Zhu Zhuqing Calls Off the Engagement! Thirty Years East of the River?

Tang Lan condensed a Spiritual Light Ball and casually pushed it out.

Zhao Wuji eagerly accepted it.

After saying goodbye, he ran off to the side to study it intently.

If he did not still need to keep his Gravity Soul Skill active, he would have vanished without a trace!

Flender watched it all with a complicated gaze.

He, too, coveted the Lingbo Microstep.

But unlike Zhao Wuji, he had ties to Shrek.

If he, the Dean, also joined the Tang Sect,

then who would have the final say in Shrek?

And how would his disciple Ma Hongjun fit in?

So, against his own wishes, he could only watch.

Fortunately,

Shrek's other three teachers were wholly devoted to teaching and had no intention of joining the Tang Sect.

"Whoosh—"

"Whoosh—"

"Whoosh—"

Oscar was swinging his hammer.

The hundred-jin forging hammer had become three times heavier under the effects of gravity.

As a Support Soul Master, Oscar's arms trembled even as he lifted the hammer.

Yet he still gritted his teeth and persisted, displaying astonishing willpower.

Unfortunately,

after around every ten swings, his hands would lose their strength and fail to grip the forging hammer.

The strength of one's body would not increase simply through willpower.

But Oscar was a Support Soul Master.

"I've got a big sausage!"

After downing three Recovery Sausages in a row and regaining some Physical Strength,

Oscar continued swinging his hammer. Blood covered the handle, yet he did not waver in the slightest.

This greatly pleased Flender.

Oscar had never made him worry much when it came to cultivation.

Then he looked at Ma Hongjun and felt nothing but fury!

That brat needed to be trained hard!

That day,

Oscar swung his hammer 1,430 times, exceeding his assigned task.

The price was mangled hands, exhausted Physical Strength, and nearly depleted Soul Power.

He could not even hold a soup spoon steadily during dinner. Shao Xin, distressed by the sight, fed him a few sugar beans and carried him back to the dormitory.

Xiao Wu could not bear to watch.

"Tang San, Oscar's attitude is pretty good. Do we really need to make him stick with it for seven days?"

Tang San was equally surprised.

He only managed a little over three thousand hammer swings a day—and that was with the help of the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer.

Oscar had actually managed to...

But he was still unwilling to take him as a Disciple.

"Let's watch a little longer," Tang San evaded.

Xiao Wu pouted and cast a pleading look at Tang Lan—Hurry up and talk some sense into your little brother!

Tang Lan also thought

this was a great idea!

Tang San had taken Ji Xiang as a Disciple to repay a life-saving debt.

He could just teach him a few things and leave him to fend for himself.

But Oscar was different!

They would be seeing each other every day in the same academy.

Could Tang San really get away with not showing any real skill?

And once he taught seriously, it would inevitably delay his own cultivation.

Wonderful!

Tang Lan immediately pressed his hand down, signaling Xiao Wu not to worry.

Then he said—

"Little Sanzi, a real man keeps his word."

"Since you said seven days, then not one day less."

"It all depends on whether Oscar can endure it."

Tang San sighed in relief. Good thing Brother was not here to plead Oscar's case.

He immediately nodded in agreement.

Yet he vaguely felt that something was off.

"Brother! Why are you making things worse?" Xiao Wu complained.

Tang Lan gave a mysterious smile without explaining.

Worried that Xiao Wu might persuade Tang Lan, Tang San hurriedly wolfed down a few bites, rose, and left.

"Brother, I'm going back to work on the scope first."

Without waiting for Tang Lan's reply, he vanished using Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track.

Only then did Tang Lan speak unhurriedly—

"Other than the Lingbo Microstep, the Tang Sect currently does not have much that suits Oscar."

"Firearm Soul Tools are quite powerful, but they burn money."

"The cheapest Bullets are made from Hundred Refined Steel. An Uzi fires a hundred rounds in two seconds. Ning Rongrong can afford to splurge, but can Oscar?"

Xiao Wu blinked. That did seem to make sense?

The others nodded in deep agreement as well.

Only Ning Rongrong looked rather dissatisfied.

"Sect Master, don't make it sound like I'm just rich and stupid."

Tang Lan shrugged.

Who knew whether she was stupid? She certainly had plenty of money.

He continued—

"Little Sanzi's talent is also quite good. My Firearm Soul Tools were inspired by his hidden weapons."

"Hidden weapons value quality over quantity. They focus on one-hit kills and catching opponents off guard, making them more suitable for Oscar."

