The next morning, Jing Hongchen saw Qing tong's pale blue shadows under her eyes and asked, "Did you sleep poorly last night?"
Qing tong shook her head. "Probably just an adjustment issue—some insomnia, I guess."
Even though Ye Xishui is an Absolute Douluo, she's skilled at hiding her presence. Qing tong didn't blame Hongchen for not intervening sooner.
"If you want, you can rest another night," Hongchen said with a concerned look. "We're not in a hurry with the experiments in the Far North—no need to rush."
Qing tong still shook her head. "We can't delay the trials—they're vital for the empire's future. Even if I can't walk tomorrow, I can't stay another night here. Who knows who might come?"
"Alright then. Breakfast first," Hongchen nodded. After they ate, Qing tong seemed noticeably better. As they flew through Tianhun Empire territory toward Shrek Academy, she tugged on Hongchen's sleeve and asked quietly, "Senior Brother... Can you lend me some flying soul-guided tools? Something substantial—fast enough to match a Douluo's flight speed."
"Don't you have flying tools already?" Hongchen looked confused. "Are you planning to win hearts at the academy by handing them out?"
Qing tong rolled her eyes. "Once a tool activates, it runs on its own. I don't get to control them freely."
Hongchen paused. "A tool fast enough to match a Douluo's flight would need at least Level 7 craftsmanship—quite rare. You only truly control up to Level 5 tools, right?"
Qing tong forced a smile. "So? Just give me whatever you have. You won't miss a few tools."
Hongchen frowned. "My teacher warned me not to let you lose yourself in the fun. If you want true liberty in flight, you'll have to train to Soul Lord level yourself."
Qing tong snorted. "Using the teacher as a scare tactic, huh?"
Hongchen laughed in surrender. As they neared the Star Dou Grand Forest by Shrek City, he finally pulled out a modest flying tool. "This one's Level 5, about the speed of a Level 70 Soul Saint. Take it—but don't tell the teacher who gave it to you."
Qing tong beamed and stowed it away, then coyly asked, "Is that it? You don't have anything else?"
One flying tool should be enough, Hongchen groaned at her spoiled tone yet added more modest-grade tools to her bag. Qing tong thanked him politely. "Senior Brother, please be careful on your way!"
Watching her fly off, Hongchen sighed—being indulgent to younger disciples really comes with its limits.
Then a clear voice cut through the sky: "Since you're visiting Shrek City, why leave so quickly?"
A beam of white light appeared, and Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Dean, Yan Shaoze, stepped out and fixed his gaze on Hongchen.
Hongchen, startled, kept his composure. Yan's Douluo cultivation level is higher, and Hongchen knew that if they fought now, his many soul-guided tools would give him the edge.
"Dean Yan," Hongchen greeted with respect. "It's an honor. I'm just delivering someone, not seeking trouble—why must I stay?"
Yan smiled faintly. "Master Hongchen coming to Shrek City—if we don't host you properly, people will say the Academy lacks hospitality. Please come with me, and allow us to show our courtesy."
Hongchen shook his head. "I appreciate it, but I have more work. I can't stay longer."
Yan frowned, but said firmly, "You cannot leave!"
Hongchen stopped, turned calmly to face him, and smiled softly: "Dean Yan, you want to force me to stay? Though your cultivation nears mine, I'm afraid you're not quite capable of detaining me yet."
PS: Access advance (60+) chapters at
https://www.patreon.com/c/NanamiTL