Chapter 23: Walk Under the MoonThe dining hall of Shrek Academy, a room that was usually filled with the boisterous, often crude, chatter of its handful of students, was for once submerged in a focused, almost reverent silence. The only sounds were the clinking of cutlery against wooden plates and the enthusiastic, unrestrained chewing of famished youths.
Whether it was the brutal, one-size-fits-all punishment run orchestrated by Yu Xiaogang, or the creative, muscle-shredding evasion drills designed by Zhang Tian, the result was the same. All eight students were utterly, completely, and ravenously hungry.
The atmosphere, however, was far from comfortable. It was a thick, soupy tension, with undercurrents of resentment and burgeoning new alliances.
Dai Mubai sat at the table, pointedly ignoring the spot where Zhang Tian and Ning Rongrong sat together. Every so often, his eyes, still holding the faint shadow of yesterday's humiliation, would flicker towards them with a venomous glare. He didn't dare say a word, didn't dare to provoke. The memory of the explosive bullets and the feeling of a foot grinding his face into the dirt was still painfully fresh. But the hatred simmered, a poison in his blood.
Zhu Zhuqing ate with a quiet, methodical grace, her movements precise and contained. But her cold, beautiful eyes kept drifting towards Zhang Tian. She would watch him for a few moments, a complex, unreadable emotion swirling in their depths, before her gaze would drop back to her food, a silent observer in the unfolding drama.
Oscar, poor Oscar, was a portrait of quiet envy. He watched Ning Rongrong, who was chattering happily with Zhang Tian, a lively sparkle in her eyes that was never there when she looked at him. He had harbored dreams of pursuing the beautiful, wealthy heiress, but he was not a fool. The bond forming between her and Zhang Tian was something he could never hope to penetrate. It was a connection forged in defiance, shared secrets, and mutual respect. With a quiet, internal sigh, he gave up the ghost of that particular romantic ambition.
As for Ma Hongjun, the world beyond his plate of roasted chicken ceased to exist. He ate with a single-minded devotion, his cheeks puffed out, oblivious to the subtle currents of emotion swirling around the table.
Tang San and Xiao Wu, seated side by side as always, were in their own little world. They ate with a simple, happy contentment, discussing the day's training in low voices, their bond a small, impenetrable fortress of camaraderie.
When the last plate was scraped clean and the last morsel of food devoured, Ning Rongrong stretched her arms above her head with a satisfied sigh. She turned to Zhang Tian, her eyes shining in the warm light of the dining hall lamps.
"The moon is full tonight, Zhang Tian," she said, her voice bright and cheerful. "And the air is so clear. We should go for a walk. It's a waste to just go back to our rooms on such a beautiful night."
Zhang Tian considered her suggestion. A quiet walk did seem like a pleasant way to digest the meal and the day's events. "That doesn't sound like a bad idea," he agreed with a small smile.
Her face lit up, and the two of them excused themselves from the table, leaving the fractured remains of the group to their own devices.
They stepped out into the cool night air. Ning Rongrong was right; the moon was a perfect, luminous pearl hanging in an ink-black sky, bathing the shabby grounds of the academy in a soft, ethereal silver light. The woods that bordered the campus seemed less menacing now, their leaves painted in shades of silver and shadow.
They walked in a comfortable silence for a time, following a winding path that led into the woods. The symphony of the night—the chirping of crickets, the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze—was a soothing backdrop.
"Your training method today," Ning Rongrong finally broke the silence, her voice more thoughtful now. "It's… really unique. I've never experienced anything like it."
She hesitated for a moment, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "But… is it really helpful for me? At the sect, my father and my grandfathers never made me train like this. They always focused on my spirit power cultivation and practicing my support skills."
Zhang Tian listened patiently, understanding the root of her doubt. She had been raised in a system, a successful one, and his methods were a radical departure from everything she knew.
"Explaining it is much less effective than experiencing it for yourself, Rongrong," he said calmly, not bothering to repeat the basic tactical necessities for a support master, which he knew a girl of her intelligence already understood. He didn't want to sound like a lecturing teacher.
"Let's make a deal," he offered instead. "We will continue my training regimen for two more weeks. No questions, just absolute effort. After that, we will go back to the Great Spirit Arena. But this time, we will enter as a two-person team. You and me. Then, you will experience the advantages of this training firsthand. You will feel the difference in your speed, your reactions, your awareness. If, after that, you still feel it is not helpful, we can stop."
His proposal was confident, practical, and intriguing. A trial by fire. It appealed to her competitive nature. "Alright," she agreed, a determined smile returning to her face. "It's a deal!"
As they rounded a bend in the path, a figure stepped out from the shadows of a large oak tree. The moonlight sculpted her form, highlighting every breathtaking curve of her lithe, voluptuous body. Her form-fitting black clothes seemed to absorb the shadows, making her fair skin glow in contrast. Her long legs were powerful yet elegant, her waist impossibly slender, and her buxom chest rose and fell with each steady breath. It was Zhu Zhuqing. She moved with the fluid grace of a prowling cat, a silent, deadly beauty in the moonlit woods.
