Douluo: Ma Hongjun The Ancestor Phoenix!

"I didn't expect the genius team from the Imperial City to actually lose to the Shrek team!"

The young man, who had firmly believed that Shrek was destined to lose before the match, now wore a look of disbelief.

He had watched the entire battle. The terrifying image of the blazing golden phoenix still made his body tremble.

Even without facing that top-tier martial soul directly, the oppressive pressure it emitted was overwhelming.

"As expected of the Shrek team. Their strength is truly terrifying."

The bald man couldn't hide his joy. After all, he had bet his entire fortune on Shrek.

Shrek did not disappoint him.

...

Inside the meeting room.

Qin Ming stood before his students, his expression calm.

"This battle should teach you something important. Even in a remote town, there are still endless geniuses."

He didn't view this defeat as a disgrace. On the contrary, if these geniuses could learn from this experience, it would be invaluable to their future growth.

Yu Tianheng lowered his eyes and snorted coldly, trying to hide the deep frustration and unwillingness in his gaze.

His fists clenched tightly, the veins on his arms faintly visible.

He was truly unwilling to accept this outcome. He had always been regarded as a genius, the pride of his family.

He had thought this experience would be nothing more than a minor detour in his life.

He never imagined he would lose—and lose so badly.

Dugu Yan looked at Yu Tianheng, a trace of heartache flashing across her face. Still, she quietly walked to his side.

"Tianheng, don't take this loss too hard," she said softly.

She didn't want to see him like this. He had always been proud and confident.

The other members of the Royal Fighting Team also wore gloomy expressions.

This was the first time they had suffered such a crushing defeat, and the entire team had been powerless to resist.

Yu Tianheng suddenly raised his head and shook Dugu Yan's hand off.

"Where was your poison?"

"Why didn't you use it?"

"Were you going easy on him?"

He fired off three questions in a row, staring directly at Dugu Yan, his eyes full of suspicion and disappointment.

Dugu Yan's heart trembled. Her pupils dilated as she stood frozen, stunned.

She opened her mouth but couldn't form any words.

She had released her Green-Phosphor Serpent venom during the fight, but faced with the terrifying flames, the poison had been instantly burned away.

She had fought with everything she had. Yet in Yu Tianheng's eyes, it was as if she hadn't even tried.

A wave of pain surged through her chest.

"Why aren't you answering me?"

"I won't let that guy get away with this!"

Seeing Dugu Yan stay silent only convinced Yu Tianheng further that his assumption was correct.

With a cold snort, he turned and stormed out of the room.

The other team members stood stunned, shocked that the captain would treat the vice-captain like this.

Ye Lingling frowned slightly but said nothing.

...

Meanwhile.

Flander sat in his chair, grinning from ear to ear as he looked at the group of little monsters in front of him with satisfaction.

"Very good. This time, you didn't embarrass me."

His gaze landed on the red-haired boy, and the satisfaction in his eyes grew even stronger.

This kid's strength was becoming terrifying. Even Flander himself could feel the oppressive heat from those flames.

Oscar immediately walked over to Ma Hongjun, throwing an arm around his shoulder.

"Exactly! These guys don't even know what Fatty's martial soul is!"

He looked smug, as though he were the one who had carried the fight.

Dai Mubai glanced at him unhappily. "You can't always rely on Fatty."

During the fight against the Royal Fighting Team, Dai Mubai had clearly sensed how strong the opponents were.

If it hadn't been for Fatty's flames forcing an early end, the outcome might have been very different.

Flander's smile faded.

"Mubai is right. You can't always rely on Hongjun alone in future battles."

"Starting after this competition, all of you will undergo intensive training!"

Flander waved his hand, announcing it firmly.

Just as everyone was groaning internally, imagining the dean's devilish training methods, a commotion came from the door.

Qin Ming walked in with the members of the Royal Fighting Team following behind.

"Teacher, these little ones are truly worthy of your guidance. They really are little monsters."

A smile spread across Qin Ming's face as he looked at the Shrek students with admiration.

The Royal Fighting Team members followed him with stiff expressions and hostile gazes.

"Teacher, about what I proposed earlier, what do you think?"

"With the strength these kids have shown, I don't think you have anything to worry about anymore."

Qin Ming walked over to Flander's side.

Flander's face lit up instantly, smiling as brightly as a chrysanthemum.

If it had been before, he might have hesitated about Qin Ming's suggestion. But now, with everything clear as day, he had no more doubts.

He was certain the Royal Academy would see the limitless potential of these little monsters.

"We can join the Royal Academy," Flander agreed. "But I need some resources to support my students' training."

Flander stated his conditions without hesitation, confident Qin Ming would accept.

As expected, Qin Ming nodded immediately. He was sure the academy wouldn't be stingy with resources.

As the teacher responsible for leading the Royal Fighting Team on this training mission, he had the authority to agree.

Upon hearing their conversation, everyone—except Ma Hongjun—showed expressions of surprise.

"Boss Dai, the dean never said anything about going to the Royal Academy," Oscar muttered, leaning toward Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai's eyes flickered. He looked up at Flander but said nothing.

He was well aware of Shrek Academy's situation. Joining the Royal Academy was indeed their best option right now.

Xiao Wu quietly raised her head to glance at the red-haired boy. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also secretly glanced at him.

Seeing that the red-haired boy had no objection, the three girls chose to remain silent.

Gu Yuena didn't quite understand what everyone was discussing, but when she saw how calm the red-haired boy was, she simply ignored the conversation.

Ma Hongjun, however, had already anticipated Flander's decision.

His gaze quickly shifted to Dugu Yan, and he walked straight toward her.

He cared deeply about the Yin-Yang Ice and Fire Eyes that belonged to Dugu Bo.

If he wanted to obtain them, he had to find Dugu Bo. And Dugu Yan was likely the only person who knew where Dugu Bo was.

Dugu Yan was still dazed when suddenly the light before her dimmed. A figure appeared in front of her.

"Our last meeting was too rushed. I wonder, would Miss Dugu be willing to meet me again?"

The red-haired boy curved his lips into a gentle smile, his clear eyes gazing directly at her.

Dugu Yan was about to refuse. She wasn't someone who liked getting close to others.

But when her eyes met the boy's bright, sincere gaze, Yu Tianheng's furious face and angry eyes flashed through her mind.

Before she knew it…

"Alright. Tomorrow night, same place."

When Dugu Yan snapped back to her senses, she realized she had not only agreed but also named the meeting place.

Her eyes flickered, but in the end, she said nothing and quietly followed everyone out of the meeting room.