At that moment, Qin Feng sat in the carriage with his eyes closed, savoring the beautiful pictures in the group.
Hu Liena's alluring figure, Ning Rongrong's pure, sweet innocence, Zhu Zhuqing's icy, fiery beauty, and Liu Erlong's wild maturity...
One stunning photo after another, each with its own distinct style, appeared in his mind. Qin Feng's mood instantly soared.
"Not bad. The perks in this group are pretty impressive."
Qin Feng secretly praised them to himself.
Since he was in a good mood, he naturally wasn't stingy.
"Since everyone put so much effort into showing off, I'll give you all a little something."
With a thought, Qin Feng sent a big red envelope directly to the group.
Inside were various peerless treasures he had recently received as system rewards, as well as those he had condensed at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well by combining medicinal herbs with his own Soul Power.
[Douluo People Don't Deceive Douluo People]: "Since everyone's been so enthusiastic, I'm sending a red envelope. Grab one and see what luck brings!"
[System Notice: 'Douluo People Don't Deceive Douluo People' sent a luck-based red envelope!]
The moment the envelope appeared, the group, which had been quiet just before, erupted.
Those who had been lurking, arguing, or watching in secret all instinctively tapped the red envelope at almost the same time.
[System Notice: 'Little Witch' got 'Ten Thousand Year Nine-Grade Ginseng King Slice'!]
[System Notice: 'Fragrant Fox' got 'Heavenly Fox Body-Tempering Saliva'!]
[System Notice: 'Pope' got 'Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Core Fragment'!]
[System Notice: 'My Cat Is White And Big' got 'Divine Source Spirit Transformation Pill'!]
In barely a second, every red envelope had been snatched up.
After a moment of silence, the group went wild.
[Little Witch]: "Oh my god! A Ten Thousand Year Nine-Grade Ginseng King Slice? This is a peerless divine medicine that can boost Soul Power and improve your constitution without any side effects! Long live Group Owner Brother!"
[Fragrant Fox]: "This Heavenly Fox Body-Tempering Saliva... it can actually purify my Heavenly Fox bloodline? Group Owner, I love you so much!"
Even Bibi Dong, the Pope of Spirit Hall, lost her composure as she looked at the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Beast Inner Core Fragment in her inventory, which radiated terrifying energy.
Her noble, beautiful face was filled with shock, and the hand gripping her scepter trembled slightly.
A treasure of this caliber, and the group owner had just tossed it out as a red envelope?
Who exactly was he?
What heaven-reaching resources did he have at his disposal?
Meanwhile, in the dormitory at Blue Tyrant Academy, Zhu Zhuqing stared blankly at the Divine Source Spirit Transformation Pill in her hand, glowing with nine-colored light.
The instant her consciousness touched the pill, it turned into a stream of pure golden energy and flowed straight into her body through the space between her brows.
"Boom!"
Zhu Zhuqing felt a thunderclap reverberate from the depths of her soul.
A warm, irresistible power instantly swept through her entire body.
Behind her, her Martial Soul, the Hell Spirit Cat, which had always radiated a dark, shadowy glow, suddenly appeared on its own.
But this time, the Hell Spirit Cat began to undergo a world-shaking transformation.
A layer of starlight, as deep as the night sky, gradually spread across its originally pitch-black fur, while an arcane golden rune formed on its forehead.
Its once somewhat illusory body became utterly solid, radiating an aura of nobility and terrifying power that placed it above ordinary Soul Beasts.
"Meow—"
A clear yet majestic cat's cry rang through the room.
Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes. They had turned the purest shade of deep violet, as though they could see through every shadow.
Martial Soul Evolution!
At that moment, her Hell Spirit Cat had officially evolved into the legendary divine-level Martial Soul—the Shadowless Spirit Cat!
Zhu Zhuqing could clearly feel that although her Soul Power hadn't directly surged, her cultivation aptitude, agility, and control over shadow power had all increased severalfold!
Suppressing her joy, she tremblingly sent a message to the group.
[My Cat Is White And Big]: "My Martial Soul... evolved. It evolved into the Shadowless Spirit Cat. Thank you for your blessing, Group Owner!"
That message hit the group like a bomb, leaving everyone reeling.
