Chapter 150 - 160

Chapter 150 - Fifth Soul Skill, Demon Eye Devourer

Pink-colored domes?

What kind of martial soul was that?

Even after years of learning under Yu Xiaogang and gaining extensive knowledge, Tang San couldn't figure it out.

Tang San thought carefully and decided to be cautious. He asked, "So he has two more soul skills he hasn't used yet?"

Ma Hongjun didn't think much and replied, "Tang San, with you three Soul Elders and me, a level-27 Soul Grandmaster, what's there to fear? Besides, you're also a control-type soul master!"

Ma Hongjun misunderstood, thinking Tang San was afraid.

Tang San wasn't scared but didn't want to underestimate the opponent. He said, "Control-type soul masters are unique. In one-on-one combat, they have a big advantage. Fatty, if we fight him, you focus on long-range attacks to distract him. Dai Mubai and I will fight head-on, and Oscar will handle support.

"If I'm right, his martial soul naturally suppresses fire, which is why your flames didn't affect him. When we fight, I'll counter his control. Even though his soul power is higher than mine, I can at least disrupt him. Control-types can't withstand direct attacks, no matter if he's level 40."

With only a ten-level gap, Tang San was confident he could counter the opponent's control abilities.

Yu Xiaogang had taught him that the best way to handle a control-type was to counter control with control.

In terms of team dynamics, offense-types were the core, support-types were the foundation, agility-types were the eyes, and control-types were the soul.

Three months of training had improved Tang San's physical strength, and Yu Xiaogang had also given him special training at night. The focus was the mysterious third eye on his forehead.

The training revealed the eye's abilities—enhanced dynamic vision and stronger spiritual power. Tang San's Purple Demon Eye had already reached the second stage, Mustard Seed Realm.

Meanwhile, Yun Feng had completed his hunt and left the Star Dou Forest, arriving at Soto City.

With his 52nd-level soul power, Ah Yin's soul bone, and his fourth soul skill, he moved quickly.

He didn't return to Shrek Academy right away because he was hungry. He had also been eating casually for days and needed to restock materials for crafting soul tools.

Yun Feng then spotted Ma Hongjun and decided to test his fifth soul skill. Instead of helping Ma Hongjun, Yun Feng targeted Bu Le.

Yun Feng's fifth soul skill came from a 21,000-year Fire Cloud Silkworm, which transformed into a Demonic Eye King Soul Ring. The Demonic Eye King was a Thousand-Eyed Demon Tree with hypnosis and mental control abilities.

The Demon Eye Devourer had two effects. It could strengthen allies, making them fearless, and boost Yun Feng's Blue Silver King. It could also cause enemies to lose self-awareness and become obedient to Yun Feng.

The duration depended on Yun Feng's strength. Yun Feng tested it on Bu Le and waited for the group's arrival.

After dinner, Ma Hongjun ate two of Oscar's recovery sausages, and the four quietly left the academy. Ma Hongjun didn't tell others since being beaten at a brothel wasn't something to share.

As they reached the gate, a shadow suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

Startled, Ma Hongjun released his Phoenix Martial Soul, lighting up the area with purple-red flames. Seeing who it was, he sighed and put away his flames.

"Damn it, Xiao Wu, are you trying to scare me?"

Xiao Wu wore brown pants and a white top. Her long black braid and slim waist made her look agile. She asked, "What are you sneaking off to do? Fatty, what happened to your face? Did someone beat you up?"

Ma Hongjun hesitated. He didn't mind talking about it with the others, but Xiao Wu disliked his habits.

Xiao Wu looked closely at his injuries and laughed.

"Who did this? Tang San, was it you?"

Tang San said, "No. Fatty got beaten up while hitting on a girl. We're going to settle the score."

Xiao Wu said, "Count me in. I can't miss this!"

Despite past complaints about Ma Hongjun, their training had brought them closer. Xiao Wu enjoyed fighting and was eager to join.

Chapter 151 - Yun Feng Was Stunned

It wasn't entirely Xiao Wu's fault. Life in this era was incredibly dull, with very few entertainment options. Being a lively girl, Xiao Wu found Yu Xiaogang's strict and repetitive training especially stifling.

Hearing about something as interesting as this incident, she naturally wanted to join in.

She wouldn't have come along if it were just for Ma Hongjun. Even though she had let go of her initial dislike for him, her first impression of him still lingered.

But now that Ma Hongjun's situation had changed, she no longer cared about such things.

The group of four turned into five and, under the cover of night, followed the familiar path toward Soto City. Soul power surged through their bodies as they moved swiftly.

Half an hour later, Dai Mubai wrinkled his nose as they arrived.

"Fatty, this is where you solve your problems?"

The scene in front of them was a row of small, run-down houses in a remote corner of Soto City.

The buildings stood barely three meters tall, showing signs of disrepair. Dim pink lanterns hung at the entrances, where heavily made-up women, clearly past their prime, stood soliciting passersby.

Oscar smirked.

"No wonder you always talk about finding gold in a haystack. This really is a haystack."

Both Dai Mubai and Oscar couldn't hide their distaste for Ma Hongjun's taste.

Xiao Wu and Tang San, visiting such a place for the first time, were more curious than anything.

Ma Hongjun chuckled awkwardly but didn't argue. Instead, he said in a low voice, "It's cheap here. One silver coin for one session, two silver coins for three. Good value for money. And trust me, gold can be found in haystacks—you just need luck."

The others glared at him.

Dai Mubai said bluntly, "If anyone asks, I don't know you. I knew you were desperate, but not to this extent. The so-called gold you're talking about is old enough to be your aunt."

It wasn't jealousy. Ma Hongjun might have limited stamina, but at least he could still do something. Dai Mubai, on the other hand, had lost all opportunities and couldn't help feeling bitter.

Ma Hongjun snapped back, "Boss Dai, stop mocking me. Let's get this over with. Wait here—I'll check if that bastard's still around."

He quickly disappeared into the "haystack" while Oscar prepared his recovery sausages.

Xiao Wu scoffed, "Same old Oscar."

Hiding nearby, Yun Feng almost burst out laughing. Oscar's soul incantations never failed to sound ridiculous.

But Yun Feng didn't dwell on it and continued observing.

Soon, Ma Hongjun returned, looking excited.

"Good news—he's still here but settling his bill. He'll come out soon. Once we deal with him, dinner's on me."

Dai Mubai waved him off.

"No thanks. Your taste is too questionable."

Even Xiao Wu agreed, nodding her head. She had seen Dai Mubai's twin sisters before, and comparing them to the women here was like comparing heaven to earth.

While they were talking, a figure emerged from the building.

The man was just as Ma Hongjun had described—short, dark-skinned, and middle-aged. He wore ragged shorts, tattered sandals, and had his right hand wrapped in bandages.

He looked pleased with himself, humming as he walked down the street.

"Today's a good day to stretch my legs and relax."

However, Yun Feng, observing from the shadows, noticed something else—a faint black glow in Bu Le's eyes.

Yun Feng knew that Bu Le was already under his control.

Ma Hongjun clenched his fists and asked, "Should we go now?"

