Teaching through battle was undoubtedly the most effective approach. The Great Master's words were not directed at Ma Hongjun alone—they equally applied to Dai Mubai and the other assault-type Soul Masters standing nearby.
"Alright, we can head out now." The Great Master waved his hand and led the group toward the rest area.
Just then, a fiery red figure suddenly appeared before them, blocking their path. The person had materialized almost out of thin air, abruptly planting themselves in front of the Shrek Academy team in the blink of an eye.
Upon seeing this figure, a faint smile surfaced on the Great Master's face, and his gaze drifted to Tang San beside him, whose body had mostly recovered.
The fiery red figure was none other than the vice-captain of the Blazing Fire Academy team—who resembled a swirl of dazzling flames—and wielded the miraculous Fire Shadow Martial Soul: Huo Wu.
Her gaze swept over the Shrek team, who had just secured six consecutive victories. Huo Wu bit her delicate teeth, making no effort to conceal her intentions as she fixed Tang San with a burning stare. Yet in her eyes, there no longer seemed to be that same defiant anger and rebelliousness from before. Something more complicated had crept in.
"Miss Huo Wu, is there something you need?" It was Dai Mubai who spoke, as team captain.
Huo Wu's eyes slid past Dai Mubai without lingering. She gave a slight nod, then addressed Tang San directly: "Tang San, I want to talk with you."
The other six members of the Shrek Seven Devils, along with the four substitute members, all turned their attention to Tang San. Tang San himself was somewhat taken aback, his brow furrowing slightly. "Can't you say it here?"
Huo Wu shook her head. "I want to speak with you privately."
Tang San suddenly felt a pinch at his waist. When he turned to look, Xiao Wu was glaring at him with undisguised displeasure, something extra flickering in her eyes. Dai Mubai, meanwhile, wore a helpless expression. Among the Shrek Seven Devils, when it came to looks, Tang San could only barely surpass Ma Hongjun. Whether it was Oscar's inhumanly handsome features or Dai Mubai's own darkly charismatic appeal, both were clearly far more attractive to girls.
Huo Wu was undoubtedly an exceptional young woman. At nineteen, she had already blossomed into an elegant and poised figure, her body honed to near-perfection by intense training. Even Dai Mubai, who had charmed countless women, couldn't help but have certain thoughts about her. Had Zhu Zhuqing not existed, he might well have launched a courtship campaign of his own.
What Dai Mubai couldn't understand was that, ever since the two teams had first interacted, Huo Wu's attention had remained stubbornly fixed on Tang San—a young man who was far from remarkable in appearance. Though Tang San's strength was formidable, it still made Dai Mubai question his own charm. It was only later that everyone learned the true reason: Huo Wu's fixation on Tang San stemmed above all from the crushing defeat he had dealt her. Huo Wu was fiercely competitive—those who yielded to her only bored her, while Tang San's devastating blow to her pride during the first team battle between the two academies had left an indelible mark. That was why only Tang San occupied her gaze.
The Great Master glanced at Tang San, then at Huo Wu, and said, "Go on. Head back straight after."
Tang San then walked toward Huo Wu. A flicker of anxiety and something else crossed Xiao Wu's face, and she looked ready to speak, but the Great Master stopped her with a look.
"Let's go." Under the Great Master's lead, the rest of the Shrek Academy group headed back toward their camp.
They had barely walked any distance before Xiao Wu could no longer hold back. "Great Master, why did you let Xiao San go off alone with that Huo Wu? Hasn't she caused him enough trouble already?"
The Great Master regarded Xiao Wu with a knowing look. "She poses absolutely no threat to Xiao San—that's the first point. Secondly, child, you must remember: a man's heart cannot be held by force. What's yours will always be yours. Trust is the foundation of any bond between two people. Xiao San is a man who deeply values loyalty and affection. You've been together seven or eight years now—surely you can see that? In his heart, no one can ever take your place."
His tone shifting, the Great Master's gaze drifted toward Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. "Of course, people are different. For men of different temperaments, you must use different approaches. The key is to understand their character first. You are all growing up day by day, and your feelings are still in that hazy, uncertain stage. I hope you won't let emotional matters derail your futures. I want each of you to bring out the fullest extent of your talent."
Huo Wu watched Tang San, who stood calm and composed in his sickly-green team uniform. Her expression shifted subtly. "Come with me." With that, she turned and walked toward the rest area.
Though Huo Wu's visit struck him as odd, Tang San followed her into the rest area all the same.
Huo Wu walked all the way to a quiet, secluded corner before stopping. Outside, the advancement rounds were still in progress, and students from every academy were watching the matches. This so-called rest area was really just a roped-off section of the camp, meant for pre-match adjustment. At the moment, it was practically deserted.
Huo Wu turned to face Tang San, her expression noticeably softened. "Have your injuries healed?"