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Chapter 66 - Chapter 66: Cold Wall

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After being scolded and put down, Ning Rongrong didn't retreat to the dorm to cry as she had in the original storyline. Instead, she accompanied Zhu Zhuqing to the Great Soul Arena to participate in a team battle.

Although Zhu Zhuqing's solo battle level was already at the Bronze rank, she hadn't yet participated in any team battles. So, the two of them were allowed to register as an Iron-rank team called "Seven-Treasure Spirit Cat."

In their debut match, Seven-Treasure Spirit Cat defeated the powerful Iron Blood Duo.

While celebrating their victory, Ning Rongrong chatted with Zhu Zhuqing and waited for the other five Shrek Academy students to arrive.

Before long, the remaining five members of the Shrek group exited the arena and joined Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

Each of the five had different expressions. Ma Hongjun's black and purple eye circles had faded somewhat, but the swelling on his right cheek was still visible.

Ning Rongrong looked at Ma Hongjun with distaste. She'd heard that his black eye came from peeking at Zhu Zhuqing, which earned him a solid beating from her.

As for the swelling on his cheek, she guessed this lecherous fatso probably did something else perverted and got smacked again.

Xiao Wu and Tang San's interaction was also different from usual. This time, Xiao Wu walked in front, pulling Tang San by the hand. Tang San, however, looked lifeless, dragged along as if he no longer cared about anything.

Dai Mubai gave Zhu Zhuqing a distant glance—between them was a thick, icy wall of silence.

Oscar, on the other hand, strutted proudly toward Ning Rongrong, showing off his clean-shaven face like a rooster in mating season.

Dai Mubai scanned the group and quickly noticed something different about Tang San.

In the past, Tang San's eyes always radiated confidence. Now, all Dai Mubai could see in them was gloom and dejection.

"Xiao Wu, what's up with Little San?! Did you guys lose the battle? Even if you lost, he shouldn't be this downcast, right?" Dai Mubai asked curiously.

"Boss Dai, Brother San and I lost to the Green Emperor," Xiao Wu replied, her head lowering at the mention of Ye Lan.

"Green Emperor?" Oscar asked with curiosity.

"It was one person. He used to be our classmate, mine and Brother San's," Xiao Wu recalled Ye Lan's previous appearance with blue hair. For some reason, ever since his hair turned golden, his growth had far surpassed Brother San's.

"One person? Didn't you two compete in a two-versus-two battle? You're saying the two of you lost to just one guy?" Dai Mubai said in disbelief. After all, the enraged Tang San had once given Zhao Wuji a serious headache.

"What's so strange about that? I believe Zhuqing could handle a two-on-one herself," Ning Rongrong said, thinking about Zhu Zhuqing's speed and confident she could hold her own.

"It's not that simple. Last time Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San fought, they ended in a draw—neither could gain the upper hand," Oscar chimed in, recalling the duel between Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San after he passed Zhao Wuji's test.

"I don't want to admit it, but we really did lose to Ye Lan. He entered the two-on-two alone. Brother San is this depressed because of me," Xiao Wu said, unaware of the pride deep in Tang San's heart. She thought he was upset because she got hurt and he couldn't protect her.

"Ye Lan?!" Ning Rongrong was intrigued by someone capable of defeating Tang San. At the start of the semester, Tang San's strength had already redefined her understanding of Soul Masters. She didn't expect someone even stronger than him.

"Teacher...?" Zhu Zhuqing murmured under her breath, so softly the others couldn't hear.

"Little San, relax. Xiao Wu's fine, isn't she?" Dai Mubai patted Tang San's shoulder.

Oscar, in his usual sleazy tone, said, "Old man's got a big sausage!" A flash of yellow light passed through his hand, and he summoned six large sausages.

"Everyone have one. Soul battles burn a lot of energy, especially Little San."

Xiao Wu wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I'm not eating that. Keep it for yourself."

"Brother San..." Xiao Wu looked at Tang San, who remained silent, unsure what to do.

Ma Hongjun snatched a sausage from Oscar and began munching aggressively. "Don't worry, Xiao Wu. Right now, Tang San's like me after getting dumped. Give him a few days—he'll bounce back."

"Zhu—"

Clang!!

The sound of a sword being drawn rang out as Zhu Zhuqing used her thumb to nudge the sword at her waist. A cold gleam flashed from the blade.

Startled, Dai Mubai, who already had tensions with Zhu Zhuqing, quickly changed his tone after seeing her stance.

"Zhu Zhuqing! I forbid you from eating that guy's sausage!"

Zhu Zhuqing acted as though she hadn't heard him at all. She didn't respond and seemed lost in thought.

Ning Rongrong, meanwhile, waved her hand dismissively and pulled Zhu Zhuqing away from Oscar.

Having never encountered such a lecherous-looking uncle before, Ning Rongrong thought, Eat that sausage? Not unless I'm dead.

Seeing that no one except Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun touched his sausages, Oscar awkwardly put them away.

The Shrek Seven talked about the soul battle as they walked. Soon, they came to a fork in the road.

Ma Hongjun's swollen cheek turned even redder, and his small eyes sparkled with excitement.

"You guys go back to the academy first. I've got an appointment with the Dean—I'm heading this way."

Dai Mubai looked in the direction Ma Hongjun was headed and gave a knowing smirk. "Go ahead, just don't overdo it like last time."

Ma Hongjun noticed Dai Mubai's expression and offered, "Boss Dai, wanna come too?"

Dai Mubai kicked Ma Hongjun in the butt. "Go by yourself. Don't drag me into this. Get lost already!"

Not knowing about the tension between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, Ma Hongjun didn't catch Dai Mubai's subtle expression. Confused, he said, "C'mon, Boss Dai. Didn't you say women are a resource, not people?"

Dai Mubai gave him another kick. "Get the hell out! Your taste is garbage."

Ma Hongjun rubbed his butt and, not daring to argue, slunk away.

Xiao Wu, curious after hearing their conversation, asked, "Boss Dai, what's that pervy fatty going to do?"

Dai Mubai replied nonchalantly, "What else? Off to a brothel."

"A brothel? The Dean's taking that pervert to a place like that?" Xiao Wu was shocked.

"It's not the Dean's fault—or Fatty's. His Martial Spirit has a flaw. If he doesn't vent his evil fire, he could literally burn up from the inside. He's the Dean's personal disciple—of course the Dean won't let him die, so he takes him to such places to cool off."

"He looks like he wants his Martial Spirit to have evil fire. Look how excited he was to go," Xiao Wu muttered, watching Ma Hongjun's retreating figure.

Ning Rongrong chimed in, "Exactly. Just look at that sleazy face. Men are all disgusting."

Xiao Wu retorted, "Hey, don't lump in my Brother San. He's not like Dai Mubai or Ma Hongjun—Brother San is pure!"

Dai Mubai rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. Your Tang San is the picture of innocence. The rest of us guys are filthy, right? But hey, at least my taste is better than that fatty's."

Xiao Wu nodded. "Exactly. Birds of a feather."

Dai Mubai suddenly realized he'd said something wrong. His gaze darted toward Zhu Zhuqing.

He expected her to be jealous or angry—but she didn't react at all. She didn't seem to care in the slightest.

"Zhu Zhuqing, aren't you angry about what I did?" Dai Mubai asked in a low voice.

Without even glancing at him, Zhu Zhuqing's black silhouette vanished in a flash. Her cold voice lingered in the air:

"What you do has nothing to do with me."

(End of Chapter)

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