Meeting in the Shrek Seven Monsters' Fated Destiny

As for why a Titled Douluo was not leading the team, that was easy enough to understand.

Every Titled Douluo was a prominent figure on the continent. It would have been fine if one were taking a single person out as before, but openly leading four people into the Star Dou Great Forest would easily invite speculation from other factions and powerful individuals.

After all, Da Ming and Er Ming had never looked kindly upon people from Spirit Hall.

And if they encountered powerful figures from other factions in the Star Dou Great Forest, seeing several students personally led by Spirit Hall powerhouses would inevitably reveal just how important these geniuses were to Spirit Hall.

The human heart was hard to predict. What if someone got foolish ideas and tried something?

Furthermore, the Spirit Douluo leading this expedition was an eighty-eighth-rank Assault System Soul Master. His Combat Power was in no way inferior to that of a certain Titled Douluo at the bottom of the ranks, and he could even defeat them in a one-on-one fight. Their safety was completely guaranteed.

"This time, you four little ones will handle everything yourselves. Unless your lives are in danger, I will not step in to help." Seated in the carriage headed for the Star Dou Great Forest, the Spirit Douluo leading them reminded them.

"Although this is your first time going to the Star Dou Great Forest, you should have learned everything you need to know in theory class. This trip is for practical experience. You will decide entirely for yourselves how to act. I hope you make fewer mistakes."

"Understood."

By evening, the carriage arrived at a small town.

Having been given decision-making authority, Xia Tianling immediately decided to rest there for the night and continue onward the next day.

The carriage they rode in had its Spirit Hall insignia removed. Though its interior was exceedingly spacious and luxurious, it looked utterly ordinary from the outside.

After entering the town, the Spirit Douluo leading them flashed away and vanished without a trace.

Without an "adult" by their side, the children visibly became more lively.

Ma Hongjun, traveling far from home alone for the first time, drove the carriage while curiously looking around.

Seeing the dazzling array of goods along the street—every kind of potion, miscellaneous item, and equipment available—Xia Tianling's collector's itch began acting up as well.

Buy. Just buy it all!

He would not feel at ease until he had bought a full set of every sort of supply. Besides, the pocket money Teacher had given him was too much to count anyway.

At that moment, Oscar pointed at an ordinary-looking hotel ahead.

"Boss, let's stay there tonight."

The hotel Oscar mentioned was a two-story building. The first-floor hall was a simple restaurant, while the second floor provided lodging.

Could this really be fate?

Comparing it to the description gradually overlapping with his memories, Xia Tianling agreed with a strange expression.

After entering the hotel, he rented one triple room and one single room.

Though he was indeed wealthy, there was no need to waste money where it was not necessary.

The sky outside had already begun to darken.

After washing up in their rooms and changing into clean clothes, they went downstairs to eat.

Just as the four of them had sat down, another five people entered the hotel.

The man at the front was sturdy but not tall, his entire body packed with knotted muscles like a savage bear.

No way. Could it really be this much of a coincidence?

When he saw the familiar Tang San and Xiao Wu appear behind him, Xia Tianling had no choice but to admit that it truly was such a coincidence.

Was this the convergence of worldlines?

"Hey, Little San, Xiao Wu, and Young Master Dai. We meet again."

"Brother Ling, you're here too? What a coincidence."

"Little San, Mubai, you know them?" The man at the front was none other than Zhao Wuji.

Remembering some rather unpleasant memories from a few days ago, Dai Mubai answered somewhat awkwardly, "You could say we became acquainted through a fight."

Tang San excitedly introduced everyone to Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, this is my childhood friend and also my Elder Brother, Xia Tianling. Brother Ling, this is our Shrek team leader, Teacher Zhao, Zhao Wuji. And this is my classmate, Ning Rongrong."

Ning Rongrong looked perfectly obedient as she gently greeted them, but her darting eyes had already betrayed her.

"Ning Rongrong, long time no see." Xia Tianling gave Ning Rongrong a look.

Tang San was somewhat surprised. "Brother Ling, Rongrong, you know each other?"

"Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has a partnership with the faction behind Brother Ling. Of course we met when Father took me along to visit and play."

Xia Tianling smiled. Ning Rongrong still had some sense of propriety; she had not mentioned Spirit Hall in front of Zhao Wuji.

"So this is the legendary Immovable Ming King, Zhao Wuji. Teacher Zhao, I have long admired you. I never expected that after Senior vanished from the martial world for ten years, you would now be teaching and nurturing others." Xia Tianling stood and clasped his hands, delivering a string of polite pleasantries.

"Hm? Kid, you know me?" Zhao Wuji raised a brow.

"Of course this junior has heard of the great name of the Immovable Ming King."

"Great name? More like an infamous one. Still, since you know Little San and the others, I won't disturb you." With that, he rented a single room for himself and went upstairs.

"Teacher Zhao is really rude." Xiao Wu pouted disdainfully, familiarly pulled out a chair, and sat down. "Brother Ling, I want something delicious!"

"Xiao Wu, you're criticizing Teacher Zhao, but aren't you being rude too?" Tang San said helplessly from beside her.

Naturally, he did not know that Xiao Wu already regarded Xia Tianling as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who had taken human form, just like herself.

"Hahaha, of course. Little San, Young Master Dai, and Rongrong, meeting is fate. I'm treating today, so everyone, sit down and have something to eat together." Xia Tianling cheerfully invited them to sit.

The seven people who had originally belonged to the same camp had now been split into two "opposing" groups, yet they had still returned to this familiar place to eat together.

Interesting. Far too interesting.

"Since Brother Ling is treating today, I've gotta fleece him good." Ma Hongjun grinned lewdly and called over the waiter. "Here, bring me everything in this menu except the staples."

"Fatty, you're still such a glutton."

"Ning Rongrong! Don't call me Fatty! I'm not fat at all anymore!"

Though Ma Hongjun claimed he was going to fleece him, in truth, even if he ordered several more menus' worth, it would not cost many Gold Soul Coins.

Besides, could the food at this ordinary little hotel possibly taste better than what Brother Ling cooked himself?

From the moment he entered, Dai Mubai had felt deeply uneasy, as though something frightening had been staring at him the entire time.

Only after sitting down did he realize that it was the girl who had given him such a cold look last time.

Though she felt inexplicably familiar, he should not have offended her. Why did she bear such intense hostility toward him?

The moment Dai Mubai entered the room, Zhu Zhuqing, who had been in a fairly good mood, immediately darkened her expression. She wanted nothing more than to tear this self-indulgent scumbag apart alive.

"Listen, girl, even if I said last time that I wanted to take your sweetheart out for some fun, you don't need to be this angry at me, do you?" Dai Mubai looked utterly baffled and decided to get to the bottom of it.

"Get lost! Don't talk to me! You disgust me!" Zhu Zhuqing naturally gave him no pleasant expression. Her words were firm and decisive, leaving the bystanders who did not know the truth completely confused.

"You!" Dai Mubai's eyes widened as he was about to lash out. He was Dai Mubai, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger. Who in Suotuo City dared speak to him like that?

"Don't get angry. Come, come, let me introduce a few of my companions." Xia Tianling appeared to smooth things over, but inwardly he was already prepared to enjoy the show. "This is our Food System Support Spirit Master, Oscar. That flashy peacock is Ma Hongjun. As for this girl..."

"I'll introduce her to you later."

Everyone: ??? What was wrong with this guy?

Zhu Zhuqing was also completely bewildered as she looked at Xia Tianling in confusion.

"Don't rush. I'll let you watch a good show later."