Conditions for Helping

Dongfang Hao looked at the beautiful woman's face so close to his, its graceful beauty touched with mature allure, and sneered inwardly.

Fate and Fortune really lives up to its name. Whatever I think of comes my way...

Yet despite the ripples in his heart, not a trace of humble gratitude appeared on his face.

His Golden Eyes, gleaming dark gold, merely swept across the breathtaking curves of Cai Mei'er's full chest. Then, under the Titled Douluo's startled gaze, he said not another word. With a light tap of his foot, he turned and strode into the depths of the forest.

"Wait, young man!"

The boy showed none of the fervor or reverence an ordinary Soul Master would feel upon meeting someone from Shrek. Instead, he turned to leave without hesitation. Cai Mei'er froze for a moment, then could not help calling out to him.

She moved. Her long, shapely legs took a single step beneath her robe, and with a waft of intoxicating mature fragrance, she appeared before Dongfang Hao again as though she had teleported.

"Why are you leaving, young man? I meant every word I said. I truly am the vice dean of Shrek Academy."

Cai Mei'er's brows drew together, her beautiful eyes filled with confusion and suspicion. Given Shrek's exalted standing on the continent, what ordinary Soul Master would not drop to their knees and beg to study there upon hearing its name?

Why was this mysterious boy so different?

Dongfang Hao stopped and gave the woman a casual glance. "So what if you're from Shrek Academy? I have no interest whatsoever in joining Shrek. Don't block my way."

"What?!"

Cai Mei'er's usually dignified face went rigid. Disbelief surged through her beautiful eyes.

Could a young Soul Master on the Douluo Continent truly resist Shrek's allure?!

"Young man, do you realize what nonsense you're saying?"

Cai Mei'er took an anxious half step forward. Her full chest rose and fell beneath her dark-green robe, tracing a breathtaking curve as she urged him earnestly:

"Shrek Academy is the finest academy on the continent, a supreme sanctuary that has stood for ten thousand years! We have the finest cultivation environment under heaven and countless Titled Douluo teachers to guide you. Only there can your Ultimate Ice Martial Soul be developed to perfection, allowing you to become an unrivaled powerhouse renowned across the continent!"

"The finest on the continent? A ten-thousand-year sanctuary?"

Cai Mei'er's boasts would have set any ordinary Soul Master's blood boiling. Dongfang Hao, however, curled his lips into an undisguised sneer and tore straight through that gleaming facade.

"Vice Dean Cai, save that self-deceiving drivel for fools who don't know any better. Don't embarrass yourself with it in front of me."

Dongfang Hao folded his arms and looked calmly at the woman, whose expression had shifted. His words cut like knives.

"You're the vice dean. You should know better than anyone why the original Shrek Seven Devils became famous across the continent ten thousand years ago."

"Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others were already extraordinarily gifted before they ever set foot in Shrek! Add the entire Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well's worth of immortal herbs Tang San later brought back to cleanse their bodies and remake their bones, and only then was that legend born!"

"In other words, the trick Shrek Academy has relied on for ten thousand years is using its enormous reputation to draw the continent's greatest talents through its doors, then setting nearly impossible trials to sift out those prodigies who would have succeeded anyway, like raising gu insects!"

Dongfang Hao stared into Cai Mei'er's beautiful eyes as they gradually paled, then spoke one word at a time with a cold smile.

"You aren't 'cultivating' geniuses. You're using their achievements to gild Shrek's claim to be 'number one under heaven'! If an ordinary prospect were placed in your hands, have you ever produced a single top-tier powerhouse?!"

"You... I..."

Every word struck where it hurt!

Dongfang Hao's merciless words landed like a string of ringing slaps across Cai Mei'er's face. For a moment, the powerful Titled Douluo could find nothing to say, and her body trembled faintly with anger.

Because deep down, she knew the boy had spoken the truth.

But Cai Mei'er had no thought to spare for defending the academy's reputation just then.

Her beautiful eyes stayed fixed on the pure cold faintly emanating from Dongfang Hao. Only one thought remained in her mind—she could not let this boy leave!

The Evil Fire within Ma Xiaotao had been suppressed to its limit and could run completely wild at any moment. Without this wielder of Ultimate Ice to help contain it, Shrek's once-in-a-century genius might be ruined!

Cai Mei'er drew a deep breath and forced down her shock, shame, and anger. For the first time, her dignified face softened into an expression that held a hint of pleading.

