Gu Yuena stood silently.
She fixed her gaze on the red-haired boy, searching his fiery, agate-like eyes for any trace of desire, lust, or greed.
As the proud leader of the soul beasts, she silently vowed: if she saw even a hint of those filthy emotions, she would kill the boy in front of her in the cruelest way possible—then return to the forest and never awaken again for ten thousand years.
Such emotions would not only insult her—they would desecrate the divine image of the Phoenix God.
But no matter how intently Gu Yuena observed him, how deeply she probed with her senses, she saw nothing of the sort. There was only a trace of concern, a bit of worry, a glimmer of gratitude, and a touch of embarrassment and nervous admiration—for her.
And that kind of admiration had nothing to do with lust.
She couldn't believe it.
Yet after confirming it again and again, Gu Yuena had no choice but to accept the truth.
He wasn't lying.
But still… but still…
Her beautiful face flushed with an intense and captivating blush. Her amethyst eyes shimmered with mist. Her delicate body trembled slightly.
"Really... is it necessary?"
She clutched the hem of her skirt, her knuckles pale with tension, and whispered so softly that even she could barely hear her voice.
"That method…?"
Even someone as pure as Gu Yuena understood what that act meant. Even among deeply bonded human couples, such intimacy was rare.
Ma Hongjun gave a bitter smile and nodded.
He really hadn't lied about that part either.
Gu Yuena fell silent again.
After a long moment, she slowly raised her head. Her face was crimson, her gaze avoided his, her body trembled, and a faint mist of energy rose from her. The parts of her fair skin that were exposed were tinged with a delicate pink.
"Will…"
She panted slightly, her chest rising and falling with each breath, her voice shaky.
"Will it really work that well?"
Just asking that question seemed to drain all her strength. She nearly collapsed, but the boy reached out and supported her just in time.
"It absolutely will," Ma Hongjun said, breathing in her fragrance. He looked at her perfect face, and his heartbeat quickened.
He took a deep breath and nodded firmly.
Up to now, the system had never deceived him. Every effect it had described had come true.
"Then... I hope you're not lying to me."
Gu Yuena's breathing grew more hurried. She seemed to have made a decision. She gave the boy a complex look, tied up her long silver hair that reached her waist, and slowly—very slowly—knelt down.
Ma Hongjun froze. He didn't dare move.
He let her trembling hands, cold to the touch, undo the buttons on his lower garments. Before he could respond, he felt cold, soft lips enveloping his cock. a jolt of pleasure like a lightning bolt ran from his tailbone to the top of his head, sending a tingling thrill straight through his soul.
"Hiss—!"
He gasped, his mind going blank for a moment. Without realizing it, he gripped the girl's head.
"Mmm..."
Moonlight flowed gently over the landscape. A breeze stirred the lake. A young deer stepped lightly into the water, splashing and drinking, making soft and joyful noises.
Time passed.
Shrek Academy
The flames had died down, the black smoke had cleared. Zhao Wuji led a group of teachers and students back to the courtyard, where Flander was recounting what had happened. But the more Zhao Wuji listened, the more bizarre his expression became.
"So you're saying Hongjun... hooked up with some powerful woman from out of nowhere?" Zhao Wuji rubbed his head with a bewildered grin. "That sounds a bit far-fetched, don't you think?"
Still, he knew Flander wouldn't lie about something like this. And if it was Hongjun...
Thinking about how much the boy's appearance and temperament had changed since returning, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.
Damn it. It might actually be true!
"But I don't recall any female Titled Douluo in the Spirit World who could go head-to-head with Haotian Douluo like that," he muttered.
Ning Rongrong frowned.
She was shocked to learn that Tang San's father was the legendary Haotian Douluo—but what stunned her even more was the appearance of a mysterious female Titled Douluo who could overpower him.
If such a person existed, there was no way the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't have known.
"I've never heard of anyone like that," Dai Mubai said, shaking his head. "If someone could beat Haotian Douluo, their name would've shaken the entire continent by now."
"To be honest, if I hadn't witnessed it myself, I wouldn't believe it either," Flander sighed.
In just a few moves, she had subdued Haotian Douluo—severed his arm and soul bone.
Throughout the entire encounter, the man once feared across the continent had been completely helpless, like a fish on the chopping board.
If Hongjun hadn't intervened, Haotian Douluo would likely have died then and there.
"Let's not get carried away," Shao Xin interjected. "The continent is vast—there are bound to be a few hidden masters we've never heard of."
He looked seriously at Flander. "What we need to think about now is how to handle possible retaliation from Haotian Douluo. Should we consider relocating the academy?"
"That's nothing to worry about," Flander said, shaking his head. He thought of the two soul bones stored in his spatial soul guide. Even if Haotian Douluo came back for revenge, things wouldn't go the same way again.
More likely, the man would just take his son and leave. After all, he was still human—and this defeat would leave a lasting trauma.
The memory of that scene still made Flander shudder.
"But you raise a good point. The children are still growing. This place really isn't ideal anymore. It's time we consider moving."
He looked at Shao Xin and nodded.
"Once the kids finish the last few rounds of training in the Great Spirit Arena, we'll relocate the academy."
Thankfully, the second round of special funds from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect had arrived, and Flander now had more financial support than ever before.
"So... where is Brother Hongjun now?"
Xiao Wu asked anxiously. "Is that senior really a good person?"
She bit her lip, regretting not going with him.
If she had, no matter what happened, she would've faced it together with him.
"If she's a woman, then even if she's not a good person, she'll become one in front of a fat guy like him," Oscar muttered.
"Is there any woman that fatty can't charm?"
He glanced at Gu Yuena, who stood silently nearby, and then thought of Meng Yiran back in the forest. A deep sadness welled up in his heart.
Ever since that fat guy got handsome, Oscar's title of "Shrek's Most Handsome" had become more and more insecure.
No sooner had he finished grumbling than three pairs of fierce, beautiful eyes turned to glare at him.
"Don't compare Brother Hongjun to you two perverts," a voice snapped. "Always thinking about women all day long."