Hong Wu versus Dai Mubai

With four days left before Shrek Academy began accepting students, Yang Xiu brought Zhu Zhuqing, Hua Xiong, and Guan Sheng to the Rose Hotel in Suotuo City. Sure enough, Tang San and Xiao Wu arrived the next day, just as they had in the original story, though Hong Tian and his son accompanied them this time. Guan Sheng and Hua Xiong sensed them shortly after they entered Suotuo City. Xiao Wu did not complain as she had originally, but she still chattered away in front of Tang San, every bit as curious.

"Brother San, why did Brother Xiu and Grandmaster tell us to go to some Dung Beetle Academy?"

"It's Shrek," Tang San explained, looking speechless.

Xiao Wu stuck her tongue out at Tang San and pulled a face. "Isn't it all the same?"

"Xiao Wu, how is it the same? A dung beetle is a disgusting bug. Shrek is disgusting too, but it's a monster," Hong Wu said. A year older than them, Hong Wu looked particularly mature, though he was still far behind Tang San in that respect.

Hong Tian watched them with a chuckle. After spending so much time together, he had grown fond of them, and they were all around his son's age.

Although he could not treat them all exactly alike, he came close. He earned the spending money for all three of them every month, and Xiao Wu and Tang San likewise treated him as an elder.

Seeing Hong Tian laughing at her, Xiao Wu said weakly, "I still think they're the same." Then her eyes darted about.

"But I heard that academy won't open registration for another few days."

"We finally got a chance to come out and have fun. You have to go shopping with me!" The more Xiao Wu spoke, the happier she became. Finally, she grabbed Tang San's arm outright and began wheedling.

Her big eyes sparkled as she looked at Tang San.

Tang San, who doted on his little sister, could hardly resist. He patted Xiao Wu's head and said helplessly,

"All right, all right. Whatever you say."

Soon, they reached the Rose Hotel, as did Dai Mubai. Thanks to Guan Sheng and Hua Xiong's notice, Yang Xiu and his companions were now watching from an upstairs corner that no one would notice without looking closely. Zhu Zhuqing frowned as she looked at Dai Mubai, then turned to Yang Xiu and smiled faintly, a trace of happiness settling over her face. Yang Xiu took it all in and gently squeezed Zhu Zhuqing's hand. A flicker of anger entered his gaze as he looked at Dai Mubai, but then he reconsidered. Why bother getting angry with a playboy? Dai Mubai did eventually develop some sense of responsibility, and their paths would not cross much anyway. He was like the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect at the beginning: no matter how beautiful she was, who liked her besides a handful of relatives?

Who knew whether Dai Mubai really had cataracts? This was not the original story, and who knew what gave him the courage to swagger up with his nose in the air, his arms around two girls, and cut in front of Tang San's group. Before Hong Tian or his son could speak, Xiao Wu's temper flared. How could she put up with that?

"You scumbag up front! We were here first! Didn't you see us? Are you blind?"

Dai Mubai slowly turned his head and glanced at Xiao Wu. She was not the type he liked. He spoke indifferently, though whether he had accepted the accusation of being a scumbag or simply had not heard it was anyone's guess.

"Little girl, are you talking to me?"

Hearing that, Xiao Wu felt he was blatantly disregarding her, Sister Xiao Wu!

"Yes, I'm telling you to get lost, you bastard!" With that, she moved to hit him.

Tang San stopped Xiao Wu and suddenly said gently,

"A girl should be a little more ladylike. Leave the fighting to me." It was the first time Xiao Wu had seen Tang San act this way. She grew shy and quietly stepped aside.

Seeing that a fight was about to break out, Hong Tian said,

"Xiao San, let me do it."

"Uncle Hong Tian, this is between us youngsters."

Hearing that, Hong Tian said nothing more.

Tang San said to Dai Mubai, "We came first, but you refuse to follow the rules. You look like a Soul Master too. Let's fight to decide who goes first."

Only now did Dai Mubai take notice of Tang San and the others. He had ignored them entirely at first.

Dai Mubai wore an expression that said heaven came first and he came second. "Rules? Here, I, Dai Mubai, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, am the rules. But I'm not unreasonable. You look about twelve or thirteen.

"I'm a few years older than you. All three of you can come at me together." Dai Mubai's arrogant words angered even Hong Tian. His son, Tang San, and Xiao Wu had always been his pride, especially in the face of someone claiming it would take all three of them to fight him. In the end, however, he remained silent.

"Three of us? Heh... Let me fight you first." Tang San almost wanted to laugh as he spoke, but he offered no explanation.

Just then, Yang Xiu suddenly transmitted his voice to Tang San from upstairs.

"Don't rush into a fight. There are too many people here."

"Big Brother, you're here? Where are you?" Tang San asked excitedly. He looked around but saw no one.