She bent slightly toward Dongfang Hao and said in a low voice, "Young man, I misspoke earlier... But Shrek truly has a peerless genius whose life is in danger. She urgently needs your Ultimate Ice to save her. I'm begging you—will you come to Shrek with me?"

"Begging me?"

Dongfang Hao raised a brow and sneered. "Vice Dean Cai, you've cultivated for years. Surely you know how the world works? There's no such thing as a free lunch. I have no ties to Shrek. Why should I take a risk to save one of yours?"

Cai Mei'er found herself at a loss before his refusal to budge. She pressed her red lips together, her pale, full chest rising and falling with the force of her emotions.

"Then... what do you want?"

Cai Mei'er gritted her teeth and yielded.

Dongfang Hao had expected the question. A grin spread across his face as he calmly named his price.

"It's simple. I hear Shrek City has a Treasure Appraisal Fair reserved for honored guests, with countless rare treasures and top-grade Soul Bones..."

"I want the right to enter the Treasure Appraisal Fair whenever I please. And I want to choose any three things I fancy there and take them away free of charge!"

"Three?!"

Cai Mei'er's eyes flew wide, and she sucked in a sharp breath.

Even a single Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone or high-grade Soul Tool from the fair's highest tier could cost hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Gold Soul Coins. This boy, who looked barely in his teens, wanted three for free! He was opening a lion's jaws!

"If you won't agree, forget it."

Far from hesitating, Dongfang Hao gave a cold laugh, turned, and made as if to leave again.

"Wait! I agree!"

The sight of his retreating back, resolute and without a trace of reluctance, sent panic through Cai Mei'er. She finally gave in and called out in haste.

As long as she could save Ma Xiaotao's life, three items from the Treasure Appraisal Fair would be worth it—even if Cai Mei'er had to pay for them herself!

"That's more like it."

Only then did Dongfang Hao turn back at his leisure, hands clasped behind him. "Now that we have a deal, let's go. But Vice Dean Cai, my Soul Power is still shallow, and it's a long way to Shrek. I don't have the legs to keep up with you."

Cai Mei'er looked at the composed boy in black, who seemed to have had her in the palm of his hand all along. She felt both angry and helpless.

But to return to Sea God Island as quickly as possible, she could not afford to stand on ceremony.

A faint blush stole across the beautiful, mature face of the Martial Soul Department's usually lofty vice dean.

She caught her lower lip between her teeth and stepped up to Dongfang Hao. Under his faintly amused gaze, she extended her long, soft arms and, from behind, drew his tall, sturdy body tightly into her embrace!

Boom!

When the heavy, warm fullness of her chest pressed squarely against Dongfang Hao's back, even he could not keep from trembling slightly. A thrilling sensation, sharp as an electric shock, raced from his spine through his body.

Cai Mei'er's figure was lush and fully mature. As she pressed against him, her fragrance enveloped him, and Dongfang Hao could clearly feel the curves compressed against his back.

"Mmm..."

It seemed this was also Cai Mei'er's first time being so close to a man. Though he was only a boy, his broad back and masculine presence still made her heart flutter. Her face flushed to the tips of her ears, and even her breathing grew a little heavy.

"Hold tight. I'll carry you through the air!"

Cai Mei'er steadied herself and gave a shy, soft command. Then the formidable Soul Power of a Titled Douluo erupted from within her!

Boom!

The two figures shot from the ground like a streak of light tearing across the sky. They climbed into the clouds at lightning speed and raced toward distant Shrek City.

The wind howled. Hidden within Cai Mei'er's embrace, Dongfang Hao felt a faint stir between his brows. Two dark-gold divine gleams quietly flowed through his concealed Golden Eyes.

Spiritual Detection (plus version)—Law-Piercing, x-ray vision... activate!

With a furtively delighted command in his heart, Dongfang Hao slid his golden gaze slightly backward.

In an instant, the thick, costly dark-green robe and the silk beneath it turned transparent in his sight...

His eyes took in pale skin smooth as cream and the startlingly full curves that swayed slightly in the wind of their high-speed flight, down to the finest detail!

Feeling the real pressure and softness against his back while gazing at a sight only he could see, Dongfang Hao drew a contented breath of Cai Mei'er's mature fragrance. Inwardly, he was elated.

This trip to Shrek... is going to be wonderful!