Soto City, Ma Hongjun

At the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, the Puppet Snake burrowed underground and vanished.

Shi An looked at Zhu Zhuqing behind him, his eyes rolling as he said:

"Do you have anything important to do? If not, you'll follow me from now on."

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated before looking seriously into Shi An's eyes. "T-Teacher, I want to visit Shrek Academy."

"Shrek Academy? What the hell kind of academy is that? Never heard of it."

Shi An looked utterly baffled as he spoke.

Zhu Zhuqing was a little embarrassed. "Shrek Academy isn't well-known. It's in Soto City."

Soto City of the Barak Kingdom was known as Barak's granary and was an important grain-producing region of the kingdom.

Golden wheat fields stretched everywhere outside Soto City, making it seem as if the city sat amid a golden sea.

Two figures appeared outside Soto City's northern gate, drawing the attention of some people nearby.

The young man wore a dark black robe with a belt around his waist. He stood tall and straight, with a bright, handsome face. He was clearly no ordinary person.

The young woman had a cold expression and wore a fitted black dress. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her curvaceous figure was exceptionally eye-catching.

Standing together, the two were truly a golden boy and jade girl.

They were Zhu Zhuqing and Shi An, who had left the Star Dou Great Forest.

It was not only Zhu Zhuqing who wanted to come. Shi An also wanted to see what Tang San looked like now.

As well as Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar.

Since he had come to the Douluo Continent, Shi An wanted to see what these people looked like and how different they were from the anime, satisfying his curiosity.

Soto City was exceptionally bustling. Its broad main street led toward the other side of the city.

Shops lined both sides of the road. People streamed along the flagstone-paved streets, and cries, hawking, laughter, and cheerful chatter filled the air with the warmth of everyday life.

"We've been pretty tired from traveling these past two days. Let's find somewhere to rest first."

Shi An rolled his neck, his joints cracking sharply, then turned to Zhu Zhuqing beside him.

"Alright." Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her gaze sweeping across the surroundings as though she were expecting to see someone.

Seeing her expression, Shi An curled his lip. The greater the expectations, the greater the disappointment.

That was why he never expected anything from anyone.

Sincerity was expensive.

Just as the two were about to find an inn for a meal and some rest, a fat man with a red mohawk emerged from a nearby alley.

He stretched lazily, his face glowing with satisfaction as a lecherous smile spread across his lips.

His gaze casually swept over the street, but when he spotted Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.

A glistening trail dripped from the corner of his mouth. The bastard was actually drooling.

"Fuck! What a knockout! Even better than the women around Boss Dai!"

Ma Hongjun's lower head immediately took control of his upper head. After steadying himself, he put on what he believed was an extremely handsome smile and stepped in front of them.

"This beautiful lady, I am Ma Hongjun of Shrek Academy. May I have the honor of getting to know you?"

Contempt and disgust flashed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, but when she heard the words "Shrek Academy," she still froze slightly.

"You're from Shrek Academy?" Zhu Zhuqing asked coldly.

Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up. Could she have come for Shrek Academy, hoping to join it?

"That's right. I'm a student of Shrek Academy, and also the dean's disciple."

"My teacher is a Soul Sage, and the academy also has several Soul Sage and Soul Emperor teachers. Are you planning to join Shrek Academy, junior sister?"

"I can introduce you."

How could one describe Ma Hongjun's expression? Lecherous and debauched. In terms from Shi An's previous life, he was a total creep plus a goblin.

"Do you know Dai Mubai?" Despite the disgust and revulsion in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes as she looked at Ma Hongjun's expression, she still asked.

"Boss Dai?" Ma Hongjun's expression stiffened, and unwillingness and jealousy surfaced in his eyes.

"Damn it, why does every pretty girl have something to do with Boss Dai?!"

Zhu Zhuqing frowned upon hearing his words. She could infer many things from them.

"Since you came to find Boss Dai, come with me. He should be sleeping with those twins at the Rose Hotel right now."

Ma Hongjun sighed as he spoke.

In truth, he was still fantasizing about whether, after Boss Dai had finished enjoying them, he might get a turn too.

Zhu Zhuqing's face completely darkened, and a chilling aura radiated from her body.

Shi An did not interrupt. He merely stood to the side and quietly watched the show.

This Ma Hongjun really was a talent. In just a few sentences, he had spilled all of Dai Mubai's dirty business.

Ma Hongjun took two steps, but when he did not hear any footsteps, he turned around and said:

"Come on. Aren't you looking for Boss Dai?"

Zhu Zhuqing stood where she was, as if she had been struck by a paralysis spell.

She had thought that after Dai Mubai fled the Star Luo Empire, he would cultivate diligently, strive to grow stronger, and still keep her, his fiancée, in his thoughts.

But now? The Rose Hotel, twins, spending nights entwined in bed.

Dai Mubai was actually here indulging in wine and women, having so much fun he had forgotten everything else.

And what about her?

She had risked death after death, been chased into the Star Dou Great Forest. If not for her teacher, she would likely have died there long ago, her bones left behind with no one even to remember her.

At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing felt more lost and helpless than ever before.

Like a homeless kitten, soaked by the pouring rain and hiding alone in a corner to lick its wounds.

Suddenly, a large hand rested atop her head, and a gentle voice reached her ears.

"Why the long face again?"

Zhu Zhuqing raised her head and met Shi An's gentle gaze.

"How many times have I told you? Smile more. Come on, weren't we looking for somewhere to rest too? Let's go to the Rose Hotel."

Shi An spoke slowly, then tilted his chin at Ma Hongjun. "Lead the way."

Ma Hongjun glanced at him, his expression carrying scrutiny and a faint trace of disdain.

Shi An's voice had been very soft just now, and Ma Hongjun had already walked several steps away, so he had not heard him at all.

In his eyes, Shi An was merely Zhu Zhuqing's little follower, or perhaps some pretty boy.

Ma Hongjun hated handsome men more than anything.

Especially someone like Shi An, who was leagues better-looking than him.

"What the hell are you? How dare you order Grandpa Ma around!"

Ma Hongjun curled his lip and spoke arrogantly.

Shi An's mouth twitched. This Ma Hongjun really was a brainless idiot.

Then he would give him a small punishment.

Bang!!!

Ma Hongjun was about to say more when he suddenly tripped on flat ground the next second.

His teeth slammed heavily against the ground, and blood immediately gushed out.

"Ow!!"