SS - 25

Chapter 25: To Star Dou Forest

"Brother Xiao, I don't want to eat," Ning Rongrong grabbed Su Xiao's hand and said coquettishly.

Su Xiao smiled slightly and leaned closer to her. Ning Rongrong couldn't help but lower her head, her cheeks flushed.

"Brother Xiao, what are you doing? There are so many people here," Ning Rongrong whispered, attempting to retreat. But Su Xiao had already grabbed her hand.

Without hesitation, Su Xiao pinched her delicate face and stuffed the sausage directly into her mouth.

"Mmph!" Ning Rongrong tried to protest, but her words were muffled. She shook her head in resistance.

Su Xiao's expression turned serious. "Rongrong, eat it."

Seeing Su Xiao's stern gaze, Ning Rongrong reluctantly ate the sausage. A moment later, her expression softened as she felt its effects.

The warmth generated by the soul sausage spread through her body. As the eldest daughter of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, she had eaten plenty of food-based soul skills, but this sensation was entirely new to her.

"Alright, we'll set off in the afternoon!" Flender announced.

---

When Su Xiao and the others gathered, they noticed a letter left by Flender.

– Going to the Star Dou Forest to hunt soul beasts will involve some dangers. Dai Mubai will lead the team, Oscar will provide food, and I, Master Xiaogang, and Old Zhao will wait for you in Orion Village.

By nightfall, the group of eight successfully arrived at Orion Village on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest.

"There are so many people here," Xiao Wu said curiously.

Tang San explained, "This is a transit station for the Star Dou Forest. soulmasters often rest here before heading into the forest."

They headed to a hotel chosen by Flender to have dinner. Students and teachers were seated at separate tables.

"Why aren't the dean and the others eating with us?" Ning Rongrong asked.

Dai Mubai shrugged. "The academy rules state that students cover their own expenses, while teachers get reimbursed. With Fatty here as a big eater and the dean being... stingy, they'd rather eat alone."

Dai Mubai stopped mid-sentence as he noticed Flender's sharp glare, quickly shutting his mouth.

"That's fine!" Ma Hongjun grinned. "I'll just eat more. Two more plates!"

The waiter nodded. "Coming right up!"

As the waiter turned to leave, he accidentally bumped into a tall man in a white robe, who was followed by three or four similarly dressed people.

"Watch where you're going!" one of the newcomers barked. "Hurry up and bring us your best food!"

"Yes, yes! Right away, Honored Soul Masters," the waiter replied nervously, clearly afraid of offending them.

The commotion drew attention, especially from the Shrek group seated nearby.

"What's with the arrogance?" Dai Mubai sneered. "Even a no-name academy like Canghui dares to act so high and mighty."

Hearing this, the group from Canghui Academy immediately turned their attention to Shrek. One of them walked over, his expression hostile.

"You lot look unfamiliar. Where are you from?"

Before Su Xiao could respond, he casually spat out a bone he had been chewing on, hitting the man in the face. "Oops, didn't see you there," he said nonchalantly.

"You..." The man glared angrily, raising a finger at Su Xiao.

Dai Mubai, who was sitting beside Su Xiao, pretended to stretch and threw a punch, sending the man crashing into the wall.

"Sorry, didn't see you either," Dai Mubai said mockingly.

The rest of the Canghui group immediately stood up, their expressions fierce. "You're looking for trouble!"

Su Xiao stood and shook his finger. "No, I'm not looking for trouble. I just don't tolerate anyone being more arrogant than me."

With that, Su Xiao and Dai Mubai sprang into action, quickly overwhelming the Canghui group and leaving them bruised and battered. Only the tall man remained untouched, watching from the side.

"Do you intend to make an enemy of Canghui Academy?" the man asked coldly.

Su Xiao snorted. "Canghui Academy? Is it even worth mentioning?"

"Not worth mentioning?" The tall man's expression darkened as he released his martial soul. Five soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and one black—rose around him.

"A Soul King!" Tang San and the others tensed, instinctively stepping back to regroup.

"Black Tortoise possession! If you know what's good for you, apologize now. Otherwise, I'll discipline you on behalf of your elders!" the man declared.

Before anyone could respond, Ma Hongjun shouted, "Discipline? You're just an old bastard! What makes you so full of yourself?"

"Old bastard?!" The man's face twisted in fury as he charged toward them.

But before he could reach the group, Flender's voice rang out. "Shrek's little monsters don't need discipline from some bastard of Canghui Academy."

The man turned, only to be met with a punch from Zhao Wuji, which sent him flying out of the hotel.

Zhao Wuji blew on his fist and grinned. "I've been taking hits lately. Finally got a chance to let loose."

The remaining students from Canghui Academy, seeing their teacher defeated, quickly fled, shouting as they left, "If you have the guts, leave your name and prepare for the wrath of Canghui Academy!"

Everyone in Shrek exchanged amused glances before responding in unison, "Remember, we are Shrek!"

---

The next morning, the group left the hotel and ventured into the Star Dou Forest. They decided to prioritize finding Oscar's third soulring first, as thousand-year soulbeasts were more common on the outskirts, while ten-thousand-year soulbeasts resided deeper within.

Before they entered, Flender addressed the group. "This mission is yours to complete. Old Zhao and I will only intervene if your lives are in danger. The rest is up to you."