Flender reached out, wanting to comfort Liu Erlong—but just as his hand hovered near her shoulder, he froze. A pang of guilt struck him—he had unknowingly dragged her into this mess. His hand froze mid-air, and with a wry, self-deprecating smile, he let it fall.
"Haah… Forget it. Time heals everything," he muttered under his breath, though deep down he knew—some wounds never truly mend.
His gaze darkened as it landed on Yu Xiaogang. Resentment flared in his eyes like wildfire.
"Yu Xiaogang!" he bellowed, his voice echoing with fury. "From this moment on, I have nothing—nothing—to do with you!"
Yu Xiaogang froze as the words sank in. "Flender, you can't do this! You're my only true friend—the only one who ever believed in me. What's so wrong with me liking you?"
Flender scoffed, eyes brimming with contempt. "Believe in you? Don't flatter yourself," he said coldly. "I never once fell for your so-called theories—they were nothing but stolen knowledge. Do you really think I'm that stupid?"
He shook his head, voice growing heavier with bitterness. "I was an orphan, and I treated you like a brother because I thought we shared the same pain—because your family abandoned you. But that… that was my greatest mistake."
Flender's glare sharpened like a blade. "Knowing you is the biggest regret of my life. You're the most selfish, weak, pathetic, and hypocritical person I've ever known!"
Yu Xiaogang's heart turned cold at those words. He sneered. "Flender, I thought you were different from the rest of those ungrateful fools, but you're just like them. Hmph! You should've felt honored to be my friend. Now you don't want it? Fine. You'll regret this. When my disciple becomes the strongest Titled Douluo, I'll have him avenge this humiliation on my behalf!"
Tang San's eyes lit up with blazing fighting spirit, inspired by his teacher's declaration.
Flender let out a harsh laugh. "Hah! This disciple of yours? A Titled Douluo? Are you delusional? Even if he does reach that level, his soul skills are garbage! How's he going to defeat me? You ruined his martial soul and still have the nerve to call yourself a master of martial soul theory?"
"YOU!!!" Yu Xiaogang shouted, face twisted with rage. "You're just as ignorant as the rest of the world! My disciple will prove everything with his actions!"
Meanwhile, Tang Yin was thoroughly enjoying the drama. Flender and Yu Xiaogang were going at each other like sworn enemies—their so-called brotherhood crumbling into dust.
Tang Yin sighed. "Well, I guess this outcome is better than putting a green hat on yourself. Seriously, what was going through this guy's head, pushing Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong together again and again?" He shook his head, then smirked. "Forget it. She's mine from now on."
Flender's anger boiled over as their heated words flew back and forth. Without warning, he lunged at Yu Xiaogang, delivering a brutal punch that sent him flying.
Zhao Wuji, fearing Flender's temper would lead to something irreversible, stepped in quickly, grabbing Flender and holding him back.
"All of you!" Zhao Wuji shouted at the stunned Shrek students. "Stop watching and get this troublemaker out of the Academy!"
Flender struggled fiercely against Zhao Wuji's grip, his face twisted with rage. Everyone exchanged worried looks—those deadly eyes fixed on Yu Xiaogang made it clear: if Flender broke free, Yu Xiaogang wouldn't survive.
Yu Tianheng stepped forward decisively. He knew his uncle wouldn't last a second against a Soul Saint.
"Uncle, these people clearly don't want you here," he said gently, tugging on Yu Xiaogang's arm. "Let's go to the Tian Duo Imperial Academy. With me there, You can train your disciple in peace. We can be together... forever," he added, eyes sparkling with affection at the idea.
Yu Xiaogang considered it. Previously, he had wanted to stay at Tian Duo Academy but left because of his so-called friendship with Flender. That tie had been severed—violently.
Knowing full well he couldn't survive another round with Flender, Yu Xiaogang nodded quickly.
"Yes, nephew! Since I'm no longer welcome here, I'll go with you. I'll train Tang San at your academy and make him stronger than anyone here. He'll avenge this humiliation!" Grandmaster declared with dramatic flair.
"Xiao San!" Yu Xiaogang barked, "Let's go!"
And with that, Yu Xiaogang bolted out of Lanba Academy, tail tucked firmly between his legs.
Tang Yin watched calmly as Yu Xiaogang bolted away like his pants were on fire. He stretched lazily and muttered to himself, "Hmm… Tang San probably needs about three years to reach Soul Ancestor level. That means I'll see those two again at the Continental Elite Young Soul Master Tournament– two years later. Perfect. I won't have to deal with Tang Hao's surveillance until then."
That was precisely why he hadn't bothered using telepathy to stop Yu Xiaogang. No need to rush the drama.
With Yu Xiaogang gone, Flender finally cooled off and let out a deep sigh. "Haaah… I'm sorry, Wuji. I lost my temper."
Zhao Wuji waved it off casually, clearly unbothered. "Don't worry about it."
Flender's gaze then shifted to Liu Erlong. He spoke hesitantly, "Second Dragon…" But the words hung awkwardly in the air. Liu Erlong didn't respond. She was still staring blankly up at the sky, as if the clouds might explain her heartbreak.
Tang Yin glanced at her and could tell—she wasn't coming back to her senses anytime soon.
So he perked up and turned to Yin Shu with a bright, innocent smile. "Excuse me, Teacher Yin Shu, could you kindly provide shelter for our group? We'll probably be enrolling once Dean Liu Erlong is feeling better."
Yin Shu gave a tight-lipped nod, but inwardly, he was cursing up a storm. What is with this Shrek Academy? They bring chaos on day one! If they stay longer, won't Lanba Academy be reduced to rubble? He shuddered at the mental image and quickly decided: best not to provoke this group of walking disasters.
With a strained but polite smile, he turned and guided the Shrek students and teachers toward their temporary shelter, praying silently for the future.