"Fatty, quit dawdling and go order some food. You're the undisputed champion when it comes to eating."
Dai Mubai gave Ma Hongjun a playful kick from behind, but even as he stumbled forward, the chubby boy grinned and hurried off to place their order.
And why not? Dai Mubai was their biggest financial supporter. With Dean Flender and the others indifferent to their daily needs, they had no choice but to rely on him.
"Don't worry, Boss Dai. If there's one thing I excel at, it's eating!"
As Ma Hongjun eagerly scribbled down their selections, Dai Mubai turned to Tang San and the others with a faint smile.
"It's fate that we've all gathered at Shrek Academy. Since I'm the oldest, consider this meal my welcome to Tang San and the newcomers."
His gaze swept over the group, noting the two Tang brothers—Tang Chuan and Tang San—alongside two other unfamiliar faces: a boy and a girl, both with rather peculiar builds.
Judging by their wide-eyed curiosity, they likely barely met Shrek's admission standards.
Meanwhile, two virtual templates materialized before Fu Ye:
[Name: Ximen Qing]
[Age: Twelve]
[Soul Power: Level 21 (Attack System)]
[Martial Soul: Iron Fan]
[Name: Pan Jinlian]
[Age: Twelve]
[Soul Power: Level 21 (Auxiliary System)]
[Martial Soul: Lotus]
At that moment, Pan Jinlian was staring intently at Tang Chuan. Her muscular frame made it clear she was no delicate flower—so much so that even Ma Hongjun, who usually couldn't resist ogling women, didn't spare her a second glance.
Ximen Qing, on the other hand, was a frail, effeminate figure, mincing about with a limp-wristed flourish. It was hard to believe he was a Attack-Type Soul Master.
"Customers, your dishes are served!"
A waiter arrived with several plates of food, including cuts of low-level spirit beast meat—far more nutritious than ordinary fare.
"Zhuqing, let's eat."
Zhu Zhuqing had been staring blankly at Fu Ye, but she snapped back to attention at his words.
(≧口≦)
"Okay!"
"Oscar, check it out! That girl in black leggings at the other table—her figure's insane!"
Just as Fu Ye and Zhu Zhuqing began their meal, trouble arrived sooner than expected. The Shrek troublemakers had set their sights on them before the original plot's antagonist even appeared.
"Whoa, you're right! And she's gorgeous! Even prettier than that top-tier beauty from the other day!"
Oscar and Ma Hongjun's eyes roved over Zhu Zhuqing like scanners, though Fu Ye's presence blocked much of their view.
"Tch, that guy's killing the vibe. How dare he block our view?"
Ma Hongjun spat in disgust, while Oscar scowled.
With Pan Jinlian—a girl more brawny than any of Shrek's male students—as their only female companion, they saw no reason to restrain their crass behavior.
In the SL 1, they'd made lewd jokes about Canghui Academy's female students right in front of Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong. Now, with only boys and one tomboy around, they'd grown even bolder.
Noticing their discussion, Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others turned to look. Fu Ye, of course, noticed immediately.
Tang San's eyes narrowed as he took in Zhu Zhuqing's figure.
He was stunned.
A twice-lived virgin, he'd never so much as held a girl's hand. The most beautiful girls he'd seen were Xiao Wu and Wu Ling—yet Zhu Zhuqing's beauty rivaled theirs, and her figure surpassed both.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai's excitement morphed into outright terror the moment he recognized her.
"No… It can't be. How is he here?"
Tang Chuan noticed Dai Mubai's strange reaction. Frustration gnawed at him—Xiao Wu was gone, his plans for Dugu Yan had backfired, leaving him as Dugu Bo's drug puppet for over two years.
At Shrek, even Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were missing, replaced by entirely new teammates.
'This isn't my world. A parallel timeline?'
As a former God King, Tang Chuan knew the signs. Shrek's roster had changed, Blue Tyrant Academy vanished, and now this Juxiang Pavilion appeared out of nowhere.
Only a parallel world could explain it.
But one thing remained certain: the Spirit Hall's ambition to conquer the continent. Bibi Dong had inherited the Rakshasa God's power, and Qian Renxue would soon undertake the Angel God's trials.
'No. I won't fade into obscurity.'
Xue Ye possessed the Sea God's relic, and Dugu Bo surely hid his stockpile of spirit herbs. With foresight, Tang Chuan could steal both, jumpstarting his own godhood.
The Asura God's trial? A massacre in the City of Slaughter would suffice. The throne would beg him to take it.
'I was the Divine Realm's ruler—the Sea God and God of Wisdom, Tang San!'
A mere flex of his power would shake the continent. Once a god again, Fu Ye and the Spirit Hall would be ants beneath his feet.
'Dugu Bo will watch his granddaughter grovel. Everyone will kneel.'
His gaze followed Ma Hongjun's pointing finger—and disbelief struck.
'Zhu Zhuqing?! Here?!'
As he processed this, Fu Ye turned, golden eyes locking onto theirs.
Tang Chuan froze.
Fu Ye met their stares, then deliberately slid beside Zhu Zhuqing.
Under the envious eyes of Shrek's group, he pulled her into his arms.
…
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