Soto City, within the Soul Arena.
Flender dragged his exhausted body forward, barely mustering the strength to release another soul power attack at his opponent.
Just one more match, and he would finally be free. The 70,000 gold soul coins he owed Ye Chen had been a heavy burden these past few months. But now—at last—he was about to pay it all back.
Boom!
With a final roar, Flender unleashed his seventh soul skill. The opponent on stage collapsed instantly, unconscious. As the referee declared Flender the winner, he fell to the ground with a relieved smile, drained of all energy.
"I can finally rest," he muttered to himself. "Tonight… I sleep like the dead."
Clutching his prize money, Flender began his walk back toward Shrek Academy. Strangely, along the way, he noticed something unusual: people. Lots of them. Faces he rarely saw in the city—villagers from surrounding areas—all headed in the same direction as him.
That's odd… their villages aren't this way, he thought with a sinking feeling. A sense of unease twisted in his gut.
Worried now, Flender spread his spirit wings and soared toward the academy.
From a distance, smoke curled into the sky—thick, black, and heavy.
No… Something's wrong!
Panic surged through him as he flew faster, finally arriving above Shrek Academy. What he saw turned his face pale.
Several buildings were reduced to ruins, smoldering as if after a battle. In the center lawn, three men in Spirit Hall robes had surrounded the teachers and students. Zao Wou-Ki and the others stood protectively in front of the children, locked in a tense standoff.
Flender landed beside Zao Wou-Ki, his voice grim. "Spirit Hall officers, what is the meaning of this intrusion? If you don't provide a proper explanation, I will report this directly to the Star Luo Empire."
"Headmaster, they're here for Ye Chen," Zao Wou-Ki said under his breath. "They snuck into the boys' dormitory. If Dai Mubai hadn't caught them in time, Ye Chen would've been taken without a trace."
The bald man leading the Spirit Hall group pulled back his hood and pointed directly at Ye Chen.
"We only want him. Hand him over, and no one else needs to get hurt. Refuse… and Shrek Academy will be reduced to dust."
The man's aura exploded outward—a terrifying pressure that revealed him to be a Soul Douluo, at least level 80. And the two behind him? Just as powerful.
Three Soul Douluos? Flender's heart clenched. Why are they targeting that boy?
He glanced at Ye Chen, who stood calmly among the others, showing no signs of fear.
"Do you realize who his teacher is?" Flender challenged. "He's under the protection of the Ning family—the sword-wielding elder himself. Even Spirit Hall can't act so recklessly."
The bald man sneered and pulled out a finely-crafted token.
"This is a direct order from the Pope herself. Regardless of his background, he comes with us."
Flender's jaw tightened. A decree from the Pope… he couldn't stop that. No one here could.
Before anyone else could speak, Ye Chen stepped forward, brushing Zao Wou-Ki's hand away.
"No need to fight. I'll go with them."
"Ye Chen!" Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing cried out in unison, trying to rush forward—but the teachers held them back.
"Don't worry, Rongrong, Zhuqing." Ye Chen turned to them with a soft smile. "It's just tea with the Pope. We'll see each other again soon."
With that, the three Soul Douluos lifted him and vanished into the sky.
"Ye Chen!"
"Ye Chen-ge!"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing burst into tears, powerless. Their hearts ached with regret and self-blame.
If only we were stronger, they thought. If we had trained harder, maybe we could've protected him.
"Don't despair," Tang San said, his voice calm but resolute. "Right now, we don't stand a chance against Spirit Hall. But if we work hard… one day, we will."
His words ignited something in everyone's hearts. From that moment on, the students of Shrek swore to train with renewed determination—not just to rescue Ye Chen, but to be strong enough to challenge the giants of the world.
---
Spirit Hall Headquarters — Pope's Hall
The vast, golden hall gleamed with solemn grandeur. Ye Chen stood in the center, bound tightly with special chains that drained most of his soul power. Three Soul Douluos stood like sentinels behind him.
And before him… a throne. Towering, resplendent—crafted from pure gold and adorned with gemstones that shimmered in countless hues. Sitting on it was a woman unlike any he had ever seen.
Her black-and-gold royal robe glinted in the soft light, and her long staff sparkled with divine authority. Her pale skin, flawless face, and aura of untouchable grace made her appear almost unreal.
So this… is Bibi Dong.
She exuded a majesty that felt divine, a presence that bent the air itself. Even Ye Chen, who had seen much in his life, found himself stunned.
Just then, a familiar voice rang in his mind.
> [Ding! New mission unlocked: Goddess Sign-In – Target: Bibi Dong. Task: Pat her on the head or… slap her butt.]
What the hell?! Ye Chen nearly tripped. Do you want me dead?! That's Bibi Dong! The Pope of Spirit Hall!
Even touching her hair might get me vaporized by that staff!
Still, the system had never lied before. And what if… just what if… he completed the task?
Maybe she wouldn't kill him. Maybe she'd even—like him?
Ye Chen stared up at the magnificent woman, his heartbeat racing uncontrollably. She was breathtaking—elegant, regal, untouchable.
But something in her eyes… a flicker of curiosity?
He swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest.
Alright, system… this better work.
---