"Hey, hey! Your Highness, this way—sit down!"
With flattering eagerness, Zhang Yi rushed forward, patting the soft cushion of the main seat at the center of the hall so that Subei could sit comfortably.
The sight instantly drew rolled eyes from Flender and Dai Mubai. Both of them had the sudden thought: if only we could strangle this sycophant right now!
Liu Erlong, however, didn't let their irritation run too far. Her voice was calm, faint, yet carried weight as she pulled them back to reality.
"Judging from your expressions… you should already know who this person is, even without me introducing him, don't you?"
With those words, she moved gracefully and seated herself to Subei's left. On the other side, Xiao Wu, completely unbothered by decorum, squeezed herself right into another chair pressed close to Subei's. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly behind him, elegant and yet protective, as though guarding his side.
A few Shrek members glanced at each other uneasily. Finally, one of them broke the silence.
"I heard those soul masters outside…" he muttered, his voice carrying awe, "they were saying the Lord of the Shenyan Hall is unimaginably beautiful, peerless even. Honestly, we didn't believe them. But now that we see you with our own eyes… it's not exaggerated at all. Even words fall short."
They all drew in sharp breaths. Their throats tightened, their hearts pounding; only after a heavy exhale did they manage to suppress that strange rising pressure in their chests.
Flender took the lead in speaking. "I am Flender—the elder brother of Erlong. Since Erlong is Your Highness' godmother… then I suppose I have no need to stand on formality. Your Highness may simply call me Uncle Fu."
Inside, Flender chuckled wryly at himself. One day, maybe I'll manage to make him call me 'Uncle Freddy' instead…
Afterwards, the others quickly followed suit.
"My name is Ma Hongjun!"
"I'm Oscar."
"Dai Mubai."
One by one, the Shrek students introduced themselves cheerfully.
Subei silently counted in his heart. The Shrek men's troupe… all here together.
He knew enough about them, though he didn't particularly care.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun had both been adopted by Flender in childhood, though Ma Hongjun was formally taken as his disciple. Oscar, despite his immense innate talent, had never been given the same recognition—because his martial soul belonged to the food-type support branch, which lacked direct combat prospects. Even so, Oscar was perhaps the most gifted one among this cohort.
Dai Mubai was the eldest. When he had first joined Shrek Academy, the Shenyan Hall had only just been established.
But all these details were trivial to Subei. He had not sought out Shrek. The only reason he was tolerating this meeting was because Liu Erlong herself had personally brought them forward.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have wasted even a moment.
With a faint, polite smile, he finally spoke. "No, I don't really like forming connections with unfamiliar men. Since you are godmother's friends, you are naturally guests of Shenyan Hall. But aside from that—there's nothing more."
His refusal carried no hesitation, no warmth.
The hall grew quiet.
Caring for his wives was already tiring enough and consumed all his patience. Why should he bother cultivating meaningless ties with a group of self-proclaimed geniuses who, without Tang San's immortal herbs, would never have risen beyond mediocrity?
Subei's smile remained like a spring breeze—gentle, refreshing. Yet that very lightness made Flender feel even stranger. He had been rejected outright, and yet when faced with that flawless beauty and aura, he found no anger rising within him, no offense. Instead, it seemed natural. As though this boy truly was too exalted, too distant, a radiance meant to be admired from afar, not approached.
Such a person should be admired like the stars, Flender thought, not disturbed by small people like us.
Trying to ease the mood, Flender gave a chuckle. "It's all right. Time and proximity will help us understand each other better. Your Highness will eventually enjoy spending time with these children. They're very talented, and honestly, quite lovable too."
He narrowed his eyes knowingly, adding, "In fact, their qualities are very similar to the entry standards of your Shenyan Hall. At Shrek Academy, our motto is simple: monsters only."
That, however, was met with Subei's immediate denial. He shook his head firmly.
"No, Dean Flender—you've misunderstood."
Before he elaborated, Xiao Wu leaned forward proudly, sticking out her tongue playfully. "We are different! Shenyan Hall isn't recruiting monsters—we only accept talented, beautiful girls. But you? Monsters? What kind of monsters? That definitely doesn't sound like a good thing at all!"
