On this day, Xiao Wu was practicing as usual in the training grounds, disguising her condition to appear like an ordinary human Soul Master.
Once again, Dai Mubai came to her, using the excuse of sparring to improve, intending to get closer to her.
While Xiao Wu wasn't as captivating as Zhu Zhuqing, who could make Dai Mubai give up an entire forest, she was still enough to make him put in some effort to pursue her.
As for the age issue?
Ignoring the true age of a 100,000-year-old spirit beast, the surface age of 12 years old is justifiable on the Douluo Continent, where age standards are different—it's not a crime.
At least, Dai Mubai had no psychological burden about it.
Especially since Xiao Wu repeatedly rejected him, which only fueled Dai Mubai's desire to conquer her.
This was the first time he encountered someone so hard to win over. Compared to those who could be easily swayed with a wave of his hand, the process of chasing her had a unique flavor.
Even if he couldn't win her over in the end, it would still serve as an interesting spice in his life.
"Dai Mubai, I don't need your help. I can train on my own."
Xiao Wu naturally chose to reject him.
She didn't possess You Chen's skill in hiding Spirit Rings. Once she released her Martial Soul, it would immediately reveal that she already had four Spirit Rings.
Although she hadn't particularly thought about hiding her Spirit Rings before, if possible, she wanted to avoid drawing attention during this period.
It concerned whether her escape plan would go smoothly, and even Xiao Wu's not-so-sharp mind was working overtime.
"Don't mention sparring. You haven't been to the Spirit Arena for a while, right? Teacher Zhao specifically mentioned this to me earlier. Have you been feeling unwell recently?"
Dai Mubai showed a concerned expression.
Having interacted with so many women, Dai Mubai certainly knew how to handle them.
Using the teacher's words, he approached the topic purely from a classmate's perspective, showing concern. No matter how you looked at it, it was a flawless approach to getting closer.
However, Dai Mubai's words backfired here.
Xiao Wu wasn't skipping the Spirit Arena because she was unwell, and instead of feeling cared for, she felt like Dai Mubai was pressing her.
She frowned, her leg suddenly exerting force, and she kicked the wooden post with great force, as if the post were Dai Mubai, then turned her head and glared fiercely: "Dai Mubai, has anyone ever told you that you're really annoying?"
Perhaps because Tang Hao, the hidden danger, was gone, or perhaps because she was thinking of running away, Xiao Wu was too lazy to keep up the pretense with Dai Mubai.
"Xiao Wu, I'm just concerned about you."
Dai Mubai's expression turned ugly, and he said with slight anger, "What do you mean by that?"
A fierce aura faintly emanated from him.
He could accept rejection and treat it as a cat-and-mouse game, but he couldn't tolerate being disrespected by someone he saw as weaker!
Just as Xiao Wu was about to mock Dai Mubai, suddenly…
"Dai Mubai! What are you doing!?"
Tang San arrived with authority, first reprimanding Dai Mubai, then looking at Xiao Wu with concern: "Xiao Wu, are you okay? Did he do anything to you?"
Xiao Wu snorted coldly and turned her head away silently. To Xiao Wu, Tang San was no different from Dai Mubai.
"Hahaha!!!"
Dai Mubai suddenly burst into laughter, pointing at Tang San and sneering, "Tang San, look at your pathetic self! Don't you think you're ridiculous!? You came here to back her up? And what happened? She doesn't even want to look at you directly, and you're still here being delusional! Do you know what we usually call people like you? A simp! You're just a pitiful, laughable simp!"
Dai Mubai's tone was full of mockery, each word like a sharp blade stabbing into Tang San's heart.
Tang San's breathing paused slightly. He couldn't deny that Dai Mubai's words were true.
But…
"So what!?"
Tang San's voice was low and firm. He stared at Dai Mubai and said word by word, "A simp? If you say I'm a simp, then so be it! Even if you see me as a dog, I won't allow anyone to hurt Xiao Wu!"