"Yes, and your martial arts instructor is here too. Deal with things downstairs first, then we'll talk. Let me check how you're all doing before deciding who fights. In any case, you can't."

He knew Tang San's third Soul Ring was a ten-thousand-year one and did not want him revealing it so soon. There were too many people here. He did not know their exact strength at present, so he needed to take a look first.

Name: Tang San (12 years old)

Soul Power: Level 40 (he only recently broke through; since Guan Sheng had left, there was no one to help him obtain a Soul Ring)

Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass, purple, purple, black

Martial Soul: Clear Sky Hammer

Soul Bone: Eight Spider Lances; Soul Skill: ... same as in the original story, only stronger

Martial technique: Dragging-Blade Technique; cultivation method: ...

Name: Xiao Wu (12 years old) (level-30 secret realm rewards: one Soul Power Pill, one Soul Ring Experience Pill, one Soul Bone; Soul Ring condensed by herself)

Soul Power: Level 38, purple, purple, purple

Martial Soul: Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit

Soul Bone: External Soul Bone: Butterfly Wings (thousand-year): a pair of bright, beautiful wings that increase Charm ability to a certain degree (20%). Highly popular with girls, but their power depends on the user.

Skill: Copy. Can copy one of the user's own skills. Currently usable once per day, with no Soul Power cost and no preparation time. Currently copied Soul Skill: Teleportation (replaceable)

Name: Hong Wu (level 13; Dai Mubai also entered Shrek at around thirteen or fourteen, so don't mind it) (secret realm rewards: one Soul Ring Experience Pill [thousand-year], one Soul Ring, one Soul Power Pill)

Soul Power: Level 35, yellow, purple, purple

Martial Soul: Forest Wolf

Hong Tian: Level 47

That was their strength. Although Xiao Wu's and Hong Wu's third thousand-year Soul Skills were both well beyond the thousand-year threshold, there was still a vast gap between their strength and Tang San's.

At the same time, the differences in their levels and Innate Soul Power had begun to show. Their gains in the secret realm had widened the gap in their strength further and further.

Finally, Yang Xiu transmitted his voice again. "You've all improved a great deal, especially you, Xiao San. You've given me so many surprises. At your age, I might have been about as strong as you."

"Tell Hong Wu to fight. Don't tell Xiao Wu I'm here yet."

All of this happened in just a few seconds. Tang San, who had been ready to fight, suddenly stepped back and whispered a few words in Hong Wu's ear.

Hong Wu stepped forward. Looking at him, Dai Mubai said unhappily,

"What, realized you couldn't win and switched fighters?"

Then he added impatiently,

"Forget it. Whoever it is, the result will be the same. If you want to fight, then fight."

Dai Mubai immediately unleashed his Martial Soul, and the surrounding crowd quickly scattered. He did not spend ages trading physical blows with Tang San as he had in the original story.

"Dai Mubai. Martial Soul: White Tiger. Level-37 Battle Soul Elder. Please instruct me."

"You look younger than me. Shall I..."

Dai Mubai stopped halfway through, because Hong Wu had unleashed his Martial Soul.

"Hong Wu. Martial Soul: Wolf. Level-35 Battle Soul Elder. Please instruct me." Hong Wu's voice was low, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

Dai Mubai stared at Hong Wu and his one yellow and two purple Soul Rings.

He did not finish his boast. His expression turned serious. Although he was two levels higher than Hong Wu, those two purple Soul Rings, especially the third Thousand-Year Soul Ring, were definitely far stronger than his own.

Seeing Dai Mubai's serious expression, Hong Wu said nothing and launched his attack. Brilliant Soul Skills blazed freely. Being looked down on had stirred some anger in him too.

He simply did not like talking; he preferred to prove himself through action. Among his peers, apart from members of the Sect, he did not believe anyone was stronger than him. He knew firsthand how powerful the Sect's Foundation Tower was. With an Inheritance Tower appearing recently as well, his strength would only continue to grow.

Soon, Hong Wu won, though it had not been easy. Looking at Dai Mubai lying on the ground, he said quietly,

"Don't underestimate everyone under heaven. Besides, you don't have the strength to back it up. I'm the weakest of the three of us, and you couldn't even beat me. Yet you wanted to fight all three at once? Heh."

Ignoring whatever Dai Mubai might think, Hong Wu returned to the group. They paid Dai Mubai no further attention and found someone to book their rooms. As Tang San's group was about to head upstairs,

Dai Mubai climbed to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Hey, first, let me apologize. I was out of line today. Judging by your ages, you're heading to Shrek too, right? I'll be waiting for you at Shrek. I accept my defeat wholeheartedly, but I'll win it back."

Hong Wu glanced back at Dai Mubai, his impression of him changing somewhat. Although the man was arrogant and lustful, he dared to admit his mistakes and accept defeat. He did have some good points.

Without saying anything, he turned back and caught up with Tang San and the others.