Douluo: Ma Hongjun The Ancestor Phoenix!

The Next Morning.

"The price can't be any lower. This is a real treasure!"

Flander led a group of people in and out of the academy, pointing at various items and haggling with the merchants.

Zhao Wuji and the others sat to the side, watching the old miser pacing back and forth, bargaining non-stop.

"Why aren't those little monsters here yet?" Zhao Wuji muttered, rubbing his hands, ready to call them to set off.

"No need to call, Mr. Zhao. We're already here," Oscar's lazy voice came from not far away as he yawned.

The group behind him carried their luggage, clearly already packed and ready to go.

Dai Mubai turned to glance at the village, a trace of reluctance flashing through his eyes.

This was probably the place where he had lived the longest since leaving home. Leaving so suddenly brought a hint of sadness.

Noticing Dai Mubai's expression, Oscar patted him on the shoulder. "Boss Dai, if there's a chance, we'll come back."

Even as he said it, deep down, everyone knew that this day would likely never come.

"It looks like you're all ready. The timing is perfect. Let's set out," Flander approached with a grin on his face.

It was obvious he had gotten the better end of the deal in his negotiations.

Taking one last look at the Shrek Academy he had founded, Flander set aside his emotions.

With this group of little monsters, one day, the name of Shrek Academy would spread across the entire continent.

"Hongjun, were you out stealing last night? Why do you look like you haven't woken up yet?" Flander rubbed his eyes and glanced over at his apprentice, noticing how pale he looked.

His brow immediately furrowed.

Why does this kid look like he has kidney deficiency?

Hadn't the issue with his Evil Fire already been solved?

Flander stared at Ma Hongjun in confusion.

"Teacher, don't bring it up. I barely slept last night, just thinking about leaving this place," Ma Hongjun replied, forcing a smile, though there was a deeper meaning hidden in his tone.

The girl with the scorpion braid beside him showed a trace of guilt, lowering her head.

Gu Yuena also looked a little embarrassed. She turned her head slightly, pretending to look elsewhere.

Flander understood immediately.

Even the old ones felt heavy about leaving. For this kid, it must be even harder.

"Alright, let's go!"

"Your future is brighter than ever. Don't limit your vision to this small place."

With a wave, Flander turned and strode forward confidently.

The others followed closely, their figures stretching longer under the morning sunlight.

On the Road

Ma Hongjun's thoughts drifted back to last night, and a flicker of regret passed through his eyes.

He had spent the whole night comforting Dugu Yan but completely forgot to talk to her about serious matters.

He shook his head.

"Looks like next time, I need to get straight to the point."

The young man gazed off into the distance, silently planning his next move.

"Ah..."

The girl suddenly jolted upright in bed, her face drenched in sweat.

Countless images flashed before her eyes, making her head spin.

Dugu Yan pressed her fingers to her temples, feeling dizzy and uncomfortable.

Since returning last night, she had been dreaming non-stop. And in every dream... it was him.

In those dreams, she wrapped herself tightly around that figure as if she never wanted to let go.

No one could pull them apart.

Every time the dream reached its peak, waves of pleasure surged from deep within her soul.

It was a feeling she had never experienced before in her life.

Dugu Yan bit her lip, stood up slowly, walked over to the window, and looked out at the scenery. In that moment, she made a decision.

She was going to break up with Yu Tianheng.

Last night made it clear to her that the only one who could truly understand her heart was that red-haired boy.

He was the only one who could laugh with her, cry with her, drink with her... and share passion with her.

As for the others—even Yu Tianheng, who had been with her for years—there was always some distance, something missing.

She recalled the moment last night when Yu Tianheng had suddenly withdrawn his hand.

Dugu Yan's eyes dimmed slightly.

That had never been the feeling she wanted.

"Yanzi, are you up?"

Yu Tianheng's voice came softly from outside the door, accompanied by a light knock.

Dugu Yan didn't expect him to show up right after she had made up her mind.

She hesitated for a moment. But thinking of the red-haired boy, she finally opened the door.

"Yanzi, you seemed off when you came back last night. That's partly my fault... Here, I brought you some porridge."

Yu Tianheng handed her the porridge with a gentle smile, looking as warm as usual. There was no sign of the coldness or awkwardness from before.

Dugu Yan took the porridge with a complicated expression. After a moment's hesitation, she quietly set it aside.

"Tianheng, there's something I need to say."

She had thought it over carefully. The longer this dragged on, the worse it would become.

Noticing her serious tone, Yu Tianheng's smile faded.

"Go ahead," he said, stepping to the window but keeping his eyes fixed on her.

The breeze stirred the curtains. Just as Yu Tianheng reached out to open the window, Dugu Yan spoke.

"Let's break up."

Her words hit him like a thunderclap, leaving him frozen in place.

He turned around abruptly, staring at her in disbelief. But all he saw was her calm face.

Her clear and steady eyes told him—she wasn't joking.

"Why?"

Yu Tianheng stood there for a long while before finally finding his voice.

Dugu Yan didn't answer immediately.

Suddenly, his anger flared. He stormed over, grabbed her sleeve, and demanded harshly, "Is it because of Ma Hongjun?!"

"I heard from the others that he asked you out last night."

"You're breaking up with me because of him, aren't you?!"

A dangerous glint flashed in Yu Tianheng's eyes.

"Let go! This has nothing to do with him. This was my decision alone!" Dugu Yan pulled her arm back, her face full of displeasure.

Her resistance only added fuel to Yu Tianheng's anger.

"Fine! Fine! Just wait... One day, I'll kill him!"

Yu Tianheng sneered, his voice turning into a furious roar. His eyes were bloodshot with rage.

Dugu Yan stared at him, her heart filling with bitter disappointment.

Outside Tiandou City.

Flander stopped and pulled out a map, frowning.

"Where exactly is Tiandou Royal Academy?" he muttered, feeling a headache coming on.

He scanned the map left and right but still couldn't find the location.

Looking at Zhao Wuji and the others, he asked, "Any of you know?"

They all shook their heads.

"Don't look at us. We rarely come here, and none of us have ever been to the Royal Academy," Zhao Wuji said helplessly.

"I've been there before. I know where it is," Ning Rongrong chimed in.

"Tiandou Royal Academy isn't inside the city. Like Shrek, it's located in the suburbs."

She pointed in a direction and lifted her chin slightly.

"Hah! Great minds think alike," Flander stroked his chin, a proud look on his face.

"Think nothing of it. You didn't have money, and they just didn't want students picking up bad habits in the city," Zhao Wuji said mercilessly.

"So what? I might be poor, but I still managed to raise a group of geniuses, didn't I?"

Flander huffed, rolling his eyes, completely unconvinced.