Seeing Tang San's unwavering declaration, Xiao Wu felt no emotion, only confusion…
'I haven't done anything for him. Why is he so obsessed with me? He's even willing to throw away his pride?'
Xiao Wu couldn't understand Tang San's thought process at all, only feeling a psychological burden.
This behavior was similar to confessing love by arranging roses under a girl's dormitory in college. To outsiders, it might seem romantic, but to the person involved, if it's not a gesture between lovers but from an ordinary friend or even someone unfamiliar, it only brings discomfort.
Many bystanders couldn't understand why girls would feel awkward and uncomfortable about this because they didn't see that, in essence, it was another form of asserting ownership.
Oscar was in a dilemma, his eyes shifting between the two, unsure how to mediate.
He was Tang San's roommate, and they had a good relationship, but he also got along fairly well with Dai Mubai, having spent more time with him.
Seeing Tang San's declaration, Dai Mubai's disdain was unmistakable.
At this point, even if Xiao Wu were excluded, the conflict between the two would not disappear. It had become a personal grudge between them.
"Tang San, you know what? I've hated you from the very beginning!"
Dai Mubai said in a low voice, speaking slowly.
Dai Mubai wasn't actually a difficult person to get along with.
As long as you weren't completely worthless and were willing to flatter him a bit, calling him "Big Brother Dai," he would consider you a good brother.
However, Tang San's obsession with Xiao Wu, in Dai Mubai's eyes, had reached a somewhat deranged level.
He couldn't understand it at all. He had merely flirted with Xiao Wu a bit, and this guy immediately wanted to duel him!
Every time he tried to chat with Xiao Wu, this guy would forcefully butt in. It was incredibly annoying!
Most importantly, Xiao Wu didn't seem to care much about Tang San either, so why was he so determined to interfere?
Thus, the more Tang San acted this way, the more Dai Mubai was determined to continue pestering Xiao Wu.
Dai Mubai wasn't the type to be devoted to one person. Rather than hanging himself on a beautiful tree, he preferred to roam freely in the forest.
Even though Xiao Wu was indeed more beautiful than any of his previous conquests, she wasn't enough to make Dai Mubai obsess over her.
The reason Dai Mubai treated Zhu Zhuqing differently was more due to the existence of their Martial Soul fusion technique, not because he was captivated by her beauty and figure.
If he were truly devoted to love, he wouldn't have wandered through so many flowers before.
It was just that, in the Douluo Continent, strength was paramount, and he cared more about power than beauty.
As you could see, although Dai Mubai did linger among beauties, he never neglected his cultivation. After leaving the Star Luo Empire and having fewer resources, his level wasn't far behind Yu Tianheng, who was four or five years older than him.
His talent was better than Yu Tianheng's, but his own efforts were also undeniable.
In the eyes of such a Dai Mubai, Tang San, who had become like this over a woman, was completely and utterly worthless!
If Tang San could still rival him as in the original story, Dai Mubai wouldn't have thought this way. He would have considered Tang San a devoted man and might even have truly submitted to him after Tang San was gradually pushed to the core of the team by Yu Xiaogang, becoming devoted to Zhu Zhuqing as well.
But… Tang San had been consistently beaten by him!
Just as being bad at e-sports is a sin, being weak as a Soul Master on the Douluo Continent is a major sin!
"Dai Mubai, I hate you just as much!"
Tang San stared at Dai Mubai intently: "The accounts between us will be settled later. But today, I want you to apologize to Xiao Wu!"
"You're beyond saving."
Dai Mubai chuckled angrily, twisting his wrist: "Then~ come on. Let's settle this with our hands. Today, I'll let you use that so-called trump card of yours. I'll show you that even if you use it, it's nothing special."
Hearing Dai Mubai's dismissive words about his hidden weapons, the last thread of Tang San's patience snapped. Like an enraged beast, his eyes revealed a dangerous glint.
