Chapter 45: Spicy Rabbit Head vs. Soft-Boned Charm Rabbit  

"Rongrong, Zhuqing, why are you—" 

Xiao Wu stopped mid-sentence. Something was off. She couldn't shake the feeling that the two were intentionally avoiding her. 

It didn't make sense. Normally, the three of them were inseparable as sisters. Yet now, after just one evening, everything seemed to have changed. 

Ning Rongrong: You? Worthy?

Zhu Zhuqing: She isn't! 

Sensing the unusual tension, Tang San sighed deeply as he gazed up at the gloomy sky. His mood was as bleak as the weather. 

"Xiao Wu, it's late. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we have another battle waiting for us," Tang San said softly. 

"Okay, brother, you rest soon too," Xiao Wu replied. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and returned to her room. But as she glanced at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing lying in their beds, a hint of doubt lingered in her heart. 

What happened to them? They're acting so different...

Meanwhile, in a lavish inn far from the Shrek Academy's modest lodging, the Emperor Team enjoyed a feast to celebrate their victory. 

In contrast, Ye Hao sat alone in his room, lost in thought. Reflecting on Tang San's performance, he noticed something important: Tang San's external soul bone—Eight Spider Lances—wasn't fully integrated. 

Though a deadly weapon, it was still more of a liability for Tang San than an asset. 

"If those spider lances are like venomous fangs, then they need to be broken," Ye Hao mused, a sinister smile crossing his face. "Leaving them intact will only cause trouble later. I'll have to find the right opportunity." 

Ye Hao considered his next move. The night's events had been fruitful. He had collected valuable evidence against Tang San, including the testimony of the soul master he had saved. When the time came, he would expose Tang San's killings and alliances with soul beasts. 

"The entire soul master community will turn against him." 

In the following days, Ye Hao continued his usual activities—either participating in one-on-one duels or teaming up with Ye Lingling for two-on-two matches. He rarely participated in team battles, as Qin Ming was reserving him as the Emperor Team's ultimate trump card. 

"Let them handle the small fry," Qin Ming often said. 

In their downtime, the Emperor Team began studying their potential rivals. Qin Ming carefully reviewed profiles of the Shrek Seven Devils, a team that had also been on a winning streak. Both teams had become the rising stars of the Soto Great Spirit Arena, and the crowd eagerly anticipated a confrontation between them. 

One evening, Ye Hao arrived at the one-on-one arena for his next match. His mood was light, expecting an easy win against some unlucky opponent. 

But then the announcement boomed through the arena: 

"Spicy Rabbit Head vs. Soft-Boned Charm Rabbit! Please prepare for battle." 

"!!!"

Ye Hao froze. "Xiao Wu?"

It was her. The rabbit.

After their time at the Nuoding Academy, they hadn't crossed paths in a while. But now, fate had brought them together on opposite sides of the arena.

Ye Hao grinned broadly, his excitement barely contained.

"Life is so unpredictable," he muttered, suppressing a laugh. "This time, there's no way I'll go easy on her."

Ye Hao carefully considered his next move. He couldn't afford to expose his true identity. After all, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing had already seen him wearing his usual mask.

To avoid suspicion, he returned to the rest area and swapped his mask for one borrowed from Ye LLingling.

Meanwhile, the Shrek Seven Devils were preparing for the match.

Tang San, as usual, kept his thoughts to himself, believing his confrontation with Ye Ritian was still a secret. He was oblivious to the fact that Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had witnessed everything and had since distanced themselves from him and Xiao Wu. 

The rift between the three girls had only grown deeper. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong had even moved out of their shared room with Xiao Wu, cutting all ties.

For days, Xiao Wu had tried to mend their relationship, but every attempt was met with the same cold response:

"Stay at a safe distance from us."

They couldn't risk getting involved with Xiao Wu and facing Tang San's wrath if anything happened to her.

The arena's speakers crackled to life again:

"Soft-Boned Charm Rabbit, please prepare for your match. Your opponent is Spicy Rabbit Head."

Ning Rongrong burst into laughter. "This is the best pairing ever! A spicy rabbit head versus a soft-boned rabbit—it's like they're made for each other!"

Zhu Zhuqing, though more reserved, couldn't suppress a faint smile. She cast a glance at Xiao Wu, her eyes glinting with subtle disdain.

Tang San, on the other hand, clenched his fists. His expression darkened with a hint of murderous intent.

"Spicy Rabbit Head... whoever you are, you're dead." 

Tang San had no intention of interfering directly—not yet. But if Xiao Wu suffered even a scratch, he would personally ensure her opponent paid the ultimate price. 

Ye Hao, as if sensing Tang San's anger from a distance, smirked under his mask.

Bring it on. 

The fight drew a massive crowd. The Shrek Seven Devils took their seats in the audience, each with their thoughts.

Tang San sat on the edge, ready to act if necessary. While the arena had strict rules and powerful backers, it wouldn't stop him from stepping in if Xiao Wu was in danger.

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar, on the other hand, were more relaxed, treating the match as entertainment.

"Spicy Rabbit Head? Whoever came up with that name has guts," Ma Hongjun chuckled. "They're asking to mess with Xiao Wu."

Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing sat together, united in their shared dislike for Xiao Wu and Tang SSan.

As the arena lights dimmed, the crowd's excitement grew.

The match between Spicy Rabbit Head and Soft-Boned Charm Rabbit was about to begin.