At this point, Sword Douluo couldn't hold back any longer: "Fengzhi, what's going on here? What even is this Shrek Academy? I've never heard of it, and it sounds like some low-tier academy. How could you let Rongrong go to a place like that?"
Bone Douluo, standing by, also looked at Ning Fengzhi, waiting for a reasonable explanation.
Ning Fengzhi sighed and explained, "Rongrong has been wanting to go out and experience the world for a while now. Letting her go to train and meet peers is a good thing. We can't keep her in the clan forever. Plus, the headmaster of this academy is Flender, one of the Golden Iron Triangle."
Suddenly, Ning Fengzhi paused. "Shrek Academy? Now that you mention it, I seem to recall Rongrong briefly mentioning this academy before. But how did she know about it...?"
Turning to the young disciple, Ning Fengzhi asked, "What's the situation at Shrek? What kind of academy is it?"
The young disciple replied cautiously, "Forgive me, Clan Master. Shrek Academy has at least one Spirit Saint and several Spirit Emperor-level experts. I wasn't able to investigate further, but from what I saw, the academy is very rundown, located in a rural area, and unranked."
"Oh, and this year, including the young lady, there are five new students. The weakest among them is at the 30th rank, and the strongest has reached an unbelievable level of 43. They're all around the same age."
Bone Douluo grew anxious: "Fengzhi, this is absurd! How can such a shabby academy help Rongrong grow stronger? She would be better off at Heaven Dou Royal Academy!"
Ning Fengzhi thought for a moment before replying, "Sword Uncle, Bone Uncle, please don't be so hasty. Yes, the academy may be rundown, but did you hear? Aside from Rongrong, the other four students are extremely talented. One of them has already reached the 43rd rank, which is unheard of at such a young age."
"Even the youngest Titled Douluo didn't have such strength at twelve."
"Also, a while ago, I overheard Rongrong mention Shrek Academy, even though she's always been at the clan. How would she know about such an unknown academy? Something feels off, but I can't quite put my finger on it."
Sword Douluo frowned. "So, what's your plan?"
"My plan is to let things unfold naturally. Rongrong's already enrolled, and her classmates are so gifted. Who knows, we might be able to recruit them into our clan in the future."
Ning Fengzhi continued with a hint of amusement, "I'm also curious about this 12-year-old genius at rank 43. If he's not a support-type spirit master and if Rongrong likes him, perhaps we could even match them."
"Bone Uncle, why don't you go check out Shrek Academy? If anyone's bullying Rongrong, feel free to give Flender a beating."
Bone Douluo immediately responded, "No problem, I'll go take a look right away. I've missed Rongrong these past few days. I just hope Flender hasn't done anything out of line, or I'll make him pay! After all, Rongrong is like a little princess to the three of us. We dote on her too much to let anyone bully her."
Then, with a playful glance at Sword Douluo, Bone Douluo taunted, "Chen Xin, jealous much? I get to see Rongrong, and you don't. Ha!"
Sword Douluo grumbled, "You! Don't get cocky, Gu Rong. If your spirit wasn't easier to observe, I'd be going with you!"
Back at Shrek Academy.
That afternoon, after their run, everyone except Tang San, who was called by Flender, went to Soto City to shop and relax.
The three girls primarily bought clothes, daily necessities, and, of course, indulged in various delicacies.
Su Ming, on the other hand, stocked up on pre-cooked meals and stored them in his spirit tool's refrigerator. The academy's meals were just too poor, especially considering the 250 gold soul coins they had paid.
By evening, after enjoying a satisfying meal, they returned to the academy, awaiting the headmaster's instructions.
That night, on the academy's training field, Flender coughed twice before addressing them, "Before we begin tonight's lesson, I need to announce something. Tang San has been at rank 30 for a while now and needs his third spirit ring from the Star Dou Forest. I'll make arrangements over the next few days, and Vice Headmaster Zhao Wuji will take you all there!"
"Any questions?"
At this point, Oscar stepped forward, "Headmaster, I feel like I'm close to reaching rank 30 as well. I'll work hard over the next few days to catch up."
Flender smiled in delight, "Good! Oscar, for a food-type spirit master to reach rank 30 at your age is remarkable! Make the most of the next few days, and once you reach rank 30, we'll head out immediately."
With that, Flender led the group toward Soto City.
As they walked, Su Ming began writing in his diary again:
[Today was the first day of school at Shrek Academy. Early in the morning, Xiao Wu and I, along with a few others, went to the village to find breakfast because Oscar said the academy's cafeteria wasn't open yet.]
[After we finished eating, we stumbled upon Ma Hongjun harassing a girl. He was saying things like, 'Since we're breaking up, let's do it one last time.' The girl clearly didn't agree. What he was doing wasn't far from assault—his mind's completely clouded by lust!]
The three girls reading the diary blushed slightly at the mention of "one last time" and looked at Ma Hongjun with even more disdain.
Ma Hongjun, feeling a chill down his spine, turned around but saw nothing out of the ordinary—just three beautiful girls. His eyes gleamed with lust.
"Fatty! What are you staring at?!" Xiao Wu snapped.
Startled, Ma Hongjun quickly looked away, not wanting to get beaten up, and tried to suppress his fiery desires.
[Ma Hongjun's spirit, the Evil Fire Phoenix, mutated from a common fowl. Although it's a top-tier beast spirit, it comes with the flaw of 'evil fire,' which greatly increases his desires.]
[This forces him to constantly seek out women to release his pent-up energy. Given that he's a spirit master, it's not easy for him to find ordinary women who can handle it. But that doesn't stop me from looking down on him.]
