Zhao Wuji led Su Zui and his eight companions, heading towards the Star Dou Great Forest.
Whenever everyone was exhausted, Ning Rongrong would use her second Soul Skill to slightly increase everyone's speed.
During this brief journey, the eight members of the Shrek Academy seemed to temporarily form a cohesive unit.
Zhao Wuji was naturally very happy about this, since his goal was to enhance the cohesion among the eight people.
Su Zui saw the joy on Zhao Wuji's face, but sighed helplessly in his heart.
He knew what Zhao Wuji was thinking; he simply wanted to strengthen the bond between the eight of them.
However, Su Zui was very clear that this was only on the surface. After all, if the core conflicts among the eight people could not be resolved and their values could not be changed, then the whole team would never be able to unite.
Through just one day of observation, Su Zui had already gained a general understanding of the Shrek Academy.
First of all, there is an irreconcilable conflict between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.
Although the exact nature of their relationship is unknown, judging from Zhu Zhuqing's cold attitude, it's impossible for them to have a friendly relationship.
The second core conflict is naturally Tang San's hostility towards him.
Su Zui disliked Tang San very much.
Too petty, too calculating.
This person didn't seem like a child at all; Su Zui even began to suspect that he might have been possessed by someone.
And as for their values and beliefs, that goes without saying.
Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai were just clients of prostitutes. If they were in Su Zui's world, they probably wouldn't be able to leave juvenile detention.
Therefore, although Zhao Wuji's starting point was good, without resolving the issues Su Zui raised, it would be impossible for the eight people to unite.
However, seeing Zhao Wuji's expectant look, Su Zui did not reveal the truth, which chilled Zhao Wuji's heart.
The group of nine traveled without stopping until nightfall, when they finally arrived at a small town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Nestled against the mountains and surrounded by forests, this small town is the closest place to the Star Dou Great Forest, bustling with people year-round.
Here, you can see Soul Masters hunting for Soul Rings everywhere on the streets.
There are lone wolves venturing out on their own, and small teams traveling together. More often, like Su Zui and his group, there are teachers leading students from the academy out to hunt Soul Beasts.
The small town is a melting pot of people from all directions, where the lively atmosphere blends with the swift killing spirit unique to the world of Soul Masters, creating a truly unique ambiance.
The streets are lined with shops, all of which are taverns, inns, and restaurants.
Perhaps because he had read too many martial arts novels, Su Zui had a special fondness for inns.
After all, what boy wouldn't want to roam the martial world alone with his sword?
Zhao Wuji raised his eyes and glanced indifferently at the scattered houses and lights.
Finally, his gaze settled on a simple and clean little hotel on the side of the street.
This hotel doesn't have luxurious decor; it's simple and understated, but very clean, making it a great place to stay and rest.
Zhao Wuji turned around and spoke in a deep voice.
"We'll stay at this hotel tonight. You all should get a good rest. Oh, Flender specifically asked me to treat you to a nice meal. Here are 100 Gold Soul Coins; buy whatever you like."
After Zhao Wuji finished speaking, he threw a bag of Gold Soul Coins into Su Zui's hand.
Last night, Flender reaped all the funds from the entire Soul Fighting Arena, becoming a wealthy old tycoon, and naturally, he wasn't stingy with the cost of a meal.
Zhao Wuji didn't have the habit of taking advantage of his students, so he booked a room for himself first and went inside.
Su Zui and his eight companions then walked into the hotel one after another.
Although it looks simple from the outside, the hotel's interior is quite spacious.
At this time, the hotel lobby was already about 60-70% full, with guests quietly dining and resting.
The eight people walked straight to the most spacious round table in the hall.
Su Zui naturally led Zhu Zhuqing Ning Rongrong to sit down, and Xiao Wu quickly plopped down next to Ning Rongrong, taking her best friend's hand.
Tang San silently sat down next to Xiao Wu.
Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun squeezed to the very edge.
The hotel's food was quite good; being located next to the Star Dou Great Forest, this small hotel even offered Soul Beast meat.
One hundred Gold Soul Coins was quite a sum, and soon, plates of fragrant lean soul meat were served.
Four cold dishes, four hot dishes, one main dish per person, and four desserts.
Ma Hongjun's eyes widened at the sight of the delicious food on the table.
He couldn't wait to pick up his chopsticks and instinctively started to eat like crazy.
However, just as his gaze inadvertently fell upon Su Zui, the chopsticks in his hand slowly drooped.
"Brother Su, you've worked hard clearing the way all the way. You and your wife should eat first."
Su Zui glanced at Ma Hongjun with some surprise. Wait, how did this chubby guy become so savvy? And judging from Ma Hongjun's tone, he seemed like a gangster.
Dai Mubai simply stomped hard on Ma Hongjun's foot. That fatso really knows how to change his tune depending on the wind; he's betrayed their revolutionary friendship.
Even during the meal, Dai Mubai's gaze kept slipping onto Zhu Zhuqing, as he pondered how to start a conversation with her.
He knew he was a jerk, but he was, after all, her fiancé.
The two had been betrothed since childhood, but Zhu Zhuqing turned out to be so heartless.
If it were the old Dai Mubai, he would have already lost his temper and overturned the table.
However, when he caught a glimpse of Su Zui beside him out of the corner of his eye, he forcibly suppressed his anger.
Facing Su Zui, Dai Mubai truly dared not breathe on him.
This kid is strong and ruthless. It's said that the level 48 Mad Demon who dominated the Soul Fighting Arena was directly crippled by Su Zui.
With his small frame, he wouldn't even be enough to fill Su Zui's teeth.
Dai Mubai was certain that he could flip the table one second and then slap himself across the face the next, even while he was still hungover.
Dai Mubai thought to himself, this is definitely not fear, it's just that there is an old saying in the Douluo Continent, "Those who diligently strive are the heroes."
On the other side, Su Zui and Ning Rongrong sat close together, the atmosphere very sweet.
Ning Rongrong placed her legs directly on Su Zui 'Su Zui lap, whispered something in his ear, and occasionally let out a series of silvery giggles.
She talked about how she was a little tyrant in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile when she was a child, and how Grandpa Sword carried her through the sky, which was so much fun.
Su Zui quietly rested her chin on her hand and looked at Ning Rongrong, her eyes filled with tenderness.
Zhu Zhuqing sat quietly on the other side of Su Zui.
Her aloof face showed no extra emotion; she didn't even glance at Dai Mubai.
However, only Zhu Zhuqing herself knew that her seemingly indifferent gaze would always fall quietly on Su Zui when no one was paying attention.
These gazes concealed too many unspoken secrets of young girls.