The eight members of Canghui Academy had settled at a table two away from Shrek's. Out of the corner of his eye, Tang San spotted their obvious teacher — a middle-aged man — lean over and whisper something to a young male student.
That youth stood and began walking toward Shrek's table — directly toward Dai Mubai's side.
An edge of disdain flickered in Dai Mubai's evil eyes. Tang San caught it, so there was no way Dai didn't see the kid, but he didn't so much as glance up.
At that moment, the waiter arrived with Shrek's first dish.
The Canghui youth's pace quickened. In a perfect "accident," he collided with the waiter, sending the steaming plate tipping straight for Dai Mubai's head.
"Don't waste food," Tang San said mildly. His left hand shot out like lightning to steady the waiter, while his right hand flashed up to balance the plate. With a bit of Controlling Crane, Capturing Dragon technique, not a drop spilled; he set it lightly on the table. At the same time, he tugged the waiter safely aside.
The Canghui youth blinked, masked by the waiter's body so he hadn't seen Tang San's precise movements. A sly smile soon replaced his surprise.
"My mistake," he said smoothly, but kept moving forward as if to pass behind Dai Mubai — his foot sweeping out subtly to smash one of the chair legs under him.
It was only an ordinary wooden chair. Snap a leg and Dai Mubai would be on the floor. The sweep was subtle; with his upper body steady, few would notice.
But the moment his foot lashed out, Dai Mubai moved.
Was there such a thing as a tiger with a good temper? Of course not.
After days of frustration from Zhu Zhuqing's cold shoulder, Dai had plenty of pent-up aggression. He wasn't going to pass on a perfectly good provocation.
Thump! The Canghui youth's eyes widened — it was like kicking an iron pillar. Pain shot up his shin before Dai's open palm slammed toward him.
The youth tried to block, but Dai's soul power-infused strike simply blew his guard aside. The palm landed square on his chest, the impact bending his back and hurling him like a rag doll. He crashed through two tables before the Canghui teacher caught him by the shoulders, halting his flight.
The youth's face went pale; a mouthful of blood sprayed out before his knees buckled.
Dai Mubai straightened from the follow-through and, as if stretching lazily, said, "So sorry — slipped."
The sneer in his tiger's eyes, the arrogant curl of his mouth — the disdain was so thick it was irritating even to his own teammates. Hidden in the shadows, Yun Chuan watched and took mental notes.
He'd intended to rest after booking his room, but then remembered this scene from the original story and decided to lurk and watch it play out. Seeing Dai and the others deliberately provoke the Canghui group and then act like puffed-up bullies…
Wasn't this exactly what a stereotypical villain would do?
He'd suspected it when reading the novel in his past life; now, witnessing it firsthand, he was certain — Shrek were the real antagonists here. From an objective standpoint, the conclusion was obvious: Shrek's "education methods" were seriously flawed.
The restaurant erupted in a buzz of voices. Patrons near the two tables scrambled back to avoid stray blows, but most didn't leave. Instead they watched avidly — why pay for a ticket to the Great Spirit Arena when you could watch soul masters throw down here for free?
The six uninjured Canghui students surged to their feet, glaring murder at Shrek's table. Only the teacher's raised arm stopped them. He eased the wounded youth into a chair and fixed Dai Mubai with a hard stare.
"What academy are you brats from?" he demanded.
Dai's eyes glinted coldly. "Sizing me up? You're not worthy." He dropped back into his seat.
Fatty didn't even look up from his bowl. "Mm, not bad — but the heat's off. Let's just eat."
The Canghui teacher's face went dark as iron. "Arrogant little punks. Teach them a lesson."
That was all the cue his students needed. Leaving the injured boy and their lone female teammate seated, the remaining five charged Shrek's table.
"Fight? My favorite," Xiao Wu said brightly, bouncing to her feet and rushing to meet them.
When she moved, Tang San naturally rose too, a faint violet sheen veiling his gaze.
Neither side activated their spirits immediately. The five Canghui youths faltered a half-step when they saw the delicate-looking girl blocking their way. She was nearly 1.7 meters tall now, with big innocent eyes and a harmless smile — hardly the image of a threat.
Oscar edged closer to Tang San and murmured, "Aren't you going to back her up? Don't let her get hurt."
He'd never seen Xiao Wu fight and assumed five young men from an advanced soul master academy — all at least over rank twenty — would be trouble.
But Tang San only smiled. "You're fooled by her looks too. These guys are about to regret it."
After years of cultivation, Tang San's Purple Demon Eye had reached the Microscopic Realm. Beyond the greatly enhanced vision of the initial stage, at this level it could slow the world in his perception, allowing instant reaction — and, oddly in this world, he found it could also gauge the soul power of anyone weaker than himself.
Right now, looking at Canghui's group, he couldn't read the female student or their teacher, but the rest were an open book: all under rank twenty-five, except for the one Dai had already flattened, who had been rank twenty-seven.
Xiao Wu's rank twenty-nine, with combat experience to match — against these, and with Tang San nearby… there was no way she'd lose.
The five Canghui boys hesitated. Xiao Wu blinked sweetly. "Hello, big brothers."
They exchanged awkward glances — their momentum blunted by the cute facade — and that moment's doubt was all she needed.
Her foot "slipped" and she pitched forward into one youth's arms. Instinct made him reach to catch her — and that was when her scorpion braid whipped around his neck. Her forward motion reversed into a tight curl as she sprang up, feet planting against his chest.
Panicked at the choke, he raised his hands to block — only to realize too late her legs weren't striking, they were pivoting. In a blur, she somersaulted forward and he went sailing over her head.
Even Tang San had been caught the first time they sparred; these academy boys, with little real combat experience, never stood a chance.
Before her feet even touched down, Xiao Wu's momentum carried her into the next target. He caught her legs on his forearms — only to feel them flex and slip like silk from his guard, sliding up to hook around his neck.
Then her body bent back in the opposite direction, and a second opponent went flying.
(End of Chapter)