Oscar slung the immobilized guard over his shoulder and carried him to a cellar they had prepared earlier. He sealed the entrance after dropping him inside.
Though the cellar wasn't sturdy enough to imprison a level-45 Soul Ancestor forever, it was more than enough to delay him.
Leaving the city, Oscar quickly regrouped with Zhao Wuji, Dai Mubai, and Zhu Zhuqing outside the walls. The three had already changed into plain clothes. Once they were together again, the four immediately set off at full speed toward the Heaven Dou Empire.
They didn't use a carriage—too slow. Instead, with the help of Oscar's Swift Wind Rain Swallow Sausage, they put as much distance between themselves and Star Luo City as possible before anyone realized Zhu Zhuqing had been taken.
Of course, this was only possible because Zhu Zhuqing willingly went with them. Without her cooperation, rescuing her from the royal capital—even with Zhao Wuji, a level-78 Soul Sage—would have been nearly impossible.
On the road, Oscar gave Zhu Zhuqing a glance. For a girl not even eleven, her figure was already… impressive. If Oscar hadn't already met Dugu Yan, he might have been tempted.
But as the saying goes, a friend's wife must not be coveted. He only appreciated her beauty; he had no improper thoughts.
Besides, Zhu Zhuqing had her own merits. Though her talent wasn't the best—even in the original story, she was the weakest among the Shrek Seven Devils—she had a unique advantage: sheer determination. She was hardworking, resilient, and far more diligent than most.
Now, at just ten years and five months, she had already reached level 22. In the original timeline, when she joined Shrek Academy at age twelve, she was at level 27.
So in truth, Zhu Zhuqing was far from weak. Combined with her Martial Soul Fusion Skill with Dai Mubai, her combat strength could exceed their individual limits.
After traveling nonstop for a full day and night, they finally slowed their pace once they were far enough from Star Luo City. Only then did Dai Mubai formally introduce Zhu Zhuqing to Zhao Wuji and Oscar.
Because they had been taking mountain trails and even passing through minor soul beast forests, their journey had been rough.
That night, they camped by a creek. Oscar busied himself preparing food while Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, and Zhao Wuji chatted.
To Zhu Zhuqing, everything that had happened still felt like a dream. She was happy—but also dazed.
For over a year, she had thought Dai Mubai had abandoned her. He had left without a word, and she feared she would face her fate alone.
But now, Dai Mubai had returned to rescue her. The fear and bitterness she'd held for over a year vanished overnight.
The day before, he had apologized for leaving her behind, explaining his reasons. Though she was not yet eleven, Zhu Zhuqing chose to believe him again.
And Dai Mubai knew—this time, he would never let her down again.
As Oscar grilled the fish they had just caught from the creek, Dai Mubai introduced:
"Zhuqing, this is Teacher Zhao Wuji, vice dean of Shrek Academy. His soul power is level 78. It's only thanks to his guidance that we've made it this far safely."
Zhu Zhuqing bowed slightly. "Teacher Zhao, thank you for coming with Mubai to rescue me. I'm deeply grateful."
Zhao Wuji chuckled. "No need to thank me, girl. You're Mubai's fiancée, and Mubai is my student. Helping you is only natural."
Then, glancing at Oscar, he added, "If you want to thank someone, thank little Ao instead. Without him, we wouldn't have left Star Luo City so easily."
Only then did Zhu Zhuqing recall the miraculous sausage she had eaten earlier. She now knew it was Oscar's third soul skill, which granted the flying speed of a Ten Thousand Year Swift-Tailed Swallow for fifteen minutes.
Oscar could store his third soul skill for up to a month, and he always kept reserves. Before escaping the city, he had stockpiled a hundred sausages. Each of the four had eaten about twenty, giving them five full hours of terrifying flight speed.
That was the only reason they had escaped Star Luo City so quickly.
Zhu Zhuqing's respect for Oscar grew. Even Dai Mubai's deference toward him—as if treating him like Zhao Wuji—was proof of Oscar's unusual strength.
After all, Dai Mubai, a prince with inherent pride, rarely bowed his head to anyone.
