Chapter 73: Hu Liena and the Little Cat Girl Zhu Zhuqing Praised Each Other, While Tang San Waited for Sister Dong'er to Come and Meet Him
"Don't touch me! You're courting death!" Hu Liena swatted Tang San's hand away, glaring fiercely, her fox-like eyes blazing with annoyance. As Bibi Dong's sole direct disciple for years, she was stunned to learn of another apprentice—especially one with a Blue Silver Grass spirit and support-type abilities. Why would Bibi Dong choose such a seemingly unremarkable disciple?
Tang San, unfazed, smiled faintly and headed toward the playground, thinking, "She's upset now, but she'll come around." Hu Liena called after him, "Hey, Tang San!" and hurried to catch up, intrigued by Shrek Academy's oddities and determined to uncover its secrets before taking him to Spirit City.
"Since you don't know the teacher's identity, I won't tell you," Hu Liena said, glaring. "Don't mention her name to anyone here. You'll find out later."
Her mature scent and striking figure—short yellow hair, delicate face, and curvaceous body—caught Tang San's eye. He nodded, grinning. "Don't worry, Little Fox Sister, I won't mention Sister Dong'er's name…"
Hu Liena turned away, and Tang San stole another glance, comparing her elegance to a girl from his past life. If not for her status as Bibi Dong's disciple, she might've already kicked him for his sneaky looks. Her combat prowess could crush Dai Mubai, and with Tang San's support, she'd be unstoppable. He planned to use her to humble Dai Mubai if he grew hostile, letting her beat him into questioning his existence while Tang San stayed above the fray.
On the playground, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and others had gathered. Oscar, now shaved, winked at Ning Rongrong, who ignored him. Tang San noted Oscar's appeal but believed Ning Rongrong preferred him. He imagined secret rendezvous with her, leaving Oscar cluelessly pursuing a taken goddess—much like Zhu Zhuqing's covert kiss last night.
Zhu Zhuqing, still sleepy from their midnight date, spotted Tang San with Hu Liena and tensed, her cat-like eyes narrowing. "Another girl with Tang San?" She relaxed slightly seeing their distance but remained wary.
Hu Liena, sensing Zhu Zhuqing's gaze, glanced back, inwardly exclaiming, "This girl's figure… like a cat's, even fuller than mine!" Despite her confidence, Zhu Zhuqing's presence humbled her.
Dai Mubai arrived, trailed by the odorous Niu Dagang. Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing recoiled, covering their noses. Niu Dagang, oblivious, fixated on Oscar. "Xiao Ao, I want big sausages!" he declared, ignoring the girls.
Oscar's face twisted in horror, recalling last night's ordeal. Niu Dagang hugged him, and Oscar, unable to resist, handed over a sausage. Niu Dagang stepped aside, munching contentedly.
Hu Liena, standing with Tang San, surveyed the students with disdain. "The girls here are impressive, but the boys… not worth a glance. Tang San, come with me."
"Where?" Tang San asked, feigning confusion.
"You'll see," Hu Liena replied cryptically.
Tang San whispered, "I'm not leaving. If you want me to go, Sister Dong'er needs to come herself."
"What? A Blue Silver Grass support spirit master demanding the teacher fetch him?" Hu Liena's face flushed with anger, raising her hand to scold him.
A voice interrupted. "Everyone's here." Flender, the middle-aged dean with glasses, appeared. Hu Liena lowered her hand, wary of his strength, and stood cautiously.
Flender glanced at Tang San and Hu Liena. "Tang San, I heard about you from Zhao Wuji. You're impressive." His eyes shifted to Hu Liena. "This girl wasn't with yesterday's students, was she?"
"No," Tang San said calmly. "I met her today. Her name's Little Fox, sent by my teacher to protect me."
"Your teacher…" Flender frowned, recalling Zhao Wuji's words about Tang San's mysterious mentor. "Where's your teacher from? A known figure in the spirit master world?"
