As for Fu Qin, he not only intended to leave an Immortal Herb for him but also wanted to help facilitate a match between him and Ning Rongrong.
He patted Dai Mubai's shoulder, his tone indifferent.
"Mubai, I know you're feeling down right now, but matters of the heart can't be forced. You should think carefully about what to do next."
Dai Mubai looked up at Tang San, his eyes filled with bitterness and resentment: "Little San, I..."
"No need to say more." Tang San interrupted him, his gaze meaningful.
"The team needs partners who can fight side by side, not people who hold us back. Take care of yourself."
After saying that, Tang San turned and left, leaving Dai Mubai stunned in place, his heart cold.
He knew Tang San's words were very clear; if he couldn't resolve his issues with Zhu Zhuqing, he would likely be kicked out of the team.
All of this was witnessed by Fu Qin.
The smile at the corner of his mouth grew more playful; he could more or less guess Tang San's thoughts.
However, this was exactly what he wanted.
Dai Mubai and Oscar losing influence only brought him benefits and no harm.
Ning Rongrong felt Fu Qin's smile and looked up to ask.
"Brother Fu Qin, what are you laughing at?"
"Nothing, I just felt a bit surprised, that's all."
...
Three days passed quietly.
The square of Shrek Academy was filled with everyone ready to set out.
Yu Xiaogang was still wearing his greasy coat, pointing his slightly chubby finger at the piles of dark stones in the corner of the square, his voice resonant.
"The first stage of training is over. Your next task is to cross the Devils Path!"
He raised his hand and pointed to the rugged path hidden in the mountain forest behind the academy, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"This road from the academy to Suotuo City is a full four hundred kilometers of abandoned mountain trails, rugged and steep, overgrown with thorns. It takes an ordinary person three days, but you must arrive in Suotuo City before this evening."
As soon as he finished speaking, no surprise showed in the others' eyes; only Zhu Zhuqing, who had not yet recovered her memories, was somewhat shocked.
Four hundred kilometers of mountain roads, and they had to finish it in half a day?
Although Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and the others had experienced it once, who would want to go through such a thing a second time?
Dai Mubai frowned slightly, looking at the stones that weighed dozens of catties, feeling his scalp tingle.
Ma Hongjun wailed directly, "Grandmaster, this is too perverted!"
Yu Xiaogang remained unmoved and said coldly, "Each person will carry a load corresponding to thirty percent of their body weight. Start collecting them now."
Fu Qin looked at the heavy stones, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing beside him.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were fine, but Ning Rongrong, being of the support system and having a slender build, would likely collapse before halfway if she carried such a load for four hundred kilometers.
He stepped forward and asked Yu Xiaogang, "Grandmaster, can we help each other? For example, by sharing the load."
Yu Xiaogang paused for a moment, then nodded. "Yes, teamwork is part of what I intend to evaluate."
Having received permission, Fu Qin no longer hesitated.
Under the shocked gazes of Yu Xiaogang, Flender, and the others, he walked straight to Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. Before the three girls could react, he grabbed all the stones from their baskets and placed them steadily into his own.
The already heavy basket instantly gained another layer, weighing over a hundred catties. It pressed down on his shoulders, yet he showed no sign of strain.
"Brother Fu Qin!" Ning Rongrong exclaimed, then smiled playfully at him, her eyes full of sweetness and dependence.
"Then I won't be polite!"
She naturally wouldn't stand on ceremony with Fu Qin, knowing his strength was formidable and enjoying his unique protection.
Moreover, during this half-year, she had frequently helped her "good brother" Fu Qin relieve the pressure of cultivation in bed.
Xiao Wu also stepped forward, reaching out her fair hand to pinch his cheek, her voice soft and sweet.
"Brother Fu Qin, thank you, you're so good!"
As she spoke, she turned her head to look at Tang San not far away, blinking playfully at him with a sweet smile.
Like training a dog, she occasionally gave him a little sweetness to keep Tang San's illusions alive.
Tang San's eyes indeed lit up, and his heart instantly bloomed with joy, feeling that Xiao Wu really did love him most, and Fu Qin was just her brother.
He smiled honestly at Xiao Wu, internally cursing his past self as a scoundrel for letting down such a wonderful girl.
As Zhu Zhuqing watched Fu Qin take her stones as well, her heart warmed, and a warm current surged through her.
But she quickly composed herself, stepped forward, gently took her stones out of Fu Qin's basket, put them back into her own, and said firmly.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept."
She looked up at Fu Qin, a stubborn light flickering in her eyes.
"I want to become strong, to rely on my own power, and no longer place my hopes on anyone else."
Dai Mubai's betrayal had long since left her heart dead. Now she only wanted to rely on herself, or at least... she wanted to resist.
Looking at her determined eyes, Fu Qin felt a hint of admiration and nodded.
"Alright, I respect your choice. If you get tired, let me know anytime."
Zhu Zhuqing gave a soft "mm," her cheeks flushing slightly as she turned to shoulder her load and took the lead toward the Devils Path.
That slender yet upright figure exuded an unyielding tenacity.
This scene fell into Oscar's eyes, causing the fire of jealousy in his heart to burn even more intensely.
He stared intently at Ning Rongrong's dependent and sweet behavior toward Fu Qin, his fists clenching until they cracked.
In his past life, Ning Rongrong was clearly his wife, his partner who stood by him as they became gods, but now, she had thrown herself into Fu Qin's embrace, utterly dependent on Fu Qin while ignoring him completely!
The taste of watching his wife being taken away made him mad with jealousy, and his gaze toward Fu Qin was filled with venom and resentment.
[Oscar's inner thoughts: Fu Qin! You bastard! Rongrong is mine! She's my wife! What right do you have to take her away? I will definitely make you pay!]
His jealousy points soared again, almost breaking through the defenses of his reason. Only because of Fu Qin's strength and the gazes of the Shrek group did he forcefully suppress the urge to act.
Fu Qin felt Oscar's venomous gaze, and a playful smirk curled his lips.
He didn't take Oscar seriously at all; such a buffoon couldn't cause much trouble.
"Alright, let's go." Fu Qin shouldered the load of over a hundred catties and spoke to Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong.
His steps were steady, completely unaffected by the weight, as if what he carried on his back wasn't over a hundred catties of stone, but feathers.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong followed him on either side, the three of them chatting and laughing, their moods completely unaffected by the difficult task ahead.
Yu Xiaogang looked at Fu Qin's back, a hint of amazement flashing in his eyes.
A load of over a hundred catties was not easy even for a Spirit Elder, yet Fu Qin could be so relaxed. This strength and physique were truly astonishing.
Flender stroked his beard, grinning from ear to ear. "This kid, I've really found a treasure!"