Tang San and Xiao Wu both froze for a moment, their expressions growing rather strange. Though Tang San was fairly well-informed when it came to Mutant Martial Souls, someone like Ma Hongjun was a first even for him.
Tang San looked toward Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai nodded. "That's right. The fatty never forces anyone on that front. And Cui really is his girlfriend."
Ma Hongjun corrected him in an annoyed tone. "Evil Fire Phoenix."
Tang San's jaw practically hit the floor. "This really is a monster academy. They even have a Martial Soul like that."
Xiao Wu's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a soft snort. "Honestly, all kinds of people in this world."
Ma Hongjun glared at Dai Mubai. "If I had a pretty-boy face like you and Xiao Ao, enough to juggle multiple girlfriends at the same time, would I be in this mess? So don't go putting yourself down — don't think I don't know about your little schedule. Three dates in one day with different girls."
Dai Mubai's slanted eyes flickered rapidly. He glanced behind him rather hurriedly and lowered his voice. "Fatty, you can eat the wrong food, but you can't say the wrong things. Keep your voice down."
Ma Hongjun snickered. "Aren't you usually proud of that instead of ashamed? What's up today? Did you take the wrong medicine?"
Dai Mubai shot him a glare. "Cut the crap. Some things you just can't say out loud. Keep ruining my reputation and don't blame me for getting rough with you."
Tang San couldn't help but speak up. "Ma Hongjun, so you don't have a girlfriend now. What are you going to do? Just stop cultivating?"
Ma Hongjun shrugged. "What else can I do? Keeping myself alive comes first. I'll go ask the headmaster later, see if he has any ideas."
Xiao Wu said, "Where does the academy eat? I'm starving."
Dai Mubai replied, "Follow me."
The four of them headed back into Shrek Academy's grounds, and Dai Mubai led them to the academy cafeteria.
The so-called cafeteria was really just an arrangement between the academy and the village — a few villagers had been hired to handle meals for everyone. Breakfast was simple enough, but the portions were generous. Filling up wasn't a problem.
When they arrived at the cafeteria, Ning Rongrong and the cold-faced girl Zhu Zhuqing were already there. Zhu Zhuqing looked mostly fine aside from being a shade paler.
Perhaps because they had fought side by side the day before, both girls nodded at Tang San and Xiao Wu upon seeing them. Zhu Zhuqing was still rather aloof, but Ning Rongrong's expression was noticeably warmer. Her smile revealed two adorable dimples, making her look especially lovely.
Ma Hongjun's eyes glazed over as he stared at the two girls, swallowing with no attempt to hide it.
Dai Mubai elbowed him. "Behave yourself. Best keep that evil fire under control."
Ma Hongjun protested indignantly. "Why? Are you planning to make a move again? I mean it, Boss Dai — even if you're the boss, at least leave a little something for the rest of us."
Dai Mubai elbowed him once more and stole a glance at Zhu Zhuqing. She didn't seem to have noticed them, eating her breakfast at a slow, deliberate pace. The cold expression on her face hadn't changed one bit.
Xiao Wu sat down next to Ning Rongrong, whispering something to her with a quiet laugh. The look of surprise Ning Rongrong cast toward Ma Hongjun told him plainly enough that they were talking about him. He slumped into his seat with a deflated sigh and took his frustration out on the breakfast in front of him.
Dai Mubai cleared his throat. "That rascal Xiao Ao overslept again. He's always so lazy. Other than Xiao Ao, I think everyone's here. We're all going to be living and studying together for a while, so let's introduce ourselves properly. Let me start — this fatty here is our other student. His name is Ma Hongjun, and his Martial Soul is grass— no, I mean Phoenix."
At the word "Phoenix," Zhu Zhuqing looked up briefly. But she only spared Ma Hongjun a single glance, and when her gaze drifted past Dai Mubai, it seemed to carry an extra chill.
Ma Hongjun said, "Oh, right — Boss Dai. I heard the new students gave Teacher Zhao quite a beating yesterday. Who was it?"
Dai Mubai replied, "You already crossed paths with him just now. But you got off easy — you didn't get the same treatment Teacher Zhao did." As he spoke, he pointed at Tang San.
Ma Hongjun stared at Tang San with disbelief. "That can't be right. Your Soul Power might be a bit stronger than mine, but not by that much. You shouldn't even be at Rank 30 yet. How could you possibly give Teacher Zhao trouble? He's a Rank 76 Soul Saint. I don't buy it."