After entering the Star Dou Forest, Tang San heightened his senses, carefully observing the surroundings. His heart was filled with excitement because he was finally about to obtain his third spirit ring.
He had been waiting for this day for so long!
Due to his teacher only being at level 29, they couldn't help him acquire his third spirit ring. Also, the spirit beast forests under state control rarely had or didn't have any Man-Faced Demon Spiders, so his teacher suggested he wait until he joined Shrek Academy, where other teachers could take him to the Star Dou Forest to hunt for a Man-Faced Demon Spider.
Thus, he had been watching Su Ming and Xiao Wu's progress day by day, while his own cultivation remained stagnant.
Although continuing to cultivate at the peak of a stage without obtaining a spirit ring could still yield some progress, it wasn't something he could feel. He needed the spirit ring to truly advance, and that made him anxious.
After walking for an hour, Zhao Wuji signaled for everyone to stop and rest, recover their energy. Finding a suitable spirit beast wasn't easy, so they had to be patient.
While resting, Su Ming decided to write today's diary, fearing he wouldn't have time later.
[Today, we finally entered the Star Dou Forest. It wasn't easy.]
The three girls exchanged glances, curious about what Su Ming would write about in the forest. If he revealed what was going to happen next, it would give them a better sense of security.
[After walking in the Star Dou Forest for just an hour, we're taking a break. If I recall correctly, in half an hour, a suitable spirit beast for Oscar will fly by: a thousand-year-old Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent.]
[This Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent will also attract Meng Yiran and Snake Woman, though Dragon Duke won't be present.]
[The Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent is injured by Snake Woman and will flee to where we are. In the original story, we intercept it, and it's already on the verge of death, making it perfect for Oscar to absorb its spirit ring.]
[At that moment, Meng Yiran and her group appear. Both Meng Yiran and Oscar need a third spirit ring, but since Dragon Duke isn't present, Snake Woman isn't a match for Zhao Wuji. Thus, she proposes letting the juniors compete fairly.]
[Oscar, being a food-type spirit master, is no match for Meng Yiran. This is when Tang San steps in to compete with Meng Yiran, using spirit power to determine who wins the right to the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent. In the end, of course, Tang San wins.]
The female protagonists wondered if Tang San and Meng Yiran would compete this time, considering that Tang San's strength had grown significantly since the original story. Strictly speaking, Tang San was still at level 30, but he had been at the peak for a long time.
[As I write this, I want to criticize something again. I've mentioned before that Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Step can dodge attacks from spirit masters, but it can't seem to dodge kisses from female spirit masters.]
[During the bet, Oscar, feeling guilty for troubling Tang San, suggests that if they win, Meng Yiran should kiss Tang San. Of course, Tang San rejects the idea, as Xiao Wu is standing right there.]
[Later, during the spirit power competition, Tang San wins. Meng Yiran, although reluctant, keeps her word and hands over the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent. And yes, she also kisses Tang San, leaving him surprised, standing there dumbfounded. Ugh!]
[I believe Tang San was just pretending. With his strength at the time, could he not sense Meng Yiran's actions? There was at least a full second from when Meng Yiran approached to when she kissed him. With Tang San's reflexes, he could have easily dodged, yet he didn't.]
[At the time, Xiao Wu was right beside him. Although they weren't officially a couple, they were definitely more than siblings but not yet lovers—total scumbag behavior.]
[To be fair, I'm a scumbag too. I can't say I only like one girl, as I'm attracted to many. But unlike Tang San, I won't pretend. I take responsibility for my actions, and if a woman can't accept it, I won't force her.]
The girls reading the diary had long become immune to Su Ming's remarks. While Tang San in the original story only loved Xiao Wu, he had quite a few admirers and had been kissed by several women, yet never took responsibility.
While Su Ming was also open about liking multiple women, he admitted it and promised never to let his women get hurt.
Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel that Su Ming was much better than Tang San. Although he had many romantic interests, he genuinely cared for her and wouldn't use her as a sacrifice.
Ning Rongrong also had feelings for Su Ming. While part of her wished Su Ming would only love her, she knew this was unlikely. After all, Su Ming was destined for great things.
A successful man always had many women behind him. Her father was a prime example.
As for Zhu Zhuqing, she didn't have romantic feelings for Su Ming yet, but she thought he was far better than Tang San or Dai Mubai. Su Ming openly pursued someone without forcing anything and didn't act hypocritical. Most importantly, he wouldn't visit brothels!
These were the opinions of the three girls closest to Su Ming.
Other women, who hadn't interacted with Su Ming as much, simply watched like spectators, enjoying the diary entries and the spirit power boosts they received from it.
[But this time, with Tang San's strength being higher than in the original, wouldn't it be unfair for Meng Yiran?]
[Whatever, it's not my concern anyway. Besides, although Tang San has been stuck at level 30 for a while, without a spirit ring, his strength shouldn't have increased that much.]
[This time, I'll just be a spectator. Originally, I had thought of stepping in and preventing Oscar from absorbing this spirit ring, guiding him to hunt a better spirit beast, and letting Meng Yiran take the Phoenix-Tail Crest Serpent. After all, I still think the flying sausage ability is pretty weak.]
[But now, I've abandoned the idea of recruiting Oscar as my subordinate. Let things proceed as they did in the original story.]
The female protagonists understood that Su Ming had officially given up on Oscar. The three girls felt this was completely reasonable, given that Oscar's behavior didn't impress them. Su Ming's decision was a wise one!