Meanwhile, the three who had "fled to pee" were secretly meeting in the woods outside Shrek Academy.
"Oscar, you're hiding something from me," Dai Mubai accused. Then, pointing at Ma Hongjun, he added, "And you too, Fatty."
"No, absolutely not," Oscar shook his head.
Ma Hongjun, his body trembling with fat, stammered, "N-no, how could I be hiding something from you?"
"Fatty, Oscar, stop trying to hide it. I can tell there's something fishy between you two and Xiao Wu. Tell me the truth, or I'll go warn Tang San," Dai Mubai said sharply, like a real-life Detective Conan.
"No no no, Boss Dai, I was wrong! It's not like that with Xiao Wu—it's just that..." Oscar hesitated, "I have a Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Xiao Wu!"
"You too?" Ma Hongjun blurted out, about to confess himself, only for Oscar to beat him to it.
Oscar looked at Ma Hongjun. "Don't tell me... you do too?"
"I do too!"
"You all have one?" Dai Mubai exclaimed.
"Well then, Boss Dai… don't tell me you have one too?"
"I—no—I don't…" Dai Mubai tried to change the subject.
"Hmph, Boss Dai, should I go remind Third Brother to keep an eye on you, our dear 'next-door Dai'?" Ma Hongjun said mockingly.
"No, don't! Fine! When I awakened my martial soul outside, I did feel a resonance with Xiao Wu," Dai Mubai admitted helplessly.
The three looked at each other and collectively let out a sigh of relief.
Thankfully, they weren't alone in this situation. That was good—very good.
Right now, the three of them were like grasshoppers tied to the same rope. There was no risk of one exposing the others—because if even one of them was exposed, none of them would escape. They would all end up on Tang San's hit list, the "Path of Death."
"Boss Dai, what should we do now?" Ma Hongjun asked.
Dai Mubai said bitterly, "What else can we do? The best thing is to keep this matter hidden—forever. We must never let Tang San find out. Never—"
"Exactly. Tang San must never find out that we have a Martial Soul Fusion Technique with Xiao Wu," Oscar said firmly. "Even if we Seven Monsters face desperate situations in future spirit battles, we must never use this deadly technique."
To go left meant being Tang San's little brother and eventually ascending to godhood in his glory; to go right meant becoming Tang San's romantic rival and earning the "Path of Death."
Was this choice difficult for the three Shrek guys? Of course not. But the three of them seemed to have overlooked one thing—how did Xiao Wu feel about all this?
Thanks to Dai Mubai's generous investment, Shrek's facilities had seen marked improvement. At the very least, each student now had their own private room, no more sharing cramped quarters.
Tang San walked Xiao Wu to the girls' dormitory and said affectionately, "Xiao Wu, goodnight. I hope you have a sweet dream."
"Mhm, Ah San giegie, you should go get some rest too," Xiao Wu replied.
After she went inside, Tang San watched her go in before turning and heading toward his own dorm.
Coincidentally, Dai Mubai was returning at that moment. Tang San greeted him, "Boss Dai."
Dai Mubai shuddered and turned his head. "Oh, Tang San."
They exchanged a few pleasantries before heading into their own rooms.
The layout of the Shrek dorms was such that Tang San had the prime spot: his room was between Dai Mubai's room on the left and Oscar's room on the right. Behind his room was Ma Hongjun's, putting Tang San right at the "C position"—a fitting central spot for the protagonist.
That night, Tang San lay in bed, tossing and turning. Because of "Gangzi," he had missed the chance to form a soul bond with Xiao Wu at Notting Academy. Now, although his relationship with her was good, it was purely a brother-sister bond.
But Tang San was far from content. He didn't call Xiao Wu his sister because he wanted a sister. His goal was to turn her into his wife—his sword sheath—ahem, I mean, his sword holder.
This lukewarm relationship frustrated Tang San greatly. If only Xiao Wu could be reborn, he thought wistfully.
Wait a second—when it came to romance, Dai Mubai had more experience. Maybe he could give him some advice?
Tang San had no idea what was happening in the room right next door—something that would make his eyes turn blood-red and have him breathing like a raging bull.
Dai Mubai was having a dream.
In his dream, he was galloping joyfully while holding Xiao Wu's scorpion braid—when suddenly, the door to the room was smashed open. Tang San stood on the shattered doorway, holding his Clear Sky Hammer, eyes glowing red with fury, roaring:
"DAI MUBAI! I helped you beat your brother and ascend to godhood—and this is how you repay me? Damn it! You've just activated the Path of Death! Die!"
