After returning to Heaven Dou City, Marco's life resumed its usual rhythm. He consolidated his Soul Emperor realm, deepened his comprehension of the Phoenix Domain, honed the fusion of his Self-created Soul Skill and Haki, and occasionally guided Li Qiuyao and Ye Lingling in their cultivation. His days were peaceful and fulfilling.
However, his mind was not entirely immersed in these activities. The trip to Suotuo City and the brief encounters with the Shrek Seven Devils, especially with Tang San, were like stones thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in his heart. Thoughts about the "Mandate of Heaven," "Luck," and "World Line" lingered persistently.
A few days before the Shrek Academy group was expected to arrive in Heaven Dou City, Marco did something seemingly trivial. He notified Osler:
"Rein it in recently. Keep those restless fellows in the academy in check and make sure they don't cause trouble within the campus."
The message was abrupt and vague, but Osler's trust in Marco was almost blind. Though he didn't understand the reason, he acted immediately. Using his family's influence and invoking Marco's name, he managed to quiet down the rowdy, trouble-making noble youths who usually gathered and caused disturbances in the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy. At the very least, during the days when the Shrek Academy group came to discuss the merger, the area around the main campus was noticeably quieter.
Marco did this not out of goodwill but more as a calm observation and test. He wanted to see whether the so-called "Plot Inertia" or "World Correction Force" would still take effect if some of the original "stumbling blocks" that would have caused conflict were artificially removed. Would Tang San and the others smoothly join the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy and embark on a path different from the "original storyline"?
He waited quietly for the outcome, like an observer detached from the events.
A few days later, the entire faculty and students of Shrek Academy, led by Flender, Grandmaster, and others, arrived in Heaven Dou City, weary from their journey. As agreed, they proceeded to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy to discuss the merger.
Initially, everything seemed to be developing in the direction of Marco's intervention. Thanks to Osler's prior "warning," there was no scene of Prince Xue Beng leading a group of troublemaking nobles to block and provoke them at the academy entrance or on the way to the administrative reception hall, as described in the original storyline. The reception was personally arranged by the three academy elders, and the negotiation process went quite smoothly. As the three elders had important matters to attend to, they entrusted Qin Ming to lead the Shrek group on a tour of the academy to familiarize them with the potential cultivation sites for the future.
Qin Ming enthusiastically guided Flender, Grandmaster, Zhao Wuji, and the Shrek Seven Devils through the beautifully landscaped and well-equipped Heavenly Dou Royal Academy. Seeing such excellent conditions, Flender's eyes gleamed with excitement, Grandmaster nodded in silent approval, and Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, and the others looked around eagerly, full of anticipation for their future studies and life. Everything appeared harmonious and hopeful.
However, just as Qin Ming was leading them to a serene mountainside spot and introducing the distant Mimetic Cultivation Ground, an unexpected incident occurred.
A somewhat frivolous teasing laugh, mixed with a woman's tearful protests, came from the edge of a nearby forest.
Led by Fourth Prince Xue Beng, several lavishly dressed young men were surrounding a delicate-looking female student, making flirtatious remarks and inappropriate physical advances. The female student had tears in her eyes, continuously retreating in panic and helplessness.
This scene happened to be witnessed by the passing Shrek group.
"Stop! What are you doing?!" Xiao Wu, being the most hot-tempered, couldn't hold back first. Her willow-like eyebrows furrowed as she shouted sharply.
Xue Beng and his companions turned at the sound and saw a group of people dressed like "country bumpkins" (the Shrek members wore simple clothing). Xue Beng's face immediately showed disdain and irritation at being interrupted: "Where did these peasants come from, daring to interfere with this prince's business? Get lost!"
His spoiled young companions joined in the jeering.
"Just because you're a prince, you think you can harass a female classmate in broad daylight?" Dai Mubai's face darkened, a cold light flashing in his Evil Eyes.
Ma Hongjun also rolled up his sleeves: "Damn it, they're clearly no good. Let's beat the crap out of them!"
The harassed female student, seeing someone standing up for her, rushed toward the Shrek group as if grasping at a lifeline, crying and calling for help.
Seeing his fun ruined and noticing the opposing group was larger and seemingly unimpressed by his status, Xue Beng flew into a shame-fueled rage. He commanded his followers: "Teach these ignorant country bumpkins a lesson about their place!"
Conflict was imminent!
Xiao Wu, who had been restraining herself, activated her instant movement and appeared directly in front of Xue Beng, preparing to execute her Waist Bow. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun also charged forward with angry roars. Tang San and Zhu Zhuqing followed closely behind. Flender and Zhao Wuji wanted to intervene but were too late. Qin Ming's face turned pale as he urgently shouted: "Stop! Your Highness Xue Beng, this is a misunderstanding! They are guests of the academy!" But the enraged Shrek Seven Devils and the habitually arrogant Xue Beng and his crew wouldn't listen.
This time, without the initial confrontation at the academy gates as a prelude, Xue Beng and his group were caught even more off guard. Meanwhile, the Shrek members, having had a smooth journey so far, were somewhat relaxed and fought with fewer reservations.
