Friend

"Zhao Wuji! What do you think you're doing!?"

Just then, Ning Rongrong, who had been behind them, suddenly rushed forward, startling Zhao Wuji into stopping his actions. It was one thing for Feng Xinglie, that brat, to get beaten, but the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was someone he couldn't afford to lay a hand on.

"It seems Rongrong and I are thinking the same thing."

Dispelling the spirit ring he had summoned beneath his feet, Feng Xinglie couldn't help but sigh with emotion. It seemed his efforts to gain favor these past few days hadn't been in vain; this saved him a lot of trouble.

"You... you just wait! I'll settle this with you once we get back to the academy!"

With Ning Rongrong protecting him, a direct confrontation was impossible. After leaving a few harsh words, Zhao Wuji stomped back upstairs, slamming the room door shut with a bang.

"Thank you, Rongrong. If it weren't for you, I probably would have gotten a good beating today."

"It... it's nothing really."

Facing Feng Xinglie's sincere thanks, Ning Rongrong looked away a little shyly:

"At least that big bear said one thing right: teammates should help each other. You just happened to qualify as my teammate, that's all."

"Mhm, then thank you, teammate, for saving my life."

Looking at the bright, unclouded eyes within her smile, the usually proud Eldest Young Lady felt a bit flustered:

"Who cares! I'm not eating anymore, I'm going to sleep!"

Watching Ning Rongrong hurry up the stairs, Feng Xinglie couldn't help but muse inwardly: Indeed, sincerity is the ultimate skill...

"I'm sorry, I..."

Suddenly, a weak voice came from behind. Turning his head, he saw Zhu Zhuqing with a face full of distress, lowering her head in fear as their eyes were about to meet.

"Zhu Qing? What's wrong?"

Wasn't she fine just now? Why did this ice beauty suddenly look like she was about to cry?

"You... you saved my life the first time we met, and later you told me there was more than one way to get stronger. You even encouraged me and comforted me while teaching me your combat methods. But... when you were in danger, I couldn't do anything..."

So that's what it was...

Looking at the girl's clenched fists and tightly bitten lips, Feng Xinglie was also slightly moved. He placed his hands on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulders, bending slightly to meet her gaze:

"Yes, so you need to get stronger quickly. That way, you can protect me when danger strikes in the future. Don't worry, as long as you're willing to learn, I'll teach you all the moves that suit you. After all, you're also an important teammate I've acknowledged."

Getting stronger seemed to forever be Zhu Zhuqing's fragile nerve. In an instant, she seemed to recall the days in the Star Luo Empire when she was suppressed and bullied by Zhu Zhuyun, and her tears could no longer be held back. However, before the tears could fall, she quickly turned her head, facing away from Feng Xinglie, and said with feigned calmness: "Of course, I will become stronger, very, very strong, strong enough to protect everyone I want to protect."

"Mhm, I believe you. Keep it up."

This gentle encouragement made Zhu Zhuqing cover her mouth tightly, her shoulders trembling as she ran back to her room.

"Not bad, I thought Boss Dai was the number one Casanova, but I didn't expect you, Lie, to be so low-key."

Oscar, who had been spectating the entire scene from the side, said sourly.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

The topic shifted too quickly, and Feng Xinglie didn't react immediately.

"It means nothing. Go to hell, you guy who's popular with women!"

Ma Hongjun cursed fiercely, then followed Dai Mubai and Oscar back to their room. Seeing that there was no more excitement, Xiao Wu pulled Tang San towards the second floor.

"No... what's wrong with everyone?"

Left alone in the dining hall, Feng Xinglie was completely bewildered. He shrugged, looked at the table full of delicacies in front of him, and picked up his chopsticks:

"Since everyone's gone, I won't be polite!"

"Little monsters, wake up!"

Just as dawn broke, Zhao Wuji's booming voice roused everyone. The Shrek group quickly got ready and set off towards the Star Dou Forest once more. This time, Feng Xinglie abandoned his previous demeanor and actively helped everyone. He'd hand someone a cup of water, point out a path, or stop to observe the surroundings and help analyze suitable spirit beasts for Oscar. The team atmosphere improved considerably. Zhao Wuji thought his scolding yesterday had worked, and he looked at the eight little monsters with relief.

But he didn't know that Feng Xinglie was merely trying to delay them. According to the plot, they were supposed to encounter the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent being chased by the Snake Crone Chao Tianxiang and her granddaughter Meng Yiran. After some struggle, Oscar would successfully capture it. But if he led the Shrek group in circles for longer, perhaps that Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent would be killed and absorbed by Meng Yiran.

After all, in Feng Xinglie's opinion, the ability of "collective high-speed flight," even with a time limit, was terrifying enough to rival a seventh or even eighth spirit skill, providing a huge advantage in team battles. Since he had given up on recruiting it, he had to nip it in the bud.

However, fate was not in his favor, and everything seemed to be pushed forward by an invisible hand...

"Wait a moment, there's a snake-type spirit beast approaching us ahead."

Zhu Zhuqing, who was observing the situation from a tree, announced.

"It didn't succeed..."

Just by hearing the description, Feng Xinglie knew it was the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent and couldn't help but frown. He then took the lead and shouted:

"Everyone be careful! Follow the formation we rehearsed, protect Rongrong and Oscar. I'll take the lead, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, cover me as we go!"

Without giving anyone else a chance to analyze, he immediately defined the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent as an enemy. Zhu Zhuqing, standing on the tree, naturally supported Feng Xinglie's decision. Relying on the speed advantage of her agility-type spirit, she was the first to charge out and attack.

"Second Spirit Skill: Hell Hundred Claws!"

Leaping high, Zhu Zhuqing dodged the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent's head and attacked its vulnerable seven-inch spot. Scales flew and blood spilled. The Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent cried out in pain and spat out a cloud of colorful mist.

"Careful!"

Dai Mubai, unable to abandon his beautiful fiancée with whom he could activate a Martial Soul Fusion Skill, shouted and was about to rush forward when he saw Feng Xinglie arrive beside Zhu Zhuqing and pull her behind him. Then, his right arm seemed to lose its bones, swaying softly. As the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent emerged from the mist, it was whipped fiercely like a whip against its bright red crest. Although it was inconvenient to use spirit skills in mid-air, this strike was delivered with full force. It immediately sent the Phoenix-tail Crested Serpent crashing heavily to the ground, unconscious, without even a whimper.

Even so, it was still a thousand-year spirit beast, and Feng Xinglie couldn't kill it with a single blow. Seeing that no spirit ring had appeared, he immediately rushed forward, preparing to deliver the finishing blow.