"Tang San, no! Let me explain! Please, Tang San—"
But the Clear Sky Hammer came crashing toward him. Just as it was about to hit, Dai Mubai jolted awake. He sat up in bed, drenched in sweat.
"Phew... it was just a nightmare," he sighed in relief.
But what he didn't notice... was a pair of fair, delicate hands—one slowly wrapping around his shoulder, the other slipping under his armpit—and then suddenly hugging him tightly from behind.
Dai Mubai instantly felt a soft sensation and a fragrant feminine scent pressing against him. Then came a voice so sweet and coy it could make one's ears pregnant:
"Mubai giegie, it sounds like you had a nightmare."
Hearing that voice, Dai Mubai froze like a statue. Instinctively, he broke free from Xiao Wu's embrace and stared at the delicate bunny girl who had mysteriously appeared on his bed: "Y-You—how are you in my room!?"
This was Xiao Wu! Tang San's forbidden treasure! If Tang San ever found out she was on his bed, one "Path of Death" wouldn't be enough—he'd need at least ten of them!
Xiao Wu sat on Dai Mubai's bed, legs crossed pitifully, tears glistening in her eyes like little pearls. "Mubai giegie, did Xiao Wu do something wrong?"
"N-No," Dai Mubai took a deep breath and forced himself to stay calm. "Xiao Wu, you're a girl, I'm a guy—this is my room. We can't just... act so casually."
He swore, this was his most righteous moment ever. It wasn't that Xiao Wu wasn't attractive—it was that Tang San's Path of Death was far too terrifying.
"But… Xiao Wu has a Martial Soul Fusion Technique with you," she said pitifully. "Today, I wanted to try training it with you. Is that not allowed?"
"Forget the fusion technique, Xiao Wu," Dai Mubai gritted his teeth. "You're Tang San's sister. I won't train with you. Now go. Quickly, go."
Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled with sudden mischief. She became even more pitiful, her pearl-like tears dripping faster. "Mubai giegie, are you really not going to train with me?"
"N-No need," Dai Mubai replied.
"Fine," Xiao Wu sniffled, "then I'll go tell Ah San giegie—and I'll say that you forced me to do Martial Soul Fusion with you."
Dai Mubai broke out in cold sweat again. "No! Don't tell Tang San, please! Xiao Wu mei mei, I'll train with you, okay!?"
Xiao Wu immediately stopped crying and smiled sweetly. "That's more like it. Come, sit on the bed."
With no other choice, Dai Mubai sat down. The two of them embraced, channeling their soul power. The White Tiger's soul power and the Soft Bone Rabbit's soul power fused together, forming a new energy: the Power of Dai-Wu. This merged soul power coursed through their bodies, opening up new pathways. By morning, both had made noticeable progress—Dai Mubai even broke through to level 35 in one go.
More shockingly, their Martial Soul Fusion Technique had a 100% compatibility rate, far surpassing his past technique with Zhu Zhuqing, which had never gone beyond 99%.
A 100% Martial Soul Fusion—what kind of concept was that? Even that loser Gangzi and his partners only reached 99%. That 1% gap may look small, but it was a qualitative leap.
Of course, beyond unlocking a powerful technique and accelerated cultivation, something else was subtly changing within Dai Mubai.
He was starting to find Xiao Wu... irresistibly attractive.
In the early hours before sunrise, Xiao Wu quietly slipped out of Dai Mubai's dorm. As she left, she licked her lips and murmured:
"I never expected that, even as a soul beast in human form, I could experience martial soul fusion—and that this fusion technique would actually be led by me."
Upon arriving at Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu unexpectedly sensed martial soul resonance with Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun. This took her by surprise. How could a soul beast in human form resonate with humans?
There was no precedent in history for this. After all, soul beasts that lived for 100,000 years were rare to begin with, and those that took human form were even rarer. No historical case like this had ever been recorded.
But for Xiao Wu, instead of probing why this was possible, it was better to make use of it.
She had come to the human world bearing hatred, determined to find the man named Tang Hao and avenge her mother's death. For that, she needed allies.
Tang San had talent and was obedient, but his Blue Silver Grass martial soul was fragile. More importantly, his father was also named Tang Hao. Xiao Wu couldn't be sure whether this Tang Hao was the same one she sought revenge against. Until she knew the truth, there would always be a barrier between her and Tang San.
On the other hand, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar were real assets to her. Martial soul fusion bonds couldn't be easily betrayed by the subordinate party. And all three were highly gifted human soul masters.
At this moment, in Xiao Wu's heart, the value of Dai Mubai and the others far surpassed Tang San. At best, Tang San was a loyal dog, while Dai Mubai and the others could become her faithful knights. Naturally, one could not treat people the same way one treated dogs.
