In the dormitory near the back mountain, Tang Sui, who had been sleeping for most of the day, suddenly opened her eyes. Her clear blue irises were devoid of sleepiness or fatigue, instead showing a kind of vacant daze.
She slowly sat up from the quilt. Her unfocused pupils swept over Xiao Wu, who was sleeping soundly on the other wooden bed. Silently, she lifted the thin quilt and stood up, her footsteps light yet stiff as she moved towards the hazy glow filtering in through the gauze curtains.
Perhaps it was due to the darkness of her surroundings, but her bright blue eyes were gradually stained with darkness. When she stood in the patch of light projected on the floor, her pupils had already turned completely black.
"Creak—"
The dormitory window was opened a small gap. A cold wind blew in from outside, causing Xiao Wu, who was sleeping with her back to the window, to shiver involuntarily. She pulled the quilt draped over her higher to shield herself from the cold.
The gauze curtain fluttered in the night breeze and then settled. Tang Sui was no longer on the wooden floor by the window.
Unaware that someone was missing from the dormitory, Xiao Wu smacked her lips and continued to be lost in sweet dreams.
...
In the center of the forest, seeing the black-robed man continue to advance, getting closer and closer, Zhao Wuji, his head covered in cold sweat, was on the verge of despair, resigning himself to his fate. Suddenly, the black-robed man's steps faltered, and he stopped about ten meters away. He tilted his head slightly and said in a faint voice, "Since you're here, come out. What difference does it make whether there's one or two?"
In the dimly lit bushes, a dark shadow flickered between the overlapping black tree shadows, finally landing beside Zhao Wuji, clearly in the posture of an ally.
Upon seeing this middle-aged man who had suddenly appeared, Zhao Wuji instantly felt as if he had come back to life. He couldn't help but say, "Boss, this sir..."
The middle-aged man waved his hand at Zhao Wuji, signaling him to say no more.
The black-robed man narrowed his eyes, and the suffocating pressure in the air intensified.
The middle-aged man's expression changed slightly. A sharp, dark golden light shot from his deep brown pupils. The next second, a pair of enormous eagle wings unfurled from his back. His deep brown pupils narrowed vertically, resembling an owl owl that only appeared at night. Seven spirit rings, matching Zhao Wuji's spirit ring ratio, rose from beneath his feet, floating around his body.
"I've seen you—Senior Haotian." The middle-aged man clearly knew more than Zhao Wuji. With the conspicuous black giant hammer and this spirit power level, he immediately identified the black-robed man's identity.
Haotian?!
That ruthless man, Tang Hao, who dared to punch the Pope with his bare hands as soon as he reached the threshold of Titled Douluo, and who had survived under several Spirit Douluos and many Titled Douluos of the Spirit Hall?!
Zhao Wuji gasped, and even larger drops of cold sweat began to seep from his forehead. His heart almost stopped for a moment from fright.
Good heavens, what had he done to offend this malevolent god? My life is over!
Tang Hao, whose identity had been revealed, did not panic. The expression under his black robe remained unchanged, only his eyes held a hint of sharpness. He also calmly revealed the identity of the newcomer, "No need for formalities. I'm here to cause trouble. Level seventy-eight Cat Owl spirit, as expected of Flanders, the main combatant among the original Golden Iron Triangle. This Shrek Academy, you founded it, didn't you."
"Yes, Your Excellency." Flanders, who had released his spirit to resist the pressure, nodded. After confirming that Tang Hao indeed harbored no killing intent, he stepped forward and carefully chose his words, "Your Excellency, could you tell me what offense Zhao Wuji committed to anger you? Could you... show me some respect and spare him this time?"
"Less nonsense, stand aside!" Tang Hao spat these words coldly from his lips. The pitch-black Haotian Hammer in his hand slammed heavily onto the ground. A powerful wave of energy spread out from the Haotian Hammer. Just the aura alone forced the two Spirit Saints with their spirits manifested to retreat half a step!
—Author's Notes—
Sui Sui: You might not believe me if I told you, but there's a reason for my sleepwalking.