"And Little Sanzi has several Self-Created Soul Skills. If Oscar can learn them, he will not fear Battle Soul Masters of the same rank."

Oh?

Tang San had that kind of talent too?

Wait!

They had been here for several days already, so why had they never seen Tang San use any of it?

And thinking back to when Tang San forged,

he had never directly forged a basic shape like Tang Lan did.

He guarded his own little tricks very closely.

Though that was understandable, the comparison was unavoidable!

Look at Tang Lan.

He had used his Self-Created Soul Skills to establish the Tang Sect and contributed his Soul Tools to strengthen the Heaven Dou Empire.

What selfless devotion!

Then look at Tang San, who kept everything hidden away!

If Tang Lan had not brought it up today, they would not even have known he had such skills.

Thus,

they understood Tang San's actions, but despised the narrowness of his vision!

The host has lowered Tang San's reputation in Shrek and seized a small amount of Tang San's Luck!

Reward: "External Soul Bone · Double Pupils +120 years!"

Tsk!

What an unexpected pleasant surprise.

In a corner,

Ma Hongjun watched the harmonious group in silence.

He did not understand

how he had ended up being isolated.

What he especially could not understand was

why Tang Lan could accept even Dai-laoda and think so carefully for Xiao Ao,

yet refused to accept him, Ma Hongjun?

He must still be holding a grudge over how I offended him back then!

I didn't do it on purpose, and I already apologized.

Ma Hongjun felt terribly wronged.

But no one noticed him.

Zhu Zhuqing finished eating first. She stood, washed her bowl, and headed toward the training field.

It looked like she intended to do extra training.

Dai Mubai silently followed after her.

Xiao Wu tugged Tang Lan's sleeve and signaled with her eyes—Can you really rest easy about this?

Tang Lan merely shrugged indifferently.

Zhu Zhuqing admired strength. Not to mention, her recognition of him had even earned him an External Soul Bone.

Over the past few days, the way she looked at Tang Lan had seemed a little off.

—For something to show through those cold eyes of hers, her emotions had to be intense indeed.

Dai Mubai was only heading over there to be turned away.

But Xiao Wu could not grasp that logic.

Seeing Tang Lan do nothing, she stomped her foot hard!

She actually caught up with Zhu Zhuqing, linked arms with her, and headed to the training field together.

Tang Lan was left confused.

If Dai Mubai could win Zhu Zhuqing back, shouldn't Xiao Wu have been the first to support it?

Why was she helping Tang Lan block a romantic rival instead?

"I really envy you," Ning Rongrong sighed. "Your little wife may be jealous, but she's still helping you chase girls. How nice!"

"Huh? Helping me chase girls?" Tang Lan asked in confusion. "How did you see that?"

Ning Rongrong smiled.

"Sect Master, so there are things you don't understand after all." She teased him.

Tang Lan narrowed his eyes. Getting bold, were they?

Sensing danger, Ning Rongrong hurriedly spilled everything—

"Your talent is too dazzling. Xiao Wu can't hold on to you by herself."

"So she probably figured it out and wants to join forces with Zhuqing to keep other women from getting involved."

"That's probably what she means."

Tang Lan blinked.

Huh?

That was another way to interpret it?

"How are you so sure?" Tang Lan was a little skeptical.

At that, Ning Rongrong looked somewhat displeased.

"Like you said, I never had friends growing up. Other than playing pranks, all I could do was read more books."

"What books would children like to read? Idol stories, romance novels, love stories, that sort of thing."

"So even though I've never been in love, I'm still very experienced!"

That worked too?

Tang Lan gave Ning Rongrong a thumbs-up.

Unexpectedly,

Ning Rongrong smiled and held out her little hand.

"Well then, Uncle Tang, shouldn't you give your junior a little gift for our first meeting?"

Tang Lan: "..."

So she had been waiting for him here?

Ning Fengzhi really did spoil his daughter. He had left immediately, yet he still managed to notify Ning Rongrong.

Tang Lan also put on an air of seniority.

"If Niece Ning wants a meeting gift, shouldn't she kowtow first?"

Ning Rongrong promptly pulled back her hand.

"Hmph!"

"Besides, the Undying Imprint Technique doesn't suit me anyway. I don't need this meeting gift!"

She turned and left.

Tang Lan chuckled.

Once news of the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation got out, Ning Rongrong would naturally come begging for it.

When that happened, he would have to keep her in suspense for a while.

As a combined formation,

the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation placed greater emphasis on coordination and did not require much proficiency.

