Remembering the old days in a trance
We are destined to fight together
The past has gone but the memory lasts
Our happiness and sorrow in the good old days
The journey is difficult, through the crowds, to the end of time
I'm brave and undefeatable
The sky has become dark and the birds have returned home
Breaking all obstacles and reaching the peak above the clouds
Watching the thin plumes of smoke and the beautiful scenery
Working together, overcoming all difficulties
I will be known as the fearless one
Episode 09
When does Shrek Academy have something to do with Spirit Hall?
Shrek Academy has no relation with them at all.
Is Su Yuntao from Spirit Hall there too? Is he the one you want to meet?
Yes.
Yesterday, I stalked him.
I saw him entering the City Main Office of Suotuo City.
And now the city is full of this notice.
They have admitted Shrek Academy's teaching qualification?
Really?
I heard that City Lord always wanted to dominate Shrek Academy.
However, your Headmaster rejected it.
That's true.
City Lord decided to target the academy, but he changed his mind suddenly.
And now the officer of Spirit Hall appears.
This means that
City Lord is oppressed by Spirit Hall.
That's why he has to admit the status of the academy.
But Su Yuntao is just an officer.
Is he able to influence City Lord's decision?
He is the direct disciple of the pontiff of Spirit Hall. His identity is prestigious.
The pontiff of Spirit Hall?
The invincible of Douluo Continent?
Why does he approach Headmaster?
Our Headmaster is poor and ugly.
What's his intention then?
Are Su Yuntao and Hu Liena still in academy?
When we went out just now, Su Yuntao has left. Perhaps Hu Liena still stays.
I'm still worried.
Bring me to the academy, I want to see your Headmaster.
Sure.
Master, it's okay for you to meet with Headmaster.
However, his behavior is quite strange.
You have to get prepared.
Headmaster.
Someone is here to see you.
I've been looking for you over the years, yet I couldn't find you.
Where have you been?
Why are you looking for me?
To return me the money?
Regarding this matter, don't say in front of them.
Xiaogang.
Xiaogang?
Since Golden Iron Triangle has disbanded, where have you been?
I was in Nuoding Academy, working as a guest teacher without any contribution.
But for this time, I come here to send my disciple Tang San and his sister, Xiao Wu, for admission.
Is Tang San your disciple?
Why are you willing to send him here?
Because I have trust in you.
These two kids are talented.
Why didn't you inform me before sending them here?
I hope that they could enter into this academy with their ability.
You seem to have great confidence in them.
Brother, I have something to tell you.
Well.
Come to my place.
You all go and look for those villagers who need to do house maintenance and help them out.
Remember to collect cash when you finish that.
Issue a receipt if they don't have cash.
Don't worry. I'll handle it.
Xiaogang, come.
I've missed you so much.
Let's go, come.
Xiaogang?
Come, Xiaogang.
Please come in.
This is where I live.
It looks kind of shabby, but it's a lovely place.
Welcome in.
Sure.
Here, have a seat.
-Thank you, brother. -Have a seat.
I heard that you insisted to run the academy by yourself.
You only accept kids that pass your test.
And they have become great Spirit Masters.
I do my best to teach them.
However, it's hard to keep the academy going.
I have to rely on the village for the academy
and help them with cleaning jobs to square away teaching funds.
I can see that they are the last batch of the academy.
Well, stop complaining that you're poor.
To be honest, I'm somehow envious of you.
Envious of your free life
and establishing an independent academy.
Envious of me?
Stay here then.
Tang San and Xiao Wu wants to go to the city.
They are waiting for me. I'll leave now.
Little brat.
What happened?
Oscar.
Get out of here. Don't eavesdrop.
Don't be angry.
I just want to reconfirm the relationship between your academy and Spirit Hall.
You're asking about the new girl from Spirit Hall, right?
She came here for Dai Mubai.
Su Yuntao brought her here.
He is the one who has awoken Tang San's Martial Spirit.
I heard that he is the disciple of Bibi Dong, the Pontiff of Spirit Hall.
Sending a girl to Shrek Academy by himself, is this normal?
Please be rest assured.
Shrek Academy and Spirit Hall have no relation.
It's the same with other powers.
As for this admission test, besides Hu Liena,
there's also a girl who came with a purpose.
Dai Mubai is tall, composed like a nobleman and he has strong strength.
He's popular in Suotuo City.
It has nothing to be surprised that many girls go after him.
It's good to be young.
As for the older men, they have only their speeches.
Don't judge the book by its cover.
So?
You should have rejected those from Spirit Hall to stay here.
I only take her as an observer.
Don't worry.
