The sun was setting in the west, and evening was approaching.
In the western part of Soto City, after strolling through several streets and buying many beautiful clothes and delicious snacks, Xiao Wu and her two companions were finally ready to end their shopping trip.
"Zhuqing, cheer up, don't be so down. Here, have a candied hawthorn."
Noticing that her friend seemed uninterested in shopping, Xiao Wu held out a stick of candied hawthorn to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Exactly, exactly! Zhuqing, if that Dai Mubai is unreliable, then just rely on yourself.
The current Pope of the Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong, is also a woman, but didn't she still become the Pope?"
Ning Rongrong chimed in to console her.
On the Douluo Continent, there was no saying that women couldn't take charge. As long as one had talent and strength, they could also carve out their own place in the world.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression shifted slightly, and she leaned forward to take a bite of the hawthorn from the candied stick Xiao Wu was holding.
What Ning Rongrong said was true. Her talent was not bad, and now she was in the Balak Kingdom, a subordinate state of the Heaven Dou Empire. As long as she trained diligently, perhaps she could one day take control of her own destiny.
However, this thought only flashed through her mind briefly. After all, the Star Luo royal family was too powerful—far beyond what she could contend with.
Moreover, she had only heard about Dai Mubai's situation at Shrek Academy; she had not seen it with her own eyes. So, she still held onto a sliver of hope for him.
"Huh? Xiao Wu, what is that building? It looks quite nice from a distance."
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong let out a soft exclamation, pointing toward a red building in the distance that resembled a blooming rose. She turned to ask Xiao Wu.
Following the direction of her finger, Xiao Wu's face immediately flushed red, and she seemed a bit embarrassed to explain.
"Eh? Is it some kind of special building?"
Seeing Xiao Wu's reaction, Ning Rongrong became curious.
"Rongrong, that is the Rose Hotel."
"Rose Hotel?"
Ning Rongrong blinked. Wasn't it just a hotel? Why the blushing?
Uh... could it be that kind of hotel?
"Xiao Wu, tell me honestly, how many times have you and Senior Chu been there?"
Realizing what was special about the hotel, Ning Rongrong's curiosity instantly burned like a raging fire.
At first, she had thought that Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu were real siblings. After all, it wasn't unheard of for siblings to have different martial spirits.
But after some careful probing, Ning Rongrong had discovered the truth—they were actually a couple pretending to be siblings!
"Rongrong, what are you saying! My brother and I are still young!"
Xiao Wu was quite aware of the implications, and she immediately glared at Ning Rongrong in mock anger.
Even though she had told others she was 17, in terms of human age, she was actually only 12! How could she possibly do that kind of thing?
"Still young? Tsk tsk, Xiao Wu, you're already 17—you're not that young anymore~!"
Ning Rongrong looked Xiao Wu up and down carefully, scrutinizing her well-developed figure like a little rogue, before reaching out and pinching her chest.
"You little rascal, take this!"
Having been sneak-attacked, Xiao Wu immediately counterattacked, tickling Ning Rongrong in return.
Watching the two of them playfully fighting, a rare smile appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's otherwise cold face.
If she weren't bound by an engagement, could she also laugh and play so freely like Xiao Wu and Rongrong?
The playful scuffle soon stopped, as they were still on the streets of Soto City, and it wouldn't be good to make a scene.
However, just as the three of them were passing by the entrance of the Rose Hotel, Xiao Wu suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"What's wrong?"
Ning Rongrong asked, noticing Xiao Wu had suddenly halted.
"Dai Mubai."
Xiao Wu pointed toward three approaching figures—one man and two women.
Immediately, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing looked ahead.
They saw, in the distance, a tall, blonde young man walking toward them.
But that wasn't the main point—the main point was that the blond youth had his arms around two gorgeously dressed twin sisters, who appeared to be around 17 or 18 years old, with tall figures and decent looks.
Instantly, Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists, and her already cold expression darkened visibly.
She had only met Dai Mubai a few times, and years had passed since then, so his physique had changed considerably. Just from his appearance, she couldn't be completely certain.
But the members of the White Tiger family all had golden hair, uniquely evil eyes, and, more importantly, she could faintly sense that his aura complemented her own—there was no mistake, this was definitely Dai Mubai!
Before, she had only heard rumors about Dai Mubai's debauchery, but she had never witnessed it herself, so she still held a shred of hope.
But now, seeing with her own eyes that Dai Mubai was holding a pair of stunning twins and seemed to be heading toward the Rose Lovers' Hotel, did she even need to guess what he was about to do?
Three years ago, after Dai Mubai fled Star Luo City, she, his betrothed, had endured endless ridicule. Now, after all the hardship she had faced to escape the assassins and make her way here, hoping to find Dai Mubai at Shrek Academy so they could fight against fate together...