Originally, Tang San had given up on the idea of assassinating Dai Mubai, suppressing his murderous intent.
Now, that suppressed intent burst forth, rebounding with even greater intensity.
Even Dai Mubai felt a chill down his spine under Tang San's cold gaze.
If it weren't for the fact that he had repeatedly beaten Tang San over the past three years, building up a strong confidence when facing him, he might have even felt fear at this moment.
"You, you…" Oscar opened his mouth, watching the two who had decided to fight freely before he could even figure out how to mediate. He gritted his teeth, ignoring Ning Rongrong, and ran off, clearly going to find a teacher.
Ning Rongrong watched the two who were on the verge of a fight and muttered softly, "Is it really just a simple rivalry over a girl? I feel like that little punk is ready to kill the blond guy."
With You Chen by her side, Ning Rongrong felt a bit less restrained, thinking You Chen would help cover for her, so she used the nickname she was accustomed to in her mind.
Dai Mubai wasn't unaware of Ning Rongrong. Hearing her murmurs, though he couldn't quite make out the words, he could guess what she was saying from her expression.
"Heh…"
He chuckled softly, tilting his head slightly in Ning Rongrong's direction and raising his voice: "Rare to have a junior watching, Tang San. It seems today you're destined to be my stepping stone."
Tang San silently prepared the hidden weapons at his waist, coldly responding: "You're the one who'll be the stepping stone."
Ning Rongrong saw Tang San's movements and was slightly puzzled.
However, in the next second, Tang San answered the question in her heart.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Countless thin needles shot out like arrows.
Dai Mubai and Tang San had sparred before. Although Tang San's hidden weapons hadn't been fully demonstrated on their first encounter due to the teachers' intervention, Dai Mubai had gotten a taste of their power.
Though his words were full of disdain, Dai Mubai didn't underestimate them. He immediately activated his Martial Soul, his body swelling slightly, yet remaining agile.
He leaped lightly, avoiding Tang San's needles—or so he thought.
The needles curved mid-air, suddenly rebounding and piercing towards Dai Mubai's back.
Ning Rongrong was stunned, her mouth agape as she watched Tang San's cold figure. She hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary country boy to possess such a miraculous skill.
Dai Mubai wasn't You Chen. Faced with Tang San's hidden weapon techniques, he had no time to dodge.
Although he had some expectations for the strength of the hidden weapons, he hadn't trained specifically to counter them, and their tactical importance wasn't particularly high.
The power of the hidden weapons had grown alongside Tang San's strength, far surpassing their initial encounter.
His mind was prepared, but his body couldn't keep up.
Pfft, pfft, pfft…
Several needles pierced through the fur of Dai Mubai's Martial Soul form.
Fortunately, Tang San hadn't been so enraged as to poison the needles, so the attack only caused superficial wounds.
"Roar!"
Having been instantly humiliated in front of Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai roared in anger, his muscles flexing, forcing the needles out.
At the same time, his first Spirit Ring rotated and glowed, activating the White Tiger's Protective Barrier to enhance his defense.
Dai Mubai could no longer afford to conserve his soul power. If he had to constantly guard against Tang San's attacks at this level, the fight would be unwinnable.
Tang San saw Dai Mubai activate the White Tiger's Protective Barrier and smirked coldly.
'Do you think you're You Xing?'
He sneered inwardly but also couldn't help but feel slightly relieved.
Perhaps the psychological trauma from that day was too deep, so before he could successfully break through Dai Mubai's defense with his hidden weapons, he had been somewhat uncertain.
After all, You Xing had only been a Great Soul Master back then, while Dai Mubai was now a Soul Elder, soon to become a Soul Ancestor!
But the facts proved…
'The monsters of Shrek are nothing special compared to real monsters.'
Tang San's gaze hardened, his fighting spirit surging.
Blue Silver Grass surged wildly, rushing towards Dai Mubai from all directions.
