Chapter 414: Separate Paths

...

As he watched the streak of light disappearing into the distance, Zeng Yi stood blankly in place.

So, does love really fade away?

Was this the only chance to escape from the Martial Spirit City?

I'm torn apart!

"Damn it!"

Bibi Dong's face turned pale as she watched Clear Sky Douluo retreat, grinding her teeth in anger. So many people couldn't even stop one person. Even if he was a Titled Douluo, this was a great shame for the Martial Spirit Hall.

"Your Holiness, should we pursue?" 

Two figures, one black and one white, appeared before Bibi Dong, bowing their heads in inquiry. They were the Hall Protectors of the Martial Spirit Hall, Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo.

To let the opponent escape right under the disciples of the Martial Spirit Hall was a source of great shame and embarrassment for the two of them.

Both of them had participated in the battle over ten years ago, had dealings with Tang Hao, but they never expected that he would grow so strong as to be beyond their match. It was truly terrifying.

Bibi Dong's chilling gaze stared in the direction where Tang Hao and the others had escaped, tightly gripping her jewel-encrusted scepter, her chest rising and falling quickly.

Having been the Supreme Pontiff for more than ten years, this was the first time Bibi Dong had experienced such intense emotional turbulence.

As her emotions gradually calmed down, Bibi Dong glanced at Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo with a fierce gaze and coldly said, "No need, they are just jumping clowns. We have more important matters to attend to."

"Yes, Your Holiness!"

Bibi Dong turned around, her stern and majestic gaze staring down at the completely devastated and ruined Spirit Arena below.

At that moment, the Shrek Academy group felt an overwhelming pressure descending upon them, rendering them unable to move.

Are they going to settle accounts with us?

Flender's face revealed a bitter smile. The battle just now had already depleted their spirit power. Even at their peak, they didn't have the strength to resist.

But fortunately, Tang San and Xiao Wu managed to escape.

Thud, thud, thud~

Numerous spirit masters wearing silver-white armor surrounded the Shrek group with their long spears, making it impossible for them to escape. The horrifying pressure crushed down upon them, making it difficult for them to breathe.

The atmosphere was unbearably tense, and a sense of impending doom filled the air.

"Dai, will we die here?" Ma Hongjun, leaning against Dai Mubai, looked at the spirit master enclosing them with a terrified look in his eyes.

After all, he was only fourteen years old, and after the surge of adrenaline receded, what remained was the instinctive fear of death. Not to mention, every one of these spirit masters surrounding them was above the Spirit Saint realm.

"Who knows?" Dai Mubai also wore a bitter expression. Initially, he was confident, considering he was now the heir of the Star Luo Empire, which should have deterred the Martial Spirit Hall based on their relationship.

But now, the Martial Spirit Hall had displayed overwhelming strength, and coupled with the heavy losses they suffered, Dai Mubai could see that Bibi Dong, the Supreme Pontiff, had an almost explosive look on her face. Who knows if she might vent her frustration by killing them.

Yu Xiaogang also understood that the situation was not optimistic, but in order to protect the safety of the others, he had no choice but to shamelessly plea for their lives.

Perhaps, she would spare them out of gratitude for the sense of camaraderie they shared in the past.

Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, holding a token in his hand, raising it high, his gaze fixed on the Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong above.

"Your Holiness, I am willing to take responsibility alone. Please spare the others of the Shrek Academy."

Hearing this, everyone in the Shrek group was astonished, their gazes all fixated on Yu Xiaogang's frail figure.

"Xiaogang! Why would you do this? We can all die together!" Liu Erlong walked up to Yu Xiaogang's side, looking at him with deep affection. She knew about the relationship between her husband and the person above them, so she didn't want to see him like this.

Upon seeing the token in Yu Xiaogang's hand, Bibi Dong's face twitched, her eyes showing signs of remembrance.

Soon, her gaze turned cold again, letting out a cold snort, accompanied by a terrifying aura that made the people below stagger a few steps.

"Yu Xiaogang! You dare make such a choice? If you dare to resist the Martial Spirit Hall, you must be prepared to pay the price! Do you think you can do as you please just because you hold the position of Honorary Elder of the Martial Spirit Hall? Ridiculous!"

Seeing Bibi Dong's unyielding attitude, Yu Xiaogang's face showed a hint of difficulty. He didn't expect her to be so heartless, so fundamentally changed.

"Your Holiness, may I speak a few words?" At this moment, Ning Fengzhi stepped forward.