And in the end, this was what he was doing? Spending his days indulging in pleasure, waiting out his 'final moments' in comfort?
It was a mistake—a complete mistake!
A wave of grief washed over Zhu Zhuqing, making her feel like her entire world had gone gray.
If Dai Mubai had chosen to give up, how could she alone possibly resist Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun?
She knew full well that, while her talent was slightly better, Dai Weisi and Zhu Zhuyun were not weak. They were also a few years older than her, and even if she fought them one-on-one, she had no chance of winning—let alone when they performed their Netherworld White Tiger fusion technique together.
Even if I die, I will die fighting back against my fate!
Looking up at the sunset-stained sky, Zhu Zhuqing clenched her fists, silently making up her mind.
As a noblewoman, she had seen plenty of powerful men with multiple lovers. She had even seen women with multiple husbands.
If Dai Mubai was merely fooling around with women, she might have been displeased, but she wouldn't have made a big deal of it. After all, it was common among noblemen.
But those noble heirs at least had the right and ability to indulge themselves.
And Dai Mubai?
In just a few short years, he would face the twenty-year-old prince's trial—if he failed, the best outcome would be losing his spirit power and living a life of humiliation. In the worst case, he might even lose his life!
Instead of training hard, he was out here playing with women?
Talent-wise, Zhu Zhuyun and Dai Weisi were inferior to her and Dai Mubai. But just because they were a few years older, and because of a little outside pressure, Dai Mubai had already given up?
How could there be such a weak, pathetic waste of a man in this world?!
Being unfaithful was a small mistake—but giving up and waiting to die was the greatest mistake of all!
"Ning Rongrong, this kind of scumbag is not worth your time. Just forget about him!
Why don't you join my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? No matter how powerful the Star Luo Empire is, they wouldn't dare extend their reach into my clan!"
Seeing her best friend's sorrowful face, Ning Rongrong spoke up to console her.
The Star Luo Empire was indeed powerful, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was no pushover either!
In fact, whether the Star Luo Empire even had experts on par with her Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa was still unknown!
Besides, there was already deep-seated animosity between the two great empires due to past wars, where they wished for each other's destruction. If her clan sheltered Zhu Zhuqing, it would simply be adding another mark to the already long list of grudges.
Under normal circumstances, her clan wouldn't do such a thing without reason.
But she was the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Her father and the two grandpas doted on her immensely, so they would surely agree to such a small request from her!
Moreover, her best friend Zhu Zhuqing was quite talented—already a Rank 27 Soul Master at just twelve years old. Even if she couldn't reach the Title Douluo level in the future, she would still be more than capable of becoming an eight-ring Soul Douluo and a sect elder.
Glancing ahead at Dai Mubai, who was whispering sweet nothings to that pair of twin sisters, then looking at her own best friend Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu didn't bother trying to console her with words. Instead, she took direct action.
Sister Xiao Wu wasn't great at talking things out, but she had big fists. She could vent her best friend's anger for her!
With a sudden burst of speed, Xiao Wu shot forward, appearing before Dai Mubai and the twin sisters in the blink of an eye.
"Uh... Xiao Wu? What do you want?"
Seeing Xiao Wu suddenly appear with an unfriendly gaze, Dai Mubai was puzzled. When had he provoked her?
"What do I want? Hmph~ You two, step aside so you don't get caught in the crossfire!"
She spoke to the twin sisters in Dai Mubai's arms before pink soul power surged around her. Her Soft Bone Rabbit martial soul manifested, and four soul rings appeared—two yellow, one purple, and one black.
That's right! Thanks to her body-refining technique, the fourth soul ring that Xiao Wu condensed on her own was a 10,000-year soul ring.
Though it was only barely at the 10,000-year mark, it was still something that even ordinary five-ring Soul Kings might not possess.
"Xiao Wu, you and Chu Chengzhou are pushing this too far!"
Noticing Xiao Wu's intention to attack, Dai Mubai's face darkened. He waved his hand, signaling for the twin sisters to move aside.
He could tell now—both Xiao Wu and Chu Chengzhou were unreasonable. They didn't need a reason to beat him up. If they didn't like him, they would just do it. How despicable!
Last time, it was Chu Chengzhou. Now, it was Xiao Wu.
"Too far? Today, I'm bullying you. What are you gonna do about it? Second Soul Skill: Charm!"
In an instant, Xiao Wu's second soul ring lit up, and her eyes flashed with a pink glow. Dai Mubai, who had been about to summon his martial soul, immediately fell into a dazed state.
"Boom—!"
The next second, Xiao Wu took a step forward, clenched her fist, and smashed it into Dai Mubai's left eye socket.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang—!"
