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Chapter 145: Time for Bing’er to Repay Her Family
🕑 Added 2025-09-25 04:30:17 +0000 UTCBefore long, the four of them arrived at Skywater City.
Ma Hongjun stared blankly at the women walking past on the streets. He swallowed hard, the evil fire in his body surging uncontrollably.
“This place really lives up to its name. It’s not just Skywater Academy that’s full of beauties—even the women in this city are far above average.”
“Hongjun, keep it together,” Flender warned. “We came here to fix your problem and arrange your marriage with Shui Bing’er. You can’t go around drooling over other women like before.”
Watching his student’s behavior, Flender worried whether someone with Hongjun’s temperament could really win Bing’er’s hand. If things went poorly, he might even have to swallow his pride as a Spirit Sage and intervene.
“Teacher, I know. I’m doing my best to suppress this evil fire inside me,” Ma Hongjun muttered.
Meanwhile, Tang San turned to Yu Xiaogang with a doubtful look.
“Teacher, I’ve heard the Shui family isn’t simple. Their clan leader may only be a Rank 69 Spirit Emperor, but the Shui family has massive wealth and influence. They’re the biggest backers behind Skywater Academy. With Fatty’s current condition, can he really win their approval?”
From Tang San’s perspective, even if Hongjun’s evil fire could be contained, how could a powerful family possibly give their prodigy daughter—born with Rank 9 innate spirit power—to someone short, fat, and lustful?
Yu Xiaogang shook his head, brushing off San’s concern.
“San, don’t judge people by appearances. At his core, Fatty is a good person. It’s only that cursed fire inside him causing trouble. And don’t forget, he possesses one of the only two Phoenix spirits in existence, with innate Rank 9 spirit power. That kind of talent makes him a natural ally for the Shui family. They should be glad to have him.
“Besides, the Fire Phoenix directly restrains all ice-type spirits. If two Spirit Masters with matching spirits cultivate together, it’s very likely they’ll awaken a Spirit Fusion ability. That could greatly accelerate their cultivation.”
He paused, then added,
“That’s exactly why I brought you here. Do you remember what I told you in the carriage about the essence of spirits and the theory behind Spirit Fusion?”
“Of course,” San replied. “A spirit’s essence is a special form of spirit power within the body, something that takes shape once manifested. Spirit Fusion can be explained using that theory. As long as two Spirit Masters’ spirit powers are closely aligned, fusion will inevitably occur.”
Yu Xiaogang smiled with satisfaction.
“Good. Right now, the Shrek Seven have already revealed most of your trump cards in the preliminaries. By the time the finals arrive, your opponents will know your tactics inside out and have counters ready. To break through, you’ll need new offensive strategies.
“If Fatty and Bing’er can train together and awaken a Spirit Fusion ability, you’ll also gain insights from their progress. With that knowledge, I’ll be able to teach you a Seven-in-One Spirit Fusion Technique.”
“Seven-in-One Spirit Fusion?”
San’s eyes widened in shock. He hadn’t expected his teacher to be hiding such a secret.
Yu Xiaogang explained,
“It’s not exactly a fusion ability. Instead, the other six channel their spirit power into the seventh, boosting that person’s strength to the level of a Spirit Emperor—or even a Spirit Sage. Only with this kind of technique can you achieve real success in the finals.”
“Understood, Teacher.”
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Minutes later, the group reached the Shui family estate in the eastern part of the city.
“Brother,” Flender told the gate guard, “please inform your master that Flender, dean of Shrek Academy, wishes to discuss an important matter with the Shui family.”
“Of course, Master Spirit Master, please wait a moment.”
Recognizing Flender’s name, the guard immediately hurried inside without the slightest disrespect.
Soon, several people rushed out from the residence, led by none other than the current head of the Shui family, Shui Wuqing.
“Grandmaster, Dean Flender, and two students of Shrek Academy,” Shui Wuqing said politely. “You came without notice and caught me off guard. Please, come inside.”
His courtesy made both Flender and Yu Xiaogang feel respected, which gave them confidence about the upcoming discussion.
Inside the main hall, Shui Wuqing studied Tang San and Ma Hongjun with keen interest.
“If I’m not mistaken, you must be Tang San, the one with twin spirits. And this red-haired young man must be Ma Hongjun, bearer of the Fire Phoenix spirit.”
“That’s right,” Flender said. “Hongjun, summon your spirit and let the clan leader take a closer look.”
“Alright.”
With a burst of heat, the phantom of a blazing Fire Phoenix erupted from Ma Hongjun’s body, stunning the Shui clan elders present.
“Incredible… truly the Fire Phoenix, one of the top-class spirits. Would you consider joining our Shui family?”
Before Shui Wuqing could respond, the Great Elder immediately extended an olive branch. Though the Phoenix clashed with their family’s ice-water spirits, Hongjun was still the perfect candidate to marry Shui Bing’er. Their children would likely inherit the Phoenix spirit, and after a few generations, the Shui family’s spirits could evolve to an even higher level.
“This…”
Ma Hongjun was floored. Was this how powerful clans operated—so direct, so pragmatic?
Seeing his hesitation, the Great Elder pressed further.
“Don’t worry. You can think this over. If you agree to join us, I’ll personally arrange for you to spend more time with Bing’er. If she likes you, I’ll officiate your union myself.”
At this, the four from Shrek were stunned. They hadn’t even opened their mouths yet, and the Shui family was already moving to arrange the marriage.
“Great Elder, this isn’t something to be rushed,” Shui Wuqing interjected with disapproval. “We need to consider Bing’er’s wishes as well.”
But even as the clan leader, he sounded powerless. The elders controlled the clan’s wealth and manpower. Even though Bing’er had already proven her exceptional talent, their old-fashioned thinking still drove them to push her toward a fire-attribute Spirit Master.
“Clan leader,” one elder said coldly, “Bing’er is still young, she doesn’t understand the bigger picture. The family has raised her with the best resources for years. Now it’s time for her to repay the family.
“Everything we’re doing is for her own good.”
