"I'm sorry—I decline."
Fang Yang's voice cut through the air—calm, unwavering, absolute.
Silence shattered.
Yun Ming and Ya Li stared, stunned, eyes blazing with disbelief.
"Oh? You refuse?" Yun Ming arched a brow, astonishment flashing in his gaze.
Who was he?
Strongest Soul Master on Douluo Continent, Pillar of Shrek Academy, Master of Sea God Pavilion, Revered as the Atlas Douluo.
Countless soul masters dreamed of kneeling at his feet—even nominal discipleship would rewrite destinies.
Yet this boy rejected his offer without hesitation.
Ya Li studied Fang Yang intently, trying to decipher his resolve.
She too couldn't fathom why he'd spurn such an honor.
Fang Yang thought inwardly:
"I joined Shrek only to reunite with Na'er—and to claim this academy for myself."
He knew Shrek's fate: annihilation.
In the coming cataclysm, Sun-Moon Federation, Spirit Pagoda, and Holy Spirit Cult would raze Shrek to ashes.
Yun Ming and the Sea God Elders would perish—only the cowardly Long Yeyue would survive.
With Shrek leaderless, Na'er—Yun Ming's disciple—would seize control.
The room froze—time itself holding its breath.
Then—Yun Ming chuckled softly, breaking the tension:
"Intriguing. May I ask why you refuse?"
"I don't want to."
Three words—clean, final, no room for debate.
Ya Li hurried to intervene: "Fang Yang, you—"
"My apologies, Pavilion Master, Sister Ya Li," Fang Yang bowed—resolve unshaken.
Seeing persuasion fail, Ya Li turned to Na'er, who sat idly petting Xiao Hei:
"Na'er—come here."
"Yes, Master's Wife," Na'er rose gracefully, Xiao Hei purring in her arms.
"Convince your brother," Ya Li pleaded, hopeful.
Na'er nodded, then cooed softly: "Brother…"
Her voice dripped with affectionate coaxing.
Fang Yang ruffled her purple hair, gentle: "Na'er, I won't take a master."
"Mm—okay, Brother," Na'er agreed instantly, no further urging.
Whatever Fang Yang chose, she'd support him—unconditionally.
Ya Li sighed inwardly—she'd hoped Na'er would sway him, but the girl's loyalty ran deeper than expected.
"Fine. If you won't, so be it," Yun Ming said, regretful yet proud.
As a peerless powerhouse, he wouldn't beg for discipleship.
"Thank you for your understanding, Pavilion Master," Fang Yang bowed.
Yun Ming etched this defiant youth into memory.
Ya Li squeezed Yun Ming's hand, silent comfort.
She knew his calm masked quiet disappointment.
"Ya Li—escort Fang Yang back," Yun Ming murmured.
"Understood," Ya Li nodded, standing by his side—a pillar of quiet strength.
Fang Yang turned to Na'er, voice softening: "I'm leaving, Na'er."
"Brother…" Na'er's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, words caught in her throat.
Fang Yang smiled warmly: "I'll be in Outer Court. Visit anytime you miss me."
"Mm!" Na'er beamed.
Suddenly—Xiao Hei leapt from her arms, nuzzled her once—then vanished into Fang Yang's body.
"Let's go, Fang Yang," Ya Li said gently.
"Yes, Sister Ya Li," Fang Yang glanced back at Na'er—then followed Ya Li out.
---
Shrek Outer Court
"Do you think… Fang Yang passed?" Xie Xie paced anxiously.
Tang Wulin clapped his shoulder: "Relax—he'll ace it. We know his strength."
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi nodded firmly: "Trust Fang Yang. He never lets us down."
Xu Xiaoyan glanced at Gu Yue, whispering: "Gu Yue—what do you think?"
Gu Yue smiled faintly: "Of course he passed."
Under her lead, they'd all cleared the entrance exam.
Unlike canon—they were now Outer Court students, not work-study scholars.
Suddenly—a familiar figure appeared.
"Teacher Wu!" they greeted, respectful yet warm.
"You all passed?" Wu Zhangkong's cool voice cut in.
"Obviously!" Xie Xie puffed his chest, proud.
"By the way, Teacher Wu—" Tang Wulin added, "Fang Yang was taken by the Pavilion Master."
All confirmed with nods.
"I know," Wu Zhangkong said evenly, gaze sweeping over them.
"Now that you've enrolled, your true training begins."
Xie Xie blurted: "But Teacher Wu—is Fang Yang really okay?"
Wu Zhangkong nodded: "Being tested by the Pavilion Master is a rare honor. Trust him."
They exchanged glances—worries lingering but unspoken.
Their faith in Wu Zhangkong and Fang Yang was absolute.
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