In the Heavenly Soul Empire, in the city of Falan, at the Falan Advanced Soul Master Academy, a young couple appeared at the academy's entrance. The man was handsome, and the woman was beautiful, both radiating a unique aura that made them stand out as no ordinary people.
The academy's gatekeeper, an old man well-versed in human nature, immediately approached when he saw the pair, his face breaking into a respectful smile. "Masters, may I ask what brings you here?"
"Hello, old sir. We are looking for Yang Zhenzhen, a third-year student. Could you kindly notify her?" The young woman spoke, her gentle smile so captivating that even the old man, who had only his head visible above the ground, was stunned.
"Of course, of course! No trouble at all!" The old man hastily replied, then quickly turned and ran into the academy.
However, before the old man could notify anyone, a delicate-looking young girl of about fourteen or fifteen sprinted from deep within the academy. Her face was lit up with excitement and joy, and upon seeing the young couple at the gate, she immediately shouted, "Nannan Jie! Ziyang Ge!"
It was none other than Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, who had immediately returned to the mainland after Jiang Nannan fused her second soul ring and gained her eighth. They had originally planned to head straight back to the academy, but as they neared, Jiang Nannan had a sudden thought of a younger sister she had a connection with. So, they had decided to detour to Falan City.
"Zhenzhen, it's been a long time!" Jiang Nannan smiled warmly as she saw the girl rushing towards them.
Yang Zhenzhen, the little girl affectionately called "Nannan," was now fifteen and had known Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan for nine years.
"Level 30 Soul Master, Zhenzhen, you've done well!" Zhu Ziyang remarked with admiration as he quickly assessed her strength. Yang Zhenzhen, nicknamed "Nannan," was not only strong-willed but also very diligent.
When she was twelve years old, Jiang Nannan had wanted to recommend her to Shrek Academy. If it were anyone else, they would have been extremely grateful and would have accepted immediately. But Yang Zhenzhen, even though she had reached level 19 and met Shrek Academy's requirements, firmly rejected the offer. Instead, she chose to join the Falan City Advanced Soul Master Academy.
When Zhu Ziyang asked why, she gave two reasons: first, she didn't want to be too far from home because her grandmother relied on her, and second, she preferred to be a "big fish in a small pond" rather than a "small fish in a big pond."
"She's a girl with great determination, and she'll probably go far," was Zhu Ziyang's evaluation of her after hearing her reasons.
Indeed, her choice seemed to have been correct. At the Falan City Academy, she had more resources than she would have received at Shrek Academy. In just three years, her cultivation had reached level 30. She was just one soul ring away from becoming a Soul Ancestor.
At her age and level, she might not seem exceptional at Shrek Academy, but at Falan City's regular advanced academy, she was undoubtedly considered a genius.
"Hehe, maybe it's because I've been working harder, so my soul power increased quickly," Yang Zhenzhen scratched her head shyly after hearing Zhu Ziyang's praise. She then asked curiously, "By the way, Nannan Jie, Ziyang Ge, why did you suddenly come to Falan City?"
"Nannan Jie wanted to come see you," Zhu Ziyang smiled, giving Jiang Nannan's shoulder a playful pat.
"Yes, why? Are you not happy to see us?" Jiang Nannan feigned annoyance, though a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"No, no!" Yang Zhenzhen quickly waved her hands, laughing. "I was just surprised!"
"Alright, we're not teasing you," Jiang Nannan laughed as she grabbed Yang Zhenzhen's small hand. "Now that we're here, let's go get your third soul ring!"
"Really? That's wonderful!" Yang Zhenzhen's eyes lit up as she exclaimed. "I'll go ask the teachers for leave. They were planning to take me there anyway."
"Mm, go ahead. We'll wait for you here," Jiang Nannan patted her shoulder.
Yang Zhenzhen excitedly ran back to the academy while Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan remained behind, waiting for her.
"Brother, you're not upset with me for making the decision on my own, right?" Jiang Nannan turned to Zhu Ziyang, giving him a playful wink.
"How could I be?" Zhu Ziyang smiled, ruffling her hair. "We've been together for so long; we're practically one, right?"
"Hehe, I knew it!" Jiang Nannan chuckled, but then suddenly blushed as she thought of something.
Yang Zhenzhen didn't keep them waiting long. A few minutes later, she returned, but this time, a middle-aged woman in her forties accompanied her. The woman's face showed a mix of confusion and dissatisfaction, clearly someone in charge—perhaps her homeroom teacher.
"Nannan Jie, Ziyang Ge, this is my homeroom teacher, Teacher Pang Yan," Yang Zhenzhen said apologetically. "Teacher Pang heard I was going to hunt my third soul ring with you and was a bit concerned, so she insisted on coming with me."
"It's alright, that's perfectly normal," Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan immediately reassured her. They appreciated the teacher's concern, as it was her duty to look after the students.
"Are you two really Zhenzhen's older siblings?" Teacher Pang Yan looked them up and down with an expression of surprise. Her soul power, at the Soul King level, couldn't gauge their cultivation at all. After recalling Yang Zhenzhen's words, she felt more confident in trusting them. "Shrek Academy's top students?"
"Hello, Teacher," Zhu Ziyang smiled and greeted her. "Yes, we are students of Shrek Academy."
"Ah!" Teacher Pang nodded, her expression softening into a smile. "You're here to help Zhenzhen get her third soul ring, right?"
"Yes," Jiang Nannan replied. "Do you have any advice?"
"No, I'm just a little worried," Teacher Pang immediately shook her head. "But now that I've met you, I'm reassured. As students of Shrek Academy, I trust your abilities."
"Thank you," Zhu Ziyang nodded in acknowledgment. "Can we take Zhenzhen with us now?"
"Of course, of course!" Teacher Pang quickly agreed.
With that, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan didn't hesitate. They took Yang Zhenzhen and began to leave, but they heard Teacher Pang's voice calling behind them. "Zhenzhen, I'll save that spot for you. Come back early!"
"I know!" Yang Zhenzhen called back over her shoulder. It turned out that Teacher Pang was worried about Zhenzhen being taken to Shrek Academy.
"What spot?" Jiang Nannan asked curiously.
"Our academy is preparing to participate in the upcoming Soul Master Competition. We've formed a team, and I'm the only third-year student on it. The other thirteen are all senior students," Yang Zhenzhen explained, pride flashing across her face. "I'm the only one from the third-year class."
"I see, that's something to be proud of," Jiang Nannan smiled, but then subtly glanced at Zhu Ziyang, noticing a hint of helplessness in his eyes.
No matter the circumstances, participating in the Soul Master Competition was an honor, even if just to walk through the motions and serve as cannon fodder—it was still an achievement.
"By the way, Nannan Jie, do you know how Brother Han Li is doing? I haven't seen him in four or five years," Yang Zhenzhen suddenly asked.
"Han Li? He's doing quite well," Zhu Ziyang recalled, picturing the awkward young man in his mind. Han Li had a powerful martial soul, the Dragon Coil Staff, and innate soul power at level 8. He was the oldest and most powerful of the children from Zhang Yang Village. He had been taken to Shrek Academy by Cai Mei'er and was now a direct disciple. At seventeen, Han Li's soul power had reached level 49, and he was expected to reach the Soul King level by eighteen, far surpassing Cai Mei'er's other disciples.
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan explained Han Li's situation to Yang Zhenzhen, who was surprised but not envious, which caused them to hold her in even higher regard.
Soon, the three arrived at their destination: the Star Dou Forest.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the chapters for today (づ￣3￣)づ╭～
"Don't forget there are 40 early chapters available on Patreo
[email protected]/facficmax10