Dai Mubai and the others were about to nod when Xiao Wu stepped forward, blocking them.

"Let me handle this."

Yun Feng froze.

What was she doing?

He had spent so much time preparing to mess with Tang San and the others, not Xiao Wu.

Now she was messing up his plan.

While Yun Feng hesitated, Xiao Wu took action.

He decided to let Bu Le act on his own for now, ready to step in if necessary.

Xiao Wu approached Bu Le with light steps.

Ma Hongjun frowned.

"What's Xiao Wu doing?"

Tang San sighed and said, "Just wait and see."

Xiao Wu stopped in front of Bu Le and smiled.

"Uncle, do you know where I can buy candy around here?"

Bu Le, still basking in satisfaction, froze for a moment.

He looked up and saw Xiao Wu standing there.

His expression shifted, his eyes lighting up with interest.

The sight of Xiao Wu, so lively and beautiful under the moonlight, instantly caught his attention.

Chapter 152: Tang San – I Have a Friend Who…

A delicate, fair face, long and shiny scorpion braids, and though not voluptuous, a figure with some curves—especially the blush on her youthful cheeks—made her even more alluring to someone like Bu Le, an old pervert.

Bu Le's eyes gleamed as he looked at Xiao Wu, secretly exclaiming in his heart, What a pretty and adorable little lolita!

"Heavens! Is this a gift from the gods?"

Clearing his throat, Bu Le quickly suppressed the lecherous light in his eyes, straightened his chest, and put on a serious demeanor. The change was so fast that, if Xiao Wu hadn't been watching him the entire time, she might have been fooled.

"Little girl, why are you out buying candy so late? This place is so secluded—aren't you afraid of running into bad people?"

Bu Le spoke with a stern expression, and coupled with his seemingly honest appearance, he did seem somewhat respectable.

Xiao Wu blinked her big, beautiful eyes.

"Uncle, are you a bad person?"

Her soft, innocent voice made Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar—who were watching from a distance—feel chills down their spines.

Was this really the same Xiao Wu who tossed them around like ragdolls during sparring matches?

This—this was way too good at acting!

Only Tang San wore a bitter smile, not surprised at all. He had already witnessed this scene back at Notting Academy.

When it came to deception, Xiao Wu was even better than Ning Rongrong when she first arrived at Shrek Academy.

Especially with her innocent, girl-next-door act, no normal man could resist.

The difference was that good men would feel pity seeing her like this, but scum like Bu Le would only drool.

Hearing Xiao Wu's question, Bu Le immediately declared righteously:

"Of course, Uncle is a good person! Little girl, what's your name? How old are you?"

Xiao Wu's face flushed slightly.

"My name is Xiao Wu, and I'll be thirteen soon."

Bu Le froze for a moment, thinking, She's only twelve?

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

How could he resist this tender morsel delivered right to his mouth?

"You're already so tall at twelve—you'll definitely be a beauty in the future. Xiao Wu, there aren't any candy stores here. Come with Uncle, I'll take you to buy some candy and then send you home, okay?"

Xiao Wu smiled sweetly, nodding obediently.

"Okay!"

Bu Le hadn't expected her to be so easy to fool. Seeing her agree to follow him, he was overjoyed. He glanced around cautiously before leading her toward a secluded path.

To avoid raising suspicion, he resisted the urge to hold her soft little hand.

Oscar rubbed his eyes hard and nudged Tang San.

"Xiao San, is that really Xiao Wu? Why does she seem so different?"

Tang San replied strangely:

"Back in Notting Academy—no, I mean, I had a friend who got misunderstood by Xiao Wu and thought he'd done something wrong. She used this exact trick to lure him to a dark corner and then… Eight-Duan Throw."

"Eight-Duan Throw? What's that?"

Ma Hongjun couldn't help but ask.

Tang San's eyes showed a trace of fear.

"It's one of Xiao Wu's most violent grappling techniques—eight consecutive throws. Once she starts, there's almost no chance to fight back. That's Xiao Wu's real strength. So never let her get close. As for this perverted old man named Bu Le, he's about to experience it firsthand. Let's follow just in case something unexpected happens."

Meanwhile, Dai Mubai had been observing Tang San's reaction and, noticing his fearful expression, blurted out:

"Wait, that friend you mentioned—isn't it actually you?"

Tang San immediately panicked.

"How could you slander my innocence like that?!"

But his rebuttal only made the others laugh knowingly.

It was too obvious. Plus, baseless accusations were something they had done themselves in the past.

Tang San's face went through several shades of color before finally following the group. Protecting Xiao Wu was more important than clearing his name!

Bu Le was too preoccupied with his lust to notice Tang San and the others tailing him. With his 46th-level spirit power, he might have detected them under normal circumstances, but his mind was completely fixated on the young girl beside him.

Little did he know that sometimes, a "lolita" could turn into a demon.

He stole glances at Xiao Wu as she swayed her slender waist while walking. Though her hips weren't very wide, her slim waist accentuated a tempting curve, making Bu Le gulp repeatedly.

Xiao Wu's nearly flawless beauty, like lotus leaves swaying in the wind and banana leaves moistened by rain, reignited the lust that had died down earlier.

For an old pervert like him, visual stimulation was crucial, and Xiao Wu was leagues above the plain village girls he was used to.

The path grew more and more secluded, and soon there were hardly any pedestrians in sight.

Bu Le led Xiao Wu into a dark alley.

"Uncle, where's the candy store? It's so dark here—I'm a little scared," Xiao Wu said softly, her voice trembling slightly as if frightened.

Bu Le chuckled lecherously.

"Xiao Wu, eating candy this late isn't good for you. How about Uncle shows you some goldfish instead?"

"Goldfish? Where?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.

Bu Le stopped walking and began unfastening his belt.

"They'll appear soon."

Xiao Wu suddenly smiled.

"Uncle, is your next line going to be: 'I've got a big sausage for you'?"

Oscar, hiding in the shadows, froze. Why does this involve me?!

"Uh…"

Bu Le's hands paused as he suddenly noticed Xiao Wu's eyes glowing red, filled with a captivating charm. Before he could react, a flash of purple light appeared.

Something tightened around his neck. Before he could release his martial spirit, Xiao Wu's scorpion braid had already wrapped around him.

In the next moment, he felt immense force lifting him off the ground.

If Bu Le were a strength-type spirit master, he might have had a chance to resist, but he was a control-type. Without summoning his martial spirit, his power was greatly diminished.

Exhausted from a day of "work," Bu Le's strength was already depleted.

As his vision spun, he saw stars—golden stars, silver stars, big stars, and small stars—flashing before his eyes. The intense vibrations left him unable to focus his soul power to release his martial spirit.

His body didn't even feel pain—just intense numbness.

Chapter 153: Xiao Wu's Solo Performance!

Dai Mubai, Oscar, Tang San, and Ma Hongjun had already stepped out from the shadows.

Apart from Tang San, the other three were wide-eyed, watching as the once delicate and innocent figure performed a series of ferocious moves.

For the first time, they witnessed Xiao Wu's full Eight Stage Throw technique.

