"Then it's settled. I haven't had a drink in ages. Today, we're going to feast!"
Hearing that they were going out for a celebratory drink, Ma Hongjun was easily the most excited.
The spectators around them saw that Zhao Su and his companions were still discussing their celebration at a time like this.
They all shook their heads, thinking these newborn calves had no fear of tigers.
The Mad Battle Team could be called the strongest team in Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena.
Every member's soul power was above rank thirty-five.
Their team had a well-rounded lineup, and they worked together seamlessly.
The one-on-one, two-on-two, and team soul fighting matches were held in different halls, so the spectators who preferred team battles were unfamiliar with the brilliant results Zhao Su and his companions had achieved in their individual matches.
Zhao Su and the others paid no attention to the chatter around them.
Soon, it was their turn to enter the arena. Zhao Su, who wore no mask, brought up the rear, while the six members of the Shrek Seven Devils other than Ning Rongrong walked onto the Soul Fighting Platform in order of age.
"Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the two teams!"
"On this side, we have Suotuo City's star team, the Mad Battle Team!"
"Mad Battle! Mad Battle!"
The Mad Battle fans in the stands immediately erupted into frenzied cheers.
"And on this side, we have Suotuo City's rising stars, the Shrek Seven Devils Team!"
When the announcer finished introducing the Shrek Team, no one welcomed them or applauded.
Everyone simply watched with the air of someone waiting for a spectacle.
"All right, let the match begin!"
The moment the word "begin" left his mouth, Mad Rhino merged with his rhinoceros martial soul. A rhinoceros horn sprouted from his head, and he charged at Zhao Su and the others.
"Hmph!"
Zhao Su gave Tang San and the others a meaningful glance, then struck first without revealing his martial soul.
Instead, he simply stepped forward and seized the rhinoceros horn on Mad Rhino's head.
Crack!
A crisp snapping sound rang throughout the Soul Fighting Arena, immediately followed by the heavy thud of a body slamming onto the Soul Fighting Platform.
Every spectator in the stands widened their eyes at the sight unfolding on the Soul Fighting Platform.
Some even stood up to get a better look at the Soul Fighting Platform.
After grabbing Mad Rhino's horn, Zhao Su exerted a sudden burst of strength. As he snapped off the sharp horn, he lifted Mad Rhino, who stood over two meters tall, and slammed him viciously onto the Soul Fighting Platform.
"Remember this. Keep your hands to yourself from now on. Don't go trying to touch everything!"
As Zhao Su spoke, he lifted Mad Rhino's arm and snapped it with a violent wrench.
"Aaargh!"
Mad Rhino's agonized screams echoed throughout the Soul Fighting Arena.
By then, Tang San and the others had already pinned down the remaining team members. Even if they wanted to rescue Mad Rhino, they had no chance.
After dealing with Mad Rhino, Zhao Su darted across the platform, leaving afterimages in his wake.
When everyone could make out Zhao Su's figure again, they realized that all seven members of the Mad Battle Team were lying on the fighting platform.
They clearly had no strength left to fight.
"The Mad Battle Team lost, just like that?"
Someone in the stands voiced the question.
That voice snapped the other spectators out of their daze. They stared at the seven members of the Mad Battle Team lying on the Soul Fighting Platform, then at the members of the Shrek Team striking victorious poses in its center.
Less than a minute had passed between the announcer's call to begin and the end of the battle.
Everyone immediately began talking. Angry curses mingled with the chatter, coming from those who had bet on the Mad Battle Team to win.
The Mad Battle Team's defeat had cost them dearly.
But no one questioned the Shrek Seven Devils Team anymore.
Under the crowd's astonished gazes, Zhao Su and the others left the Soul Fighting Platform and went straight to redeem their points.
They did not linger. Now it was time for their celebration.
At a tavern, the eight of them ordered a tableful of delicious dishes and two barrels of pure ale.
By the look of things, they had no intention of leaving sober that night.
"Zhuqing, I'd like to talk to you."
Dai Mubai, who had been sitting silently to one side, suddenly spoke to Zhu Zhuqing.
Then he rose and headed outside the tavern.
Everyone was startled by this sudden turn of events. Even Ma Hongjun put down his chopsticks.
Zhu Zhuqing looked deeply uncomfortable. She glanced at Zhao Su, but he said nothing.
She followed Dai Mubai out of the tavern.
"Big Brother Su, aren't you going out to take a look?"
Ning Rongrong leaned over and nudged Zhao Su, pointing outside the tavern as she spoke.
"What's there to look at? Let's drink!"
Still smiling, Zhao Su filled his cup. As he called out to the others, he drained the entire cup in one gulp.
Inside, Zhao Su was not nearly as indifferent as he appeared.
He understood that this was, in a sense, the moment when Zhu Zhuqing would make her final choice.
If Zhu Zhuqing chose Dai Mubai, he would not keep pursuing her. If she chose him, he would stop using her.
"Let's drink! Big Brother Su, I'll drink with you!"
Ning Rongrong poured herself a cup, clinked it against Zhao Su's, and tipped her head back to drain it.
Before long, Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai returned.
Dai Mubai looked much more relaxed. He raised his cup to Zhao Su and said, "Brother Su, a toast to you."
Zhu Zhuqing sat down beside Ning Rongrong, her gaze carrying a hint of shy affection as she looked at Zhao Su.
"Drink!"
At that sight, everyone understood whom Zhu Zhuqing had chosen. Seeing that Dai Mubai seemed to have accepted the outcome, Ma Hongjun began livening things up.
Soon, the entire tavern rang with the clinking of cups.
They drank late into the night. When Zhao Su and the others still had not returned, Flender grew worried and sent Zhao Wuji to find them.
Only after searching all over Suotuo City did he find the eight of them in the tavern, all thoroughly drunk.
"Brother Zhao, why were you joining them in this nonsense?"
On the way back to Shrek Academy, Zhao Wuji supported Zhao Su as he bent his head and vomited, asking in bewilderment.
"Brother Zhao, perhaps this is the real me!"
Zhao Su looked at Zhao Wuji and uttered that baffling remark.
Zhao Su did not actually want to oppose the Shrek Seven Devils. But he wanted to go home, back to his real home, so he had to carry out the missions assigned by the Great Villain System.
He did not want to be a villain, yet he had no choice but to become one.
For his own sake, and for the people he wanted to protect, he had to do this.
"You're from Spirit Hall, aren't you?"
Only after Tang San and the others had walked far ahead did Zhao Wuji quietly ask Zhao Su the question.
At Zhao Wuji's words, Zhao Su's hazy eyes gradually cleared. He straightened and stared at Zhao Wuji. "That's right!"
This time, Zhao Su did not deny it. He admitted it outright.
"Our Shrek Academy is nothing more than an obscure, third-rate academy. Why would someone of your stature bother coming here undercover?"
"Spirit Hall isn't a solid slab of iron internally, either. I want to truly unite Spirit Hall, then unite the entire continent!"
Zhao Su had not told the truth, but neither had he lied entirely. Weaving truth and falsehood together was the highest art of lying.
Before you continue