After retrieving his crossbow bolts, Tang San agreed to give everyone a Zhuge Godly Crossbow. However, the others all declined, insisting on paying for them.
Tang San had no choice but to nod and say, "Alright then. Since everyone is interested in mechanical hidden weapons, I'll try my best to equip you all in the future. After all, having an extra weapon means having an extra layer of security."
Everyone was evidently fascinated by the hidden weapons, largely due to the powerful effect Tang San had demonstrated. After all, this was a weapon capable of killing a Man-Faced Demon Spider. Even the teachers, including Zhao Wuji, were tempted.
Finally, they exited the Star Dou Forest. Although they no longer enjoyed the fresh forest air, everyone felt as if a great weight had been lifted off their shoulders, allowing them to breathe easier.
After resting for two days in a nearby town, the group traveled for another two days before arriving back at Shrek Academy outside of Soto City.
However, just as they were about to celebrate their return, a sudden surge of soul power erupted from within the academy, making everyone's faces change dramatically.
They hurried into the academy, only to see that aside from the newly arrived 29th-level Grandmaster, all the teachers, including Flender, had their martial souls released.
At the same time, in the distance, two elders wearing Spirit Hall emblems and clad in robes held Panlong Staffs in their hands.
Most terrifying of all, both of them had nine soul rings behind them!
And they were in the optimal configuration!
Behind the two elders, dozens of Spirit Hall experts hovered in the air, each bearing six or seven soul rings—these were all Soul Emperors and Soul Sages!
Shrek's group had never witnessed such an intimidating scene before. Ma Hongjun's legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground.
Zhao Wuji gestured for the group to remain silent, then activated his Vajra Bear martial soul. Seven soul rings floated behind him as he soared into the air, joining the other Shrek teachers.
"Your Excellencies, to what do we owe the honor of your visit to our humble academy?" Flender's face was drenched in cold sweat. Unlike the others, he was well aware of who these two people were.
The Thousand Jun Douluo and the Descending Demon Douluo—two of the strongest Title Douluo in Spirit Hall. They were also twin brothers.
Powerful sibling cultivators were not uncommon in the Douluo Continent, such as the Evil-Eyed White Tiger Dai Mubai and Dai Weisi. However, for both to reach the Title Douluo level was exceedingly rare. Achieving that rank required exceptional talent, a high-quality martial soul, fortuitous encounters, and extraordinary dedication.
Yet Thousand Jun Douluo and Descending Demon Douluo were even more remarkable. Not only had they both reached level 96, but their spiritual power was also incredibly synchronized, making them a formidable pair.
Due to training together since childhood as if they were conjoined twins, they had an unparalleled connection. In battle, their coordination far exceeded a simple sum of their individual strengths.
Although their personal strength ranked lower among the Spirit Hall's Elder Hall offerings, their combined experience and synergy over more than a century earned them immense respect within Spirit Hall. Even Tang Hao could not easily defeat them when they fought together.
"You have two extremely talented students at your academy," Thousand Jun Douluo said. "A boy and a girl with unprecedented spirit ring configurations—purple, purple, black, and purple, black, black. Do you truly believe that a run-down school like yours can properly nurture them? Why not let them join Spirit Hall? With our resources, they are guaranteed to become peerless experts in the future."
This visit had been prompted by an elder from Spirit Hall who had taken notice of Gu Chen and Gu Yue'na during their match in the Great Spirit Arena. That elder had reported up the chain, eventually attracting the attention of the Pope herself, who then dispatched Thousand Jun Douluo and Descending Demon Douluo.
The elder who had made the initial report was now floating behind the two Douluo—a Spirit Sage-level powerhouse.
Damn it! They've set their sights on Gu Chen and Gu Yue'na!
Flender cursed inwardly, but he knew he could not openly oppose two Title Douluo. He forced a smile and said, "Your Excellencies, we at Shrek Academy are fully capable of educating our students. There's no need for you to trouble yourselves."
Descending Demon Douluo's patience ran out. A terrifying soul power erupted from his body, and the immense pressure of a Title Douluo made the Shrek teachers cough up blood simultaneously.
"Did you not understand me?" he snapped. "Bring them out now! Spirit Hall will take over their training!"
Flender glanced back, unaware that Zhao Wuji had already joined their group. Thinking that Gu Chen and Gu Yue'na had yet to return from the Star Dou Forest, he said, "Gu Chen and Gu Yue'na are currently away helping one of our students obtain a spirit ring. They have not returned yet. Perhaps you could wait?"
Seeing that he could not refuse outright, Flender resorted to stalling for time, hoping to keep his students safe.
"Enough nonsense!" Descending Demon Douluo roared. "If you refuse to hand them over, I will kill everyone here and raze this so-called Shrek Academy to the ground!"
Ding!
"The system has detected the host's current predicament. A major plot choice has been unlocked:"
A. Follow Tang San, the protagonist of Douluo Continent. Joining him guarantees godhood. Choose to stay with Shrek.
Rewards: Arthur's Legacy (from Level 3 Mythical Plane Honor of Kings), M24 Sniper Rifle (from Level 2 Technological Plane Earth), 1000 rounds of M24 ammunition, System Store unlocked, 1000 system points.
B. Only by joining Spirit Hall can soul beasts have a chance to rise. Choose to join Spirit Hall.
Rewards: Yuan Ge's Legacy (Honor of Kings), Skorpion Pistol (Earth), Skorpion Pistol Suppressor, 1000 Skorpion Pistol rounds, System Lottery unlocked, 1000 system points.
C. Leave Shrek, reject Spirit Hall, and become a wandering adventurer.
Rewards: Li Bai's Legacy (Honor of Kings), Xuanyuan Sword (from Level 4 Mythical Plane Heavenly Court), System Enhancement unlocked, 1000 system points.
"Why are the rewards so generous this time?" Gu Chen was surprised.
Ding!
"This choice determines the host's future path and is a destiny-altering decision. Therefore, the rewards are exceptionally valuable."
Gu Chen nodded. Though the rewards of Choice C were tempting—especially the Level 4 item—he had already made up his mind.
"I choose B," he said.
Ding!
"Choice confirmed. Yuan Ge's Legacy, Skorpion Pistol, Skorpion Pistol Suppressor, Skorpion Pistol ammunition, and system points have been added to the system inventory."
"System function: Lottery unlocked!"
...
Gu Chen took Gu Yue'na's hand and stepped forward.
He had already decided to join Spirit Hall. The fact that two Title Douluo had come to personally recruit him was unexpected, but it was a beneficial opportunity.
"Your Excellencies, we are willing to join Spirit Hall. Please spare my academy and my teachers," Gu Chen said.
Upon hearing this, Flender's heart sank. His most talented students were leaving.
Gu Chen turned to Gu Yue'na, smiling brightly. "Yue'na, let's work hard together!"
Gu Yue'na hesitated before finally taking his hand, smiling dazzlingly. "Alright!"
With that, the two boarded the Spirit Hall carriage, leaving Shrek Academy behind.
"Farewell, Shrek."
"Spirit Hall, here I come!"
(End of Volume One)