Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

"Sigh... I feel sorry for my kind and considerate female friends in Soto City. Who knows when I'll see them again... No, I have to take advantage of these next few days to say goodbye properly. I can't let them think that I, Ma Hongjun, am a heartless and ungrateful person!"

He clenched his fist with a tragic expression, which made Oscar's mouth twitch. Flander's eyelids twitched, and he resisted the urge to give him a flick on the forehead on the spot.

Yu Xiaogang took in everyone's reactions and sighed inwardly.

These little monsters, none of them are easy to deal with.

But seeing the fighting spirit in Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's eyes that hadn't been extinguished by the transfer, but instead had become even more concentrated, seeing Tang San's unwavering composure, seeing Lin An and Cinderella's calmness beyond their years, seeing Ma Hongjun and Oscar's boisterousness without any resistance... his last trace of concern dissipated.

A few days later, everyone from Shrek Academy embarked on their journey to Heaven Dou City.

This time, Flander was unusually generous, renting several long-distance carriages pulled by endurance-type soul beasts. Although they were still not luxurious, they were much better than when they arrived.

The carriage rolled along the official road, leaving the dilapidated Shrek Academy in Soto City far behind.

Chapter 366 Liu Erlong

Upon entering Tiandou City, even those who were mentally prepared were still awestruck by the grandeur and prosperity of this imperial capital, except for Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Lin An, who had been there before.

The towering city walls, the wide and clean streets, the endless stream of people, the magnificent buildings standing side by side, the soul energy fluctuations and various strange auras permeating the air... all demonstrate the vast difference between this place and Soto City.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar were leaning against the car window, dazzled by the sights, shouting and yelling, attracting the attention of many passersby.

Flanders knew the area well and didn't linger. He led the group straight through the streets and alleys and soon arrived at a relatively quiet college district with a grand architectural style.

Blue Tyrant Academy.

The gilded plaque hangs high above the imposing academy gate. Although it is not as extravagant as the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, it still exudes a calm and dignified aura.

At the entrance, there were cadets in uniform blue guards. When they saw Flanders and his group, who were dressed simply and even looked somewhat travel-worn, they couldn't help but scrutinize them.

Flanders remained calm, stepped forward, took out a well-preserved letter from his pocket, and handed it over.

"Please inform him that Flander of Shrek Academy has come to pay a visit at the invitation of your dean."

The guard took the letter, noticed the unique markings and signature on the envelope, and his expression immediately turned serious. He said respectfully, "Please wait a moment."

He turned and quickly went into the academy to report.

Not long after, a middle-aged man of about forty years old, of medium build, with a refined yet capable appearance, hurriedly came out to greet them. He was wearing a blue teacher's robe and a badge representing a senior teacher was pinned to his chest.

"But Dean Flander in person? I am Yin Shu, a senior teacher at Blue Tyrant Academy."

The middle-aged man smiled politely, his gaze quickly sweeping over Yu Xiaogang, Zhao Wuji and others behind Flander. He lingered for a moment longer on the Shrek Seven Devils, a group of young men and women who, despite their young age, possessed extraordinary bearing, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Dean Liu has already given instructions that if you arrive, she will take you directly to see her. Everyone, please follow me."

Yinshu led the way, and after leaving the main administration building with its pointed roof, they walked directly along a quiet stone path to the back of the academy.

Soon, the scene before my eyes transformed from orderly campus buildings into a lush forest. Towering ancient trees with abundant branches and leaves cast dappled shadows through the gaps in the sunlight, and the air was fresh and moist, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees—it was a tranquil forest located within the college grounds.

Yu Xiaogang looked at the increasingly secluded path, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly. He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Teacher Yinshu, doesn't your dean... live on campus?"

Yin Shu walked ahead, turned around and smiled when she heard this, and explained, "The dean prefers quiet and usually lives alone in the small courtyard in this forest. The daily affairs of the academy are handled by us teachers, and we only need to consult the dean when there are major issues."

