Lin Fan casually said just one sentence.
Just one.
Before Zhu Zhuqing could even reply, Lin Fan had already walked away to collect his winnings.
Victory and defeat were common in the Great Spirit Arena. After playing around for another hour or so, everyone finally left.
"Eh? Where's the Dean?" Xiao Wu, who had just won two matches and was in high spirits, bounced happily beside Tang San.
She glanced left and right, but didn't see Flender, so she curiously asked Dai Mubai.
"The Dean said something came up at his shop, and he left early. Told us to head back to the academy on our own," Dai Mubai replied.
"Haha, maybe he ran off to cry in secret after losing his bet," Lin Fan chuckled.
"Yeah, probably," Ma Hongjun nodded, but as soon as he finished, two young women passed by the arena entrance.
At once, Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up.
"Ahem, I've got some things to do. I'll catch up with you guys later," he said, then quickly pulled Dai Mubai's arm, giving him a knowing look.
Dai Mubai glanced at Zhu Zhuqing nearby and instantly looked awkward. He hadn't expected Ma Hongjun to pull this move here.
A few days ago, Dai Mubai would've eagerly gone along with him, shoulder to shoulder, heading straight for the brothels.
But now that Zhu Zhuqing was around, how could he dare? Even if he wanted to go, he wouldn't dare do it openly.
"Get lost! I don't have such terrible taste as you," Dai Mubai coldly shrugged off Ma Hongjun's hand without hesitation.
"Tch! Fine, suit yourself. It's not like your taste is anything better," Ma Hongjun scoffed and walked away.
"You fatty! You're going to that kind of place again?" Xiao Wu grimaced in disgust, realizing what he meant.
"That's my fate… Besides, my childhood sweetheart, Cuihua from the village, just dumped me. I've got no choice," Ma Hongjun muttered before disappearing into the night.
Dai Mubai awkwardly tried to explain,
"Fatty's situation is a bit… special. It's because of his martial soul. Every so often, he has to… You know. But I normally don't go to those places."
Though clearly, his explanation was more directed at Zhu Zhuqing than anyone else.
Ma Hongjun could go off carefree, but Dai Mubai had much more to worry about.
"Hmph, filthy," Zhu Zhuqing scoffed coldly as she walked past Dai Mubai in disgust.
"You—!" Dai Mubai's temper flared instantly. He raised his hand, wanting to lash out, but managed to restrain himself and simply turned to walk the other way with a cold snort.
"No wonder they call this the academy of monsters… They're all bizarre!" Tang San couldn't help but sigh.
"Let's go, Xiao Wu."
"Mm."
As Xiao Wu nodded, she secretly peeked at Lin Fan.
What startled her was that Lin Fan was already looking at her with a faint, amused smile.
Her heart instantly tightened in panic.
It's a dark, windy night… Is he planning to attack me on the way back? How should I warn Brother San?!
Back, Xiao Wu walked with extreme caution, her heart pounding with dread.
But to her surprise, even after they reached the academy gates, Lin Fan hadn't made a single move.
Instead, ahead of them, a commotion broke out—Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong were quarreling.
"Tch, can't even handle a little girl. What a loser," Ning Rongrong, showing her true spoiled nature, sneered as she spotted Dai Mubai following after Zhu Zhuqing, who had already entered the academy.
Her mocking words instantly triggered Dai Mubai, who had been holding back his anger from earlier.
"What did you say?!" Dai Mubai snapped, striding toward her and pointing aggressively. "Don't think that just because everyone else is afraid of you, Miss Heiress of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, I'll fear you too!"
"One more word, and I'll kill you!"
But Ning Rongrong wasn't intimidated at all. She taunted even more brazenly,
"Go ahead! Come on then, kill me if you dare!"
Lin Fan, watching from the side, muttered in amusement,
"Ah, here it comes. The infamous scene begins."
Unable to control his temper, Dai Mubai released his Soul Elder pressure, instantly sending Ning Rongrong stumbling back several meters onto the ground.
