From the moment Oscar appeared, Dai Mubai had been observing him. From enrollment until now, right before their soul duel, Dai Mubai had experienced nothing but surprise and intrigue from Shrek Academy.
Originally, based on what he'd heard, Shrek was known as the academy that "only accepts monsters," but it didn't enjoy a strong reputation in the outside world. He had come here merely to hide his identity and escape the pursuit of his elder brother, the crown prince.
Yet the moment he stepped into this academy, he realized it was anything but ordinary. The old man collecting registration fees at the gate looked like a simple farmer but he turned out to be a genuine Soul Emperor level powerhouse!
And the vice dean acting as referee was also a Soul Sage!
But what truly astonished him the most was the red haired, handsome boy in front of him. He looked to be around the same age as Dai Mubai, but his confident and composed demeanor was far beyond what Dai had anticipated.
Since Ma Hongjun brought him in, they'd chatted quite a bit. Not only did he learn that Ma Hongjun was only nine years old and already a Level 25 Soul Master, he also heard him mention a "big brother "a true monster who was both handsome and skilled with the sword.
That immediately piqued Dai Mubai's curiosity. What kind of person could make a genius like Ma Hongjun call him "big brother"?
Now, having seen Oscar, even without knowing his true soul power or martial spirit, just the aura he radiated explained everything.
But then why did a school like Shrek Academy have such a terrible reputation outside?
Before he could dwell on it, Zhao Wuji coughed and called out, "Assessment continues! Both sides, release your martial spirits!"
Oscar didn't interrupt. He simply sat beside Zhao Wuji, poured two cups of peach nectar from the kettle on the table, and handed one over.
"Ma Hongjun. Martial Spirit: Evil Fire Phoenix, Level 25 Assault System Battle Soul Master."
As he declared this, two yellow soul rings rose slowly from his body. Torrents of flames erupted around him, raising the ambient temperature.
A piercing phoenix cry echoed in the air as Ma Hongjun's presence surged he now seemed like a crowned fire phoenix incarnate, exuding overwhelming dominance.
He was no longer the chubby kid from three years ago. After over three years of training under Oscar, his strength had evolved drastically.
Truth be told, at the same level, if Oscar hadn't obtained the Sky Azure Spirit Jade Sword (an external soul bone), he wouldn't dare say he could defeat Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun's martial spirit was a genuine top tier Phoenix, possibly even superior to Dai Mubai's White Tiger.
Crucially, Ma Hongjun had now fully suppressed and mastered the side effects of the Evil Fire. It was now purely an asset.
Seeing Ma Hongjun's aura, Dai Mubai instinctively swallowed hard. He knew he had underestimated this academy but even then, he was still caught off guard by how strong Ma Hongjun was.
Yet, rather than demoralizing him, this only awakened his fighting spirit. If this was the kind of powerhouse Shrek Academy attracted, then joining it suddenly felt meaningful.
After all, Dai Mubai hadn't given up on his ambitions. Though he had fled from the palace after losing in the struggle for succession, a part of him still held hope. At twelve, he wasn't yet the dissolute playboy seen in the original story.
"Dai Mubai. Martial Spirit: White Tiger, Level 25 Assault System Battle Soul Master. Please advise!"
Two yellow rings rose from his body. White fur sprouted across his skin, and a black 王 (king) symbol appeared on his forehead. Combined with his signature evil eyes, his aura shifted dramatically.
Though still slightly inferior to Ma Hongjun's, it was enough to hold his ground.
"Not bad. You can stand under my pressure without flinching. You qualify as my opponent," Ma Hongjun chuckled. "Now let me see what you're made of."
Without using a soul skill, Ma Hongjun's soul power surged. Violent flames burst forth as he accelerated, forming flaming claws that he launched at Dai Mubai his self created soul technique.
Two crimson claw marks shot through the air, infused with compressed flame energy an explosive move regular Soul Masters couldn't imitate.
"A self created soul technique?" Dai Mubai murmured.
He didn't hesitate. His second yellow soul ring lit up.
"Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Light Wave!"
A golden beam burst from his mouth, clashing with and dissipating Ma Hongjun's fiery claws.
Ma Hongjun wasn't surprised. He hadn't even used a soul skill while Dai Mubai had already invoked his second.
With their duel properly begun, Ma Hongjun closed the distance in a flash thanks to the burst speed from his flames.
Dai Mubai activated his first soul skill:
"First Soul Skill: White Tiger Protective Barrier!"
This raised his strength, attack, and defense by 50%.
As a born Level 9 innate soul power genius, backed by the Star Luo royal family, Dai Mubai had access to the best soul rings.
Still, he was up against Ma Hongjun whose physical body, after three years of training, had reached the level of a Level 35 Soul Elder.
Even with a 50% buff, Dai Mubai's base was only Level 25. Half of 25 is just 12.5, which barely matched Ma Hongjun's overwhelming physical prowess.
Their next exchange proved it.
Ma Hongjun's Flame Claws clashed with Dai Mubai's punch. A crisp crack echoed.
Dai Mubai flew backwards his arm fractured on impact.
No, Ma Hongjun hadn't held back this was a trial, not a spar.
He was testing whether his future teammates were qualified.
"ARGH!" Dai Mubai screamed in pain as he crashed to the ground.
But as Ma Hongjun expected him to yield, Dai Mubai slowly stood up, gripping his limp arm.
"I haven't conceded yet!"
This stubbornness surprised both Oscar and Zhao Wuji. The boy clearly fit their type.
A fractured arm and still refusing to quit?
Oscar inwardly noted how different this version of Dai Mubai was from the playboy shown early in the original story. Perhaps he still had a man's pride.
And later in the source story, Dai Mubai had indeed matured he even developed his own soul technique and held his own against his elder brother, a near Soul King.
"Teacher Zhao, this one's not bad. Seems like we've found another promising seedling," Oscar said.
Zhao Wuji laughed. "Not as freakish as you or Hongjun, but still he's a little monster in his own right."
While they spoke, Dai Mubai had already lunged again.
"Second Soul Skill: White Tiger Light Wave!"
This time it was fully charged stronger than the last. He'd poured more soul power into it.
Ma Hongjun's eyes sharpened.
"You're good. So I'll give you a more respectable defeat."
His two yellow soul rings lit up simultaneously.
"Second Soul Skill: Phoenix in Fire bath! (+50% Flame Power Boost)"
"First Soul Skill: Phoenix Fire Line! (Flame breath)"
With his flames powered up by 50%, Ma Hongjun unleashed a terrifying blast. The two soul skills collided midair, causing shockwaves.
But the difference in soul power foundations was stark.
Dai Mubai held on for one second. Then his White Tiger Light Wave was overpowered. The Phoenix Fire Line surged forward.
Right before it engulfed him, Ma Hongjun cut it off.
Dai Mubai, exhausted and out of soul power, collapsed on his knees.
Fortunately, Ma Hongjun reacted quickly and caught him.
Sensing Dai Mubai's poor condition, he turned and shouted:
"Brother Ao! Sausage!"
Oscar promptly pulled two Super Recovery Sausages from his soul tool and tossed them over.
He always kept his storage full. Rather than wait until he needed them, he made sausages every few days until his soul power was drained, stockpiling them.
A simple yet pragmatic optimization one Oscar had always questioned when reading the original novel.
After eating one himself, Ma Hongjun shoved the other into Dai Mubai's mouth:
"This is Brother Ao's first soul skill. It continuously restores soul power, stamina, injuries, and mental energy."
Follow me on my patreon for 30 Advanced chapters and 3 chapter daily updates pat*eon.com/GodofTranslation889