Go back to Shrek? The academy was a pile of ruins. Wait for the teachers and students to return? They were trapped deep within an unknown temporal-spatial channel, their fate precarious.
Return to the family clan? The thought had crossed her mind, but the image of the teachers and classmates whose fates were uncertain caused Xiao Xiao to hesitate.
Ultimately, at the invitation of Jiang Nannan and the kind insistence of Zhang Lexuan, Xiao Xiao decided to temporarily reside in Abyss City, waiting for the return of familiar faces like Ma Xiaotao and Xuan Zi. This became the faint hope that sustained her.
Suddenly, a light knock on the door interrupted Qingque's narration and the temporary silence in the room.
Jiang Nannan stood up, composed herself, and went to open the door.
Standing outside the door was a Jin-Wei (Gold Guard) dressed in the standard uniform of Abyss City, with a respectful expression. Behind him were several young Soul Masters, dust-covered and visibly weary, their faces etched with unconcealed grief and exhaustion.
Their clothes were simple, and their eyes were filled with confusion and deep sorrow.
The person leading them was Wu Ming, a generally feisty and straightforward inner court disciple of Shrek Academy.
Yet, at this moment, her signature bright, flame-like hair seemed to have lost its former luster, casually tied back. Her face was pale, her eyes dim, and her tightly pressed lips betrayed the immense suffering she was desperately trying to suppress.
"Senior Sister Wu?"
Jiang Nannan was slightly taken aback, a complex look of surprise and emotion on her face. She immediately stepped aside to let the group enter the room.
"Please, come in quickly!"
Xiao Xiao instantly rose from her chair. Seeing the familiar Senior Sister, tears immediately welled up in her eyes as she exclaimed happily, "Senior Sister Wu, you... you are alive!"
"Nan'nan, Xiao Xiao... and... Miss Qingque."
When Wu Ming saw her familiar junior sisters and Qingque, whom she had met at the academy, the strong facade she had maintained instantly shattered. Her voice was choked and trembling with uncontrollable sobs.
The surviving inner court disciples behind her, such as Chu Qingtian, all lowered their heads, their shoulders slightly shaking, their eyes rapidly turning red. The originally warm atmosphere of the room was instantly replaced by an overwhelming, heavy sorrow.
Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan were also infected by the powerful emotion, their noses stinging, tears welling up, and they were momentarily speechless.
"Senior Sister Wu, we... we have heard about the academy..."
Finally, it was Jiang Nannan who forced herself to calm down first. She tried to keep her voice steady and walked over to gently hold Wu Ming's arm.
"To see you all safe... this... this is already the greatest fortune in misfortune."
"Senior Sister, this is wonderful. You are still here."
Xiao Xiao could no longer hold back and rushed into Wu Ming's embrace, as if to vent all the fear, confusion, and sorrow of the past few days.
At this moment, regardless of their past relationship closeness, the familiar faces from Shrek were themselves a tremendous comfort.
"Yes, we are still here, but the academy... the academy is gone. Dean Yan, Vice Dean Xian, so many teachers, and so many students... they are all gone."
Wu Ming held Xiao Xiao tightly, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. She painfully closed her eyes and, in fits and starts, began to recount the nightmare-like catastrophe.
The overwhelming, seemingly endless soul beast tide, the despairingly powerful fierce beast leaders, how Shrek's sturdy city walls collapsed like paper under the violent attacks, and the final giant meteor that tore the sky as if the world was ending.
She choked up as she spoke of how Dean Yan Shaozhe, Vice Dean Xian Lin'er, and many other respected elders of the Sea God's Pavilion resolutely chose to cover the retreat at the last moment to buy a slim chance of survival for the younger students, ultimately making a heroic sacrifice and perishing with the academy.
"Dean Yan and the others sent us away, saying that the flame of Shrek cannot be extinguished."
Wu Ming was sobbing uncontrollably. Her words were like the coldest knives, carving into the hearts of every student present who had once been proud of Shrek.
"Originally, we followed His Eminence Sky Kunpeng Douluo to Star Luo City, protected by the Star Luo Empire. We kept waiting, waiting for Elder Xuan and Senior Sister Xiaotao to return from Mingdu, waiting for the hope of rebuilding the academy, but..."
Seeing Wu Ming's emotions on the verge of breakdown, Chu Qingtian, suppressing his grief, stepped forward and took over the narrative. His voice was hoarse and exhausted.
