Marriage Contract... Let's End It! | Join Shrek? Not Interested!

"No need!"

"I've already settled things with him. There's no need to waste any more energy on him."

Zhu Zhuqing said coldly in her heart.

"Oh? You really are a cold-faced, warm-hearted Little Kitten who keeps grudges and favors separate!"

Bai Lu teased frivolously.

Zhu Zhuqing did not respond to Bai Lu again. She merely retracted her Sharp Claws and moved her hand away from Dai Mubai's neck.

"Mm?"

Dai Mubai slowly raised his head and looked up at Zhu Zhuqing, who stood Looking Down at him.

Moonlight fell across the Young Girl's cool and detached face. Within those beautiful, mysterious Cat Eyes, there was no joy of victory, no satisfaction of revenge—only icy indifference.

As though defeating him had been nothing worth mentioning.

That indifference made Dai Mubai feel colder and more miserable than anger, mockery, or contempt ever could.

It was as if he was not even qualified to catch her eye!

"Cough!"

He groaned and coughed up another mouthful of blood, his face as pale as paper.

He was a dignified Level 37 Soul Elder, one of Shrek Academy's monster Soul Masters, yet he had been defeated by his Soul Grandmaster fiancée!

And he had lost so completely, so miserably.

The Entire Field fell silent.

Tang San and the others Looked At Each Other, all somewhat embarrassed.

If she had merely been of a higher level and stronger than them, then even if they were in the wrong and broke their pre-battle promise, they could still gang up on her.

A group challenging one person, coordinating with one another—they would always find a way to defeat her and make her kneel before Dai Mubai to apologize.

But... she seemed to be Dai Mubai's fiancée.

And her level was at least seven levels and one major realm below Dai Mubai's.

Being publicly defeated by a fiancée whose level was lower than his...

This... they truly had no idea how to intervene.

"The Marriage Contract..."

Zhu Zhuqing slowly spoke, her voice as cold as ice. "Let's end it."

She released her Martial Soul Possession and turned toward the hotel.

Her steps were light, carrying a hint of carefree resolve.

"Little Girl, wait."

Zhao Wuji stood up, his voice booming.

Zhu Zhuqing paused, but did not turn around.

"Little Girl, it won't be so easy for someone who injured a Shrek student to simply walk away."

Zhao Wuji grinned, speaking with half threat and half temptation.

"However... I think your talent and strength are both excellent. How about it? Are you interested in joining Shrek Academy?"

"Shrek Academy?"

Zhu Zhuqing tried searching through her memories, but found no information related to this academy.

"I am Zhao Wuji, Vice Principal of Shrek Academy, a Level 76 Soul Saint."

Zhao Wuji introduced himself. "Our academy has an outstanding teaching staff, with quite a few powerful Soul Emperors and Soul Saints.

Moreover, our academy only recruits monster-level genius Soul Masters. As long as you are willing to join, the other Teachers and I will certainly train you well!"

"See that?"

He pointed at Tang San and the others behind him. "These are the little monsters of our academy. Even the lowest-level among them is Level 26. They should be qualified to be your classmates, right?"

"Monsters..."

Zhu Zhuqing finally turned around. She casually glanced at Dai Mubai, then swept her gaze over Tang San, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong.

If they were monsters... then what was she?

Five Soul Bones, Twin Martial Souls, a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, having defeated Dai Mubai across levels, and having killed both a Soul Elder and a three-thousand-year Vajra Tiger.

What did that make someone stronger than monsters?

A freak?

"Not interested."

Zhu Zhuqing slightly shook her head and spoke those three words without the slightest fluctuation in her tone.

Zhao Wuji's expression stiffened.

He had considered that she might refuse, but he had not expected such a decisive refusal.

His eyes narrowed as he released the pressure of a Soul Saint upon Zhu Zhuqing.

"Little Girl, are you sure you want to refuse me?"

