Get down! Have you no shame?

Sun Lie flew backward, straight over the boundary of the Soul Battle platform, and crashed onto the safety mat below. He passed out cold.

"Big brother!"

Sun Yan's eyes nearly burst from their sockets. The shock shook him to his core!

With Sun Lie no longer threatening Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai had nothing holding him back.

Sun Yan was only a defensive Soul Ancestor, with limited ways to attack. Against Dai Mubai's relentless assault, he quickly began to falter.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A few punches and kicks sent Sun Yan flying. He could not get up again.

The host immediately shouted:

"The White Tiger Pagoda Combination wins!"

Roar!

Thunderous cheers erupted from the stands!

"White Tiger! White Tiger! White Tiger!"

The spectators rose to their feet and applauded fiercely. Some of the noble young ladies were so moved they had tears in their eyes.

Even Tang San was stunned. Though he had activated his Purple Demon Eyes, he still could not track Dai Mubai after Dai Mubai unleashed his fourth soul skill.

Tang San thought to himself, Even with my Purple Demon Eyes and Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, I'm afraid I couldn't dodge that terrifying strike!

On the platform, Ning Rongrong had used only two skills the entire match before spending the rest of it being carried around. Now her nerves had vanished.

She bounced with excitement, waving and bowing to the crowd. The smug look on her face made it seem as though she had been the one who had crushed their opponents.

"Come on, let's go!"

Dai Mubai called to her helplessly and turned toward the passageway.

"Wait for me!"

Ning Rongrong called out. Perhaps she was too excited to think straight: she took a running start, boldly leaped onto Dai Mubai's back, wrapped both arms around his neck, and clung to him.

The soft warmth against his back made Dai Mubai stop in his tracks and stiffen.

"Ooh!"

A wave of jeers rose from the stands, as if countless young women's hearts had shattered at once.

"Get down! Get down! Have you no shame?"

Dai Mubai hurriedly tried to pry Ning Rongrong's arms loose.

That little devil! In front of everyone, with tens of thousands watching!

"Sorry! Sorry! I got a little carried away!" Ning Rongrong climbed down when Dai Mubai made her, her cheeks bright red.

Dai Mubai instinctively glanced toward the contestants' viewing area.

Zhu Zhuqing's already frosty face seemed to have acquired another layer of ice.

Dai Mubai's heart skipped a beat, and he hurried into the passageway.

The five Shrek members in the contestants' viewing area rose and left as well, but the uproar in the main arena's stands lingered.

Dai Mubai went to the payout hall first and handed three betting slips to the staff member behind the counter.

"Thousand Hands Asura, one-on-one Soul Battle. Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins wagered at five to one. Payout: fifty thousand."

"Soft Boned Enchanting Rabbit, one-on-one Soul Battle. Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins wagered at five to one. Payout: fifty thousand."

"Three-Five Combination, two-on-two Soul Battle. Ten thousand Gold Soul Coins wagered at five to one. Payout: fifty thousand."

The staff member took the three slips and respectfully settled Dai Mubai's bets.

"Young Master Dai, here you are." The staff member presented a golden soul-coin card with both hands. "Thirty thousand in principal and one hundred and twenty thousand in winnings. After fees, the total is one hundred and forty-four thousand Gold Soul Coins."

The odds on new Soul Masters were always high because few people knew how strong they really were.

Someone like Dai Mubai, who had picked all three winners and placed a large bet on every match, was almost unheard of.

He had taken over a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins from the Great Soul Arena, but his fame alone brought the arena hundreds of thousands in ticket sales and betting profits per match. They could treat it as his share.

Dai Mubai took the card and slipped it into his Storage Ring, a faint smile touching his lips.

This counted as using his foreknowledge to make a little money off Tang San.

Ning Rongrong curled her lip beside him. "Boss Dai, what are you smiling about? It's only a little over a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins. That wouldn't even buy me a necklace."

Dai Mubai could only smile wryly to himself.

That was the confidence of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's wealthy young lady. To her, over a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins was pocket money.

"Let's go. The other five are probably still waiting for us."

The two reached the Great Soul Arena's main hall, where the other five Shrek members were already waiting.

Ma Hongjun said excitedly, "Boss Dai was incredible today! He spent the whole match saving the beauty!"

Oscar chimed in beside him, making a show of backing him up.

Dai Mubai rolled his eyes and raised a hand. "Enough, enough! I just wanted to win the Soul Battle. Keep talking nonsense and I'll beat you both up."

Ma Hongjun and Oscar laughed sheepishly.

"Where's the dean?" Dai Mubai looked around but saw no sign of Flender.

"Who knows where he went?" Ma Hongjun said. "Teacher told us to head back once our Soul Battles were over."

"All right, let's go back." Dai Mubai waved and headed for the doors first.

The seven of them left the Great Soul Arena. Ma Hongjun suddenly stopped and gave an awkward smile. "Uh... Boss Dai, you guys go ahead. I'll be back later!"

Dai Mubai understood at once. The little fatty was breathing heavily; his Evil Fire was clearly stirring again.

He nodded. "Fine. Get back to the academy as soon as you're done. We have training tomorrow!"

Ma Hongjun nodded repeatedly. "Got it! Bye!"

With that, he dashed toward the Rose Hotel.

"Boss Dai, where's Fatty going?" Xiao Wu asked, puzzled.

Dai Mubai smiled and glanced at Tang San. "You two spoiled his fun the day before yesterday. I doubt he can keep his Evil Fire under control today."

"Going to prey on girls again?" Xiao Wu said with a huff.

"I wouldn't call it preying on them. Both sides are willing, and each gets what they want. If Fatty doesn't release his Evil Fire regularly, he could die when it gets bad enough. We can't exactly ask him to give up cultivating, can we?"

Dai Mubai spoke helplessly.

Ning Rongrong listened, then edged closer and asked tentatively, "Boss Dai, you don't go with Fatty, do you?"

Dai Mubai's heart tightened. "I don't have Evil Fire!"

He had not said he had never gone. The original Dai Mubai had certainly visited plenty of times. But in the three years since he had crossed over, he had not gone back.

Ning Rongrong visibly relaxed and muttered, "That's good, that's good..."

Xiao Wu grinned mischievously. "Rongrong, why are you so glad Boss Dai doesn't go?"

Ning Rongrong was at a loss for words, and her face flushed scarlet. "I—I just don't want Boss Dai picking up bad habits!"

"Oh..." Xiao Wu and Oscar exchanged a glance, then both smiled knowingly.

At the back of the group, Zhu Zhuqing kept her head down and said nothing. Her fists only clenched tighter.

"All right, all right," Dai Mubai said quickly. "It's getting late. Let's hurry back to the academy!"

With that, he quickened his pace and strode toward the west side of the city.

By the time they returned to Shrek Academy, night had fallen deep.

At the foot of the dormitory building, Dai Mubai waved to the others. "That's it for tonight. Get some rest."

He turned to head back to his room.

"Dai Mubai."

A cool voice suddenly sounded behind him.