Chapter 32: The Fall of Trust
At the same time, in front of the Pope's Palace—
The seven elders, bloodied and breathless, were forced back by Tang Hao's fierce assault. They glared after him as he retreated, blood streaming from his lips. Their hearts burned with frustration and unwillingness.
They wanted to give chase.
But just as they moved, Bibi Dong raised her hand, stopping them. Her expression twisted with rage as she growled,
"If Tang Hao were so easy to kill, do you think he'd still be alive today?"
Her voice was cold and firm.
"It's not time to deal with him yet."
The elders clenched their fists, their eyes blazing with humiliation. The Pope's Palace had been destroyed—an unbearable disgrace to those who revered the Pope as their belief and symbol of authority.
Tang Hao had escaped. There was nothing they could do.
Until—
"Look! Over there!"
Someone suddenly pointed toward the foot of the mountain—Wuhun City. A new battle had erupted. The elders turned and saw the scene, their expressions lighting up with hope.
"Someone's intercepted Tang Hao!"
"Pope, let us go! Someone is helping us intercept him!"
"This time, Tang Hao will die!"
They rubbed their palms, eager to act.
Bibi Dong's eyes narrowed. Mixed emotions flickered across her face—rage, hope, and… familiarity.
She recognized the person who intercepted Tang Hao.
Qin Chuan.
So, his plan from days ago had taken root. Was it possible that Ah Chuan couldn't hold back any longer?
"Go," she ordered, her tone resolute. "Capture Tang Hao. Kill him. Wash away the disgrace the Temple has suffered!"
Taking a deep breath, Bibi Dong allowed herself a slight smile.
"We obey the Pope's command!"
The elders cupped their fists and, without wasting a second, turned and raced toward the battlefield in Wuhun City below.
This sudden shift left the remaining four Shrek monsters, who had just begun to breathe easy, frozen with anxiety. Their eyes snapped toward the city, tension clawing at their chests.
They prayed silently—Please, let third brother and Xiao Wu be safe.
Bibi Dong turned to the remaining spectators. "The competition has ended. Disperse."
"Your Majesty, wait a moment!"
"Please wait!"
Two voices rang out simultaneously—Liu Erlong and Qian Renxue.
Within the Shrek team, Flender's heart tightened.
He knew what Liu Erlong wanted—she wished to see Yu Xiaogang again. But would the Pope really agree?
After all, Flender knew something even Liu Erlong didn't—Yu Xiaogang had once been Bibi Dong's first love. He suspected Qian Renxue had the same intention, having mentioned before the tournament that she would make such a request afterward.
Bibi Dong slowly turned back, her gaze cold and detached. "You two—what is it?"
Liu Erlong, startled by Qian Renxue's interruption, hesitated. She took a step back, lowering her voice,
"Your Highness, please speak first."
She assumed Qian Renxue had the same goal and felt deep gratitude.
Qian Renxue's lips curled slightly.
"Then I'll go first."
Her sharp gaze swept across the audience before halting at the Shrek Academy team.
"Come," she ordered. "Arrest Dai Mubai."
Her words exploded like thunder. Everyone was stunned.
In a flash, several of Qian Renxue's followers leaped forward, appearing behind the Shrek team and slamming Dai Mubai to the ground.
He tried to struggle but failed. These followers weren't ordinary guards—they were all Soul Saints. Under their crushing soul power, Dai Mubai couldn't even move.
"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Flender shouted in horror.
His soul power surged, but a glance at a nearby Soul Douluo made him halt. He couldn't act recklessly.
Liu Erlong, too, snapped out of her shock.
She finally realized—Qian Renxue hadn't approached the Pope for her at all. She had her own agenda.
But it was already too late.
"Your Highness, what's the meaning of this?"
Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong all stepped forward, their voices trembling with disbelief.
The tournament had just ended, but so much had happened. The Shrek Seven Devils were on the verge of collapse.
"Qinghe, give our sect an explanation," came a cold voice.
It was Ning Fengzhi. His expression was dark, his disappointment clear.
He had placed high hopes on the Shrek Seven Devils, believing they would become strong allies of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
But today had shaken everything.
Xiao Wu's identity as a 100,000-year-old soul beast had been exposed.
Tang San, the student he valued most, had been beaten unconscious trying to protect her.
And now, Dai Mubai—another of the seven—was being captured.
He hadn't stepped forward during the chaos. Xiao Wu's identity had made the situation delicate. The Spirit Hall held the moral high ground. He had to stay neutral.
But now?
Qian Renxue, who had already clashed with him days ago, was attacking one of his most valued young talents.
Ning Fengzhi couldn't stay silent anymore.
Even Bibi Dong looked intrigued by the unfolding drama.
"Heh," Qian Renxue sneered at the rising tide of protests.
"A bunch of blind fools."
Her words scolded the entire crowd—including Ning Fengzhi.
"Qinghe, is this what our sect taught you?" Ning Fengzhi's voice was sharp with anger. "You've truly disappointed me."
"Uncle Ning," Qian Renxue said calmly, "this prince is offering advice for your own good. I strongly suggest the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect not get involved."
Ning Fengzhi froze.
Her words weren't a simple threat. She seemed to be implying that Dai Mubai was guilty of something serious.
Could it be that Dai Mubai had his own secrets?
He began to ponder deeply.
Seeing Ning Fengzhi fall silent, Qian Renxue secretly let out a breath of relief.
If he had insisted on protecting Dai Mubai, she would have been forced into a difficult situation, especially outside of Tiandou City.
But Dai Mubai wasn't taking it quietly.
"Xue Qinghe, you're burning the bridge after crossing it! I just won the championship for your Tiandou Empire, and now you want to take me down?!"
His voice was bitter with despair. He finally understood—there was no escaping.
"Burning the bridge?"
Qian Renxue's sneer deepened. She looked across the Shrek members, her voice sharp.
"Do all of you think that?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Ma Hongjun shouted.
"When Spirit Hall attacked Xiao Wu and Tang San, the Tiandou Royal Family sat on their hands. Now you're suddenly so efficient when dealing with one of your own. No wonder the Xingluo Empire's been suppressing you for years!"
"The fat one's right."
Ning Rongrong stepped forward, her voice icy.
"Brother Crown Prince, I don't know what you're planning, but you'd better release Boss Dai immediately. Don't let us down."
Flender added, his voice trembling with age and emotion,
"Crown Prince, they're right. Please give us a clear explanation."
Even Ning Fengzhi now stared silently at Qian Renxue, pressure mounting from all directions.
They wanted answers.
"An explanation?" Qian Renxue repeated, laughing coldly.
"You—Shrek Academy—dare demand an explanation from me?"
"Fine. Here's your answer."
Her voice dropped with steel-like finality.
"Disband your Academy after returning to Tiandou City."
"If not, don't blame this prince for personally leading an army to tear your school apart."