Su Wen swallowed and replied calmly.
The moment he heard the name "Elder Xuan," he had already guessed where this elite group came from.
Shrek Academy—the undisputed number one academy on the continent for ten thousand years.
To be honest, his original plan had been to head toward the Sun Moon Empire.
Yet fate had other ideas.
Saved by Shrek.
Well… so be it.
Su Wen quickly adjusted his mindset. Whoever gave him food, whoever kept him alive—he would remember it all.
Owing such a massive debt, perhaps the only repayment was to give everything he had in return.
Though…
His expression twitched slightly.
He wasn't even qualified to think that yet. This body had not awakened a martial soul. He didn't know his talent, nor even what his martial soul was. Shrek Academy might not accept him at all.
…
Night fell.
Dark-red flames licked at damp branches as the campfire crackled, sparks occasionally bursting into the air.
The flickering firelight illuminated Su Wen's face, casting shifting shadows.
After finally clinging to such a powerful lifeline, unease crept into his heart.
Judging by their ages—Ma Xiaotao around thirteen or fourteen, Zhang Lexuan about twenty-one or twenty-two—there were still six or seven years before the original storyline began.
But that wasn't the real issue.
The real problem was this:
When Elder Xuan, Zhang Lexuan at the peak of Soul Saint realm, and the Star Dou Great Forest all came together—what would inevitably happen?
That's right.
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
And Elder Xuan's mysterious disappearance.
Su Wen slowly drew in a breath.
This was the most disastrous mission in the history of Shrek Academy's inner court.
Fewer than five survived.
No wonder Ma Xiaotao had addressed her as "Senior Sister," rather than "Senior Sister Leader." At this point in time, Zhang Lexuan had not yet assumed that title.
"Here, kid…"
As his thoughts drifted, a wooden skewer holding a freshly grilled fish appeared before his mouth. A rich, mouthwatering aroma instantly filled the air.
His nose twitched. He nearly drooled.
Did they have any idea how he had survived these past two weeks?!
Extreme wilderness survival had forced his standards for food to the absolute minimum....if it was edible, it was enough.
Now, faced with a grilled fish that looked perfect, smelled perfect, and promised to taste perfect, his soul nearly left his body.
"Gulp."
He swallowed hard.
"Eat up."
Ma Xiaotao smiled gently and placed the fish into his hands.
"Ah…"
For a six-year-old child, it was slightly hot.....but Su Wen couldn't care less. He devoured it immediately, ravenous beyond restraint.
The fragrance of cooked meat filled his senses, the tender texture making him forget everything else.
Watching him eat, a trace of pity flickered through Ma Xiaotao's eyes.
She didn't know his background, but for a child this young to appear alone in the Star Dou Great Forest....combined with his tattered clothes....it was clear his story was anything but pleasant.
Thank you, Sister Xiao Tao."
Only after finishing the grilled fish in two or three bites did Su Wen realize his manners were lacking.
He scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed as he spoke.
"Here, there's more. Eat up if you're not full."
Ma Xiaotao didn't mind at all. Between her slender fingers were several more skewers, which she casually stuffed into his hands.
A few minutes later—
"Waaah… okay, okay, I'm full."
Su Wen rubbed his belly and lay flat on the ground, his face filled with contentment.
"Thank you, Sister Xiao Tao…"
This time, he truly meant it.
Previously, he'd felt nothing in particular toward Ma Xiaotao from the original story—at most, he remembered her as big-chested but simple-minded, hot-tempered, and stubborn.
But now, standing in the position of the one being saved, his impression of her had improved significantly.
"Hey, kid—have you awakened your martial soul yet?"
Ma Xiaotao raised her brows slightly, looking at Su Wen with interest.
No soul power usually meant one of two things.
First, the martial soul had already awakened but was a trash martial soul, with no detectable soul power.
Second, the martial soul had never been awakened at all.
"I haven't awakened it," Su Wen shook his head.
Resting her chin in her hand, a glimmer of excitement flashed through Ma Xiaotao's eyes.
"Then why don't you give it a try? Who knows....what if you awaken with five or six levels of innate soul power?
If that happens, Sister Xiao Tao will personally guarantee your admission into Shrek Academy!"
"You really think everyone's like you, born with innate level nine soul power?"
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