Chapter 90: What Will It Take for You to Let Me Go?!
Wu Zhangkong was ecstatic. With Gu Yue joining the team, victory over Shrek Academy and claiming first place in the entire competition suddenly seemed inevitable.
Wait—why was he so excited about defeating Shrek Academy?
That wasn't right.
Hadn't he once looked up to the academy himself? He knew better than anyone how obsessively that institution clung to its so-called "ten-thousand-year Shrek honor."
Yet when he looked at the students he had personally guided and trained—his own "children"—he realized something deep down.
He finally understood what it truly meant to be a teacher.
"It's time for Shrek Academy to return to normal," he murmured.
Over the years, Wu Zhangkong had seen how deranged the academy had become.
Risking lives to "preserve honor"? It wasn't even a life-or-death situation—just a competition. Losing shouldn't mean sending students to their graves.
And the absurdity didn't stop there—their entrance exams encouraged reckless behavior, even breaking federal laws under the guise of "feeding the spirit of bravery."
Operating under the Douluo Federation yet repeatedly sabotaging its order, stealing advanced technology, secretly supporting the Star Luo Federation and even the Heaven Dou Empire... the hypocrisy was staggering.
He'd tried raising these issues with his master long ago. But to the people of Shrek Academy, their way could never be wrong.
They'd already cut themselves off from the rest of humanity, calling themselves "monsters" and taking pride in causing trouble.
Now, with Gu Yue on their side, Wu Zhangkong's confidence returned. The seven-person championship—secured!
As for Na'er's level-50 cultivation, impressive as it was, he believed Gu Yue was even more terrifying. Though a level lower, her near-divine spiritual power exceeded all reason, giving her the ability to overwhelm any foe with a single thought.
Even he, occasionally, had suffered "accidents" under her psychic pressure.
The others also beamed at her; with Gu Yue joining, the dream of fame—and dethroning Shrek—felt within reach.
Only Wei Xiaofeng looked utterly defeated.
He had wanted to show off his talent, to catch Shrek Academy's attention, to be scouted as a prodigy and maybe even become a direct disciple of the Sea God Pavilion Master.
Now he didn't even have a chance to shine.
"Why must Yue exist when I, Feng, was born? Heavens, you are cruel!" he cried melodramatically.
Still, it was fortunate that Wu Zhangkong had planned ahead. Seven-person battles allowed three substitutes.
If anyone got injured during the solo or team matches, they'd still have backups.
Now that foresight was paying off.
After drawing lots, Wu Zhangkong saw they had no morning matches—perfect, since their first event was the forgers' competition.
"Na'er!"
Just as they were heading toward the forging hall, Tang Wulin's eyes caught a familiar figure.
His expression lit up. He raised his hand excitedly, calling out to her.
Even though Na'er had deceived him, he didn't hold it against her—he was sure there was something more behind it.
"Brother Wulin!"
She approached swiftly, her green Shrek Academy uniform fluttering, violet eyes bright, long silver hair shining under the sun. She looked every bit the innocent, pure girl she once was.
"I'll explain everything later, I promise," she said quickly. "But right now, I have something important to do. I'm sorry, Brother Wulin."
Before he could respond, she reached out—grabbing Jiang Chen's hand. "Come with me."
Jiang Chen didn't budge.
She turned back to glare at him, biting her lip. "I need to talk to you. Alone."
Under countless watching eyes, Jiang Chen glanced between the Snow Empress and Gu Yue. Neither reacted.
Sighing, he nodded. "I'll be right back. You guys go on ahead."
He followed Na'er off to the side.
Huo Yun'er blinked, dumbfounded. Then her face flared with anger.
"Snow Sister! Aren't you going to stop him? He's being taken by a bad woman!"
The Snow Empress said nothing. She only rubbed Huo Yun'er's head soothingly.
The girl pouted harder, then spun toward Gu Yue for backup.
"Gu Yue-sis?"
But Gu Yue wasn't even paying attention. She sat in a trance, mind adrift in another world.
Huo Yun'er nearly exploded.
Wasn't Gu Yue supposed to be competing for Jiang Chen's affection now? Her ancestor was being abducted, and she just sat there like a statue!
How useless could she be?!
"Worthless!" she muttered under her breath.
Determined, she turned to chase after them—but the Snow Empress caught her arm effortlessly, grabbing Gu Yue too before they could run off and dragging both of them toward the forging arena instead.
"Snow Sister!"
"Hm?"
That single sound, layered with divine authority, instantly silenced her.
Huo Yun'er wilted into a pitiful little kitten, looking back over her shoulder every few steps.
Chief, it's not that I'm useless… they're just too strong!
Back in the square, Tang Wulin stood frozen in place as Na'er dragged Jiang Chen away.
Something was off.
It wasn't just one secret—there were many.
"What's going on…?" he muttered.
"Brother Wulin~"
A sweet, sarcastic voice chimed behind him.
He turned, only to see Mu Xi smirking.
"She's my little sister," he explained quickly, flustered. "You must've heard about her from my parents."
"Oh, your sister, huh?" Mu Xi said casually. "I didn't ask, you know."
Tang Wulin sighed internally. Why did his senior sister always have to be like this?
Meanwhile, Na'er led Jiang Chen to her room at the hotel. The door shut firmly behind them, locks clicking one after another.
"This is my room. No one can enter."
Without another word, Na'er took out a black card and pressed it into Jiang Chen's palm.
"There's a hundred million Federation credits on this."
Then she reached into her bag and produced a radiant soul bone.
"This is the torso bone of a ten-thousand-year Abyssal Demon Whale. It's yours too."
Her violet eyes glistened as she looked at him. Each word trembled slightly—but her tone was resolute.
"From this moment on, we owe each other nothing."
Jiang Chen's brows rose. He took both items, tossed them casually on the nearby table, and gave her an exasperated look.
"What exactly are you doing?"
He truly couldn't fathom her logic.
Running away without a word, then suddenly appearing again to declare their ties severed—what kind of nonsense was that?
He hadn't done her any harm—in fact, he'd risked his life shielding her from both Di Tian and the Silver Dragon King.
He'd even gambled for her sake, winning the Silver Dragon Spear back and awakening her martial soul.
Sever ties?
If she really wanted that, why bother coming back?
Then again, remembering this was the same personality that belonged to the Silver Dragon King made sense of everything.
Lunacy clearly ran deep.
"No," Na'er said quietly, her eyes dimming. She shook her head, voice trembling as emotions surfaced.
"You… you just won't leave me alone."
"You—you tell me, Jiang Chen…"
"What will it take for you to finally let me go?"
(END CHAPTER)
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