Dealing with the three evil soul masters did not take Zhu Ziyang long. He quickly headed in the direction they had come from, chasing after Jiang Nannan and the others. Just as Jiang Nannan and the others had left the Star Dou Forest, Zhu Ziyang caught up to them.
"Nannan!" Zhu Ziyang called out.
"Brother! You're so fast!" Jiang Nannan turned around in surprise, her pretty face brightening with joy as she gently asked.
"They were just three old guys, it didn't take much effort at all," Zhu Ziyang said nonchalantly. "Let's go, we'll send Zhenzhen back to the academy, and we need to head back to Shrek Academy too."
"Mm!" Jiang Nannan nodded immediately, not asking for further details. She knew that her brother would tell her everything when the time was right.
The three of them didn't stop on the way and made their way directly to the Falan City Advanced Soul Master Academy. Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan sent Yang Zhenzhen to the academy's gates.
"Zhenzhen, we're leaving," Jiang Nannan said, giving her final reminder before leaving. "Work hard, but remember to balance it with rest, don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Mm-hmm! I understand, Nannan Jie." Yang Zhenzhen nodded earnestly, a touch of reluctance showing on her face. "Nannan Jie, Ziyang Ge, when will we see each other again?"
"Hehe, don't be sad!" Jiang Nannan smiled seeing Zhenzhen's reluctance and comforted her gently. "Your academy is organizing a team for the Soul Master Competition, right? If you become a member of your academy's team, we can meet again at Mingdu!"
"Really?" Yang Zhenzhen's eyes immediately lit up as she exclaimed. "Then I'll definitely become a participant in the competition!"
"Mm! You can do it, I believe in you!" Jiang Nannan encouraged.
After watching Yang Zhenzhen happily run back into the academy, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan didn't linger. They turned around and left Falan City, heading back to Shrek Academy.
On the way, Zhu Ziyang told Jiang Nannan about the two Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear cubs. Jiang Nannan was quite surprised and became curious about the cubs, asking Zhu Ziyang to show them to her.
Unable to resist, Zhu Ziyang stopped and took the cubs out of the Sacred Method semi-plane.
At this time, the two cubs had just woken up from their sleep, their eyes filled with confusion and fear. Having lost their parents before reaching the age when they would naturally be separated, they were in a pitiable state.
The cubs, trembling slightly, clung to each other, their small eyes cautiously scanning their surroundings. When they saw Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, confusion and curiosity filled their eyes. These two little creatures were meeting humans for the first time, and all they knew from their ancestral memory were the abilities and gifts of the Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear clan, with no knowledge of humans.
Soul Masters and soul beasts were often adversaries, something their parents would have taught them. However, with their parents gone, that lesson was lost.
"They're so cute!" Jiang Nannan immediately fell for the two cubs, bending down and gently petting one on the head. Her eyes became crescent-shaped with delight, and she exclaimed, "So soft and comfortable!"
"Is it?" Zhu Ziyang, hearing her excitement, also reached out to pet the other cub's head. His eyes lit up in surprise as he added, "It really is soft."
These two Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear cubs were around 80 to 90 centimeters in size, with their fur mainly light golden down. Their most remarkable feature, the bear claws, were soft and round, not yet hardened into the formidable weapons of the adult bears. They looked like little kittens, their movements unsteady as they stumbled and wobbled, sometimes falling over and sitting down awkwardly, making them appear both clumsy and adorable.
Dark Gold Fear Claw Bears had a slow growth rate. While most soul beasts matured within a decade, these top-tier beasts took much longer. A Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear typically did not reach adulthood until it was over 100 years old.
For a Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear, maturity came with two signs: its golden fur would shed, replaced by tough, rougher, and harder hairs, while its claws transformed from soft, flexible pads into sharp, deadly weapons. The once-soft pads would harden into the most formidable weapons, making the Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear's claws one of the hardest substances in the soul beast world.