[Compared to Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai might be slightly better—but not by much. At least Dai Mubai has money and can afford to visit brothels, while Ma Hongjun, being a commoner, can't afford it as often. And let's face it, with his looks, it's unlikely he could get a girlfriend normally. So, he resorts to coercion, which is disgusting.]
The three girls considered this and found it quite reasonable. Ma Hongjun likely didn't have the money for regular visits to brothels unless Dai Mubai treated him. Otherwise, he would have to coerce women to satisfy his desires.
Of course, this didn't mean Dai Mubai was much better. Sure, he had money and looks, but that didn't rule out the possibility that he could also coerce women.
After all, Ma Hongjun had once bragged that Dai Mubai could "visit three women in a day."
Thinking about this, Zhu Zhuqing's aura grew colder.
[Speaking of which, I can't understand how Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong became friends with these two in the original story.]
[The first time Xiao Wu met Ma Hongjun, he tried to make her his girlfriend. Xiao Wu ended up beating him up, with Tang San standing by.]
[And Zhu Zhuqing? Did she forget that Dai Mubai abandoned her and went to the Heaven Dou Empire, spending his time in brothels? And yet, they later reconcile. No wonder people call her a 'clingy cat,' saying she clung to him to change her fate. In the end, she still ended up fawning over him, competing for the throne of the Star Luo Empire.]
[And as for Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai once grabbed her by the throat, threatening to violate and then kill her, before doing it again. This happens tonight after the Soul Arena. Did she just forget about that?]
As Su Ming wrote, the three girls reading the diary grew silent, their expressions darkening. Why did they become such close companions with those two in the original story?
Zhu Zhuqing, in particular, was in deep reflection. Clingy cat? No, I'm not! she thought. I won't admit that!
She was no longer the Zhu Zhuqing from the original story. She was determined to stick to her own path, and accepting Dai Mubai was not part of that plan.
[Later, Dai Mubai tries to suppress his true nature because of Zhu Zhuqing's presence, hoping for her forgiveness. Just like now, he's constantly hovering around her. Whether he's sincere or not, I don't know.]
[Zhu Zhuqing's figure is far more attractive than those twins, and she possesses a natural advantage over Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong. Plus, she can perform a spirit fusion technique with Dai Mubai—the Netherworld White Tiger. So, Dai Mubai restrains himself.]
[Eventually, Dai Mubai succeeds in winning her back. After we return from the Star Dou Forest, during a team match against the Emperor Team, they perform the Netherworld White Tiger fusion for the first time.]
The girls wondered about this "Emperor Team." Could they be from Heaven Dou Royal Academy?
[As far as I know, spirit fusion techniques require a high degree of compatibility between the spirits involved, as well as emotional closeness between the spirit masters. So how did Zhu Zhuqing go from being cold toward Dai Mubai when she first joined, to being able to perform a spirit fusion with him just a few months later? Unless she forgave him and gave herself to him, I can't think of any other explanation.]
Zhu Zhuqing's face grew even colder as she read this. Her fingers dug into her palms, yet she didn't feel the pain.
I just gave myself away? she thought. What happened to changing my fate? Is this really how I did it? No wonder people call me a clingy cat... Even I feel like one now.
How could I have gone from being cold toward Dai Mubai to performing a spirit fusion technique with him in just a few months? The timeline is too short—I don't want to believe it!
Sensing something was wrong, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong each took one of Zhu Zhuqing's hands, trying to comfort her. Zhu Zhuqing, feeling their warmth, shook her head slightly, indicating she was fine.
But internally, she was resolute. She wouldn't tolerate Dai Mubai's advances anymore. She wouldn't demean herself like that.
[As for Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai can suppress his desires, but at least he has Zhu Zhuqing. How will Ma Hongjun control his evil fire? Until Tang San gives him the Phoenix-Tail Crest Herb, which will resolve the issue, he'll still need women. Before that, how do you think he's been handling it? The answer's obvious.]
[It baffles me that Xiao Wu and the others managed to live with him for so long, despite his nature. Just because his evil fire is resolved doesn't mean his personality changes.]
Meanwhile, Bibi Dong wasn't concerned with these personal matters. Instead, her attention was caught by the mention of the Phoenix-Tail Crest Herb. Where did Tang San find such a rare immortal herb?
Bibi Dong had once sent her subordinates to search for similar plants but had come up empty-handed. If Tang San could find this herb, he might have access to others as well. And knowing that Su Ming had knowledge of the future but wasn't sharing it outright infuriated her.
[After I taught Ma Hongjun a lesson, we all went to the training field and met Flender. Just like in the original story, Flender told Oscar and Ning Rongrong to run 20 laps around the village. That's an impossible task for support-type spirit masters. I believe Flender had two motives: first, to test Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, and second, to create an opportunity for Oscar to get closer to her.]
[I have to admit, Flender is a crafty old fox. With his Owl spirit, he sees things sharply. He must have noticed Oscar's interest in Ning Rongrong, so he's trying to play matchmaker.]
Upon reading this, Ning Rongrong's skin crawled. Oscar likes me? He's trying to pursue me?
The thought of Oscar's lewd behavior made Ning Rongrong recoil in disgust. First impressions were everything, after all.
No wonder he offered her a sausage during their run earlier—that must've been his way of courting her. Does he think he's handsome or something?
[Speaking of Oscar, while we were walking from the village to the training field, he whispered to me that Xiao Wu was mine, Zhu Zhuqing was Dai Mubai's, and so he could only go after Ning Rongrong. He even asked if I was okay with it.]
[Of course, I had a big problem with that! I don't have many flaws, but one thing about me is that I like beautiful women. Of course, they have to be normal and not too violent.]
[So I told him right away that Ning Rongrong was also my type and advised him not to waste his time. Besides, Oscar's just a food-type spirit master, and he doesn't meet the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's standards.]