Oscar gave Ma Hongjun a sidelong glance, then let go of his collar and tossed him straight onto the ground. With a flip of his hand, he pulled two sausages from his soul tool — eating one himself and throwing the other to Ma Hongjun.
Ma Hongjun landed with a "plop," but hurriedly caught the sausage and swallowed it. At once, a surge of refined soul power blossomed inside him. His drained reserves and weary body recovered quickly, his pale face regaining a healthy flush.
Oscar had also consumed a great deal of energy. Though Ma Hongjun was only at the thirty-fifth rank, his true fighting strength was already comparable to a Soul Ancestor. Even with his external soul bone, defeating him had been far from effortless. That fight had drained nearly half of Oscar's soul power.
Now, with the help of his first soul skill, his reserves recovered rapidly — body and spirit both restored to near peak.
Watching silently, Zhao Wuji found himself stunned by what he had just witnessed.
He was very familiar with Ma Hongjun's current strength. A year ago, Oscar absolutely would not have been able to match him. At most, he could have fought to a draw. Winning so cleanly was unthinkable.
Yet reality had proven otherwise.
Ma Hongjun's progress was terrifying, yes — but Oscar's was no less so.
In just one year, Oscar had risen from the thirtieth rank to the thirty-seventh. Such speed of cultivation was something Zhao Wuji could never have imagined before.
And yet, not only had their spirit power skyrocketed, but their foundations showed no signs of being unstable. On the contrary, their combat effectiveness far surpassed their peers. Fighting above one's level was as effortless as drinking water.
Most shocking of all — Oscar, a supposed Support-Type Spirit Master, had just defeated Ma Hongjun, a Power Attack-Type Spirit Master with a top-tier beast spirit, in direct combat.
In Zhao Wuji's eyes, Oscar's External Soul Bone had already become equivalent to a second martial spirit. Even without soul skills, the sword techniques he wielded were stronger than most spirit abilities of the same level.
If only external soul bones could bear spirit rings, then Oscar would already count as a Twin Spirit Master.
From the sidelines, Dugu Yan watched her boyfriend casually win against two opponents. A warm, delighted smile curved her lips.
She knew Oscar's strength better than anyone. He might be a Support-Type by classification, but he possessed raw power that surpassed even strong attack specialists of the same level. He was changing the very history of the Spirit Master world.
And such a remarkable man was hers — how could she not be happy?
Oscar turned toward Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, how about it?"
Zhao Wuji chuckled. "Not bad, brat. I didn't expect you to improve this much in just a year away from the academy."
"You and Hongjun… the two of you are the most terrifying little monsters I've ever seen. The future miracles of Shrek Academy may very well be created by you."
Oscar grinned. "Don't worry, Teacher Zhao. When we make it big, we won't forget you. If you're still single in your old age, we'll even take care of you."
For a moment, Zhao Wuji looked pleased — until the second half of the sentence sank in. His expression darkened, a black line forming across his forehead. He glared. "You brat, daring to mock me? Come! Let me 'train' you a bit!"
His voice turned serious. "Since Hongjun and Mubai couldn't force out your full strength, I'll do it myself."
Oscar rolled his eyes. "Teacher Zhao, I just expended quite a bit of energy. Even after my recovery, my spirit power's only back to maybe eighty percent. Isn't this a little much — an adult bullying a kid?"
Zhao Wuji smirked. "No, no. This is to give you pressure. You need to understand — never, under any circumstances, can you afford to relax. Now, you can team up with Hongjun, and even bring Dugu Yan if you like."
"But remember this — this time, I won't hold back. I'll keep pushing until you're forced to go all out. Understand?"
Oscar twitched at the corner of his mouth. Why does Teacher Zhao sound so… devious now?
Wasn't this exactly what he himself had said to Hongjun earlier? Now the words had come full circle!
"Teacher Zhao," Oscar said, pursing his lips, "Mubai may have taken my first skill, but he still needs a check-up. Can't risk leaving hidden injuries. Let me send him to Teacher Shao first."
Just then, Li Yusong appeared quietly on the plaza. "Leave Mumbai to me. I'll take him to Old Shao for treatment. You all continue."
Oscar could only stare, speechless. Really? You couldn't have come earlier or later? You had to show up now, at the worst possible time?
Clearly, there was no escaping this fight. Sighing, he turned to Ma Hongjun. "How's your recovery? Want to join forces against Teacher Zhao?"
Ma Hongjun nodded. "Though I spent a lot, your first skill's effect has improved a ton. I've already recovered to about fifty percent."
Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow in surprise. Oscar's recovery sausage really was extraordinary. Only minutes ago, Hongjun had been completely drained, barely able to stay in the air. Now he was already half recovered?
But that was fine — it would make things even more interesting. His joints itched for a real stretch.
At this moment, Dugu Yan asked gently, "Little Ao, what about me?"
Oscar thought for a moment. "Sister, just focus on supporting us. Your poison is strong, but against Teacher Zhao, the difference in strength is too great. It won't affect him much."
He shot Zhao Wuji another glance and added with a smirk, "Besides, it's obvious he just wants to beat me up. No need for you to get caught in it and risk being hurt. Teacher Zhao doesn't understand the meaning of 'tender with the fairer sex.'"
Dugu Yan nodded. "All right, then I'll focus on assisting you."
She hopped gracefully down from the platform, looping her arm through Oscar's.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of myself," she whispered in his ear.
Oscar smiled faintly and leaned close to reply. "If Teacher Zhao tries to make you join, just eat the sausage I gave you and fly up. But remember, you need to stay at least thirty meters above ground. Otherwise, his third and fifth skills can pull you down instantly."
She nodded earnestly, committing the warning to heart.
Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun complained, "Boss, enough whispering with Sister-in-law. How are we going to fight? Give me the plan."
Oscar withdrew his head from beside Dugu Yan's ear and chuckled. "It's been a year. Let's see if our tacit understanding's still there. No set tactics — we'll improvise. Consider it a test of our teamwork."
Instead of worry, Ma Hongjun thumped his chest confidently. "Relax, Boss. I'll give you the best support I can!"
Oscar smiled again and handed him another sausage — the Super Recovery Sausage.
"Eat another. Get as much energy back as possible. Later, we'll both focus on the attack."
Ma Hongjun stuffed it into his mouth. "No problem! While you were away, Mubai and I got tortured by Teacher Zhao every day. Now that you're back, we'll definitely make him suffer a bit!"
As he said this, Zhao Wuji leapt onto the Soul Fighting Stage. "Well? Finished your little discussion?"
Immediately, Oscar and Ma Hongjun's eyes sharpened. In an instant, they were back in that familiar scene from a year ago, standing against Zhao Wuji.
They both stepped forward together, shielding Dugu Yan behind them. She remained still, watching the two young men protect her, her heart overflowing with warmth.
Teacher Zhao, Oscar called out, this is my and Hongjun's first battle together since reuniting — and with Sister's support, you'd better be careful.