"Fatty? What happened to you? Who beat you up like this?"
But their good days hadn't lasted long before someone started causing trouble again.
"Some sleazy old bastard beat me up. What a disgrace. This is fucking humiliating."
In response to Tang San's question, Ma Hongjun said bitterly as he walked through the academy gates. Hearing him, Feng Xinglie turned around too, where he had been teaching Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong self-defense. Ma Hongjun's red hair was a bird's nest, and his whole face was bruised and swollen. Someone had clearly beaten him up.
"Ah... So the plot's reached this point already?"
Feng Xinglie knew what had happened at a glance and immediately lost interest. But when the others saw Ma Hongjun had been bullied, they gathered around, outraged.
"Damn, whoever dares bully someone from Shrek is asking for it! Fatty, lead the way. Today, I'll show them what my Evil Eyed White Tiger can do!"
Watching Tang San and the others head toward Suotuo City in a great procession, Feng Xinglie shook his head and let out a long sigh.
"The future Phoenix God went whoring, got beaten up fighting a client over a girl, then took the future Sea God, War God, Food God, and Asura God into an alley to ambush the guy—all because his future God King wife seduced him. Who'd believe that if you told them..."
After sighing, Feng Xinglie met Ning Rongrong's curious gaze and immediately scowled.
"They're going to the brothel to fight clients. What's that got to do with you? Learn from Zhuqing and stand properly in your stance."
Ning Rongrong's little face immediately fell. She stuck her tongue out at Feng Xinglie, but obediently sank into a horse stance anyway. Just then, Flender came over, muttering as he walked.
"Strange, really strange. By my reckoning, Xiao Gang should've arrived ages ago. Why haven't I heard a thing from him?"
Flender could rack his brains all he liked, but when Yu Xiaogang would arrive at Shrek Academy wasn't up to him. Feng Xinglie had already made arrangements in every town along the road from Nuoding City to Suotuo City. Today, the whole city was under lockdown; tomorrow, bandits would attack. There was no way Yu Xiaogang could reach Shrek Academy.
"Never mind. Xiao Gang isn't here, but the Little Monsters' training has to continue. Hey, you few, go tell Xiao San and the others that starting today, they're back to practical lessons at the Soul Fighting Arena."
"Yes! I'll tell them right away!"
At Flender's instruction, Ning Rongrong immediately jumped up and ran after them toward Suotuo City.
"Ah, that girl. She never makes things easy..."
Feng Xinglie shook his head helplessly, then heard Flender say:
"And... Zhu Zhuqing. I know a little about what's going on between you and Dai Mubai. Since you're pursuing greater strength, don't keep resisting Dai Mubai. Your Martial Soul Fusion Skill is incredibly powerful. But you can only use it when you truly accept each other, so don't hold Mubai back."
Zhu Zhuqing furrowed her delicate brows. With Feng Xinglie's guidance, she had already realized that relying on Dai Mubai wasn't the only path to strength. But deep down, her desire to grow stronger still made it hard to give up on the Martial Soul Fusion Skill completely, even though she now felt nothing but disgust for Dai Mubai.
"Zhuqing, listen to Dean Flender. There's more than one path to becoming stronger, but if the opportunity's there, you should still give it a try."
No one had expected Feng Xinglie to be the one to set things up for them. Flender's eyes narrowed into slits as he grinned. Zhu Zhuqing listened to Feng Xinglie more than anyone, so with him speaking up, it was sure to work. Sure enough, after a moment's hesitation, Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
"Good, good! In that case, give it a proper try during tonight's team Soul Fighting. Trust me, the power of a Martial Soul Fusion Skill will leave you wanting more!"
Having settled the most important matter in life for his star pupil, Flender headed toward the teaching building with a satisfied look, leaving Zhu Zhuqing standing silently where she was, lost in thought. Flender could see what was on her mind; how could Feng Xinglie not? To make her give it up completely, he had to cut off that last lingering hope. Otherwise, even after leaving Shrek someday, she'd keep wondering whether choosing Dai Mubai back then might have brought a different outcome with their powerful Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Feng Xinglie absolutely didn't want that to happen.
At dusk, after dinner, everyone arrived at the Soto Great Soul Arena. This time, Flender personally signed them up for a team match. On the way, he also bet every last one of his Gold Soul Coins on Shrek Academy at a betting shop.
"Don't be nervous. Believe in the years of hard training you've put in. And growth of the spirit is a kind of strength, too."
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing was still distracted even as the match drew near, Feng Xinglie offered a few words of comfort. His Soul Power Level was too high for him to take part in this match, so he could only cheer her on from the sidelines. After hearing him, Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath and regained her confidence. She nodded to Feng Xinglie and stepped onto the platform.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight's headline match is about to begin! The rising new stars of the Soul Fighting Arena, Shrek Team, will face the powerful Sea Hunting and God Slaughtering Team!"
The audience at the arena was stunned by the host's introduction. Quite a few had seen the members of Shrek Team before, but what in the world was this Sea Hunting and God Slaughtering Team? Why had they never heard of them? They had no idea Feng Xinglie had arranged the team especially for tonight's show. Every member was close to Soul Ancestor level, making them far stronger than Shrek Team.
"Come on, the show's about to begin."
Feng Xinglie was looking forward to it.
There was almost no suspense in this battle. The Sea Hunting and God Slaughtering Team had a clear advantage in strength, and they knew every one of Shrek Team's hidden tactics inside and out. Feng Xinglie had given them detailed information on everyone's strength, Soul Ring and Soul Skill configurations, usual tactics, and fighting habits. He hadn't even left out Tang San's External Soul Bone, the Eight Spider Lances, or any of the Hidden Weapons he could currently use. Without Oscar's Mushroom Sausage to give them the ability to fly, Shrek Team fell behind almost as soon as the fight began.
"Damn it, Zhuqing, use the Martial Soul Fusion Skill!"
After being sent flying by the opposing team once more, Dai Mubai wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and shouted.
"Here I come."
The whole point of staging this was to push Zhu Zhuqing into using Hell White Tiger with Dai Mubai, their only chance to turn the tables, while they were backed into a corner. Facing such a dangerous situation, Zhu Zhuqing hesitated briefly, then set aside her misgivings and nodded. Dai Mubai was overjoyed. Just imagining himself merging with such a beautiful woman thrilled him. The Sea Hunting and God Slaughtering Team was especially "considerate," turning their attacks on the other teammates and creating the perfect opening for the two of them.
Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai's pupils merged as they charged toward each other. At the same time, Feng Xinglie activated his third Soul Skill below the stage: Mirror Still Water. His powerful mental energy enveloped the entire platform, taking in Zhu Zhuqing's every movement and change in expression. In just one second, with the help of his Head Soul Bone, Feng Xinglie spotted something unusual.
Before you continue