Chapter 8. Incident in Soto City
After Zhao Wuji escorted the newcomers into the academy grounds, Flender — the dean of Shrek — gave a brief introduction and announced that formal classes would begin the following day. For the remainder of the evening, however, the students were granted freedom to explore the vicinity of Soto City. Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Ye Chen decided not to remain confined to the dormitory. They set out to wander the streets — to browse the local shops, sample some food, and simply enjoy the evening air after a strenuous day.
Soto City was a typical provincial town in the Balak Kingdom: bustling streets lined with merchants shouting their wares, numerous inns catering to travelers, and a lively yet unpretentious atmosphere. The group walked along the main thoroughfare. Xiao Wu chattered animatedly with Ning Rongrong, comparing regional cuisines, while Tang San walked slightly ahead, observing their surroundings with quiet vigilance. Ye Chen remained close to Rongrong, occasionally brushing stray strands of hair from her face when the light breeze disturbed them.
"Look, that inn has a nice view!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, pointing at a brightly lit sign reading "Rose Lady." "Let's go in and have something to eat!"
They entered. The hall was crowded: several tables occupied, waitresses moving briskly with trays. At one of the farther tables sat a plump young man with red hair and a round face — Ma Hongjun, already a student of Shrek, though the newcomers had yet to learn this.
Ma Hongjun was currently attempting to "court" one of the waitresses — a pretty girl named Cui Hua. She stood at his table with arms crossed, visibly uncomfortable.
"Cui Hua, why do you want to break up?" Ma Hongjun asked loudly, his voice thick with indignation. "I tried so hard! I brought you gifts, took you to see performances… And now you say we're not compatible?"
Cui Hua flushed and tried to step away.
"Ma Hongjun, enough! You are too… insistent. And your 'gifts' are just food from the kitchen. I do not want this anymore."
Xiao Wu, overhearing the exchange, frowned.
"Hey, fatty! Leave the girl alone!" she called out, stepping forward. "She clearly said no!"
Ma Hongjun turned, irritated, and snorted… then his gaze fell upon Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong standing nearby.
His eyes lit up with undisguised lust. Xiao Wu was charming and graceful, with long braids and a lithe figure. Ning Rongrong was a true beauty: porcelain skin, full third-size chest, narrow waist, long shapely legs. Ma Hongjun licked his lips, greedily scanning them from head to toe, lingering on hips and curves.
"Wow… what beauties!" he muttered, rising from his seat. "New students of Shrek? Come sit with me. I'll treat you to anything you like…"
Ning Rongrong flushed at the brazen stare.
"How disgusting…" she whispered, instinctively stepping behind Ye Chen.
Ye Chen moved forward, his expression calm, though a cold fury flickered in his eyes. Within him, the Nephrite Hat stirred faintly.
Tang San, ever composed and calculating, stepped up beside him.
"Leave," he said quietly but firmly. "The ladies do not wish for your company."
Ma Hongjun laughed.
"And who are you to order me around? Want a fight? I'll show you real power!"
He summoned his martial soul — the Evil Fire Phoenix. Crimson flames erupted around his body, and his first soul ring (yellow) activated: "Phoenix Fire Thread." A torrent of fiery wind surged toward Tang San and the others.
The wind from the attack was fierce — it whipped up dust and leaves from the floor. The skirts of Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong lifted sharply in the gust: Xiao Wu's short pink skirt rose nearly to her waist, exposing smooth thighs; Ning Rongrong's elegant white dress flew upward past her knees, revealing the lace-trimmed edges of her undergarments.
Both girls cried out simultaneously and clutched at their skirts, pressing the fabric down desperately. Their faces turned scarlet.
"Ah!" Xiao Wu squeaked, blushing furiously and darting behind Tang San.
Ning Rongrong fled behind Ye Chen, pressing herself against his back.
"Don't look!" she whispered, trembling with embarrassment.
Ye Chen instantly stepped forward, shielding her completely with his body. Inside him, that familiar sensation stirred once more — sharp jealousy mingled with an unwelcome thrill from the hat. Ma Hongjun paused for a moment, his gaze hungrily tracing the exposed skin, but Tang San had already acted.
"Do not dare look at them!" Tang San said coldly.
He launched hidden weapons — "Butterfly Sting" followed by "Tang Sect: Heavenly Rain of Needles." Needles flew in intricate arcs, bypassing the stream of fire.
Ye Chen activated "Green Light" — his body enveloped in emerald radiance, attributes doubled. Then he invoked "Green Armor" — fivefold amplification. He charged into close range, delivering powerful punches enhanced by dragon-scale energy.
Ma Hongjun dodged, activating his second ring — "Phoenix Wings." Fiery wings sprouted from his back, granting flight and amplifying his flame attacks.
"You will all burn!" he roared.
But Tang San was a master of control. Blue Silver Grass erupted from the ground, entangling Ma Hongjun's legs — "Blue Silver Grass: Web." The needles continued their assault, some finding their mark and numbing his muscles.
Ye Chen followed with a series of devastating strikes — each blow carrying the force to shatter stone. Ma Hongjun was hurled backward, crashing into a table.
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, still flushed and clutching their skirts, provided support from afar: Xiao Wu teleported closer and delivered a kick, while Ning Rongrong activated "Strength" and "Speed" — granting twenty percent boosts to Tang San and Ye Chen.
The fight was intense but brief. Ma Hongjun, though at level 28, had not anticipated such coordinated resistance from newcomers.
At that moment, Dai Mubai entered the hall.
"Enough!" he shouted, his Evil Eyed White Tiger martial soul flaring with white light. "Ma Hongjun, these are the new students of Shrek. Tang San, Ye Chen — stand down."
Ma Hongjun froze, breathing heavily.
"What? They're… ours?"
Dai Mubai nodded.
"Yes. They all passed Zhao Wuji's test. Ma Hongjun is also our classmate. His… issue with the 'evil fire' sometimes makes him act foolishly."
Cui Hua, the waitress, hurried forward and positioned herself between them.
"Stop fighting! Ma Hongjun, we are over, and that is final. And you all… I am sorry for the trouble. Let me bring you food on the house — just do not break any more furniture."
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu remained hidden behind their companions, adjusting their skirts. Their cheeks still burned.
"How embarrassing…" Ning Rongrong whispered into Ye Chen's ear.
He gently placed an arm around her shoulders.
"No one saw anything. Except that idiot we just defeated."
Tang San glanced at Dai Mubai.
"Understood. But if he approaches the ladies again… we will not hold back."
Dai Mubai smirked.
"He is not malicious. He simply… needs to release his evil fire from time to time. Come, let us return to the academy. Flender is waiting for everyone at dinner."
The group left the inn. Ma Hongjun trailed behind, rubbing his bruises, yet now regarding Tang San and Ye Chen with newfound respect.
"Hey, you two are strong. Especially you with the hat. Let us be friends?"
Ye Chen merely snorted.
Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu walked close to their partners, gripping their arms tightly. The incident had left a residue of embarrassment, but it also strengthened the nascent bond within the group. They were no longer mere newcomers — they were beginning to form the "Shrek Seven Devils."
Yet deep within, Ye Chen felt the Nephrite Hat pulse quietly — anticipating that such moments of humiliation and jealousy were only the beginning. For now, however, he walked beside Ning Rongrong, shielding her from the world.