But before he could finish, his words dissolved into a long sigh.
Everyone understood the unspoken part: what they waited for was another piece of bad news—the change in Mingdu and the disappearance of Elder Xuan and his party.
These successive blows nearly completely crushed the young Soul Masters' faith.
Chu Qingtian paused, working to steady his breath, and continued:
"Until, until Princess Xujiu returned to Star Luo City from Abyss City, we learned that Xiao Xiao and Nan'nan, you were still alive and here. So, we pleaded with His Majesty to allow us to come here."
After all, amidst the barrage of bad news, the news of Xiao Xiao and Jiang Nannan was the only good news.
"Don't worry."
A gentle and steady voice came from outside the door, breaking the sorrow and helplessness that permeated the room.
Everyone looked toward the source. Zhang Lexuan was standing at the doorway, dressed in a simple, elegant long skirt. Her face was serene, and her eyes held a soothing gentleness.
She walked slowly into the room, her gaze sweeping over the familiar but weary and grief-stricken faces of Wu Ming, Chu Qingtian, and the others.
"Sister Lexuan!"
Upon seeing Zhang Lexuan, the dimmed light in Wu Ming and the others' eyes finally rekindled with a spark.
They had been opponents and participants in the same All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Competition, meeting each other in rivalry first.
Thanks to Zhang Lexuan's gentle and approachable nature, like moonlight, even the fiery-tempered Wu Ming and Ma Xiaotao had a good relationship with her.
Of course, the deepest friendship among them was with Han Ruoruo.
The barriers between academies did not hinder the establishment of genuine friendships among these excellent young women.
"Sister Lexuan, is what you just said true? Is it really possible that Xiaotao and the others are safe?"
Wu Ming no longer cared about exchanging pleasantries. She anxiously took two steps forward, gripping Zhang Lexuan's wrist as if grabbing the last straw of hope.
The burden of rebuilding the academy was almost suffocating her, and the safety of her mentors and companions like Ma Xiaotao was her deepest worry.
Zhang Lexuan gently patted the back of Wu Ming's hand, signaling her to remain calm, and replied with certainty:
"Yes. According to our Abyss City's detection, the temporal-spatial channel that appeared in Mingdu has an unusually stable structure and is not a destructive spatial turbulence. Although Xiaotao and the others were drawn into it, their chances of meeting an unfortunate end are not high."
She paused, then provided more convincing information:
"In fact, someone from our Abyss City has already voluntarily passed through that channel to explore the world on the other side. Preliminary feedback indicates that the channel itself is safe. However, due to the limited time and exploration range, we haven't yet established contact with Elder Xuan, Xiaotao, and the others."
The person Zhang Lexuan referred to as having gone to explore was naturally Lu Jingming.
She knew very well that a special, distant connection existed between Lu Jingming and Herta, so she was not overly concerned about his act of crossing the temporal-spatial channel.
Furthermore, this kind of thing was not unheard of for her. She knew far more deeply buried secrets about this world, but these internal matters were currently not suitable for full disclosure to Wu Ming and the others.
"Really? That's wonderful, thank you, Sister Lexuan."
Hearing this, the tightly strung nerve in Wu Ming's heart finally relaxed a little, and she let out a long sigh of relief.
Heaven knew how much pressure she had been under during this time.
Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year foundation was destroyed, mentors like Dean Yan had sacrificed themselves heroically, the future of the surviving companions was uncertain, and the responsibility of rebuilding the academy was placed like a mountain on the shoulders of her, an inner court disciple who excelled in combat far more than in planning.
If core companions like Ma Xiaotao and Han Ruoruo were also confirmed to have perished, she truly didn't know if she would have the courage and strength to face the future alone.
The news brought by Zhang Lexuan undoubtedly eased her strained nerves.
After Wu Ming's emotions had stabilized, Zhang Lexuan gracefully sat down on a nearby chair. She personally poured several cups of fragrant, clear tea and pushed one towards Wu Ming, asking gently:
"Xiao Ming, setting aside the news about Xiaotao for a moment, what are your specific plans for the future?"
Wu Ming accepted the teacup, feeling the warmth of the porcelain on her fingertips, but her face was blank.
