After a brief discussion, the group, full of hope for the future, happily returned to their respective quarters.
Back in the shabby dormitory of Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai sat up on his bed with a smile.
"Little San, you've been running around all day. Why not take a break? Where'd you go this time?"
As a 'commoner soul master', Tang San had become even more respectful after learning Dai Mubai was a prince of the Star Luo Empire.
"Dai Boss, my teacher just arrived at the academy. I went to speak with him for a bit."
"Oh? Your teacher—is it that master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?"
"Exactly. My teacher is none other than Yu Xiaogang, the one who wrote Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls." Tang San scratched his head in embarrassment, feeling proud to be the disciple of a renowned figure.
With a confirmed answer, Dai Mubai sat up straighter and said seriously, "Little San, can you recommend me to the Master? If it works out, I'll definitely repay you generously."
Having lived two lives, Tang San quickly connected the dots from a few days ago when he'd heard about Yu Tianming. "Dai Boss, the Master has always been upright and hasn't returned to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan in a long time. He's not on good terms with Yu Tianming either. I'm afraid it'll be tough for the Clan to offer you protection."
Dai Mubai sighed deeply and lay back down. "Then I'll have to rely on that little girl Ning Rongrong."
Mentioning Ning Rongrong reminded Tang San of Yu Tianming. He had learned about Dai Mubai's status as a prince from Yu Tianming during their trip to Star Dou Forest—but it had only been vague hints.
Curious to dig deeper, Tang San tentatively asked, "Dai Boss, you're the third prince of the Star Luo Empire. Why would you need Yu Tianming's protection?"
The Shrek dorms weren't large, so Oscar and Ma Hongjun naturally overheard the question. Curious why a prince would come to a backwater place like Shrek and become their teammate, they pricked up their ears.
Dai Mubai looked at the three and let out a long sigh. "We're all brothers who'll fight side by side in the future. Since Little San asked, I won't hide it anymore."
"I am indeed the third prince of Star Luo. But as a royal, the environment we grow up in is unimaginably brutal. Only the strongest can claim the throne. The weak are either eliminated or stripped of their soul power and exiled. I came to Shrek because my defeat was already sealed."
Ma Hongjun, ever the loyal follower, asked in confusion, "Dai Boss, you're so strong—how could it already be over?"
Dai Mubai stared up at the cracked ceiling, voice low, "My elder brother is six years older than me and already a Soul Ancestor. After the Soul Master Tournament, he'll be eligible to inherit the throne. I'm only a Soul Expert—it's a fool's dream to beat him in two years."
Tang San quickly picked up the oddity. "From what you're saying, this is a royal power struggle. What does the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan have to do with it?"
Dai Mubai snorted, eyes full of bitterness. "Strength rules the world. Yu Tianming will become a Super Douluo sooner or later, and if he marries into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, what's protecting one prince to him? As for Zhu Zhuqing, she was my fiancée—but she's found a better choice now."
Oscar, silent until now, suddenly jolted and sat up, peach blossom eyes wide.
"Zhu Zhuqing... could she be interfering in Rongrong and Yu Tianming's relationship? Two female soul masters fighting over one guy—that's some drama."
Everyone knew Oscar liked Ning Rongrong. Hearing this, Dai Mubai's tone turned sour. "Yu Tianming is the Blue Lightning Clan's main line. What's two female soul masters? Even if there were two more, you'd still have no chance with Rongrong."
Oscar wasn't angry, but rather righteously indignant.
"How could Zhu Zhuqing ruin someone else's relationship just for her own sake?"
Dai Mubai raised an eyebrow, surprised.
Then came Ma Hongjun's sleazy voice, "No way, I thought Little Ao liked Ning Rongrong? Why you worried about Zhu Zhuqing now?"
Oscar replied confidently, "I know I'm not worthy of Rongrong, but she's too kind to be hurt like that."
At that, the whole dorm fell silent.
They couldn't figure it out. Rongrong had only said a few nice things about Oscar, and the normally clever guy had turned into a hopeless simp. Was love just wanting her to be happy?
Seeing the reactions, Oscar blushed and tried to explain, "Rongrong was pampered in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and received kindness from the world. She's spoiled but has a good heart."
Ma Hongjun smirked, "She may be kind, but she's not naive. Don't forget she once said two gold coins—"
Tang San quickly interrupted before Ma Hongjun could finish, "Dai Boss, your current strength is almost at Soul Ancestor level. In two years, you might still have a shot. If you succeed, you'd become the Star Luo Emperor."
"Easier said than done. My only chance is to defeat them at the advanced soul master tournament two years from now. Otherwise, I'll just be a discarded prince."
Tang San's eyes gleamed.
"We're all talented in our own right. If we give it our all, we might just pull it off."
He already knew about the tournament from the dean. If he could help Dai Boss become Emperor of Star Luo, he'd gain a powerful ally.
Oscar, thinking Zhu Zhuqing was just trying to survive, chimed in, "Dai Boss, don't worry—I'll support you with everything I've got."
Ma Hongjun, ever the flunky, though clueless about royal politics, added, "Yeah! You've got us, Dai Boss. Give it a shot! And don't forget to name me a prince later!"
Even Dai Mubai, usually proud and withdrawn, was moved. Seeing the talented brothers by his side, he teared up, "Little San, Little Ao, Fatty... if I become Emperor, you'll all be named princes."
Though Shrek was an advanced academy, the dorms were just cramped four-person bunks, only slightly better than the worker-student dorms in Nuoding.
