringing Dugu Yan along? Luo Ling could already tell what he was thinking.
Trying to push his granddaughter into a relationship with him.
"Old poison, I really didn't want to see you," Luo Ling said flatly.
The words stunned everyone. A teenager, speaking like that to a Titled Douluo? Unbelievable.
"Sir Dugu, who is this young man?" asked Prince Xue Xing, who had remained silent until now.
Dugu Bo cast a dismissive glance his way. "Him? He's from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Someone I happen to be… on good terms with."
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" the prince echoed, startled. His eyes darted back to Luo Ling, reassessing him carefully.
"Young man, your clan and this Shrek Academy…"
Luo Ling shrugged and motioned for Ning Rongrong to step forward. "Your Highness must've heard about the Shrek Academy's battle with the Warlock in Soto City, yes? Rongrong was part of the team."
"I'm her cousin," Luo Ling continued smoothly. "She's training with Shrek for experience, and I'm her guardian."
His words were clear enough, emphasizing that Ning Rongrong's stay with Shrek was temporary—and that Shrek had no lasting ties to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
The prince's keen eyes flickered. He understood instantly. Relaxation replaced suspicion on his face.
Still, his gaze lingered oddly on Luo Ling. The boy looked barely older than Ning Rongrong, yet claimed to be her guardian. The claim was… peculiar.
Nearby, Qin Ming's expression twisted with conflict.
It was he who had invited Shrek here. He could not deny responsibility now, not after what had happened. As an alumnus of Shrek himself, his loyalties were torn.
Finally, he took a breath. "Dean, I'll go with you," he said firmly.
Both Prince Xue Xing and Teacher Sun were taken aback.
Qin Ming continued, "Teacher Sun, please inform the three Education Committee members that I'm resigning from Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
The prince frowned. Even the usually calm Teacher Sun looked surprised.
Qin Ming was highly regarded within the academy. Losing him would be a blow.
"I'll go to Shrek too," Yu Tianheng said suddenly, stepping forward.
Having watched Dugu Yan beam up at Luo Ling, he felt the last of his resigned affection crumble. He had chased her for years, but she had never looked his way. Now he knew why—her heart already belonged to Luo Ling.
He had joined Heaven Dou Royal Academy for her. Without her, there was no reason to stay.
His declaration didn't shock the prince or Teacher Sun. The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan had its own agenda when sending him here.
Dugu Bo shot Yu Tianheng a disdainful look.
If not for the clan's influence, the old poison would have crushed that arrogant kid long ago for daring to approach his granddaughter.
He had already decided he wanted Luo Ling as a grandson-in-law. Yu Tianheng was far from worthy.
Teacher Sun sighed, trying to smooth things over. "Teacher Qin Ming, you'll have to speak directly with the Education Committee. This isn't something I can approve on my own."
"Hah! Just as I thought—you're nothing but a traitor to your own academy," Xue Beng spat, his lip curling in contempt.
He had loathed Qin Ming's partiality toward Shrek since the start. Now, with this resignation, he saw it as betrayal confirmed.
Even the other academy students cast Qin Ming disappointed looks, whispering among themselves.
Qin Ming clenched his fists but said nothing. After a moment, he nodded curtly. "Understood. I'll inform them personally."
Without glancing back, he walked after Flender and the departing Shrek group.
Luo Ling and Ning Rongrong lingered behind briefly.
"Dean Flender," Luo Ling called out. "Rongrong and I need to return to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan first. There are matters to settle. We'll find you afterward."
Flender hesitated, then nodded.
"Be careful on the road."
(END CHAPTER)
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