The moment Xiao Wu vanished in front of Bule, she had activated her teleportation skill. With her scorpion braid already poised, she caught Bule completely off guard, wrapping it tightly around his neck.

And thus began the tragic fate of the perverted creep, Bule.

With her braid coiled around his neck, Xiao Wu braced one foot against his lower back. Activating her first spirit skill, Waist Bow, she used the force from her waist to lift her upper body, jerking his neck backward while pushing her foot forward, sending Bule soaring into the air.

The scorpion braid slipped free, and Xiao Wu immediately pursued his airborne body, leaping up to meet him.

Her Waist Bow's terrifying strength—enhanced by her level 31 spirit power and a 120% amplification—flung Bule five meters into the air.

As Bule reached the peak of his ascent, Xiao Wu caught up to him, gripping his waist tightly. With another surge of Waist Bow's power, she spun backward, twisting her waist like a coiled spring. At this moment, Bule was still under the effects of Xiao Wu's Charm skill, too dazed to react beyond a sensation of being spun violently.

Xiao Wu clutched his waist, rotating mid-air for two full spins. As she descended, the momentum of her spin brought Bule crashing down with a deafening thud.

At that moment, the four onlookers instinctively closed their eyes.

The devastating force of this aerial spinning slam was undeniable. Xiao Wu had previously used this technique during sparring matches, but back then, she had always thrown her opponents into the air rather than slamming them directly onto the ground.

Bule was simply unlucky today. Not only had he encountered Xiao Wu, a little demon, but his sleazy appearance also made him a perfect target for her wrath. She showed no mercy.

To Xiao Wu, a creep like Bule, who wouldn't even spare a twelve-year-old girl, deserved to die.

However, Bule was still a Spirit Elder with a spirit power level above 40. After two rapid spins, he finally managed to shake off the effects of Xiao Wu's Charm skill.

Though he didn't have time to activate his martial spirit, he barely managed to spread his spirit power across his body for protection.

But in the very next moment, a violent impact shattered his defense.

Boom!

Bule's body slammed into the ground. Xiao Wu had flattened him completely, leaving him sprawled out in a humiliating pose. Blood streamed from his nose before he even had the chance to scream, leaving him dazed and disoriented.

But this was just the beginning.

Without pausing, Xiao Wu flipped over, planting her hands on Bule's waist and locking her ankles around his head. She activated Waist Bow once more, flipping him forward and slamming him down again.

Though her hands released him, her legs provided even greater force. Using another backflip, she hurled him into the ground yet again.

Xiao Wu demonstrated the full elasticity of her waist strength, using the recoil of the second slam to spin back and return Bule to his original spot.

Bule's body resembled a sack being tossed by Xiao Wu's feet. He was slammed a total of six times—three forward and three backward. With each impact, the sound of bones cracking echoed.

"Damn! Damn...!"

Dai Mubai and the others couldn't help but cry out with each throw. Blood had already splattered near their feet.

Finally, after hurling Bule one last time, Xiao Wu flung him into the air instead of slamming him again, bringing the sequence of six throws to a close. Including the initial spinning slam, Bule had endured seven devastating impacts.

Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun shuddered at the thought of being on the receiving end of this combo.

Even Yun Feng, hiding in the shadows, felt his scalp tingle. Despite his strength, he doubted he could withstand Xiao Wu's combo if caught off-guard.

Still, he reassured himself that Xiao Wu wouldn't go this hard on him.

What a shame for such a well-laid plan!

Dai Mubai also realized that even with his White Tiger Vajra Transformation activated, getting caught by Xiao Wu like this would leave his spirit power completely scattered.

Xiao Wu leaped again, and as the others braced for another aerial spin, she instead clamped her legs around Bule's neck mid-air.

Executing a graceful 1080-degree spin, Xiao Wu twisted Bule's neck, producing sharp cracking sounds. Whether or not his cervical spine broke, he was certainly in terrible condition.

Finishing with a final Waist Bow, she flung Bule's body into the ground one last time. Using the recoil, she flipped mid-air and landed softly.

Boom!

Bule's body hit the ground in a grotesque pose, convulsing uncontrollably. He couldn't move beyond the spasms.

Ma Hongjun cautiously approached Xiao Wu, who was slightly out of breath, and asked, "Xiao Wu, did you... kill him?"

Xiao Wu glanced at Bule's twitching body.

"I know what I'm doing. Yun Feng told me not to kill recklessly, so I only gave him a lesson. But I doubt he'll be getting out of bed for the next three months. I'm serious—most of his joints are dislocated. He'll be completely bedridden for a while."

Dai Mubai grumbled, "We came here to fight, and now that you've beaten him to a pulp, what's left for us to do? But seriously, Xiao Wu, your Eight Stage Throw is insane."

It was clear they were thoroughly impressed.

The academy was full of monsters, and each one seemed more terrifying than the last.

Before Yun Feng and the others arrived, Dai Mubai had been the top dog. Now, he felt like anyone could crush him.

Well, except for Ning Rongrong, since she was a support-type Spirit Master.

Oscar added, "The scariest part is her teleportation. Once you're within five meters, there's no escape. Also, Xiao Wu, can you really use Waist Bow consecutively without pausing to gather spirit power?"

Chapter 154: Tang San, Go to Gotham—Douluo Is Not for You!

Xiao Wu giggled as if her previous feat was nothing remarkable.

"I used to need to gather soul power, but after reaching level thirty, I no longer need extra time. Besides, even if I had to gather soul power, the gaps between my attacks would be more than enough. My Eight-Stage Throw is ineffective only against power-type soul masters. Against a control-type soul master like him, a sneak attack is bound to succeed."

Tang San looked at Xiao Wu and suddenly said, "Xiao Wu, don't ever use such methods to tempt the enemy again. It's too dangerous."

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San with confusion, as if to say, "Are you insane?"

Realizing his comment was inappropriate, Tang San forced a laugh and explained, "I'm just worried about you!"

Xiao Wu didn't respond with a nod. Instead, she calmly said, "This is my way of fighting."

Hearing this, Tang San thought for a moment and realized she had a point. He unconsciously touched the extra eye on his forehead, his gaze filled with disappointment.

Dai Mubai observed Tang San's expression and understood the situation but chose not to clarify. Instead, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, let's go. Fatty, this guy has it worse than you now. Consider your revenge taken."

Ma Hongjun, who hadn't delivered the final blow himself, still felt unsatisfied. He walked over to Bule, kicked him a few times, and grumbled, "That's for hitting me! And for calling me small! Hmph. Wait..."

Suddenly, an idea struck Ma Hongjun, and he grinned. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up in a moment."

Dai Mubai frowned and said, "Don't go too far. That guy may have hit you, but he's not entirely evil. He doesn't deserve to die. Be quick."

"Got it."

Watching Dai Mubai, Tang San, Oscar, and Xiao Wu disappear around the corner, Ma Hongjun's face twisted into a sinister smile. He raised his right hand, conjuring a ball of purple-red flames in his palm, and his gaze shifted toward Bule's lower body.