Besides, she has helped the academy a lot.
Her identity in Spirit Hall is vague.
This happens to Tang San too.
But the academy couldn't reject any students for this reason.
I'll stay.
In Shrek Academy?
Don't you need a teacher?
My academy is very poor.
I can do it for free.
I don't take advantage of others.
Do you want me to beg you?
You're doing this for the sake of Tang San?
I need to observe the girl.
Make sure that she won't lead trouble to Tang San.
I've never seen you care about someone like this. It never happened before.
He had kowtowed to me and acknowledged me as his teacher.
I have to be responsible for him.
Besides, I've promised his father to take care of him.
His father?
Who is it?
It's fine.
It's good to keep away from secrets.
As long as you promise to teach for free,
I won't ask anymore.
Didn't you say that you don't take advantage of others?
You're not like others.
Sit down.
Drink some water.
How is it?
How many Spirit Rings have you obtained all these years?
I still remain at two.
That's impossible.
The fist I hit on you just now was a test. Yet it's tough.
You can't take it with two Spirit Rings.
Are you still studying the Martial Spirit Theory?
Operation means to enhance strength,
the most suitable environment to cultivate Spirit Power...
It looks boring.
Everyone is here?
Let me introduce a new teacher to you.
This is my bosom friend of many years.
He is also the master of the Martial Spirit Theory.
You can call him...
Call me Master.
From now onwards,
Master will be teaching you all the Martial Spirit Theory.
I hope that you could learn from him.
Don't disgrace our academy.
Yes.
We have a new observer this year.
Introduce yourself.
Hello, I'm Hu Liena.
I'm from Spirit Hall.
Well.
That's all for the introduction.
Our admission has officially accomplished.
Go and prepare yourself.
Our class will start tomorrow.
Please come in.
Hurry up.
This is the male dorm.
Brother Dai's bed.
And this is mine.
-Choose your bed from the rest. -By the way, where does Xiao Wu live?
Girls dorm is beside here.
But the academy stipulates that male students are not allowed to disturb female students.
Got it. I'll sleep here.
Sure.
Besides, I really can't believe that
Headmaster has such a handsome and charming friend.
Our Headmaster is so stingy.
I've never seen any of his friends since I was young.
Since you were young?
He is my foster father.
Back then, he would fly me to the sky during my birthday.
He would bring me everywhere I wanted to go
and show me the world.
Since then, I've decided to bring him to any places he wants to go when I have the strength.
However, when my Martial Spirit awakened,
I realized that we have different Martial Spirits.
And then I knew that he fostered me.
What's your Martial Spirit?
Can you fly too?
My...
It sure can fly with the wings of imagination.
Am I right?
Forget about Headmaster. Let's talk about Master.
How many Spirit Rings does he possess? Seven or eight?
Does he have nine instead?
Does this really matter?
Of course.
Our Headmaster is the Spirit Saint with seven Spirit Rings.
How about Master?
He only has two Spirit Rings.
What?
Two Spirit Rings?
Asking a Spirit Master with two Spirit Rings to teach us?
What's wrong with Headmaster?
Numbers of Spirit Ring couldn't decide one's strength.
If that's the case, tell me then.
What could decide one's strength?
The theory teacher is studying is the most powerful one on Douluo Continent.
So, were those tricks you used to fight with Mr. Zhao also taught by him?
No.
What did he teach then?
Theory.
Theory?
The reason I came to Shrek Academy
is to learn to become stronger, not for theory study.
In my opinion, it's not enough for one to merely have power.
Without the support of theories, he will never become a powerful Spirit Master.
Who are you referring to?
Tang San.
Sir?
Master...
Come out.
Old Hei, let me do it.
Thank you.
Brother Dai, why do you have beef with Tang San?
I don't.
Let me put it in this way.
Why don't you like Tang San?
He is smart.
But at the wrong place.
You're referring to those tricks he used when confronted with Mr. Zhao?
Not only that.
After he has won over Mr. Zhao, there was black smoke emerging from him.
Didn't you find it strange?
No.
As long as he won, right?
But I don't want my partner to win the fight with heretic means.
I think Tang San is quite nice though.
Last time, he saved me with all his might when I was about to die.
I can see he's righteous.
You're so naive.
How could you trust him with small favours?
Tang San has so many things that I can't see through.
Well, time will tell.
You'll understand him later.
Brother, our class starts tomorrow.
Do you want to hang around in the city?
I'm not going, go yourself.
Let's go.
Stop working.
Let's go together.
Don't isolate yourself.
Go with me.
Let's hang out.
Let's go.
Stop being angry.
Go.
Tang San?
