"What?"
"You're saying Hongjun hasn't been to Red Light Street in almost a month?"
Flender had returned to Shrek and was still riding the high of having recruited yet another genius when he received some utterly jaw-dropping news.
The little fatty who used to run off to Red Light Street whenever he had a spare moment hadn't left the academy in a whole month.
After hearing it from Zhao Wuji, Flender hurried straight to the dormitory where Ma Hongjun lived.
To his utter shock, Ma Hongjun was holding an ice pop and strolling out of his room as if nothing were wrong.
"You... are you all right, kid?"
"Teacher, were you hoping something was wrong with me?"
"That Evil Fire... you really got it under control?"
"Sure did. See? I'm perfectly fine."
Flender looked his disciple up and down, then anxiously stepped forward and probed him with Soul Power. Only then did he stare at the little fatty as if he'd seen a ghost.
"I'll be damned. You actually managed to overcome it?"
"Hey, your disciple is exceptionally gifted. A little Evil Fire is nothing I can't handle."
Over the course of nearly a month, Ma Hongjun had completed two trials in succession.
They were the ten-day trial and the fifteen-day trial.
He had also earned nearly fifty days' worth of cultivation rewards, along with a twenty-year increase to his Soul Ring's age.
That was an important reason the fatty had managed to persevere.
The God Trial was simply too generous with its rewards.
He had also discovered that the rewards grew with each successive trial, so he had even sworn never to go to Red Light Street again for the rest of his life.
He had no idea that the vow he'd made himself would soon be broken.
For some reason, Flender still felt uneasy, afraid that his personal disciple might suddenly die from Evil Fire one day.
Over the next few months, Flender kept a close eye on the fatty.
Once he saw that, apart from occasionally going down to the village river for a cold bath, the kid showed no other unusual signs, he finally relaxed.
Under the God of Calmness's guidance, the little fatty went on to complete nine trials in succession.
His Soul Power had also smoothly climbed to level 17.
For someone who had just turned eight, that was more than enough to feel proud of.
With dreams for the future in his heart, Ma Hongjun began looking forward to the next trial.
"Going by the previous schedule, the Tenth Trial should last forty-five days."
"Once I finish this one, I'll be just about ready to reach the threshold of Soul Grandmaster."
"Fatty here really is a genius."
Through the ice inside the consciousness sea, Lu Xian, who was far away in the city, naturally learned what the fatty was thinking.
A smile crept onto his lips.
"Little fatty, you're still too naïve."
As he issued the trial, Lu Xian's smile grew a little wider. How could he let the God Trial be so easy?
At the same time, Ma Hongjun heard the notification that his tenth God Trial had begun, and joy filled his heart.
But before long, he could no longer smile.
"God of Calmness's Tenth Trial: Unshaken by Temptation."
"A true powerhouse must not only overcome desire, but also learn to face it head-on."
"Go to Red Light Street and spend seventy-two hours discussing life with ten eligible members of the opposite sex, without letting desire sway your thoughts."
"Time limit: one week."
"Friendly reminder: every tenth trial will be a major trial."
Ma Hongjun's mouth fell open. After a long moment, he wiped his face.
"Damn, I was wondering why the divine trials were so easy. So this is what you had waiting for me?"
"Won't this cost me half my life?"
But the God of Calmness had already explained: every tenth trial was a major trial.
Naturally, a major trial would be much harder than an ordinary one.
"Fine, I'll do it. When has your lordship Fatty ever been afraid?"
Although the trial was outrageously unreasonable, the fatty was still prepared to give it his all for the rewards.
So, beneath Flender's look of You little brat, were you messing with me?, Ma Hongjun headed toward Red Light Street with the solemn air of a hero facing certain death.
There was still time, so Ma Hongjun made a long-overdue visit to Lu Xian's Broom Shop.
"Well, look who it is! Haven't seen you in months. Found yourself a new place to satisfy your cravings?"
Lu Xian teased Ma Hongjun, trying to hold back a laugh. Unaware of what was going on, the fatty sat in the shop, frowning in worry.
"Don't tease me, Big Brother Lu Xian."
"I've got enough to worry about already!"
"Out of money again?"
"Not that. You know I haven't been to Red Light Street in almost two months, right?"
The fatty pressed his lips together, then asked tentatively:
"Big Brother Lu Xian, is there any way I could spend seventy-two hours discussing life with ten big sisters and still come out unscathed?"
Lu Xian nodded with a straight face. Ma Hongjun immediately brightened.
"What is it? Tell me!"
"Clack."
A pair of scissors landed in front of him. The fatty's expression stiffened.
"Big Brother Lu Xian, wh-what does that mean?"
"Simple. Snip it off, and the problem's solved for good."
"No, no, I still need to get married. That won't do."
"Ah, I see..."
Lu Xian rubbed his chin. He hadn't expected the little fatty to come straight to him—the one who'd set the trial—for a solution.
"Then why not try preparing a few pairs of Ice Underwear?"
At Lu Xian's terrible suggestion, Ma Hongjun's eyes immediately lit up.
It was a lousy solution, but it really was the best one he had.
If I can't do it, then no one can tempt me.
He still had a whole week before the trial deadline, plenty of time to prepare.
He rushed out of the Broom Shop and headed straight to the Cold Drink Shop next door.
"Boss! I want to order ten pairs of Ice Underwear."
"What? I'm not here to start trouble. Your young master has money."
"I can pay in advance. Just get them ready for me, and I'll come pick them up tomorrow."
Hearing the voice from just outside, Lu Xian finally lost it. He'd only tossed the idea out casually; he hadn't expected the little fatty to actually go through with it.
Wearing Ice Underwear for three days—what was the difference between that and snipping it off for good?
As the shopkeeper stared at the Gold Soul Coins in the fatty's hand as if he were an idiot, Ma Hongjun returned to the Broom Shop, brimming with confidence.
"Thanks, Big Brother Lu Xian. You've really helped me out."
"Heh. If you think it'll work, then it'll work."
The next evening, Ma Hongjun headed for Red Light Street, carrying the ten pairs of Ice Underwear made by the Cold Drink Shop. His face was solemn.
He arrived at the place he used to frequent.
The madam spotted him from far away.
"Well, if it isn't Master Fatty! Where have you been all these months?"
"Cut the chatter. I'll take on ten!"
A flicker of surprise crossed the madam's eyes, but with the mindset that only an idiot would turn away money, she quickly put on a smile and ushered Ma Hongjun inside.
Soon, in a sealed room, Ma Hongjun found himself face-to-face with ten big sisters who had seen the true meaning of life.
"W-we're just going to talk?"
"And talk for three whole days?"
"Fatty, did you lose your weapon or something?"
When a few old acquaintances heard that the fatty wasn't going to do anything but talk, they immediately started teasing him.
They were all experienced professionals, so why was he suddenly acting like a relationship counselor?
But the fatty didn't even bother responding. He opened the case beside him, took out a pair of Ice Underwear, and put them on.
Then he sat down on the sofa, looking every bit like someone who really would do nothing but talk.
The sight left the ten veteran relationship counselors dumbfounded.
They exchanged glances, each seeing the same confusion in the others' eyes.
They were all manual laborers, used to getting paid for the work they did. Now they were being paid without having to work, and they didn't know what to make of it.
Before you continue