"Zhang Tian. Rongrong," she said, her voice a low, cool melody. She stopped before them, her gaze serious.
She looked at Zhang Tian, and for the first time, he saw a flicker of genuine apology in her usually icy eyes. "I wanted to apologize," she said softly. "This morning, when you both left the Grandmaster's training… I should have gone with you. You are my friends. I should have stood with you."
"There's no need to apologize, Zhuqing," Zhang Tian said gently, shaking his head. "We all have our own paths to walk and our own reasons for choosing them. There's no need for apologies between friends."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, seeming to accept his words, though a trace of guilt still lingered in her expression. "Do you… do you want to know what the Grandmaster's teaching methods are? I could tell you. It might help."
Zhang Tian stared at her, at the earnestness on her beautiful face. He took in her full figure, the way the moonlight played on the curves of her body, but his gaze was clear, respectful, not lecherous. He shook his head slowly.
"Zhuqing, there's no need for you to do that," he said, his voice firm but kind. "Don't risk getting punished by the Grandmaster just to share information with me. It isn't necessary."
He offered a small, confident smile. "Besides, I have my own training methods. I prefer to stick to them. You should focus on your own training. Train hard under the Grandmaster. Become as strong as you can."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded again, a flicker of surprise in her eyes at his unwavering confidence in his own path. She fell silent for a moment, her mind clearly working through something.
Finally, she spoke again, her voice hesitant. "Rongrong told me what you said yesterday. About Dai Mubai being a prince of the Star Luo Empire." She looked at him, a direct, searching question in her eyes. "Do you know about my identity as well?"
Zhang Tian nodded calmly. "It wasn't difficult to deduce," he explained logically. "Your Martial Spirit is the Hell Civet. The Zhu Family, a Dukedom in the Star Luo Empire, is the only noble family of note whose direct descendants awaken that particular beast spirit. And the history of the Martial Spirit Fusion skill, the Hell White Tiger, which is formed between the Hell Civet and the Evil Eye White Tiger, is quite famous. It's a political and military alliance forged in blood and marriage."
He looked at her, his gaze softening with understanding. "Dai Mubai is your fiancé, isn't he?"
She gave a slow, reluctant nod, the simple confirmation feeling like a lead weight in her chest. "Yes. That is why my fate is tied to his. I need his help, the power of our fusion skill, to have any chance in the battle against my elder sister and his elder brother."
Her voice was low, filled with a quiet desperation that was heartbreaking to hear. "I don't want to be Queen. I don't care about the power or the influence. I just… want to be free. Free from this fate. Free from being constantly hunted, living every day with the fear of being crippled or killed by my own sister because of our family's monstrous traditions."
Zhang Tian listened, his expression thoughtful. "I understand your predicament," he said softly. "But I believe you are thinking from a very closed perspective. You have not yet fully explored all the options available to you."
He didn't elaborate further. "This is not an answer I can simply give you," he told her. "It is a conclusion you must reach on your own. But I will give you a hint to ponder. The Star Luo Empire, for all its power, is not an existence that can do whatever it wants."
Zhu Zhuqing frowned, confusion clouding her features. She didn't understand his meaning.
Ning Rongrong, however, understood instantly. Her mind, sharp and politically astute from her upbringing, immediately connected the dots.
'The top three sects!' she thought, her eyes widening. 'The Clear Sky Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and my own Seven Treasure Glaze Tile Sect! And even more powerful than them is the Spirit Hall! These are factions that even an empire like Star Luo would not dare to offend lightly. If Zhuqing could gain the protection of any one of them, she wouldn't have to fear the empire's traditions or her sister's pursuit!'
She knew that getting help from the Spirit Hall or the other two great clans would be nearly impossible for Zhuqing on her own. They wouldn't risk offending an empire for a single, unaffiliated girl.
'But my clan is different,' she realized with a surge of protective determination. 'I am the heiress! If I asked my father, and Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone, they would surely help her! They could protect her!'
She looked at Zhuqing, who was still pondering Zhang Tian's words with a frown, and then looked at Zhang Tian. She saw the wisdom in his approach. He wanted Zhuqing, with her fierce pride and her desire to forge her own path, to come to this realization herself, to ask for help on her own terms, rather than having a solution handed to her. It would make her stronger, more independent. Ning Rongrong decided to keep her realization to herself, for now.
The trio continued their walk, the conversation turning to lighter matters.
"I received a reply from my father today," Ning Rongrong announced happily. "He's… very interested in your weapons. He and my two grandfathers are coming to Shrek Academy. They should be here in two days!"
