"Come out. Once I release my martial spirit, you won't even have a chance."
"So arrogant?"
The so-called stage here wasn't originally meant for fighting. It was designed for singing and dancing, a place for performances. But considering that a venue could serve multiple purposes, Liangsi City simply added a combat function to it.
Beneath the stage, Flender leaned closer to Liu Erlong and asked in a low voice, "Do you think that boy's martial spirit has already reached the Soul Elder realm?"
Liu Erlong shook her head. "Boss Fu, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. But what I do know is this—someone like Xiaobei: the Soul Elder realm is only the beginning for him. There's no way it's any lower."
She paused, her gaze moving to Xiao Wu, then continued firmly, "When he was seven or eight years old, I could already sense fluctuations of soul power at level fifteen on him."
Back then, she had been stunned. And now? In the past three or four years alone, even Xiao Wu had reached level 31—a Soul Elder. Could she really believe that Northern Jiangsu, whose foundation was far stronger than Xiao Wu's, would only linger at the entry-level of Soul Elder? Impossible.
They weren't just talented. They were geniuses. True, once-in-a-generation geniuses.
In truth, Xiao Wu's cultivation speed should not have been so rapid. But with Northern Jiangsu's presence and… that mysterious "plug-in," the gentle Soft Bone Rabbit had already been pushed into becoming the Soft Bone God Rabbit.
Hearing this, Flender let out a breath of relief and smiled faintly. "Good. That's good. I was worried Little Fatty might wreck the stage hall…"
But the smile froze on his face almost instantly.
As Ma Hongjun released his martial spirit, his entire body was engulfed in flames. Two yellow soul rings shimmered beneath him, burning brightly. Behind him, his martial spirit appeared—a strange hybrid between a chicken and a phoenix.
Eleven years old. Level 24. A Great Soul Master with a mutated martial spirit—Evil Fire Phoenix. That alone was astonishing—truly a little monster.
But that wasn't what left them wide-eyed in shock.
No—the real blow was Zhu Zhuqing.
Her figure moved like a streak of lightning, slipping into the air as she evaded Ma Hongjun's attack with perfect calm. At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing released her own martial spirit, her icy demeanor unshaken. Under Northern Jiangsu's subtle influence, she had mastered herself.
Zhang Yi let out a quiet sigh. "Shrek's strength is impressive, no doubt. But these people carry themselves with so much arrogance. They don't rein themselves in. Look at this—His Highness gives them such a golden opportunity to build ties, yet they show no respect. Instead, they lust after His Highness's sister and students. This kind of behavior… it could easily cost them their lives one day."
Knowing this, Zhang Yi dared not speak a word on Shrek Academy's behalf. He simply stayed silent, choosing instead to quietly observe. After all, the soul beasts summoned by His Highness were astonishing in their own right… and look—such beautiful arcs they drew in motion.
His eyes turned toward Flender, watching him stumble about, getting tossed and kicked around like a ball at the feet of the "kisses and kisses" duo.
"Kiss, kiss," they chorused playfully, "you take one, I take one, we're all good friends—"
"How dare you!"
Dai Mubai's veins bulged with fury, his expression twisting as he shouted. Zhu Zhuqing flinched at his outburst but quickly fell silent, her heart trembling. For a moment, she was left utterly speechless.
After all this time—after chasing her this far—this was what it came to?
Him, the so-called prince of the Heaven Dou Empire… abandoned? Cast aside?
Divorced?!
Xiao Wu folded her arms and sneered. "Shameless. She doesn't want you, yet you force her? What are you, bandits? Seriously—what's wrong with Shrek Academy? First you wanted me to gamble myself away as some prize, then you tried to push Xiaobei's student toward Fatty as a girlfriend. What kind of rotten school are you running?"
Her voice rose, sharp and scornful. "Monster Academy? Hah! More like a pack of wolves—Coyote Academy sounds more fitting."
She then turned to Zhu Zhuqing with a rare gentleness. "Fortunately, I have a brother. Don't be upset, Xiaoqing. I'll protect you. People like him aren't worth your tears. From now on, you'll live in the Shenyan Hall. If anyone dares to bully you again, just report Xiao Wu's name. I'll knock their teeth out."
"Mm!" Zhu Zhuqing's lips trembled, touched by her words.
Xiao Wu then turned, her pretty face stiff with righteous anger. Locking eyes with Su Bei, she let out a cold hum at Shrek Academy's group before demanding, "Brother, drive them away. They're an eyesore. If they stay, they'll only ruin our good mood."
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