[The system is speaking to comfort the agitated cat.]
However, unbeknownst to the others who were familiar with the "old acquaintance," they all rushed out of their rooms, converging on Tang San and Tang Sui's quarters.
"Xiao San, Sui Sui, are you alright!"
Flander infused his spirit power into his palm and shoved open Tang San's door.
Fortunately, the siblings' rooms were adjacent. As he pushed open Tang San's door, Liu Erlong kicked open Tang Sui's.
The terrifying killing intent he had just sensed made even a Soul Saint's scalp tingle. Recalling the ambush in the Death Valley, Flander's heart was instantly seized by a bad premonition. He immediately rushed out of his room and headed straight for the siblings' quarters.
"Dean, I'm fine. That... was just a misunderstanding."
Facing the concerned and anxious gazes of everyone, Tang San, standing within the room, offered an embarrassed yet polite smile.
Flander swept his gaze across the wide-open window behind Tang San and keenly observed that Tang San's eyes seemed slightly red. Realizing something, his furrowed brows relaxed, and he began to dismiss the others.
"It's alright, it's alright. It was just a misunderstanding, no danger. Everyone, go back and rest quickly. Tomorrow is the finals!" (Su Dan Novel Network)
Someone who could exude such terrifying killing intent without them sensing their arrival or departure, and who Tang San himself was covering for, Flander had a good guess as to who it was. He exchanged a knowing glance with the bewildered Qin Ming, Master, and Liu Erlong, and then the four of them began to coax the little monsters back to bed.
On the rooftop, Tang Sui was unaware of the events unfolding below.
Because the culprit who had caused the commotion throughout the entire floor was standing just a meter away from her, her eyes, filled with sadness and anger, were fixed on her, giving Tang Sui a bad feeling.
"Dad, why are you here?"
Hadn't they just seen each other today?
Tang Hao looked at his younger daughter's somewhat uneasy expression, suppressed some of his anger, took a deep breath, and got straight to the point: "Sui Sui, why didn't you tell me about what happened in Death Valley?!"
Death Valley?
Tang Sui blinked in confusion for a second before realizing what Tang Hao meant. Her blue eyes widened slightly, and she whispered, "You know about it?"
Tang Hao's face was stern, his lips pressed tightly together. Combined with his cold and imposing aura and his tall, sturdy physique, he could scare a child to tears.
But beneath his stern expression was a heart filled with regret and lingering fear.
While he was unaware, he had almost truly lost his child!
Angry at his dereliction of duty, and also pained and powerless by Tang Sui's resolute actions, Tang Hao didn't know how to properly interact with his children. So, he could only stare at Tang Sui, waiting for an explanation.
The father and daughter stared at each other for a long while, and it was Tang Sui who broke first.
Tang Sui reached out, slightly curled her little finger, and with a smile, said, "Dad, let's pinky swear. I promise you, there will be no next time."
She couldn't change or explain what had already happened. The only thing she could promise was the future.
Besides, this time, she had indeed tasted the bitter consequences of impulsiveness, and there wouldn't be a next time.
Tang Hao, knowing full well that Tang Sui intended to move on, gazed deeply at his younger daughter, scrutinizing every subtle expression on her face, and found no trace of perfunctory.
"Okay."
He finally relented, his stern face softened. He raised his hand, his calloused little finger hooking onto her fair and tender one, sealing their promise.
...
The next morning, despite the minor incident in the middle of the night, the Shrek Eight Monsters appeared at the hotel entrance full of vigor.
After breakfast, they stood tall and proud, brimming with energy.
As Tang Sui had predicted, Tang San's spirit power, internal power, and mental power had all fully recovered, and he was also in high spirits.
Master, standing with his hands behind his back, surveyed the eight of them and inwardly nodded. Outwardly, he cautioned, "The competition proceeds as planned. Do your best, but if things become impossible, prioritize your own safety. Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
The eight responded in unison.
Even Xiao Wu, who was not participating this time, answered.
"Good, then let's depart now." Master nodded and was about to take a step when Flander's voice rang out from behind them—
"Wait a moment!"
Master and the others paused. Flander, having completed the check-out procedures, crumpled the bill and strode out of the hotel.
"Flander, do you have anything else to add?" Master thought Flander had some last-minute advice, but as Flander stepped out of the shadows and into the morning light, he saw Flander's serious expression.
Flander was unusually serious today.
Ever since the Shrek Eight Monsters had made him a fortune at this competition, he had been all smiles. But now, there wasn't a hint of a smile on his face.
He walked to the front of the team, straightened the collar of Dai Mubai's folded shirt, and then addressed the eight of them: "Children, this will be your final battle before graduation. Frankly, I feel honored and extremely proud to have nurtured geniuses like you. But all good things must come to an end, and Shrek Academy cannot help you grow forever. The path ahead is one you must walk yourselves."
"I once said that you wouldn't graduate if you didn't win the championship. That was just a joke, you don't need to take it seriously. Now, I want to tell you this: regardless of victory or defeat, you are all my pride, and you are all my children. I will not allow any of you to be injured or fall in the final match. The championship is not important; what is important is yourselves. I don't want the result of victory, but your safe return!"
Flander emphasized the last four words.