Yun Feng, who thought his opportunity was lost, smirked as he saw Ma Hongjun alone. He hadn't completely crippled Ma Hongjun earlier because going too far within the academy would have been inappropriate.

But now, no one was watching.

What a perfect chance!

Yun Feng knew Ma Hongjun and Oscar often eavesdropped beneath their palace at night. Although nothing ever happened, their behavior had crossed Yun Feng's line.

It was like dancing in a minefield.

Tang San had merely wanted to steal his soul tool forging techniques. But this opportunity couldn't be wasted.

Fifth soul skill—Demonic Eye Devourer activated again. Bule, who had already been controlled, fell under Yun Feng's power once more. His eyes snapped open as he stared at the flames in front of him.

Before Ma Hongjun could react, Bule summoned his martial soul to shield himself. Then, with both hands, he grabbed Ma Hongjun and redirected the flames toward him.

"Boom—"

Ma Hongjun's mind went blank as he stared at Bule in disbelief. How could someone wake up so quickly after sustaining such severe injuries?

Hadn't Xiao Wu said he'd be bedridden for at least three months?

What the hell was going on?

But there was no time to think.

The scorching flames ignited his body instantly.

"Ah—"

Tang San and the others hadn't walked far when they heard a blood-curdling scream. They exchanged looks and shook their heads helplessly.

"Ma Hongjun... seriously."

"The guy was already down, and he still had to go and do that."

Tang San, however, didn't think it was wrong. Instead, he said calmly, "Actually, Ma Hongjun was right."

"What? Tang San, have you gone soft?" Xiao Wu looked at him suspiciously.

Tang San might be a bit ugly and dull, but he didn't seem soft-hearted. She clearly remembered how even Zhao Wuji had suffered from Tang San's hidden weapons.

Tang San shook his head and said, "I'm just saying—cut the weeds and remove the roots, or they'll grow back in spring."

"Huh?"

The others looked at Tang San with mixed expressions. Although they were all talented soul masters, they were still teenagers. Only Xiao Wu, being a soul beast, seemed somewhat accepting of his words.

No one expected Tang San to say something like that.

Tang San had never forgotten the principles of the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record.

[Rule 3 of the Tang Sect's Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record: When an opponent is confirmed as an enemy, show no mercy if they deserve to die. Mercy will only invite future troubles.]

"That perverted man Bule won't let this slide if he survives. He has over forty levels of soul power. If he gathers allies to retaliate, his hearing is still intact, and he'll definitely guess it was Ma Hongjun's doing," Tang San explained.

Tang San wasn't speaking out of kindness. He simply wanted to increase his influence within the group. With Yun Feng out of the picture for a while, and Xiao Wu by his side, he needed to assert himself.

However, the others looked at him like he was a monster.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Hey, Xiao Wu, Tang San, why are you two still out here so late?"

Xiao Wu's face lit up with joy at the familiar voice. She immediately turned and ran toward the speaker.

"Yun Feng!!!"

Seeing the approaching girl, Yun Feng smiled and opened his arms.

Meanwhile, Tang San stood there awkwardly, like a clown, watching Xiao Wu and Yun Feng.

Yun Feng felt a little sorry for Tang San and almost wanted to say:

"Douluo's not for you, Tang San. Why don't you head to Gotham instead? With your ruthless nature, you'd definitely make a name for yourself there."

"Yun Feng, where have you been all this time?"

"Why did you just leave a note and disappear?"

Facing Xiao Wu's questions, Yun Feng didn't hide anything. He directly summoned his martial soul.

When Yun Feng's martial soul appeared, everyone froze.

Even some passersby wandering through the city stopped to stare.

Yun Feng's soul rings glowed—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black.

He was a Five-Ring Soul King!!!

Chapter 155: What Bittersweet Irony

When did this happen? How could they have had no clue? Wasn't Yun Feng training with them all this time?

And now, just like that, he's a Soul King!

He even acquired his soul rings!

This was utterly outrageous!

The onlookers, though quick to react, weren't nearly as shocked as Tang San and Xiao Wu. After all, they didn't know the backstory, so their surprise couldn't compare.

"Holy crap! Such a young boy, and he's already a Soul King?"

"Shut up! Call him Soul King, Lord!"

Some girls and even a few married women couldn't hide the glimmer in their eyes as they looked at Yun Feng. Their legs fidgeted, clearly restless.

The world reveres the strong—it's only natural.

Their minds raced with vivid fantasies.

Sensing the awkwardness, Yun Feng smiled sheepishly and withdrew his martial soul.

Looking at the stunned Xiao Wu in his arms, he teased, "What's the matter? Dumbfounded?"

Xiao Wu nodded instinctively.

"Uh-huh—"

Honestly, anyone would be like this in her position.

Yun Feng wasn't entirely clueless, but as the saying goes: What's the point of wealth and success if you don't flaunt it back home?

If not now, when should he show off?

As for potential consequences of his boasting?

Yun Feng had thought about it—nothing more than being investigated by the major powers.

But with his system, what could they possibly find out?

As for assassinations of prodigies?

Possible, but unlikely. With the secrets he carried, no one would dare act rashly without understanding the stakes.

Of course, Yun Feng wasn't deliberately flaunting everywhere.

It was nighttime, after all, and his martial soul had only appeared for a fleeting moment.

Just as Yun Feng was reflecting, Xiao Wu suddenly spoke:

"Yun Feng, did you go to obtain your fifth soul ring?"

"When did you advance? Why didn't you tell us? And why didn't you invite us to go with you?"

Xiao Wu's questions tumbled out in rapid succession.

Hearing them, Tang San and the others nodded in agreement.

But Yun Feng glanced around and clearly had no intention of continuing the topic. Instead, he asked, "By the way, what are you all doing here?"

Xiao Wu hesitated only briefly before explaining their purpose.

Hearing her explanation, Yun Feng chuckled and said:

"So, where's Ma Hongjun? I thought I heard his voice earlier."

Yun Feng's half-joking tone made Tang San and the others exchange glances.

That's right!

Where was Ma Hongjun? Even if he sought revenge, it shouldn't take this long.

What was he doing?

As they thought about it, a realization struck them, and they rushed toward the chicken coop.

When they arrived, they found that Bu Le was gone.

All that remained was Ma Hongjun lying on the ground, clutching his pants, his eyes bloodshot and filled with murderous intent.

The surrounding fire chickens cowered, not daring to approach.

The killing aura emanating from Ma Hongjun was terrifying, as if he'd suffered a mortal grudge or had his wife stolen.

After exchanging glances, Dai Mubai was the first to speak.

"Fatty, what's wrong with you?"

Ma Hongjun looked at the group, tears streaming from his bloodshot eyes. Then, as if recalling something, he shouted:

"Boss Dai, everyone, help me catch Bu Le and kill him!"

The final words came through gritted teeth, dripping with venomous hatred.

The depth of his resentment was palpable.

Yun Feng nearly burst out laughing at the sight.

Serves you right.

Nearby, Ah Yin couldn't help but think her benefactor might have a twisted streak. His ways of tormenting people were endless.

Dai Mubai and the others, unable to refuse Ma Hongjun's plea, began searching the area.