"They're so cute!" Jiang Nannan exclaimed again, her heart melting as she picked up one of the cubs, cradling it like a baby. The cub, though sensing the dangerous energy around it, had chosen to submit, instinctively obeying its new caretaker.
As cubs, they didn't yet understand the pride and dignity of their kind, so they had no qualms about being spoiled, cuddled, and pampered as if they were just ordinary pets.
"Alright, let's head back to the academy. We'll have more time to play with them once we get there," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, gently taking the cub from Jiang Nannan's arms and placing both cubs back into the Sacred Method semi-plane.
"Why so quick?" Jiang Nannan pouted, slightly upset as she complained, "I wasn't done playing with them yet, Brother!"
"Here, take this soul bone," Zhu Ziyang, unfazed by Jiang Nannan's pouting, handed her the right arm bone from the Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear and said, "This was left behind by their father. It's about 50,000 years old, and it's a right arm bone. It's perfect for you. This way, you won't have to waste time searching for one when we get back to the academy."
"50,000-year-old Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear right arm bone!" Jiang Nannan was taken aback and didn't refuse. Excitedly, she hugged Zhu Ziyang and said, "I knew you'd spoil me, Brother!"
"Not mad anymore?" Zhu Ziyang smiled and wrapped his arm around her slender waist, adding, "Let's head back to the academy."
"Mm!" Jiang Nannan laughed joyfully, wrapping her arm around Zhu Ziyang's neck. Her breath, like the fragrance of orchids, made Zhu Ziyang's heart race. He was tempted to take advantage of the moment, but he knew it wasn't the right time.
By the time they returned to Shrek Academy, it was already evening. Zhu Ziyang found Xingcai, who was leisurely walking under the Golden Ancient Tree, and prepared to introduce the two cubs to her.
"Wu Huan'er, you're playing with Xingcai again?" Zhu Ziyang asked as he approached, recognizing her even from behind.
"Yes," Wu Huan'er replied instinctively, then turned around. Upon seeing Zhu Ziyang, her face lit up with joy. "Ziyang Ge, you're back? Where's Nannan Jie?"
"Nannan went to the cafeteria," Zhu Ziyang said, walking up to Wu Huan'er. "Looks like you really like Xingcai."
"I feel comfortable being with Xingcai," Wu Huan'er said with a flicker of something in her eyes, her innocent expression masking it, though Zhu Ziyang could see through her.
Zhu Ziyang chuckled inwardly but didn't confront her. Instead, he said, "Xingcai likes you too. That's a good thing."
Xingcai then walked up to Wu Huan'er, nuzzling her palm with her horn, making a pleasant, tinkling sound.
"I've found two playmates for you, Xingcai!" Zhu Ziyang didn't hold back and immediately introduced the cubs to her.
"What playmates?" Xingcai was momentarily confused, staring at Zhu Ziyang.
Zhu Ziyang smiled slightly and waved his hand. The two cubs appeared on the grass, looking lost and unsure as they crouched there.
"These are…" Wu Huan'er's eyes widened in shock, and her voice held a hint of anger.
"Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear cubs," Zhu Ziyang said, smiling lightly as he took Wu Huan'er's hand, making her emotions stop abruptly. "Their parents were killed by evil soul masters, so I brought them back. I thought I'd give Xingcai a couple of playmates."
"I see," Wu Huan'er said, her anger quickly fading. She watched the two cubs with a thoughtful gaze, not saying much more.
"Yay!" Xingcai smiled brightly at Zhu Ziyang's words. "Two Dark Gold Fear Claw Bear cubs? Are they really my playmates?"
"Of course," Zhu Ziyang replied with a smile. "But the condition is that you must make sure they don't get hurt. Let them grow up properly. These are Dark Gold Fear Claw Bears, great for guarding and protecting."
"Heh! I knew it," Xingcai laughed, rolling her eyes. "You're not giving me playmates, you're giving me bodyguards. Well, I guess I'll have to protect these two cubs, huh? Thanks a lot!"
"With great power comes great responsibility," Zhu Ziyang teased, laughing at her complaint.
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