Since the preliminaries, Dai Mubai and Oscar had joined the Spirit Hall team.
However, due to mutations in their martial souls, they could only serve as substitutes, especially Oscar, who had gone from a rare food-type Soul Master to a poison-type Soul Master.
Although their third and fourth soul skills had strong amplification effects, they also carried significant side effects and could only be used under specific circumstances.
"They said we'd be main members, but we're just substitutes! That old bastard is clearly messing with us!"
Dai Mubai said angrily in the dormitory.
From the moment Yu Xiaogang entered Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai had disliked this old man. Despite only having level 29 soul power, he acted arrogantly, which was infuriating.
Unfortunately, Dean Flender valued Yu Xiaogang highly, so even though Dai Mubai was dissatisfied, he could only endure it.
In the following months, he was tricked by Yu Xiaogang several more times, especially when Yu Xiaogang tried to seize leadership of the Royal Fighting Team, which resulted in his fiancée being abducted.
Because Lin Mu's strength was overwhelmingly terrifying, Dai Mubai could only vent all his resentment on Yu Xiaogang.
"Boss Dai, let's go back. I feel like we're being watched here," Oscar advised from the side.
Ever since absorbing the Human-Faced Demon Spider soul ring that Yu Xiaogang had chosen for him, Oscar had been suffering from diarrhea more than twice a day. Even after seeking treatment from a healing-type Soul Master, it was to no avail.
He could vaguely sense that this was a side effect of that herb.
If he had known about this side effect earlier, he would have withdrawn from this year's Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament rather than take that herb.
"You can leave if you want, but I'm not leaving," Dai Mubai said firmly.
Now that his White Tiger Martial Soul had become a Black Tiger Martial Soul, he had directly lost his eligibility for the throne, but that did not mean he was safe.
Although he had lost the fusion ability of the Netherworld White Tiger, his martial soul had become stronger. Given Dai Weisi's ruthless methods, even if he didn't kill him, he would cripple his cultivation.
Since he couldn't return to the Star Luo Empire, he might as well join Spirit Hall and gain a powerful backer.
Moreover, he was confident that he could become a full member before the finals, giving him the opportunity to confront Dai Weisi head-on.
Seeing that Dai Mubai was unwilling to leave, Oscar sighed and said in a deep voice, "Boss Dai, haven't you noticed something wrong with the herbs Yu Xiaogang gave us?"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai's expression darkened immediately.
He had indeed felt changes in his body, seeing blood now triggered an uncontrollable thirst.
At first, this feeling wasn't strong, but it had grown increasingly intense recently. He feared that he wouldn't be able to suppress it in another two months.
Thinking of this, Dai Mubai also felt it wasn't safe to remain in Spirit Hall and immediately said, "Little Oscar, let's go back after the finals."
"Alright then," Oscar said helplessly.
Just then, Yan strode into the dormitory, carefully scrutinizing the two of them. He discovered that their looks even surpassed his own, making them potential threats.
He absolutely wouldn't allow anyone to steal Nana from him.
Immediately, Yan said calmly,
"You two are the substitutes the Grandmaster brought back? You look similar to Xiao Ma."
"Xiao Ma?"
Hearing this name, Dai Mubai and Oscar were stunned for a moment before quickly realizing that it referred to Ma Hongjun.
Come to think of it, since arriving in Wuhun City, Ma Hongjun seemed to be deliberately avoiding them, completely severing their past friendship.
"For Xiao Ma's sake, I'll warn you, don't get close to Nana, or you'll become my enemy."
Faced with Yan's threat, Dai Mubai frowned as his anger surged uncontrollably.
Seeing this, Oscar quickly stepped in front of him and said, "We understand."
Seeing that the two were somewhat sensible, Yan's expression softened.
Suddenly, Yan thought of something and looked at them again.
"By the way, do you know why Xiao Ma always goes to the toilet alone?"
Hearing this, Dai Mubai and Oscar were stunned.
After a moment, they exchanged glances and burst into laughter, especially Dai Mubai, who laughed so hard he nearly lost his breath.
Seeing their reaction, Yan became even more curious. "Why is that?"
"Because the way he goes to the toilet is different from normal men. Of course he can't let you see him," Dai Mubai blurted out.
With old and new grudges combined, Dai Mubai had no intention of keeping Ma Hongjun's secret. He wanted to ruin both Yu Xiaogang's and Ma Hongjun's reputations.
Oscar tried to stop him, but Dai Mubai spoke too fast.
"What do you mean?" Yan asked, increasingly confused.
Seeing that Yan still didn't understand, Dai Mubai briefly explained everything.
After hearing such a convoluted story, Yan felt a chill run down his spine.
Just then, Ma Hongjun walked in. All three pairs of eyes immediately turned toward him, especially Yan's deeply sympathetic gaze.
Yan panicked.
After a moment, Yan took a deep breath, walked up to Ma Hongjun, and whispered,
"Little Ma, your lower—"
Before he could finish, Ma Hongjun realized that his biggest secret had been exposed. Endless fury surged within him.
He was already living in misery, and now these two bastards wanted to humiliate him further.
He raised his head abruptly, sweeping an unfriendly gaze over Dai Mubai and Oscar.
Sensing Ma Hongjun's fury, Oscar immediately pointed at Dai Mubai. As the saying goes, better for a friend to die than yourself, he didn't want to be dragged down with him.
However, Dai Mubai remained unconvinced and said righteously, "This is all your teacher's fault. You should be holding him accountable."
"Bullshit! My teacher treats me like his own son! You can't destroy our relationship!"
Ma Hongjun roared without hesitation.
Every time he encountered unimaginable problems, his teacher never abandoned him and always went to great lengths to help him.
Although most of those problems originated from his teacher, their deep master–disciple bond couldn't be broken by such hardships.
"Heh, you still don't know, do you?" Dai Mubai sneered mockingly. "Back then, Ning Fengzhi and the Sword Douluo went looking for Yu Xiaogang to settle accounts. When they couldn't find him, they used you as a scapegoat."
Ma Hongjun's pupils shrank, disbelief filling his eyes.
But Dai Mubai wasn't done and decisively recounted the entire story.
"No! That's impossible!"
After learning the truth, Ma Hongjun's eyes turned bloodshot. His breathing grew erratic as madness overtook him.
The only pillar supporting him, his teacher, was actually the true culprit. His worldview collapsed in an instant.
A murderous intent flashed through Ma Hongjun's eyes as he rushed outside.
Since that old dog Yu had harmed him so deeply, he would tear that old dog to pieces!