Shixiong, how much longer are you going to keep this from me?

A tall figure appeared in everyone's field of vision. It was Zhao Wuji.

"Go back to bed." Zhao Wuji didn't even look toward Canghui Academy. He waved a hand and ordered the three brothers to return to the academy and get some sleep.

His interruption infuriated Ye Zhiqiu. His eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at Zhao Wuji.

"Wait."

Zhao Wuji turned around impatiently. "What is it?"

Ye Zhiqiu shouted sharply, "I don't care who you are! Leave him here, or this isn't over!"

"So what if it's broken? Just set it yourself, and it'll still work well enough. And you're still making a fuss? You really think you're hot stuff?"

Who was Zhao Wuji? He had once been a notorious troublemaker in the Soul Master World. Though he wasn't among the very strongest, he was still a terrifying presence. Naturally, he didn't take a Soul Master in the fifties seriously.

Both he and Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy, were proud and aloof men.

"You..."

Ye Zhiqiu was furious. He stopped arguing and strode toward Zhao Wuji, his eyes bloodshot.

Zhao Wuji looked down at Oscar and said,

"Your father and master told me to tell you to go back and train hard. If your level were a little higher, would all this have been such a hassle?"

Although Zhao Wuji said that, the corners of his mouth were practically stretching from ear to ear.

He hadn't been sure after their brief encounter last time. He'd wondered whether Oscar had killed that Evil Soul Master through sheer luck.

But after seeing that sword today—good heavens! Oscar was only at level twenty, yet he already had the strength to kill a Soul King!

If the person standing there hadn't been a defensive Soul King, Oscar might have killed him in just a few moves.

Ma Hongjun kindly warned him, "Teacher Zhao, that old... thing is coming."

Zhao Wuji snorted. "All of you, get back to bed."

Only after tossing out those words did he turn around. Ye Zhiqiu, his whole body radiating a bone-chilling cold, had just reached him.

"You old turtle! I tried to talk to you nicely out of pity, but you wouldn't listen? Then I'll take you down myself!"

Zhao Wuji looked haughty. He picked at his ear and, without using Martial Soul Possession, raised his right hand and slapped Ye Zhiqiu.

Ye Zhiqiu was already completely crazed. Any man who went through something like that in front of a crowd would probably be in the same state!

He unleashed Mystic Water Ice Seal at full power. A wave of intense cold swept toward Zhao Wuji as he turned his back and used his Turtle Shell to block Zhao Wuji's palm.

Unfortunately, Ye Zhiqiu's powerful defense and counterattack proved completely useless against Zhao Wuji.

In the next instant, Zhao Wuji's slap sent Ye Zhiqiu flying through the air. He sailed more than ten meters before crashing heavily to the ground.

Cracks covered Ye Zhiqiu's shell. He was breathing out more than he breathed in, clearly on the verge of death.

"No need to look. He's still alive. Don't blame Teacher Zhao for not finishing him off. I left him alive for you to deal with. I hope you can kill him yourself one day."

Zhao Wuji ruffled Oscar's hair and led everyone back to the inn.

With the help of several Canghui Academy students, Ye Zhiqiu managed to struggle to his feet. He spat out a mouthful of blood. It felt as if a mountain were pressing down on his back, making it hard to breathe, and he couldn't help feeling horrified.

He knew his own defensive strength better than anyone. His opponent hadn't even used his Martial Soul, yet a casual slap had injured him. Even if the other man was a strength-type Soul Master, the gap between them had to be at least fifteen levels, if not more.

The moment Ye Zhiqiu thought of his opponent's Soul Master level, a chill ran through him. He shot a venomous look in the direction Shrek Academy's group had gone, then left with the students, dejected.

As she was leaving, the female student even made a point of glancing at Oscar.

Oscar, of course, hadn't noticed her. All he could think about now was Taiji Sword Technique and Taiji Fist.

By now, he was sure that if he wanted to defeat a Soul King reliably, he had to use Feng Hou Qi Gate. Otherwise, sooner or later, he might end up in trouble.

As they walked back, Zhao Wuji said irritably,

"Hongjun, Mubai, you just stood there watching when Little Ao went up against him. Why didn't you help?"

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun exchanged a few glances. Ma Hongjun curled his lip but said nothing.

Oscar spoke up helplessly, addressing Zhao Wuji.

"I knew you were all watching from above, so I knew there wouldn't be any real danger.

I did it because I wanted to find out what I was capable of. Please don't blame them."

After hearing Oscar, Zhao Wuji nodded and said solemnly,

"You three, remember this: now that you're at Shrek Academy, you're one unit.

You're all the academy's Little Monsters. When you go out into the world, you'll be fellow disciples, so you must help one another.

With your talents and good teamwork, it won't be difficult to defeat Soul Masters who are a little stronger than you."

"Yes, Teacher Zhao."

Amid the envious gazes of the many commoners, the Shrek Academy group headed back to the hotel.

Night fell. Once Dai Mubai was fast asleep, Ma Hongjun crept over to Oscar's bed and gently woke him.

"Shixiong, what is it?"

Oscar looked at Ma Hongjun, bewildered. He couldn't figure out why the little fellow had woken him so late.

Ma Hongjun pointed toward the window, signaling for Oscar to follow him.

"All right."

Oscar got dressed and followed Ma Hongjun up onto the roof.

"Shixiong, why didn't you use your Feng Hou Qi Gate today? That old thing wanted to kill you. Aren't you afraid something might happen?

Have you ever thought about what I'd do if something really happened to you?"

Ma Hongjun was so worked up that even his neck had turned red.

"Our teachers were watching from above. What could have happened?"

Oscar waved a hand indifferently, signaling Ma Hongjun not to worry.

"I know Taiji Fist and Taiji Sword Technique too. Do you think I can't tell what was going on? After you used Immortal Points the Way, your Soul Power was definitely completely drained. And when you used Ten Thousand Peaks Bow to the Ancestor at the end, you were definitely pushing your body past its limits!"

Oscar sighed helplessly and ruffled Ma Hongjun's hair.

"Shidi, I'm not like you. The only means I can use are Taiji Sword Technique, Taiji Fist, and Feng Hou Qi Gate.

I don't have a Martial Soul as powerful as yours. All I can do is steadily learn the extent of my abilities, push myself further, and find my own path forward.

Do you know what it would mean if I kept relying on Feng Hou Qi Gate?"

Ma Hongjun nodded and said helplessly,

"It would mean losing your trump card. But... but Feng Hou Qi Gate has so many moves! And they're endlessly varied!"

Oscar didn't explain. He just tapped him on the head.

Feng Hou Qi Gate hadn't yet shown the toll it took on the body, but one day, that would become apparent.

Until he had fully resolved the problem with his life force, Oscar didn't plan to tell Ma Hongjun any of this.