Tang San.
I've no idea that you know this.
My dad taught me.
He said this can help with my stamina.
When I was in Nuoding Academy,
I used to forge iron to make a living.
Brother Dai...
Tang San, are you sure you want to work here?
Don't worry, Sir.
I've thought it over.
I could train my stamina with forging the iron.
It won't affect my study.
Well.
But, once I found that you're lagging behind,
I won't allow you to do this again.
Sure.
Old granny, what are you doing?
Eighty gold spirit coins are big bucks.
I can't owe you this.
There is a famine in the village.
If it wasn't you who helped us,
perhaps we would die of hunger.
Your favour is too big for us.
Don't thank me.
It's just a small deal. I mean it.
We'll find all means to return the money to you.
You don't have to return the money though.
Don't mention it again.
No way.
This food is enough.
We'll definitely find ways to repay you.
I've never thought that he used the admission fee
to help the needy.
One of the Ten Core Competing Power of Martial Spirit
that I've researched and proposed
is the Theory of Martial Spirit Mimicry.
Spirit Master with Plant Branch Martial Spirit is not necessary to absorb
Spirit Ring from Plant Branch Spirit Beast.
As for those with Beast Spirit...
Under certain conditions,
both of them can combine.
Theoretically,
the more the Spirit Ring, the stronger the strength.
It's said that the possessor of ten Spirit Rings
will become an immortal.
Headmaster.
You're back?
What have you learnt
in these days?
Master taught us about Ten Core Competing Powers of Martial Spirit.
What are they?
Firstly...
Tell me, Dai Mubai.
Say whatever you could recall.
What? You can't remember any of them?
It's impossible to win over rivals with theory.
Without the conclusion of pioneers' experience,
perhaps you won't even know what does Martial Spirit mean.
Anyhow, I don't believe in
those theories that haven't been proven.
His theories have been proven.
My Martial Spirit is Blue Silver Grass.
Yet I'm able to absorb the Spirit Ring of Datura Snake.
This is the so-called Theory of Martial Spirit Mimicry.
I would rather believe that only through hard training can truly improve myself.
As for the mimicry theory or something,
just let those who need it to learn.
You all may go back.
Headmaster...
Dai...
Don't force him if he doesn't want to learn.
Everyone has their own choice.
Dai Mubai is too arrogant and confident.
It won't benefit him if he still behaves like this.
It's because my level is too low.
That's normal for him not to follow me.
I can't let his bad behaviour goes unchecked.
I've received news just now.
Perhaps this might be an opportunity.
What is it?
Headmaster, today is our rest day.
Why do you call for us in this early morning?
Well.
Yesterday, there was a businessman who came to seek help.
According to him, when he was on his way to do business, he passed by a village.
And he found something strange
happened in the village.
He claimed that if this can't be settled,
he'll never dare to take that path again.
Therefore, he entrusted us to do the investigation.
How much money do you collect from him?
This is not about the monetary matter.
As a Spirit Master,
we're responsible to provide help for those villagers.
You must bear it in your mind.
You're right.
Let's set off now and try to reach the village before lunch.
Let's go.
Tang San, how far is it to go?
I'm exhausted.
It seems it may take some more time.
Do you want me to carry you?
Sure.
Up.
What's wrong? You don't want it?
It's fine. No need.
Tang San.
Did Master tell you anything before?
Nope.
I was planning to go working this afternoon.
Yet I can't go now.
Working?
I forge iron to make a living.
Brother Dai and I saw you that day.
Oscar, did Headmaster always accept this kind of task to help others with chores?
Not always.
But, Headmaster did mention that
we have to grow from the battle.
What is our battle?
Our battle is to help others to do cleaning chores.
I couldn't know what he's thinking about.
Is this task part of the battle?
I've no idea.
Maybe this is a mysterious course.
Did this happen before?
Shrek Academy doesn't have fixed schedules.
We'll learn whatever Headmaster teaches us.
It may seem somewhat random.
But the outcome is extremely useful.
This must be the wisdom of Headmaster.
You seem to admire Headmaster a lot.
Of course.
Headmaster is the one who raised me and teach me how to use Martial Spirit.
Although he's kind of stingy, however, he's doing it for the sake of the academy.
In this world,
Headmaster is the one I most admire.
I can understand you.
I have a great teacher too.
If it wasn't him,
I would die in the hands of Xiao Chenyu.
Tang San,
according to the theory of drama,
both of us have similar backgrounds.
I don't think our background is similar though.
We must be under the same concept.
I don't think so.
You've given me this.
It's a token of our friendship.
- Don't. - Token of friendship.
