Chapter 134: Ning Fengzhi: Yu Xiaogang, You're Like a Haunting Ghost!
A large mountain outside Element City.
The scenery here was breathtaking, especially at sunrise. A soft mist still clung to the dense vegetation, dew dripping from tender leaves into dozens of rivers running through the mountain. It felt like a paradise hidden from the world. Most of these rivers were man-made.
Within the forest, stone steps paved with blue bricks wound their way up the mountain. Each step featured finely carved soul beast patterns—exquisitely crafted.
There were many buildings here, all low-rise and fortress-like. The outer courtyard walls were five meters high, painted a striking bright yellow, with glazed tiles covering even the tops.
Dozens of young women in sky-blue uniforms walked the stone paths. All of them shared three features—they were beautiful, had tender, glowing skin, and exuded soul power.
This was Tianshui Academy, one of the four great element academies of the Heaven Dou Empire.
A truly powerful academy was usually built outside the city, mainly for access to mimicry training grounds.
A mimicry cultivation ground referred to an environment tailored to a soul master's martial soul—for example, forests for plant-type souls, kitchens for food-type souls, and so on. Beast-type soul masters also benefitted from training near similar animals. The stronger the martial soul, the more potential it had, and the greater the benefits from mimicry environments.
Tianshui Academy specialized in water-type martial souls. Thus, it was built deep in lush, water-rich mountains.
The academy only admitted girls—students and teachers alike. All were required to have water-type martial souls and to be beautiful. For decades, aside from formal academic exchanges, very few men had set foot inside.
But this time, a boy had joined. And he quickly became the school's most adored heartthrob. His looks lived up to the hype, and he became the darling—and target—of the girls.
This was, of course, Qian Renchuan.
Clad in the Tianshui uniform, his golden hair made him stand out on the blue-stone paths. Many girls giggled behind their hands when they saw him.
Qian Renchuan avoided eye contact. Since enrolling, wherever he went, the girls took notice. At Spirit Hall, he hadn't experienced this. Here, his identity was secret, and he was the youngest of the new students—many upperclasswomen teased him constantly.
He couldn't retaliate—they meant no harm, and they were classmates. Plus, his father had told him to pretend he was a healing-type support master and not to reveal his true strength unless necessary.
So, when upperclasswomen flirted or teased him, the former cold, weapon-obsessed shut-in had no idea how to respond. He simply ran away.
"Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law!"
A cheerful voice rang out as a girl with dark green hair suddenly hugged Qian Renchuan by the neck—playfully close.
This was Shui Yue'er, Shui Bing'er's half-sister. She was technically younger in power but older in age.
"Yue'er."
Qian Renchuan turned. A tall girl—around 1.75 meters—walked past. She had a perfectly balanced figure, not overly voluptuous nor too slim. Her icy-blue hair cascaded down her back, and her fair face was finely featured.
A subtle aura of cold surrounded her, making her beauty hazy yet captivating the more you looked.
This was Shui Bing'er. After absorbing the Ice Jade Lotus and evolving her martial soul into the Ice Phoenix, both her strength and appearance improved dramatically. Though only 14, she was nearing the Soul King realm.
She nodded slightly at Qian Renchuan and walked past him toward the teaching building.
Qian Renchuan sighed inwardly. He had wanted to speak with her.
Tianshui Academy was owned by the Shui family. After Qian Renchuan enrolled, Shui Bing'er's mother told her that since Qian Renchuan was a healing-type support, he would be assigned to the Tianshui battle team for the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Tournament in two years.
Shui Bing'er knew much of her current strength was thanks to Spirit Hall. Since there was a marriage arrangement, she was committed to honoring it—but as Qian Renchuan hadn't yet shown strength that impressed her, she told him plainly: for now, they should focus on cultivation during this crucial stage of growth. Love could wait.
In short: delay.
Seeing Qian Renchuan's gloomy expression, Shui Yue'er wrapped her arms around his neck again, gazing at his handsome face like a fangirl. "Brother-in-law, don't worry. If my sister doesn't marry you, I will! But you have to take care of me!"
Qian Renchuan gave a wry smile and patted her hand. "You're my future sister-in-law. I'd take care of you anyway. But I already have a marriage promise. I can't marry anyone else."
To Qian Renchuan, whoever was promised to him, he had to marry—whether or not love was involved. Of course, falling in love was best.
But if the other party broke off the engagement on purpose… then they'd better watch out.
Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ning Fengzhi stood before his carved wooden chair, hands behind his back. His scholarly, gentle expression had frozen. A disciple was reporting something at his side.
"You may go."
He waved his hand, dismissing the disciple.
Beside him, Bone Douluo stood up in anger. "Fengzhi, that damn Yu Xiaogang is like a ghost that won't go away! We must go retrieve Rongrong immediately! We cannot let history repeat itself!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded. When he first learned Ning Rongrong had joined Shrek Academy, he had frowned—because the dean was Flender, one of the Golden Iron Triangle. And where there was Flender, Yu Xiaogang couldn't be far.
The strange, complicated relationship between Yu Xiaogang and Bibi Dong still made him uneasy to this day.
But since Yu Xiaogang wasn't currently at Shrek, and Rongrong had been doing well, working hard and making talented friends, Ning Fengzhi had relaxed. He figured it was good for her to experience the world and lay the foundation to one day become sect master.
However, now that his subordinates reported Yu Xiaogang had arrived at Shrek Academy, he had to be vigilant.
If Yu Xiaogang brainwashed Ning Rongrong—or worse, discovered who her mother was—the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would be in grave danger.
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