"You guys sure you still want to fight me?"
Shi Hao didn't like bullying others, but that didn't mean he was afraid. On the contrary, when it came to fighting… he was excited.
In fact, every time he entered combat, he felt like the blood in his body ignited—cheering and roaring with life.
His chubby little face scrunched up into a mock-angry expression as he stared directly at Flender. He could tell, among this group, this old man was the strongest.
Flender swallowed hard. He didn't know why, but despite the boy's harmless appearance—and even his angry face looking more funny than scary—he felt a chill run down his spine.
His Instincts screamed: If I actually fight this kid… I might die.
So Flender gave a dry laugh. "It's all just a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding, I say. How could I possibly want to fight you?"
Tang San stared at Flender in confusion. Why are you chickening out?!
"Dean…"
"Shut up, Tang San!" Flender snapped, his voice firm. Tang San didn't understand, but Flender, as a Soul Sage, could see just how terrifying this child was.
"You're really not gonna fight?" Shi Hao scratched his head, feeling a bit disappointed. Honestly, he was really curious about how strong he was now.
"No, no. We're done here. You do whatever you want."
Since the fight was off, Shi Hao dropped it. He patted the heads of the White Tiger and the Earth Cavern Demon Spider beside him.
"C'mon, Little Spider. Big Cat. Let's go!"
"Meow~"
The white tiger roared proudly and carried Shi Hao away, shooting a disdainful look at the Shrek group before departing.
Fools. They had no idea what kind of opportunity they'd just thrown away.
Ever since getting beaten by the seven gourd brothers and forced to live with them, the white tiger had realized—those little monsters weren't normal. They were even more terrifying than most hundred-thousand-year soul beasts.
And sticking close to them brought endless benefits.
That's why it was so obedient now—not just because it feared Shi Hao, but because it wanted to cling to this freakishly lucky kid's thigh.
The Shrek Seven Devils could only watch as Shi Hao's figure grew smaller in the distance.
Tang San narrowed his eyes, watching the boy leave, his thoughts unreadable.
——
"Dad always said humans outside were kind and fun… but that group was so annoying!"
Shi Hao pouted, sulking on the tiger's back and swinging a vine in frustration.
He'd always heard from Shi Batian that the outside world was full of excitement and interesting people. But after running into the Shrek Seven Devils… he felt nothing but disappointment.
Especially that blue-clothed guy—Shi Hao really hated the way he looked at him. If his dad hadn't warned him not to start trouble, he would've already punched that smug face in.
"I'm mad! They hurt my Little Spider and made it look like I was in the wrong! They were the bullies!"
"Humph!"
Shi Hao rambled in frustration, looking over at his two companions.
"Big Cat, Little Spider, tell me I'm right."
"You're absolutely right! It was all their fault!"
The White Tiger nodded furiously.
The Earth Cavern Demon Spider, however, seemed distracted. Its head was lowered, doing… something?
"Hey, Little Spider, why aren't you saying anything?"
Because of his gourd-born nature, Shi Hao could communicate with intelligent soul beasts—and the spider was no exception.
"N-Nothing, Boss…" the spider mumbled, its mouth bulging like it was hiding something.
Shi Hao narrowed his eyes. "What're you chewing on? You got something tasty and didn't share? Is that what I taught you?!"
"N-No! You're mistaken, Boss! Nothing here!"
"Tell me the truth or I'm throwing hands!"
The Earth Cavern Demon Spider: "???"
Faced with the tiny raised fist of its boss, the spider instantly recalled the trauma of getting whooped. It panicked and opened its mouth.
PLOP!
Out came a large golden flower radiating an intoxicating fragrance.
Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb!
It was the immortal herb the spider had swallowed earlier! Of course it hadn't digested it all in one go—its plan was to keep it hidden and slowly refine it over time. But now? Busted.
"This smell…"
The white tiger licked its lips, hunger in its eyes. If it could devour that flower and fully refine it, it would gain enormous benefits.
The spider could only cry inside. It's over… I'm losing it for sure.
Shi Hao, however, tilted his head and blinked innocently.
"Oooh~ What a pretty flower!"
The white tiger: "…"
You think it's just PRETTY? That's the least important part!
"You guys think I'm gonna steal it from you or something?" Shi Hao chuckled. "Please. I wouldn't stoop that low. My dad taught me never to take what belongs to others."
The spider's eyes sparkled. The white tiger was stunned too.
But then Shi Hao turned to the tiger with a serious look.
"You better not try to steal it either. Little Spider risked its life for that thing."
The white tiger lowered its head in defeat. The spider beamed and started trying to store the flower away again.
But the next moment—WHOOOSH!
The Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb suddenly burst into radiant golden light and blasted the spider backward, as if refusing its touch.
If the spider could speak, it'd be cursing up a storm right now.
And then, to everyone's shock, the flower floated into the air on its own. It hovered in front of Shi Hao, its petals fluttering, emanating gentle pulses of light.
Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.
The light blinked in a rhythmic pattern—as if… communicating?
Shi Hao frowned.
"Huh? You… want to come with me?"
"But… you already belong to Little Spider…"
"What? He's not worthy? You only want to follow me?"
"That's not—hey, what are you doing!?"
Before he could stop it, the Fragrant Silk Immortal Herb transformed into a beam of golden light and shot straight toward Shi Hao—more precisely, toward the small red gourd on top of his head.
That gourd had been there since birth, always hanging above him with a few little green leaves.
The herb shrunk as it approached, and then seamlessly merged with the red gourd, curling its petals around the vine and leaves like it was meant to be there.
The whole process happened so fast even Shi Hao was left blinking.
Apparently… this flower had already chosen its master.
_
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