Her large eyes sparkled mischievously as she tilted her head and looked up at Subei.
"Right, brother?"
Her posture, expression, that slight skip in her tone—it all sent the message clearly: Xiao Wu is clever. Xiao Wu knows everything. Now, brother, praise me!
"Yes," Subei replied indulgently, and he reached out to rub her cheek. Her skin was as delicate and smooth as a newborn, and although her face was slender with little plushness to press against, the familiarity and intimacy of the act warmed her heart. Honestly, he found it more satisfying to squeeze the slightly fuller, heart-shaped cheeks of Zhu Zhuqing or Hu Liena. But with Xiao Wu, it was still comforting in a special way.
Oscar snorted in protest. "What do you mean, monsters aren't good? We're all great, okay?"
Ma Hongjun, meanwhile, was practically drooling. His pupils had turned into little hearts, saliva dripping from the corner of his mouth. "Y-yeah… absolutely gorgeous…"
"Get that filth out of your head!"
With a sharp smack to the back of his head, Dai Mubai snapped him out of his daydreaming. Still, Dai Mubai's eyes couldn't help but drift toward Subei and Zhu Zhuqing. His expression soured, simmering with complicated emotions.
She's joined Shenyan Hall… even ascended into that elite Tianjiao Class. That shows her talent has finally been recognized. But she's my fiancée. Mine.
In his mind, he convinced himself.
Oh, she might act cold, but deep down she must still like me. She even sneaks glances sometimes—it must be shyness. Of course. I am the prince of Star Luo, handsome and talented. Which girl could possibly resist me?
Even though he knew Subei outshone him, his narcissism clung stubbornly. I'll find a chance to talk with her, convince her to leave Shenyan Hall, and come back to Shrek with me. And if not… well, there are plenty of stunning women here in Shenyan Hall. I could enjoy them too, while keeping her nearby. Sleep with them all if I have to, make up for the humiliation of being beaten down.
His teeth clenched slightly as he finalized these plans in his head.
Across from him, Flender suddenly asked, "And this—are you Xiao Wu?"
His eyes softened knowingly. Erlong had mentioned her adopted daughter. This must be her.
"Humph."
Xiao Wu turned her head, pouting with disdain. To her, this strange-looking man was simply unpleasant to the eyes—almost a form of pollution.
"Ah, a small misunderstanding then. You see, at Shrek, when we say monster, it's no insult. In fact, in my eyes, a monster is something greater than a genius," Flender explained proudly. "A genius may simply be gifted. But a monster… a monster is unknown, strange, unpredictable, and terrifying. In battle, monsters surpass geniuses!"
"Pfft, bragging!"
Xiao Wu spun back and made a face at him, pulling her cheeks with mock aggression.
Liu Erlong only smiled warmly. "All right, Xiao Wu, enough playing around."
"Hmmph. It's still true though!" Xiao Wu muttered, though she quieted down.
At that moment, Ma Hongjun rubbed his hands together anxiously, excitement lighting his eyes. "Well then—how about a match? If I win, you'll agree to be my girlfriend, Xiao Wu!"
The audacity made jaws drop across the hall.
His eyes burned as he imagined it: a gorgeous girlfriend like Xiao Wu, and furthermore, she was the sister of the breathtaking temple lord. That would practically make him family-in-law—with endless benefits!
But the moment he spoke those words, the atmosphere changed sharply.
Subei's gentle gaze flickered—his eyes shifting from calm spring water to a deep cold glint of murderous intent. The killing edge only lasted a breath before vanishing, but it was enough to chill the room.
"Utter nonsense, you damn brat! Speak like that again and I'll send you back to Soto alone!" Flender roared furiously, embarrassed and furious at his disciple.
Subei only smiled faintly, though his eyes remained sharp. "Very well. Just as you said. But since I'm about the same age as Xiao Wu, you won't be taking advantage if you fight me instead."