While Dai Mubai was touched, in the nearby girls' dorm, Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu were sitting on Zhu Zhuqing's bed, listening to her talk about the Star Luo royal family.
Xiao Wu sat on Zhu Zhuqing's left, still used to the rabbit ears on her head from being a ten-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit in human form. She wore just two pieces of pink innerwear and still had a bunny-ear headband.
Sprawled with her legs apart, munching on a carrot, she grumbled, "Dai Mubai, that bastard, he left you behind and snuck off to Shrek. What kind of man does that?"
Though Da Ming had just passed away, Xiao Wu had fully embraced her human identity.
Ning Rongrong also had tears in her eyes after hearing Zhu Zhuqing's story.
"Xiao Wu's right! Leaving your fiancée behind to save your own skin—how could anyone trust someone like that?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked at the two girls beside her, who genuinely cared. Remembering her own suffering in the Zhu Clan, the usually cold girl choked up, just like Dai Mubai earlier.
She finally opened her heart and wept. "Star Luo royal heirs are paired off. After Dai Mubai left, I became no different from a failed heir. I was always in danger, even at home. That's why I fled the empire and nearly died on the road..."
Ning Rongrong had never seen someone so pitiful before. Her motherly instincts surged, and she hugged Zhu Zhuqing close. "It's all behind you now. When the time comes, you'll come to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Even Star Luo's royals can't touch you there."
Ning Rongrong, petite like a grade schooler, hugged the tall Zhu Zhuqing. The gesture looked more like a child cuddling her mother, quite odd. Their thin clothing didn't help either—'Little Witch' Rongrong could feel the soft curves pressed tightly against her.
The light of maternal care in Ning Rongrong's eyes slowly turned mischievous. A little hand reached into Zhu Zhuqing's robe. Her pale fingers pressed gently as she giggled, "No wonder the Star Luo royal family chose you. But too bad—you'll be ours now."
Zhu Zhuqing didn't seem to mind the touching, perhaps because they were both girls, and she was dependent on others for safety. Though her face flushed red, she stayed silent and didn't resist.
Xiao Wu, watching them play around, suddenly realized something. Ning Rongrong was the heir of a top-tier force and must be closely connected with powerful figures.
Touching her bunny-ear headband nervously, she asked, "Rongrong, does the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan have many Title Douluo? Is that why the Star Luo royals can't do anything?"
"Of course. Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone are both Super Douluo over level 95. That's why we're one of the Three Upper Sects. We also have the Heaven Dou Empire behind us. If we want to protect Zhuqing, Star Luo can't do a thing."
As she spoke, her other hand joined in the teasing, and she giggled dreamily. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has the strongest beast martial spirit and two Title Douluo as well. As long as I'm with Brother Tianming, who cares about Star Luo? Protecting her is a breeze."
Xiao Wu was now sweating bullets. As a soul beast in human form, her roommate was tied to so many Title Douluo. It was like sleeping next to death itself.
She scratched her exposed thigh and asked with a forced smile, "Your grandpas must care a lot about you. Would they come to Shrek to check on you?"
"I snuck out, so they don't know I'm here. One guards my father, the other the sect. They're super busy. But if you want to meet them, I can introduce you."
Xiao Wu finally relaxed. As long as there was no risk of being discovered by a Title Douluo, she could stay at Shrek. For Tang San, she was willing.
Just then, Zhu Zhuqing noticed the sweat on Xiao Wu's forehead and asked with concern, "Xiao Wu, are you okay? You're sweating so much."
"Sorry, I guess I got too excited." Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue. To change the subject, she blurted out, "Zhuqing, did you know? Before San-ge and I came to enroll at Shrek, we saw Dai Mubai at the Rose Hotel... with twin girls in his arms!"
Ning Rongrong, ever the veteran, instantly caught the keyword and teased, "The Rose Hotel? Isn't that a couple's hotel? Why were you and Tang San there—don't tell me you two..."
Flustered, Xiao Wu quickly cut her off. "We didn't know it was that kind of hotel! And aren't we talking about Dai Mubai?"
Ning Rongrong got excited, but Zhu Zhuqing's face turned cold. She pulled Ning Rongrong's hand away and said calmly, "That kind of thing is common among nobles. Dai Mubai was always a playboy. It's normal. But he and I are over now. He can do whatever he wants."
Xiao Wu, realizing she had misspoken, quickly added, "Exactly! A two-timing man isn't worth it. You're better off finding someone pure like San-ge."
She meant no harm, but the words struck a chord.
Ning Rongrong already knew Yu Tianming's fiancée was Dugu Yan. She sighed inwardly, 'Even if I could share a husband... I'm the heiress of the Seven Treasure Clan. Could I really settle for second place?'
She wrapped her arms around Zhu Zhuqing's waist and leaned on her shoulder. "Zhuqing, if you were the Empress of Star Luo, how would you feel about the Emperor having so many wives?"
Growing up in the ruthless Star Luo palace, Zhu Zhuqing understood. She replied gently, "As long as I'm the Empress, what do concubines matter?"
Ning Rongrong said nothing more, but her brow remained furrowed. She sighed again, 'The problem is... I'm the third wheel. I might not even get to be Empress.'
Zhu Zhuqing thought to herself, 'Did I misunderstand? Is Rongrong... not talking about Yu Tianming?'
While Ning Rongrong pondered Tang San, Yu Tianming was already leading Ah Zhu across the continent—to Sea God Island, where he finally reunited with Ah Zhi after years apart.
(End of Chapter)
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