But Bu Le, long under Yun Feng's control, had already fled.

It wasn't out of mercy that Yun Feng spared him—it simply wasn't worth it.

After all, Bu Le was a Soul Elder. He could still be used to annoy the Shrek team in the future. Keeping him alive was far more useful than killing him.

After an exhaustive search, Dai Mubai and the others gave up.

When Ma Hongjun learned of Bu Le's escape, he let out a heart-wrenching cry.

"My little bird!"

And then, he fainted.

Shrek Academy: Dean's Office

"I hate to disturb your efforts with those little monsters, Xiao Gang," Flander said, his tone resigned. "But I regret to inform you that the academy's funds have been completely exhausted."

As a powerful Soul Sage, being shackled by finances was a bitter pill for Flander to swallow.

Under normal circumstances, the tuition collected from students was enough to sustain them for a year, with some surplus.

But Grandmaster's unorthodox teaching methods significantly increased their expenses. Food costs had soared, and the medicinal ingredients he mixed into their food and baths daily were exorbitantly priced.

In just three months, the year's tuition was gone.

If Yun Feng knew about Shrek's finances, he'd laugh himself to tears.

Eight students paying 800 gold soul coins in total.

Between food and medicine for a dozen people over three months, they hadn't even burned through 800 gold soul coins. That didn't even account for teacher salaries.

On closer analysis, the funds spent on Yun Feng and his group amounted to about 500 gold soul coins, originally intended to last a year.

It was no wonder Shrek's graduation rate was so abysmal.

One of Ning Rongrong's outfits alone cost more than 500 gold soul coins.

And yet Flander and his team thought they could nurture prodigies on this shoestring budget.

They were even more frugal than capitalists!

This was the cost of cultivating geniuses.

Many talented students who joined Shrek couldn't even graduate due to lack of resources.

What bitter irony!

In any other power, such talent wouldn't be wasted.

Grandmaster nodded, his expression as stiff as ever. Though inwardly disdainful, he said calmly:

"I understand."

Flander gave a bitter smile.

"You understand, but what's your solution?"

Looking at Flander, Grandmaster sighed inwardly but responded flatly:

"After this seven-day break, I'll take them into the second phase of training. Don't worry about the expenses—I'll handle it."

Chapter 156: Who Can Understand This?

How could the academy be on the brink of bankruptcy after spending just a few hundred gold soul coins?

Grandmaster sighed internally: Family, who can understand this? A few hundred gold soul coins are enough to bankrupt the academy!

Flander let out a heavy sigh and said, "If these kids weren't so exceptional, I wouldn't want to keep this going. The days when we traveled the continent together were far more exciting."

For a moment, Grandmaster's face showed a hint of nostalgia, as if those words had brought back cherished memories.

"Perhaps, one day, we'll relive that joy," he murmured.

Flander couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Gang, how do you plan to guide these kids in the next phase? You should take it easy; they've endured enough over the last three months. They're only teenagers, after all. You know what they say—'the strongest trees break in the wind.' Don't push them too hard."

Grandmaster's expression returned to its usual impassive state.

"You entrusted these children to me. Trust me fully—I know what I'm doing."

Soto City

A dark alley.

Bu Le lay sprawled on the ground, still twitching. He had regained consciousness for the third time now.

The first two times, the overwhelming pain coursing through his body had plunged him back into unconsciousness the moment he woke.

Clenching his teeth to endure the agony, Bu Le barely managed to open his eyes. The burnt smell assaulted his nostrils. What left him utterly despairing was his numb and unresponsive lower body.

He knew his life was over.

He tried to move, but only managed to wriggle slightly. His limbs were completely dislocated, including his elbows and knees.

At least five of his ribs were broken.

His cervical vertebrae were misaligned in at least two places.

When Yun Feng controlled Bu Le, he hadn't shielded him from Ma Hongjun's flames, leaving him resembling a roasted chicken.

Once the control ended, the pain returned to his consciousness, and there was no way to escape it.

All this was despite Xiao Wu holding back. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been just dislocations—while her soul power wasn't pure enough to shatter his entire skeleton without killing him, the pain of total dislocation was enough to break anyone.

Even if he recovered, he'd carry internal injuries for the rest of his life.

At that moment, footsteps echoed, drawing closer.

"The madam at the chicken coop said Bu Le went this way with a young girl. Did the bastard find some prize and decide to hog it for himself?"

The voice was magnetic and rich, a classic baritone that could easily enchant women over thirty just by its sound.

"This guy insisted on going solo, and now we have to find him. Old Goose, you picked a good spot today, especially that girl in stockings. She had me drooling just looking at her."

If the first voice was melodious, the second was the polar opposite—raspy and grating, like the quack of a drake. Coupled with its lecherous tone, it felt like being thrown into a swarm of flies.

Hearing these voices, Bu Le, half-conscious, suddenly perked up. Luckily, his jaw wasn't dislocated. Mustering the remnants of his soul power, he forced out a feeble shout:

"Old Goose! Tian Ya! I'm here!"

The two voices stopped abruptly, followed by hurried footsteps. Soon, two figures appeared before Bu Le.

"Is that… Bu Le?" the magnetic voice asked in disbelief.

In the moonlight, the speaker's broad-shouldered, towering frame became visible. His wild, slightly messy long hair exuded a primal charm. However, the most striking feature was his eyes—so narrow they seemed like slits.

From a distance, it was hard to tell whether they were open or closed, further accentuated by his swollen eyelids.

This single trait utterly ruined the allure of his otherwise magnetic voice.

"Bu Le, what happened to you?"

The other figure crouched beside Bu Le. Though his face showed concern, his appearance was even more grotesque.

Aside from a relatively normal head, everything else about him was abnormal. His body was emaciated to the point of being skeletal, with large, yellowed eyes radiating a sinister gleam. Two thin whiskers quivered as he spoke, and the deep crow's feet at the corners of his eyes looked capable of pinching flies to death.

The two men appeared to be about Bu Le's age. Seeing his miserable state, their earlier jovial expressions turned solemn.

The skinny, sinister man quickly examined Bu Le's body, muttering curses under his breath. His yellow eyes tinged red as he assessed the damage.

"What brutal methods. Bu Le's in bad shape—his limbs are dislocated, five ribs broken, four fractured, his cervical vertebrae misaligned in three places. He won't recover for months. Worst of all, his… uh, 'bird' is cooked."

"Cooked? Tian Ya, what do you mean, cooked?"

The baritone Old Goose was startled.

Tian Ya forced a wry smile.

"Can't you smell the roast chicken? Bu Le took a massive hit this time. Bones can heal, but his roast bird…"

As he spoke, Tian Ya raised his right hand. A flash of green light appeared, revealing a blade and five soul rings: one white, two yellow, and two purple.

Though the rings were ordinary, they marked him as a bona fide Level 50 Soul King.

The weapon in his hand was a broken blade, about a foot long with a greenish glow. He was clearly a battle soul master with a tool-based martial soul.

"Bu Le, I'm sorry, but if I don't cut it off now, it'll only get worse."

With a flash of green light, the blade fell.

