Bei Bei and Tang Ya Curse Shrek: What a Trash Faction!

"Who?!"

Just as Liu Yuan silently recited the three names in his heart, Bei Bei, who had been chatting and laughing, suddenly stiffened. His gaze shot like lightning toward the bushes where Liu Yuan was hiding.

At the same time, his right arm instantly transformed into a dragon's arm. Blue-violet lightning crackled around it as a powerful aura spread through the area.

Tang Ya, beside him, reacted just as quickly. She tossed aside the grilled fish, several Blue Silver Grass seeds already pinched between her fingers, ready to attack at any moment.

Even Huo Yuhao, who had been grilling fish, instinctively gripped the White Tiger Dagger in his hand. His body tensed as his Spirit Eyes warily swept the surroundings.

"Rustle..."

Seeing that he could no longer remain hidden, Liu Yuan did not continue hiding. He slowly emerged from behind the bushes, raising both hands to show that he meant no harm.

"Don't be nervous. I'm human."

By the firelight, Bei Bei and Tang Ya got a clear look at the newcomer.

He was a raggedly dressed youth, seemingly only twelve or thirteen years old.

Though somewhat scruffy, his eyes were exceptionally bright. In particular, his pupils seemed to contain two overlapping irises, giving him an extremely strange and eerie appearance.

"A human?"

Seeing that he was a human youth, the lightning around Bei Bei's body subsided somewhat, though the vigilance in his eyes did not fully disappear. "Friend, lurking in the shadows and spying on people in the dead of night is not a very good habit."

Liu Yuan gave a bitter smile and pointed at the grilled fish in Huo Yuhao's hands. "Sorry. It was just that this friend's grilled fish smelled too good. I've been chewing dry rations in the forest for over a month, and when I caught that scent, I really couldn't resist. My stomach wasn't very cooperative either..."

As soon as he finished speaking, as if to prove his words, Liu Yuan's stomach let out an earth-shaking growl at just the right moment.

The scene became rather awkward for a moment.

"Pfft."

Tang Ya was the first to fail to hold back her laughter, and the tense atmosphere instantly fell apart.

She waved her hand and put away the Blue Silver Grass seeds in her hand. "All right, Bei Bei. Looks like he really is just a greedy little cat. Look at him—he looks like a starving ghost reborn. He doesn't seem like a bad person."

Bei Bei helplessly shook his head as well, canceling his Martial Soul Possession and returning to his refined, easygoing appearance. He cupped his hands toward Liu Yuan. "I'm Bei Bei. This is Tang Ya, and the one grilling fish is Huo Yuhao. Please forgive us for our earlier offense."

"It's fine, it's fine. Being cautious while traveling is only natural." Liu Yuan returned the salute.

"My name is Liu Yuan, and I'm also a Soul Master. I came to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain a Soul Ring. I didn't expect to get lost and wander around for more than a month without finding anything. Instead, your grilled fish lured me over."

"So that's what happened." Seeing Liu Yuan stare at the grilled fish with shining eyes, Huo Yuhao suddenly felt a sense of kinship.

He had also come from poverty, so he naturally understood the feeling of hunger.

Thus, he picked up two freshly grilled green fish and handed them to Liu Yuan. "Liu Yuan, if you're hungry, have some with us. I still have plenty here."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Liu Yuan did not hesitate. Taking the grilled fish, he immediately bit down hard.

Crispy on the outside, tender within, with its savory fragrance overflowing.

"Mmm! Delicious! This is amazing!" Liu Yuan praised sincerely. "Huo Yuhao, your cooking is incredible! If you opened a shop in the city, business would definitely boom!"

Huo Yuhao scratched his head sheepishly. "You're flattering me, Liu Yuan. It's just some country cooking."

With the grilled fish serving as a bridge, along with Liu Yuan's forthright personality, the four quickly became acquainted.

They sat around the campfire, eating grilled fish and chatting casually.

By the firelight, Bei Bei quietly observed Liu Yuan.

Although Liu Yuan claimed to be a Soul Master, the Soul Power fluctuations around him were not particularly strong. Moreover, his tattered clothes and thin frame clearly showed that he had not lived comfortably.

He's probably a poor child like Yuhao as well, Bei Bei thought.

Daring to venture alone into the Star Dou Great Forest required more than courage. It also showed that life had forced him into a desperate corner.

If he had a family or sect supporting him, who would be willing to let such a young child risk his life alone in a place like this?

At that thought, a trace of sympathy rose in Bei Bei's heart.

"Brother Liu Yuan." Bei Bei spoke up. "You said you came to the forest to obtain a Soul Ring? Haven't you found a suitable one yet?"

Liu Yuan sighed and wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth. "That's right. My Martial Soul is rather special, so the Soul Beast I need is a little hard to find. I've searched for quite a while and haven't even seen a single hair."

"Since that's the case..." Bei Bei glanced at Tang Ya. Seeing her nod slightly, he smiled.

