Flame Maniac Ma Xiaotao!

Xiang Jun stared at the white fabric in his hand, still carrying a lingering fragrance. His mind went blank.

Why did you give me this?

I, Xiang Jun, am an upstanding gentleman! I swore as a child to have nothing to do with gambling or drugs. Why would I need something like this?

This is an insult to my character!

In Dormitory 108, Huo Yuhao sat quietly at the table with the meal he had brought back. Despite the spread of food before him, he had no appetite.

Brother Xiang Jun and Sister Wutong are alone together in a room. What are they doing?

They can't be clearing meridians again, can they?

The food had long since gone cold. Whenever Huo Yuhao remembered the sight of Xiang Jun straddling Tang Wutong's back, an inexplicable irritation rose in his chest.

Ugh, this is driving me crazy!

Click!

Just as he was growing restless, the dormitory door opened. Huo Yuhao turned and saw Xiang Jun returning from the classroom.

"Brother Xiang Jun, you're back!" At the sight of the tall figure approaching, Huo Yuhao's gloomy mood vanished. He sprang to his feet, delighted.

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao quietly used his Spirit Eyes to inspect Xiang Jun.

Hmm. Shirt normal, pants normal. There isn't even any strange powder or marks on his face...

Looks like Brother Xiang Jun and Sister Wutong really were just talking!

At that thought, Huo Yuhao's smile grew even sweeter, leaving Xiang Jun utterly puzzled.

"Mm. I talked with Tang Wutong about something." Xiang Jun gave a calm nod, though an odd feeling stirred in his heart.

Why does Huo Gua feel like an adorable maid waiting by the door for her master to come home...?

Shaking off the strange thought, Xiang Jun looked at the untouched feast on the table and frowned. "Huh? Yuhao, didn't I tell you not to wait for me? Why didn't you listen?"

Huo Yuhao bashfully fidgeted with his fingers, then hurriedly set a bowl of rice at Xiang Jun's place and thoughtfully arranged the utensils.

He really is so considerate!

After praising Huo Yuhao's thoughtfulness to himself, Xiang Jun sat down and dug in.

"Here. Look how skinny you are. Remember to eat more so you can put on some flesh!" Xiang Jun picked up a piece of spirit beast meat and placed it in Huo Gua's bowl.

Put on some flesh?

Huo Yuhao blinked in confusion. Images of Zhu Lu, Tang Wutong, and the other girls in his class suddenly surfaced in his mind.

Does eating more make you bigger?

As though he had discovered a new world, Huo Yuhao stuffed the spirit beast meat into his mouth.

I want to get stronger! I want to get bigger!

I want to grow big and strong!

When they had finished eating, Huo Yuhao took it upon himself to clear the dishes. Xiang Jun watched his petite figure for a moment, then turned and left the room.

The schedule at Shrek Academy was fairly relaxed. Students were generally free to spend their afternoons as they pleased, though most used the time to train hard.

Xiang Jun was no exception.

I'll go to Sea God Lake. There probably isn't anywhere better suited to me.

His evenings were already more than enough for meditation, so Xiang Jun intended to sharpen his combat skills, especially with the Golden Thirteen Halberds he had just received from Poseidon.

He followed a quiet path and shook off a few senior girls whose intentions were anything but innocent before finally reaching the shore of Sea God Lake.

Gazing over the vast, rolling waters, Xiang Jun's eyes narrowed. He walked out toward the lake's depths, crossing the surging water as easily as level ground.

He stood still on the water. At some point, Seagod's Trident had appeared in his hand.

The first three moves of the Golden Thirteen Halberds covered control, wide-area attacks, and strikes against a single target. Xiang Jun therefore set his sights on defense.

The fourth move—Whale Fall Guard!

It allowed the user to channel the power of the sea through Seagod's Trident and completely block one attack of any kind.

It might sound unremarkable, but Xiang Jun knew how terrifying the fourth move truly was.

Like Unfixed Storm, Whale Fall Guard was a divine technique that imposed an absolute rule!

Even if the God of Destruction himself came, a single strike could not harm Xiang Jun in the slightest while Whale Fall Guard protected him!

It was the sea god's version of absolute defense.

Its only drawback was its enormous Soul Power cost.

The trident mark on Xiang Jun's forehead shone brilliantly. Gripping Seagod's Trident, he drew on the power of Sea God Lake and slowly rose into the air.

Time flew. In the blink of an eye, streaks of red had spread across the horizon.

"Whew. That's enough for today."

Xiang Jun slowly exhaled and was about to leave when he sensed an unfamiliar presence rapidly approaching. Even from a great distance, he could feel the heat rolling off it.

He looked toward the horizon. A crimson figure was closing in and, in an instant, had come within a hundred meters. Xiang Jun frowned.

Is that... Ma Xiaotao?

Why is she coming straight for me?

There were only two female fire-type soul masters in the entire inner court. The figure's wild, mindless state made her identity obvious.

Flame Maniac Ma Xiaotao!

Xiang Jun had no time to think further. He steadied his breathing and prepared for battle.

Screech!!!

A shrill phoenix cry pierced the sky. Ma Xiaotao, her reason lost, attacked Xiang Jun with the ferocity of a wild beast.

Xiang Jun twisted aside, letting a beam of flame graze past him. A cold glint rose in his eyes.

You dare attack me for no reason?

You're asking for death!

Yellow! Purple! Purple! Black!

First Soul Skill—Seagod's Descent!

The sole hundred-year Spirit Ring behind Xiang Jun lit up. Its tremendous percentage-based boost sent his power surging.

At the same time, the trident mark on his forehead flashed gold, and his domain unfolded.

Sea God Domain!

Within its range, Sea God Domain increased all Xiang Jun's attributes by ten percent while reducing all his enemies' attributes by ten percent.

It also reduced the Soul Power cost of using the Golden Thirteen Halberds by eighty percent.

Xiang Jun had no intention of holding back. After all, those old fellows from the Sea God Pavilion were secretly watching from the shadows.

"Hmph. I needed an opponent to test my recent progress anyway!"

Watch me drive an elbow into you!

With a cold snort, Xiang Jun used the flight granted by Seagod's Descent to soar into the sky. He raised Seagod's Trident high overhead.

Golden Thirteen Halberds, Second Move—Thousand-Year Vastness!

The once-clear sky was instantly stained brilliant gold. Countless phantasmal Seagod's Tridents rained down from the light!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions erupted one after another. Before Ma Xiaotao could react, the violent impacts struck her and sent her plunging straight into Sea God Lake.