Oscar Joins

Qin Ye's words plunged Oscar into a long silence.

Now, even Oscar himself could not help wondering.

Why did he have to like Ning Rongrong? He really did not seem to know much about her. In fact, even now, he had yet to say a single word to her.

Then why had he pursued Ning Rongrong as though possessed?

Among the Shrek Seven Devils, Oscar already ranked among the best in both character and ability. Aside from being a little lecherous when he first appeared, he had virtually no flaws.

He lacked Dai Mubai's arrogance and Ma Hongjun's fiery temper. From the very beginning, Oscar had grown stronger for the sake of pursuing Ning Rongrong.

Had Oscar never met Ning Rongrong, he could have lived without a care, with not a shadow hanging over his heart.

That was why Qin Ye had to intervene personally. Oscar was simplehearted to an almost absurd degree. He was not greedy, his lust had limits, and he never slacked off in his cultivation. He even approached life with a slightly carefree attitude.

People like him were the hardest for the heart demon martial soul to influence.

"I think I understand now."

Oscar raised his head and looked at Qin Ye with resolve in his eyes.

"I was too naive, Qin Ye. I clearly understood nothing, yet I mistook this for love. Thank you. I think I know what I need to do now."

Oscar clasped Qin Ye's hand tightly.

"I'm willing to accept your power. Once I become a Titled Douluo, what woman in this world would be beyond my reach? I can pursue a more perfect love."

"As for Ning Rongrong, let her amuse herself. If she looks down on me, there's no reason for me to cling to her and pester her. Perhaps this will be a release for both of us."

"A wise choice, Oscar."

Qin Ye nodded at Oscar.

"I promise that your martial soul will make a name for itself across the continent."

"Welcome aboard."

Along with Oscar, Ma Hongjun also fell into darkness that night.

Qin Ye's promise to Ma Hongjun was simple and blunt.

Ma Hongjun: "What is this place?! Let me out!"

Qin Ye: "I'll give you women. Lots and lots of women."

The next moment, Qin Ye transported Ma Hongjun into a brothel, letting him revel in endless tender pleasures.

"Submit to me, and I'll give you as many women as you want. Aside from those I've taken a fancy to, you can choose any of the rest."

"Do you mean that?!"

"I do."

"Honored godfather! Accept this bow from your son!"

And just like that, Ma Hongjun succumbed.

For a moment, Qin Ye even felt that intervening personally had been unnecessary.

Given the evil fire inside Ma Hongjun, he might have come eagerly running over to acknowledge Qin Ye as his master in a few days anyway, once he noticed Dai Mubai's and Oscar's transformations.

"Still, it doesn't matter. I was going to acquire the evil fire phoenix sooner or later. A few days makes no difference."

"So far, aside from Tang San, I've already got all the Shrek Seven Devils in the bag. Once we reach the Star Dou Great Forest, Tang San will have plenty to suffer through."

Qin Ye did not expect to subdue Tang San and make him his dog. As things stood, Tang San saw him as a mortal enemy with whom he could never share the same sky. Cooperation was all but impossible.

Besides, Qin Ye did not trust Tang San.

Tang San possessed the Purple Demon Eye, and spiritual power was one of his strengths. Not only would the heart demon's influence be greatly diminished, but Qin Ye would also have to worry about Tang San suddenly stabbing him in the back.

Given Tang San's methods and character, he would probably acknowledge a master in the morning and start plotting a rebellion by noon.

A dog like that would never become loyal, no matter how well it was fed. For Qin Ye, the best outcome was to coax the Tang Sect Secret Arts out of Tang San's mind, then find a suitable opportunity to wipe out both Tang San and Tang Hao.

"Oh, right. There's also the Clear Sky Sect. Once Tang Hao dies, the Clear Sky Sect will definitely come seeking revenge. Looks like I'll have to let Tang San live a few more days. Heh, but that's fine."

"With him around, my life will be a little more entertaining. Otherwise, who would I show off my happy life with Xiao Wu to?"

The next day, the Shrek Seven Devils gathered in the square, where Zhao Wuji had already been waiting for quite some time.

"Little Monsters, for many of you, today will be your first visit to the Star Dou Great Forest. Before we set out, I have only two requirements."

"First: after entering the Star Dou Great Forest, you must not go off on your own without permission."

"Second: don't be afraid to stir up trouble along the way. This is your first long trip together. You must not tarnish Shrek's prestige."

"Understood?"

"Understood!"

"Good. Let's go!"

Led by Zhao Wuji, Qin Ye and the others began their long journey. It took them an entire day to reach a small town only a hundred li from the Star Dou Great Forest.

Along the way, Xiao Wu and the others replenished their soul power with the sausages Qin Ye provided, so they were not particularly exhausted.

After his martial soul transformed, Oscar's sausages had tripled in restorative power! Even Qin Ye gained some benefit from eating them.

"This food-type martial soul really has tremendous potential. Subduing Oscar was definitely the right choice!"

Qin Ye could already imagine how freely he would unleash the high-level Soul Skills of his various martial souls once he possessed limitless soul power later on.

That evening, Zhao Wuji and the others arrived at a tavern in the town. After booking a single room for himself, Zhao Wuji went upstairs alone to rest.

The Shrek Seven Devils sat in the dining area on the first floor, ready to feast after a tiring day.

"Everyone, tonight's on me. Eat as much as you like." Qin Ye tossed a bag of glittering Gold Soul Coins onto the counter.

"Young Master Qin will cover every expense tonight."

"Hooray! Long live Brother Ye!"

Xiao Wu and the other girls clapped excitedly, and even Ma Hongjun ran over to join the fun.

"Brother Ye, you're so handsome! From now on, you're my real big brother! Even Boss Dai isn't as handsome as you."

"What?! Fatty, are you asking for a beating?!" Dai Mubai clenched his fist, sneaked a glance at Qin Ye, then hurriedly lowered his hand.

"Ahem, Brother Ye is indeed more handsome than me, but I'm still much better-looking than you, you little fatty. If you want to catch up to me in looks, you'd better lose some weight first. Hahaha!"

"Hehehe."

Dai Mubai's joke made everyone laugh. Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu shook with laughter like flowering branches in the breeze, and even the normally aloof Zhu Zhuqing covered her lips as she let out a laugh like tinkling silver bells.

Yet amid this lively atmosphere, one person seemed utterly out of place.

Tang San sat alone in a corner by the entrance, eating a bowl of rice and a plate of leafy greens in front of him.

"Tsk, this tastes awful. Not a hint of meat."

Tang San had spent most of his money on hidden weapons. With the losses incurred during his nightly training as well, he now had little money left in his pockets and could only order the cheapest plate of greens.

The bright green leaves had only a little oil and a few grains of coarse salt on them. Eating them was like chewing grass.

Tang San took a couple of halfhearted bites, then slammed his chopsticks onto the table.

"Pah! Is this even fit for a person to eat?!"

As Tang San watched Qin Ye and the others feast on fish and meat, frustration filled his heart. He could have endured even being fed actual grass, but once he compared himself with everyone around him, he lost all desire to keep eating.

"Annoying bastards. Hmph."

Tang San rose to go outside for some fresh air, only to collide head-on with someone's shoulder.

"Are you blind?!"

Tang San looked at the other person's school uniform, which clearly bore the name Canghui.

Qin Ye quietly watched everything from among the group, the corners of his lips lifting slightly.

"Looks like there's a good show to watch."