Chapter 48: The Shameless Shrek Seven Devils

Meanwhile, back in the Shrek group's carriage, the atmosphere was tense and awkward after the earlier fiasco.

Xiao Wu and Tang San sat on the left side, while Dai Mubai and the others clustered on the right, the distance between them practically a chasm. No one said a word. The carriage was eerily silent.

Finally, it was Flender, as the dean, who broke the silence. He glanced around at the dispirited team and tried to console them.

"Don't be discouraged. I've heard that the champions of the upcoming Spirit Master Tournament will be rewarded with three rare soul bones. You still have a chance—just beat the Spirit Hall and take them back!"

"You're really letting a few words from a little kid shake your unity? This isn't the Shrek Monsters I know!"

"We get it…" everyone replied.

But it was all for show.

Inwardly, each of them had their own thoughts.

A favor given breeds resentment.

To outsiders, they were all proud geniuses, but having to accept favors from Tang San had long left a bad taste in their mouths. That immortal herb debt had made them feel like they were always beneath him.

Now, because of Tang San, they had lost a ten-thousand-year soul bone?

In their eyes, this made them even.

Tang San could faintly sense their thoughts. He couldn't understand—he was a Tang Sect genius in his past life, now wielding twin spirits, and he was still being sidelined by a couple of bratty gourd kids?

The Indignation inside him burned hot.

Those two—Red Gourd and Orange Gourd—had completely disrupted his standing in the group. He couldn't just swallow this humiliation!

Suddenly, someone in the carriage spoke up.

"Why don't we go apologize to that little kid? Bring him some snacks, say it was all a misunderstanding… Maybe he'll give us a soul bone too."

It was Ma Hongjun, eyes gleaming as he made the suggestion with a toadying grin.

"And besides, that soul bone was given to Feng Xiaotian's group! I can't accept the idea of them walking around with something better than us."

Dai Mubai rubbed his chin, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes. "Yeah. That soul bone should've been ours from the start."

Ning Rongrong pouted, clearly displeased. As the heiress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, how could she—Ning Ronrong—not have a single soul bone? It was humiliating.

"What the hell are you all thinking?" Xiao Wu snapped. "You're going to butter up a kid for a soul bone? Did you forget how those two gourd brats embarrassed Brother San again and again? One of them even injured him!"

To her, Tang San was everything. He could do no wrong.

Tang San forced a smile, his voice tight with frustration. "Everyone, it's just one soul bone. I—Tang San—will get you more in the future!"

But Xiao Wu and Tang San spoke too late.

"Enough, Tang San." Dai Mubai scowled. "Even if we don't want the soul bone, that gourd kid clearly isn't ordinary. If we can befriend him, we should. Making enemies would be stupid."

"Exactly."

The others chimed in.

Tang San's face was ashen. He knew the decision had already been made. There was no turning back.

After a brief huddle, the Shrek team made their move.

They strolled over to the outside of the Godwind Academy's carriage—grinning sycophantically.

"Hey, kid! Come out! Want some more water? We've got food too, you want some?" Ma Hongjun called out with a big fake smile.

Ning Rongrong and the other girls joined in:

"Why don't you come hang out with us? Your big bro likes being friends with us, you know!"

Soon enough, a group from Godwind Academy stepped out, brows furrowed as they saw who it was.

Shrek Academy again? What the hell do they want now?

But when they didn't see the little gourd kid among them, a faint chill crept down the Shrek group's spines.

Still, Dai Mubai quickly stepped forward. "What's going on? Where's the kid with the gourd on his head?"

"We have something for him. Just wanted to clear up a misunderstanding."

The students from Godwind burst out laughing.

"Misunderstanding? Don't make us laugh. You're just after his soul bones! Shrek Academy… you're shameless. First you poison him, now you try to cozy up? Disgusting."

Many in the crowd had witnessed the earlier incident, so their disgust toward Shrek was palpable.

"Bullshit! If Feng Xiaotian hadn't swooped in and taken credit, that soul bone would've been ours!" Ma Hongjun barked, face dark.

The surrounding onlookers didn't take kindly to that, speaking up one after another.

"You tried to poison a child! If it weren't for him catching it in time, he could've died. And now you have the gall to claim credit? You Shrek people are shameless!"

"Unbelievable! You try to kill someone, then act like the victim. You're all despicable!"

Cornered, the Shrek students grew increasingly agitated.

"That water wasn't even poisoned!" one of them snapped. "Tang San just bumped into him and spilled it! We were going to give him food—it was Feng Xiaotian who stole the glory!"

"Yeah! Just bring that gourd brat out already!" Ning Rongrong sneered.

The two sides were moments away from breaking into another fight.

Just then, Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu stepped out of the carriage… with Shi Yi in tow.

"Tang San, you really are shameless," Feng Xiaotian said coldly. "I used to think you were a genius. Now you're just another petty scumbag."

Huo Wu's face was full of disdain. She had once admired Tang San, but that illusion was now shattered. He was just another two-faced hypocrite.

But Shi Yi? Shi Yi's eyes weren't on any of them.

He was staring at the food in their hands—drooling a little.

He hadn't eaten properly for days. The bits Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu had given him just weren't enough. He'd been rushing nonstop toward Spirit Hall, desperate to save his mother and big brother.

"Are you really gonna give me that food?"

A childlike voice rang out, silencing the crowd.

Even Feng Xiaotian froze in disbelief, looking down at the little guy.

Shi Yi… buddy, I'd give you whatever you want, but… did you have to say that now? This timing… seriously, man…

_

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