[Little Witch]: "What?! Martial Soul Evolution?! You're not joking, are you? That's Martial Soul Evolution!"
[Gentle Fire Dragon]: "Shadowless Spirit Cat? I've lived for so many years, and I've never heard of a divine pill that can make a Martial Soul evolve directly... Group Owner, your methods are truly extraordinary!"
[Pope]: "[Douluo People Don't Deceive Douluo People], do you have any more pills that can make a Martial Soul evolve? If you're willing to name your price, Spirit Hall can meet any conditions you set!"
Looking at the group's stream of astonished and envious messages, Qin Feng only smiled faintly in the carriage. He made no further explanation.
This was exactly the effect he wanted.
Only by displaying methods on the level of a god could he make these proud women submit to him, one after another.
Meanwhile, in another courtyard at Blue Tyrant Academy, the atmosphere among the Shrek group was rather gloomy.
Ever since they had come here, life at the academy hadn't been easy for them because of their various scandals.
Dai Mubai sat on a boulder, staring blankly at the sky.
After one blow after another, his reputation was now in tatters.
The once-proud Evil-Eyed White Tiger was now like a stray dog.
Just then, he saw Zhu Zhuqing, dressed in black, slowly emerge from the distant dormitory area.
Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes narrowed slightly.
He keenly noticed that Zhu Zhuqing seemed a little different today.
Her steps were lighter, and with every stride, the shadow on the ground twisted strangely.
The aloof, icy aura around her now carried an indescribable nobility and mystery. She seemed taller and more captivating than before.
Dai Mubai's heartbeat quickened.
A powerful sense of crisis and possessiveness twisted together in his heart.
He took a deep breath and forced a gentle, ingratiating smile onto his face before awkwardly approaching her.
"Zhuqing, are you done cultivating?"
Dai Mubai lowered himself as he spoke, his voice sounding gentler, too.
Zhu Zhuqing stopped and looked at him coolly without saying a word.
Seeing this, Dai Mubai hurriedly pulled an exquisite brocade box from his robes and held it out to her.
"Zhuqing, I went into Heaven Dou City today especially to pick out this Deep Sea Warm Jade Pendant for you."
"I know you cultivate very hard. This pendant can calm your mind and focus your thoughts, so it'll help with your cultivation."
"I was wrong before. I promise I'll treat you twice as well from now on, and I'll never disappoint you again."
Dai Mubai spoke with heartfelt sincerity. Even his Evil Eyes held a rare trace of pleading.
He had nothing left now. If he lost Zhu Zhuqing too, he would truly become a laughingstock.
Looking at Dai Mubai's careful, almost ingratiating manner, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes wavered slightly.
She remembered their past in the Star Luo Empire.
Though this man had many past misdeeds and had once run away like a coward, seeing him act so humbly now still softened her somewhat cold heart.
"No need. I don't want any of these things."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice remained cool, but her tone had clearly softened somewhat.
She passed Dai Mubai and walked straight out of the courtyard.
Dai Mubai watched her leave. Though she had turned him down, delight flashed in his eyes.
He could tell that Zhu Zhuqing didn't seem as resolute as before.
"There's hope!"
Dai Mubai clenched his fist excitedly to himself.
Just then, a stiff, muffled voice came from outside the courtyard gate.
"What are you all doing gathered here? Shouldn't you be cultivating?"
Everyone turned. Yu Xiaogang walked in with a gloomy expression.
He had his hands clasped behind his back and his chin slightly raised, still wearing the arrogant air of a self-proclaimed grandmaster.
But ever since Blue Tyrant Academy had refused to change its name, his position there had become rather awkward.
To reestablish his authority and help the Shrek Seven Devils regain their confidence, he had made a major decision today.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others as they gathered around him, then spoke in a grave voice.
"Your training has been rather lax lately."
"True powerhouses aren't made in a hothouse."
"So starting tonight, I'll take you to the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena for intensive combat training."
He looked at Tang San, a stern glint in his eyes.
"Especially you, Xiao San. I'm very disappointed in your recent performance."
"I want you to earn Silver Soul Badges at the arena as soon as possible!"
"Only after being tempered by blood and fire will you be worthy of the title 'Shrek Monsters'!"
