Near noon, Dai Mubai finally woke up.
Last night had been… excessive.
He hadn't held back at all, pushing himself to the limit to vent the frustration that had been building for days. Every night he had gone out full of anticipation, only to return empty-handed. It had nearly driven him to the brink.
If not for maintaining some dignity—so that when they eventually met again, he could leave a good impression—he might have completely lost control.
After all, he was no longer the same as before.
He was already Level 35.
No… wait.
Dai Mubai carefully sensed the fluctuations of spirit power within his body again.
Then his eyes widened.
Level 36?!
He had actually broken through without even realizing it!
And it happened during last night's… activities?
For a moment, he was stunned. Then excitement surged through him.
So this kind of thing could actually help with breakthroughs?
Interesting.
Very interesting.
It seemed that whenever he reached the peak of a level in the future, he could try this method again. If two weren't enough, then five!
With his looks, strength, and status as a Spirit Elder, he considered himself the dream of countless young women in Soto City.
—At least, in his own opinion.
But just as his excitement settled, something suddenly clicked in his mind.
This morning… wasn't Dean Flender supposed to check on his cultivation?
"…Crap."
He threw on his clothes in a hurry, didn't even bother with the door, and leapt straight out of the window, sprinting toward Shrek Academy at full speed.
As he reached the academy gate, he spotted Ma Hongjun pacing anxiously.
"Fatty! What are you doing here?"
"Boss Dai!" Ma Hongjun rushed over. "The Dean came by this morning to check everyone's progress. When he saw you weren't there, I covered for you—said you were out trying to break through. He told you to report to his office. Just don't slip up!"
Dai Mubai let out a breath of relief.
"Not bad. Thanks for having my back. Tonight, you're coming with me—I'll treat you to something high-end."
"Really?" Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up.
"Of course. Stick with me, and you won't just eat your fill—you'll eat well."
"I've been waiting to hear that!"
"Alright, I'll deal with the Dean first. I'll call you later."
"Got it!"
Ma Hongjun grinned widely. Compared to his usual experiences, these "high-end sessions" were on a completely different level. In just a few days, he had already tasted more than he normally would in half a month.
Right now, he felt like the happiest man alive.
Before long, Dai Mubai arrived at the Dean's office and knocked respectfully.
In front of others, he could act however he pleased—but in front of Shrek's teachers, he knew better.
Strength commanded respect.
And every teacher here was at least a Spirit King, while Dean Flender himself was a Level 78 Spirit Saint.
This was not someone he could afford to offend.
"Come in."
"Dean Flender, I'm here."
"Mhm. Where were you last night?"
"I went to Soto City to look for a breakthrough opportunity."
"Oh? And did you find one… or were you doing something else?"
Before the Dean could finish, Dai Mubai released his spirit power.
A strong aura surged outward.
Level 36.
Flender's eyes flashed with approval.
"Good! Breaking through in such a short time—you truly live up to being one of Shrek's little monsters. Focus on your cultivation for the next two months. The academy will be recruiting new students soon. As a senior, you must set an example."
"Don't worry, Dean. I won't disappoint you."
"Good. You may go."
"Yes."
Dai Mubai exited calmly, closing the door behind him.
Back at his dormitory, he hummed a tune as he walked.
Compared to the others, his room was practically luxurious—he had personally spent money upgrading it. Though the exterior looked simple, the inside was far more comfortable.
Of course, if Flender hadn't forbidden bringing outsiders into the academy…
Well, there would've been even more improvements.
Just then, Ma Hongjun rushed over again.
"Boss Dai! How did it go? The Dean didn't give you trouble, right?"
Dai Mubai smirked.
"You think too little of me. I wasn't lying—I really did break through."
"So you're Level 36 now?"
"Exactly. And I've discovered something interesting… a special breakthrough method."
At that moment, Oscar happened to pass by and overheard.
"Boss Dai! I want to hear too! What method?"
Dai Mubai glanced around, making sure no one else was nearby, then pulled them both closer.
Lowering his voice, he explained everything—from last night's events to how the breakthrough happened naturally.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun froze.
Then—
"Wait… that works?!"
Ma Hongjun was stunned.
He had plenty of experience himself, but never once had he broken through like that.
"Maybe your emotions weren't strong enough," Dai Mubai said thoughtfully. "Or… the quality wasn't high enough."
"…That makes sense."
Ma Hongjun nodded seriously.
"Then I'll try again tonight."
"Make sure you're already at your limit," Dai Mubai added. "Right at the edge of breaking through. If you seize the moment, it'll work. That's how I hit Level 32 before."
Hearing this, both Ma Hongjun and Oscar grabbed his hands, deeply moved.
To share such a "secret technique"…
Boss Dai truly treated them like brothers!
"So, Little Ao," Ma Hongjun grinned, "coming tonight?"
Oscar hesitated.
"I… maybe not…"
"Why so shy? Didn't you enjoy it last time?"
"…It felt like I was flying."
"Then that settles it. We meet at the Rose Hotel tonight."
Dai Mubai nodded, then added:
"I'll head to the Spirit Arena first. You two come later."
Oscar was about to protest, but Ma Hongjun quickly cut him off.
"Got it, Boss Dai!"