Wang Dong's Blushing, Reward: Level 1 Spiritual Power, Level 4 Storage Soul Tool? Level 15 Peak!

A splash.

He pulled off the shirt, already soaked through with sweat and grime, and tossed it into the washbasin.

In an instant, Dai Yu's lean, powerful upper body was laid bare to the air.

Though only eleven years old, Dai Yu had deliberately trained his physique from a young age.

Only this way could he absorb spirit rings of higher age.

There were no exaggerated, bulging muscles—instead, it presented a sleek, streamlined beauty.

Broad shoulders, taut abdominal muscles, a clear V-line disappearing into his waistband—

Every muscle seemed to hold explosive power, glinting with a faint jade-like luster under the light.

Especially his back, where the taut lines of muscle rippled with every movement, like a crouching tiger poised to strike.

"Ah—!!"

Wang Dong, who had been complaining about the stench just moments before, froze on the spot as if struck by lightning the instant he saw this.

The next second, a high-pitched scream nearly blew the roof off the dorm.

"You... y-you you you...

What are you doing?!"

Wang Dong's originally fair and delicate face flushed visibly red, instantly turning as crimson as a ripe tomato, even his ears and neck burning bright.

He frantically covered his eyes, yet couldn't help sneaking a peek through his fingers, then spun around as if scalded, turning his back to Dai Yu, stammering:

"P-pervert!

Who told you to take off your clothes?!

Put them on!

Put them on right now!"

Dai Yu watched Wang Dong's flustered reaction, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

He knew perfectly well why Wang Dong was so rattled.

But right now, he was playing the "unaware" roommate.

"We're both men here—what's the big deal about taking off a shirt?"

Dai Yu, bare-chested, picked up the washbasin and deliberately walked behind Wang Dong, his tone lazy and teasing:

"Say, roommate Wang Dong, you're not telling me... you've never seen a guy shirtless before?

Or... are you blushing?"

Feeling the heat radiating from behind and the strong wave of masculine pheromones, Wang Dong's heart pounded like thunder, his mind a blank.

Growing up in the Clear Sky Sect, surrounded by men, but as the "little princess," who would dare to appear disheveled in front of her?

Let alone in a closed dorm room, this close to a peer of the opposite sex!

"W-who's blushing!

I just... I just think you're uncivilized!

Indecent!"

Wang Dong stubbornly refused to admit it, back still turned to Dai Yu, but his body was taut as a bowstring, his voice trembling:

"G-get away from me!

You reek of sweat, it's disgusting!"

"Fine, fine, such a fussy young master."

Dai Yu chuckled softly, deciding not to tease the startled little butterfly any further—too much would spoil the fun.

"I'm going to shower. If you feel stuffy, just open the window for some air."

With that, Dai Yu picked up the washbasin and strolled out of the dorm, heading for the communal bathroom down the hall.

The sound of the door closing rang out.

Only then did Wang Dong collapse onto the bed as if drained, gasping for air.

He reached up and touched his burning cheeks.

Recalling the image he'd just seen—the lean, muscular lines lingering in his mind—his heart inexplicably raced a little faster.

"Pah, pah, pah!"

"Wang Dong, what are you thinking about!"

Wang Dong slapped his own face hard, messing up his pink-blue short hair in frustration.

"That guy's just a thug!

A scoundrel!

A violent maniac!

So what if he has a good body?

Hmph!

This... This Lord will definitely train better than him in the future!"

Even as he said that, he couldn't help getting up and opening the window.

The night breeze blew in, carrying away the strange smell in the room, but it couldn't blow away the flush on his face.

"This Dai Yu...

He's so annoying!"

In the bathroom.

Water streamed over his body, washing away the dirt and fatigue.

Dai Yu looked at the mirror at the boy who, though still young, already showed a sharp edge, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

[Ding! Detected that key plot character "Wang Dong" has generated strong shyness and panic.]

[Congratulations, Host, on obtaining a suppression reward:

Spiritual Power increased by 1 level (current level 20, Soul Grand Master peak), Item obtained: Storage Soul Tool (Grade 4, fifty cubic meters of space).]

"Oh, an unexpected bonus?"

Dai Yu wiped his hair, looking at the rewards on the System Panel, in a great mood.

This Wang Dong really was a treasure trove of a girl.

Just taking off clothes could trigger a reward—if he did something more in the future...

Dai Yu shook his head, tossing those inappropriate images out of his mind.

"Spiritual Power has reached Soul Grand Master peak. I need to find a chance to get a spirit ring or Soul Bone with a spiritual attribute to push it higher."

"As for this Grade 4 Storage Soul Tool, I'll keep it for myself. I was planning to buy one later when I had the money anyway."

After washing up, he changed into a dry school uniform.

Dai Yu walked back to the dorm feeling refreshed.

Pushing open the door, he found that Wang Dong had already closed the window and was sitting cross-legged on the bed cultivating.

But his tightly shut eyes and slightly trembling lashes showed that his heart wasn't at peace.

Dai Yu didn't call him out on it. He walked straight to his own bed and sat down.

Since the Marrow Cleansing Pill had already been fully digested, the next step was to take the Mysterious Water Pill.

The Mysterious Water Pill had the effects of washing the tendons and marrow, boosting Soul Power, and improving cultivation aptitude.

It was highly effective for soul masters below level 20, but the effects diminished with each subsequent dose.

Although for Dai Yu, with his Dual Extreme Attributes, the effect might be somewhat reduced, every bit counted.

One Mysterious Water Pill could further improve his aptitude and strengthen his physique.

It was enough to raise his Soul Power by another level.

A guaranteed level 15.

Without any hesitation, Dai Yu tilted his head back and swallowed the Mysterious Water Pill, which gave off a faint, subtle fragrance.