The result was that Prince Xue Beng solidly took Xiao Wu's Waist Bow attack, followed by an angry punch to the face from Dai Mubai. Although Ma Hongjun controlled the power of his flames, they still singed off half of Xue Beng's eyebrows and hair. The prince was beaten black and blue, a miserable sight far more severe than the superficial injuries in the "original storyline." His spoiled young followers were beaten even worse by the furious Shrek Seven Devils (especially Tang San protecting Xiao Wu, and the naturally hot-tempered Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun), crying for their parents as they lay scattered on the ground.
Qin Ming, unable to prevent the situation in time, felt his heart turn cold as he surveyed the chaotic scene and the badly beaten Prince Xue Beng. He knew things had escalated beyond repair, and even the three academy commissioners couldn't protect them now.
The subsequent developments unfolded almost identically to the "plot" in Marco's memories. Prince Xue Xing, arriving upon hearing the news, was enraged at seeing his nephew's pitiful state. He forcefully intervened with the support of the Titled Douluo Dugu Bo, pressuring them under the pretext that the Shrek Academy members had assaulted a prince and were of questionable identity. Although the three academy commissioners rushed over upon hearing the news and tried their utmost to mediate, under the absolute authority and intimidation of a Titled Douluo, Flender's inherent pride made him unable to accept the humiliating terms. Ultimately, he indignantly led all the teachers and students away from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.
Standing by the window of a tall building within the academy, Marco "watched" from afar as the conflict halfway up the mountain erupted and eventually concluded.
He remained silent for a moment, a complex curve forming at the corner of his lips—part self-mockery, part understanding.
"As expected... it still didn't work," he murmured to himself. "Even after removing the initial trigger, the conflict still erupted in another form, at another location, due to seemingly reasonable 'coincidences.' This invisible corrective force is truly not to be underestimated."
The next day, news spread rapidly among the Soul Master circles in Heaven Dou City: the previously obscure Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy had announced its renaming to "Shrek Academy" and had accepted all the teachers and students from the original Shrek Academy.
When Marco heard the news, he was in the courtyard guiding Li Qiuyao in Mental Power control exercises. His movements paused slightly before returning to normal.
"Brother, what's wrong?" Li Qiuyao keenly noticed his subtle change.
"Nothing," Marco shook his head, his gaze turning in the general direction of Blue Tyrant Academy. He thought to himself, "Blue Tyrant Academy... Liu Erlong... So, they still ended up there after all. The trajectory of this world possesses remarkable resilience."
He couldn't help but ponder: "According to the 'plot,' Tang San should have already consumed the Fierce Yang Apricot and the Eight-Horned Mystic Ice Herb, undergone the Ice Fire Tempering, and obtained a large quantity of Immortal Herbs from Dugu Bo's garden, greatly enhancing the strength of the Shrek Seven Devils. But now, the Immortal Herbs were taken by me long ago, and Dugu Bo's garden is empty. Without these opportunities, how will they rapidly improve their strength to face the upcoming Pan-continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament?"
As this thought arose, Marco's heart stirred.
"Wait... If the World Line possesses such a powerful corrective force aimed at keeping the 'protagonist' on the predetermined path, then when crucial 'opportunities' are taken in advance, the world, in order to 'compensate' or 'correct,' might very well... generate new 'opportunities'? Or guide certain existing but previously unused opportunities in a more reasonable way to Tang San?"
He recalled the peculiar Autumn Water Piercing Gaze Dew in the Star Dou Great Forest, which seemed to be a manifestation of such "compensation."
"I must clarify this," a sharp glint flashed in Marco's eyes. To know oneself and the enemy is the key to victory in all battles. If Tang San's Luck was truly this formidable, constantly receiving "worldly" gifts, then understanding the means and methods by which he obtained new opportunities became critically important.
He immediately contacted Osler through communication.
Shortly after, Osler hurried over. "Boss, you wanted to see me?"
Marco instructed directly, "Osler, I have a task for you. Use your family's network and your connections in Heaven Dou City to keep a close watch on the group that just moved into Blue Tyrant Academy—no, now it's Shrek Academy—especially the core members like Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Dai Mubai."
Osler was taken aback. "Watch them? Boss, are you worried they might seek revenge?"
"Not entirely," Marco shook his head, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority. "I want you to closely monitor all their unusual movements. For instance, whether they frequently go out, especially to remote places or locations rumored to have strange phenomena; whether they come into contact with certain special individuals; or whether their overall strength has experienced an abnormally rapid growth in a short period. Report any suspicious activities to me immediately."
Although Osler didn't understand why Marco placed such importance on those "country" Soul Masters, he never failed to carry out Marco's orders: "Understood, boss! Don't worry, I'll assign capable people to watch them around the clock! The moment there's any movement, I'll notify you immediately!"
Watching Osler depart after receiving his orders, Marco turned his gaze back to the distance, his eyes profound.
"Tang San... Let me see, having lost the Immortal Herb, what kind of 'compensation' can you, this 'Child of the Mandate of Heaven,' obtain from this world? This game has only just begun."
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