Zhang Tian nodded, pleased. "Good. Then we can proceed with our deal." He then turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "You should probably head back now, Zhuqing. If the Grandmaster sees you with us for too long, he might assume you've told us about his training methods. I don't want you to get into trouble."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, a complicated emotion swirling in her eyes. It was a mixture of gratitude for his concern and a hint of reluctance to leave their small circle of friendship. She understood his reasoning, however. "You're right," she said. She stood up, ready to depart.
Just as she was about to turn away, Zhang Tian's voice stopped her. It was serious, his tone imbued with a weight that made her pause.
"Zhuqing," he said, looking her directly in the eye. "If the day comes when you feel that there is truly no other way, that nothing can change your fate… you can come to me. Seek my assistance."
He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, intense whisper. "I promise you, I can make you stronger, rapidly, without any side effects. But at that time, you must have made up your mind. You must be willing to follow me, and you must be loyal to me. The gift I can provide you to achieve that strength is… priceless. It is not something I can offer lightly."
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned by the intensity of his words, the sheer confidence with which he spoke. A priceless gift? Rapid strength? It sounded impossible, yet coming from him, it felt real. "I… thank you, Zhang Tian," she managed to say, a flicker of hope igniting in her heart. She gave him one last, long look before melting back into the shadows of the forest.
With Zhuqing gone, Ning Rongrong's natural curiosity and mischievousness returned in full force.
"A priceless gift that can make her stronger quickly?" she asked, her eyes sparkling as she leaned close to him. "What is it? What is this treasure? Can't you give one to me? I want to get stronger too! Imagine how angry the Grandmaster would be if I suddenly surpassed everyone! It would be hilarious!"
Zhang Tian was momentarily dumbfounded by her playful, competitive spirit. He gently poked her on the forehead.
"Do you think such treasures just grow on trees, Rongrong?" he asked with a wry smile. "I only have one such gift, and its properties are far more suitable for Zhuqing's development than for yours. I don't have one that would be a good match for you."
She pouted, crossing her arms. "Hmph. Aren't you just playing favorites? At least tell me what it is! Let me choose!"
He just shook his head, a fond smile on his face. "Perhaps in the future, when the time is right," he said enigmatically.
She huffed, but the pout was quickly replaced by a grin, and their lighthearted bickering continued as they resumed their walk under the silver moon.
Meanwhile, in the dim, cramped office of Dean Flender, Zhao Wuji was recounting the day's events to the Grandmaster.
"...and then he asked me to use my Gravity Increase on him and the girl," Zhao Wuji explained, a note of lingering disbelief in his voice. "For training. Said it would improve their strength, endurance, and spirit power efficiency. I've never seen anything like it."
Yu Xiaogang, who had been listening with a stiff, analytical posture, fell into a deep, silent thought. His mind raced. Gravity training.
It was… brilliant. A simple, elegant method to accelerate physical conditioning and force adaptation. Why hadn't he thought of it? It was a concept so logical, so fundamentally sound, it felt like an oversight on his part. A glaring one.
But his immense, fragile pride would never allow him to admit that a twelve-year-old boy had devised a training method superior to his own.
He let out a cold, dismissive sneer. "Hmph. A rudimentary concept," he declared, his voice dripping with condescension. "Of course, I had already considered such a method. It is a good idea, in principle."
He leaned back, adopting his familiar lecturing pose. "However, I had planned to implement it much later in their training regimen, after their physical foundations had been properly strengthened through my own, more traditional methods. That boy, Zhang Tian, is being far too hasty."
His eyes narrowed behind his spectacles. "Doing this kind of high-intensity gravity training now, without the necessary prerequisite physical conditioning, is reckless. Yes, it might help them advance more quickly in the short term, but it will inevitably ruin their foundation. It will leave behind hidden internal injuries, putting immense strain on their organs and meridians. It is a foolish, short-sighted path that sacrifices long-term potential for immediate, flashy results."
Flender and Zhao Wuji, who had been impressed by Zhang Tian's creativity, now looked worried.
"Are you sure, Xiaogang?" Flender asked, concerned. "If that's the case, shouldn't we tell them? The futures of both Zhang Tian and Ning Rongrong could be affected!"
Yu Xiaogang held up a hand, stopping them. A cold, cruel light entered his eyes. "No," he said flatly. "There is no need to inform them. Let them continue on their foolish path. Sooner or later, they will realize that their methods are wrong. When their progress stagnates, when the hidden injuries begin to manifest, they will come to understand the true wisdom of my teachings. A lesson learned through failure is far more profound than one learned through simple instruction."
Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a look. The Grandmaster's logic, as always, seemed to make a twisted kind of sense. Let them fail, so they can learn.
"You're right, Grandmaster," Zhao Wuji rumbled, nodding in agreement. "They need to understand that there are no shortcuts on the path of cultivation."
They accepted his judgment, never once considering that the Grandmaster's assessment was born not from wisdom, but from a deep, festering professional jealousy and an ego that could not bear to be outshone.