During their escape, Zhu Zhuqing had even heard Dai Mubai call Oscar Ao-ge (Brother Ao) and never once opposed his decisions. Even choosing this campsite was Oscar's idea, not Dai Mubai's.
Hearing their discussion, Oscar looked up from the fire. His handsome face glowed warmly in the firelight as he smiled.
"Enough about me. Mumbai, Teacher Zhao—come eat the fish before it gets cold."
The rich aroma made Zhu Zhuqing's stomach growl. After a full day and night of nothing but Oscar's sausages and dry rations, the roasted fish was irresistible.
Even Zhao Wuji rushed over, grabbing one eagerly. Dai Mubai pulled Zhu Zhuqing closer. Oscar handed him a fish, then gave one to Zhu Zhuqing.
She accepted shyly, whispering thanks, before nibbling delicately.
Oscar smiled. "Since you're Mumbai's fiancée, that makes you my younger sister-in-law. Of course, I'll take care of you."
Zhu Zhuqing blushed. Though she had started to trust Dai Mubai again, hearing Oscar and Zhao Wuji openly call her his fiancée embarrassed her.
Oscar, meanwhile, thought back to when he first met Dugu Yan. Their relationship, built bit by bit, had started just like this. In contrast, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing already had a marriage contract. Their bond would surely be easier to grow.
What he envied most, however, was their Martial Soul Fusion Skill. Not only did it provide immense power, but it also boosted cultivation speed. Oscar and Dugu Yan had no such ability.
Of course, Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing couldn't use it yet—they had no practice or mutual trust. But with time, and trust, they would. And the stronger their bond, the stronger their fusion skill.
Zhu Zhuqing said softly, "Senior, don't tease me. Even if Mubai and I are engaged, we're not married yet—it doesn't really count."
Dai Mubai's face darkened with guilt. Zhu Zhuqing smirked inwardly. She had said it deliberately—to remind him that if he abandoned her again, she would never forgive him.
Oscar and Zhao Wuji chuckled. Oscar added seriously, "Zhuqing is right. Don't let Mubai win too easily. Make him work for it, or he won't know how to treasure you. Keep him on his toes."
Zhu Zhuqing gave an awkward nod, while Dai Mubai nearly collapsed inside. Brother Ao, what are you saying? Since when do I not know how to cherish someone? And you and Sister Yan cling to each other all day, yet I'm the one who has to suffer?
But he dared not speak his thoughts aloud—for fear Oscar would beat him, or Zhu Zhuqing would misunderstand.
In truth, Dai Mubai wasn't thinking about romance now. From Zhu Zhuqing, he had learned that Davis had already advanced to Soul Ancestor. At level 32, he was still far behind.
Even Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuqing's elder sister and Davis's fiancée, had reached level 39. Zhu Zhuqing was only level 22. Their gap was enormous.
All Dai Mubai's focus now was on surpassing Davis—winning the crown prince struggle. Only then could he protect Zhu Zhuqing and repay the debts he owed to Shrek and to Brother Ao.
Zhu Zhuqing was shocked to learn he had already reached level 32. When he left a year ago, he was only level 25. A seven-level increase in just over a year? Even accounting for one level from absorbing a spirit ring, he had still gained six levels in a year.
Such progress was unheard of, even across the Star Luo Empire—or the entire Douluo Continent.
What she didn't know was that three of those levels had come from the whale glue, which not only boosted his soul power but also strengthened his body, enabling him to absorb a stronger spirit ring.
Still, even three levels of cultivation in a year at the Great Soul Master stage was extraordinary. Dai Mubai had truly become a genius.
When he told Zhu Zhuqing of his progress—though without mentioning whale glue, instead attributing it to a pill given by the Poison Douluo Dugu Bo—her anticipation for Shrek Academy grew.
If Dai Mubai could advance so quickly there, she too wanted to see what kind of academy it was.
Zhao Wuji and Oscar were pleased with Dai Mubai's discretion. He had kept his promise, not revealing the whale glue's secret even to his fiancée.
Whether he told her privately was another matter—but most likely, he wouldn't. Dai Mubai was no fool. He knew which things must never be spoken aloud.