"What?!"
As Zhao Wuji's words fell, the whole crowd erupted in shock.
> "Wait, this isn't fair," Ning Rongrong protested.
> "Let's not even talk about whether the three of us can last half an incense stick's time against you—Su Xiaoqi isn't even here to enroll. Plus, he's just an ordinary person. Making him fight Dai Mubai is basically sending him to his death!"
Xiao Wu nodded in agreement.
> "That's right. This assessment is way too absurd."
Zhao Wuji looked at Su Xiaoqi and said,
> "Kid, I heard from Mubai that you really love your little girlfriend. Since you're so devoted, I'll give you a chance. If you two can pass the test, I'll personally allow you to stay here as a companion student."
> "Of course, if you're too scared, I won't force you. But get out of here immediately. Our Shrek Academy isn't a place where just any stray dog or random cat can enter."
Su Xiaoqi noticed from the corner of his eye that Dai Mubai was looking at him with a mocking expression.
He had been wondering how Dai Mubai, with his personality, had tolerated all the public displays of affection between him and Zhu Zhuqing. Turns out, **this was his plan all along**—he wanted to take this chance to **put Su Xiaoqi in his place**, or even **cripple him**.
> "I won't let him hurt you,"
Zhu Zhuqing said, having realized Dai Mubai's true intentions. She was full of disgust toward such a petty, scheming man.
Dai Mubai smirked,
> "What? Don't tell me you're even more cowardly than a woman? Don't worry—I'll hold back. After all, your *deep love* for each other really 'moved' me."
> "Idiot."
Su Xiaoqi threw those two words back at him, then turned to Zhao Wuji.
> "Zhao… Chicken, was it? You're not exactly young anymore. Isn't it a little low to bully kids? Let's do this—instead of them, **I'll fight you** for half an incense stick's time. If I last, they pass the test. If I don't, we leave."
> "However, I'm just a regular person with no spirit power. So, we fight using only **hand-to-hand combat**. If you use your spirit power, that means you lose. Deal?"
Su Xiaoqi had originally planned to keep pretending to be just an ordinary person and mess around for a bit longer. But now that Dai Mubai clearly wanted to **cripple** him, there was no way he'd let that slide.
He could feel the **Saiyan bloodlust** awakening inside him. Even though his current combat power was still low, Saiyans never feared a fight.
And besides, this wasn't blind recklessness. If it was purely hand-to-hand, his **Saiyan physique** could probably hold out for half an incense stick's time.
Fighting against stronger opponents was the **fastest way for a Saiyan to grow**, and opportunities like this wouldn't come once he returned to his own world.
Su Xiaoqi's words were even more shocking than Zhao Wuji's earlier proposal.
> **An ordinary person challenging a Spirit Saint**, even if it was just hand-to-hand—was he crazy?
Zhu Zhuqing was the first to react. She grabbed his clothes in a panic.
> "You can't do this! I don't care about the points anymore. I'll leave this academy if I have to. I don't want you to die!"
Su Xiaoqi gently placed his hand on hers.
> "Zhuqing, this isn't just for you—it's for me too. You know who I am. One day, you'll understand just how much people like me **crave battle**."
> "Then I'll fight with you! I… I'm your girlfriend now!"
Zhu Zhuqing was truly panicked now. She had seen a few episodes of *Dragon Ball Z*, so she had some vague idea about Saiyans like Kakarot.
But Su Xiaoqi wasn't **Goku**. He was still weak in her eyes. Challenging Zhao Wuji like this was **suicidal**.
Ning Rongrong also grabbed Su Xiaoqi's hand.
> "Let's leave this place, Su Xiaoqi. I don't want to study at Shrek Academy anymore. The people here are too much."
Right then, Zhao Wuji spoke up loudly:
> "Kid, I admire your guts. I'm starting to see you in a new light. We'll do as you say."
> "But I'll warn you now—I won't go easy on you."
After saying that, Zhao Wuji pulled out an incense stick from who knows where, lit it with a pinch, and stuck it into the ground with a flick of his finger.
Then he went back to his seat and closed his eyes, as if preparing for a nap.
Su Xiaoqi smiled.
> "Well then, no backing out now. I'll take a break until it's time."
He ignored the frantic pleas from Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong and calmly walked to a nearby open space, sat down, and closed his eyes.
Watching Su Xiaoqi meditate, Dai Mubai sneered in his heart.
> "Trash. Let's see how long you can keep up the act. I was going to just put you in bed for a few weeks, but since you're **asking for death**, I'll let you have it. Let's see how Zhao-sensei beats you to death."
Xiao Wu glanced over at Su Xiaoqi.
> "Didn't expect him to have such guts… but what a shame."
Tang San affectionately patted her head.
> "Let's rest too. We'll be fighting Teacher Zhao next."
Earlier, Tang San had thought highly of Su Xiaoqi after his sharp words. He had seemed like someone with insight, even as an ordinary person.
But now?
> "He's just a reckless fool with no brains," Tang San thought,
> "Not worth associating with."
---
**Private Chat Messages:**
**Zhu Zhuqing:** *"Su Xiaoqi, say something!"*
**Lu Linglong:** *"What happened between you two?"*
**Sakata Gintoki:** *"Silver-san's expert opinion? He did something to make Zhuqing angry. Also—got any more of those tasty sausages?"*
**Zhu Zhuqing:** *"Su Xiaoqi, get back to your own world. You're not welcome here."*
**Lu Linglong:** *"Whoa, something's seriously wrong here. Zhuqing, please tell us what happened—we're all freaking out."*
**Sakata Gintoki:** *"Silver-san will teach him a lesson!"*
**Lu Linglong:** *@Nami come quick, something's up."*
**Nami:** *"What happened? I'm busy dealing with the Black Cat Pirates right now."*
**Lu Linglong:** *"No idea. They were fine before, and now this."*
**Zhu Zhuqing:** *"If you're so eager to die, then I'll fight with you."*
**Lu Linglong:** *"@Su Xiaoqi get out here! What the hell are you doing!?"*
**Nami:** *"@Su Xiaoqi If you don't show up, I'm gonna beat you!"*
**Sakata Gintoki:** *"Silver-san will stuff your mouth full of—*
\[REDACTED]."
**Su Xiaoqi:** *"What's going on? I accidentally dozed off. Got up too early this morning—feeling a bit tired."*
**Lu Linglong:** *"…."*
**Nami:** *"…."*
**Sakata Gintoki:** *"Silver-san now officially respects you. You can still sleep at a time like this? The girls are panicking, you idiot!"*
**Lu Linglong:** *@Su Xiaoqi, what are you even doing? Zhuqing is *furious* right now!"*
**Su Xiaoqi:** *"It's nothing. Just going to fight someone kind of strong later, that's all."*
**Zhu Zhuqing:** *"We're boyfriend and girlfriend now. I'll fight with you."*
**Sakata Gintoki:** *"???"*
**Lu Linglong:** *"???"*
**Nami:** *"???"*
**Lu Linglong:** *"What is even happening between you two? We seriously can't understand this anymore. EXPLAIN!"*