On the fourth day, Tang Xuan sat in the teahouse opposite the Rose Hotel, sipping tea and eating pastries. Every so often, he glanced across at the hotel.
I remember Tang San and Xiao Wu stayed at the Rose Hotel when they arrived in Suotuo City in the original story. They even fought Dai Mubai here. Registration for Shrek Academy starts tomorrow, so where on earth are those two? Surely they haven't been so busy billing and cooing that they've forgotten what matters, Tang Xuan grumbled inwardly.
Just then, a boy and a girl approached from a short distance away from the Rose Hotel. The boy looked more mature and composed, while the girl was lively and restless, skipping along as she walked. The boy wore a light blue fitted outfit and stood around 1.75 meters tall. His features were handsome, though not breathtakingly so, but he seemed to exude a unique air that drew people toward him. The girl beside him was quite different. Her hair was woven into a long scorpion braid that hung down her back. Though half a head shorter than the boy, she had long, slender legs and was striking overall. Her lovely face made her a beauty in the making. These two were Tang San and Xiao Wu, who had just arrived from Nuoding City.
"Brother, let's stay at that hotel," Xiao Wu said to Tang San, pointing at the Rose Hotel ahead. She hadn't left Nuoding City once in the past six years. Suotuo City was bigger and prettier, so it was bound to have more fun things to do and delicious things to eat. I absolutely have to explore it properly, Xiao Wu thought as she gazed at the bustling streets.
Tang San studied the lavishly decorated Rose Hotel, with its floral theme and romantic atmosphere. The thought of staying there with Xiao Wu felt rather strange.
"How about we find somewhere else?" Tang San still felt awkward, and the people around them were giving them strange looks too. Xiao Wu replied, "I don't care! I want to stay here!" She grabbed Tang San and pulled him inside. Little San, you blockhead, you don't understand romance at all. How could you refuse to stay in such a beautiful hotel? You don't get to decide. Sister Xiao Wu has the final say.
As Xiao Wu pulled Tang San inside, he looked up and suddenly spotted a familiar emblem on the hotel's sign. A memory flashed through his mind. That's the design on Brother's token! Then this hotel... "Hey, Xiao Wu, slow down!" Xiao Wu kept dragging him inside without a care. Caught off guard, Tang San struck his foot against a step and stumbled, nearly falling. Xiao Wu practically hauled him into the hotel. When the attendant saw them, he gave them the same strange look as the passersby.
The attendant thought, I've seen boys take the initiative, but never a girl this eager.
Up in the teahouse, Tang Xuan was still grumbling inwardly about Tang San and Xiao Wu. Little San, oh, Little San, not to lecture you, but what's so interesting about sticking to Xiao Wu all day? You'd be better off settling down and cultivating. Can falling in love raise your cultivation by a level? Obviously not! So what's the point? Isn't it better to live freely on your own? Tang Xuan raised his cup and took a sip. Just as he was about to continue his theories on being a hopelessly unromantic man destined to remain single, he glanced outside and caught sight of the Rose Hotel's lobby. A boy and a girl were arguing with a blond man who had a woman tucked under each arm.
Tang San and Xiao Wu are finally here. That blond man must be Dai Mubai! He really is handsome, and those unusual eyes lend him quite an air. From where Tang Xuan sat, he had a clear view of the lobby. Now that Tang San and Xiao Wu have arrived, it's time I showed myself-and taught this Young Master Dai a little lesson while I'm at it. Tang Xuan rose and headed downstairs.
"Since neither side will back down, let's follow the rules of the Soul Master World and let our fists settle it." Dai Mubai released the two women in his arms and stepped into the open space.
Xiao Wu leaped forward. "Hmph! Who's afraid of you? I'll beat you so badly your own grandmother won't recognize you!" She waved a fist at Dai Mubai as she spoke. Tang San pulled her back.
"Xiao Wu, stand aside for now. He's very strong. Let me handle this." Under Tang San's concerned gaze, Xiao Wu obediently stepped aside. Seeing that a fight was about to break out, the lobby manager hurried over. "Young Master Dai, you can't fight here. If you damage anything..."
