Faced with the threat of cleaning the bathrooms, Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance and immediately headed to sign up as a team. Dai Mubai, on the other hand, walked straight toward Zhu Zhuqing.
Ma Hongjun panicked! There were seven people, and four were already paired up, leaving only three. He rushed toward Oscar, but his brother had already gone to stand in front of Zhuge Lan.
"Lan-ge, how about we team up?" Oscar asked with a grin.
It wasn't that he wasn't loyal, but during their time at Shrek Academy, he had already taken on most of the dirty and tiring jobs. If he teamed up with Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai paired with Zhu Zhuqing, Zhuge Lan would be left alone. And cleaning the toilets? That would fall on Oscar!
'Sorry, fatty, better you than me!'
Ma Hongjun looked utterly desperate, resigned to his fate. However, Zhuge Lan didn't respond to Oscar. Instead, he glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. She was looking back at him, their eyes meeting.
'System, exchange!' he thought.
*[49,000 emotional points consumed, unlocking Martial Soul Fusion Skill between "Brambles Armor" and "Hell Civet."]*
In the next moment, Zhuge Lan clearly felt a strange, intense connection with Zhu Zhuqing. It was an indescribable but very real bond, making him want to get closer to her.
Zhu Zhuqing shuddered slightly, decisively leaving Dai Mubai behind and walking straight to Zhuge Lan.
"You feel it too, right?" she asked.
Zhuge Lan nodded.
"Should we team up and give it a try?" Zhu Zhuqing asked eagerly.
**[+666 Emotional Points]
[+666 Emotional Points]
[+1111 Emotional Points]**
Zhuge Lan nodded at first but then hesitated and glanced at the now dark-faced Dai Mubai.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately understood. "I won't team up with Dai," she said firmly. "If you reject me, I'll go clean the toilets instead!"
**[+2222 Emotional Points]
[+3333 Emotional Points]
[+4444 Emotional Points]**
Dai Mubai's eyes bulged out in anger. *She'd rather clean toilets than team up with me?!*
"Well, alright then," Zhuge Lan smiled. "If you're that determined, I'd be a coward not to team up with you."
Zhu Zhuqing smiled slightly, leading the way to the registration area.
As Zhuge Lan passed Dai Mubai, he gave him an apologetic look. "Mubai, you saw it; it wasn't my idea."
*[+4444 Emotional Points]*
Dai Mubai's face twitched, frustration building up inside him. He wanted to vent, but Zhuge Lan had been quite considerate, always keeping a respectful distance from Zhu Zhuqing. He'd even given Dai ample chances, but he had failed to make his move.
And Zhuge Lan's impressive track record, making Zhao Wuji flee and forcing Flender to kneel, was undeniable. *What could he say? Zhuge Lan was unbeatable.*
"Ahhh…" Dai Mubai sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as he walked toward the competitors' tunnel.
*[+5555 Emotional Points]*
Oscar quickly moved closer to Ma Hongjun, trying to salvage the situation. But then Ma Hongjun gave a sly smile and, to Oscar's shock, rushed off to join Dai Mubai.
Oscar stood frozen, mouth agape, reaching out as if to stop Ma Hongjun. *How did it end up like this? Am I really doomed to clean toilets?!*
"Nooo!!!" he cried.
*[+5555 Emotional Points]*
At the registration desk, Zhuge Lan turned back to see Oscar's gray face, emotional points flowing like a waterfall above his head. Zhuge Lan couldn't help but smile.
Even with his face covered by a mask, his charm couldn't be hidden. The female staff member was utterly smitten, speaking in a flustered tone.
"What's your team name?" she asked.
Zhuge Lan looked at Zhu Zhuqing, who shrugged, showing she didn't mind. "Let's go with 'Condor Heroes,'" Zhuge Lan said casually.
"Got it!" the staff member replied eagerly. "Which characters are you using?"
Her enthusiastic professionalism made Tang San and Xiao Wu, holding a dull team plaque labeled 'The Nameless Duo,' darken with envy.
"Hey!" Xiao Wu banged the table. "Why didn't we ask? I meant 'Wu' as in 'dance'! Change it!"
The staff member immediately put on a businesslike expression. "There's a 10-gold-coin fee for re-registration."
Xiao Wu pouted, but Tang San pulled her aside, whispering to let it go.
"Ugh, what's the big deal about being handsome?" Xiao Wu grumbled, glancing at Tang San before quickly averting her eyes.
Tang San: "…"
*[+1111 Emotional Points]*
Zhuge Lan, noticing the rising emotional points on Tang San's head, chuckled.
"Good luck, 'Nameless Duo!'" he called out encouragingly.
**[+1999 Emotional Points]
[+555 Emotional Points]**
Both Tang San and Xiao Wu were in a sour mood now. The worst part?
"Two competitors," the staff member said with a smile, "there's still a private lounge available. Would you like to use it?"
"That would be great!" Zhuge Lan said, smiling brightly. "I'm so grateful for the wonderful service here! I'll be sure to write a thank-you note."
The staff member, overjoyed, even left her desk to personally guide them to the lounge, leaving Xiao Wu fuming. She stomped her foot in frustration, looking between Zhuge Lan and Tang San, saying nothing, yet everything at once.
Tang San: |ω`)
*[+4444 Emotional Points]*
Inside the lounge, Zhu Zhuqing lay down on a long bench, closing her eyes to rest. The recent training had taken a toll on her, and she needed to recover quickly.
Watching her graceful figure, Zhuge Lan had an idea.
'System, show me something to speed up physical recovery that I can exchange for.'
*[Nine Yin Manual: Healing Section - 80,000 Emotional Points]*
*[Muscle & Bone Recovery Technique - 50,000 Emotional Points]*
*[Sunflower Acupressure Technique - 30,000 Emotional Points]*
"Zhuqing," Zhuge Lan said confidently, "my family has a massage technique that can quickly restore physical vitality. Want to give it a try?"
*[+666 Emotional Points]*
"Sure!" Zhu Zhuqing said without hesitation. "Should I lie down or stay like this?"
"No need to move; I'll handle everything."
At the same time, Zhuge Lan exchanged for *[Nine Yin Manual: Healing Section].*
Information flooded his brain as he acquired the healing techniques of the Nine Yin Manual. Known for its incredible ability to heal internal injuries, it could even mend life-threatening wounds, let alone minor muscle soreness.
Zhuge Lan knelt down, placing his hands on Zhu Zhuqing's calves, massaging them rhythmically. He felt the incredible elasticity of her muscles as he channeled his soul power and the healing essence of the Nine Yin Manual into her body.
"Ah~" Zhu Zhuqing moaned softly, unable to suppress the sound as comfort washed over her.
*[+999 Emotional Points]*
It was a bit awkward, but at least her condition for the upcoming fight wouldn't be a problem.
As Zhuge Lan's hands began moving upward, however, Zhu Zhuqing grew tense!
*[+1111 Emotional Points]*
Zhuge Lan's touch felt like a warm flame, heating up wherever he pressed, sending strange sensations through Zhu Zhuqing's body. It made her feel an unfamiliar emotion — one that was both unsettling and captivating.
*[+3333 Emotional Points]*
Feeling conflicted, she tried to distract herself by starting a conversation.
Advanced 30+ Chapters in Patreon
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