"Yunhan, you'll be Dai Mubai's opponent." Zhao Wuji's sudden decree drew stares. "Don't embarrass me." To Dai Mubai: "Pass if you defeat him—or last one incense stick's time." Privately, Zhao Wuji had already accepted Dai Mubai. This was both a test and a training opportunity for Xu Yunhan.
"Gladly." Xu Yunhan's calm reply masked his anticipation. Dai Mubai's eyes burned with competitive fire. A one-rank gap? Same feline martial soul? This is winnable.
"Entertainment!" Ma Hongjun plopped beside Zhao Wuji. Oscar smirked. "Dai Mubai won't last half the incense. Teacher Zhao, if he loses...?" Zhao Wuji merely lit the incense. "Begin."
Xu Yunhan's Three-Eyed White Tiger materialized—wings spread, third eye gleaming. Dai Mubai stiffened. A mutated Evil Eye White Tiger? Their twin yellow rings seemed comparable—until one noticed the density difference: Xu Yunhan's first ring neared 600 years, his second 900, while Dai Mubai's were standard century rings.
"I'll strike first." Dai Mubai lunged—no soul skill, pure physical might. Thud! Xu Yunhan didn't budge. Dai Mubai recoiled, knuckles throbbing. "Your defense—?!"
"Use your skills," Xu Yunhan taunted. "Or are you stalling?" Gritting his teeth, Dai Mubai activated his 1st skill: White Tiger Barrier. A protective glow enveloped him—enhancing defense and strength. His next punch carried double the force! Crack! Xu Yunhan still didn't move. Dai Mubai skidded back, disbelief widening his eyes.
"Impossible!" "2nd skill: White Tiger Light Wave!" A searing beam shot from Dai Mubai's mouth—Xu Yunhan vanished, reappearing beside him. "Too slow." POW! A fist planted squarely on Dai Mubai's jaw, sending him airborne.
"Oof!" Oscar winced. "Right in the ego." Ma Hongjun rubbed his own cheek sympathetically. Zhao Wuji chuckled. "Yunhan's outclassing him in every category. Let's see how long Dai Mubai lasts."
What followed was a masterclass in humiliation: Dai Mubai would fire Light Wave, Xu Yunhan would dodge effortlessly, then counterpunch (usually to the face). Repeat. By the incense's halfway mark, Dai Mubai's face resembled an overripe peach.
"Had enough?" Xu Yunhan's smirk was infuriating. "Never!" Pride outweighed pain. In Star Luo, losing meant death. Here? Just bruises. But Xu Yunhan's Charm skill worked subtly—each strike carried a psychic nudge, softening Dai Mubai's resentment.
Oblivious, Dai Mubai kept charging. "Persistent," Oscar noted. "Boss could've ended this instantly." "He's playing with his food," Ma Hongjun whispered. Indeed—Xu Yunhan had reasons: Dai Mubai was Tang San's future brother and ancestor to Huo Yuhao (Xu Yunhan's father). Payback starts early.
As the incense's last ember died, Zhao Wuji stood. "Enough. Dai Mubai—welcome to Shrek Academy." To Oscar: "Healing sausages." "I have a big sausage~" Dai Mubai blanched at the phallic chant but choked down several under Zhao Wuji's glare. Surprise—they tasted good. Warmth spread through his battered body.
"My 2nd skill makes antidote sausages," Oscar added cheerfully. "Poisoned? I'm your man!" Dai Mubai groaned. What have I gotten into?