Soto City, Central Street
Two figures were walking through the crowd. One of them was pushing a cart, rushing around and shouting from time to time.
"Make way, make way, make way! It's irresponsible if you bump into someone!!"
It was Dai Mubai and Oscar, both anxiously looking for Ma Hongjun.
As for why they were so anxious...
"This is terrible! We actually left Shrek Academy and forgot about the Dean.!!"
The blond boy's face turned pale as he muttered nervously. His tiger-like eyes scanned the crowd wildly, trying to spot the red-haired boy.
He was so anxious he didn't even notice the beautiful woman in bright clothing passing by.
"Boss Dai, it can't be that bad."
Oscar followed, panting. He leaned against the cart and wiped the sweat from his face.
"The law doesn't punish everyone. Didn't we all skip together?"
As he spoke, his eyes glanced at the woman's... unspeakable curves.
Her figure was perfect, but the face...
The bearded boy licked his lips.
Just barely worth the effort.
"Oscar, did you eat too many sausages today and stuff your brain with them?"
Dai Mubai's mouth twitched, and a trace of fear flashed in his eyes.
"Given the dean's personality, he'll just punish everyone severely!!"
The blond boy couldn't help but shiver at the memory of the four-eyed cat-owl's sinister smile.
"I don't believe the dean would punish such delicate girls. Our academy hasn't accepted any female students in years. Aren't he afraid the girls would run away?"
Oscar waved his hand nonchalantly, his eyes still roving.
Why didn't I notice there are so many beauties in Soto City before? Guess I'll have to visit more often.
"Screw you."
Dai Mubai was almost convinced.
If that were the case, it would actually be worse, wouldn't it?
That would mean the boys get double the punishment.
Including what's meant for the girls.
"You'd better ditch the cart and come help me find Fatty. If we find Fatty, maybe he can help plead for mercy. He is the dean's disciple."
Dai Mubai patted Oscar's shoulder, but noticed the other was staring blankly at the sky.
Immediately annoyed, he asked, "What's up??"
But before he could finish speaking, the blond boy suddenly realized that the Fatty he'd been searching for was flying above.
Everyone around them was looking.
"Wow! So beautiful!"
"Is that... a phoenix?"
"Honey, quick! Make a wish! They say the phoenix is a symbol of good fortune. If you wish on it, you'll be blessed!"
"Wait, why do I see three people in the phoenix's arms? Are they soul masters?"
"There's actually a soul master with the Phoenix Spirit in Soto City?"
Voices from every direction buzzed with amazement as people stared at the phoenix flapping its wings. The flaming feathers drifting from the sky were slightly warm, falling on people's hands and shoulders like snowflakes.
For a moment, the scene was magnificent and breathtaking.
Gulp—
Dai Mubai and Oscar stared dumbly at the phoenix as it vanished into the sky, their Adam's apples moving with disbelief.
After the crowd gradually dispersed, the two finally regained their senses.
"That's Fatty, right?"
Dai Mubai swallowed hard, his tiger eyes filled with disbelief.
"That guy can fly?"
A Great Soul Master who could fly?
Are you kidding me?!
Wasn't that a mixed-breed phoenix mutated from a local chicken?
If it mutated, it could fly?
What kind of nonsense is this?!
"The ones in his arms... that's Rongrong and the others, right?" Oscar's eyes were blank and lifeless.
He felt like something inside him shattered.
Oh. It's the heart that was moved by first love.
"Ugh, Boss Dai, this is all your fault. Were you trying to hinder Fatty or help him?!"
"And now he's not just stealing Xiao Wu—he's capturing them all at once!!"
Oscar looked at Dai Mubai with grief, making the latter's scalp go numb.
Firstly, he was depressed too—because Zhu Zhuqing was among them.
Secondly, Dai Mubai had a gut feeling something incredible had happened today. Otherwise, based on his understanding of Zhu Zhuqing, she would never get so close to a man.
"Don't panic, don't panic. Let's go back and check what's going on. Maybe Fatty was saving them."
Dai Mubai took a deep breath and tried to calm himself.
But in the next second, both of them froze.
Because standing in front of them was a middle-aged man wearing glasses, smiling at them.
"Dean!!!"
Oscar stammered, raised his hand stiffly, and squeezed out a flattering smile.
"Wh-why are you here?"
Doomed. Doomed. Doomed!!
Is there anything worse than being caught skipping school?
Yes—being caught personally by the dean.
"Haha Dean, Oscar and I just came out to buy some school supplies. We'll be right back."
Dai Mubai's forehead was covered in sweat, but he tried to act normal.
"Oh~ I thought you two were here to watch the show."
Flander looked them up and down. The wrinkles on his face scrunched into a seemingly kind smile.
"So I misunderstood you?"
"But if you're out shopping, why not bring back twenty bags of flour for the school? Fifteen for you, five for Oscar. And don't forget—carry them back yourselves."
He smiled as he patted their trembling shoulders. The next second, the two realized in horror—they had lost all connection to their soul power.
"If you're not back before sunset, or if the weight is short... then you'll get a little reward tonight."
You little brats. If I hadn't followed you all the way, I might've believed you.
Flander gave them one last smile before disappearing into the crowd.
The two young men looked at each other and saw the despair in each other's eyes.
Fifteen bags of flour weren't heavy, and Shrek Academy wasn't far.
But if they had to rely on physical strength alone, without soul power...
That was a death sentence.
Hongjun, come save us! We were wrong!!
Shrek Academy, back mountain
Whoosh!!
The phoenix flapped its wings, kicking up a gust of hot air, and then landed beside a clear spring.
The red-haired boy folded his wings, closed his eyes, and tossed the three frightened girls in his arms into the spring.
"Ah!!"
Three different-sounding screams rang out, and the boy waved his hand, motioning for them to go in first.
The girls quickly realized that the flames had burned several large holes in their clothes, revealing large areas of fair, delicate skin. Almost their entire bodies were exposed.
With a gasp, they dove into the water and finally breathed a sigh of relief. Three pairs of watery eyes stared at Ma Hongjun.
"...Oh, this is real."
The red-haired boy had his back to them. When he heard the sound of water calm down, he relaxed his tense body and let out a bitter smile.
He didn't turn around—not because he was being a gentleman, but because...
I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to control myself!!
This is pure torture!!