[Wish Rank E, Executor Dugu Yan, Completion: 100%.] [Reward: 100 days of cultivation, Soul Ring lifespan increased by 40 years.]
A few days later, when Lu Xian received another notification that Dugu Yan had completed her trial, a look of disdain flickered across his face.
What a woman—her mouth said no, but her body said yes!
The moment Dugu Yan, who had returned to the academy with her Snake-Skin Movement, received the notification that she had completed the trial, she straightened up and fled back to her dormitory.
Seeing that Dugu Yan had fully adapted to the pace of the trial, Lu Xian felt reassured and returned to Suotuo City.
He was already close to level 50, and planned to choose a suitable fifth Destined Worker.
His first choice was Dai Mubai, who had just fled Star Luo and arrived in Suotuo City.
For his fifth Soul Ring, he planned to look for a tiger-type Soul Beast in the Star Dou Great Forest. It would let him test whether his Martial Soul could bestow a soul on a Soul Beast, and it would also be suitable for recruiting Dai Mubai as a Destined Worker.
The Shrek Seven Devils all had decent talent, making them just right for the job.
If he hadn't been so unwilling to absorb a sausage as a Soul Ring, Oscar would have been one of his targets, too.
"Hongjun, is there anywhere in Suotuo City..."
"Anywhere for what?"
"You know, that sort of place... Cultivation's been dull, so I thought I'd go unwind."
Seeing the lecherous look on Dai Mubai's face, Ma Hongjun immediately understood what he was after.
He nodded knowingly and pointed him in the right direction.
He was the one taking the God Trial. He couldn't control whether other people liked hanging around the red-light district.
Ma Hongjun's build had changed drastically, so there was no longer any sense in calling him Fatty.
The two had gotten along well enough over the past month or so. Mainly, seeing Dai Mubai as he was now reminded Ma Hongjun of himself back in the day.
After silently repeating, "A man with no desires is invincible," Ma Hongjun started back toward his dorm to continue cultivating.
But the instant his hand closed around the doorknob, a notification about his trial rang in his mind.
"God of Calmness, Trial Twenty: Kindred Spirits."
"Everyone is better off when we all get along."
"Stop Dai Mubai from going out to have fun, and make him a like-minded companion."
"Time limit: one month."
"Friendly reminder: every ten trials constitute one major trial."
Ma Hongjun stood there, stunned for a moment, then whipped around to look at Dai Mubai, who had already reached the village entrance.
"Brother Dai, wait!"
"Hm?"
Dai Mubai looked back in confusion, unsure why the other man had called out to him.
But Ma Hongjun was even stronger than he was, so he figured he ought to show him some respect.
"What is it, Hongjun?"
"Heh, Brother Dai, there's nothing worth seeing on Red Light Street. If you're going, you might as well save up for a few months and visit a higher-class establishment. Ever heard of the Rose Hotel?"
"Oh? I didn't know you were a man after my own heart, Hongjun. You're right. That kind of common trash doesn't catch my eye."
"By the way, is the Rose Hotel expensive?"
"Expensive? It's downright outrageous! Several hundred Gold Soul Coins for one night."
Ma Hongjun's plan was simple: as long as Dai Mubai didn't go out carousing this month, he could complete the trial.
Where Dai Mubai went after that was none of his business.
What he didn't know was that Dai Mubai, the third prince of the Star Luo Empire, could hardly be short of money.
"A few hundred Gold Soul Coins isn't expensive at all!"
"Thanks, Hongjun. I'll go see what it's like."
"Huh?"
Watching Dai Mubai stride toward Suotuo City without so much as looking back, Ma Hongjun was left dumbfounded.
He cursed that damn capitalist under his breath.
But his feet didn't slow at all. He hurried after Dai Mubai, determined not to let him ruin the trial.
"Brother Dai, why are you always thinking about going out to have fun instead of cultivating properly?"
"Hey, there's no harm in cultivating properly after I've had my fun."
"No, no. I think you should go back and cultivate."
Dai Mubai slowly came to a stop. By now, he'd figured out that Ma Hongjun didn't want him going out to have fun.
"Hongjun, what do you mean by this? You're going to meddle in my private life, too?"
"No, no, Brother Dai. Just one month. How about staying in for one month? After that, I won't stop you."
At that, Dai Mubai's expression slowly darkened. He hated being controlled, and his rebellious streak was now fully roused.
"And what if I insist on going today?"
"Ah, why are you so stubborn?"
Seeing there was no talking him out of it, Ma Hongjun ignored the Martial Soul Dai Mubai was slowly releasing and quietly unfurled a pale-blue domain beneath his feet.
"Then calm down. Just calm down!"
As the circle spread, it successfully enveloped Dai Mubai.
A wave of icy coldness swept across his lower abdomen. Dai Mubai immediately drooped his head, his fight gone.
"I... I..."
"You... you... what did you do?"
It had taken less than three seconds for Dai Mubai to go from fired up to completely deflated, leaving him trembling with fear.
"Heh, Brother Dai."
"It's only one month. Let's just cultivate properly for a month."
"I'm going back to cultivate. You keep at it too, Brother Dai."
Dai Mubai stared wide-eyed as Ma Hongjun left, a certain question on his mind, though he wasn't sure if he should ask it.
But with no urge to cause trouble anymore, all he could do was follow his instincts and head back to the academy.
Early the next morning, Dai Mubai pounded on Ma Hongjun's door in a rage.
"Ma, what the hell did you do?"
"What's wrong, Brother Dai? Did you feel like you got twice the results from your cultivation last night?"
"Like hell I did! Why didn't I get a reaction all night?"
"Heh, if you had, you'd have gone out carousing again, wouldn't you? Let's just focus on cultivating."
Seeing that the other man had no intention of arguing with him, Dai Mubai lost his temper.
He summoned his Martial Soul, used Martial Soul Possession, and charged at Ma Hongjun with a shout.
"First Soul Skill: White Tiger Protection Barrier!"
Seeing this, Ma Hongjun swiftly released his Martial Soul and soared into the air.
Dai Mubai's attack missed. He immediately opened his mouth and aimed at Ma Hongjun overhead.
"Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Intense Light Wave!"
"First Soul Skill: Phoenix Ray!"
A beam of white light and a streak of red flame clashed in midair.
Originally, Fatty's First Soul Skill had been far weaker than Dai Mubai's Second Soul Skill.
But after twenty trials, the lifespan of Fatty's First Soul Ring had soared toward a thousand years, resulting in the stalemate before them.
A few seconds later, the Phoenix Flame easily broke through the beam and burned Dai Mubai, making him wail like a baby.
A moment later, the flames on Dai Mubai's body went out, revealing his soot-blackened face.
"Ma Hongjun, I'm not done with you!"
"Give it a rest. If you cause trouble again, I'll extend your cooldown."
Seeing the pale-blue circle slowly unfurl beneath Fatty's feet, Dai Mubai shuddered and didn't dare threaten him again.
When Fatty turned to leave, Dai Mubai hurriedly asked:
"Hey, will you end my cooldown if I cultivate properly for a month?"
"Obviously. Didn't I already tell you?"
"Then... then fine. I'll stay at the academy for the whole month and won't go anywhere."
[Wish Rank F, Executor Ma Hongjun, Completion: 100%.] [Reward: 400 days of cultivation, Soul Ring lifespan increased by 200 years.] [Ice Domain strength increased by 10%.]
A month later, Lu Xian received the wish rewards.
"With the Calmness Domain, this trial was still far too easy. But..."
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