An Unexpected Embrace

Soul fighting matches continued day after day, and the coordination among the Shrek Seven Devils grew ever more seamless. They trained under Flender's "abuse" during the day and honed their Combat Ability in the Soul Fighting Arena at night. Everyone's strength was improving rapidly.

Xiao Xiaoxiao's "Chicken Soup for the Soul" duo had already won five consecutive matches. Oscar's sausages and her Mental Interference had become increasingly well-coordinated. Yet she always harbored a small hope—when would she get the chance to team up with Tang San?

That evening, the Great Soul Arena hosted a major match: the Shrek Seven Devils against the infamous Berserk Team. This team was composed entirely of Soul Elders above level thirty-five. Their fighting style was vicious and fierce, and they were quite renowned in the Suo Tuo Great Soul Arena.

"The Berserk Team won't be easy to handle." Dai Mubai looked grave. "Their captain, Mad Rhino, is a level thirty-eight Assault System Battle Soul Master, while their vice-captain, Demon Fox, is a level thirty-five Control System Soul Elder. I hear their coordination is exceptionally good, and they can use a Berserk Tactic that greatly boosts their combat strength for a short time."

Tang San pondered for a moment. "Our advantage lies in our coordination and versatility. Mubai, restrain Mad Rhino head-on. Zhu Qing, harass them from the flanks. Xiao Wu, look for a chance to break into their rear line. Rongrong, provide support throughout. Oscar, prepare Recovery Sausages. Xiaoxiao..." He looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Your task is to interfere with Demon Fox. Don't let her control the battlefield smoothly."

Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded solemnly, though her palms were faintly sweating. This was their first time facing such a powerful opponent.

The match began, and the Berserk Team truly lived up to its reputation. Mad Rhino charged ahead, rushing straight at Dai Mubai. The two Assault System Soul Masters clashed head-on, their Soul Power Collision erupting in dazzling light. Zhu Zhuqing moved like a ghost, trying to break through the enemy's defenses, but two Agility Attack System Soul Masters tightly held her down.

Demon Fox stood at the rear of her team as her Third Spirit Ring lit up. "Bewildering Mist!" A pink mist spread outward, and the Shrek group felt their minds grow heavy and their Soul Power circulation become sluggish.

"Xiaoxiao!" Tang San shouted.

Xiao Xiaoxiao immediately understood. Moonlight bloomed brilliantly in the Phantom Moon Fox's eyes. "Mental Purification!" An invisible wave spread out, slightly dispersing the pink mist. Everyone immediately felt lighter.

"Interesting." Demon Fox chuckled as her Second Spirit Ring lit up. "Fox Tail Bind!"

Several energy-formed fox tails burst from the ground and lashed toward the Shrek group. Tang San's Blue Silver Grass surged forth in time, tangling with the fox tails.

"Xiao Wu, now!" Tang San shouted.

Xiao Wu launched herself with the Waist Bow, instantly crossing the front line and pouncing toward Demon Fox. However, Mad Rhino suddenly fell back to defend, throwing a punch at Xiao Wu. "Don't even think about it!"

At that moment, Tang San activated his first soul skill. Blue Silver Grass tightly wrapped around Mad Rhino's feet. "I'm your opponent."

Mad Rhino roared and forcibly broke free of the Blue Silver Grass, but in that brief delay, Xiao Wu had already closed in on Demon Fox.

Demon Fox remained calm as her First Spirit Ring lit up. "Bewitching Eyes!" Her eyes turned pink, and Xiao Wu's movements stalled as she fell into a brief daze.

"Xiao Wu, watch out!" Tang San cried out. Several sleeve arrows shot toward Demon Fox, forcing her to interrupt her skill.

Xiao Xiaoxiao released Mental Interference with all her strength, targeting Demon Fox directly. Demon Fox let out a muffled groan, and the charm effect was interrupted.

The arena descended into chaos. Dai Mubai clashed head-on with Mad Rhino, Zhu Zhuqing darted about and launched sneak attacks, Xiao Wu kept Demon Fox occupied, Tang San controlled the overall situation, Ning Rongrong's Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda flashed continuously, and Oscar's sausages provided timely replenishment.

Xiao Xiaoxiao continuously released Mental Interference, sometimes interrupting the enemy's soul skills and sometimes bolstering her allies' resistance. Her Soul Power was rapidly draining away, and she felt dizzy and lightheaded, but she still gritted her teeth and endured.

"The Berserk Team really is formidable." In the spectator stands, Flender appeared at some point, standing beside Master.

Master nodded. "The children are coordinating well, but the gap in Soul Power Level is too great. The Berserk Team hasn't used its trump card yet."

Sure enough, Mad Rhino suddenly roared, "Berserk State!"

The Berserk Team members' eyes instantly turned red, and their aura surged. Their speed and strength increased drastically. The pressure on the Shrek Seven Devils immediately multiplied, and they were steadily forced back.