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing answered without hesitation, looking at Zhao Wuji without fear.

When it came to combat techniques, Bai Lu guided her.

When it came to choosing Soul Beasts, Bai Lu guided her.

When it came to Soul Power cultivation, Bai Lu guided her...

Even when it came to the direction she should take, Bai Lu guided her.

Other than gaining a Mimicry Training Ground and a few sparring partners and bodyguards who could not help her at all times, what use was there in joining an academy?

"Yes, yes, yes! Exactly right!"

Within the Mental Space, Bai Lu surprisingly agreed with the Young Girl's thoughts.

Joining Poor Shrek, which did not even have a Mimicry Training Ground—what would be the point?

Physical strength and willpower were developed through Weight-Bearing Runs.

Combat skills were trained through battles at the Great Soul Arena.

There was no meditation method, and Soul Power cultivation depended on oneself.

What was the use of joining such a trash academy?

If she really wanted to join one, would another academy not be better?

"What if..."

The smile on Zhao Wuji's face gradually faded. "I insist that you join?"

"I won't."

Zhu Zhuqing's face turned icy. Before she realized it, she had already entered Martial Soul Possession.

Soul Power surged within her body as she prepared at any moment to use Hell Stab and the left leg bone Soul Skill [Instant Shadow Astonishing Rainbow] to flee.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here!"

Within the Mental Space, Bai Lu stood ready, prepared to control the White Tiger Avatar and Slaughter Skull at any moment to assist her.

"Mm."

Hearing Bai Lu's words, Zhu Zhuqing immediately felt at ease, and her body straightened a little more.

For a moment, the atmosphere was tense, as though a fight could break out at any time.

"Cough, cough... Teacher Zhao... forget it..."

Dai Mubai grabbed Zhao Wuji's calf and shook his head with a bitter smile.

He knew that Zhu Zhuqing had already made her choice.

Her icy gaze told him that she had no interest in Shrek.

The relationship between him and her had completely ended.

"...Sigh!"

After a moment of silence, Zhao Wuji sighed. "Forget it. You may go."

"Heh."

Zhu Zhuqing let out a brief, cold laugh.

She did not look at Dai Mubai again. Turning around, she walked into the hotel without looking back.

Her retreating figure was proud and resolute.

"Congratulations, Little Kitten. You've successfully made a clean break with the past."

After returning to the hotel room, a flash of light appeared, and Bai Lu emerged before the Young Girl with the help of the White Tiger Avatar.

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing softly responded, but her expression was somewhat complicated.

There was relief, ease, and a faint trace of melancholy.

After all, it had once been something she had been forced to regard as part of her destiny.

"Remember, you do not need outsiders to point fingers at your destiny."

Bai Lu's voice was gentle yet firm.

"..."

Zhu Zhuqing slowly raised her head and looked at this... friend? Who had given her everything.

A faint smile rested on his handsome face, and his Golden Amber Pupils reflected her figure.

She suddenly asked in a very soft voice.

"Then are you an outsider, or an insider?"

Bai Lu paused slightly, then smiled.

He stepped forward, grasped the Young Girl's wrist, and gently pulled her closer.

The distance between them instantly shortened until they could almost feel each other's breath.

"I am..."

Bai Lu looked at her and spoke each word clearly. "One of Us."

Zhu Zhuqing looked into his eyes. There was no pity, no sympathy, only appreciation and care.

"Mm, One of Us."

She smiled.

She smiled as though a heavy burden had been lifted.

As though she had broken free from some heavy shackle.

Her cool, detached brows relaxed, and a faint curve rose at the Corner of the Mouth.

Like a frozen river thawing, like spring flowers beginning to bloom.

Bai Lu said nothing. He merely gently stroked the Young Girl's head, as though smoothing the fur of a Little Kitten.

Zhu Zhuqing did not dodge. Instead, she comfortably narrowed her eyes, like a Little Kitten enjoying her owner's touch.