Douluo: Ma Hongjun The Ancestor Phoenix!

Seeing the pure admiration and joy in their eyes, Gu Yuena slowly lowered her hands.

A strange feeling stirred in her heart—something unfamiliar, slightly uneasy, and even a bit uncomfortable.

It was a sensation Gu Yuena had never experienced in the forest.

There, the ferocious beasts revered her like a deity, and soul beasts cowered in fear.

But here…

Gu Yuena glanced at the girls, then at the red-haired boy helping Dai Mubai, and the corners of her lips curled ever so slightly.

Companionship… and him?

"I'm convinced, truly convinced! Big Sister, from now on, you're my Big Sister—and the Big Sister of our Shrek Seven Monsters."

That night, inside Shrek Academy.

Several simple tables had been pushed together and covered with a variety of food and drinks. Groups of boys and girls sat chatting and laughing, forming a warm and lively scene under the glow of firelight and starlight.

Dai Mubai stood up, raising his glass respectfully, his tone full of admiration.

"We still have to fight in the ring later tonight, so no wine. I'll toast Big Sister with juice instead."

Normally, he was someone with an unyielding nature.

But that claw strike earlier had thoroughly humbled him.

He'd used both his first and third soul skills, hitting the opponent head-on with all his power—yet was defeated in a single instant.

Before he blacked out, he hadn't even seen whether the opponent used any soul skills at all.

The difference in power was overwhelming, and Dai Mubai had no choice but to accept it.

"Boss Dai, you're seriously giving in?"

Oscar, happily gnawing on a chicken drumstick, widened his eyes in disbelief.

He'd been out running errands and only heard about the duel after returning. He hadn't thought much of it.

After all, he knew Dai Mubai's strength better than anyone.

But not only had Dai Mubai lost—he'd admitted defeat so willingly!

"Oscar, even if I got smacked down by Big Sister with one hand, I could still beat you with one."

Dai Mubai turned to glare at Oscar, waving his fist menacingly.

Uncle Big Sausage immediately shrank back, going quiet, though his eyes kept flicking toward Gu Yuena, curious about how this beautiful girl had managed to overpower Dai Mubai.

"I have no objections. Sister Nana is Big Sister now!"

Ning Rongrong raised her hand with a grin and pulled Zhu Zhuqing's hand up too.

"Two votes in favor!"

Xiao Wu, who was secretly stealing carrots from Ma Hongjun's bowl, raised her hand without hesitation.

"Three votes!"

The red-haired boy smiled and raised his hand as well.

"Four votes."

All eyes turned to Oscar.

"What? Why are you all staring at me? Does my opinion even count?"

Oscar pouted, but Dai Mubai impatiently grabbed his hand.

"Unanimous!"

Ning Rongrong cheered and turned to Gu Yuena.

"Big Sister, you have to protect us from now on!"

"Yes, protect us!!"

"Hahaha, Big Sister, you're the best!"

Laughter rang out warmly. Gu Yuena stared at the pairs of shining eyes lit by the firelight, feeling overwhelmed. Yet, warmth gradually blossomed in her heart.

Big Sister?

Is that something like a Soul Beast Lord?

"Ah."

She nodded solemnly.

"Great!!"

"A toast to the birth of Big Sister!"

"This juice has no kick at all. Once we leave Soto City, I'll treat everyone to the best hotel, the finest food, the best wine… and the most beautiful entertainment!"

Dai Mubai's bold declaration came to a screeching halt. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

Gulp—

Did I just say that out loud?

Several sharp glares locked onto him like daggers, making him shiver.

"Most beautiful what?"

Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly—but the look on her face was far from kind.

"What do you mean by 'most beautiful'?" Xiao Wu gritted her teeth, flexing her knuckles ominously.

Zhu Zhuqing sharpened her claw blades and said coldly,

"Your mind is filthy. To avoid corrupting Brother Hongjun, it's better if we… cut it off."

"Agreed."

"Agreed."

"Completely agree!"

Again, all eyes turned toward the person who had just spoken.

"What? Why are you looking at me?"

Uncle Big Sausage quickly lowered his hand with a guilty chuckle.

"My opinion doesn't count, right?"

"Oscar!!"

A furious roar erupted behind him as a tall figure loomed over him.

"Just don't hit the face..."

Oscar sighed, instinctively covering his head.

Under the moonlight, his screams echoed far into the distance.

"Really now..."

Ma Hongjun helplessly took another bite of food.

Huh? Why is it still a carrot?

"Is this really how humans live and interact?"

A soft, serene voice came from beside him. At the same time, a slender hand passed him a bottle of juice.

"Oh, thanks. Another carrot again? Whatever..."

The red-haired boy shook his head, set down the juice, and turned to meet the beautiful gaze of the silver-haired girl.

"No. This is a way of getting along with companions. Humans can be very exclusive by nature, but once they accept someone, they won't care about anything else."

"Companions..."

Gu Yuena nodded thoughtfully, her long lashes fluttering. A faint light flickered in her eyes.

"Hongjun and I shouldn't just be companions. As far as I know, companions don't usually do... hmm..."

Before she could finish, the red-haired boy quickly covered her mouth.

"I only did that to save you! I..."

Ma Hongjun hurriedly tried to explain, but his words caught in his throat when he saw the playful smile in Gu Yuena's eyes.

"You—"

He froze.

"I understood what you said to the little rabbit earlier today."

Gu Yuena's lips curved in a mischievous smile. That familiar yet foreign expression appeared on her face.

She's picking up bad habits! Just like Xiao Wu!

Even Gu Yuena is acting like this now!

Who are they learning this from?!

"Achoo!"

Ning Rongrong sneezed and glanced up at the moon suspiciously.

Is my dad scolding me?

"Rongrong, are you okay?"

Xiao Wu asked with concern.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Maybe someone's talking about me. Let's keep going. Actually, if you want to chase a boy, you've got to take the initiative. Boys are all hopelessly dense. Just watch—once we get to Heaven Dou Imperial City, I'll unleash a full-blown offensive on Brother Hongjun!"

Ning Rongrong shook her head with confidence as she spoke, while Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu listened carefully, memorizing every word.

Looks like we'll have to act before reaching Heaven Dou Imperial City!

That exact thought passed through both their minds.

Meanwhile, the red-haired boy—still disturbed by Gu Yuena's transformation—suddenly felt his legs go weak. He looked around nervously.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

In the days that followed, everyone at Shrek Academy trained hard to earn the Silver Fighting Spirit Badge.

Although Oscar and Ning Rongrong had only earned Bronze Badges, they were determined not to fall behind the others and participated actively in double matches.

The progress was slower, but their points steadily increased.

And just like that, twenty days passed quickly.

At last, the day arrived for their first official seven-member team battle.