"This won't work." Tang San's gaze sharpened. "Xiaoxiao, can you interfere with all of them at once? Just for an instant!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao's face was pale. "I'll try..."

She poured all her remaining Soul Power into the Phantom Moon Fox, and her eyes turned silver-white. "Mental Storm!" A powerful Mental Fluctuation swept across the entire arena. The Berserk Team's movements all froze at once, and their Berserk State was forcibly interrupted!

"Good chance!" Dai Mubai unleashed the White Tiger Fierce Light Wave, blasting Mad Rhino back several steps.

Zhu Zhuqing seized the chance to break through the defenses, her Nether Hundred Claws striking directly at the enemy support Soul Master.

Xiao Wu activated the Waist Bow and flung Demon Fox into the air.

Tang San's Blue Silver Grass seemed to come alive, instantly binding every enemy.

"We won!" Oscar shouted excitedly.

However, at that moment, Demon Fox, who had been flung into the air, suddenly flashed a vicious look in her eyes. A tiny Silver Needle shot from her sleeve, heading straight for the exhausted Xiao Xiaoxiao. "You little bitch, ruining my plans!"

Everything happened too quickly. Xiao Xiaoxiao had exhausted her Soul Power and could not evade it at all.

"Watch out!" Tang San lunged at her. The two rolled to the ground, and the Silver Needle grazed Tang San's arm, leaving behind a bloody cut.

Xiao Xiaoxiao was shielded beneath Tang San, clearly feeling his breathing and heartbeat. Their eyes met, and time seemed to stop. It was their first time being this close, close enough to see themselves reflected in each other's eyes.

"Tang San!" Xiao Wu's cry startled them both awake.

Tang San quickly got to his feet and pulled Xiao Xiaoxiao up with him. "Are you all right?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao shook her head, her face burning. "Your arm..."

"Just a scratch." Tang San glanced at his bleeding arm before turning his cold gaze toward Demon Fox.

The referee intervened in time. "The Berserk Team violated the rules by using Hidden Weapons. They are disqualified. The Shrek Team wins!"

The spectator stands erupted in thunderous applause. The Shrek Seven Devils had actually defeated the powerful Berserk Team!

On the way back, everyone excitedly discussed the match's thrilling moments. Oscar slung an arm around Tang San's shoulder. "Tang San, your hero saving the beauty was pretty timely!"

Dai Mubai also teased, "Who knew our Tang San could be so proactive?"

Tang San remained expressionless. "I would have done the same for any of you."

Xiao Xiaoxiao felt a faint sting in her heart, but quickly rallied herself. At least, he had been injured protecting her.

That night, Xiao Xiaoxiao took some medicine and knocked on Tang San's door.

"Your injury... I'll help you treat it," she said softly.

Tang San was a little surprised, but he still let her in. "It's only a minor injury. It's nothing."

Xiao Xiaoxiao insisted on examining the wound and found that the place where the Silver Needle had cut him was faintly black. "The needle was poisoned!"

Tang San frowned. "No wonder my Soul Power hasn't been circulating smoothly."

"Don't move. I'll use my Spiritual Power to force out the poison." Without waiting for an answer, Xiao Xiaoxiao pressed her hand against his wound, and gentle Spiritual Power slowly flowed in.

Tang San's body stiffened slightly, but he did not refuse. He could feel the girl's gentle Spiritual Power, like a trickling stream, carefully cleansing the poison. Her expression was focused and serious, and fine beads of sweat appeared at her temples.

"It's done." After a while, Xiao Xiaoxiao withdrew her hand with a relieved sigh. "The poison has been cleared. You have to be more careful next time."

Tang San looked at the girl worrying over him, and his gaze softened slightly. "Thank you."

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked up and met his deep eyes. They were very close, and she could clearly see his long lashes and handsome features.

"Ahem." Tang San turned his face away somewhat awkwardly. "It's late. Go back and rest."

Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded with a flushed face and hurriedly left.

When she returned to the dormitory, Xiao Wu was already sound asleep. Xiao Xiaoxiao lay in bed, yet she could not fall asleep no matter how she tossed and turned. The scene of Tang San throwing himself over her to shield her kept replaying in her mind. His solid chest and warm breath seemed to still linger around her.

"I would have done the same for any of you." Tang San's words echoed in her ears. Xiao Xiaoxiao knew it was true, but a trace of sweetness still rose in her heart.

At least, she was one of the people he was willing to protect with his body.

Moonlight poured through the window like water. Xiao Xiaoxiao clenched her fists and silently made up her mind: she had to become stronger, strong enough to fight alongside him instead of always being protected by him.

In another dormitory, Tang San was also unable to sleep. He looked at the healed wound on his arm, and Xiao Xiaoxiao's focused expression as she treated him appeared before his eyes. Her Spiritual Power was gentle yet resilient, just like her—soft on the outside, strong within.

"Xiaoxiao..." he murmured softly, a complicated look flashing through his eyes.

The night grew deeper, and Shrek Academy was quiet, but in the hearts of the young man and woman, waves surged endlessly.