"Brother Tian, do you really plan to go to Shrek Academy with Tang San? Who's even at Shrek Academy? Why would you want to go there?" Xiao Wu asked anxiously.
"With our current strength, we've received invitations from many intermediate and even advanced spirit master academies. The dean even said we could consider the advanced academy of the Barak Kingdom. Maybe we'll get a chance to compete in the spirit master tournament someday," Tang San replied.
"I asked around the academy, but no one's ever heard of Shrek Academy. It might be a bogus school without any official license. What benefits would it possibly offer for our cultivation?" Xiao Wu felt a bit downcast at the thought.
If that was the case, that meant these two would be stuck studying with Tang San for years to come.
Ever since Xiao Wu had confided in Xiao Tian and Xiao Wu about her true soul beast identity, their bonds had grown closer. Xiao Wu now considered Xiao Tian her brother, with no intention of being the big sister.
Xiao Tian was pleased. He believed Xiao Wu's training had gone well enough—at least she knew how to practice diligently, stay low-key, and avoid useless distractions.
He whispered to Xiao Wu, "Don't worry—you still don't trust your brother? If the master really fools us, we'll just leave. And you said it yourself—with our current strength, there's no trouble finding a good senior college anyway."
Xiao Tian felt a bit helpless. Once he went to Shrek Academy and Tang Hao was completely out of the picture, he could finally relax.
Besides, he had a purpose for going: Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were there.
According to the dumb rules of this system, doing something with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing should trigger a critical hit reward.
Coming to Douluo's world and not picking up a few beautiful wives? That would be a wasted awakening of past-life memories.
If he wasn't at least a little curious about Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing and wanted to meet them—who else would bother with godforsaken Shrek Academy?
Xiao Tian knew he was quite vulgar. Aside from his love of swords, he was fond of all kinds of beauties.
In his past life, all he could do was admire from screens. Now that he could get close, how could he possibly pass up the chance?
Of course, this wasn't about flirting—at least not in this lifetime.
He particularly remembered what his ancestor had told him long ago: Money is for women to look at, not to spend.
In Douluo's world, you attract others with your strength and appearance. If you can't draw them in, it's best to cut your losses quickly.
When Xiao Tian made a special trip to Holy Soul Village last time, he'd had this in mind. Ah Yin was an incredibly beautiful Douluo woman and the perfect wife material. Who wouldn't be excited?
When Ah Yin re-condenses her body after 100,000 years, her form would be renewed. Who could resist that?
Luckily, his soul guide ring hid a magic weapon from the system capable of concealing the breaths of Ah Yin and the Blue Silver Emperor's soul bone. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared act so recklessly.
After all, life's important, even next to beauty.
Just then, Xiao Tian saw Tang San walking out of Yu Xiaogang's office and immediately asked, "How did it go?"
Tang San was in high spirits, smiling, "Good! I finally convinced the teacher. He's agreed to go to Shrek Academy with us."
"Tang San, are you sure Shrek Academy is any good? If I find out Master's tricking us, I swear I'll beat you up! Sure, you have the external soul bone now, but don't forget my strength is still higher than yours."
Yu Xiaogang had just packed up some things when he heard Xiao Wu's voice from outside.
"Don't worry. Shrek Academy isn't well known on the mainland, but it's a school that only accepts monsters. I can tell you now, Shrek was set up by Flanders—you met him last time. It's run by a level 78 Soul Saint, so it's legit."
Originally, Yu Xiaogang never planned to attend Shrek Academy with Tang San and the others. Having hidden from Flanders and Liu Erlong for years due to some past incidents, he didn't want to risk reputation by meeting them again.
But under Xiao Tian's relentless pressure, Tang San's strength had skyrocketed, surpassing level 30 over six months ago.
By his calculations, Tang San's best choice for his third spirit ring was the human-faced demon spider's soul ring. Unfortunately, there were practically no human-faced demon spiders in the nearby Soul Hunting Forest. If Tang San wanted one, he'd have to test his luck in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Recalling his disciple's fierce determination to surpass Xiao Tian, Yu Xiaogang felt moved. There was no other way but to contact an old friend—Flanders.
This was the first communication Yu Xiaogang had had with Flanders in many years.
Though Flanders planned to wait half a year before allowing Tang San and the others to join Shrek Academy, knowing Tang San was his disciple prompted him to act quickly.
Six months ago, after receiving Yu Xiaogang's message, Flanders rushed over to bring Tang San, Xiao Tian, and Xiao Wu to his academy.
On that day, after meeting the three, Flanders tried hard to persuade Yu Xiaogang to bring them to Shrek Academy—a truly brilliant move!
At such a young age, hitting level 30 at that speed was far beyond Oscar, Dai Mubai, and the others in his academy. On their return, he planned to push those slackers to train harder!
Xiao Wu snorted: "You're the real bastard. Your whole family's bastards. You're blind!"
Xiao Tian was surprised too. Tang San really was the luckiest guy here. He went to the Star Dou Great Forest six months early to hunt for human-faced demon spiders and still got an external soul bone for the Eight Spider Lance?
But instead of feeling down, Xiao Tian was oddly excited.
Now that Tang San's level exceeded 30, and with the Eight Spider Lance blessing, if he defeated Tang San, wouldn't that trigger a critical hit reward?
