"Xiao'ao, look! You made the list!"
"As expected of our good brother—we all made it!"
"Congratulations, congratulations!"
When Ma Hongjun saw that Oscar had made the list too, he happily slung an arm around his shoulders.
"That's right, I made it too. Looks like we can all get five levels of Soul Power for free."
"Keep it up for a year, and the five-level increase will become permanent."
"But the Scumbag Ranking was right. I'm going to become the King of Scumbags and permanently increase my Soul Power by twenty levels!"
Oscar didn't feel ashamed just because he'd made the list.
He didn't have a girlfriend either. What concerned him more now was how to rapidly improve his cultivation and become the first food-type Titled Douluo in the history of the Douluo Continent, making history.
"Boss Dai, I suggest we keep Tang San here."
"Since we're all one family, we should stick together. We can share our scumbag experience and grow together!"
"We could even form a Scumbag Alliance, picking up girls while improving our cultivation—two birds with one stone!"
Ma Hongjun had already come to terms with it.
Everyone knew about his scumbag ways. No matter how hard he tried, it would all be in vain.
He might as well accept reality. He could enjoy himself and improve his cultivation at the same time. Why not?
"Fatso's right."
"But we're already infamous across the Douluo Continent. Who'd still be willing to date us?"
Dai Mubai agreed with him, and suddenly found himself fired up.
If he could permanently increase his Soul Power by five levels every year, he'd soon surpass Dai Weisi.
More importantly, forming a Scumbag Alliance meant building his own power. What if it grew into a force as formidable as Spirit Hall?
What man in the world didn't dream of starting from nothing and becoming a regional overlord?
"Boss Dai, are you stupid? Tomorrow, we can call ourselves Zhang San, Li Si, and Wang Wu."
"The Sky Screen never revealed our faces, so who'd know our real names?"
Oscar rolled his eyes at him. How could he not understand something so obvious?
"Right!"
"Xiao'ao, I just realized how clever you are."
"Come on, let's go convince Tang San to stay."
Dai Mubai's eyes lit up. He linked arms with Ma Hongjun and Oscar, and they went to find the dean.
"Dean, you saw it too. Oscar made the list as well."
"No matter what, you have to let us withdraw from the academy today."
"Otherwise, when my father finds out, he definitely won't let you off."
To ensure her withdrawal went smoothly, Ning Rongrong invoked her young mistress status.
"I'll do it, I'll do it, all right?"
Flender was completely speechless. He could only process the withdrawals for Tang San and the other three.
Shrek Academy couldn't afford to offend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Xiao San, stay here. Let's form the Scumbag Alliance and be scumbags to the end."
"We can enjoy picking up girls and improve our Soul Power at the same time. Isn't that the perfect way to coast through life?"
"Come on, join us. We're all good friends, best buddies, one family!"
As Flender processed Tang San's withdrawal, Dai Mubai and the other two hurried over to stop him.
Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu watched their faces, their stomachs turning. They were absolutely disgusting.
"Who's family with you? I'm not a scumbag. If you want to be one, go ahead!"
"My heart belongs only to Xiao Wu!"
Tang San had no intention of becoming a scumbag.
Xiao Wu was a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast who had transformed into a human. If she got away, what would happen to his Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone?
The safest option was to win Xiao Wu's affection and keep her by his side.
"Let's go, you filthy scumbags!"
"Honestly, Shrek Academy might as well change its name to Scumbag Academy!"
"Specializing in raising scumbags who live off women. A perfect match for the profession!"
"Pah!"
After dropping those words, Ning Rongrong turned and left with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing. Tang San hurried after them.
"Dean, I think Rongrong has a point. Why don't we rename the academy Scumbag Academy?"
"With the Scumbag Ranking out there, plenty of people will come flocking to us. We can charge whatever we want for tuition."
Hearing Ning Rongrong's words, Ma Hongjun thought she made a lot of sense and immediately suggested it to Flender.
"Indeed. Then Shrek won't have to worry about money anymore."
"Zhao Wuji, tell everyone to gather. We're going to discuss changing the academy's name!"
Flender knew Shrek Academy's reputation was utterly ruined. There was almost no chance of restoring it.
They might as well let it stink to high heaven and make a little extra money from tuition.
What if they actually made it work?
That would be an achievement in its own right.
"Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, why don't you come back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with me?"
"You're both very talented. My father would definitely like you."
"With the resources of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, you'll grow even faster."
After leaving Shrek Academy, Ning Rongrong ignored Tang San, the King of Scumbags, and invited Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing to come with her.
"No, I've already decided where I'm going."
"Thank you, Rongrong!"
Zhu Zhuqing refused without hesitation.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was indeed a fine place.
But no matter how powerful it was, it still couldn't compare to the Star Luo Empire.
She could no longer count on Dai Mubai. If she wanted to stay alive, she had to join a power capable of standing against the Star Luo Empire.
Either the Heaven Dou Empire or Spirit Hall.
Spirit Hall was the sacred ground of Soul Masters. It valued talent, was relatively fair, and stood apart from the two empires.
With her talent, she'd have better prospects at Spirit Hall.
"Rongrong, thank you. I've got somewhere to go too!"
Xiao Wu didn't dare go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
She hadn't fully become human yet. A Titled Douluo might see through her identity.
Since the human world was so hypocritical, she'd be safer back in the Star Dou Forest.
She could come out again once she'd fully become human and could no longer be exposed.
"Ah, all right, then. Until we meet again!"
Ning Rongrong knew what they were like, so she didn't try to stop them. She went her separate way.
Zhu Zhuqing also quietly left on her own, heading to Spirit Hall to seek a master.
Little did she know that her decision would lead her to the most important person in her life.
That person would protect her for the rest of her life.
And through them, she would find the love of her life—one she would cherish until death!
"Tang San, aren't you tired of this? Can you stop following me?"
"We've broken up. What do you still want from me?"
Seeing Tang San follow her all the way, Xiao Wu shouted furiously.
"Xiao Wu, I don't want to leave you. Give me one more chance, okay?"
Tang San pressed his lips together, prepared to swallow his pride and cling to her until the bitter end.
"Hmph. If you want to follow me, then follow."
"Let's see how long you can keep it up!"
Xiao Wu couldn't beat him, so she had no choice but to let him follow.
Once they reached the Star Dou Forest, she'd be home.
Tang San definitely wouldn't dare follow her in.
[The Scumbag Ranking has finished being announced. Soul Power rewards are now being distributed. All award recipients, please check for your rewards.] [The Combat Power Ranking will be announced in seven days, with rankings updated in real time. After the rankings are announced, challenges will be permitted. The winner will take the corresponding position. The challenge period will last one month.] [Challenge method: Say the challenger's name aloud to be transported to the Space-Time Fighting Arena for a match, which will be broadcast live across the entire continent.] [Challengers may form teams or fight one-on-one. Teams may have no more than nine members, but cannot claim a position on the ranking. Winners will receive generous rewards.] [Everyone who makes the list will gain the qualification to become a god and reach level 100.]