Then, with killing intent in his eyes, he raised his right hand and stalked toward her.
"Dai Mubai, we're all classmates here! Calm down!" Tang San hurried forward, grabbing Dai Mubai's wrist to stop him.
"Dai Mubai, you might be from the Star Luo Empire and have some status," Lin Fan spoke up indifferently, "but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan has two Titled Douluo. Are you sure about this?"
But Ning Rongrong, shameless as ever, suddenly turned to Lin Fan with a smug grin,
"You're a Titled Douluo too, right? Kill him for me! I'll make you the Clan's Elder. Endless wealth and glory await."
"…This girl's insane," Lin Fan scoffed without even looking back, then walked straight into the academy.
Honestly, Ning Rongrong's spoiled and arrogant attitude at this point was downright unbearable.
Undeterred, Ning Rongrong turned to Tang San.
"Tang San, you're pretty strong too, aren't you? Kill Dai Mubai for me! I'll make sure you can become a disciple of a Titled Douluo."
Tang San shook his head with a sigh,
"Sigh… If you're going to keep acting like this, I suggest you go back to your pampered life as the Young Miss. No one here wants to be friends with someone like you."
With that, he turned and walked inside with Xiao Wu.
Ning Rongrong then turned desperately to Oscar,
"What about you, Oscar?"
Oscar simply smiled bitterly,
"Me? I wouldn't dare cling to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. Tang San's right—if this is your true nature, maybe you aren't suited for Shrek Academy. You should go back."
Oscar, too, turned and left, leaving Ning Rongrong all alone, dumbfounded in place, about to burst into tears.
Meanwhile, back in the girls' dormitory, Xiao Wu returned to find Zhu Zhuqing wrapped tightly in her blanket.
Sitting down on her bed, Xiao Wu lowered her head, deep in thought.
"Ugh, what is Lin Fan's deal? He acts like he's going to kill me, but then he doesn't! I have to confront him and get this cleared up."
"How am I supposed to focus on cultivation like this?"
After agonizing for a long while, Xiao Wu finally gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with determination.
"Fine! If I die, I die—but I have to settle this. I can't stand this constant dread anymore!"
She glanced at Zhu Zhuqing—still silent under her blanket—then quietly slipped out of the dorm.
Xiao Wu made her way straight to Lin Fan's cabin.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked heavily on his door.
The door soon opened.
"Oh, little bunny. What brings you here?" Lin Fan asked bluntly.
"I knew it! You already figured out my identity, didn't you? Fine! Go ahead!" Xiao Wu clenched her teeth, shutting her eyes tightly like a martyr awaiting execution.
"…Go ahead with what?" Lin Fan blinked, baffled.
"Kill me! Aren't you after my soul ring and spirit bone?" Xiao Wu opened her eyes, glaring at him indignantly.
"Oh, that?" Lin Fan chuckled faintly. "Eh, I haven't decided yet. You can keep them for now."
Xiao Wu felt as though her ears were yanked, furiously flustered.
"What?! What's that supposed to mean—'keep them for now'?! You're looking down on my soul ring and spirit bone, is that it?!"
"If you're going to kill me, then just do it! Every second you're around, I can't relax. I can't even cultivate! This mental torture is worse than death!"
Lin Fan calmly replied,
"Then just kill yourself. When you're done, I'll take your spirit bone and roast your rabbit body for dinner."
"You—Get lost!" Xiao Wu exploded. "You're the one who should go die! Hmph! Since you're not going to kill me, aren't you worried I'll just run away now?"
Lin Fan replied casually,
"If you're not killing yourself, then stop bothering me. Whether you run or not… what's that got to do with me?"
With that, he calmly closed the door, leaving Xiao Wu standing dumbfounded outside.
"You…!"
Xiao Wu was utterly defeated.
A ten-thousand-year-old spirit beast offering herself on a silver platter… and he doesn't even care?!
She couldn't help but start doubting her worth.
Here it comes…