"Xiao Bai?" Su Wen looked, surprised, at the girl with her head lowered, shyly staring at her toes. She was a far cry from the fierce girl she'd been earlier. This transformation left Su Wen a little stunned.
He recalled from the original novel that at the second Sea God Fate matchmaking event, there was indeed such a girl—one who revered the strong and kept pestering Huo Yuhao for a fight.
"Yes, she really likes you…" Jiang Nannan introduced with a smile, her eyes crinkling.
"I see." Su Wen nodded, but he was still a bit skeptical.
In the original, she was eager to fight Huo Yuhao. Why did she turn into nothing more than a bashful fangirl with him?
After thinking for a moment, Su Wen looked at the shy girl and asked carefully:
"Do you want to have a fight?"
Xiao Bai: "..."
"Wuwuwu…"
Watching the girl run off crying, Su Wen was a bit at a loss. Wasn't she supposed to be a battle maniac? He could have fought her with both hands tied, it wasn't bullying…
It felt like being approached by a fan on the street—he just offered an autograph. What was wrong with that?
Zhang Leng and another youth nearby instantly froze, their faces stiff as they tried not to laugh, but it was clear they were suffering holding it in.
"Why are you bullying her?" Jiang Nannan rolled her eyes at Su Wen.
"You saying that is like Dean Yan encountering an outer court disciple and, with a big grin, asking to spar with me. Don't you think that's a bit absurd?"
"..."
Su Wen clicked his tongue. If, in his previous life, he'd gone for a photo with Tyson and was enthusiastically invited to "have a match," he'd probably have reacted the same way.
…
Night fell.
The Shrek Academy group camped on the spot, little mounds rising everywhere, clustered around a steadily burning bonfire.
After being comforted by Jiang Nannan, Xiao Bai regained her energy, though now whenever she looked at Su Wen there was a trace of grievance in her gaze.
Su Wen didn't mind. He'd already attracted enough girls; he didn't dare to provoke more. What really gave him a headache now was the Sea God Fate matchmaking event three months away.
A real battlefield of love.
But since he couldn't escape, he decided to do the opposite—get the girls to leave Shrek Academy, at least as many as he could. Otherwise, with a horde of them gathering together, if they started fighting and clawing at each other, things would get really lively.
Sitting atop an ancient tree, a gentle breeze suddenly swept by. As it died down, Jiang Nannan's graceful figure appeared beside him, her long, snow-white legs brushing past his ear.
A Speed Attack System Soul Master at the Soul Emperor level, plus the auxiliary soul tool Su Wen had forged for her himself—her movements had an almost shadowy, teleport-like quality.
Jiang Nannan wore pink metal rings on her wrist, waist, and slender thigh, perfectly fitted. Su Wen didn't know her measurements; these soul tools were just adjustable.
Especially the one on her leg, which gave her a somewhat cyberpunk style.
"What are you thinking?" Jiang Nannan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and sat down, asking softly.
"I'm wondering… what path Shrek Academy should take. Going fully 'civilian' is too extreme, but at least we should open up advancement channels for commoners. For example… sending people everywhere to awaken martial souls and soul power." Su Wen pondered aloud.
Helping awaken martial souls, with Shrek's reputation, would make most feel grateful and join Shrek. The work-study route was actually pretty good.
Establishing Shrek Academy branches everywhere, like Nuoding Academy, could serve as primary academies for initial talent selection. The truly gifted could then be promoted to the main academy.
This way, they could gather the best talents from across the land.
Of course, it was basically the same path the Spirit Hall took thousands of years ago. Su Wen couldn't help but sigh—whoever founded the Spirit Hall was a real genius…
"Commoners, huh…" Jiang Nannan murmured softly, gazing down at the bonfire below.
She herself came from poverty, and only joined Shrek thanks to the Xuanming Sect. If not for Su Wen and Dean Yan's timely help, she would have been trapped in the Xuanming Sect's mire for life…
As Su Wen frowned in thought—
A slender, jade-like hand reached over, gently smoothing his furrowed brow, then started massaging his temples. "You've been too tired these years. I'm just an ordinary woman—I don't understand these grand principles, but if you're tired, you should rest more…"
"Hiss… Sister Nannan, have you trained in this?" Su Wen almost groaned, surprised. Her technique was genuinely comfortable.
The points on the head were sensitive—if pressed right, it could feel amazing…
"My mother was bedridden and often had headaches. I learned by experience." Jiang Nannan said shyly, but her massage grew more skillful. She turned Su Wen's head, placing it on her soft, plump, white thighs.
A lap pillow.
Su Wen felt like he was in heaven.
After all, with Ma Xiaotao and the other senior sisters, it was always full-on combat the moment they met—precious little time for tenderness.
Jiang Nannan truly deserved her title as Shrek's top beauty.
…
Outside Shrek's camp—
In a separate tent.
Under the dim light—
With both trying hard to suppress their voices, Su Wen let out a long, heavy breath…
He leaned down, gently swept aside her hair, turned her blushing face toward him, and kissed her.
"Sister Nannan…"
"Mm?" Jiang Nannan turned her head, looking a bit dazed.
"..."
Jiang Nannan pouted, glared at Su Wen, clearly refusing. But right after, she gasped and had no choice but to close her eyes.
"You only know how to bully me."
...
They did not sleep all night.
The morning in Star Dou Forest was exceptionally fresh.
Dew hung on the leaves, as if a storm had passed the night before. Su Wen walked out of the tent, stretched lazily, a look of contentment on his face. Looking back at the sleeping beauty inside, he couldn't help but smile.
He finally understood Tang San's happiness.
"Roar~" Gale's figure floated lightly to his side. Last night, it had guarded Shrek Academy in Su Wen's place, suffering all through the night, while Su Wen enjoyed himself in leisure. There was deep resentment in its voice.
"No soul beasts bothered us last night?" Su Wen asked, yawning.
Gale was silent.
Su Wen, puzzled: ?
Turning around, he saw a silver-haired beauty standing beside Gale.
"Gu Yuena?!" Su Wen's mouth twitched.
"I was the one who bothered you. Does that count?" Gu Yuena glanced at the tent, then at Su Wen, her tone bland.
…