A soft thud echoed as something hit the ground.

Strangely, Bu Le didn't make a sound. But tears of humiliation and hatred streamed from his eyes.

"I'll get revenge. I'll make them suffer a fate worse than death!"

Seven days of rest passed quickly, and it was time for classes to resume.

Since that night when the group secretly thrashed the lecherous Bu Le, the incident had gradually faded from memory.

However, thanks to Yun Feng and Ma Hongjun, the past week had been a whirlwind at the academy.

While Yun Feng's advancements brought good news, Ma Hongjun's injuries drained Flander's coffers dry.

Shrek Academy was now so destitute that even thieves wouldn't bother.

With no other option, Flander shamelessly borrowed money from Dai Mubai to keep the academy afloat.

Chapter 157: How Can You Be So Shameless?

Shrek Academy was now drowning in a financial crisis.

They couldn't even cover Ma Hongjun's medical expenses, let alone afford food for the next day.

To avoid further awkwardness, Flander had no choice but to borrow money from the students themselves.

This left the Shrek team speechless once again.

Though no one voiced their complaints, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't help but feel deeply conflicted.

Is this really the right place for us?

But just as the thought crossed their minds, their gazes shifted to Yun Feng. That alone was enough to push their doubts back down.

Compared to the academy's financial troubles, everyone seemed far more interested in Yun Feng's sudden surge in power.

Yun Feng's significant advancement had Grandmaster completely elated, his eyes brimming with obsession.

"Flander, did you see this? Since I came, Yun Feng's strength has skyrocketed! My methods work!"

Flander didn't know how to respond to his old friend.

He had been present at nearly every training session, observing everything. Did Yun Feng's improvement really have anything to do with Grandmaster's methods?

Flander doubted it.

Yun Feng never even took the training seriously. And if you looked at the other Shrek students, none of them showed such drastic progress.

If this were a matter of talent, that theory didn't hold up either.

Among the group, Yun Feng's talent was the weakest—this was beyond dispute.

The Spirit Hall's innate spirit power tests were never wrong. Yun Feng had only Level 1 innate spirit power, barely better than Grandmaster's.

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, Tang San, and Oscar all had full innate spirit power. Even Zhu Zhuqing, the lowest among them, had Level 7.

Yet, the combined progress of everyone else paled in comparison to Yun Feng's.

Still, Flander couldn't bear to dampen his old friend's spirits and played along.

"Thanks to you, Xiao Gang. Without your guidance, I wouldn't even know how to keep Shrek running, let alone teach the students."

Predictably, Grandmaster's eyes flashed with pride at these words. Flander's flattery had struck a chord.

In contrast, Zhao Wuji snorted disdainfully.

Sure, Yun Feng was a prodigy, but that didn't mean Grandmaster's teaching methods deserved the credit.

He kept these thoughts to himself, however, unwilling to damage Flander's relationship with Grandmaster.

While Grandmaster basked in his self-congratulatory moment, Tang San and the others were still struggling to process everything.

They began questioning the meaning of their hard work.

What's the point of training so hard if someone can surpass us by simply eating and sleeping?

Yun Feng's meteoric rise had shaken their confidence to the core.

Except for Zhu Zhuqing, the others felt utterly disheartened.

Zhu Zhuqing, aware of her own limitations, didn't have the luxury of wallowing in self-pity. She carried immense pressure and had no time for self-doubt. Yun Feng's growth became her motivation instead.

Fortunately, the group eventually shook off their defeatist attitudes. The holiday was ending, and there was no time to dwell on their frustrations.

Even though Yun Feng didn't seem to face much pressure from Grandmaster's training, the rest of the group found it grueling.

None of them dared provoke Grandmaster, fearing he might increase the intensity of their training.

As the sun rose, Yun Feng prepared breakfast and called Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu to join him. After eating, the academy bell rang, signaling the start of their day.

The group headed to the training ground together.

The morning sun shone brilliantly, and the sky was clear. Though it was still early, the sunlight already carried a hint of heat.

Grandmaster stood at the center of the field, his shadow stretched long by the light. Arms crossed, he waited for the students to line up.

"Three months have passed since I began teaching you. With the guidance of all your instructors, you've built a solid foundation. But to become excellent soul masters, this is far from enough," he began.

Hearing this, Yun Feng immediately recognized the telltale signs of Grandmaster preparing to boast.

He didn't interrupt, though, knowing full well that except for Tang San, no one else believed a word of it.

Grandmaster, noticing the lack of objections, smiled inwardly with satisfaction. His gaze eventually settled on Yun Feng.

After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly, "Before we proceed, Yun Feng, I have a question for you."

Yun Feng raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Go ahead."

Grandmaster's expression turned serious, his eyes full of intrigue.

"What is your current soul power level?"

Yun Feng chuckled, thinking it was something important. He answered casually, "Level 52."

Grandmaster's pupils contracted in shock.

He reached Level 52 just after absorbing a soul ring?

Advancing at higher levels required significant time and effort, yet Yun Feng had leaped forward as if it were nothing.

Grandmaster was stunned. Yun Feng had never once been seen training seriously. How had he managed this?

Curiosity burned in Grandmaster's eyes. He was desperate to uncover Yun Feng's secret.

If I can learn this method, I'll be unstoppable!

After a moment's hesitation, Grandmaster's lips curved into a sly smile.

"Yun Feng, could you share how you've advanced so quickly? It would be a great learning opportunity for your peers."

Yun Feng instantly understood Grandmaster's intent.

What a shameless attempt to freeload off my secrets under the guise of benefiting the group.

Grandmaster had clearly intended to pressure him into revealing his methods by invoking a sense of obligation toward the academy.

Smiling inwardly, Yun Feng responded flatly, "If it helps my classmates progress, why not?"

The others felt a vague sense of unease at his words, though they couldn't pinpoint why.

Ning Rongrong, however, saw through it immediately. Having grown up surrounded by schemes and manipulation, she instantly recognized what was happening.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward, glaring at Grandmaster.

"How can you be so shameless?!" she snapped.

Chapter 158: An Absolute Farce

Ning Rongrong's sharp retort left the scene in stunned silence.

Even Yun Feng and Grandmaster didn't expect her to speak up.

But Ning Rongrong wasn't finished.

Though she wasn't usually invested in such matters, she had grown up under her father's influence. Ning Fengzhi often shared insights about manipulation and power dynamics. She vividly recalled his words:

"As a powerful force, we don't always need to seize things with brute strength. There are rules to follow in all things.

"While we have the strength to disregard those rules, doing so would ruin our reputation completely.

"Sometimes, to get what you want, it's better to apply pressure from a position of righteousness and justice."

Hearing Grandmaster's question, Ning Rongrong immediately realized what he was trying to do—use a moral pretext to extract Yun Feng's cultivation method.

While she was curious herself, Yun Feng was one of her few genuine friends. She had no intention of exploiting him for personal gain, even if she didn't know the secret behind his rapid progress.

Tang San, momentarily stunned, quickly stepped forward to defend his teacher. His face was livid as he scolded Ning Rongrong.