In terms of Inner Force cultivation,

the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation might be slightly faster than the Lingbo Microstep, but it could not simultaneously account for Inner Force, external martial arts, and movement techniques.

So for a fragile support like Ning Rongrong, her main focus still had to be the Lingbo Microstep.

Whether she learned the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation sooner or later would not make much difference.

That night.

Xiao Wu directly activated her Third Soul Skill—Teleport—and flashed into Tang Lan's dormitory.

They began dual cultivation.

"Brother's bed is still the most comfortable!" Xiao Wu said, rubbing against him.

Tang Lan flicked her forehead, leaving Xiao Wu's eyes unfocused.

She was digesting the information on the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation.

Tang Lan was speechless.

Ever since Zhu Zhuqing had appeared, Xiao Wu had become increasingly unrestrained around him.

Back when they dual cultivated, they only held hands.

Now, whenever they dual cultivated, she had to snuggle up to him!

She would stir up Tang Lan's desires, then Teleport away and run off.

It was infuriating!

No!

He had to punish her today!

The sun rose in the east.

Xiao Wu fled Tang Lan's dormitory in a panic, her little mouth puffed up as though it had swollen.

Tang Lan stood in the doorway and stretched lazily, looking refreshed.

Humming "Today Is a Good Day," he headed toward the cafeteria.

Although he no longer needed to eat, Shao Xin's cooking was excellent. Eating was a kind of joy.

"Creak—"

The nearby dormitory door opened, and Tang San rushed out with bedhead.

"Brother!"

"I finished it!"

"A 10x scope!"

Oh?

Tang Lan took the scope and held it up to his eye, looking around.

"Hiss—"

What was that?

So big, so white, and so bouncy?

He lowered the scope,

only to see Zhu Zhuqing taking out a long robe from her Storage Ring and putting it on.

Good grief!

What Tang Lan had just done was no different from shoving it right up against her chest.

Ahem!

Tang Lan put the scope into Blue King, then tossed a Spiritual Light Ball to Tang San.

It contained one of the cultivation methods of the True Martial Seven Intercept Formation.

While Tang San was comprehending it,

Tang Lan walked side by side with Zhu Zhuqing toward the cafeteria.

Xiao Wu had already told him everything about last night.

Dai Mubai had sought out Zhu Zhuqing to confess, only to be rejected without mercy.

She had even called off their engagement on the spot.

Fortunately,

Dai Mubai had been in the wrong first, so there was no dramatic "thirty years in the east, thirty years in the west" scene.

But in the original story,

hadn't Zhu Zhuqing enrolled at Shrek specifically for Dai Mubai?

Now that she had rejected him so decisively, who could it be for?

Big Sausage Uncle Oscar?

The isolated fatty Ma Hongjun?

Or Tang San, who was overshadowed by Tang Lan's brilliance?

It could only be Tang Lan, who possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with her, had greater compatibility, and possessed utterly unmatched talent.

Since Zhu Zhuqing had made her stance clear, and Xiao Wu had chosen to accept reality,

what was Tang Lan still hesitating for?

Launch the offensive!

"You're a little late today. Did you train too hard last night?" Tang Lan asked with concern.

"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing answered briefly, "My muscles are sore, my reactions are slow, and I woke up late."

"Oh? My Inner Force has healing effects. Want to give it a try?" Tang Lan suggested. "Don't let it affect today's training."

Whether it was because of the training or something else,

Zhu Zhuqing nodded without hesitation.

"How will you treat it?"

"Simple. You stay still, and I'll do the moving."

Tang Lan took Zhu Zhuqing's hand.

It was warm, soft, smooth, and wonderfully delicate to the touch.

He sent in the Inner Force of the Nine Yang Divine Skill. The scorching energy traveled through Zhu Zhuqing's meridians, clearing the hidden injuries accumulated through training.

The process felt like soaking in a hot spring, wonderfully soothing.

"Mmm~"

"Whoosh—"

With her Hell Spirit Cat martial soul activated and the Lingbo Microstep beneath her feet, Zhu Zhuqing vanished in a flash.

Tang Lan was left staring in surprise.

At first, he had thought he had misheard.

But judging by Zhu Zhuqing's reaction, wasn't she just trying to cover her ears while stealing a bell?

Who would have thought that the outwardly icy Zhu Zhuqing could make such cute little sounds too?

Cold on the outside, warm on the inside?

Absolutely exquisite!

The female leads are tentatively Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. Brothers, do you have any other favorite girls?