Chen Xuanqing hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "That's not it, Xiao Wu. You and Zhu Zhuqing are both important to me. I won't favor either of you."
Zhu Zhuqing also came over and said softly, "Xiao Wu, you..."
Xiao Wu spread her arms with a smile and said, "All right, all right, I know you two... But Brother Xuanqing, remember this: no matter when or where, you must never let down either of our feelings for you."
Chen Xuanqing nodded solemnly and said earnestly, "I won't, Xiao Wu. I'll treat you both well. I won't disappoint you."
At that moment, Ma Hongjun lurked in the shadows, a jumble of conflicting feelings churning inside him. He couldn't decide whether to tell Dai Mubai about Chen Xuanqing and Zhu Zhuqing.
After briefly thinking it over, Ma Hongjun decided to give Dai Mubai a few hints. After all, Dai Mubai was their captain and the boss of Shrek Academy. Ma Hongjun had a responsibility to let everyone know about important developments.
When Zhao Wuji, Tang San, Oscar, and Dai Mubai came out, Ma Hongjun immediately went up to them, his face plastered with smiles. He greeted them enthusiastically, "Teacher Zhao, Boss Dai, I've already ordered breakfast for everyone. Come eat!"
Dai Mubai looked at Ma Hongjun in surprise and teased, "Well, well, the sun must have risen in the west today. Dean Flender's disciple is actually offering to treat us to a meal. Now that's a rare sight."
Everyone laughed at his words and took their seats.
Their attention, however, wasn't entirely on the breakfast on the table. Their eyes involuntarily drifted toward Chen Xuanqing, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing, who were eating nearby.
Seeing this, Ma Hongjun's heart tightened, and he immediately spoke up to pull their attention back. "Hurry up and eat, everyone! If we eat too late, it'll be hard to follow them."
Only after hearing Ma Hongjun's words did they snap out of their distraction and turn their attention back to the breakfast on the table.
Yet when they saw the food laid out before them, they couldn't help frowning.
Zhao Wuji said angrily, "Fatty, what kind of breakfast is this? Spinach, lettuce, kiwifruit-are you feeding monkeys?"
Dai Mubai also knitted his brows as he looked at Ma Hongjun. "Fatty, what's gotten into you? You're usually stingy, but surely not stingy enough to treat us to this stuff."
As he spoke, Dai Mubai took out a Gold Soul Coin and handed it to Ma Hongjun. "Go buy everyone a proper breakfast. There's no need to pinch pennies over this."
Ma Hongjun accepted the Gold Soul Coin, but bitterness filled his heart. No one present had understood his intentions or picked up on his hints.
Looks like I'll have to find a suitable chance to talk to Boss Dai alone.
Helpless, Ma Hongjun went off and bought a proper breakfast.
Inwardly, however, Ma Hongjun resolved that he had to find a chance to warn Boss Dai and let him know what was going on between Chen Xuanqing and Zhu Zhuqing.
After breakfast, Chen Xuanqing had finished getting everything ready. Governor led the carriage while Chen Xuanqing helped Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing aboard like a gentleman.
In the distance, Dai Mubai and the others from Shrek Academy hid in the shadows of the trees. His gaze remained fixed on the carriage, conflicting emotions surging inside him like churning waves.
Dai Mubai silently made up his mind. Once they entered the Star Dou Great Forest, he would find a chance to teach Chen Xuanqing a proper lesson and show him who Zhu Zhuqing's man really was.
Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps shattered the morning stillness.
The inn attendant from the previous night ran up to the carriage, panting for breath. Then he suddenly dropped to his knees, pressed his forehead to the ground, and began kowtowing frantically.
"My name is Stark. Both my parents died when I was young, and I've drifted through life ever since. I was born with zero Soul Power, and my Martial Soul is the most insignificant Blue Silver Grass. In this world, I have nothing but this life of mine." His voice trembled yet remained firm, every word revealing profound despair and longing.
"But when I saw Lord Crocodile God's heroic bearing, it was as though I saw the first light of hope. I am willing to become your servant, my lord, and place this worthless life at your disposal." Stark's tone brimmed with sincerity and longing, his eyes shining with determination and persistence.
Chen Xuanqing lifted a corner of the carriage curtain and curiously studied the fellow who had appeared so suddenly.
"Tell me your true purpose, or I'll slaughter you like a pig or a dog." Chen Xuanqing's voice was cold and calm, without the slightest ripple of emotion. His icy gaze was like two sharp swords aimed straight into the depths of Stark's soul.
Stark's body stiffened, and his kowtowing stopped instantly.
He raised his head, a flicker of fear and hesitation crossing his eyes. But soon, Stark lowered his head again and slammed his forehead heavily against the ground.
"To possess strength that inspires awe. To never be bullied again. To one day stand at the pinnacle of this world."
Though Stark's voice was low, it was filled with determination and persistence. "Even without Soul Power, no matter how steep the price, I want strength that inspires awe. Even if it costs me my life, I won't hesitate."
Chen Xuanqing was somewhat surprised by his words. This bastard craves strength so badly, and his determination to become stronger is fierce. He's practically the blueprint for a major protagonist or villain!
The thought piqued Chen Xuanqing's interest. He took out an old, yellowed booklet and abruptly tossed it toward Stark.
Stark's eyes immediately lit up. He carefully reached out and caught the booklet securely.
Although Stark had no idea what secrets the booklet contained, its yellowed cover and faint, aged fragrance filled him with an indescribable excitement.
Even if Stark had been a complete fool, he would have known that this booklet was about to turn his fate upside down.
Watching Stark clutch it as though he had found a priceless treasure, Chen Xuanqing smiled faintly and explained, "You have no Soul Power, yet you crave strength. Then I'll give you that chance."
As his words fell, Chen Xuanqing withdrew a bag of Gold Soul Coins from the system and casually tossed it onto the ground.
The Gold Soul Coins struck the ground with crisp, pleasing chimes, like a stirring piece of music that set the listener's heart surging.
Faced with the bag of Gold Soul Coins, however, Stark suddenly hesitated. He looked at the gold coins scattered across the ground, a flicker of conflict and confusion passing through his eyes.
At that moment, Stark didn't know whether he should accept this unexpected gift.
Seeing this, Chen Xuanqing sighed softly and said, "Take it! Just remember what I've invested in you."
Only upon hearing those words did Stark finally make up his mind. He bent down and picked up the bag of Gold Soul Coins from the ground.
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