"If you don't mind, why not join our team for the time being?"

"Xiao Ya happens to need her Third Spirit Ring, and Yuhao needs training too. One more person means one more person looking out for the others. It'll be much safer than wandering around alone."

Hearing Bei Bei's invitation, Liu Yuan's heart stirred.

This was exactly what he wanted!

Although his strength had risen greatly after obtaining the First Spirit Ring, the Star Dou Great Forest was, after all, filled with danger.

If he had bad luck and encountered some Ten-thousand-year Soul Beast, or some particularly bizarre creature, fighting alone would ultimately be too risky.

Besides, it would be difficult to rest peacefully at night.

But if he followed these three...

For one thing, Huo Yuhao was the child of destiny. Although that Sky Dream Ice Silkworm had little combat strength, it could at least save his life at a critical moment.

And Bei Bei and Tang Ya were solid combatants as well. Bei Bei in particular was a direct descendant of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and his strength could not be underestimated.

"That would be wonderful!" Liu Yuan immediately put on a grateful expression.

"To be honest, I've been on edge these past few days, afraid that I'd get dragged away by a Soul Beast the moment I fell asleep. If I can travel with you, I'll feel much more at ease!"

"You're too polite." Bei Bei smiled. "We're all Soul Masters. Helping one another while traveling is only natural."

And so, Liu Yuan naturally joined the team.

Over the next two days, the four traveled together and continued searching through the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.

Though it was only a temporary team, they got along unexpectedly well.

Liu Yuan already had decent social skills, and with his understanding of the original characters' personalities, he easily blended into the small group.

He discussed cooking techniques with Huo Yuhao, Martial Soul theory with Bei Bei, and could even chat with Tang Ya about plant-type Soul Beasts.

During one rest break, the straightforward Tang Ya could not help asking curiously, "Liu Yuan, you don't seem very old either. Why did you come out alone? Where is your family?"

As soon as she asked that question, the atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Liu Yuan was silent for a moment before slowly saying, "My parents... have been gone for a long time."

"Ah? I'm sorry..." Tang Ya covered her mouth in some panic.

"It's all right. It happened a long time ago." Liu Yuan shook his head, his calm tone carrying a trace of bitterness.

"They originally worked for a major faction. But during a mission, they encountered powerful enemies and both died. That faction..."

At this point, Liu Yuan sneered. "Not only did they give me very little compensation, they even drove me out some time ago."

Naturally, he did not explicitly say that the faction was Shrek Academy.

After all, Bei Bei and Tang Ya were also from Shrek. Saying it now would only create unnecessary awkwardness and estrangement.

Yet these half-true words successfully ignited everyone's anger.

"What?! There's actually such a cold-blooded and heartless faction in this world!" Tang Ya's little face flushed red with anger as she slapped the tree trunk. "That's using someone up and throwing them away! That's outrageous!"

Huo Yuhao felt it even more deeply. He clenched his fists, his eyes filled with indignation. "Brother Liu, such a faction isn't worth staying with! They'll regret losing you sooner or later!"

Even the normally steady Bei Bei frowned tightly, a flash of disgust passing through his eyes. "It truly is chilling. Though the world of Soul Masters is a place where the strong prey on the weak, such conduct is far too inhumane."

Liu Yuan's expression became somewhat strange at their words.

What would they think if they knew the faction they were talking about was Shrek?

How would they feel?

But Liu Yuan still said nothing.

And just as everyone was righteously indignant and speaking up for Liu Yuan.

Suddenly.

"Hiss—!"

A faint yet scalp-numbing scraping sound came from the dense forest ahead.

Immediately afterward, a cold mental fluctuation spread out like a tide.

Liu Yuan's brow twitched. His Double Pupil activated almost instantly, his gaze piercing through layers of branches and leaves to lock onto a dead tree fifty meters ahead.

On that dead tree was a giant spider the size of a millstone. Its body was translucent grayish-white, and a vicious ghost-face pattern covered its back. It was silently weaving an invisible web.

Its eight long legs were covered in barbs, each one emitting a faint, cold gleam. On its head, six compound eyes flickered with eerie light as they stared fixedly at this group of intruders.

"This is..."

Liu Yuan's pupils contracted sharply before intense delight burst into his eyes.

"Soul Spider!!"

And judging by its size and the clarity of the ghost face on its back, its cultivation was probably around a thousand years!

It possessed powerful mental toxins that could not only paralyze the body, but also erode the soul. Its vitality was also extremely tenacious; even if its limbs were severed, they could regenerate in a short time!

Healing ability? Yes!

Mental attribute? Yes!

This was practically a top-grade Soul Beast tailor-made for his Second Spirit Ring!

He had searched everywhere only to find it without effort!

"Everyone, be careful!"

Liu Yuan shouted, pointing toward the Soul Spider. His tone could not conceal his excitement.

"That's a thousand-year Soul Spider! Its attributes suit me perfectly! Could you... help me take it down?!"