After spending three minutes taking out his urges on a hen, Ma Hongjun had entered the same sage-like state as Dai Mubai, gradually calming down and entertaining other thoughts.
The brothels of Suotuo City were thick with the scent of perfume and powder.
Ma Hongjun contentedly straightened his clothes. The Evil Fire smoldering in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a gloom and cunning utterly at odds with his fat, honest appearance.
One day in the Divine Realm was a year in the mortal world!
Counting his time spent cultivating and the years in the Divine Realm, Ma Hongjun wasn't all that old in truth, but he was far more mature than he'd been at six.
Just now, after venting himself completely in the arms of a beauty, the memories of his life after becoming a god had finally settled into sharp clarity.
The regrets, resentment, and pent-up frustration from his past life surged up all at once.
Unlike Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun had no grand ambition to seize Tang San's Dual Godhood outright.
But that didn't mean he respected that third brother of his.
Even after regaining his memories, he still wanted to be on loving terms with him.
On the contrary, Ma Hongjun's resentment toward Tang San ran no shallower than Dai Mubai's!
Every one of the original Shrek Seven Devils had achieved a happy ending.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing had both become gods and remained together for all eternity.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong had become the God of Food and the Nine-Colored Goddess, a pair of immortals.
Even Xiao Wu got to share Dual Godhood with Tang San and stay by his side forever.
Only Ma Hongjun...
They had all become gods, yet in the end, he was the only one left separated from Bai Chenxiang by the divide between gods and mortals, doomed never to see her again.
It wasn't that he hadn't pleaded with Tang San. But Tang San had brushed aside all his longing with a single line: the Divine Realm had its rules.
Ma Hongjun had originally thought that was truly the case. In those years of cultivation in the Divine Realm, he had gradually grown used to it.
But what had happened in the end?
Under Tang San's hand, Douluo Continent had long since become the Tang Family's continent.
He'd even raised his own parents to godhood, making them Plane Masters of Douluo Continent.
To ensure his plans went off without a hitch, he had even resurrected the long-sacrificed Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape, setting them to guard the Clear Sky Sect.
After becoming a God King, Tang San had shown the Tang family every possible favor.
Using divine power to pull strings was nothing to him.
Ma Hongjun could understand that when Tang San had first ascended to the Divine Realm, his position was still shaky. He might not have dared to promise Ma Hongjun anything then.
But what about afterward?
Once he had secured his seat as God King, had he ever thought of helping his brother?
The answer was no!
Tang San had never once considered resurrecting Bai Chenxiang for him—not even for a moment.
He had treated the original Shrek Seven Devils as nothing more than the team that helped him secure his position as God King.
He threw his weight around a little when it came to his own family, but when dealing with others, he suddenly played by the book. How the hell was that not a double standard?
That so-called brotherly affection had always been cheap toilet paper to God King Tang, something he only glanced at when he needed it!
"Tang San, oh, Tang San..."
Ma Hongjun patted his round belly, a cold smile curling his lips.
"Whether you've recovered your memories of your past life or not, I'll make sure you never find out that I've recovered mine!
"After all, this is my chance—perhaps my only chance!"
In this life, he wouldn't foolishly follow Tang San's lead anymore, nor would he place all his hopes in some so-called brotherly bond.
He'd rely on himself, seize resources, and grow stronger fast!
He would solve the Evil Fire problem of his grass-chicken Martial Soul, grow stronger, and protect Bai Chenxiang, so he wouldn't repeat the tragedy of his past life.
As for how exactly he would do that...
Feeling his body act up again, Ma Hongjun grabbed the hen nearby and went at it once more. After slipping back into his sage-like state, a rough plan had taken shape in his mind.
He remembered! He remembered everything!
At this point in Douluo Continent's history, there were three major resources!
The first and foremost was the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well!
The Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower inside it was the fated opportunity meant for him. It could not only eliminate the threat of the Evil Fire once and for all, but also complete the ultimate evolution of his Evil Fire Phoenix Martial Soul, transforming it into a true Phoenix Martial Soul!
Besides that, the other Immortal Herbs could also boost his Soul Power and help him become a god sooner.
He didn't know about the rest, but he could definitely take the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum and Nine Grade Purple Mushroom.
As for how to take them, everyone had consumed their Immortal Herbs right in front of the others back then, so Ma Hongjun knew the exact process.
The only problem was...
"If I remember right, the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well is in the hands of that old poisoner, Dugu Bo!"
Not only was the Titled Douluo Dugu Bo stationed there, but the surrounding area was also riddled with traps and deadly poison.
In his past life, he'd only been able to come and go safely thanks to Tang San.
Without Tang San's methods, there was no way he could force his way in. He'd have to set the matter aside for now and plan carefully.
The next opportunity was Whale Rubber!
Whale Rubber could temper the body. That secret wouldn't be discovered for more than a decade.
For now, the nobles used Whale Rubber as a tool to stoke their passions and amuse themselves.
In large quantities, it could greatly temper the body and strengthen one's foundation, paving the way for future cultivation.
Its effects might not be too obvious in the early stages. At most, it could increase the age of a Soul Ring or two.
But later on, once he became a Titled Douluo, the advantages of Whale Rubber would start to show!
The only problem was...
Though it hadn't yet reached the sky-high prices it would command in the future, it was a tribute for the nobility, so it was already quite expensive.
Forget Ma Hongjun, who didn't have a penny to his name. Even the dean, Flender, didn't have much in his little stash and couldn't afford to buy it up.
Both of the most important paths were blocked.
Ma Hongjun narrowed his eyes. A quick turn of thought led him to the third opportunity.
Or rather, to a certain person!
Yu Xiaogang!
The man known as "Grandmaster," who had trained a god!
During the battle at Jialing Pass, Ma Hongjun had stood near Yu Xiaogang. He'd heard those words loud and clear!
"I haven't brought shame upon my family. I trained a god!"
Yu Xiaogang had dared to say it, and Tang San had accepted it. Surely that had to mean something?
He seemed weak, yet possessed a complete body of Martial Soul Theory. More than that, he had been the most important guide on Tang San's path to godhood in his past life.
In Ma Hongjun's eyes, without Yu Xiaogang's theories, Tang San might not have had such a smooth journey or managed to hold on to every opportunity.
"Tang San, you became a God King, and Yu Xiaogang played no small part in it."
"In this life, I'll poach him first and cut off both your arms."
"Without Grandmaster, let's see how you can retrace your path to godhood!
"And with Grandmaster's help, there's no reason the first to become a god can't be me, Ma Hongjun!"
At the thought of such a bright future, Ma Hongjun couldn't help clenching his fist, as if he meant to seize his fate in his grasp.
He'd walk Tang San's path and leave Tang San with nowhere to go!
There was still plenty of time. He had to poach Grandmaster—he absolutely had to!
With his plan decided, Ma Hongjun wasted no more time. He pulled up his pants and hurried back to Shrek Academy, ready to put in a good word with Flender.
He'd already come up with a reason: by chance, he'd heard news of Yu Xiaogang, who was currently at Notting Junior Soul Master Academy.
Shrek Academy had only just been founded and was already short on talent.
Besides, bringing Yu Xiaogang in would also restore the Golden Iron Triangle's renown.
So why not write him a letter and poach Yu Xiaogang outright, so they could plot their grand undertaking together?
Before you continue