Bibi Dong turned her head to look at Ning Fengzhi, a displeased look on her face. "Ning Clan Master, do you also want to protect them?"

Ning Fengzhi smiled gently and said, "Your Holiness, please spare the Shrek group for my sake. After all, my daughter is also a member of the Shrek Academy, and they are good friends with Zeng Yi. Moreover, Your Holiness's goal is no longer here. Why bother making things difficult for these younger generations? Besides, they are the champions of the competition. If this news spreads, people will think that the prestigious Martial Spirit Hall cannot afford to lose face, and you won't want that, will you?"

After hearing this, Bibi Dong's expression turned even uglier.

To let someone cause such a ruckus in the Martial Spirit City and successfully escape was even more embarrassing and shameful. 

However, she didn't pay much attention to the remaining Shrek group members. If Ning Fengzhi had given her a way out, she might as well take it.

"Step back, all of you!"

Under Bibi Dong's instructions, the silver-armored spirit masters began to withdraw.

Feeling the overwhelming pressure that had been suffocating them receding like a tide, the Shrek group couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.

...

At least, their lives were spared.

"Scared me to death! I thought we were going to die here today." Ma Hongjun complained as the tension left his body. Once his strained nerves relaxed, he felt a wave of exhaustion sweep over him. Right now, all he wanted was to find a place to sleep well.

"Hahaha, weren't you brave just now? Why are you scared now?" 

"It's different."

"Right, we will be graduating from the academy soon. What are your plans for the future?" Ning Rongrong curiously asked everyone.

Ma Hongjun looked at the exhausted Flender and said, "Naturally, I will stay by Dean Flender's side. After all, I am his direct disciple, and I have to take care of him in his old age. What about you, Dai?"

"I will naturally return to the Star Luo Empire. The family trials are over, and I am now the Crown Prince, so I have to go back and inherit the throne." Dai Mubai laughed.

"It seems like you are the most successful among us, Dai. You're about to become an Emperor. It's really enviable!" Ma Hongjun looked at Dai Mubai with envy.

"Don't even start with me!" Dai Mubai scolded with a laugh, smacking his back.

"Zhuqing, what about you? Are you going back to the Star Luo Empire with me?" Dai Mubai turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing's graceful figure and asked.

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head, still expressionless. "No, I am going to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan."

"You're joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was surprised, staring wide-eyed at Zhu Zhuqing, finding it hard to believe.

Looking at her bewildered companions, Zhu Zhuqing appeared somewhat puzzled.

"What's wrong? Didn't I tell you that I joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?"

"No, you didn't!"

"Oh, so that's how it is." Zhu Zhuqing nodded indifferently.

"Zhuqing, when did you join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan?" Ning Rongrong excitedly approached Zhu Zhuqing's side, her eyes filled with curiosity.

Thinking for a moment, Zhu Zhuqing replied, "It was when I was in Heaven Dou City. Bone Douluo found me and wanted to take me as his disciple. I agreed, of course!"

"What? You actually became Bone Douluo's disciple?" Upon hearing this, Ning Rongrong was shocked, and the others were equally amazed. Zhu Zhuqing had unexpectedly become a disciple of a Titled Douluo without saying a word.

Having considered her future, Zhu Zhuqing wanted to break free from the constraints of her family. However, given her current strength, it was impossible. So, when Bone Douluo found her and wanted to take her as his disciple, she readily agreed. With a Titled Douluo protecting her and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan as her backing, even if her family wanted to make a move against her, they would have to consider whether they had the capability.

This way, she would have more time to become stronger.

Moreover, Bone Douluo and Zeng Yi's master, Sword Douluo, were very close friends. Becoming Bone Douluo's disciple also meant that she would have a seniority relationship with Zeng Yi, so their relationship wouldn't be as awkward as it was before.

After all, Zeng Yi had always seen her as a student, which annoyed Zhu Zhuqing.

"Oh, Oscar, what about you? Would you like to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan with me?" Only Oscar remained, the only one among the Seven Monsters of Shrek with no background. He was just an ordinary civilian, so Ning Rongrong wanted to help him out.

However, Oscar shook his head.

"I want to go out and gain some experience, just like Big Brother Zeng, to see the culture and customs of different places. Maybe it will make me stronger."

A radiant smile appeared on Oscar's handsome face, brimming with confidence. He didn't want to remain as just a support-type spirit master. Zeng Yi had given him enlightenment in the direction of a battle-type spirit master, so he wanted to find his own path.