Shrek Academy was quiet and peaceful at night.
Only the chirping of insects echoed through the fields, making the surroundings even more tranquil.
At that moment, Ma Hongjun was wrapped in his blanket, grinning foolishly in his sleep.
Drool dripped from the corner of his mouth, but he didn't notice at all.
Clearly, he was having a very pleasant dream.
His body shifted up and down occasionally, accompanied by some strange, somewhat disturbing noises.
Then suddenly—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A violent knocking on the door shattered his sweet dream.
Ma Hongjun jolted upright, still half-asleep.
What's going on?
Is it morning already?
There were still so many things we hadn't tried yet… how could it end so soon?
Driven by his lingering dream and irritation, he jumped out of bed and yanked the door open.
"Who the hell is disturbing my sleep? Don't they know what time it is? Looking to die?!"
The moment he finished speaking, he saw who it was—
Dai Mubai.
Instant sobriety.
Oh no… I'm dead.
"B-Boss Dai! Let me explain! I didn't mean it!"
Dai Mubai's face was dark. If he didn't need Ma Hongjun's help, he would've already thrown a punch.
"I'll let it slide this time. But I need your help—and Little Ao's too."
Only then did Ma Hongjun notice how disheveled Dai Mubai looked.
"Boss Dai… what happened to you? Your business is my business. Just say the word!"
Dai Mubai took a deep breath and began spinning his story.
"The woman I told you about—her Spirit is from the same lineage as mine. If we cultivate together, our progress will be much faster. But that brat beside her is getting in the way!"
He went on, embellishing himself while painting Lin Xian as the villain, claiming he needed to "rescue" her.
Ma Hongjun scratched his head, confused.
"But Boss Dai… you're already Level 36. You couldn't beat them?"
"Don't even mention it!" Dai Mubai snapped. "That kid played dirty. I went over sincerely, and he ambushed me. I almost died!"
Thinking back to being humiliated earlier, his fists clenched tightly.
Hatred burned in his eyes.
He didn't just want revenge—he wanted to torture Lin Xian.
Lock him up. Break him slowly. Make him beg.
A twisted grin spread across his face.
"Hehehe…"
Ma Hongjun felt a chill run down his spine.
Did Boss Dai… lose his mind?
Still, he didn't think too much about it. After all, it was just a Spirit Elder opponent.
With Dai Mubai holding the girl back, he only needed to deal with the guy hiding behind.
Easy.
"Don't worry, Boss Dai!" Ma Hongjun thumped his chest. "Since they bullied you, we'll bully them back! When do we move?"
"Tomorrow night," Dai Mubai said coldly. "We ambush them during a two-on-two match. I want to see what that coward can do without hiding."
Ma Hongjun grinned.
"No problem! Should we bring Little Ao too?"
"Of course. The three of us are brothers. After we win… Rose Hotel is on me. I've got some new tricks—you've never experienced them before."
Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up instantly.
"Seriously?! Then I can finally enjoy myself properly!"
"Haha! What's mine is yours. Stick with me—you'll never go hungry… in any sense."
Ma Hongjun was practically vibrating with excitement now. Any trace of sleepiness was long gone.
"Fatty, that's all for tonight," Dai Mubai said. "Find Little Ao tomorrow and explain everything. We move tomorrow evening."
"Leave it to me, Boss Dai!"
Satisfied, Dai Mubai turned and left, heading back to his room.
He needed to recover his peak condition.
Tomorrow, he would crush his opponent head-on in the arena.
That way, he could prove his strength—and expose Lin Xian's "weakness."
With Ma Hongjun providing long-range support, all he had to do was hold Zhu Zhuqing back.
That brat wouldn't even have time to react.
Dai Mubai could already picture Lin Xian trembling in fear.
The ending… was already written.
Confidence was good.
But too much of it?
That became arrogance.
And Dai Mubai had clearly crossed that line.
—
Meanwhile, Lin Xian and Zhu Zhuqing were already fast asleep, holding each other.
With Star Attraction running automatically, there was no need to stay in constant meditation.
After days of cultivation, Zhu Zhuqing had gradually let go of her past burdens.
Now, she and Lin Xian were completely in sync.
Habit… or preference?
Maybe both.
Even if Lin Xian knew about Dai Mubai's plans, he would only smile.
Since using the Spirit Ring Color Modifier, they no longer needed to hold back.
If Dai Mubai wanted a fight—
Then they'd settle it in the arena.
He just hoped…
Someone wouldn't regret it afterward.