What if he pulled out Tang San's Eight Spider Lances? Would that spark another critical hit?
Just the thought thrilled him.
Since Tang San had forcibly fused an external soul bone beyond his level, it was difficult for him to completely merge the Eight Spider Lance unless under an extreme but gentle soul pressure—like Zhilin Douluo in the original work.
But Xiao Tian wasn't in a hurry to spar with Tang San; Shrek Academy would offer plenty of opportunities soon.
A few days later, the four hurried on, expecting to reach Soto City tomorrow.
Suddenly, Xiao Tian felt something soft brush his back.
It was Zhu Zhuqing!
Her face was pale, her black cloak damp and smelling faintly rusty.
Xiao Wu's concern was immediate.
"Brother, this person seems seriously injured, doesn't she?" she asked, noticing dark blood trickling down Xiao Tian's arm—from the unconscious woman before him.
Xiao Tian examined her seriously. "Xiao Wu, hold her up. Let me check her back. The bleeding's coming from there. She's been poisoned."
Ignoring the system's prompts in his mind, saving this person was his priority.
He couldn't understand why Zhu Zhuqing was injured and here—this didn't happen in the original story.
Had she escaped her sister's pursuit but been badly hurt? That didn't make sense either—how had she healed in the original tale?
Removing the cloak, Xiao Tian saw a long scar on her back. "This little girl must have been poisoned by a Shadow Poison Claw Wolf," Yu Xiaogang observed.
"Shadow Poison Claw Wolf?" Xiao Wu asked, confused.
"If I'm not mistaken. Luckily, she's only scratched lightly—the poison isn't severe. She should wake soon. She probably collapsed from exhaustion. This poison isn't strong but chronic. She's lucky," Yu Xiaogang concluded confidently.
"Xiao San, do you have any detoxifying pills?" Yu Xiaogang asked Tang San.
He knew his disciple's interest in poisons might help.
Tang San's face froze. "Teacher, no. I only have poison in my body now, no antidotes yet."
Though he wanted to meet Xiao Wu's hopes, Notting City's resources were limited.
The poisons he carried were weak and useless here.
"Xiao Wu, come with me. Let's move her into the tent to rest. You're a girl, so help change her clothes and clean her wounds. I have some wound medicine—let's try it. Master said the poison won't kill her for now, and we'll enter the city tomorrow."
"Xiao Tian, aren't you being careless? Don't just use medicine blindly," Tang San frowned.
"Don't worry. Master said this poison won't hurt her. I can channel soul power to help her resist it later," Xiao Tian said casually.
What Xiao Tian gave Xiao Wu wasn't just any local wound medicine, but healing pills from the system that detoxified and healed.
He didn't explain this, not wanting to expose his source.
Xiao Wu trusted Xiao Tian without question—maybe he had other plans?
After moving Zhu Zhuqing into the tent, Xiao Tian gave Xiao Wu the healing pills. "Give her one pill orally, grind the other with water, apply it on her wounds, and bandage her. She should heal in a few days.
"It'd be a shame for such a beauty to be scarred by this," he added.
Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled at first—she knew Xiao Tian was no ordinary person. After years together, she knew he was growing mysterious.
But after the last remark, a hint of sadness crept in.
She quieted, pouted.
"Brother, you're not feeling sorry for her because she's beautiful, right? You told me before that cultivation is key, and not to waste energy on other things," she said suspiciously.
"Haha, Xiao Wu, are you jealous?" Xiao Tian teased.
"Jealous? Why would I be jealous? As your sister, it's my duty to remind you that before becoming strong, we must practice hard first!"
Xiao Wu blushed, feeling her little secret had been uncovered, but she repeated Xiao Tian's words to tease him.
Still, she knew now wasn't the time to dally.
Though pale, the woman was undeniably beautiful, and it'd be a shame to let her bear scars.
After sending Xiao Tian out and warning the others not to approach without permission, Xiao Wu took out basin, kettle, and towel from her soul guide to clean Zhu Zhuqing.
As she carefully removed Zhu Zhuqing's shirt, her eyes widened and she covered her mouth.
She looked at Zhu Zhuqing's snow-white face, then her own, falling silent.
She was jealous!
In the past six years, she'd been eating nourishing milk papaya daily, finally improving from an A to a B cup. But compared to Zhu Zhuqing, it was disheartening!
She hadn't eaten her favorite carrots every day for nothing!
Xiao Wu felt like crying but had no tears.
How could this be fair?
Looking at Zhu Zhuqing's pretty face, she guessed she must be about the same age.
Curious, Xiao Wu cleaned the blood off her and applied medicine, then examined Zhu Zhuqing's bone age.
Silent, shocked, almost on the verge of tears—Zhu Zhuqing seemed younger than her!
Outside the tent, Xiao Tian's thoughts turned to the system's prompts.
[Warning! Warning! The God of Speed Zhu Zhuqing is rapidly approaching the host. To avoid jealousy from the God of War Dai Mubai, maintain distance and avoid contact! Consequences may follow otherwise!]
At your own risk?
When he saw Dai Mubai tomorrow or the day after, he vowed to "beat the hell" out of him.
With Dai Mubai's current strength, he might not even beat Tang San, let alone him!
After more than half an hour, Zhu Zhuqing finally opened her eyes, confused.
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