Laying Plans for the Inner Academy Beauties, Ma Xiaotao Delivers the Grand Reward

Xiao Hongchen, sitting below the stage, leaned on the railing and let out a long sigh.

A third-year student leaned over and said, "Senior Xiao, your sister's Soul Skill is amazing! That Ice-Fire Poison Dragon Drill almost blew the arena upside down."

Xiao Hongchen turned his head and replied calmly, "I almost overturned the arena, but I didn't even touch the hem of the opponent's clothes."

The student sheepishly shrank back.

On the stage, Meng Hongchen rubbed her numb hands as she walked down the steps, taking a damp towel from Mu Jin and placing it on her wrists.

She didn't stop walking as she passed by Xiao Hongchen.

"Don't talk about me."

"I didn't say anything," Xiao Hongchen shrugged.

Meng Hongchen went straight back to her dormitory, closed the door, and took out her notebook from her desk, turning to the latest page.

She wrote down the structure, thickness, and duration of the opponent's light shield during their sparring session.

Finally, a circle was drawn at the end, indicating Self-Created Soul Skill with the Light attribute?

Closing her notebook, Meng Hongchen sat cross-legged on the bed, closed her eyes, and regulated her breathing.

She knew very well that Dai Huabin hadn't played seriously in either of their matches.

This gap only made her want to catch up.

After the Soul Fighting Arena ended, everyone returned to their dormitories.

Dai Huabin didn't rush to leave; he sat down on a bluestone bench outside the Soul Fighting Arena.

Zhu Lu handed over a pot of water.

Are you tired?

"Not tired." Dai Huabin took a couple of sips of water, screwed the lid back on the kettle, and placed it on his lap. "Thinking about something."

Zhu Lu didn't ask any further questions and sat quietly to his left.

Dai Huabin was calculating the cards in his hand.

There was still half a portion of Blazing Gel left in the Storage Soul Tool.

He had prepared two portions of this from the beginning, one for Ma Xiaotao and the other for Wu Ming.

The reason is simple: Shrek Academy's Inner Academy boasts two powerful fire-attribute experts, one being the Evil Fire Phoenix Ma Xiaotao, and the other the Golden Crow Saintess Wu Ming.

Ma Xiaotao's situation is already settled. Her Martial Soul has transformed into the Ultimate Fire. Although its level dropped from 69 to 64, its value has increased several times over.

On Wu Ming's side, the Golden Crow Soul Sage is inherently of the Ultimate Fire attribute, so his success rate in consuming the Blazing Gel won't be lower than Ma Xiaotao's.

Once Wu Ming completes his transformation, both of the Inner Academy's two fire-elemental cores will be upgraded.

Furthermore, Zhang Lexuan's storyline was actively promoted by Mu En, Han Ruoruo and Ma Xiaotao have a close relationship, and Ling Luochen has already received the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow Essence...

Dai Huabin tapped his knee with his finger.

He knew one thing very well.

From the first day he stepped into the Shrek Academy, he could never sever ties with the institution. Mu En's plans and the Sea God Pavilion's expectations were like ropes that tightened more and more around him.

Since we can't cut it off, let's do the opposite.

Rather than being led by the nose, it's better to take the initiative and control the whole game.

Once his cultivation reaches a certain level, Mu En retires, the position of the Sea God Pavilion will naturally fall into his hands.

By then, Shrek will be his backyard, not his cage.

"Lulu."

"Um?"

"Soon, we will go on a training mission."

Zhu Lu nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Ling Luochen's Ultimate Ice requires finding suitable rare and precious materials in the Far North; we can take care of that along the way. Ning Tian's Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda matter can't be delayed any longer; I promised her the Aromatic Silk Beauty."

Zhu Lu leaned closer, her arm pressed against his.

When are you leaving?

"No rush, I still have some things to take care of. Ma Xiaotao said there's a reward for me, but I haven't claimed it yet."

Zhu Lu tilted her head slightly.

"What reward?"

"I don't know, probably just another one of her tricks."

Zhu Lu didn't press further, but she had a vague idea of what was going on.

She knew Ma Xiaotao's style of doing things; that red-haired Grandmaster never beat around the bush.

Zhu Lu overheard a bit of what Ma Xiaotao Di Lingxi said about urging Wu Ming to go find Dai Huabin.

But she didn't take it to heart.

Zhu Lu stood up and reached out to grab Dai Huabin's wrist.

"Go back now, Di Lingxi is waiting for you to cook dinner in the dormitory."

"Does that girl only know how to eat?"

"You spoiled him."

The two walked side by side toward the dormitory.

As I passed the corner of the teaching building, I happened to run into Ning Tian and Wu Feng coming out of the training ground.

Ning Tian was holding a square towel for wiping sweat. He quickly walked over when he saw Dai Huabin.

"I caught a glimpse of the afternoon's sparring from a distance, and you didn't use your Martial Soul again?"

"There's no need."

Ning Tian folded the handkerchief and tucked it into his sleeve.

"You're really patient with that Meng Hongchen, even giving him expert advice."

"She's an exchange student from the Sun Moon Empire, sent on a mission. I gave her a few pointers, and she was completely convinced. She'll naturally speak highly of us when she gets back." Dai Huabin paused. "Besides, her ice attribute talent is indeed quite good; it would be a waste to waste it."

Ning Tian snorted.

"You seem to accept everyone who comes your way."

Wu Feng whispered from behind, "Young Master, you cracked three stone slabs with your third Soul Skill during training today. Dean Yan Shaozhe said the repair cost will be deducted from your dormitory deposit."

Ning Tian's face stiffened.

Dai Huabin chuckled, patted Ning Tian on the shoulder, and left.

Ning Tian stood there, stomping his feet in anger.

"Wu Feng! Couldn't you have waited two seconds to say that?!"

"Young Master, it is my duty to tell the truth."

For the next few days, Dai Huabin ignored Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen.

I attend classes when I need to attend classes and practice what I need to practice; my days are very regular.

Meng Hongchen was sensible enough to settle down and spend his days in the training ground digesting the insights he had gained from the last sparring session.

Xiao Hongchen was happy to have some peace and quiet, tinkering with the Soul Tool materials he brought in the laboratory, and occasionally attending Xian Lin'er's advanced soul tool classes.

The evening of the fourth day.

Dai Huabin was roasting venison for Di Lingxi in his dormitory.

The door was pushed open from the outside.

Ma Xiaotao strode in.

Today she wore a dark red outfit, her red hair tied up high, making her look neat and decisive.

Di Lingxi, holding half a deer leg, glanced up at her, then continued gnawing on it.

Zhu Lu poked half her body out of the kitchen.

Ma Xiaotao glanced around at everyone in the room and then waved directly at Dai Huabin.

"Come on, follow me back to the Inner Academy."

"What are you doing?"

"You forgot your big reward?" Ma Xiaotao asked, hands on her hips.

Dai Huabin flipped the meat skewers on the grill, then stood up unhurriedly.

"Now?"

"Nonsense, let's go before it gets dark."

Zhu Lu wiped her hands on her apron, then came out and looked at Ma Xiaotao.

Ma Xiaotao grinned at her.

"Don't worry, Lulu, I'll lend your man two hours to return the jade intact."

Zhu Lu nodded, turned to Dai Huabin and said, "Come back soon," before going back into the kitchen.

Di Lingxi chased after them, carrying a deer leg bone. "Then who will roast my meat?"

"Learn it yourself," Dai Huabin said, then followed Ma Xiaotao out the door.

Di Lingxi looked at the empty corridor and took a bite of the now-cold deer leg, feeling wronged.