Chapter 49: Xiao Wu: Thanks to Dai Mubai for Creating This Opportunity

The Star Dou Great Forest lies in the southeast of the Balarak Kingdom, and Suotuo City is also in the southeast of the Balarak Kingdom, with only over five hundred kilometers between them.

Moreover, as the largest gathering place of soul beasts on the Douluo Continent, the variety of soul beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest can be said to be the most numerous and complete.

Their goal this time is to head to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a suitable soul beast for Oscar.

Since they are all soul masters, their travel speed naturally far exceeds that of ordinary people.

After just one day of travel, they had covered over four hundred kilometers, and as night fell, they happened to arrive at a small town.

Seeing that they could not reach their destination today, Zhao Wuji ordered everyone to rest in this small town for the night and to set out again tomorrow morning.

After walking for a while in the town, Zhao Wuji pointed to an ordinary hotel ahead and said.

"Here will do. Rest well tonight; once we reach the Star Dou Great Forest tomorrow, you'll be on your own. By the way, you'll also have to cover your own lodging and meal expenses."

Everyone had long expected Zhao Wuji's stinginess, so they didn't argue with him; Dai Mubai stepped forward and said.

"Today I'm treating you all; being able to study together at Shilaike Academy is fate, so consider this my welcome feast for your arrival."

Dai Mubai's words sounded noble, but everyone knew he was referring to Zhu Zhuqing.

Unfortunately, this behavior was destined to be futile; Zhu Zhuqing didn't even glance at him, and instead said to Luo Ye.

"Luo Ye, let's sit over there; today I'll treat you."

Luo Ye likewise ignored Dai Mubai, nodded with a smile, and led Zhu Zhuqing to sit elsewhere.

Seeing this, Dai Mubai's face grew ever darker, and in his double pupils an unconscious killing intent surfaced—he wished he could slay Luo Ye right then.

What he didn't expect even more was that Ning Rongrong pulled Xiao Wu along and said with a grin.

"Sorry, we two would rather sit together with Zhuqing."

Xiao Wu spread her hands helplessly, gave Tang San an apologetic glance, and was then pulled by Ning Rongrong to sit with Luo Ye and Zhu Zhuqing at the same table.

Tang San still thought Xiao Wu had been forced, but he didn't know that this was exactly what Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong had planned in advance.

Whenever they got the chance, the three of them would gather together, using this as an excuse to distance themselves from Tang San, and after enough times, gradually drifting away from him would seem perfectly reasonable.

Tang San, kept in the dark, didn't make a fuss; he patted Dai Mubai on the shoulder and deliberately used self‑mockery to comfort him.

"All right, big brother Dai, I'm just like everyone else now."

Although Dai Mubai still thought he and Tang San were different, at least he could save face, so he said directly.

"Fatty, you order the dishes—just pick whatever—and I'm going to pig out."

The sullen Dai Mubai decided to turn his anger into appetite and binged heartily.

Ma Hongjun didn't hold back either, ordering a dozen dishes in one go, staring at Tang San with his mouth agape.

Just as they were waiting for the dishes to arrive, another group of eight entered the restaurant.

Because they wore the uniforms of Canghui Academy, it was immediately clear they were soul masters, and the restaurant owner hurriedly greeted them with deep respect.

Ma Hongjun's small eyes were fixed on the sole female student in the Canghui Academy troupe, a lecherous gleam flashing in them.

"That girl's not bad‑looking, big brother Dai—are they from Canghui Academy?"

Dai Mubai was already annoyed that Zhu Zhuqing hadn't given him face, and now seeing the restaurant owner treat the Canghui Academy people with such respect while having ignored him earlier only made him feel worse.

In other words, he felt he wasn't sure he could beat Luo Ye, otherwise he would have already couldn't help but fight Luo Ye again.

But now the appearance of Canghui Academy gave Dai Mubai a target to vent his inner fury.

So Dai Mubai deliberately raised his voice and shouted.

"Just a measly Canghui Academy—what's it worth?"

Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai's conversation was heard clearly by the Canghui Academy team's instructor.

Turning his head, the instructor saw Ma Hongjun leering at his student with a lascivious look, and Dai Mubai still insulting their Canghui Academy; the instructor's face instantly flushed with embarrassment.

Oscar wore a look of anticipation and whispered to Tang San.

"There's a good show to watch."

Tang San looked at him, puzzled.

"What show?"

Oscar hehe‑ed, chuckling twice.

"Our dean once said that a soul master who dares not provoke trouble is no good soul master—as the saying goes, not daring to cause trouble makes one a mediocrity; big brother Dai and Fatty are deliberately trying to provoke them."

"When the other side can't hold back and strikes, they'll then be able to fight them."

Upon hearing this, Tang San couldn't help but laugh.

That Flandre Dean is really interesting; no wonder he gets along so well with his own teacher—he's certainly no ordinary person.

While they were actively provoking Canghui Academy, Luo Ye, who was watching everything, began to write in her diary.

【As expected, they still came.】

【Obviously the Canghui Academy folks did nothing wrong—they just happened to pass by for a meal, yet they're being humiliated by guys like Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai—how innocent they are!】

【No wonder, after they finally won victory and cleaned up the Douluo Continent's foul miasma, they turned out to be nothing good after all.】

【But what I can't understand most is that, in my previous life, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong didn't just fail to stop this—they actually chose to go along with them, even taking pride in it.】

【Could it really be that spending too much time with these Shilaike people eventually makes one's character turn as nasty as theirs?】

【But seeing how close they are now to Zhuqing, if I use this chance to show my disagreement with that idea, what would they choose to do?】

【Let's give it a try: if Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong don't, like in their past lives, go along with Tang San, Dai Mubai and the others, then that will prove they still have hope.】

After seeing this diary entry, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance and began to communicate silently with their eyes.

Luo Ye was right—this is an excellent opportunity.

They could completely use this to draw a line between themselves and Tang San, Dai Mubai and the others; even Xiao Wu could pretend that this had created a rift with Tang San, making all subsequent actions seem natural and proper.

Thinking this through, Xiao Wu even felt a hint of gratitude toward Dai Mubai in her heart.

Thanking him for creating such a fine opportunity—whether it was Luo Ye or Tang San, none would suspect him.

At that very moment, the conflict between Dai Mubai's group of four and Canghui Academy officially erupted.

(End of chapter)