Great Soul Arena, Outside

Oscar returned to the academy by noon.

He was so exhausted that the moment he entered the academy grounds, he collapsed onto the ground, unable to move a muscle.

Not far away, Ning Rongrong and several girls were laughing and chatting, while Tang San and a few boys were horsing around.

Ah, how nice that must be. But why did I have to suffer so much in the Star Dou Great Forest?

Oscar felt utterly helpless.

What kind of soul ring had Rongrong obtained? Based on his understanding of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it should be something related to soul power.

Just as he was about to call out to Ning Rongrong for help, Oscar felt a wave of dizziness and drifted off to sleep.

"Isn't that Oscar?"

Dai Mubai had sharp eyes and spotted Oscar immediately.

This exclamation drew the attention of Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu. As Ning Rongrong's roommates, they knew Oscar had gone out with Ning Rongrong and the Dean for training that morning. However, Ning Rongrong had returned early, and yet Oscar was several hours late.

They glanced at Ning Rongrong, but she seemed completely oblivious to the matter, so the two girls didn't press the issue.

Perhaps Ning Rongrong had simply finished her training early.

The three boys rushed to Oscar's side. Tang San checked him over and concluded, "Oscar is just exhausted. But it's strange—why at this time? The Dean returned a long time ago."

Ma Hongjun patted his belly proudly and said, "It must be the Dean's trust in us veterans. He sent Ning Rongrong back and didn't bother with Oscar. Besides, haven't you noticed? Oscar's strength has actually increased!"

Tang San sensed it again, and it was true. Oscar's soul power had clearly become stronger.

Level 30?

Another young quasi-Soul Elder. Tang San's desire to become stronger intensified. Just then, he sensed an even more unexpected aura and cast his gaze toward Ning Rongrong not far away.

He frowned.

Ning Rongrong's soul power increase was within his expectations; after all, she was already level 30, and it was normal for the Dean to help her obtain a soul ring. However, he had caught a scent of poison on her.

Anyone who dealt with poisons often knew that poison was something difficult for outsiders to detect, but those in the trade could spot the clues at a glance.

His intuition told Tang San that Ning Rongrong had mastered an ability related to poison.

Before he could dwell on it, Dai Mubai called him away from the side.

"San, it looks like Oscar has been poisoned too. See if there's a way to fix it."

"Use a sausage," Tang San said matter-of-factly, before remembering that Oscar himself was the one who had been poisoned.

Earlier.

Flender emerged from Zhao Wuji's residence. He had no intention of seeking out Ning Rongrong to get to the bottom of things; that didn't befit his status.

As a Soul Saint, he should be able to tell at a glance that Ning Rongrong had absorbed a soul ring and remain completely unsurprised. In short, he had to maintain an air of cold detachment.

He was going to find someone else: the son of the other Titled Douluo who had caused trouble for Zhao Wuji last night—Tang San.

Firstly, to look after him, and secondly, to ask about his old friend.

Thinking of Tang San's strength, Flender's expression stiffened again.

Although the kid was a bit devious, his strength was a solid level 29. He was the strongest in actual combat among the four new students... no, looking at it now, perhaps the second strongest.

This batch of new students... it seemed only the one named Xiao Wu had no background. What kind of fortune did his Shrek Academy have?

Facing the young man, his eyes revealed a complex look.

"Is the Grandmaster doing well?"

Back at the academy, Lu Ma faced two options.

One was to spend the morning and afternoon as usual, and the other was the game company's thoughtful shortcut to jump directly to the evening.

Now that he had a new soul skill, how could he not test it out?

Thinking that the game company was quite clever with its design, Lu Ma immediately chose to skip the morning and afternoon.

Night fell, Suotuo Great Soul Arena!

Flender was in a fairly good mood, but the five little ones were different.

Even Dai Mubai felt a chill down his spine. He didn't know what kind of madness had taken hold of Flender, forcing the new students to duel at the Great Soul Arena during their first lesson.

He couldn't help but envy the two support-type soul masters, Ning Rongrong and Oscar, especially Ning Rongrong, who had only trained for such a short time...

"Dean, can I participate?"

Just as Dai Mubai's dissatisfaction began to rise, a playful voice came from behind. He turned to see Ning Rongrong running over, with Oscar following closely behind her.

"Rongrong, don't walk... huff... so fast."

He reached out, finally catching up, and bent over, gasping for air.

"Ning Rongrong, Oscar?" Flender was somewhat surprised. He adjusted his glasses and asked, "Why are you here? Logically speaking, your training has already ended... Is it not enough?"

Oscar immediately perked up, hurriedly shaking his head as he said, "Dean, I tried to advise Rongrong, but she wouldn't listen and insisted on coming."

Ning Rongrong glanced back at Oscar with disdain and let out a scoff.

Flender's expression darkened.

Oscar was startled; if Ning Rongrong were punished because of him, what would become of his future? He hurriedly tried to shoulder the responsibility.

But before he could act, Flender had already responded sternly: "Absurd! Oscar, how can you be so lacking in ambition?"

The seven of them froze.

Oscar pointed at himself: "Me?"

"Who else could it be? Look at Ning Rongrong; she has more talent than you and works harder than you. What do you have to compare with her?"

"Uh, this..." Oscar was speechless for a moment. He couldn't think of any reason to compare himself to a young lady like Ning Rongrong, but he suddenly recalled his experience from the morning and mustered the courage to push back: "Just the fact that I successfully reached level 30 during this morning's training!"

In an instant, five pairs of eyes converged on Oscar.

Ning Rongrong was not among them, because she didn't care.

Tang San was not among them either, because he had already sensed it that morning.

Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Dai Mubai were staring at Oscar, though they weren't actually that surprised.

The most surprised was Ma Hongjun.

If this was the case, wouldn't he be the most useless one among the older generation of Shrek Academy?

"Well, look at you!"

He pointed at Oscar, speaking indignantly.

Flender's expression shifted slightly as he said, "Good! That's the spirit! Then you shall also participate in the Great Soul Arena matches!"

"Me?"

Oscar wilted instantly, turning his head to look at the others...

"I'm in a group with Fatty?"

Ma Hongjun tried to cozy up to him: "Of course, we're close. After we win, how about you share your leveling experience with me?"

Oscar's mouth twitched: "Haha, sure, sure."

Seeing that things were arranged, Flender turned to face Ning Rongrong and said:

"Rongrong, you should be a Soul Elder by now. Later, you and Dai Mubai will form a duo..."

"I object!"

Three people spoke in unison, giving Flender a start.

They were Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai, and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Dean, Zhuqing and I might possess a Martial Soul Fusion Skill. I would like to wait until she levels up before we pair up; our chances of winning will be much higher!"

"The support of the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda is not inferior, either."