Zhu Lu said, "Now that you mention it, I do have some impression of it. Because our engagement was set since childhood, I once followed my family to the White Tiger Duke's Mansion when I was very young."
"At that time, Dai Huabin was indeed bullying a woman and a child, and he was being very cruel, constantly having his servants punch and kick them."
"I felt a bit of pity for them then, but I had no way to help. Looking at it now, it truly is a case of a pitiable person having loathsome traits."
Speaking to this point, Zhu Lu seemed afraid that Feng Piaoling might misunderstand something and hastily explained, "I no longer have any relationship with Dai Huabin. I intend to walk a different path from my ancestor, the Goddess of Speed, Zhu Zhuqing."
After ten thousand years of evolution, although the legends of the original Shrek Seven Monsters had been beautified generation after generation, the story of Zhu Zhuqing seeking out Dai Mubai and helping him defeat their elder brothers and sisters had still been passed down.
Seeing Zhu Lu speak this way, a faint smile couldn't help but appear on Feng Piaoling's face. If she were determined enough, perhaps he could indeed help her forge a different path.
Feng Piaoling skipped over the previous topic. "In short, just keep your eyes open in the future. It's fine to help others, but don't help just anyone. In this world, there are always people who treat a small favor as a blessing but a large one as a grievance, and who love to act pitiful to win sympathy."
"Take Dai Yuhao, for example. He loves to bring up his murdered mother at every turn, yet he turns around and grovels at the feet of his enemies. If you keep helping someone like that, he'll think it's his due; but the moment you stop, he'll treat you like a mortal enemy."
The three girls nodded in unison, all expressing their agreement with Feng Piaoling's words.
The three of them were eating the best dishes from the canteen. Usually, they took turns paying the bill; since it was Feng Piaoling's turn today, he had bought a portion for Wang Dong'er as well.
The four of them sat at the table and chairs Feng Piaoling had prepared.
Just as they were about to finish eating, Huo Yuhao returned hand-in-hand with Dai Huabin. Seeing their reddened eyes, it wasn't hard to guess that they had likely just been crying.
Seeing Wang Dong'er actually sitting with Feng Piaoling's group, Dai Huabin grew even more furious. With a cold snort, he went to the most expensive area to buy two meals and began eating with Huo Yuhao not far away.
The grand final had not yet begun, but the faint scent of gunpowder was already spreading.
After lunch, Feng Piaoling's trio parted ways with Wang Dong'er.
Before leaving, Wang Dong'er suddenly whispered a warning: "Watch out for their Martial Soul Fusion skill."
"Does this count as selling out intelligence?" Feng Piaoling asked with a teasing smile, confirming his inner suspicion.
"I simply hate those hypocritical brothers. I'm just returning the favor for the meal you treated me to," Wang Dong'er said, her words belying her true feelings.
"Then I'll look forward to witnessing their Martial Soul Fusion skill. Simultaneously, I want to see exactly what level your strength has reached."
With these words, Feng Piaoling was essentially hinting at 'Ring Fusion.'
He was planning to attempt cultivating this technique. If he could have a ready-made reference right before his eyes, it would save him a great deal of trouble.
"I'll let you see it." Hearing Feng Piaoling's words, Wang Dong'er's fighting spirit was instantly ignited.
After parting with Wang Dong'er, Feng Piaoling found a quiet spot by the Sea God Lake to study tactics with Zhu Lu and Nanmen Yun'er.
Though he called it 'studying,' it was more about giving them a chance to train and letting them witness Wang Dong'er's Ring Fusion. After all, with Feng Piaoling acting as the anchor, the outcome of this final match of the freshman assessment would be without suspense.
When they walked into the assessment area, it was unusually quiet.
In the original story, there were no student spectators for the freshman assessment finals. There were only the academy's teachers, the Dean of the Martial Soul Department for both the Inner and Outer Courtyards, Yan Shaozhe, and the Director of Instruction for the Outer Courtyard's Martial Soul Department, Du Weilun.
However, perhaps due to Xu Zhongyi's death, significant changes had occurred compared to the original timeline.
Not only were the teachers, Yan Shaozhe, and Du Weilun present, but several Inner Courtyard students who had recently been patrolling the Outer Courtyard had also arrived.
Among them was Zhang Lexuan, whom Feng Piaoling had met once before, as well as Ma Xiaotao, who had once hunted down Wang Dong'er and Xiao Xiao.
When she saw Ma Xiaotao, dressed in the red Inner Courtyard uniform with her hair tied in two buns, Wang Dong'er immediately remembered being pursued. Her pupils contracted sharply.
She subconsciously looked at Feng Piaoling, who shook his head before turning his gaze toward the teachers, Yan Shaozhe, and Du Weilun.
Feng Piaoling had already seen Du Weilun during previous matches, and he had likewise seen Yan Shaozhe, the Dean of both courtyards. He was none other than the white-robed elder who had previously subdued Ma Xiaotao when she was in a frenzied state.
As for the teachers, most were from the Outer Courtyard, including Mu Jin and Zhou Yi.
At that moment, the two women were at it again.
"Zhou Yi, you really are something. To snatch the championship, you truly use any means necessary. You actually had the nerve to change a Power Attack System Battle Soul Master like Wang Dong'er into an Agility Attack System Soul Master."
Right out of the gate, Mu Jin began her cold mockery.
"What? Is Wang Dong'er's speed not enough to be called an Agility Attack System Soul Master? Or can you find any Agility Attack Soul Master of the same level whose speed greatly exceeds hers? Furthermore, who regulated that an Agility Attack Soul Master cannot possess attack power comparable to a Power Attack Soul Master?"
Zhou Yi fired back three consecutive rhetorical questions, leaving Mu Jin speechless.
"You..." Mu Jin was so angry she couldn't speak.
"Fine, if you're here to pick a fight, then stay to the side. I have no interest in wasting words with you."
Turning the conversation, a faint curve suddenly appeared at the corner of Zhou Yi's mouth. "But if you're here to make a bet with me, then I might be interested."
"What's the stake?" Mu Jin asked, sounding provoked and hot-headed.
Zhou Yi said, "A Soul Bone. And not just any ordinary one; it must be at least ten thousand years old. If Class One wins, you owe me one; if Class Nine wins, I'll give you one in return. Of course, if you're too afraid to bet, I won't force you. After all, your teaching ability was never a match for mine anyway..."
"Haha, fine! I'll bet. One ten-thousand-year Soul Bone it is."
After hearing Zhou Yi's words, Mu Jin no longer looked provoked. She laughed—a laugh filled with immense smugness. That look, despite the obvious baiting, made it seem as if someone were handing her a Soul Bone for free.
Seeing Mu Jin like this, Zhou Yi instinctively quirked an eyebrow, a sense of foreboding rising in her heart.
But then she thought of the Martial Soul Fusion skill shared by Huo Yuhao and Dai Huabin. Her heart settled once more.
She looked toward Feng Piaoling with a grim expression, thinking to herself: Feng Piaoling, no matter how much of a genius you are, you are absolutely no match for the 'Huo-Bin Power' of Huo Yuhao and Dai Huabin.
"It seems those two are at it again."
Watching the two women clashing on the side, Yan Shaozhe spoke with a smile to Du Weilun, the Director of Instruction for the Outer Courtyard's Martial Soul Department.
-----------------------------------------------
I handpick only the finest and most captivating novels for you. Don't forget to check out my other novels!
p@treon HongMengZi