She shook her head with a bitter smile, her voice slightly strained:
"Plans? Sister Lexuan, you know me. Charging into battle and fighting is fine, but when it comes to major matters concerning the academy's survival and everyone's future... my mind is completely overwhelmed. I don't know what to do or where to start. Right now... I guess we can only take it one step at a time."
Chu Qingtian and the others behind her nodded, their faces troubled. They, too, lacked the experience and boldness to preside over a major situation.
Zhang Lexuan took in everyone's reactions and understood.
She took a small sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and then offered a carefully considered suggestion:
"Since you don't have a clear direction for now, and the original site of Shrek City is unsuitable to return to, how about this: Abyss City will step forward and allocate a suitable area within the city to help you re-establish the foundation of Shrek Academy? After all, with Ruoruo and Xiaotao's return date uncertain, you can't wait indefinitely. The flame of Shrek needs people to continue it."
This proposal actually aligned with some of Lu Jingming's future plans for Abyss City, something Zhang Lexuan was well aware of.
Wu Ming, Chu Qingtian, and the others were genuine elite inner court disciples of Shrek and possessed the most legitimate claim to rebuild Shrek Academy.
Having them lead the rebuilding of the academy in Abyss City was justifiable both legally and morally.
Once Shrek Academy took root in Abyss City, Shrek's ten-thousand-year reputation and influence in the Soul Master world would naturally be bound to Abyss City, injecting incalculable soft power into this emerging city.
If Xuan Zi and the other Sea God's Pavilion elders were in charge, they would definitely not agree to such a plan, which might weaken the academy's independence. However, they were now trapped in another world, and their return was uncertain.
For Wu Ming and the others, who were lost and struggling, Zhang Lexuan's suggestion was a timely gift, directly addressing their most urgent need.
Sure enough, as soon as Zhang Lexuan finished speaking, Wu Ming and Chu Qingtian's eyes instantly sparkled with joy.
Wu Ming was so excited she almost stood up:
"Sister Lexuan, are you... are you serious? Abyss City is really willing to help us rebuild Shrek Academy?"
This was practically the best outcome they could imagine right now.
Zhang Lexuan smiled and affirmed, "Of course. Shrek Academy has a ten-thousand-year heritage. If its spirit and glory were to be extinguished now, it would truly be a loss for the entire continent's Soul Master world."
"If you agree, our Abyss City will not only provide the site and financial support but can also temporarily transfer a group of experienced administrative personnel and core teachers from our Saint Freya Academy to assist you. They can help you handle the initial preparation affairs, draft the charter, and even the subsequent student recruitment work. After all, relying solely on the few of you to rebuild an academy from scratch is simply too difficult."
Zhang Lexuan's consideration was incredibly thorough, practically clearing all operational obstacles for Wu Ming and the others.
She knew very well that for young people who were essentially still students, like Wu Ming, the grand ambition of rebuilding the academy required far more than just enthusiasm.
And she was not purely taking advantage of them. From Wu Ming's perspective, in their current desperate situation, having the name of Shrek Academy survive and having a place to settle and pass on their legacy was already a great fortune.
As for the academy's deeper relationship with Abyss City in the future, that was not something they, in their current state of exhaustion, could afford to consider, nor was it the primary contradiction at the moment.
As long as the banner of Shrek could be raised again, it would be the greatest comfort and satisfaction for them.
After comforting Wu Ming and the others, and under their grateful and dependent gaze, Zhang Lexuan gracefully rose and instructed gently:
"Alright, all of you settle down safely in Abyss City, get some good rest, and recover your spirits. I will immediately arrange for people to start the specific matters of rebuilding the academy. You have been through so much; you are tired. Please confidently leave the rest to me."
Her words were like warm spring water, flowing over their weary hearts.
Wu Ming, Hua Yao, and the others nodded repeatedly. At this moment, Zhang Lexuan was not just an old friend in their eyes, but a dependable lifeline in a time of crisis.
Leaving the space to the surviving Shrek members who needed to comfort each other, Zhang Lexuan gently closed the door. The gentle expression on her face slightly receded, replaced by a more calm and profound thoughtfulness.
She did not go far but headed directly to a luxurious hotel not far from Xiao Xiao and the others' residence.
This hotel was one of Abyss City's landmarks, and its top floor had a private room with an excellent view.
Pushing open the exquisite door of the private room, the warm light and delicate incense of the interior greeted her.