A flurry of punches followed, each landing solidly on Dai Mubai's face.
Within moments, Dai Mubai's face was swollen beyond recognition.
"Hmph~"
Seeing that his head had swelled up like a pig's, Xiao Wu snorted coldly and withdrew her fist.
"Let's go!"
Calling out, Xiao Wu led Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing toward the southern city gate.
"Bah~!"
As she passed by Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong spat in disdain.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing had already regained her composure. She merely gave Dai Mubai a cold glance before looking away.
"Dai Shao, are you alright?"
After the three left, the twin sisters, with teary eyes, hurried to support the badly beaten Dai Mubai.
Twitching the corners of his mouth, Dai Mubai remained silent. He forced open his swollen eyelids and stared at the backs of Xiao Wu and the other two, particularly at the black-and-purple-clad girl.
Who was she?
Why did her aura feel so similar to his, and why did it give off a strange sense of harmony?
The Next Morning – Shrek Academy
In the cafeteria, Chu Chengzhou, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were having breakfast.
Suddenly, the cafeteria door swung open, and Dai Mubai walked in.
Though he had been beaten up badly the previous evening, he had found a healing-type Soul Master in Soto City and, after a night of recovery, showed no signs of his earlier injuries.
Upon entering, Dai Mubai was momentarily stunned.
Aside from Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu, there were two girls he didn't recognize—one of whom was the girl who had given him that strange feeling yesterday.
Were these new students at the academy?
Glancing up and seeing Dai Mubai, the four of them immediately ignored him.
Being ignored, Dai Mubai didn't mind. He walked straight toward Zhu Zhuqing.
"Hello, I'm Dai Mubai, also a student at Shrek Academy. Have you noticed that our auras are similar, and there's even a subtle sense of mutual resonance?"
He flashed what he thought was a charming smile.
When two Soul Masters had similar auras and a complementary connection, it was a sign of a possible martial soul fusion technique.
And martial soul fusion techniques were something every Soul Master dreamed of having.
As long as their soul power was below Rank 90, even the weakest fusion technique could allow two Soul Masters to fight at a level above their own.
This girl had a great figure and a beautiful face—she would be his ideal girlfriend. If he could win her over, he could hide away in a small town within the Heaven Dou Empire, focus on cultivation for a few decades, and with a powerful martial soul fusion technique in hand, not even his elder brother Davis, the future Emperor of Star Luo, could do anything to him.
As for his fiancée back in Star Luo City? He barely knew her and didn't care in the slightest.
Glancing at Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes flashed with disdain, and she continued eating.
"So what?"
At that moment, Ning Rongrong set down her spoon and spoke with amusement.
"This means we likely have a martial soul fusion technique! And martial soul fusion techniques are what all Soul Masters dream of!"
Dai Mubai tried to suppress his excitement and continued persuading Zhu Zhuqing.
"Hold on—Dai Mubai, martial soul fusion techniques require either a sibling relationship or a romantic bond.
Aren't you a prince of the Star Luo Empire? By your royal family's traditions, you must have a marriage engagement, right? You already have a fiancée, yet you're still trying to woo other women?"
Chu Chengzhou sneered, subtly digging a pit for Dai Mubai to fall into.
Would he take the bait?
If he did, climbing out would be nearly impossible!
Dai Mubai's expression shifted several times before he hesitated and said, "That engagement was arranged by my family. I've barely met that Zhu family second daughter a few times—we have no real connection. By the way, what's your name?"
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou was delighted, though he didn't show it.
No connection? Dai Mubai, you just completely severed any ties with her!
"Heh, what a joke! Dai Mubai, my name is Zhu Zhuqing—the very same Zhu family second daughter you claim to have 'no connection' with!"
Zhu Zhuqing said coldly, her expression emotionless.
"!!! You're Zhu Zhuqing?"
Dai Mubai's eyes widened in disbelief.
So this gorgeous girl was actually his long-lost fiancée? No wonder he had felt a martial soul fusion resonance with her.
But Zhu Zhuqing merely gave him a cold glance and said nothing more.
"Zhuqing, don't bother with this loser."
Xiao Wu said firmly.
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
Since Dai Mubai had already denied their connection, she would have nothing to do with him from now on.
"Zhuqing, listen to my explanation."
Dai Mubai was anxious. How could he have expected that his fiancée, who was far away in Xingluo City, would find her way to Shrek Academy?
"Aren't you annoying? Can't people even have breakfast in peace? A toad wanting to eat swan meat—get lost!"
Ning Rongrong slammed her spoon onto the table and scolded Dai Mubai.
She never had a good impression of Dai Mubai in the first place. Now, hearing him claim that he had "nothing to do" with his fiancée, she found him to be a heartless and unfaithful scumbag, utterly beneath contempt.
