If it had been any other time, Xu Sanshi would have definitely teased Xu Zihuang a few times. But when the matter involved Ma Xiaotao, the situation was different.
Not only Xu Sanshi, but the other people there also had interesting expressions on their faces. However, none of them spoke, each person sitting quietly, restoring their strength.
Soul Masters are exposed to a wider range of experiences from a young age, so early maturity is common.
Among the inner academy disciples who were already adults, even the youngest, Wang Dong, began to grasp the meaning of the situation, his face turning red with embarrassment.
Ma Xiaotao came over to join the inner academy disciples, while Xu Zihuang returned to sit next to Ning Tian.
At this point, the importance of spiritual strength was evident.
The issue of excessive yang energy caused by consuming the ten-thousand-year whale gel could not be avoided, but Xu Zihuang didn't lose his rationality. Within a few breaths, he had completely suppressed his innate impulses. However, his skin remained burning with heat. To fully dissipate this excessive yang energy, it would likely take several hours.
Ning Tian, sitting with her legs together and arms wrapped around her knees, could feel this very clearly. Though they were nearly ten centimeters apart, the intense heat seemed to permeate the air, brushing against her, and an unusual feeling rose in her heart.
"Zihuang, what's wrong?"
Ning Tian, always composed and gentle, spoke with a hint of unease in her voice. She knew very well that Xu Zihuang wasn't the type to be frivolous, but the interaction between him and Ma Xiaotao just now could easily lead to misunderstandings. Having already formed an opinion of Xu Zihuang, how could she not be concerned?
However, rationality still dominated her mind. As the only heir to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, she was much more mature than her peers. She understood that she couldn't be like other women, swayed by emotions and impatiently asking Xu Zihuang what had happened with Ma Xiaotao. Instead, she asked out of genuine concern for his well-being.
"Do you remember the ten-thousand-year whale gel I bought at the Treasure Pavilion last time? I just asked Senior Xiaotao to help me soften it with her Phoenix Fire, and then I consumed and refined it." Xu Zihuang met Ning Tian's gaze calmly.
The distance between them was already quite close, and as he turned slightly, Ning Tian's long, trembling lashes were only inches away. A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered around her.
Ning Tian's heart skipped a beat, and a trace of shyness appeared in her water-blue eyes, but she didn't avoid Xu Zihuang's gaze.
With her background and knowledge, she naturally understood that whale gel had another effect. Judging from Xu Zihuang's earlier behavior, it was clear that he had not resolved the issue of excessive yang energy within him.
This meant that nothing had happened between Xu Zihuang and Ma Xiaotao.
However, her wariness of Ma Xiaotao had deepened even more.
Compared to Ma Xiaotao, a highly talented and powerful inner academy disciple, Ning Tian had no advantage whatsoever.
"So, you're fine now?" Ning Tian pushed aside her thoughts and recalled a key question. Perhaps it was a bit difficult to ask, or maybe because she was close to Xu Zihuang, her pale cheeks quickly turned red.
Xu Zihuang understood what she meant and smiled, nodding.
"Don't worry, I'm a spiritual-type Soul Master, and my will is much stronger than that of ordinary Soul Masters."
Watching the intimate interaction between Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian, Ma Xiaotao's playful smile didn't fade.
However, Xu Zihuang didn't do anything inappropriate throughout this exchange.
At this point, Wang Yan stood up and took out some black food wrapped in skins from his soul tool. Its appearance was certainly not flattering—black and foul-smelling, it resembled the ten-thousand-year whale gel when it was first retrieved, and even carried a pungent odor.
These were the food supplies that inner academy disciples carried with them when they traveled. They were made from dozens of rare herbs and materials, and not only could they quickly restore energy, but they were also beneficial to the body. However, the taste was far from pleasant.
"Everyone, restore your strength quickly. We'll need to continue our journey soon." Wang Yan said, distributing the food to the group.
Wang Yan's task in this trip was no small matter. Apart from being in charge of guiding the team during the continental Soul Master competition, he was also responsible for supply and logistics.
Luckily, the group consisted of Soul Masters, so they were not people who couldn't endure hardship.
With some simple food and clear water, plus the black blocks Wang Yan distributed, the group managed to get through their meal.
After another half hour of rest, they continued their journey. An hour later, they reached the border between the Heavenly Soul Empire and the Star Luo Empire, where a military camp of the Star Luo Empire blocked their way.
The group stopped to rest, while Dai Yaoheng, the direct heir of the White Tiger Duke, entered the military camp alone to borrow several military-grade flying soul tools.