With that in mind, Xiao Wu returned to her dorm before Tang San awoke.
A while later, Tang San woke up as usual, climbed to the roof, and sat down cross-legged to absorb the eastern purple energy for cultivation.
After a period of training, the sun rose. Calculating the time, he went outside the village and bought carrot buns and soy milk, then quietly waited for Xiao Wu in front of her dorm.
Not long after, Xiao Wu came out, yawning, and looked at Tang San.
Tang San hurried over and said:
"Xiao Wu, I bought your favorite—carrot buns and soy milk."
Xiao Wu accepted the breakfast and said sweetly:
"Thank you, Ah San giegie~"
"It's nothing. For you, anything is worth it," Tang San replied.
The next day, when training began, Dai Mubai kept casting glances toward Xiao Wu, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. He would occasionally glance at her body, but tried to avoid being noticed by Tang San.
After their dual cultivation the previous night, Dai Mubai felt that Xiao Wu was more alluring than any woman he had ever been with—including Zhu Zhuqing. Most critically…
She was the wife of a god-king, Tang San's personal sword sheath, his sacred forbidden fruit—a woman he had never even dared to fantasize about. That identity alone made her even more intoxicating in Dai Mubai's eyes.
But when Tang San's inquisitive gaze turned his way, Dai Mubai involuntarily shuddered.
He nearly forgot—Tang San was the future Sea God and Asura God. He still needed to cling to Tang San to ascend to godhood. How could he possibly lust after Tang San's woman?
Our Young Master Dai was having improper thoughts… but at this point, it was just thoughts without the guts to act.
"Dai Mubai is acting weird today," Tang San thought suspiciously.
Something happened at Shrek Academy that day. Dean Flender appeared, and Ning Rongrong showed her bratty, witchy side. She got a serious scolding from Flender—this part need not be elaborated on.
That night, Tang San once again sweetly escorted Xiao Wu back to her dorm, then returned to his own room and lay down.
Staring at the ceiling, he began reviewing what would happen next based on his memories from his previous life.
Back then, when Oscar reached level 30, Zhao Wuji had taken them to the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt for a spirit ring. Along the way, they encountered Canghui Academy and the Dragon and Snake couple—but that could be skipped for now.
What mattered was what came after.
The Titan Giant Ape had suddenly appeared and taken Xiao Wu away. Back then, Tang San had chased after her, risking his life. But on the way, he had been blocked by the Man-Faced Demon Spider, killed it, absorbed its spirit ring, and ultimately obtained the rare Eight Spider Lances.
Now, knowing Xiao Wu's relationship with the Titan Giant Ape, should he still pretend to panic when she was taken?
Of course—he had to.
First, it would show his deep affection for Xiao Wu and further win her over. Second, it was essential for acquiring the Eight Spider Lances.
From a martial soul compatibility perspective, the Man-Faced Demon Spider didn't suit his Blue Silver Emperor. But the external spirit bone it provided was incredibly valuable.
It was a bone with massive potential, which eventually evolved into the Sea God's Eight Wings.
In his past life, Tang San used the Eight Spider Lances' poison to take down many human geniuses and absorb their life force and potential. When the Spirit Hall's Golden Generation was poisoned, Bibi Dong forced him to cure them—and he happily obliged while also secretly draining some of their essence.
"Devouring life energy… isn't that a life attribute too?"
To Tang San, sacrificing a spirit skill slot for such a powerful external bone was worth it. Besides, once he resurrected Xiao Wu in the future, he could always swap out soul skills again.
Tang San smiled at the thought, completely unaware that right next door, something was happening that would soon have him seeing red and breathing like a raging bull.
Despite being reincarnated, Ma Hongjun had still gone astray. But he hadn't forgotten Bai Chenxiang. Whenever he had spare time from cultivation, he trained hard.
However, like Ma Xiaotao from Douluo II, the more he cultivated, the stronger his evil fire grew. And the stronger the evil fire, the more he needed to extinguish it.
So—
Ma Hongjun's evil fire surged once again. His face flushed, and he was on the verge of a breakdown trying to suppress it.
At that moment, a hand reached around from behind his shoulder. Another hand slid under his armpit. A soft, coquettish voice whispered from behind:
"Hongjun giegie, you seem to be having some trouble. Want Xiao Wu to help you with it~?"
Feeling her softness behind him, hearing her voice that could make a man's ears pregnant, and inhaling the fragrance from her body—Ma Hongjun's evil fire burst out of control like a collapsing dam.
"Xiao Wu, you're playing with fire," he said, using the last of his rationality to tear himself away from her embrace.