"From the Heaven Dou Empire," Hu Liena replied politely, withholding Bibi Dong's name. "I can't say more."
Ma Hongjun, beside Flender, eyed Hu Liena, vaguely recalling her from his hallucination but unsure if she caused it.
Flender pondered, then addressed Tang San. "Zhao Wuji said you're hesitant to join Shrek because of your teacher. Don't worry—I've connections in the Heaven Dou Empire. Since you passed the exam, join us. I'll explain to your teacher."
Tang San shook his head. "That's not convenient. I'll wait for my teacher. But I can pay 100 gold soul coins, like Xiao Wu, to audit classes until she arrives."
Hu Liena was stunned. "He's making Bibi Dong come here? He's delusional!" But Tang San was resolute.
Flender, intrigued by Tang San's hidden power—evidenced by Zhao Wuji's wound—agreed. "Fine. We're short on funds, so your tuition helps. But we can't renovate your dorm yet."
"It's fine," Tang San smiled. Hu Liena whispered, "This place is too poor. Why stay?"
Tang San ignored her, knowing Flender's presence kept her in check. Flender scanned the students, frowning at their distance from Niu Dagang. "Why are you ostracizing a classmate on the first day?"
Dai Mubai muttered, "Dean, Niu Dagang stinks. He hasn't showered in half a year. Who'd stand near him?"
Flender froze, stepping closer to Niu Dagang and smelling the stench. Ma Hongjun covered his nose. "He's worse than me, and I hit brothels daily!"
Niu Dagang, unfazed, touched his crew cut. "My teacher, Yu Xiaogang, says this is our power. Not bathing for years maximizes my spirit skill, Niu Dagang's Fart."
"Niu Dagang's Fart?" Ma Hongjun gaped, but Flender laughed nostalgically. "As expected of Yu Xiaogang's disciple. That scent… I haven't smelled it in over a decade. I miss my old friend. You're just like him, Dagang."
Flender closed his eyes, savoring the memory, shocking everyone. Xiao Wu whispered to Ning Rongrong, "What's with the dean? He likes the stench?"
"I don't know," Ning Rongrong replied, baffled.
Tang San understood—Flender, Yu Xiaogang's old friend, was immune to the odor, even nostalgic for it. Flender opened his eyes, praising Niu Dagang. "Well done, Dagang. Learn from your master—he's remarkable."
Turning to Ma Hongjun, Flender smiled. "Oscar complained about rooming with Dagang. So, you'll share a dorm with him, Hongjun."
"What?" Ma Hongjun paled, shaking his head. "No, Dean, he stinks!"
"You'll get used to it," Flender said sternly. "Dagang's Xiaogang's apprentice, and you're mine. I endured Xiaogang's odor, so you'll do the same with Dagang."
…
As the assembly continued, Zhu Zhuqing approached Hu Liena, her cat-like eyes assessing. "You're… Little Fox? Tang San's senior sister?" she asked, voice cool but curious.
Hu Liena nodded, smiling. "And you're… quite striking. A cat spirit, right? Your presence is impressive."
Zhu Zhuqing blinked, surprised by the compliment. "You're not bad yourself. Your aura's unique… almost enchanting." The two shared a moment of mutual admiration, their rivalry softened.
Xiao Wu, overhearing, nudged Ning Rongrong. "They're praising each other? And who's this Dong'er Third Brother mentioned?"
Ning Rongrong frowned. "No clue, but it's someone big if Little Fox got so mad. We need to find out."
Tang Hao, hidden nearby, gripped his hammer. "Xiao San's teacher… Dong'er? And Spirit Hall's here. He's hiding too much."
Tang San, watching the girls' interactions, smirked. Hu Liena's skills, Zhu Zhuqing's affection, and Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong's curiosity were aligning perfectly. With Bibi Dong's arrival imminent, he was ready to orchestrate Yu Xiaogang's downfall and escalate the Shura Field.
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(End of this chapter)