The moonlight was still the same—intoxicatingly beautiful.
No one knew how much time had passed before the turbulent spring water finally calmed.
After another long while, two naked figures slowly emerged from the pool, arms wrapped around each other. They stepped onto the shore and lay down on the blue-silver grass, gazing up at the starry night sky.
"Xiao Wu, I…"
The red-haired boy gently held the girl with the scorpion braids. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to confess part of the truth.
What happened with Meng Yiran had been an accident. But unlike Xiao Wu, even if Meng Yiran was willing to share him, he still had to be honest.
If he was going to have a harem, he needed to be upfront about it. Hiding it would only bring hurt.
But just as he was about to speak, a pair of slender jade-like fingers pressed softly against his lips.
"Hehe, Brother Hongjun, I know what you're going to say."
Xiao Wu grinned playfully. Her beautiful face, still flushed from their recent intimacy, now shimmered with joy and affection.
"But we can't tell anyone yet. Rongrong and Qingqing both like you so much. If they found out about this now, they'd be heartbroken."
Ma Hongjun froze.
Wait—what I wanted to say was...
"So, please, Brother Hongjun… don't make them sad~"
Xiao Wu gave him a soft peck on the cheek. With a sweet laugh, she got up to get dressed.
But the moment she stepped forward on her long legs, her balance gave way and she tumbled right back into the boy's arms. She looked at him with a touch of mock annoyance in her eyes.
Cough.
Ma Hongjun scratched his cheek awkwardly, his eyes drifting to the faint marks on her body. No wonder he'd been so fired up—those rabbit ears had seriously boosted his attack speed!
And just looking at her long, perfect legs brought back vivid memories of earlier. His gaze sharpened slightly.
"You're terrible."
Xiao Wu pouted, covering herself with her hands. "I can't take any more. And if we don't head back soon, the dean and the others will be worried sick."
As she spoke, she darted over to her clothes.
Ma Hongjun wasn't planning a second round, but watching her shyly avoid his gaze while trying to dress, and recalling what she had just said, he suddenly wore a strange expression.
Am I really building a harem?
"Xiao Wu, do you mind?"
He asked, looking seriously at the girl with the scorpion braids.
"Huh? Mind what?"
Still fussing over her torn clothes, Xiao Wu looked up at his serious expression and broke into a sweet smile.
"Brother Hongjun, you don't mind that I'm a soul beast, so how could I mind something like this?"
"Besides, in the world of soul beasts, the strong naturally attract more mates."
"Of course…"
Her beautiful eyes glinted mischievously.
"Just because I don't mind doesn't mean Rongrong and Qingqing won't. But… if you're always this sweet to me, I can help you~"
She hummed a cheerful tune while trying to mend her clothes, but Ma Hongjun was already stunned.
What?
Not only was he building a harem, but his girl was offering to help him do it?
Damn!
Where on earth could you find a girl this amazing!?
"Don't worry, Xiao Wu. I'll treat you well. Always."
The red-haired boy spoke with rare seriousness.
"Even better than now."
Under the moonlight, Ma Hongjun made his first real promise since coming to this world.
"Mm, I believe you, Hongjun."
Xiao Wu smiled softly. But no matter how hard she tried, her clothes were too damaged to fix.
With no better option, Ma Hongjun took off his shirt and wrapped it around her.
Fortunately, since his martial soul had evolved, his body had grown taller. When his shirt went on the slender Xiao Wu, it covered everything she needed.
Wrapped in his scent, her heart felt warm. She leaned gently into his bare chest, her fingers brushing against his firm muscles. Her cheeks turned red again.
"Let's go back quickly."
She glanced at the moonlight, holding his hand. "We've been gone so long. The dean and the others must be worried."
"Just wait a sec."
Ma Hongjun patted her shoulder and smiled mysteriously at her puzzled look.
"I have something cool to show you."
"Huh?"
The girl blinked at him in confusion. Then, as if realizing something, the blush that had just faded came rushing back.
"Don't tell me it's that again..."
Before she could finish, Xiao Wu's words trailed off in shock.
A brilliant flame had appeared between Ma Hongjun's brows.
But this flame wasn't like his usual crimson one—it radiated a noble, translucent crimson-gold glow!
It began spreading from the center of his forehead, quickly engulfing his entire body.
BOOM!!!!!!
As the flames fully enveloped him, a terrifying aura erupted. In that moment, it felt as if some ancient, godlike being had just opened its eyes.
Xiao Wu's expression changed dramatically. She collapsed to the ground, staring in awe as the crimson-gold flames blazed brighter and brighter, as if echoing the stars in the sky.
And faintly, in that blazing light, she saw it—
A phoenix, so massive it spanned the heavens, rising like a god from the fire!!
Majestic. Terrifying. Divine.
At the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, in the temporary camp of Shrek Academy—
"F*ck, Dean, what the hell is that!?"
Dai Mubai stood frozen, staring at the enormous phoenix shadow that glowed against the night sky.
That noble, terrifying pressure made him shiver—even from so far away!
It wasn't coming from soul power. It wasn't coming from strength of body.
It was a suppression from the Martial Soul itself!
The kind that even the continent's top beast spirit—the Evil-Eyed White Tiger—couldn't withstand!
"I don't know," Flander said grimly. "Stay alert. If things go south, we retreat immediately."
He and Zhao Wuji looked up at the sky, their expressions tense.
So many strange things had happened since they entered the Star Dou Great Forest.
Had they forgotten to check the calendar before heading out?
The other Shrek students were stunned by the lifelike phoenix shadow overhead.
Oscar shivered and muttered, "This... this can't be something Fatty did, right?"
Silence fell across the camp.
"You think too highly of Fatty," Dai Mubai scoffed. "If he had that kind of power, I'd shave my head, okay?"
"Hmph. Absurd."
Tang San snorted in disbelief.
Ma Hongjun? No way someone like him could command such a noble and terrifying aura.
...Though, my Xuan Tian Gong seems to resonate with that energy. If I could get it...
"What does it matter to you?" Oscar shot back without hesitation.
Forget Boss Dai—we're all good friends. But you?
Who do you think you are?