"Do you really think Doudou Young Master's first Soul Skill is just a simple healing skill?"
A cold voice asked, "Isn't it? Everyone saw the Soul Skill Doudou just used!"
"Fool! How could you possibly understand Doudou Young Master's wisdom?"
God of Trickery gave a cold snort, eyes shut as he slowly waved his feather fan. He looked unfathomable, like a man who alone had awakened while the whole world was drunk.
God of Destruction's face darkened. "Are you saying I'm stupid?"
"What else?"
God of Trickery didn't even lift an eyelid. His tone was full of scorn. "Where did this Little Scumbag come from, daring to question our young master? Outrageous!"
"Say that again if you've got the guts!"
Wait... why did that voice sound so familiar?
God of Trickery's eyes flew open. He took a closer look.
Well, well. He'd just insulted God of Destruction!
He hurriedly pasted on a fawning smile. "Oh, my! Lord Destruction... Lord Destruction, I didn't realize it was you!"
God of Destruction snorted, barely suppressing his urge to beat someone up. "Go on. Keep talking. Let's see what sort of flower you can spin."
God of Trickery relaxed, wearing an expression that said he'd already seen through the truth. "My lord, my lady, the fact that the first Soul Skill is healing is precisely proof that Doudou Young Master has already begun to take his first steps toward evil!"
"Think about it. What is the darkest despair in this world? It isn't facing an enemy who's too powerful. It's having your heart destroyed after you've been killed!"
"Imagine it: darkness blankets the earth, and Doudou Young Master descends like a savior. First, he uses his healing Soul Skill to restore everyone to full strength, making them believe he's the light, the hope, their one and only savior!"
At that, God of Trickery suddenly swept his feather fan through the air, his eyes gleaming with madness. "And then! Just when everyone trusts him most, Doudou Young Master swings his scythe!"
"The despair of falling from heaven into hell, the sense of betrayal when someone you trust kills you with his own hands—that is true evil!"
"Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations, my lady!"
God of Trickery was so moved that tears streamed down his face. "How has Doudou Young Master gone astray? He's surpassed his master! He's sure to become the strongest, most devious, and most skilled at manipulating hearts among all the Gods of Evil Thoughts in history!"
Asura God and Rakshasa God exchanged a glance, delight shining in both their eyes.
It was as clear as Xiahou Dun reading a lewd book—one glance was all it took.
Wonderful, wonderful!
It was as wonderful as Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
God of Destruction stood to the side, listening in a daze. The watermelon in his hand had instantly lost its appeal.
That did sound pretty convincing.
Who would've thought Doudou was so devious? So vicious!
Oh no. Xiao Lu must have been fooled by his harmless appearance!
Tang San shuddered at the thought.
Oh, no. Could Doudou really be like that?
If he was, could Tang San control him?
Would he end up losing both his wife and his army?
Asura God was overjoyed. He patted God of Trickery on the shoulder. "Good, good! Trickery, your little tricks have finally come in handy. Doudou will never forget your kindness!"
God of Trickery wept with gratitude. "My lord, aren't my little tricks your little tricks?"
With a lord like this, what more could a man ask for?
"Trickery! Well said! Your little tricks are my little tricks!"
"My lord!"
"Trickery!"
"My lord!"
"..."
Rakshasa God stood off to the side, watching this deeply moving scene, and silently took a step back.
Why did she feel like she was the one who didn't belong?
She'd decided: for the next few days, Asura God wouldn't be allowed into bed. He could go sleep on the sofa instead.
When it came to how to master the art of changing expressions like a Sichuan opera performer, Chen Doudou figured Xuan Zi was the one to watch.
Just moments ago, after seeing the effects of his Soul Skill, Xuan Zi's attitude toward him had done a complete 180.
He'd gone from "Who's this kid? Don't get in the way of me eating my chicken leg" to "Oh, what a sensible boy! Want to come over and have some chicken legs, kiddo?"
Every so often, Xuan Zi would come over to check on him and keep dropping hints, asking if he wanted to join Shrek.
But Chen Doudou had managed to turn him down more than ten times in a row with all sorts of bizarre excuses.
For example, question one: "Do you enter Shrek with your left foot or your right?"
Xuan Zi answered, "Probably the left."
Chen Doudou said, "I like to lead with my right foot. Looks like Shrek and I aren't fated to be."
Question two: "Do Shrek students wipe their butts with their left hand after using the toilet, or their right?"
Xuan Zi: "..."
What normal person would ask something so private?
