Tang San and Dugu Bo's Anger, Return to Shrek

After informing his father of his situation, Huo Lei went to find his teacher and Lin Yin. After the three had breakfast in the academy cafeteria, they hired a carriage in Red Rock City, the city closest to the academy, and set off for the Star Dou Great Forest.

Inside the carriage, Lin Yin, dressed in green, looked curiously at Huo Lei seated opposite him. "Young Master Lei, there's something I don't understand. How did you raise your strength to level fifty in just a few days?"

Huo Lei smiled faintly at Lin Yin. "Do you remember the kid we intercepted a few days ago? I found several herbs in the Storage Soul Tool I took from him. After refining and absorbing two of them, my strength rose to level fifty."

"Lin Yin, I did consider giving you one. But there were only so many, and some of the remaining herbs couldn't be eaten, while others weren't compatible with you. There was also one whose effects I didn't understand. I was afraid it might be dangerous if you took it, so I didn't give it to you. But don't worry. I absolutely intend to keep my promise to reward you with a Soul Bone after this is done. It'll just take some time."

Huo Lei explained to Lin Yin with some guilt.

"Young Master Lei, I'm already very happy that you thought of me. My lord and Young Master Lei have shown Lin Yin great kindness, so I wouldn't dare ask for too much. As for the Soul Bone, Young Master Lei needn't take it to heart. Soul Bones are rare to begin with, and it isn't easy to find a suitable one. It would be best if I'm fortunate enough to obtain one, but it doesn't matter if I'm not."

Lin Yin appeared quite cheerful, showing no trace of displeasure.

"Lin Yin, hearing you say that puts me at ease. But I will definitely make good on the Soul Bone. You can rest assured of that."

Huo Lei looked at Lin Yin with a serious expression, making his stance clear.

Jin Shan sat beside Huo Lei with his eyes closed, resting without speaking. No matter what the two discussed, he remained utterly unmoved. His demeanor also made Huo Lei and Lin Yin, as juniors, feel much more at ease.

"Young Master Lei, do you think that kid I threw out might have been eaten by a soul beast?"

Lin Yin asked with interest.

"That kid isn't as useless as you think. If a soul beast encountered him, the one that died would most likely be the soul beast. He's no ordinary person. Not only does he have an External Soul Bone and precious herbs, he also had a powerful expert traveling with him. I asked Teacher about it. That expert was Dugu Bo, the Poison Titled Douluo, and he managed to escape from Teacher. After escaping, Dugu Bo would definitely go look for that kid, so he should still be alive."

Huo Lei analyzed Tang San's situation for Lin Yin.

Tang San and Dugu Bo walked side by side along the streets of Heaven Dou City. After several days of recuperation, both of their injuries had fully healed.

Tang San looked gloomily at Dugu Bo. "Old Monster, who was that mysterious expert? How did he beat you into such a sorry state?"

Dugu Bo's face darkened as he snapped, "What do you mean, sorry state? That Jin Shan is far stronger than me. He's a level ninety-four Titled Douluo, and he even has a Soul Bone. It was already good enough that I managed to retreat unharmed. You, Little Monster, weren't any better off than I was. When I found you, your face was swollen like a pig's head. I'm very curious—who could have beaten a Little Monster like you into that state? You never suffered such a huge loss even at my hands!"

Tang San felt both irritated and embarrassed by Dugu Bo's words. He hurriedly changed the subject. "Old Monster, who is Jin Shan? Why have I never heard of him? Which faction does he belong to?"

Dugu Bo let out a heavy sigh. "It would be better if Jin Shan belonged to some faction. At least then I'd know where to find him for revenge in the future. That old fellow's whereabouts are unpredictable. He's alone, with no ties or attachments, and not many people know him. I met him once when I was young, but he wore a mask then. So many years have passed, and after he took off that mask, I didn't recognize him."

"Little Monster, tell me what happened to your face."

Dugu Bo's emerald eyes were filled with curiosity.

Tang San recalled how the masked men had slapped him more than a dozen times a few days ago, and anger immediately rose within him. Although the injuries on his face had healed, it still felt hot whenever he thought about it.

Suppressing the anger in his heart, he said, "When you went to deal with Jin Shan, Old Monster, I headed toward the outskirts of Sunset Forest. I hadn't gone far when a masked soul master in green with a dragon-type martial soul ambushed me. I didn't notice his presence at all. He was extremely skilled at concealing himself. After the green-clad soul master restrained me, another masked soul master in red rushed out from the grass. He wanted to take things from my storage belt. I struggled and resisted with all my strength, but the red-clad soul master slapped me more than a dozen times. Once I realized resistance was futile, I had no choice but to give up. After they got what they wanted, they threw me a great distance away. When I tried to find them, they had already disappeared into Sunset Forest. Later, you found me. That's what happened."

"So that's how it was. Little Monster, don't you think this is rather suspicious? How did you get robbed just as I happened to leave?"

Dugu Bo looked at Tang San doubtfully.

"Old Monster, are you saying they planned this in advance?"

Tang San showed a trace of surprise.

"I'm only guessing. They probably didn't plan it beforehand—they couldn't possibly have known our whereabouts. Right! What did they take from you?"

Dugu Bo voiced his thoughts as he analyzed the matter, while also becoming curious about what Tang San had lost.

Dugu Bo's words undoubtedly struck Tang San where it hurt. Like a deflated balloon, Tang San lowered his head slightly, not daring to meet Dugu Bo's eyes. He said softly, "They took the Wishful Treasure Pouch you gave me."

"What? They took the Wishful Treasure Pouch I gave you? Then... then doesn't that mean all those immortal herbs you gathered are gone? Ah! You... what am I supposed to say about you? It was all because of your greed back then. You cleaned out the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and now you've made a wedding dress for someone else."

Dugu Bo angrily smacked Tang San on the head.

Tang San looked utterly wronged. "I didn't know something like this would happen. I'm angry too, Old Monster. Stop blaming me."

"Hmph!"

Dugu Bo snorted coldly, turned his head away, and continued down the road by himself, ignoring Tang San.

Sooner or later, I'll find out who those two masked men are. When that time comes, I'll make them beg for life and death alike.

Tang San gritted his teeth and silently swore to himself.

When they reached an intersection, Dugu Bo glanced at Tang San, who was one step behind him. "Little Monster, hurry up and lead the way."

Tang San moved closer to Dugu Bo and asked with a low laugh, "Old Monster, are you not angry anymore?"

Dugu Bo glared at him. "What happened has happened. Being angry won't change anything. But remember this, brat. Be more careful in the future."

Tang San hurriedly nodded. "Don't worry, Old Monster."

Seeing that some of Dugu Bo's anger had subsided, Tang San quickly led the way. The two headed toward the former Blue Tyrant Academy, now Shrek Academy.

As they walked, Tang San could not help saying to Dugu Bo, "Old Monster, it actually suits you quite well to come to our academy. Shrek is also known as Monster Academy. An Old Monster teaching Little Monsters—wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Wonderful, my ass." Dugu Bo raised his hand and knocked Tang San on the head. He was tall and burly, standing a full two heads taller than Tang San, who was now around one meter seventy.

Tang San cried out in pain. "If you knock this clever head of mine stupid, who's going to treat your granddaughter's poison?"

"Are you really that fragile? Since you mentioned my granddaughter, I have a bold idea."

Dugu Bo's cold, solemn expression suddenly softened. Wearing a mischievous smile, he looked Tang San up and down.

Tang San shuddered at Dugu Bo's smile. "Old Monster, what are you laughing about?"