Unlike the Marrow Cleansing Pill, whose medicinal force was violent like fire, the Mysterious Water Pill dissolved on his tongue, turning into a cool, gentle stream that slowly flowed down his throat, moistening his internal organs.

This power was soft and lingering, like spring rain nourishing everything silently.

It didn't rush to break through barriers, but instead washed over Dai Yu's meridians and bones again and again, bit by bit stripping away the deep Impurities that the Marrow Cleansing Pill hadn't fully expelled.

Dai Yu focused his mind, guiding his Soul Power to merge with this medicinal force.

The White Tiger Phantom inside him seemed to sense this nourishment, letting out a contented low roar.

In the sharpness of Extreme Gold, a trace of water's suppleness appeared.

The union of hardness and softness—that was the true path.

As time passed, the fluctuations of Soul Power within Dai Yu's body began to climb steadily.

"Woom--"

The air trembled faintly.

Level 15!

Everything felt so natural, without the slightest hint of resistance.

The medicinal power was completely exhausted. Dai Yu slowly opened his eyes.

But...

Dai Yu looked down at his skin, which had become sticky again, and shook his head helplessly.

"Looks like that shower was a waste."

Although the Impurities expelled this time were far fewer than before, and their color much lighter.

That faint sour smell was still hard for him to tolerate.

Dai Yu picked up the washbasin with practiced ease and headed for the bathroom again.

This time, Wang Dong on the bed didn't shout or make a fuss. He just pulled the blanket higher to cover his head.

As if in silent protest, or as if hiding some awkward embarrassment.

Over the next few days, Shrek Academy's enrollment work gradually drew to a close.

Apart from eating and sleeping, Dai Yu spent most of his time stabilizing his surging Soul Power.

With the foundation of Dual Extreme Attributes and a Million Year Soul Ring, plus the aid of two medicinal pills, his cultivation speed was like riding a rocket.

In just a few days, his Soul Power reached the peak of Level 15.

If news of this speed got out, it would probably drive countless so-called geniuses to bash their heads against a wall in shame.

Finally, the day of the new term arrived.

Early morning.

Dai Yu had already finished his cultivation and was straightening the brand-new white school uniform on his body.

Shrek Academy's uniform was a standard white outfit, with a green Shrek emblem—symbol of a monster—embroidered on the chest.

Dai Yu wasn't particularly fond of the uniform, but he didn't dislike it either.

Wearing this set of clothes only made him look more dashing.

At least it wasn't as ugly as what Tang San and the others had to wear ten thousand years ago, when Flender plastered ads all over their uniforms.

And across from him.

Wang Dong had also gotten up early.

He, too, had changed into his uniform.

Though dressed in male clothing, he exuded a certain softness.

Wang Dong walked to the door, his hand on the handle, but he didn't push it open right away.

He paused, hesitated, and glanced back with a somewhat evasive look at Dai Yu, who was adjusting his collar.

These past few days, though they shared a room, they hadn't talked much.

It was mainly Wang Dong being awkward on his own.

But they were roommates after all, and... this guy, annoying as he was, was ridiculously strong, and good-looking too...

'Ah, what am I thinking!'

Wang Dong bit his lip, his heart tangled in indecision for a long moment. Finally, he let go of the door handle.

He turned around, pretending to be casual, and spoke with a stiff, awkward tone:

"Hey."

Dai Yu paused mid-motion, turned his head to look at him, a faint, knowing smile curling at the corner of his mouth:

"What is it?

First thing in the morning, are you going to complain I stink again?"

"You're the one who stinks!"

Wang Dong shot him a glare, his cheeks flushing slightly, his eyes darting away as his voice unconsciously dropped:

"That...

Today we're being sorted into classes. I heard there's a roll call too.

If you're late, don't say I didn't warn you."

At the end, as if to cover up his shyness, he deliberately lifted his chin and gave a huff:

"This Lord just doesn't want people to think that everyone in Dorm 108 has no sense of punctuality. It's not like I was waiting for you on purpose."

Watching Wang Dong put on this tsundere little act, the smile in Dai Yu's eyes deepened.

This little girl clearly wanted to walk together, yet she had to come up with such a flimsy excuse.

If it were Huo Yuhao from the original story, he'd probably be moved to tears by now.

But who was Dai Yu?

He was a man committed to taking the wool-pulling all the way.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Dai Yu finished fastening his last button, stepped forward, and walked right up to Wang Dong.

The distance between them was so close that Wang Dong could clearly smell the crisp, pleasant scent on Dai Yu.

Shampoo mixed with the smell of sunshine.

Wang Dong instinctively stepped back half a pace, her back pressing against the door panel, and stammered:

"You, why are you standing so close?"

Dai Yu leaned in slightly, bringing his mouth close to Wang Dong's ear, and chuckled softly:

"Then many thanks to roommate Wang Dong for the 'reminder.' Since you're afraid of being late, why aren't we moving?"

With that, Dai Yu reached his hand past Wang Dong's shoulder, grabbed the door handle, and gave it a gentle twist.

Click.

The door opened.

Dai Yu walked out first, waving a hand back at Wang Dong without turning around:

"Keep up, short legs."

"Who's got short legs! Dai Yu! You stop right there! This Lord's legs are way longer than yours!"

Wang Dong stomped her foot in fury, the earlier shyness vanishing in an instant, replaced by a full-blown competitive drive as she huffily chased after him.

(Today's two chapters total nearly 6000 words, mainly due to plot reasons, so during the new book period I'm adding extra updates. Hope everyone doesn't stockpile the chapters, please tap the check-in, urge for updates, and support with votes if you have any. Thank you!)