Set Off, Star Dou!

Hearing Luo Chuan's words, Oscar's eyes lit up, and he said confidently, "Luo Chuan's faction? As expected, Luo Chuan has an extraordinary background."

Luo Chuan had no idea what Oscar was thinking.

"That's all? Just an ordinary affiliation, like joining any other faction? As long as I don't betray it and do what I'm supposed to, there won't be any excessive demands, right?"

"Just think about what obligations you'd have to fulfill if you joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Luo Chuan remained calm as he lowered his head to eat, only to find that his bowl had somehow gained a great deal of meat.

One look at the two girls' plates, and Luo Chuan understood.

"I'm losing weight," Zhu Zhuqing explained guiltily. Ning Rongrong added, "Same here."

Luo Chuan chuckled. "Zhuqing has the assets to lose weight. You too? What, are you planning to slim down until there's nothing left, then swear brotherhood with me?"

"Mm~~~ Luo Chuan, you're too much~~" Ning Rongrong whined, and Luo Chuan nearly sent her flying with a punch.

Across from them, Oscar pretended not to see any of it. He had already given up on Ning Rongrong, especially now that she was clearly much closer to Luo Chuan.

"Xiao Chuan, in your faction... uh, never mind." Oscar's peach-blossom eyes shifted again. Since it was Luo Chuan's faction, Luo Chuan was naturally its master.

After a long while, seeing that Luo Chuan was about to leave, Oscar finally asked, "One last question. Will what I receive be the same as what Fatty gets?"

"Fatty is my senior brother. Keep dreaming."

"Then what about Zhuqing?"

"Zhuqing? Are you as good-looking as Zhuqing?"

Zhu Zhuqing turned her face away, avoiding both Luo Chuan and Oscar's nosy little gaze.

"Then what can I get?" Oscar said. "This is my last question!"

"Support-type Soul Masters have weak self-preservation abilities, and that weakness has already been made up for in your case.

"But honestly, your combat power is lacking, and your support abilities are only so-so."

"Brother Xiao Chuan~~"

"Get lost, get lost. For now, your treatment will be about the same as Fatty and the others'. I won't shortchange you," Luo Chuan said.

After hearing that, Oscar hesitated briefly, then rubbed his sore, numb legs. "Fine. From now on, brother, I'm following you!"

Luo Chuan took out the Contract Stele and placed it on the dining table. "Prick your finger and leave your mark."

Luo Chuan handled it strictly as business. Though Oscar was curious, he still bit his finger and pressed it onto the stele.

Luo Chuan reached out to take it back, but Ning Rongrong suddenly pressed her finger onto it as well, leaving a small cut on her fingertip.

Luo Chuan glanced at Ning Rongrong. Seeing her indifferent expression, he said nothing.

"I'm going to see the teacher. We'll postpone getting the Soul Rings for a few days." Luo Chuan put away the stele and left alone.

The next day, the plan was delayed by three days. Luo Chuan first went to find Zhao Wuji, whose facial bruises had already vanished without a trace. Oscar had also explained the reason to Grandmaster today. Although Grandmaster looked regretful, Oscar was a food-type support Soul Master, so he did not think much of him.

His target remained Luo Chuan. As long as he conquered Luo Chuan, everyone in Shrek would become tools for him to prove himself.

In Flender's dormitory, Flender, Oscar, and Zhao Wuji each absorbed an Immortal Herb.

Of course, Luo Chuan also used the Merit Golden Lotus to improve the quality of their Martial Souls.

The sun rose and set, and another day passed.

Oscar still absorbed the Eight Petal Immortal Orchid, while Zhao Wuji absorbed the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum.

Ding! Oscar's aptitude has changed, and his trust in the Heavenly Ranking has dropped to the lowest level. Reward: "Azure Dragon Yin Yang Art," Meridian Opening Pill ×10, "Lingbo Micro Step"

Ding! Flender's aptitude has changed, and his trust in the Heavenly Ranking has dropped to the lowest level. Reward: "Azure Dragon Body Tempering Art"

Ding! Zhao Wuji's aptitude has changed, and his trust in the Heavenly Ranking has dropped to the lowest level. Reward: one thread of True Dragon Source Bloodline.