"Ning Rongrong, what are you saying? Apologize at once! Teacher is doing this for our benefit; he's not as bad as you think!"

Ning Rongrong's eyes filled with disdain.

"For our benefit? Then why frame it as a question about Yun Feng's cultivation method?"

Tang San fell silent, clearly understanding the implication of her words.

Yet, he couldn't help but harbor his own thoughts. Yun Feng's extraordinary success stung his pride, though he was reluctant to admit it.

How can I win Xiao Wu's heart if I can't even surpass Yun Feng?

Grandmaster's face darkened as he realized his disciple wasn't defending him anymore. He wanted to reprimand Ning Rongrong but hesitated, recalling her background.

Flander had told him how Ning Rongrong had confronted him before. Combined with his own lack of strength, Grandmaster decided against escalating the situation. Instead, he forced a sheepish smile and awkwardly explained:

"No, no, you've misunderstood. I was just curious. I would never plagiarize someone else's knowledge."

Yun Feng almost burst out laughing.

The so-called "Master of Theories," Grandmaster, claiming he doesn't plagiarize? What a joke!

Suppressing his amusement, Yun Feng chuckled aloud, drawing the attention of everyone present.

Though no one said anything, many secretly hoped to learn Yun Feng's secrets.

After his laughter subsided, Yun Feng resumed a serious tone.

"Honestly, there's nothing to it. You've all seen how I live—eat, sleep, repeat. I've never actively cultivated, but my soul power keeps growing."

Grandmaster relaxed slightly at Yun Feng's response, though he didn't believe it for a second. At least Yun Feng had defused the tension.

Ning Rongrong, though still annoyed, dropped the matter, crossing her arms and glaring at Grandmaster.

Yun Feng noticed her displeasure and gave her a knowing smile before shaking his head.

Catching his signal, Ning Rongrong understood and refrained from pushing further.

Grandmaster, sensing the situation stabilizing, sighed and addressed the group:

"Alright, that's enough. I was wrong to ask earlier. Let's move on to today's lesson."

He paused, his tone growing serious.

"Starting today, we'll enter the second phase of your training. From what Flander tells me, you've all visited the Great Spirit Arena in Soto City. That will be your training ground for the foreseeable future.

"There's no time limit for this phase. Your training ends only when you earn the Silver Spirit Badge."

He continued, "During this time, you'll stay at an inn near the arena. You'll be responsible for your own meals and expenses. If you perform well in the arena, your earnings should be more than sufficient."

Yun Feng immediately raised an objection.

"Master, I'm already a Soul King. How am I supposed to compete in matches? As far as I know, there aren't many competitors at my level in Soto City."

Grandmaster paused, clearly at a loss for words. Yun Feng's rapid advancement was becoming a logistical problem.

After some thought, he forced a smile and replied:

"In your case, you can participate under a different category. You don't have to aim for the Silver Spirit Badge—just take part when opponents are available."

Yun Feng nodded reluctantly.

In truth, he had some ideas about earning a Silver Spirit Badge, though he wasn't sure if they'd work.

The rest of the group sighed in relief. Competing in the Spirit Arena seemed far more manageable than enduring Grandmaster's grueling training.

Grandmaster, having addressed Yun Feng's concern, continued:

"To earn the Silver Spirit Badge, you'll need to compete not only in one-on-one matches but also in team battles. You'll participate as the Shrek Seven Devils, and team battles will award both individual and team points, which aren't available in two-on-two matches.

"Of course, if you want to earn the badge faster, you're free to form pairs for two-on-two matches. However, I have a few rules:

"First, you're not allowed to reveal your real names or faces during matches—use codenames.

"Second, neither Yun Feng nor Tang San is allowed to use hidden weapons.

"Third, regardless of the outcome, each of you must participate in at least two matches daily."

Oscar groaned.

"Master, do Ning Rongrong and I, as support-type soul masters, really need to earn the Silver Spirit Badge?"

Grandmaster's expression turned indifferent as he responded, "If you prefer, you can continue training here while the others work toward their badges."

Oscar immediately backtracked.

"Uh… Master, your plan to improve our combat experience through matches is truly brilliant. Forget I said anything."

Ning Rongrong had intended to voice the same complaint but decided against it after hearing Oscar's response.

Chapter 159: Yun Feng, Do As You Please!

After explaining the new training plan, Grandmaster instructed the students to pack their belongings quickly. Soon, they were en route to Soto City, accompanied by familiar faces: the two deans, Flander, the Four-Eyed Owl, and Zhao Wuji, the Immovable King.

The other three teachers stayed behind to manage the academy.

Flander secretly admired Grandmaster's decision. Having the students live in Soto City meant they would handle their own expenses, relieving the academy's financial burden. Meanwhile, Flander, Zhao Wuji, and Grandmaster could stay at Flander's shop and monitor the students' progress closely.

The battles at the Great Spirit Arena took place in the evenings. Upon arrival in Soto City, the group settled into a modest hotel near the arena. Though the rates were higher due to the location, the students' monthly earnings of ten to a hundred gold coins made the cost manageable.

After securing accommodations, Grandmaster gathered everyone in the hotel's lobby to explain the plan.

"You can now form teams and decide which types of battles you'll participate in. The Great Spirit Arena typically begins with one-on-one and two-on-two matches. Team battles, which are the most popular and attract the largest audience, start later in the evening.

"Each of you must participate in at least one team battle daily. You can choose whether to compete in a second match—one-on-one or two-on-two. If you want to compete in three matches, I won't stop you, but manage your soul power wisely.

"As for you, Yun Feng… you can do as you please. Your strength far exceeds the competition."

Grandmaster's tone revealed his uncertainty about how to include Yun Feng in the training plan.

Yun Feng didn't mind. Unlike the others, his path to power didn't rely on such methods. Still, he acknowledged the Great Spirit Arena's value in honing combat skills.

He glanced at Xiao Wu, lightly patting her head with a resigned expression but said nothing.

The Great Spirit Arena primarily hosted battles among Soul Masters at the Grandmaster and Soul Elder levels. Matches above that were rare, as most high-level Soul Masters didn't lack money and only competed to relieve stress or test their abilities.

Given the scarcity of Soul Masters—less than 1% of the population—it was difficult to find suitable opponents.

The group fell silent, envious of Yun Feng's freedom. They wished they could enjoy such treatment but knew it was impossible. Only a prodigy like Yun Feng could be excluded from battles due to overwhelming strength.

After a brief pause, Oscar broke the silence, looking pitifully at Dai Mubai.

"Boss Dai, how about teaming up for two-on-two battles? I know I just hit Level 30, but my support abilities will still be useful. Without your help, who knows how long it'll take me to earn enough points for the Silver Spirit Badge."

Dai Mubai hesitated. He had initially planned to invite Zhu Zhuqing for two-on-two matches or focus on one-on-one battles. However, Oscar's pleading gaze swayed him.

"Fine," he agreed reluctantly.

Among the group—excluding Yun Feng—Dai Mubai and Tang San were the strongest. Oscar's quick choice left Ning Rongrong to decide between Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu.

After considering Xiao Wu's strength, Ning Rongrong shook her head, not wanting to hold her back.