"Just Blue Silver Grass!"
Dai Mubai roared, his figure flashing as he smashed the grass with punches and palm strikes.
Ning Rongrong gasped again, having lost count of how many times she'd been surprised today.
"That Tang San's Martial Soul is actually Blue Silver Grass?"
"Heh."
You Chen chuckled lightly: "So what if it's Blue Silver Grass? What if it's the Evil Eye White Tiger? Just watch. The outcome might surprise you."
Ning Rongrong's eyes flickered.
Although Dai Mubai's Martial Soul transformation had given her some idea, You Chen's words truly confirmed her thoughts.
'Such talents in a small place like Shrek?'
Dai Mubai was one thing—a top-tier Beast Spirit, and at such a young age, his cultivation level was exceptional. Even in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, you'd be hard-pressed to find peers more outstanding than him.
But Tang San, who could fight on par with Dai Mubai, even if he was temporarily at a disadvantage, was certainly no ordinary figure.
However…
'From the tone of the Beast Spirit senior, he seems to favor Tang San more?'
Ning Rongrong still believed in the theory of innate Spirit quality differences. Watching the Blue Silver Grass being effortlessly destroyed by Dai Mubai, she silently shook her head: 'Although those techniques are impressive, they're just tricks. A Soul Master's battle is a battle of Spirits. How could Blue Silver Grass possibly defeat the Evil Eye White Tiger? Perhaps even the Beast Spirit senior can be mistaken sometimes.'
Meanwhile, the situation on the field was rapidly changing.
Under the onslaught of the Blue Silver Grass, Dai Mubai was finally bound by Tang San's first Spirit Skill, Entanglement.
His instincts screamed warnings, and Dai Mubai finally activated his strongest third Spirit Skill, White Tiger's Vajra Transformation. His body swelled again, and he broke free in less than half a second.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The arrows from the Zhuge Crossbow missed.
Dai Mubai glanced at the arrows that had pierced through the wooden post, a chill running down his spine. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Are you trying to kill me!?"
Tang San said indifferently, "Kill you? No, I know the power of the Zhuge Crossbow. It can only leave a few wounds on you, but it can't take your life."
Tang San was telling the truth.
For Soul Masters below level 40, being hit directly would have a low survival rate. Even above level 40, if they didn't activate a defensive skill in time, death wouldn't be unexpected.
But that was for Soul Masters of the old era.
In the original timeline, Dai Mubai was a genius who could rival Soul Ancestors even as a Soul Elder.
Now, with the years of his second and third Spirit Rings greatly increased, and with two Spirit Skills that enhanced his defense, his defensive power was comparable to a defensive Soul Ancestor with defensive Spirit Skills. Even if hit by the Zhuge Crossbow, Dai Mubai would at most be severely injured.
But by then, the outcome would have been decided.
Tang San was slightly surprised that Dai Mubai had dodged his carefully planned killing move.
But, so what if he dodged it?
Tang San didn't even bother reloading, directly swapping out for a new Zhuge Crossbow from his Spirit Tool.
Dai Mubai's scalp tingled. At this moment, he finally understood why the academy teachers strictly forbade Tang San from using hidden weapons in sparring matches.
"Tang San, wait, wait!"
Dai Mubai hurriedly exclaimed, only to suddenly find Blue Silver Grass sprouting from the wounds where the needles had pierced him earlier, quickly wrapping around his body.
It turned out that while Tang San had used his first Spirit Skill, Entanglement, he had also used his second Spirit Skill, Parasite. The wounds from the needles were the perfect entry points for the parasitic seeds.
The Entanglement from the parasitic seeds was more fragile, but Dai Mubai had been in a rush to dodge and hadn't had time to regain his footing. The momentary hindrance from the parasitic Entanglement gave Tang San the perfect opportunity to attack.
"It's over, Dai Mubai."
Tang San expressionlessly looked at Dai Mubai and pulled the trigger with a click.