"Enough nonsense. I'll pay for all the damage," Dai Mubai interrupted the lobby manager, then turned to face Tang San.
"Dai Mubai, level thirty-seven Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder." Three soul rings, two yellow and one purple, emerged around him. A huge, ferocious white tiger possessed his body, and Dai Mubai instantly grew taller. Just as Tang San was about to announce his own level and accept the challenge, someone appeared at the entrance.
"Since you're paying for all the damage, I'll fight you." Tang Xuan stopped in the doorway and spoke calmly. Recognizing him, Tang San and Xiao Wu cried out together, "Brother!" "Brother Xuan!"
Dai Mubai turned toward Tang Xuan. "And who are you?" His unusual double pupils swept up and down Tang Xuan before he reached a conclusion: Not as handsome as me!
Tang Xuan thoroughly disliked the way Dai Mubai was looking at him. "My name is Tang Xuan. I'm their older brother. I can fight you on their behalf." His tone was utterly casual.
"Why don't all three of you come at me together?" Dai Mubai said arrogantly, his flowing blond hair making him look even more wild and unrestrained.
Tang San and Xiao Wu stood to one side, looking at Dai Mubai as though he were an idiot. This boy has clearly never suffered a vicious beating from life. We'll observe a moment of silence for you! Though neither knew how far Tang Xuan's strength had progressed, they were certain he was stronger than the level thirty-seven Soul Elder before them.
Tang Xuan smiled indifferently. "If you can withstand one punch from me, I'll have them let you take this suite."
"Arrogant!" Young man, aren't you the more arrogant one?
"Then let's see whether you can withstand one punch from me. Take this!" With Martial Soul Possession active, Dai Mubai swung his enormous tiger claw at Tang Xuan.
His innate soul power had been level eight, yet he had only reached level thirty-seven at fifteen. Compared with the future Shrek Seven Devils, he fell far short. If he hadn't given up on himself and wallowed in wine, women, and pleasure, even if his soul power cultivation hadn't broken through level forty by now, it wouldn't have been merely level thirty-seven. In the end, even Zhu Zhuqing, whose innate soul power was the lowest, had nearly caught up with him in level. And that couldn't be blamed on the immortal herbs, because Dai Mubai had taken one too. He had wasted too much time earlier and lost the best opportunity to cultivate.
Even now, you still haven't come to your senses. You look down on everyone and remain outrageously conceited. Today, I'll wake you up. Tang Xuan slapped Dai Mubai's attack aside with one palm, then drove a punch toward him. Dai Mubai was startled that Tang Xuan had so easily deflected his attack, but with the next strike already rushing toward him, he had no choice but to defend.
"First soul skill, White Tiger Protection Barrier!" The first yellow soul ring around Dai Mubai lit up, and a transparent protective barrier formed around his body. He smiled confidently, certain Tang Xuan couldn't break through his defense. But when Tang Xuan's fist slammed into it, his confidence vanished, and his eyes widened in disbelief. His first soul skill shattered beneath Tang Xuan's fist. The punch struck Dai Mubai squarely in the chest, sending him hurtling backward. Bang! He smashed through one of the hotel's walls and flew outside.
"He can't even take a hit. One punch sent him flying. Looks like I'll have to give him some extra attention once we're at Shrek Academy." Tang Xuan watched Dai Mubai fly out and shook his head.
"Brother Xuan, you're amazing! You sent that big tiger flying with just one punch!" Seeing Dai Mubai knocked away, Xiao Wu immediately jumped for joy. Tang Xuan offered no comment. Dai Mubai's strength really wasn't worth much in his eyes.
Tang San reflected on what he had just witnessed. Level thirty-seven Dai Mubai couldn't even withstand one punch from Brother. Just how strong has Brother become? Looking at the calm, unruffled Tang Xuan beside him, Tang San thought, I'll have to work twice as hard, or the gap between us will only grow wider.
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