Please don't.
This is just a gift, nothing special.
Tang San.
As long as you're in academy,
I have your back.
Why haven't we reached yet?
Everyone,
when we were in academy just now,
I've told you the village ahead of us has something strange happened.
What is that?
You may have to investigate the actual situation.
Find your own answer.
This is the first collaboration you have.
Hopefully, you could trust each other.
Take note of this,
this is also counted as your exam.
The consequence will impact your results.
Walk till the end, you'll reach the village.
Aren't you going with us?
This is your task.
Accomplish with your own force.
Sure.
Let's go.
Okay.
Let's go.
The observer is not necessary to join.
I'm willing to be an observer too.
Sure.
I'll burn all your things then.
Headmaster is right.
We must grow from the battle.
I have to grow.
I have to fight.
Wait for me.
I'm willing to go with them.
Mark my words, you're just an observer.
I know.
I won't trouble them.
Are you really letting them handle all?
You've started to worry about them?
Until now, I haven't taken in anything.
How am I going to investigate?
Just hang in there.
After entering the village, follow my instruction.
Why?
Our team will be scattered without one's instruction?
I mean why should I listen to you?
Because I'm the strongest.
Is it the cocky guy the strongest one?
You can leave if you don't want to.
I'm also part of Shrek, why should I listen to you?
You're eligible only if you defeat me.
Calm down, please.
Aren't we have to trust each other?
Why do you start quarreling now?
What happened?
A small gift for you.
Calm down.
Brother Dai.
Let's move.
What's wrong?
Do you find that
there is lots of chickens in this village?
Anything wrong?
I used to live in the village back then.
Villagers will keep some chickens and ducks and also dogs.
But, there are only chickens in Nightfire Village.
This...
Does it matter?
I don't think it's strange.
I mean...
Look at the ground.
It's too clean.
So what?
Perhaps it's nothing.
Let's go.
Xiao Wu.
This cottage looks like it has been burnt.
It is all burnt.
Did anyone try to put out the fire?
That's strange.
Look.
The grass around the cottage remains green.
Yet the cottage is burnt.
It seems like the fire was blocked inside the cottage by something.
Therefore, it didn't spread.
If your words are true, this is fishy.
Brother Dai, what's the situation now?
Let's go and find the village head first.
I have a sense of impending doom.
Why?
I can't tell.
Don't worry.
As long as I'm here, I'll protect you well.
Let's go.
Come.
Let me do it, sir.
Seek help?
No.
But we've received a distress message from Nightfire Village.
It's from a businessman who passed by.
He said that in the night, the village was caught in a big fire.
And there was a black monster leaped up from the fire
and rushed straight to the village.
I see.
It was just a normal house fire.
I reckon the businessman might not understand what has happened.
And makes you come here.
Well.
I'll treat you to a meal tonight
as my apologies.
I'm sorry to trouble you all.
Sir, how about the black monster?
Don't say it.
Nightfire Village has been standing here for hundred years
calmly, silently and steadily.
How could it be a monster here?
Sir, perhaps you don't know about this?
What do you mean?
I'm the head of this village.
I should know everything.
You're right though.
Sir, the burnt house you said,
is it located at the entrance there?
Yes.
Sir, when did it happen?
A few days ago.
Were you there?
I...
I was sleeping at that time.
When I reached there,
the fire has been put out.
Did you realize that
only one cottage was burnt in that area,
and the plants around it remain in good shape?
It's just like...
Just like there's something
in the cottage
blocking the fire from spreading out.
Your imagination is kind of rich.
That was because the villagers put out the fire in time.
Why do you have so many questions?
Sir...
Sir,
I think the businessman must have seen it wrong.
He must be regarding the villagers who try to put out the fire as the black monster.
Think about it.
In the windy and pitch-black night, the fire was raging.
It must have stretched the shadow.
This must be a misunderstanding.
I think that your words do make sense.
I'll take this as an idea to write my story.
Your analysis makes sense.
That's that truth.
But, Sir...
But, Sir.
We came all the way from our academy
because of the distress message.
It's hard for us
to go back empty-handed.
He's right, Sir.
We can't explain to our Headmaster.
Well...
Sir...
It's fine.
I'm fine.
I...
I don't want to drink anymore.
I know you're kind, right?
You're caring about Nightfire Village.
Well.
I'll still treat you to a meal tonight.
Besides, I'll give all of you one gold spirit coin each.
That's great. Thank you, Sir.
A reward for helping.
Sure.
Tang San, what do you mean?
Headmaster asked us to come for investigation, not for cheating money.
I didn't say I quit.
Why did you stop me just now?
