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The next day, Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing gathered as usual, waiting for Flender's lesson.
Dai Mubai's initial reaction was surprise, but it was swiftly consumed by a blinding rage. He had spotted identical rings on Oscar's and Zhu Zhuqing's fingers. With a mind as dirty as his, he immediately jumped to the worst possible conclusion.
"Oscar! Zhu Zhuqing! How dare you?!"
Everyone else was baffled by his sudden outburst, having no idea what he was so angry about.
Oscar looked stunned. What had he done to make Dai Mubai look like he wanted to eat him alive?
Zhu Zhuqing cast him a cold glance, offering no response. In her eyes, Oscar was a far better person than the degenerate Dai Mubai. Besides, now that she had Lan Minghua as her master, she no longer needed Dai Mubai's help to escape her fate.
Being ignored repeatedly, Dai Mubai's fury boiled over.
"Zhu Zhuqing, you shameless harlot! I'll kill you!"
He lunged forward, but Ma Hongjun reacted with lightning speed, wrapping his arms around him and hissing, "Brother Dai, don't lose your head! Her master is a Titled Douluo!"
He vividly remembered the previous night's flying slipper and wasn't about to risk a repeat performance.
Ning Rongrong watched with keen interest, finding the drama quite entertaining.
Tang San and Xiao Wu, however, exchanged worried glances, unnerved by Lan Minghua's sudden departure.
Just then, Flender arrived and, seeing the scene, thundered, "Enough! All of you, be silent!"
His aura as a Soul Saint pressed down on them, and the courtyard instantly fell quiet.
Flender glared at Dai Mubai's irrational state. "Mubai, you're not a child anymore! Control yourself!" He was already frustrated that Lan Minghua had refused to accept him and Ma Hongjun as disciples the night before and was looking for an outlet for his own temper.
Dai Mubai fell silent, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water.
Once the students were quiet, Flender retracted his aura and addressed Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing. "Why are you two here? Where has he gone?"
Oscar stepped forward and replied clearly, "Reporting to the Dean: Master said he would be away for a few days and asked you to arrange our training in his absence."
Flender nodded, seeing this as an opportunity to strengthen his relationship with Lan Minghua.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu breathed a quiet sigh of relief. She had been so terrified of being exposed that she had considered fleeing Shrek Academy the night before. But as a mere Soul Grandmaster, she hadn't dared to act rashly and risk alerting him. Now that Lan Minghua was gone, this was the perfect opportunity to leave.
Her mind was in turmoil. She desperately wanted to stay by Tang San's side but feared discovery.
Tang San, meanwhile, clung to a sliver of hope that Lan Minghua was unaware he was Tang Hao's son. He had committed himself to this path to avenge his father. Since he couldn't face Lan Minghua directly, he would target his disciples first.
Tang San's gaze darkened as he looked at Oscar and Zhu Zhuqing, murderous intent flickering deep in his eyes. Since you are Lan Minghua's disciples, you have chosen death!
Each of them was lost in their own thoughts, their minds swirling with schemes.
Clearing his throat, Flender turned to Oscar. "Since Huazai has entrusted you to my care, Oscar, you may carry on with your usual training."
"Yes, Dean!"
Oscar fell into his familiar routine, activating his gravity wristband and beginning his laps around the academy.
Ning Rongrong was assigned the same task, while the others followed their normal schedules. It wouldn't be long before she revealed her true 'little devil' nature.
Meanwhile, Lan Minghua flew through the sky, sipping wine and consulting his map as he approached the Sunset Forest.
"Ah, I've arrived. I think I'll take a day off first. Time to relax before exploring!" After crossing worlds, what was the point of working like an animal?
Finding a pleasant spot, he lay back to rest for the day.
The next morning, he suddenly remembered he had accumulated enough points for a ten-pull from the system. He decided to do that first before heading into the forest proper.
"System, give me a ten-pull!"
[Ding! 1,000 Master Points deducted. Remaining: 200.]
[Ding! Congratulations! You have received the following rewards:]
[Thank You For Playing, Thank You For Playing, Poison Arts Manual (Purple), Black Jade Bone-Mending Ointment (White), The Pilgrim Wu Song (Gold)…]
Lan Minghua, who had been lounging, shot up in a perfect carp leap. What did I just see? Gold? The Pilgrim Wu Song?! An early gold drop! Wait—Wu Song?!
He quickly tapped the golden item to view its details:
[Character: Wu Song]
[Soul Power: Level 96]
[Spirit Rings: Yellow, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Black, Black, Black, Black, Red]
[Domain: Martial Pride Soul. When activated, Wu Song's aura soars, greatly boosting his strength, speed, and perception. (Note: This domain can elevate Wu Song's soul power to a maximum of Level 100.)]
"I can't believe the gold drop was Wu Song! A Level 96 Titled Douluo!"
Lan Minghua had been planning to use another Rotten-Life Minghua Peak Experience Card to force Dugu Bo into submission. But with Wu Song here, he wouldn't need to waste it.
"System, summon Wu Song!"
[Ding! Summon successful.]
A flash of white light, and a figure appeared before Lan Minghua. He stood tall and imposing like a proud pine, his features handsome and radiating a domineering presence. A golden circlet adorned his forehead, glittering in the sunlight and reflecting in his eyes, which shone with a piercing insight that seemed to see through the world itself. He wore a patched monk's robe, its variegated colors resembling a tiger's stripes, hinting at his formidable, iron-like physique. On his back hung two monk's sabers, their cold gleam a silent testament to the countless bloody battles they had seen.
Like a demon-slayer descending from heaven, a true god among mortals!
This was Wu Song!
Lan Minghua was thoroughly pleased. "I'll call you Erlang. Come, we're going somewhere."
Wu Song bowed respectfully. "Yes, Sect Leader."
With Wu Song by his side, this trip to the Sunset Forest was now foolproof.
With that, Lan Minghua and Wu Song shot into the air, heading toward the heart of the forest.
Sunset Forest—Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
A figure clad in green stretched and rose to his feet.
"To think that I, the great Poison Douluo, would be brought to this state by my own poison."
This was Dugu Bo, titled "Poison," a Level 92 Control-type Soul Master whose martial spirit was the Jade-Phosphor Serpent Emperor.
He let out a self-deprecating sigh, lamenting his family's cruel fate. The Jade-Phosphor Serpent martial spirit was unique; the very act of cultivation slowly poisoned its user. If one failed to reach the Titled Douluo realm, the only destiny for the Dugu line was death.
Dugu Bo's son had already perished. Besides himself, only his granddaughter remained. Yet even she, having reached the Soul Elder realm, was already showing signs of poisoning. And he, the Poison Douluo, was helpless to stop it.
"Alas, is Heaven truly determined to destroy my Dugu Clan?!"
Just then, the forbidden wards he had placed around the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well were triggered.
"Hmph. I don't care who you are. You'll regret crossing me!"
He snorted coldly and soared off to investigate.
(End of Chapter)