"I see." Yu Xiaogang nodded, not asking any further questions, but for some reason, the unease that had been lingering in his heart since he stepped into this forest seemed to become clearer. It was a strange, inexplicable throbbing, as if he were being pulled by something invisible.

As you walk further, the trees around you gradually become sparser, and more sunlight pours down.

On an exceptionally thick ancient tree, requiring several people to encircle it, hangs a conspicuous wooden sign with a line of vigorous characters engraved on it: "Restricted area of ​​the academy, no entry without permission."

Yinshu stopped in front of the wooden sign, gestured "please" to everyone, and went in first.

Suddenly, everything became clear.

It was a small and tranquil lake, no more than fifty meters in diameter, crystal clear, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds and the surrounding green trees.

A gently flowing stream, about three meters wide, quietly pours fresh water into the lake from the other side of the forest and flows back out on the other side, keeping the lake clear and vibrant.

Beside the lake, there is an extremely simple thatched hut, built entirely of logs and thatch, blending seamlessly with the surrounding lake scenery, flowers, trees, and shrubs, as if it had always grown there.

The thatched cottage was surrounded by a low fence, and inside the fence was not a vegetable patch, but a carefully tended flower bed.

Various flowers, whose names I don't know, are in full bloom, vying for attention with their vibrant colors and exuding vitality under the sunlight, making this little thatched cottage look like a paradise on earth.

Amidst the vibrant flowerbeds, a figure stood with his back to them, slightly bent over, holding a wooden watering can, carefully watering the delicate blossoms.

Her movements were gentle, with an indescribable focus and tranquility.

Perhaps because they heard the approaching footsteps of the crowd, or perhaps because of some deeper feeling, the figure watering the flowers paused slightly.

Then, she slowly, very slowly, straightened up and turned around.

Time seemed to be stretched out and frozen infinitely at this moment.

A bright and spirited face, with fine lines around the eyes yet still exuding charm, caught everyone's eye.

Her gaze passed over Flander, over Yinshu, over everyone else, and landed directly on the man in the crowd—a man with glasses, a thin frame, and a face that had suddenly turned deathly pale.

Yu Xiaogang's pupils contracted sharply at that moment. His body stiffened abruptly, as if struck by an invisible bolt of lightning, and his blood seemed to freeze instantly.

The color drained from his face, his lips parted slightly but he couldn't make a sound. Only in the usually calm and rational eyes behind his glasses did a tidal wave of shock, confusion, helplessness, and the excruciating pain and fear brought about by a corner of something buried for many years being suddenly lifted.

Liu... Erlong!

How could it be her!

The like-minded old friend that Flander mentioned, the dean of Blue Tyrant Academy... was actually Liu Erlong!

The person he thought he would never see again in this life, and the person he dared not see the most!

Flanders stood at the front, looking at the two old friends who had been reunited after many years, and a complex and indescribable expression appeared on his face, with sighs and emotions.

He silently stepped back half a step, leaving the suddenly quiet space to those two frozen gazes.

Although the Shrek Seven Devils and the other teachers did not understand why, they all keenly sensed the extremely strange, tense, and almost suffocating atmosphere that permeated the air.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily shifted between the uniquely elegant and beautiful female dean and their usually serious and rigid but now distraught master.

Chapter 367 The Golden Triangle

The figure in the flower bushes moved in the next moment, as fast as teleportation, leaving only a fleeting afterimage.

Before anyone could even see how she moved, that deep purple figure had already passed through the flowerbed, crossed the fence, and appeared in front of Yu Xiaogang in an instant, carrying a sharp and scorching aura.

They were so close they could almost feel each other's breath.

Liu Erlong tilted her head slightly, looking at the face in front of her that was both familiar and unfamiliar, etched into her bones and blood, yet causing her heartache for many years.

That face, once full of vigor, is now etched with the marks of time and weariness.

"Xiao...Xiao Gang?" she asked, her voice trembling. Her voice was no longer as calm and gentle as before; every syllable trembled uncontrollably, as if it might shatter at any moment.