Didn't you see that the village head doesn't want us to investigate?
If you keep on asking him,
he'll get annoyed and hinders us from investigating.
That's why you purposely said that you want to quit investigating.
Let them loose their guard first.
We'll go to other places to investigate.
This village is indeed strange.
Brother, drink some water.
Tang San, you're smart.
But without the help of the village head,
how are we going to investigate?
The village is big, there must be other clues.
We still have time before night falls.
Let's look for villagers who are willing to help.
Sure.
Okay.
You all go yourself. I don't want to join.
Whatever.
Set off now.
-Let's gather before the sky turns dark. -Sure.
Let's go.
Afterwards, I hope that you could discuss with me in advance.
Because I'm the Leader of the team.
Brother Dai, sometimes it's impossible to discuss in advance.
We should refine the plan then.
If you always do things without informing, the situation will be beyond control.
You've witnessed the situation then.
I don't have...
Stop explaining.
Go now.
No need.
I've got it.
Sir, during the fire that night,
you were there.
Why did you lie to us?
I've no idea what you're saying.
The villagers told us
the monster is in the village.
They want us to help too.
Who said this?
Tell me.
I want to speak to the person.
It's not important.
Sir, tell us now.
What was the black image,
which is neither a Spirit Beast nor a beast, appeared that night?
Sir, only if you tell us the truth can we help you.
That's right.
All right.
That night,
I was there and...
I've witnessed a black figure
leaped up from the house and rushed out.
Red eyes in the smoke?
Perhaps it was the blaze.
Why didn't you investigate it?
Villages are dry places.
It's normal for it to catch fire.
Besides, after that night,
nothing strange had happened.
Furthermore,
if I find someone to investigate,
it will not only consume manpower and resources
but also cost me a lot of money.
You're right.
Sir, do you think that we're cheating your money?
Isn't that true?
Sir, we're here to help you.
If we can't find the culprit,
we won't take a single cent from you.
Sir, are there any survivors from the affected family?
Yes.
It's a kid.
Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun?
Where is he now?
He must have suffered a lot from this accident.
Don't further traumatize him.
Tell me, where is he now?
I...
I've no idea.
Since the accident, he became weird
and refuse to meet people.
I haven't seen him for days.
How old is he?
Around 15 years old.
How does he look like?
He has a round face and he's short.
He looks adorable too.
Everyone got it now?
Let's spread up to look for Ma Hongjun.
Bring him back once you find him.
For those timid ones, just stay here.
Sir, how many chickens are there in the village?
Chickens?
I've no idea.
Well...
We have many chickens, chicks, roosters and hens here.
Were there any casualties in that fire?
Yes.
Ma Hongjun's father died in the fire.
Has he been buried yet?
Yes.
At the west of the village.
Thank you.
Tang San.
Hold on.
Why did you ask about the chickens?
I'm thinking that will Ma Hongjun go to the grave as he misses his father?
That makes sense.
Go and check it out. I'll wait for you here.
You're not going with us?
Yes.
I would rather spend my time writing new scripts.
I don't find it interesting being a Spirit Master.
Only art.
Only art
could be immortal.
Why do you still stay in Shrek Academy?
I come to collect ideas for creation.
Let's take you as an example.
Both of you are good materials for me.
Us?
Yes.
For example, you.
You're pretty and adorable.
Why do you come to Shrek Academy?
Why do you choose to become a Spirit Master regardless of challenges?
What's your reason?
All of these are the contradiction and conflicts in drama.
Do you know that?
I want to find out the nature of Martial Spirit.
Nature?
That's so profound.
I want to venture into a new path.
What path is that?
I want to find out could Spirit Master obtain Spirit Ring
without hunting for Spirit Beast?
This...
might be hard.
Over the past thousands of years,
all Spirit Masters get upgraded level through Spirit Beast hunting.
But I want to try.
I'll accompany you.
Both of you can go now.
The trees are shining against the light
Like a stubborn young man
The far destination is where I'm heading
My bags are packed but I'm in a daze
There's no need to comfort me
Going separate ways and we'll all endure suffering
Don't hide, take it as another challenge for us
A stubborn choice and a burning heart
Take the bumpy road under the storm
Not afraid to break ordinary rules in life
Because
Because I want to become the unique one
Stumble my way into the next sunset
So I will hope for brighter fireworks
The dream of faith
Will always prevail
And become a beautiful galaxy
There's no need to comfort me
Going separate ways and we'll all endure suffering
Don't hide, take it as another challenge for us
A stubborn choice and a burning heart
Take the bumpy road under the storm
Not afraid to break ordinary rules in life