Still, in order to recruit Chen Doudou, he patiently said they used their right hands.
So, what do you think Chen Doudou said?
Chen Doudou looked at him with disdain. "Ew! You're a pervert. That's disgusting. I use toilet paper."
Xuan Zi was so angry his beard bristled and his eyes bulged. He doubted his sanity, but there was nothing he could do.
After all, he'd been the one who hadn't taken the boy seriously at first.
In the blink of an eye, it was noon.
After traveling all morning, the group stopped to light a fire and cook, then planned to rest for a while.
Suddenly, a breeze swept through the forest, which had been windless until then.
None of the Shrek members thought much of it. They assumed it was normal.
Only Chen Doudou felt a little uneasy.
After all, strange events were never a good sign...
To prepare for the disaster that could strike at any moment, as it had in the original story, he went over to Zhang Lexuan and tugged at her sleeve. "Sister Lexuan, I don't think this place is safe. Shouldn't we find somewhere else to rest?"
Zhang Lexuan glanced around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. Confused, she said, "What's wrong? This place seems fine. It's close to water and the ground is open, so if Soul Beasts show up, we can respond right away."
Chen Doudou sighed. He knew he couldn't convince her. He couldn't exactly tell her he'd read the script, after all.
Even if he did, who would believe him?
With no other choice, he tried another approach and asked timidly, "Where's Xuan Zi?"
Zhang Lexuan paused, then smiled and ruffled his hair. "What, do you miss Xuan Zi? Don't worry. He doesn't usually eat with us, but he's almost always nearby, keeping an eye on us. Don't be afraid."
Ma Xiaotao came over with a grin and slung an arm around Chen Doudou's shoulders. "Exactly! Even if the sky falls, Sister Xiaotao will protect you. If anyone dares lay a hand on you, I'll burn them to ashes!"
Chen Doudou thought to himself, I hope so.
Less than five minutes later,
An elite disciple on guard shouted, "Senior Sister, a pack of Silver Moon Wolves has appeared up ahead!"
At those words, the Shrek disciples sprang into action, each taking a battle stance.
Silver Moon Wolves were top-tier Soul Beasts among the wolf species.
They might not be as fierce one-on-one as White Tiger, but when an entire pack fought together, their terrifying tactical coordination made them no less dangerous than a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear.
Zhang Lexuan remained composed and asked, "About how many?"
The disciple's knees were knocking, and his voice trembled. "A-at least thirty, by a conservative estimate!"
At that, Zhang Lexuan's fair, cool face turned solemn.
More than thirty Silver Moon Wolves was undoubtedly a super pack.
That meant the wolf king had to be at least fifty thousand years old; otherwise, it couldn't possibly lead so many Silver Moon Wolves.
Ma Xiaotao's face turned pale. "Everyone, we should call for Xuan Zi!"
"Right, right! We still have Xuan Zi! What's there to fear?"
"Exactly! Xuan Zi is a level-98 Super Douluo! Thirty Silver Moon Wolves would be nothing to him, let alone another thirty. They wouldn't even be enough to fill his teeth!"
Hearing that, everyone seemed to find their anchor and began calling for Xuan Zi.
"Xuan Zi!"
"Xuan Zi, where are you?!"
But no matter how they called, all they heard was the rustling of leaves in the wind. There was no other reply.
The figure who usually munched on chicken legs nearby had vanished without a trace.
Xuan Zi... was gone.
Chen Doudou's heart lurched.
Oh, no. The Holy Spirit Cult's Grand Elder had made his move!
Zhang Lexuan's expression changed too. Her gaze fixed on the forest ahead.
She could indeed sense a large group of creatures approaching from every direction. Their icy killing intent was almost suffocating.
"We can't wait any longer."
Zhang Lexuan released her Moon Martial Soul, and seven Soul Rings appeared. "Everyone, prepare to fight! We only need to hold out until Xuan Zi returns!"
"Yes, Senior Sister!"
They were afraid, but they knew this was their only option.
Then Zhang Lexuan turned to Ma Xiaotao, her voice more serious than ever. "Xiaotao, you're the weakest one here. Take Doudou, get on Pegasus, and head for the edge of the forest right away."
"Yes, Senior Sister... Please, all of you, stay safe."
Ma Xiaotao bit her lip and agreed.
Chen Doudou swung onto Zeus's back and gripped his mane tightly.
As a Soul Beast, Zeus could sense approaching danger better than humans.
At that moment, his mane was standing straight on end.
That meant the target had arrived!
Before you continue