After graduating from Notting College, Huo Feng made a quick trip back to his home village to buy a few things. His real purpose, however, was to visit Old Jack and thank him for all his care and support over the years. When the old village chief heard that Huo Feng was going to study at an even more advanced spirit master academy, he was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear. Now, he thought, let's see if those old men from the surrounding villages still dared to act so smugly in front of him.
Huo Feng only stayed home for a single day. Besides Old Jack, there wasn't much else in Holy Soul Village worth remembering. Before he left, Huo Feng secretly pressed ten gold soul coins into Old Jack's hand and departed under the chief's shocked gaze.
"We finally made it to Soto City!"
Gazing at the dazzling array of shops lining the streets, Xiao Wu's face was filled with curiosity. When she learned Huo Feng was going to an academy called "Shrek," she immediately insisted on following him. She didn't care at all that the academy was so obscure it didn't even have a ranking.
As the second-largest city in the Barak Kingdom, Soto City was many times larger than Notting City. The streets were filled with a constant flow of people, and patrolling soldiers were a common sight, adding to the bustling and lively atmosphere.
"This place looks really fun! Can we stay and play for a couple of days?" Xiao Wu asked, pouting her red lips as she looked at him hopefully.
Huo Feng waved his hand casually. "Whatever you want."
They still had a week before Shrek Academy's entrance exam began. Besides, according to the original plot's timeline, Tang San was scheduled to arrive in Soto City this very afternoon. Huo Feng had made sure to arrive half a day early for a reason. He knew that Tang San would inevitably get into a conflict with Dai Mubai.
And Tang San, who was only a Level 25 Spirit Grandmaster right now, was no match for the other boy. He'd probably get beaten badly.
That's when Huo Feng planned to make his coincidental appearance. As a "good friend" from the same village and college, he naturally had an obligation to stand up for Tang San. Then, under the guise of helping, he could sacrifice Dai Mubai without anyone suspecting a thing. Among the Shrek Seven Devils, Dai Mubai was the strongest. If he could get rid of him before even enrolling in the academy, dealing with the other four would be much easier.
At that same moment, about fifty miles away, Tang San was riding in a carriage, making his way toward Soto City. He didn't quite understand why his teacher was so insistent on sending him to Shrek Academy, a school that didn't even have a proper ranking. But since the Master was so sure, he had to have his reasons. Ever since receiving his second spirit ring, Tang San had followed Yu Xiaogang's every word without question. If his teacher told him to go west, he would never dare go east.
About four hours later, Tang San finally arrived in Soto City. It was just past noon, and the sun was scorching hot. The sunlight beating down on him made him break out in a sweat. He grabbed a simple bite to eat and then started looking for a place to stay. After such a long journey, he was completely exhausted.
As he wandered, a particularly unique hotel caught his eye, and he stopped. It wasn't very large, only three stories high, but what was striking was its style. The entire hotel was shaped like a giant rose, making it impossible to miss. For some strange reason, Tang San felt an inexplicable connection to the place.
It's just for a simple rest, anyway, he thought to himself. With that, he stepped inside.
The hotel lobby was filled with the refreshing aroma of roses, which was a welcome relief from the heat. The decorations and style, however, gave off a strangely ambiguous feeling.
"Hi, I'd like to get a room, please," Tang San said as he walked up to the counter.
"Oh, you came at just the right time!" the waiter replied, though he kept glancing toward the entrance. "We only have one room left."
Most people who came to the Rose Hotel were couples, so it was unusual to see someone like Tang San looking for a room by himself.
"Okay, I'll take it," Tang San nodded. He figured the waiter was probably just saying that to make the hotel seem more popular.
"No problem!" the waiter said cheerfully and began preparing the check-in.
"Wait a minute. That room should be mine, right?"
A new voice suddenly cut in from the entrance. Tang San turned to see a man and two women walking into the hotel. The two girls were dressed in flashy clothes and were quite tall, at least half a head taller than him. They looked to be around eighteen years old. Most surprisingly, their faces were identical—they were a pair of stunning twins. They stood on either side of the man in the center, holding his arms and swaying gently. The strong scent of their perfume immediately overpowered the fragrance of roses in the lobby.
Tang San's attention, however, was fixed on the man in the middle. He was about 1.8 meters tall and looked only three or four years older than Tang San. He was strikingly handsome, with long golden hair that flowed down his back. But the look he gave Tang San was one of deep disdain.
He has double pupils, Tang San noted silently. When their eyes had met for a brief moment, an inexplicable chill ran down his spine.
This person is very strong.
From just a single glance, Tang San felt an immense pressure. He judged that this man's strength was at least equal to his own, and possibly even greater. Still, having broken through to the second level of his Xuantian Treasure Record, Tang San was confident he could put up a fight with his Tang Sect skills.
"Are you new here? Don't you know there's always a room reserved for me?" Dai Mubai said, ignoring Tang San completely as he walked straight to the counter. "Call your manager out."
He said it calmly, but his tone made the waiter's hair stand on end. The waiter quickly scurried off to find the manager.
"Excuse me, but I believe I was here first," Tang San said, his voice tight.
He had been suppressed by Huo Feng and Xiao Wu for six long years at Notting College, and he had been holding in a lot of frustration. He couldn't believe he was now being pushed around just trying to book a hotel room. He couldn't take it anymore.
"So? What are you going to do about it?" Dai Mubai replied coldly, not even bothering to turn his head. He was not in the habit of explaining himself to anyone.
Being ignored so blatantly was the last straw for Tang San. "You arrogant bastard!" he snapped.
"Very good," Dai Mubai said, finally turning around. His strange, dual-pupil eyes radiated a cold aura as they fell on Tang San. "It seems you're a spirit master too. Go on, make your move."
There was no more need for words.
"White Tiger, Possess!"
The moment he finished speaking, Dai Mubai released his martial soul. Three shining spirit rings rose from under his feet—two yellow and one purple. A surging pressure instantly washed over Tang San like a tidal wave, causing him to stumble and nearly lose his footing.
Tang San froze, a knot of fear tightening in his stomach.
Two yellow and one purple!
"A thousand-year spirit ring!" he whispered in shock.
And this person was a Beast Martial Soul Spirit Master!
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