"After taking these two jelly beans, you'll be fully recovered soon," Shao Xin said, handing Tang San two candy beans—one pink, one yellow.
Tang San's eyes lit up as the sword marks on his body healed rapidly and his soul power surged back. Was this truly the work of a Level 71 Soul Saint food expert? And far more convenient than Oscar's sausages.
"Shao Xin, where's Fatty?" Flanders glanced around Shao Xin's room but hadn't seen Ma Hongjun since arrival.
"I don't know. He left shortly after treatment. Probably off on one of his antics again," Shao Xin answered calmly.
Though he barely knew Ma Hongjun personally, Shao Xin was well aware—98% sure—he was a complete pervert. Lazy like Oscar, despite possessing the formidable Evil Fire Phoenix spirit. Instead of focusing on cultivation, he used his status to chase women or frequent brothels. Truly shameful.
Dai Mubai had sent Ma Hongjun over earlier and explained the situation briefly. Shao Xin had thought Ma Hongjun deserved his fate and was treating him only because Flanders requested it—otherwise, who cared?
Flanders' face darkened with frustration. "Flanders, your disciple is hopeless. Such a great top-tier spirit wasted! At twelve, his spirit power is only level 27—not even as good as that girl from the Zhu family. You must train him better or he'll never catch up."
Yu Xiaogang spoke calmly. As Ma Hongjun's teacher, Flanders' guidance would surely be more effective.
Flanders nodded, helpless. Ma Hongjun had indeed slacked. His six-month progress paled compared to Dai Mubai's.
"Xiao Gang, take Tang San back. I'll go track down that fat guy and find out where he's fooling around!" Flanders declared.
Back in his office, Yu Xiaogang paced before stopping in front of Tang San. "Xiao San, were you thinking about practicing the Clear Sky Hammer?"
Tang San hadn't expected Yu Xiaogang to read his thoughts and simply nodded.
With a sigh, Yu Xiaogang warned, "Don't be discouraged by Xiao Tian's fast progress. While sword intent can speed cultivation, it has limits. The higher the level, the harder further progress becomes. Eventually, despite Xiao Tian's innate fifth-level increase, your cultivation speed will surpass his. Focus now on practicing well and boosting your soul power."
"But teacher, Xiao Tian frequently grasps new self-created soul skills. Should I try developing some too?"
"No!" Yu Xiaogang rejected the idea immediately. "Do you think Xiao Tian's self-created soul skills are strong?"
"Yes."
"That's because his sword power far exceeds his current realm, creating the illusion that self-created skills surpass soul ring skills. But most of Xiao Tian's skills link tightly to his sword energy, which you don't have.
Your Blue Silver Grass focuses on poison control. The key lies in poison and toughness, which rely heavily on your soul power. So your priority must be increasing soul power!"
Yu Xiaogang's guidance calmed Tang San. He realized the Clear Sky Hammer and self-created skills path wasn't practical. Instead, improving soul power held more promise.
That evening, Xiao Tian barely practiced his soul power, opting to study the Yellow Emperor's Internal Classic in his mind.
Tang San and Oscar quietly practiced in their dorm.
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's dorm was livelier. Ma Hongjun's face and nose were bruised badly.
"Hahaha, Fatty, who told you not to come back to training after recovering?" Dai Mubai's mood brightened suddenly.
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing cozying up to Xiao Tian earlier had unsettled him. Zhu Zhuqing was his fiancée—how could she get that close to someone she barely knew?
Recalling Xiao Tian's glances at Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai felt a crisis brewing. Could he be falling for her?
A large "grassland" seemed to grow above his head in worry.
"I have a broken bone. Even if Shao Xin's candy heals me, I still need to rest," Ma Hongjun grumbled, touching his swollen face.
"So you went to brothels to 'cultivate' yourself?" Dai Mubai asked.
"Uh, ahem, Boss Dai, you know me. Cuihua broke up with me, and after today's fight, I wouldn't dare see her. I have no choice but to vent elsewhere. It's all because of my martial spirit!" Ma Hongjun admitted with some embarrassment but defended himself shamelessly, blaming the evil fire.
Dai Mubai scowled. "Evil fire? You mean the bathing fire?"
Although the Evil Fire Phoenix martial spirit brought drawbacks, his bursts of evil fire were excessive—even daily. No wonder Cuihua left him. How could any civilian stand that?
"I warn you: put away those thoughts. Of all the students here, except Ning Rongrong, you're the weakest!"
Ma Hongjun protested, "No way! Even if I'm weaker, I'm never weaker than Zhu Zhuqing!"
Dai Mubai shook his head silently. That was uncertain—unless Ma Hongjun could leverage the Evil Fire Phoenix's aerial advantage, but so far, his phoenix couldn't fly!
Compared to the boys' dorm's chaos, the girls' dorm was a little calmer, though lively.
Xiao Wu was with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing now.
With curiosity, Ning Rongrong asked softly, "Zhuqing, how do you maintain such beauty? I want to be like you."
She pointed at Zhu Zhuqing's bear-like figure.
Zhu Zhuqing looked down, blushing shyly, but her large build obscured her feet from view.
P.S. This chapter reveals the differing attitudes toward cultivation among Shrek Academy students, highlighting Ma Hongjun's troublesome nature and Dai Mubai's frustration with him. Yu Xiaogang's mentorship offers strategic guidance to Tang San, emphasizing soul power development over flashy skills. Meanwhile, the interactions in the dorms show budding rivalries, insecurities, and the warm yet competitive atmosphere among students.
--
If you enjoy my work and want to read extra chapters, visit my Patreon—the link is in the novel's description.