"Why do I feel like the dean of Shrek Academy looks a bit like Dragon Uncle?"Zhongli Wu watched Dragon Xiaoyao's departing back, muttering thoughtfully.
Beside him, Feng Ling froze slightly upon hearing this.She also knew Yan Shaozhe—years ago, they even had a romantic relationship and had deeply understood each other.But after her martial soul mutated, that relationship quietly came to an end.
"Ahem… you must be mistaken."Feng Ling forced a smile and spoke softly.
"Is that so?"Zhongli Wu frowned slightly.
"Actually, I feel like Yan Shaozhe looks a little like you, Chief."Seeing Zhongli Wu's uncertainty, Feng Ling hurried to continue with a playful tone.
"You know, I kind of think so too. Yan Shaozhe does resemble me a bit."Zhongli Wu nodded earnestly in agreement.
"..."Feng Ling was at a loss for words.She had simply tried to divert the conversation casually, but unexpectedly Zhongli Wu had taken it seriously.
Before Zhongli Wu could think deeper, a faint groan interrupted them.In Feng Ling's grasp, Ma Xiaotao slowly awoke, looking around in confusion.
"Where… am I? Who are you people?"Ma Xiaotao's eyes were no longer fiery red, but now a darker crimson. Black demonic patterns appeared faintly on her arms, and a black cicada mark with blood-red eyes flickered briefly on the back of her neck.
"We've come to take you home."Feng Ling said calmly as she looked at the newly awakened Ma Xiaotao.
"Oh. I see."Ma Xiaotao nodded slightly, glanced around quietly, and said nothing more.
"Hmm?"Feng Ling and Zhongli Wu were both stunned, and the other members of the Holy Spirit Sect were equally taken aback.
Shouldn't she be struggling? Screaming? Why did she just respond with a mild "Oh"?
Feng Ling had even prepared to knock Ma Xiaotao unconscious again, but now her calm demeanor had left Feng Ling unsure of what to do next.
"Ahem… little girl, don't you want to know who we are?"Feng Ling coughed twice, staring closely at Ma Xiaotao.
"Who are you?"
"..."Feng Ling looked toward Zhongli Wu as though seeking approval. After he nodded, she spoke again, trying to sound intimidating.
"We are evil soul masters!"
"Oh. I've admired you for a long time."
"..."Wait… what?
Zhongli Wu and Feng Ling exchanged bewildered glances, both wide-eyed with disbelief.
Wasn't Shrek Academy notorious for treating evil soul masters as mortal enemies? And as the disciple of Shrek's dean, wasn't Ma Xiaotao supposed to react with hostility?
"You're… not afraid of us?"Zhongli Wu asked in a deep voice.
"No."Ma Xiaotao replied calmly, then fell silent again.
"Feng Ling, are you sure you brought back the right person?"Zhongli Wu's face darkened.
"Impossible to mistake. I felt the Black Phoenix power within her. It's similar to my martial soul. There's no error."Feng Ling shook her head firmly.
Zhongli Wu glanced again at the eerily calm Ma Xiaotao, but something still felt off.
"Whatever the case, take her back to the Sect first."After all, she was now their Holy Maiden. They'd deal with the details later.
"Disciple, the soul master you asked me to bring back may have some issues."Zhongli Wu originally intended to restrain Ma Xiaotao using secret techniques, but now it seemed unnecessary.
With a wave of his arm, he led everyone onward toward the Holy Spirit Sect headquarters.
Meanwhile, at the Body Sect.
Inside Jiang Jue's cabin.
Jiang Jue sat in a wooden barrel filled with jade-green medicinal liquid, his whole body submerged.
Thump, thump, thump!
His heart pounded powerfully like war drums. Gradually, a vortex formed around him, drawing in the medicinal essence. The lightning-inflicted wounds across his body were slowly healing under the bath's effect.
As time passed, the liquid grew paler, and the swirling motion calmed.
"Whew…"Jiang Jue opened his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"The Body Sect is really thorough. This medicinal bath must be quite valuable."
He stood up, letting the droplets fall. With a surge of qi and blood, the water instantly evaporated from his skin. As he moved his body, crackling sounds like popping beans echoed from his bones. He could clearly feel his physique had strengthened significantly.
"The feeling of growing stronger is truly wonderful."He murmured in satisfaction, washed up, and dressed.
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as he was about to resume cultivating, someone knocked.
Sensing it was the same maid who had previously delivered food, he strode over—his bearing now subtly powerful, like a dragon or tiger.
Creak.
The door opened.
"Young master, this is the medicinal meal Elder Jin prepared for you. Please eat it while it's hot."The delicate-faced maid placed the dish on the table, bowed politely, and left swiftly, closing the door behind her without delay.
"No unnecessary games. Good."Since arriving at the Body Sect, Jiang Jue hadn't encountered any scheming or deception.
"But why hasn't the Poison Sect Master shown up?"
"Did she enter seclusion? That shouldn't be right—she hasn't reached a breakthrough window at this point in time…"
He sat at the table, puzzled.
"But after that lightning refinement, Elder Jin's suspicions toward me should have significantly lessened."He reflected on the recent events.
"By now, Master should have brought Ma Xiaotao back to the Holy Sect."
"With the Fire Phoenix Saintess and the Blue Silver Saintess both secured, everything is within my grasp."A glint flashed in his eyes as he extended a hand and clenched it slowly around empty air.
"Next, I need to quickly advance my Vajra Body to the second stage, find a chance to visit the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, and then take Long Aotian's position as Young Sect Master."
As for why he said "take"—it was because Jiang Jue believed himself to be kind-hearted.
If Long Aotian refused, then… the wording might need to be changed.
"Huh?"
"This medicinal meal is made from whale glue? And judging by the quality… it's from a ten-thousand-year whale."
Jiang Jue raised his brows in pleasant surprise.
(End of Chapter)