Mo Luochen pointed at the pages with contempt, tearing through each so-called theory. "One flaw after another. What were you even thinking when you wrote this line?" He jabbed his finger at a sentence. "There are no useless spirits, only useless Spirit Masters?"
He scoffed. "Were you writing about yourself then? A so-called genius stuck at level 29 for decades, wasting time and clinging to false pride?"
Yu Xiaogang's face went pale—then suddenly, he coughed violently, blood spilling from his lips as he collapsed.
Luochen blinked. Damn… vomiting blood really does happen when you hit the core. He thought with morbid amusement.
"Teacher!" Tang San rushed to Yu Xiaogang's side in a panic, supporting his body as the older man gasped for breath.
Flender turned to Luochen, voice sharp. "Mo Luochen! Why are you being so hostile to him?"
"I'm not being hostile," Luochen replied flatly. "I'm just stating the truth—truth that anyone with a functioning brain can see. Don't tell me you also believe all this Martial Spirit nonsense that says every spirit has a fixed limit of spirit rings. That's completely wrong."
He looked Flender dead in the eye.
"And if you're going to hire teachers who spread garbage theories like this, don't expect me to stay. I didn't come here to waste my cultivation on fairy tales."
Flender's expression hardened. "You can't just leave like that."
"Then fire him," Luochen said without hesitation. "Either he goes, or I do."
Felicia and Qian Renxue stepped beside him silently, arms crossed. They clearly agreed—neither had liked Shrek Academy from the start. They followed Luochen without a word, ready to leave with him.
Flender looked between Luochen and the unconscious Yu Xiaogang, then sighed. "Fine. You can leave. But don't expect a refund."
"I never needed one," Luochen muttered, turning his back and walking off.
From the side, Zhu Zhuqing watched silently, her eyes flicking from Yu Xiaogang to Luochen. Her decision was made.
If I want to become strong, I need to follow him.
She turned and began to walk after him.
Dai Mubai stepped in front of her. "Where do you think you're going?"
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes didn't waver. "Can't you see? I'm leaving. I'm going with him."
Dai Mubai's face darkened. "You're leaving with him? What, you fall for him after one day? You're my fiancée!"
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was calm but sharp. "Fiancée? Funny. Where was that title when you were running away like an coward alone, abandoning me like a coward you are?"
Dai Mubai flinched. "Don't bring up the past."
But before he could say more, Luochen stepped between them, looking down at Dai Mubai with a slight smirk.
"Don't get in her way," Luochen said coolly. "She chose to leave. And honestly, after what I've heard about you, leaving her alone for years… are you even worthy of her?"
Dai Mubai clenched his fists. "Don't interfere in our relationship."
"I already have," Luochen replied, casually pulling Zhu Zhuqing close by the waist. Her eyes widened in surprise, but then she caught him wink.
It's just an act. She understood—and played along.
She didn't resist. Her face remained cold and proud, but she leaned into him ever so slightly.
"She's mine now," Luochen declared.
Zhu Zhuqing added with a faint, bashful smile, "You missed your chance, Dai Mubai. Don't come crawling back."
Dai Mubai's jaw clenched. But he couldn't say a word.
And with that, Mo Luochen turned, his arm still resting around Zhu Zhuqing as he walked away—Felicia and Qian Renxue flanking him like silent shadows.
Behind them, silence fell upon Shrek Academy.
Zhao Wuji looked toward Flender and said quietly, "Honestly… I agree with Luochen."
Flender sighed, rubbing his temple. "It was either him whom I barely have known or my decade long friend. The decision was simple."
Zhao Wuji nodded slowly. "Yeah. I'd probably have made the same call, even if I hate admitting it."
Flender didn't reply. He just turned away—watching the figures of the three girls and one boy growing smaller in the distance.
***
Outside the academy gates…
Felicia stretched and said playfully, "Well, I guess we're done here. Time to go stir up some trouble elsewhere."
"We're heading to Tian Dou Academy next," Luochen said calmly. "Lets play there for sometime, Then… we go home."
Renxue nodded silently.
Zhu Zhuqing, still walking beside Luochen, looked at him from the corner of her eye. He still held her by the waist.
When he noticed, he smirked and gently released his hold. "You're free now. That was just for show."
"I know," Zhu Zhuqing replied softly, but there was a strange flicker in her eyes—something unreadable.
Luochen turned to her and asked plainly, "You know we're from Spirit Hall. If you walk with us now… there's no going back. You sure?"
Zhu Zhuqing was quiet for a moment—then nodded.
"I want to come with you."
Luochen's expression didn't change. "Alright, then."
With that, they set out—not heading directly to Tiandou City, but instead making their way to a local baron's estate. Mo Luochen had left someone important behind there: a local youth with great hidden potential.
His name was Xiao Tian—a youth with level 7 innate spirit power and a Green Storm Eagle as his martial spirit. Despite his modest spirit rank, what set him apart was his unique talent: he had developed three self-created spirit skills entirely on his own, something that had impressed even Michael when they first met. Michael had already evaluated his potential and decided to bring him into their group. For now, Xiao Tian remained at home, training hard, unaware that his opportunity was about to arrive.
As the group traveled, they headed straight for the Xiao family estate. Since he was already his follower, they just rested at his home and next day in the grand hall.
Inside the estate, Mo Luochen gathered Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Tian. Xiao Tian was 13 years old, already at Spirit Rank 26, and wielded the Green Storm Eagle as his martial spirit. Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, was 12 years old, also at Spirit Rank 26, with the Hell Civet Cat as her martial spirit.
"Here," Mo said, handing each of them a small golden pill resting on a white jade dish.
"This is a Nirvana Pill—a rare treasure that not only boosts your cultivation but also enhances your martial spirit itself. Even ordinary spirit beasts can evolve after consuming it. Eat it only then you guys can be my followers."
*******
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