Before she could speak, Ma Hongjun, still reeling from his recent humiliation, eagerly stepped forward.

"Rongrong, what about teaming up with me? We can do two-on-two battles together."

It was clear to everyone that Ma Hongjun was desperate for a partner, though his motivations were unclear. Regardless, they weren't entirely noble.

Ning Rongrong shot him a disdainful look.

"You? Forget it. You can't even take care of yourself, let alone help me."

Grandmaster interjected, "Actually, I'd recommend you pair with Ma Hongjun for two-on-two battles."

"Why?" Ning Rongrong asked skeptically.

Grandmaster explained, "He's already at Level 28, and his martial soul has notable advantages. With your support, your chances of winning are over 70%."

Ning Rongrong had expected a more compelling argument.

"With my support, do you really think I'd lose in this kind of setting? Why can't I team up with Zhuqing instead?"

Grandmaster struggled to respond. After a long pause, he conceded, "Suit yourself. I'm just offering professional advice."

Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. Ignoring Grandmaster, she turned to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Zhuqing, let's team up!"

"Okay," Zhu Zhuqing replied simply.

Grandmaster, realizing he had little control over the group, sighed and handed each student a mask from his soul guide.

"These are for your matches. Wear them to conceal your identities and avoid drawing attention. Also, minimize talking on stage to prevent opponents from guessing your age."

The masks, featuring Shrek Academy's signature green monster design, were functional but plain. Dai Mubai put his on, finding it fit snugly without obstructing his vision or breathing.

However, Ning Rongrong frowned at the mask's design. Just as she was about to complain, Yun Feng took out a few masks he had bought in Soto City and handed them to Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Sorry, guys," Yun Feng said to Tang San and the others with a smile. "I only bought a few of these."

Grandmaster noticed but refrained from commenting, knowing he lacked the authority to reprimand these "monsters."

Chapter 160: Commander?

During the discussion, Grandmaster addressed Yun Feng directly:

"For team battles, Yun Feng, it's better if you don't participate. Your strength would disrupt the balance and make it nearly impossible for us to find opponents. After all, assembling a team with a Soul King is no easy task."

Yun Feng had no objections. While he was curious to test his current capabilities, he understood that this wasn't the right time.

Seeing Yun Feng's agreement, Grandmaster continued, "You'll compete under the name Shrek Seven Devils for team battles. For individual and duo battles, you'll use nicknames. I've already thought of some for you. When you register, these aliases will ensure your real names don't appear in the records."

Everyone understood Grandmaster's reasoning. They were too young, and their exceptional talents could attract unwanted attention. Yun Feng, at only twelve years old and already a Soul King, was akin to a bombshell in the Soul Master world.

Tang San and Xiao Wu, though slightly less shocking, were also extraordinary—twelve years old and already Soul Elders. Their abilities were rare and could easily draw the attention of the Spirit Hall.

Even Flander, as optimistic as he was about the students' future, recognized the risks of exposure. Grandmaster's precautions were justified.

Curious, Oscar asked, "What nicknames did you choose for us?"

Grandmaster thought for a moment before replying, "Dai Mubai will use his original title, Evil-Eyed White Tiger. You'll go by Sausage Specialist, and Tang San will be Thousand-Handed Twin Eyes. What do you think?"

Oscar nodded eagerly. "Perfect! That fits Tang San so well."

Grandmaster glanced at Tang San, who had no objections. Satisfied, he smiled slightly. Grandmaster had always been proud of this disciple.

"For Ma Hongjun, I've chosen Blazing Phoenix. Now that you've rid yourself of your evil fire, it seems appropriate."

Hearing this, Ma Hongjun instinctively glanced downward, his face darkening. Though he didn't say anything, his mood clearly soured.

Grandmaster noticed his blunder but wasn't one to apologize. He quickly shifted his attention to Xiao Wu.

"You excel in flexibility and close combat, with a martial soul and skills that highlight charm and agility. Let's go with Soft-Boned Enchantress."

Xiao Wu's face lit up with delight. "That sounds great!"

"For Ning Rongrong, your Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul is already iconic. Seven Treasures suits you perfectly and offers a layer of anonymity since all Seven Treasures Clan members share this martial soul. Zhu Zhuqing's title will reflect her martial soul as well: Ghostly Hellcat. It's an excellent fit."

Xiao Wu turned to Grandmaster with a mischievous smile. "What about Yun Feng? What's his title?"

Grandmaster froze.

Yun Feng's title was indeed a tough one to decide. His martial soul was identical to Tang San's, yet his talent was on another level. Finding a title that encapsulated his uniqueness was no small task.

Yun Feng himself wasn't particularly concerned—it was just a nickname, after all. However, noticing the expectant gazes of Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, he chose not to dismiss it.

After an awkward silence, Grandmaster remained at a loss.

Suddenly, Ning Rongrong's eyes sparkled with inspiration. She turned to Yun Feng and suggested, "Why not call him Commander? After all, he's the strongest among us!"

The suggestion left Yun Feng feeling a bit conflicted, though he didn't outright reject it.

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were quick to support the idea.

Meanwhile, Tang San and the others wore puzzled expressions.

Commander? So, the rest of us are just foot soldiers now?

Despite their confusion, no one protested too much. It was, after all, just a nickname.

With the naming out of the way, the group returned to the hotel to cultivate their soul power and prepare for the night's battles.

Currently, all of them were still at the Iron Spirit Badge level, having only participated in a few matches. Yun Feng, however, had zero points due to his lack of opponents.

To advance from Iron to Bronze, one needed 100 points, and from Bronze to Silver, a thousand points. Reaching their training goal of the Silver Spirit Badge would be no easy feat.

Since Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing were already top-tier within their ranks, they decided to start with one-on-one matches before moving to duo battles.

Oscar's role became crucial during this phase. With his sausage-based support, the team's soul power and stamina could recover more effectively, giving them a significant advantage over ordinary Soul Masters.

This advantage made participating in three matches per night feasible, provided they didn't expend too much energy in earlier battles.

Tang San and Xiao Wu, confident in their third soul skills, also decided to compete in one-on-one matches despite just reaching Level 30. Tang San, having previously defeated Dai Mubai, was particularly confident.

Xiao Wu, whose close-range combat abilities were nearly unbeatable within her rank, felt equally assured. Her strength lay in one-on-one combat, but her weakness was handling multiple opponents or those with overwhelming power.

Oscar and Ning Rongrong planned to join duo battles after everyone completed their individual matches.

As night fell, Soto's Great Spirit Arena came alive with its usual energy. Crowds flocked from all directions, eager for the evening's entertainment.

The arena, a centerpiece of public life, attracted a diverse audience. Wealthy patrons indulged in luxury, while even the modestly paid could afford the arena's affordable tickets to witness the prowess of Soul Masters.

For many commoners, just seeing a Soul Master was a source of pride and excitement.

The arena catered to all, offering low-cost tickets for ordinary matches and premium-priced seats for high-stakes battles. Soto City, with its abundance of wealthy patrons and its gambling options, ensured the arena remained a hotspot for excitement and competition.

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