Yu Xiaogang spoke in a low voice, but his tone held an unquestionable command.
Tang San took a deep breath and clenched his fists, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.
"Teacher, I understand. I absolutely won't disappoint you again."
Yu Xiaogang stood with his hands behind his back.
He looked up at the lonely, somewhat broken moon over Heaven Dou City. Cool moonlight fell across his stiff face.
Ever since they had arrived in Heaven Dou City, Shrek Academy had suffered one setback after another. Even Blue Tyrant Academy had refused to change its name for his sake.
He desperately needed an opportunity—one that would let him prove to the entire continent that his Martial Soul Theory was unrivaled.
And the Grand Spirit Fighting Arena was the stage he had carefully chosen.
He turned and looked at Tang San, who stood behind him with a gloomy expression, then spoke in a measured voice.
"Xiao San, don't lose heart."
"A temporary defeat means nothing. True powerhouses claw their way out of the mud."
"Once you make a name for yourselves at the Heaven Dou Great Soul Arena, the Heaven Dou Imperial Family—and even the entire continent—will see Shrek in a new light."
Tang San raised his head and met Yu Xiaogang's gaze.
He clenched both fists so tightly that his nails nearly pierced his palms.
"Teacher, I understand."
"I'll make those who look down on us pay."
At the back of the group, Zhu Zhuqing watched the two teacher and student flatter each other with growing annoyance.
She touched the Deep Sea Warm Jade Pendant in her arms, her fingers faintly cold.
Dai Mubai's humble, pleading expression from just now kept flashing through her mind.
Had the man who once only knew how to run away in the Star Luo Empire, and who only knew how to get drunk with twins in Suotuo City, really changed?
Zhu Zhuqing felt lost.
She didn't join Yu Xiaogang and Tang San's conversation. Instead, she silently turned and went back to her dormitory.
She closed the door, shutting out the commotion outside.
Exhausted, Zhu Zhuqing leaned against the door and slowly closed her eyes.
In her mind, the mysterious Chat Group interface lit up.
Seeing that the group still held the warm afterglow of everyone's excitement over the red envelopes, she hesitated for a long time before tentatively typing a message.
[My Cat Is White And Big]: "Um... I have a friend."
[My Cat Is White And Big]: "Her fiancé made a lot of unforgivable mistakes in the past. He even abandoned her and ran away alone when they were in the greatest danger."
[My Cat Is White And Big]: "But now he's suddenly changed. He's become really humble, keeps begging my friend to forgive him, and has given her a lot of expensive things."
[My Cat Is White And Big]: "My friend's really confused. Do you all think she should forgive him?"
The moment the message went out, it broke the group's quiet mood.
[Little Witch]: "Wow! This 'friend' of yours wouldn't happen to be you, would she?"
[Little Witch]: "But that man sounds like a total piece of trash. He abandoned his fiancée and ran away when things got dangerous? Is that even a man?"
[Fragrant Fox]: "Agreed. Any man who can abandon his fiancée is a coward to the core."
[Fragrant Fox]: "Now he's back begging for forgiveness. Maybe things didn't work out for him elsewhere, or maybe your friend got prettier and he's gotten ideas."
Spirit City, Pope Palace.
Bibi Dong leaned back on her throne and read the few lines Zhu Zhuqing had sent to the group. A chilling sneer tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Abandoned.
Ran away.
Then afterward, he put on an act of deep devotion and humbly begged to be forgiven.
Each word was like a poisoned steel needle, stabbing into Bibi Dong's heart, already scarred and broken beyond repair.
Unbidden, Yu Xiaogang's cowardly, hypocritical face surfaced in her mind.
Hadn't that man been exactly the same?
Faced with danger and obstacles, he hadn't even had the courage to fight back. He'd cowardly run away, leaving her to bear all the pain and rumors alone.
[Pope]: "Foolish."
[Pope]: "You don't need to cover for that 'friend' of yours. You're talking about yourself."
[Pope]: "I'll tell you plainly: there isn't a single good man in this world. Especially those useless cowards who are timid and incompetent in everyday life, run away whenever trouble comes, and then come back afterward wagging their tails and begging. They're not worth a second thought."