By the time Tang Sui and the others returned to the hotel, it was already past midnight. Flanders, looking at the condition of the little monsters, was worried and wanted to delay their departure for another day.
However, he was stopped by the Master.
After the battle they had just experienced, many factions would likely come to investigate them.
To avoid further complications, they decided to depart as planned at six o'clock.
That night, except for Tang Sui, who fell asleep as soon as she hit the bed, everyone else tossed and turned, unable to close their eyes.
The next morning, except for the Tang San and Tang Sui siblings, everyone else walked out of their rooms with dark circles under their eyes and bloodshot pupils.
The Master observed the exhausted group and said nothing.
As they listlessly ate breakfast, the Master swept his gaze over the dispirited crowd and said calmly, "I believe you all have a profound understanding of what it feels like to kill."
The others, their faces pale, nodded solemnly.
A dark glint flashed in the Master's eyes, and the corners of his lips curved upward almost imperceptibly. "Actually, they are all still alive."
The air grew heavy. Oscar and the others, who had been slumped over, immediately lifted their heads, staring at the Master in disbelief. Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, looked utterly incredulous. "How is that possible? I clearly aimed for their hearts. Moreover, after they fell, they never got up. How could they possibly be alive?"
"For this, you should thank Xiao San," the Master said, looking at Tang San.
Tang San smiled calmly, meeting the questioning gazes of his companions without hesitation. He explained, "Do you remember, before the battle, I asked you to bring out the Zhuge Divine Crossbows and said I would help you adjust them?"
They nodded.
"Actually, at that time, I secretly adjusted the power of the Zhuge Divine Crossbows, significantly reducing their lethality. The reason they fell was because I coated the arrows with the paralyzing neurotoxin of the Mandragora Snake."
"Once this toxin takes effect, heartbeats, pulses, and other vital functions are paralyzed, causing them to enter a state of weakness. That's why they didn't get up after falling." Tang San said with a shy smile, "However, I only coated the first arrow of each Zhuge Divine Crossbow with the paralyzing toxin. If another arrow were fired, it might have exposed the reduced power."
Oscar and the others listened, their faces already blank with astonishment.
The Master nodded approvingly and continued, "The reason I didn't tell you yesterday was because I wanted you to remember the feeling you had just now. Killing is not something to be proud of. In the future, your growth will inevitably involve bloodshed, but I don't want you to become soul masters who indiscriminately kill innocent people. Do you understand?"
Dai Mubai and the others nodded with complex expressions, their quiet "en"s echoing softly.
Ning Rongrong, who was stunned by the truth revealed by the Master, looked at Tang San with clear eyes and asked dazedly, "So... they are all still alive?"
Tang San's gaze flickered as he affirmed, "Alive."
But not all of them.
Except for the one who was finished off in the end...
This thought occurred not only to Tang San but also to Xiao Wu.
She recalled Flanders' hushed words to her last night, "The one with killing intent might not necessarily be the Tang Sui you know," and looked worriedly at Tang Sui.
Sensing the concerned gazes from Xiao Wu and Tang San, Tang Sui subtly shook her head, indicating she was fine.
Knowing that they hadn't truly killed anyone, although the others' spirits were no longer as heavy, they remained somber.
Because they knew that the last strike from the masked figure likely... meant that person was gone.
Seeing the interaction between Tang Sui, Tang San, and Xiao Wu, the others tacitly avoided the topic and, with a shared understanding, moved on, packing up and continuing their journey.
...
On the evening of the fourth day, Flanders and his group finally entered Heaven Dou City.
However, Heaven Dou Royal Academy was not located within Heaven Dou City but on a mountain outside the city.
The eight members of Shrek looked at the mountain and couldn't help but sigh at the fitting name of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Because the entire mountain was Heaven Dou Royal Academy!
With a sense of anticipation, the group stepped into Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
Tang Sui, who had been dozing on Tang San's back, was also put down by Tang San to walk on her own.
Tang Sui had no choice but to endure her sleepiness and listlessly follow the Master and the others as they walked towards the interior of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
However, because they were not part of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, they were met with difficulties from certain arrogant noble disciples upon entering. Just as a fight was about to break out, Qin Ming, who had escorted the members of the Imperial Royal Team back, arrived in time, thus averting a conflict.
After apologizing to Flanders for the oversight, Qin Ming led the group to the residence of the three elders who managed Heaven Dou Royal Academy, also known as the admissions reception room, a VIP treatment.
The three elders of Heaven Dou Royal Academy were all Soul Douluo level powerhouses.
Before the grand and imposing buildings stood three old men of varying builds, wearing black robes with exquisite dark patterns embroidered on them, with the words "Heaven Dou Royal Academy" emblazoned on their sleeves.
Simply standing there, they exuded an undeniable and unique aura, and their presence was immediately noticed by the three individuals standing at the entrance.
"Flanders of Shrek Academy, Cat Owl Martial Soul, Assault-type Level Seventy-eight Seven-Ringed Battle Soul Emperor, greets the three seniors." Flanders stepped forward, clasped his hands over his shoulders, and bowed slightly.
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See if there are any cute friends asking about the stepping stone. Will the author put it in the "Author's Thoughts" section, muah muah~
I'll take a nap before I start writing. Last night, we were in the dorms, fighting all night until dawn. [Sad yet proud?]