After spending seven days on the Moon South Archipelago, Zhu Ziyang finally decided to return to Shrek Academy.
Before departing, he said goodbye to Zhang Lexuan, Jiang Nannan, Elder Song, and the others. He turned to Elder Song and said, "Elder Song, I'll be counting on you for the execution and management of the plan. Sister Lexuan and Nannan won't have much energy to deal with those matters until they finish their respective trials."
"Don't worry," Elder Song replied. "They won't be needed for this next stage. I've got it under control."
"Nannan, Sister Lexuan, just focus on completing your trials." Zhu Ziyang turned to the two women. "When it's time to absorb your next soul ring, don't rush. Come back to the academy first and find me."
"Got it," the two nodded obediently, though they were curious about what he meant.
"Oh, and I found someone to help you both. Let me introduce her." Zhu Ziyang clapped his hands. A figure clad in black-and-white armor suddenly appeared before them. Judging from the build, it was a woman.
"She is…?" Elder Song and Elder Zhu immediately looked on with caution and surprise. They hadn't noticed anyone nearby — and judging by her aura, she was no weaker than Elder Song herself.
"Relax," Zhu Ziyang said quickly. "This is Senior Zhang Weiwei, someone I met by chance. I won't go into her background, but I can assure you she's someone we can absolutely trust. Her strength is around level 97 — a Super Douluo."
"Greetings," Zhang Weiwei said calmly. Her helmet retracted, revealing a strikingly sharp and graceful woman. Seeing her face, the elders relaxed slightly — sometimes, a beautiful appearance can be disarming.
A 97-level Super Douluo! Jiang Nannan and the others were visibly intrigued. This gentle-looking woman was full of mystery.
"Hello," Elder Song responded politely. She wasn't ready to let her guard down completely, but she accepted the introduction.
Zhu Ziyang wasn't worried. The reason he brought Zhang Weiwei was simple — to protect Jiang Nannan. "Elder Song, Elder Zhu, she won't interfere with your decisions. I just want her to help keep Nannan and Sister Lexuan safe."
"You mean you don't think Elder Zhu and I can do the job?" Elder Song narrowed her eyes.
"Of course not!" Zhu Ziyang laughed sheepishly. "I just don't want you overworked. You've got enough on your plate. Having one more person around will help ease your burden, right?"
"Hmph. At least you know how to talk properly," Elder Song huffed, but didn't refuse the arrangement.
"Sister Weiwei, I'm entrusting them to you," Zhu Ziyang said.
"You have my word," she responded, placing a hand over her heart in a solemn vow.
Her attitude surprised everyone present — her reverence toward Zhu Ziyang felt beyond what one would expect. But she didn't care about that. In her heart, Zhu Ziyang was her sovereign. His command was her purpose.
"Well then, I'll be off," Zhu Ziyang said, turning to leave. He had no doubts about how they would get along — neither Jiang Nannan, nor Zhang Lexuan, nor the two elders were the unreasonable type.
——
After leaving Fourth Moon Island, Zhu Ziyang took a merchant ship to Sun Ocean City on the west coast of the Sun Moon Empire. Once he confirmed his route, he traveled into the empire's heartlands. At a small town 150 kilometers from the imperial capital, he took down his third target for the fourth Death God Trial.
He kept moving eastward, passed through the Mingdou Mountain Range, and entered the territory of the Star Luo Empire. There, in a mid-sized city in the west, he eliminated the fourth target of the Death God Trial.
Now, only one target remained — but he hadn't found this final one. So, he decided to return to the academy and use its intelligence network to locate them.
One month after leaving, Zhu Ziyang returned to Shrek Academy. First, he reported to the Tianyuan Pavilion about the progress of the "Empress Descends" plan. Although Elder Song would certainly send a report, there was no harm in telling them early.
Then, after leaving the pavilion, he learned that tomorrow was the day of the student exchange with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineering Academy. So, Tang Ya arranged a farewell banquet for Huo Yuhao and He Caitou and specially invited Zhu Ziyang to join.
The banquet was held on an open patch beside Sea God Lake. When Zhu Ziyang arrived, Huo Yuhao was focused on grilling fish, while Tang Ya crouched in front of him, drooling. Others were preparing the rest of the food.
"Zhu Ziyang, your timing is perfect!" Tang Ya stood up and wiped her mouth when she saw him. "If you were a day later, Yuhao would already be gone!"
"Heh, just lucky I guess," Zhu Ziyang laughed. "Besides, Yuhao's just going for a study exchange. It's not like he's vanishing forever. If I miss him, I can just visit the Sun Moon Empire."
"Wang Dong, you heard that, right?" Tang Ya turned toward the figure squatting next to Huo Yuhao. "It's just an exchange. We can visit him anytime. Stop acting like it's a tragic farewell!"
"I'm not acting like it's a tragic farewell!" Wang Dong turned around defensively. But his quivering voice and red eyes betrayed his emotions.
"Unbelievable!" Tang Ya rolled her eyes. "You're crying more than me and Xiao Xiao — aren't you supposed to be the man here?"
"I…" Wang Dong wanted to argue, but no words came out. He just pouted in frustration.
"All right, Xiao Ya, don't tease him." Beibei came over carrying a tray of vegetables. "He and Yuhao are very close. It's only natural to be emotional."
"Fine!" Tang Ya raised her hands in surrender. "If I say one more word, I'll be the villain here!"
Zhu Ziyang chuckled.
Soon, everything was ready. Everyone gathered around to enjoy the food. The atmosphere was lively and cheerful, with none of the gloom usually associated with farewells — thanks in large part to Tang Ya.
"Ziyang, did Sister Lexuan find any family?" Beibei asked seriously.
"Yes. Her great-aunt is still alive. They've already reunited." Zhu Ziyang bit into a grilled fish and replied.
Only a few insiders at the Inner Court knew about the Empress plan. Beibei and the others were not among them. They only knew that Zhang Lexuan was searching for surviving members of her clan in the Sun Moon Empire.
"Can't believe she really is from the Sun Moon Empire…" Tang Ya sighed. She and Beibei were fortunate not to know that Zhang Lexuan had once been Beibei's childhood fiancée. Otherwise, their reactions today might have been different.
"Truly unexpected," He Caitou added, a strange look flashing across his face. "I remember her martial soul is Moon, right?"
"Exactly," Zhu Ziyang nodded, giving He Caitou a meaningful glance. If the academy's intelligence was accurate, He Caitou would be a key piece in Zhang Lexuan's rise to the throne.
"Then why haven't she and Sister Nannan returned?" Xiao Xiao asked, puzzled.
"Her great-aunt is quite old and doesn't have much time left. Sister Lexuan wants to stay until she passes, and Nannan's staying with her." Zhu Ziyang calmly made up a reason on the spot.
"Oh…" Xiao Xiao nodded with a hint of sympathy. "That's really sad. Just reunited and now they're already facing another parting…"
"Let's not kill the mood," Tang Ya jumped in to save the atmosphere. "Zhu Ziyang, guess what? I've reclaimed the Tang Sect ancestral estate!"
"Really? Congratulations!" Zhu Ziyang looked surprised for a moment, then smiled. "Must've been exhausting for Beibei."
"Not really. They had numbers but lacked strength," Beibei said modestly.
"Why can't it be me, the Tang Sect leader, who singlehandedly reclaimed our legacy from the villains?" Tang Ya groaned at being ignored.
"Come on, we all know your strength," Zhu Ziyang teased.
(End of Chapter)
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