Chapter 18: The Engagement… Let's End It! | Join Shrek? No Interest!
"No need."
"I've already settled things with him. There's no reason to waste any more energy on him."
Zhu Zhuqing spoke coldly in her heart.
"Oh? So you're a little kitten who's cold on the outside but warm within, clear about gratitude and grudges, huh?"
Bai Lu teased in a playful tone.
Zhu Zhuqing did not respond. She simply withdrew her claws and moved her hand away from Dai Mubai's throat.
"Mm…?"
Dai Mubai slowly raised his head, looking up at Zhu Zhuqing, who stood above him.
Moonlight spilled over the girl's cool and distant face. Within her beautiful, mysterious cat-like eyes, there was no joy of victory, no satisfaction of revenge—only cold indifference.
As though defeating him was nothing more than a trivial matter.
That indifference hurt Dai Mubai far more than anger, mockery, or contempt ever could.
It was as if—
He wasn't even worth her attention.
"Cough!"
He groaned and spat out another mouthful of blood, his face pale as paper.
He was a level 37 Soul Elder, a so-called "monster" of Shrek Academy.
Yet he had been defeated by his Soul Grandmaster fiancée.
And defeated utterly.
Miserably.
Silence fell over the entire scene.
Tang San and the others exchanged glances, all feeling somewhat awkward.
If Zhu Zhuqing had merely been stronger in level, they could have ignored fairness and rushed her together.
One-on-one or group tactics—they might have found a way to defeat her and force her to apologize to Dai Mubai.
But…
She was supposedly Dai Mubai's fiancée.
And her soul power was at least seven levels lower than his—an entire realm beneath him.
Being publicly defeated by your lower-level fiancée…
They truly had no idea how to intervene.
"The engagement…"
Zhu Zhuqing finally spoke, her voice cold as frost.
"Let's end it."
She dismissed her martial soul possession and turned toward the inn.
Her steps were light.
Almost carefree.
"Little girl, wait."
Zhao Wuji stood up, his voice booming.
Zhu Zhuqing paused but did not turn around.
"You injured a Shrek Academy student. It's not that easy to just walk away."
Zhao Wuji grinned, half-threatening, half-tempting.
"But… I see that your talent and strength are exceptional. How about it? Interested in joining Shrek Academy?"
"Shrek Academy?"
Zhu Zhuqing searched her memories but found no information about such a place.
"I'm Zhao Wuji, vice principal of Shrek Academy. Rank 76 Soul Saint."
He introduced himself proudly.
"Our faculty is strong. We have Soul Emperors and Soul Saints."
"And we only recruit monster-level geniuses. If you're willing to join, the teachers and I will definitely nurture you properly."
"See?"
He gestured toward Tang San and the others behind him.
"These are our little monsters. The lowest among them is rank 26. They should be qualified to be your classmates, right?"
"Monsters…"
Zhu Zhuqing finally turned her head.
Her gaze brushed over Dai Mubai, then swept across Tang San, Xiao Wu, Oscar, Ma Hongjun, and Ning Rongrong.
If they were monsters…
Then what was she?
Five soul bones.
Twin martial souls.
A hundred-thousand-year soul ring.
She had defeated Dai Mubai across a realm gap and even slain Soul Elders and a three-thousand-year Vajra Tiger.
If that wasn't beyond a monster…
What was it?
A freak of nature?
"No interest."
She shook her head slightly and spoke three words, her tone devoid of fluctuation.
Zhao Wuji's face stiffened.
He had expected rejection.
But not such a decisive one.
His eyes narrowed as the pressure of a Soul Saint descended upon her.
"Little girl, are you sure you want to refuse me?"
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing showed no hesitation and met Zhao Wuji's gaze fearlessly.
In combat technique, she had Bai Lu's guidance.
In choosing soul beasts, she had Bai Lu's guidance.
In soul power cultivation, she had Bai Lu's guidance.
Even her direction forward—
She had Bai Lu's guidance.
If she joined an academy, aside from gaining access to a Mimicry Training Ground and a few sparring partners and bodyguards who couldn't help her constantly—
What benefit was there?
"Exactly! Absolutely right!"
Within the spiritual sea, Bai Lu wholeheartedly approved.
Join poor Shrek? They don't even have a proper Mimicry Training Ground. What's the point?
Physical strength and willpower? Built through weighted runs.
Combat skills? Honed in the Suo Tuo Grand Soul Arena.
Meditation techniques? None.
Soul power cultivation? Entirely self-driven.
What use was such a trash academy?
If she truly wanted to join one, wouldn't other academies be better?
"And if…"
The smile on Zhao Wuji's face gradually faded.
"I insist that you join?"
"Not joining."
Zhu Zhuqing's face turned icy.
Without realizing it, she had already entered martial soul possession.
Soul power surged within her body, ready to unleash Hell Rush Stab and her left leg soul bone skill [Phantom Flash] at any moment to escape.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
In the spiritual space, Bai Lu stood ready, prepared to control the White Tiger clone and activate the Slaughter Skull if necessary.
"Mm."
Hearing his voice, Zhu Zhuqing immediately felt at ease.
Her back straightened slightly.
The atmosphere grew tense, as if battle could erupt at any second.
"Cough… Teacher Zhao… forget it…"
Dai Mubai grabbed Zhao Wuji's leg and forced a bitter smile.
He understood.
Zhu Zhuqing had already made her choice.
That cold gaze told him everything.
She had no interest in Shrek.
And whatever existed between them—
It was completely over.
"…Sigh."
After a moment of silence, Zhao Wuji sighed.
"Forget it. You can go."
"Heh."
Zhu Zhuqing let out a faint, cold laugh.
Without sparing Dai Mubai another glance, she turned and walked into the inn.
Her back was solitary and resolute.
"Congratulations, little kitty. You've successfully cut ties with your past."
Back in the room, a flash of light appeared.
Bai Lu manifested through the White Tiger clone before her.
"Mm."
Zhu Zhuqing responded softly, her expression complicated.
There was relief.
Lightness.
And a faint trace of melancholy.
After all, that engagement had once been forced upon her as part of her "destiny."
"Remember, your destiny doesn't need outsiders telling you what to do."
Bai Lu's voice was gentle yet firm.
"…."
Zhu Zhuqing slowly raised her head and looked at him.
The one who had given her everything.
A friend?
His handsome face bore a faint smile. His golden amber eyes reflected her figure.
She suddenly asked, her voice very soft:
"Then are you an outsider… or one of my own?"
Bai Lu paused briefly, then smiled.
He stepped forward, gently grasping her wrist and pulling her closer.
The distance between them shortened instantly.
They could almost feel each other's breath.
"I am…"
He looked into her eyes and said word by word,
"One of your own."
Zhu Zhuqing stared into his eyes.
There was no pity.
No sympathy.
Only admiration and care.
"Mm. One of my own."
She smiled.
A relieved smile.
As though breaking free from a heavy shackle.
Her cold brows softened. The corners of her lips curved gently upward.
Like a frozen river thawing.
Like spring blossoms blooming for the first time.
Bai Lu said nothing more.
He simply reached out and gently stroked her head, like smoothing the fur of a little kitten.
Zhu Zhuqing did not dodge.
Instead, she narrowed her eyes comfortably.
Like a kitten enjoying her owner's touch.
End of Chapter