Clang, clang, clang.
A figure suddenly rushed out, blocking the Zhuge Crossbow's arrows with a body as tough as steel.
It was Zhao Wuji, the Great Strength King Bear.
Without activating his Martial Soul, Zhao Wuji felt a slight sting on his skin and frowned slightly. He turned to Tang San and said coldly, "Tang San, why did you use hidden weapons in your sparring with Dai Mubai?"
Tang San remained silent.
Instead, Dai Mubai stepped forward, his expression gloomy: "Teacher Zhao, I was the one who asked Tang San to use the hidden weapons—"
"Shut up!"
Zhao Wuji scolded Dai Mubai coldly: "Dai Mubai, this isn't your place to speak! I'm asking Tang San now!"
Then he turned to Tang San: "So, are you going to answer? If you don't want to follow Shrek's rules, you can leave now!"
The atmosphere on the field froze instantly.
"Alright, Old Zhao."
At this moment, Flender appeared gracefully, his wings folding as he landed among the group. He adjusted his glasses, his gaze subtly sweeping over Ning Rongrong, and said, "You know how it is. They've been competing like this for years. Tang San's dissatisfaction with Dai Mubai isn't new. It's better to let it out than to suppress it. Let Dai Mubai see Tang San's true strength. Only then can they truly understand each other."
If at the very beginning, such an exchange might have achieved the effect Flender mentioned.
But times had changed.
Dai Mubai recalled Tang San's almost miraculous techniques and the successive appearance of the Zhuge Divine Crossbow, which had sent chills down his spine. Just as he was about to relent—
Tang San suddenly said coldly, "As the dean said, Dai Mubai, you can now take back your previous words and apologize to Xiao Wu."
Dai Mubai's breath hitched, his expression stiffened for a moment, and then he sneered, "Tang San, what are you so proud of? You're just relying on external tools!"
At this moment, Tang San wasn't lacking in emotional intelligence and failing to understand Flender's intentions; he simply didn't want to give Dai Mubai an easy way out.
His eyes flickered slightly as he slowly said, "Dai Mubai, I once encountered a peer who also urged me to use all my hidden weapons in our sparring. However, unlike you..."
Tang San paused, his gaze at Dai Mubai carrying a hint of disdain, "He defeated me. He withstood all the hidden weapons I unleashed with his bare body. Even the Zhuge Divine Crossbow probably couldn't break his current defense. On him, I felt... what true despair was for the first time.
Yet, even such a person openly acknowledged the power and future of hidden weapons, unlike you, who stubbornly refuses to admit it. And back then, he was just a Great Soul Master. Compared to him, what kind of monster are you? You're just an ordinary genius. And genius?"
Even now, recalling the words You Xing had spoken, Tang San couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion.
He raised his head, a proud smile on his lips, and declared, "Genius is merely the threshold to meet him!"
Dai Mubai's eyes widened in agitation, "I don't believe it! How could there be such a person!? Tang San, you don't have to lie to belittle me! I don't deny that there are definitely more talented people than me in this world, but you're saying he was just a Great Soul Master and could withstand the hidden weapons you just used? Even if he were a top-tier defensive Soul Master, it would be impossible!"
The two teachers who had originally intended to intervene paused upon hearing this exchange.
No other reason, they too were curious about this true monster Tang San spoke of.
Tang San said indifferently, "He is an agility-type Soul Master."
Dai Mubai was stunned, then burst into laughter, "Hahaha!!! Agility-type? If you had said attack-type, I might have believed there was such a person, but agility-type? Tang San, you're definitely lying to me! If there really was such a person, he wouldn't be unknown. Go ahead, tell me, who exactly is he? If you can name him, I'll believe you!"
"He is—"
Tang San was about to say, "You Xing, the disciple of the theoretical master You Chen," when he suddenly choked.
He realized in that moment that if he spoke these words, it would be like slapping his own teacher in the face.
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