Ma Hongjun grumbled from the side, "Exactly, it's our business, why did she have to butt in..."
Ning Rongrong pinched her chin with her fingers and looked at Ma Hongjun as she spoke:
"Even if that girl was your girlfriend, you can't force her! I heard everything!"
Dai Mubai rubbed his forehead with his uninjured hand and continued:
"Classmate Ning Rongrong, Fatty's Martial Soul has mutated. His chicken Martial Soul has mutated into a phoenix, truly a very powerful beast spirit!"
"But after his Martial Soul mutated, it gained Evil Fire, making his desires stronger than ordinary people!"
Hearing Dai Mubai call his Martial Soul a chicken, Ma Hongjun retorted:
"Hey, Boss Dai, what chicken? I'm a phoenix! Even if everyone in my family has chicken Martial Souls, mine is a phoenix Martial Soul—the wicked fire phoenix!"
Dai Mubai gave Ma Hongjun a look.
"Right, right. After his Martial Soul mutated, it did become a phoenix. The downside is the Evil Fire, which simply means his desires are too strong and need to be released."
"Dean Flender hasn't found a good solution either. If Fatty doesn't release the Evil Fire from his Martial Soul, he'll explode and die!"
"His desires are stronger than ordinary people's, so he's more frequent in matters between men and women. What you saw earlier was probably that girl reaching her limit again."
After hearing Dai Mubai's explanation, the girls' faces showed a hint of embarrassment.
Ning Rongrong's anger mostly subsided, leaving only some awkwardness as she unconsciously moved closer to Xue Na.
Xue Na also lowered her eyelids, her long lashes trembling slightly, with a faint blush rising to the tips of her ears.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing didn't know what to say about the matter either and could only stand to the side in silence.
Ma Hongjun's neck turned red from Dai Mubai discussing this in front of the girls, but he couldn't refute it, so he just stiffened his neck and said:
"Boss Dai, why are you saying all this..."
Dai Mubai looked at him helplessly: "If I don't explain clearly, they'll think you're really being a scoundrel."
He then turned to Ning Rongrong and Xue Na, his tone softening:
"So he's not intentionally bullying anyone—it's really a problem with his Martial Soul that can't be helped."
"Dean Flender has been trying to find ways to suppress the Evil Fire for him, but so far, no good method has been found."
The atmosphere eased considerably. Seeing the matter resolved, Su Yu spoke up:
"Alright, since the matter is settled, everyone head to the square for class. Don't be late!"
Ning Rongrong and Xue Na pulled Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing toward Shrek Academy's square, with Su Yu following behind them.
From behind, Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai hung back a few steps, whispering in lowered voices.
"Boss Dai, what's the background of this Teacher Su Yu?"
Ma Hongjun looked incredulous, unable to resist rubbing his hands together.
"He looks so delicate and tender, like some pretty boy who hasn't grown up. Can he really be that powerful?"
Dai Mubai glanced at him and waved his bandaged hand in front of his face:
"See this? This is his 'masterpiece.'"
"The day before yesterday in Suotuo City, I acted recklessly and he casually put me in my place. I couldn't even complain."
"No way?" Ma Hongjun's eyes widened as he leaned closer. "Him? He did this to you?"
"Far from it." Dai Mubai recalled yesterday's scene, his tone growing more serious.
"He claimed to already be a Soul Saint, and it was only after defeating Teacher Zhao that Dean Flender invited him to join the academy as a teacher."
"You know how strong Teacher Zhao is. Anyone who can defeat him so easily can't be ordinary."
"A Soul Saint?!" Ma Hongjun gasped sharply, his jaw nearly dropping.
"He doesn't look much older than us, does he? How is that possible..."
Dai Mubai patted his shoulder, cutting off his muttering:
"If you can't figure it out, don't bother. His strength speaks for itself."
"By the way, I haven't had breakfast yet. We still have some time before assembly. Want to join me at the cafeteria for a quick bite?"
With that, he threw an arm around Ma Hongjun's neck without waiting for an answer and turned toward the cafeteria.
Ma Hongjun stumbled from the pull, still muttering "This is just too unbelievable" under his breath.
As they walked toward the cafeteria, barely maintaining seriousness for a few seconds, Ma Hongjun thought of the beautiful girls they'd seen earlier and his playful nature resurfaced. He glanced teasingly at Dai Mubai:
"Heh, Boss Dai, forget about that for now. Those new beauties we just saw - any thoughts?"
Dai Mubai considered it. Those girls were indeed exceptional.
But his fiancée Zhu Zhuqing was here now, so he couldn't be too reckless.
Besides, Ning Rongrong and Xue Na were clearly close to Su Yu - not someone he could aspire to.
Xiao Wu seemed to have a similar relationship with Tang San, so that was probably hopeless too.
As if remembering something, he quickly turned to warn Ma Hongjun:
"I don't care what you're thinking, but you stay away from Zhu Zhuqing!"
"Hey, Boss Dai, that's not fair! You can't keep all the good stuff for yourself!"
"You don't understand. Zhu Zhuqing is my fiancée. She probably came to Suotuo City specifically to find me!"
Ma Hongjun's face lit up with delight at this, then he looked at Dai Mubai with a teasing expression:
"Oh, Boss Dai, I never would've guessed you had a fiancée!"
"Of course! And I'm warning you - don't go blabbing about my past!"
"Understood, understood! So our Boss Dai is turning over a new leaf! But which one is your fiancée?"
"Fatty, you talk too much. Keep your mouth shut and I'll treat you to some fun tonight!"
"Deal!"
...
While Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun headed to the cafeteria with arms around each other's shoulders, Su Yu and the others had arrived at Shrek Academy's plaza.
Surprisingly, they weren't the earliest arrivals - Tang San had arrived before them.
As Su Yu's group reached the plaza, they saw Tang San standing with his back to them beside Oscar's sausage cart.
Tang San was eating a sausage in big bites, with some grease stains visible at the corner of his mouth.
"Xiao San, why are you here so early? I didn't see you at the cafeteria!"
Xiao Wu's eyes brightened as she ran over and patted his shoulder, asking curiously.
Tang San turned around, still chewing, and responded vaguely:
"Woke up early to train for a bit. Passed by Uncle's cart and figured since assembly is soon, I'd just grab some of his sausages instead of going to the cafeteria."
He pointed at the nearby sausage cart. "He just made a fresh batch, still warm."
Oscar poked his head out and waved a sausage at Xiao Wu with a smile.
"Classmate, let me say it again—I'm not an uncle. I'm about the same age as you!"
"And how about you, little sister? Would you like one? These freshly made sausages are excellent for replenishing Soul Power!"