"Is it really you?" she asked again, her usually bright and fiery eyes now filled with tears as she stared intently at Yu Xiaogang, as if trying to see through his skin and into his soul.

Am I dreaming?

Tears, like pearls from a broken string, rolled uncontrollably down her slightly pale but still beautiful face, splashing into the soil at her feet and leaving small, dark marks.

She was completely overwhelmed with excitement; her shoulders trembled slightly, and even the knuckles of her fingers gripping the kettle turned white from the force.

Yu Xiaogang stood frozen in place, like a stone statue suddenly frozen in ice.

His eyes were bloodshot and bloodshot. Behind his glasses, those eyes, which were always rational, aloof, and even a little mean, were now churning with a stormy sea that could swallow him whole.

The feelings that had been buried deep in his heart for many years were suddenly revealed, bringing with them an almost overwhelming sense of panic.

He looked at the tear-streaked yet still radiant face before him, at those eyes that wept for him and grieved for him. His lips trembled violently, but his throat felt as if it were blocked by a hot iron, dry and tight. For a long time, he couldn't utter a single word.

All theories, all reason, all pretense crumbled and collapsed before her.

This reunion, frozen in time yet burning with intense emotion, left all onlookers holding their breath.

The Shrek Seven Devils stared wide-eyed at the Master, who was utterly dejected and pale as a sheet, and then at the beautiful Dean, who was trembling with emotion and tears streaming down her face. The shock and curiosity in their hearts were almost bursting out of their skulls.

How is this going?

How did the master come to know the dean of Blue Tyrant Academy?

What exactly is their relationship?

Judging from this situation, it's definitely not just a simple old acquaintance!

Oscar nudged Ma Hongjun next to him with his elbow, his eyes flashing frantically: Something's up! Something big!

Ma Hongjun's mouth dropped open, he even forgot about his "confidante", his chubby face was filled with "My goodness".

Dai Mubai frowned, his sharp gaze sweeping between the two men, trying to discern some clues.

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhu Zhuqing's cold cat-like eyes.

Lin An's amethyst-like eyes narrowed slightly, as if deep in thought.

Cinderella gently tugged at Tang San's sleeve. She could sense that Teacher Yu Xiaogang was on the verge of emotional collapse.

Tang San grasped his sister's hand in return, his eyes calm yet wary, his body leaning slightly forward, ready to deal with any unexpected situation at any moment.

Just then, a soft sigh broke the suffocating silence.

Flander took two steps forward and stood beside Liu Erlong and Yu Xiaogang. Looking at the lovesick couple, a complex and indescribable expression appeared on his face, a mixture of reminiscence, emotion, and deep helplessness.

“Second Sister,” Flander’s voice carried a gentle warmth and sigh after experiencing the vicissitudes of life, “our so-called golden trio, today… we finally meet again.”

He paused, his gaze falling on Yu Xiaogang's stiff back, his voice even softer, yet each word clear:

"Xiao Gang... I brought it to you."

The Golden Triangle?

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's pupils suddenly contracted, clearly indicating that they had heard of this name.

Although the others didn't understand what was going on, judging from Dean Flander's expression and the strange atmosphere, they knew that this was no ordinary matter.

Liu Erlong seemed to only then notice Flander's presence. She glanced at Flander through her teary eyes and nodded, but her gaze was quickly drawn back to Yu Xiaogang as if by a magnet, and she could not look away for even a moment.

It was as if the only thing left in the world was the man before her, whom she had loved, hated, and longed for for half her life.

Flanders sighed inwardly once again.

Sure enough, in her eyes, there was still only Xiao Gang.

He suppressed the surging bitterness in his heart, knowing that this was not the time to dwell on the past. Behind him were a group of curious little monsters and colleagues waiting for an explanation.

He turned around, and the vice dean's smile returned to his face, though somewhat forced, it was enough to temporarily draw everyone's attention back.