Splash, splash…
Su Wen soaked in the pool, only his head above water, enjoying the peace.
It was late at night. With Elder Xuan gone, no one dared venture deeper into the forest, so they stayed another night.
Zhang Lexuan and another senior watched over the camp.
Su Wen, though, was dragged into Ma Xiaotao's cabin. But just a few minutes later, she kicked him out—he reeked after half a month surviving in the forest.
No wonder—he'd been living like a wild man, with no time for baths.
Gale, his wind baboon, turned into a white orb and rested in his spiritual sea—he liked it better there, safer and quieter.
Even in the forest's outskirts, wind baboons were at the bottom of the food chain, so Gale was happy to have found a nice place to stay.
The summer night breeze was cool, brushing Su Wen's bare upper body.
He took out a small bottle of pills.
"Marrow Cleansing Pill, same effect as the Xuan Jade Pill from the original—just a more direct name. And since I got it from Senior Sister Lexuan, it should be pretty good."
He nodded. From what he remembered, taking it would expel black impurities through the skin. Perfect to do while bathing.
Gulp.
He swallowed it.
Warmth spread from his stomach, his meridians coming alive. Su Wen quickly sat cross-legged in the pool, meditating as Zhang Lexuan had taught him, trying not to waste the energy.
Buzz…
Ripples spread across the water.
Insects chirped.
Who knew how long passed.
Su Wen slowly opened his eyes.
A beautiful face suddenly appeared, staring at him in curiosity.
"Hiss…"
Startled, Su Wen toppled backward underwater, splashing and choking. The girl fished him out, pulling him into her arms.
"Sister Xiaotao, can you not sneak up on me?" Su Wen coughed.
"Hey, I was worried about you! I've been watching for hours, and you're complaining?" she poked his head, "What, you think I'd stay up all night for fun?"
"…"
Su Wen wanted to nod, but her sharp red eyes made him back down.
"Fine, dry off and go sleep."
Ma Xiaotao jumped out, landing lightly. Only then did Su Wen realize she had come to bathe too…
A flash of white nearly blinded him.
Gurgle, gurgle…
He lost control and dunked his head again.
Peals of laughter rang out.
Covering himself, Su Wen scrambled ashore. As he dressed, Ma Xiaotao stopped him, "What are you shy about? Afraid big sis will see all of you?"
She summoned flames, drying his clothes and filling them with a fresh scent—she'd even washed them!
Su Wen glanced at Ma Xiaotao in surprise.
Her? This careful?
"What's that look?" she poked his head.
"Nothing, Sister Xiaotao. Let's go, I'm sleepy…"
Su Wen rubbed his eyes.
Though the pill boosted his soul power by one level, he felt more tired than ever. Maybe it was the new martial soul.
…
In the cabin, Su Wen quickly fell asleep, but Ma Xiaotao sat awake, legs together, watching him gently.
"Sleep, from now on, you're one of us…"
Su Wen snuggled the soft pillow in his sleep, only to realize it was a long leg…
"You're awake?"
Following the voice, Ma Xiaotao stood arms crossed, smirking.
"Ahaha…"
Su Wen scratched his head, embarrassed, still catching her scent.
No wonder she was Shrek's number one beauty.
"All right, here's your uniform. Senior Lexuan sent it this morning—she's the academy's top genius, already Soul Sage peak at twenty. A bright future." Ma Xiaotao handed over a brand-new red-and-white uniform.
Su Wen tried it on—it fit perfectly.
Not bulky at all, clearly tailored to his size.
This must be what it's like to be one of us.
Su Wen grinned.
The others joked and laughed, full of youthful spirit.
Seeing Su Wen in uniform, they were even friendlier. Zhang Yi, who'd provided the awakening stone, clapped Su Wen on the shoulder: "We're bros now. If anyone bullies you, just use my name."
"Thanks, Senior Zhang Yi." Su Wen smiled.
Shrek was truly united, especially the inner court.
Clap, clap, clap…
No one knew when Elder Xuan arrived, calling everyone's attention.
"Okay, Su Wen's got his first ring. We'll hurry to the core by sundown. Lexuan's in charge. Su Wen, you stick with me."
"Yes, Senior Lexuan nodded.
Su Wen breathed a sigh of relief.
Just as he'd hoped—he'd planned to stick with Elder Xuan as an alarm clock.
Ma Xiaotao pouted, reluctant to part.
Elder Xuan rolled his eyes: "He's still a kid, unlike you Soul Kings and Emperors. If you run into ten-thousand-year beasts, how can you protect him? You, a Soul Elder?"
Just as Su Wen was surprised at Elder Xuan's reliability—
"Ahem, and Elder Mu personally ordered it. When we're back at the academy, you can do whatever you want."
Elder Xuan added.
Oh…
Su Wen understood. That explained it.
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