That night, Luo Chuan pushed open Zhu Zhuqing's door. On the narrow bed, Zhu Zhuqing lay on her side, tense.

By dawn the next day, Luo Chuan quietly removed his large hand from where it covered Zhu Zhuqing's chest and guiltily left the room.

Zhu Zhuqing wrapped the blanket tighter around herself, her face gradually turning red.

Luo Chuan had already handed out six Body Tempering Pills, Soul Nourishing Pills, Marrow Cleansing Pills, and Meridian Opening Pills. The effects of these pills were quite obvious, and Oscar's gains over the past two days had made Tang San and Dai Mubai green with envy.

Luo Chuan's little villa was still under construction. It would likely take at least a week to finish, followed by another three days of decoration. Though Luo Chuan kept urging the workers on, inwardly he was almost unable to resist causing a little damage.

Why live in some little villa? Wasn't Zhu Zhuqing's small bed comfortable enough?

Luo Chuan had not been idle these past two days. In the mornings, he instructed Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and the others in the improved Purple Demon Eye. In the afternoons, he taught the Muscle Change Classic and the Marrow Cleansing Classic to Flender, Zhao Wuji, and the newly arrived Oscar.

In the afternoons, Luo Chuan guided everyone in practicing Lingbo Micro Step.

In the blink of an eye, two days passed.

On the third day, everyone assembled early in the morning. This time, quite a few people needed Soul Rings, so naturally there were also many people heading to the Star Dou Great Forest.

Flender had reached Rank 80, so this time he accompanied everyone to the Star Dou Great Forest.

The group of eleven headed toward the Star Dou Great Forest. However, after traveling for only half a day, Grandmaster could no longer keep up and needed Flender and Zhao Wuji to support him in order to match everyone's pace.

Ning Rongrong immediately could not help but sneer under her breath. This? And he wants to teach us?

Although Ning Rongrong was a support-type Soul Master, once her Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda was activated, along with Luo Chuan's secret assistance, she followed behind the group without the slightest effort.

At Ning Rongrong's mockery, Tang San could no longer suppress his anger. "Didn't your parents teach you to respect your elders and teachers?"

Ning Rongrong lifted her proud little chin. "What kind of teacher is he? He's nothing but a fraud."

Luo Chuan held back a laugh. He did not like Grandmaster's manner either, so when Ning Rongrong went on the offensive, he made no move to stop her.

And within Shrek, Ning Rongrong only listened to Luo Chuan.

"Xiao San, I'll prove myself. There's no need to argue with her." Grandmaster glanced at Luo Chuan. He had not yet given up on persuading Luo Chuan. Once they reached the Star Dou Great Forest, he would show these gifted youths what true knowledge was.

That evening, everyone rested at a small tavern. Because of an unspoken rule at the academy, Flender, Grandmaster, and Zhao Wuji did not eat with the little monsters.

Dai Mubai swept a hand grandly. "The teachers don't cover our expenses, nor do they take advantage of us.

"Today, it's on me. Consider it a gathering to celebrate everyone coming together at Shrek."

However, his wealthy young master attitude received little response. Seeing the awkward atmosphere, Oscar immediately said, "Come on, come on, let's eat and drink together. We're classmates—there's no conflict between us, right? Hahaha."

"Fatty, you're the best eater. You order!"

The moment Ma Hongjun heard that, his little eyes lit up. He promptly sprawled into a chair and rattled off a string of dish names.

With Ma Hongjun and Oscar smoothing things over, everyone barely managed to sit at the same table.

Yet, whether intentionally or not, Ma Hongjun's seat this time was right beside Luo Chuan, while Zhu Zhuqing quickly claimed Luo Chuan's other side. Ning Rongrong wanted Ma Hongjun to give up his seat, but that would have been far too obvious.

Left with no choice, Ning Rongrong sat beside Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu took the next seat.

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong were roommates, so it was not too awkward. Everyone chatted on and off, with Fatty and Oscar doing most of the work to keep the conversation going.

Just as the dishes were served, a group of extravagantly dressed youths swaggered into the small tavern.