"And who are you?"
Being insulted put Dai Mubai in a foul mood, and his anger surged.
"Hmph~ This lady can't be bothered to tell you her name! Hurry up and scram to wherever it's cooler, stop yapping here and ruining our appetite."
Ning Rongrong waved her hand dismissively, signaling for Dai Mubai to leave as soon as possible.
"You—!"
Dai Mubai was furious. If not for the unfavorable timing, he would have definitely taught this foul-mouthed girl a lesson.
"Sister Xiaowu, look! He's bullying me~!"
Seeing that Dai Mubai was about to explode, Ning Rongrong's eyes darted around, and she quickly leaned close to Xiaowu, whispering pitifully.
"Bang—!"
Having a big sister to back her up was great. Xiaowu immediately slammed her palm onto the table and shouted sternly at Dai Mubai, "Dai Mubai, what are you being aggressive for? You either shut up now, eat your breakfast, and leave afterward, or you don't eat at all and get out immediately!"
Instantly, Dai Mubai's fury was doused like a bucket of cold water had been poured over it.
"Hmph~!"
With a cold snort, Dai Mubai turned and left the cafeteria.
There was no choice—when the enemy is strong, one must yield!
The greatest advantage of having immense strength is that when you can win an argument with reason, you can talk it out. But when reasoning fails, you can rely on your power to make others accept your truth!
"Sister Xiaowu, you're so cool!"
Watching Dai Mubai slink away, Ning Rongrong gave Xiaowu a thumbs-up.
"Of course! Zhuqing, just ignore that scumbag from now on."
Xiaowu proudly raised her head and said to Zhu Zhuqing.
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
If Dai Mubai had truly repented and started working hard, she might not have been unwilling to forgive him.
But the moment he uttered "nothing to do with me," there was no chance she would ever forgive him.
Indeed, aside from a mere engagement contract, there really was nothing between them.
Since their paths were different, they would not walk together. From now on, they would go their separate ways—he could wallow in his mess, while she would focus on cultivating her soul power!
"Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong—"
Not long after the bell rang, the seven students of Shrek Academy gathered at the training grounds.
Soon, Flender appeared, stopping in front of them and scanning the group, his gaze lingering on Ning Rongrong for a few extra seconds.
Then, adjusting his glasses, Flender slowly said, "This year is quite good—we have two more little monsters! I, Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy, welcome you both on behalf of the academy.
In a while, each of you will pay one hundred gold coins to Teacher Li, who is in charge of finances.
Xiaowu, since we have two new junior sisters, you will explain the academy rules to them later. Then, everyone should go back and rest, recover to their peak condition as much as possible.
Same old rule—there will still be night classes today!
Oscar, you and Ning Rongrong are exceptions. You two stay, the rest can leave and rest."
Glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai walked away. As someone with dignity, he wouldn't force himself onto someone who clearly didn't want him.
Ma Hongjun didn't waste time either, quickly slipping away.
Xiaowu and Zhu Zhuqing stayed behind, curious to see what Flender had planned for their friend Ning Rongrong.
As for Chu Chengzhou, since Xiaowu wasn't leaving, neither did he. In fact, a trace of anticipation flickered in his eyes.
However, this wasn't yet the time for Flender to tame the little princess, so for now, there was no juicy drama to watch.
Seeing that the three of them didn't leave, Flender didn't mind. He turned to Oscar and Ning Rongrong and said, "Every soul master has their own training methods. Different martial spirits require different cultivation approaches.
Therefore, what the academy teaches you is not how to cultivate your martial spirit but how to use it—how to survive in future battles and how to better assist your comrades."
Oscar, having heard this speech countless times, simply lowered his head and smirked, but Ning Rongrong nodded in agreement.
Flender continued, "Both of you are auxiliary-type soul masters—one adds attribute boosts, while the other provides soul power-infused food.
Soul masters like you, whether on the battlefield or in daily life, always need teammates to protect you. Otherwise, your survival chances are slim.
Oscar, tell me, as an auxiliary-type soul master, how can you best protect yourself in battle?"
"Stay behind allies as much as possible, use all available terrain and structures to avoid danger, and stay as far from hazardous areas as I can," Oscar answered without hesitation.
Flender nodded in approval. "Not bad, you're absolutely right! But there's one thing you didn't mention. As an auxiliary-type soul master, knowing how to run away is a must. A support-type soul master who can't escape is not a good soul master.
And what do you need to escape? Stamina.
Although soul masters have soul power to assist them, making them much stronger than ordinary people, the opponents you may face are battle-type soul masters.
Therefore, as auxiliary-type soul masters, you must also undergo physical training. At a critical moment, just one extra step could mean the difference between life and death!"