Shrek Academy, Sea God Island.
"What? It really was Huo Yuhao?" Ma Xiaotao stared at Yan Shaozhe in surprise.
Yan Shaozhe nodded. "That's right. Huo Yuhao's second martial soul is Ultimate Ice. The chill you felt back then came from him. With his help, you'll never have to suffer from the evil fire again."
Ma Xiaotao looked thrilled. "Wonderful! That evil fire was driving me mad. Why didn't he tell me sooner?"
At that, Ma Xiaotao froze.
Remembering how Huo Yuhao had berated her by the lake that day, she felt some of her joy fade.
"I'll go find him now. Where is he?" Ma Xiaotao asked flatly.
Yan Shaozhe frowned, noticing her despondence, but still answered, "He should be in the city attending the Treasure Appraisal Fair today."
"Understood," Ma Xiaotao answered softly, then vanished into the night sky.
Yan Shaozhe sank into thought.
He was certain something unpleasant had happened between those two.
But he soon let it go.
As long as Ma Xiaotao's evil fire could be resolved for good, everything else was negotiable.
Outside Shrek City.
Two figures in black robes had gathered in a grove amid the woods covering the hills.
One of them asked in a hoarse voice, "Why are you alone? Where are Third and Fourth?"
The other answered respectfully, "They should be here soon. Shrek City is enormous, after all."
The hoarse voice said, "Hmph. They'd better not have gone off to feed."
Just then, another black-clad figure arrived. Beneath his calm voice lay unmistakable delight and satisfaction. "I'm back."
At the sight of him, the man with the hoarse voice sounded deeply displeased. "Fourth, have you forgotten what I told you? Don't feed in Shrek City. This is where Shrek Academy is located. Experts gather here like clouds, and they're