That harmless, narrowed smile sparkled brighter than any jewel. For a brief moment, everyone in the hall found themselves mesmerized, unable to look away.
Ma Hongjun hesitated, but still his hands rubbed together greedily. "H-how could I dare! Hall Lord is too beautiful… I really don't want to get beaten by you. Hurting such beauty would be a crime."
"You won't need to beat me," Subei countered lightly. "As long as your flames can burn even a thread of my robes, or if you can touch any part of me—I'll count that as your win."
"What?!"
Gasps broke around the room. Even Flender and Dai Mubai stiffened, exchanging glances in disbelief.
This was Ma Hongjun!
A fiery-variant Phoenix spirit… a great soul master nearly advanced to Soul Elder—his fire attacks were devastatingly strong, wide-range, and destructive! Even Dai Mubai would not dare promise victory in a direct one-on-one with him, lest he be burned alive after only a handful of rounds.
Flender's mind spun. The Shenyan Hall Lord… youth only eleven years of age. Rumor had it his strength was exceptional—but surely not more than rank thirty Soul Elder? That would be extraordinary enough. Could he really be confident to such a degree? Perhaps isolation and luxury have made him arrogant…
After all, Subei rarely showed his true power. Stories circulated, but few had witnessed them firsthand. Gossip revolved mostly around his beauty and mysterious aura.
And so, they all began to speculate nervously.
To Flender, the challenge seemed unfair. "Since it's a duel," he interjected quickly, "it should be conducted fairly. Your Highness' rules… honestly tilt matters against Fatty. Better to let them release spirit rings, key to key, energy to energy—that's fairness."
Xiao Wu snickered and pulled lightly at Subei's sleeve. "Why bother? Brother—let Xiao Wu fight him! I haven't stretched myself in battle in a while."
Subei's hand gently brushed her hair, warmth in his touch. "All right. Fight with me then, Xiao Wu. Anywhere, anytime… kitchen, or bedroom, or even bathroom." His lips quirked teasingly.
Her cheeks flushed pink instantly.
Then his tone sharpened, cold once again, as his eyes returned to Ma Hongjun.
"We'll do as I say. But remember—battle can't always be controlled. Injury, even accidental death… all are possible. Bear that responsibility."
He tilted his head slightly, smiling just enough to set everyone's nerves on edge. "If you win as agreed, Xiao Wu will become your girlfriend. I'll even reward you with potent heavenly treasures and wealth beyond measure. But if you lose… tell me, what do you have that's worth offering me?"
Liu Erlong shivered. She rarely found herself stunned—but men who turned serious for the sake of women… were dangerous, magnetic, stunning to behold. For the first time, she dared not intervene, feeling deeply that Subei's stance must not be softened for the sake of sentiment.
Greedy light sparked in their eyes—even Flender's heart quivered. But Ma Hongjun's grin faltered. He searched his pockets, grasped at thin air—and remembered.
"I… I…" He stalled, then suddenly brightened. "Yes! If I lose, I'll even give you Cuihua, my girlfriend from Soto City. She can be yours, Hall Lord. How about that?"
The silence that answered was deafening.
Subei's expression did not falter. He only shook his head firmly. "I want nothing of your girlfriend. If you lose… you will crawl on hands and knees like a dog. While barking, you must shout: 'I am a thief, a pervert, an animal. If I ever betray again, may I be executed horribly.' And you will crawl around Shenyan Hall—three full laps."
Every face blanched.
The Shenyan Hall grounds spanned as broadly as a small city. Crawling three laps would be brutal beyond belief.
Everyone present could see clearly—this wasn't a playful bet. It was punishment. A savage, merciless punishment.
Because Ma Hongjun had dared to speak to Xiao Wu like that.
Behind Subei's endless smile, anger surged, subtle but deadly.
He clapped his hands lightly.
The floor beneath them trembled violently. Stone groaned and parted with thunderous force.
And from beneath the great hall, a grand battle platform rose magnificently from the ground, shaking the domes overhead as the flames of anticipation lit in everyone's eyes.
The duel was about to begin.
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