Zhu Zhuqing's Unusual Behavior

Tang San cast a complex look at Zuzong. He detested Zuzong, a deep-rooted loathing that seemed to come from his very bones.

Strictly speaking, the two didn't have much personal enmity (Author: You're wrong, little brother, your grudge is enormous), but it felt like their stars were misaligned. Every time Tang San saw Zuzong, his temper flared, his throat went dry, and his voice got stuck.

If it weren't for the fact that his teacher valued Zuzong so highly, and because of Old Jack and Old Tom's relationship, with Tang San's vengeful nature, he might have already assassinated Zuzong one dark night.

His gaze shifted to Xiao Wu, and his expression softened considerably, becoming almost doting. She was the girl he had always observed from afar during his six years at Nuoding Academy.

She was also the one who haunted his dreams countless times.

For some reason, every time he saw Xiao Wu, he felt an indescribable sense of familiarity, even more so than with his own father, who he jokingly referred to as "drunkard."

The first time he saw her, he was still recovering from the nightmare of his first spirit ring.

Xiao Wu's figure flashed briefly before him, but she left a deep impression—innocent, lively, adorable. It was as if she embodied every beautiful adjective in existence. Perhaps this was what people referred to as "beauty in the eyes of a lover."

In that moment, for the first time in both his lives, Tang San blushed with shyness in front of a girl.

From others, Tang San learned her name—Xiao Wu. A beautiful name. From then on, he fought off his despair, stepping out of the shadow of the "Rattrap Snake" and putting more effort into his training. He had someone, besides his parents, that he wanted to protect.

The next time they met, a year had passed. She was still the same, but now there was someone else by her side—the person he hated, Zuzong.

He saw Xiao Wu holding Zuzong's arm, playfully returning to the Emperor Spirit Village.

Tang San could only watch from afar. At that moment, he wished so deeply that Xiao Wu was holding his hand instead. His heart shattered, splitting into countless pieces—it was excruciating.

Clenching his teeth, Tang San couldn't bring himself to speak harshly to the girl in front of him. Not good at expressing his feelings, he could only say lightly, "Xiao Wu, this has nothing to do with you. This is between him and me!"

Xiao Wu was upset. She thought Tang San was blaming her Zuzong, which made her, always protective, furious. Her face flushed red, and she puffed out her cheeks, "Hmph! That Rattrap Snake was chosen by your good teacher, and you agreed to it. Zuzong was just helping you out of kindness to get the spirit ring. I can't believe you're blaming him instead of your teacher. I hate you!"

Xiao Wu's words hit Tang San like a thunderbolt. The girl he dreamed of was saying she hated him!

Tang San's ordinary face turned pale, then flushed a deep red.

That day, Tang San was once again reminded of the fear of being dominated by the "Rattrap Snake."

Everyone else suddenly understood, even the usually cold Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling couldn't help but twitch their lips.

As top talents in the spirit master world, they were familiar with most spirit beasts.

The Rattrap Snake, in particular, was notorious—its name well-known not for being fierce, but for being disgusting.

Everyone knew that Rattrap Snakes were nocturnal predators that loved eating rats. During the day, they just lay in the sun, sleeping. Besides their low attack power, their bodies would shed skin to protect themselves, releasing a foul, rotting smell, which repelled most predators. Only a few scavenger-type spirit beasts would hunt them when food was scarce.

Everyone could imagine how Blue Silver Grass, after absorbing the Rattrap Snake's spirit ring, would turn into "Rattrap Grass."

Dai Mubai covered his mouth, trying hard not to laugh. He patted Tang San on the shoulder, "Tang San, your first spirit ring was really from a Rattrap Snake? Hahaha!" At this point, Dai Mubai couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.

Zuzong wanted to laugh out loud too but refrained, as it would ruin the fun. Instead, he maintained a solemn expression and said with feigned guilt, "Xiao San, it's my fault for not stopping the master back then. You trusted his theories, so I did too, and... well, this happened."

Seeing Zuzong look so "heartbroken," Xiao Wu also felt bad. She held his hand and comforted him, "Zuzong, don't mind that unreasonable guy. If anyone's to blame, it's that hypocritical, good-for-nothing 'Master.'"

Even Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Lingling nodded in agreement.

"You—" Tang San was once again choked up by Zuzong's words. He's messing with me again! First during the Martial Soul awakening, then during the Nuoding enrollment, and the spirit ring hunt… and now he's even holding Xiao Wu's hand again!

"What do you mean 'you'? Hurry and apologise to Zuzong!" Xiao Wu said angrily.

Even the usually quiet Ye Lingling spoke up in Zuzong's defence, "No sense of right and wrong!"

Zhu Zhuqing, after hearing Xiao Wu's explanation, glanced at Tang San and said calmly, "If you made a mistake, take responsibility."

Dai Mubai, seeing Zhu Zhuqing also side with Zuzong, felt Tang San was indeed in the wrong. Resenting your "good friend" over something like this was unjustifiable. What if this happened to him one day? He decided to assert his authority as the eldest of the Shrek group, "Tang San, friendships like this are rare and precious. You should cherish them and apologise."

The three girls were still fine, but when Dai Mubai mentioned "friendship," Tang San almost spat out blood in frustration.

With a snort, Tang San brushed his sleeves and left. If his teammates couldn't stand by him, then he didn't need them! But as he turned, Xiao Wu's words about blaming the master made him pause.

Could his teacher really be a fraud? With that thought in mind, Tang San headed towards Shrek.

The reunion of hometown friends and "buddies" ended on a sour note.

Zhu Zhuqing cast a complex look at Zuzong before leaving, "I'll head back first."

Martial Soul Possession—Hell Spirit Cat.

In a few flashes, she vanished into the darkness, moving even faster than Zuzong in his normal state.

"Zhuqing, Zhuqing..." Seeing her leave, Dai Mubai no longer wanted to stay and quickly chased after her.

Watching the three leave, Xiao Wu pouted and muttered, "Three weird people, right Lingling, Zuzong?"

Then she jumped in front of Zuzong, tilted her head, and glared at him, signaling, "Look how well I handled things just now. Aren't you going to pat my head and praise me?"

Zuzong, seeing this playful bunny-like behaviour, smiled helplessly and reached out to pat her head, just like stroking a little dog—no, a little bunny.

"You..."

At the same time, he was deep in thought—what was with Zhu Zhuqing's final glance? Why did it seem like one of those dramatic soap opera scenes from his past life?

Had they met before? With that question lingering, the three walked into the Great Spirit Arena of Suotuo City.

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