The Penniless Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun! A Sudden Attack!

Shrek Academy sat in the southeastern corner of Suotuo City, far from the bustling city center and surrounded by a wilderness overgrown with weeds.

From a distance, it looked like a forgotten ancient ruin, standing alone amid the desolation, seemingly cut off from the world.

The academy's gates had long since fallen into disrepair. Two wooden doors hung crookedly from the frame, their planks covered in the marks of age, their cracks filled with moss and wild grass.

The plaque above the entrance was broken, and the words "Shrek Academy" had been worn blurry by wind and rain, leaving only faintly discernible outlines.

The stone lions on either side of the gate had long since lost their former majesty. Weathered beyond recognition, they looked ready to crumble at any moment.

Inside the academy, a pitted flagstone path wound forward, its surface covered in moss that looked slick and damp.

The buildings on either side were even more dilapidated, their walls covered in vines and the gaps between their bricks and stones packed with weeds.

Most of the teaching building's windows were broken, leaving only a few damaged frames that swayed precariously in the wind, occasionally creaking as though recounting the ravages of time.

The academy's sports field was an open patch of ground overgrown with wild grass and weeds. Rain had washed the dirt pit in the middle into a pitted mess, making normal physical activities impossible.

The only flagpole had long since tilted, and its old, tattered flag had been torn to shreds by the wind. Only a few strips of rag fluttered in the breeze.

At night, a figure appeared silently on the back mountain, taking in everything at Shrek Academy at a glance.

"So it really is this shabby," Dai Fei murmured.

Even if someone gave him a place this run-down, he wouldn't want it.

Just then, two figures approached from a distance.

Even from so far away, Dai Fei could see them clearly.

One was a blond youth dressed in a white suit, with the bearing of a noble.

The other was a red-haired youth dressed in red, with the bearing of a wild chicken.

These two were none other than Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.

Dai Fei had excellent hearing and could make out their conversation even from this distance.

The night was deep, and the streets of Suotuo City were brightly lit. The pleasure quarter in the west of the city was especially lively.

This was Suotuo City's most famous pleasure district, filled with singing orioles and flitting swallows, where gold glittered and paper dazzled in drunken splendor.

Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai walked out of a brothel with their arms around each other's shoulders and satisfied smiles on their faces. Clearly, they had just enjoyed a taste of the "land of tenderness."

"Mubai, that Xiao Hong'er was really something today. That waist, that figure, tsk, tsk, tsk..." Ma Hongjun said as he walked, still savoring the memory, a lecherous grin all over his face.

Dai Mubai laughed and slapped Ma Hongjun on the shoulder. "Hongjun, you always ask for Xiao Hong'er whenever you come. Aren't you afraid she'll get tired of you?"

Ma Hongjun waved a hand dismissively. "Tired of me? How could she be? I'm a regular, and I always pay her plenty of Gold Soul Coins. She'd love it if I came every day!"

Dai Mubai shook his head and laughed. "You're hopeless. But come to think of it, that Xiao Lan was pretty good today too. Her voice was so sweet and delicate it turned my bones to jelly."

Ma Hongjun immediately perked up. Leaning close to Dai Mubai, he waggled his eyebrows and asked, "Oh? Mubai, have you finally seen the light? You always used to act so proper. Why did you suddenly let yourself go today?"

Dai Mubai smiled, a complicated look flashing through his eyes. "People have to learn to relax sometimes. Besides, we cultivate at the academy every day, and the pressure is so great. There's nothing wrong with coming out to have a little fun once in a while."

Ma Hongjun chuckled and slapped Dai Mubai on the shoulder. "That's more like it! Men should have fun when it's time to have fun. It wouldn't be good to bottle it all up."

Dai Mubai smiled but didn't answer.

It was unclear what he was thinking about.

Seeing that Dai Mubai was somewhat distracted, Ma Hongjun waved a hand in front of his eyes. "Hey, Mubai, what are you thinking about? You're not still savoring the memory of Xiao Lan, are you?"

Dai Mubai came back to his senses and shook his head. "Nothing. I'm just a little tired."

Ma Hongjun laughed dismissively. "Tired? We've barely started! Come on, let's get a couple more drinks. My treat!"

Dai Mubai waved a hand. "Forget it. We've had enough fun today, and we have classes tomorrow."

Ma Hongjun pursed his lips and said, somewhat unwillingly, "Mubai, you're no fun. We finally get a chance to come out, and we're going straight back?"

Dai Mubai smiled. "Next time. I'll drink my fill with you next time."

Ma Hongjun shrugged helplessly. "All right, next time it is! But don't forget, you have to drink your fill with me next time!"

Dai Mubai nodded. "Don't worry, I won't forget."

The two chatted and laughed as they made their way toward Shrek Academy.

In the darkness, their figures gradually disappeared at the end of the street.

There's no sign of Tang San and the others at the academy, but there's a man with a long beard. That should be Oscar. It looks like, at this point in time, Tang San is still attending primary school in Nuoding City.

Dai Fei withdrew his gaze and stopped listening, thinking to himself.

Dai Mubai, although you had nothing to do with my murder, you're still the third prince. You're also eligible to contend for the position of crown prince and become the future heir to the Star Luo Empire, so don't blame me, your second brother, for being ruthless.

You're so young, yet instead of learning to behave, you insist on going to places like that. As your second brother, I have to step in and teach you a lesson.

Dai Fei used White Tiger Wind Shadow Step and charged toward Dai Mubai.

In the darkness, Dai Fei's figure swiftly approached Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun like a ghost.

His White Tiger Wind Shadow Step made him almost soundless in the dark, as though he had become one with the night.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun were chatting and laughing on their way back to the academy, completely unaware of the approaching danger.

"Hongjun, which brothel do you think we should visit next time?" Dai Mubai asked with a smile.

Ma Hongjun chuckled and was about to answer when he suddenly felt an intense sense of danger.

He whipped around and saw a dark figure rapidly closing in, moving so fast that he had no time to react.

"Watch out!" Ma Hongjun shouted, but it was already too late.

Dai Fei appeared before them in an instant, Geng Metal Qi condensing into a sharp golden blade in his palm, aimed straight at Dai Mubai's throat.

Dai Mubai's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly retreated while releasing his Martial Soul, the Evil Eye White Tiger!

Two Yellow Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet, and the phantom image of the Evil Eye White Tiger appeared behind him.

"Who are you?!" Dai Mubai demanded sharply, his eyes full of vigilance.

Dai Fei sneered without answering. His figure flashed, and he closed in on Dai Mubai again.

He was so fast that Dai Mubai had no time to react and could only barely use a Soul Skill to defend himself.

"First Soul Skill: White Tiger Protection Barrier!"

Dai Mubai shouted in a low voice, and the phantom image of the Evil Eye White Tiger formed a shield around him, attempting to block Dai Fei's attack.

However, Dai Fei's Geng Metal Qi was incomparably sharp and easily tore through Dai Mubai's shield.

The impact sent Dai Mubai staggering back several steps, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.