They would use these flying soul tools to travel to the Mingdou Mountain Range. Wang Yan had already briefed everyone during the noon break, so this didn't come as a surprise to the group.
The flying soul tools Dai Yaoheng brought back looked like large iron boxes, heavy and cumbersome, far from the small and nimble flying soul tools used by Xu Zihuang and He Caitou during their test of the soul cannon's power.
But Dai Yaoheng didn't just bring back the flying soul tools; he also brought a map drawn on sheepskin and, most importantly, some new information.
Dai Yaoheng, looking serious, spread the map on the ground.
"According to the latest news from the Western Group Army stationed near the Mingdou Mountain Range, they've discovered traces of the Death God Messenger Bandits near the Star-Moon Grand Canyon. This was reported during an aerial reconnaissance mission. My father knows our objective, and he personally sent people to wait for us here to pass on this information. He also brought this detailed map of the Mingdou Mountain Range."
The Mingdou Mountain Range was formed when the Douluo Continent and the Sun Moon Continent collided four thousand years ago. From north to south, it acted as a natural barrier between the Star Luo Empire and the Sun Moon Empire, and the two empires used the Mingdou Mountain Range as their border.
The range stretched on for miles, covering nearly two-thirds of the border. The other third was the Mingdou Forest, which was about half the size of the Star Dou Forest. The Mingdou Forest was home to many mutated soul beasts. Xu Zihuang and the members of the Royal Dragon Soul Master team had traveled through the outskirts of this forest and were familiar with it.
The disputes between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire weren't about the Mingdou Forest, but rather rare, strategic metals found within the Mingdou Mountain Range. This had led to continuous conflicts between the two empires.
The terrain of the Mingdou Mountain Range was complex and steep, with both armies only stationed in relatively flatter areas. Ordinary people could only pass through the Star-Moon Grand Canyon, the only route connecting the two empires.
Many merchant caravans had disappeared in the Star-Moon Grand Canyon, likely attacked by the Death God Messenger Bandits.
Wang Yan looked over the map and immediately understood what Dai Yaoheng meant.
"Does this mean the Death God Messenger Bandits intend to rob merchant caravans again?"
"Teacher Wang, that's just one possibility," Dai Yaoheng said, his gaze shifting towards Ma Xiaotao. Ma Xiaotao was the overall commander of this mission. Although Dai Yaoheng was dissatisfied with Ma Xiaotao taking his position as the team leader, he knew that when it came to major decisions, he had to remain clear-headed.
This operation should be decided by Ma Xiaotao.
"Xiaotao, what do you think?"
"These Evil Soul Masters are too arrogant. The purpose of our Shrek Inspection Team is to punish evil and promote good. These merchant caravans may be in danger, and we can't just sit back and do nothing. Moreover, the Mingdou Mountain Range is vast, and finding the lair of the Death God Messenger Bandits is no easy task. Since the information is reliable, we should definitely go and investigate." Ma Xiaotao said fiercely. Despite her fiery temper, her thinking was clear at this moment.
Wang Yan looked at Ma Xiaotao with admiration and nodded in agreement.
"I agree with Xiaotao's opinion."
He then looked at the rest of the group.
"Does anyone have any objections?"
No one voiced any dissent.
"Then it's settled. Outer academy students, practice using the flying soul tools, and inner academy students will guide and protect them. Once you're all proficient, we'll head straight for Xingyue City."
Xingyue City was the closest city to the Star-Moon Grand Canyon in the Mingdou Mountain Range. It wasn't a very large city, not even close to the size of a main city, but because it was the only gateway between the Sun Moon Empire and the Star Luo Empire, it served as a transit city for trade between the two empires.
Even though there were bandits in the Mingdou Mountain Range, the immense profits kept merchants willing to take risks. The Mingdou Mountain Range, along with the Mingdou Forest, completely separated the two empires. Without passing through Xingyue City, they would have to make a huge detour, first entering the Heavenly Soul Empire before going around to the Sun Moon Empire, which was extremely costly.
Dai Yaoheng originally planned to build a better relationship with Xu Zihuang by equipping him with flying soul tools. But when he saw that Xu Zihuang, Ning Tian, and He Caitou had already taken out their more refined flying soul tools from their soul tools, he immediately gave up on this idea.
Xu Zihuang and the others had long mastered the use of flying soul tools, so there was no need for practice.
Instead, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan were more cautious, carefully trying to operate the flying soul tools. Using them proficiently still took time. However, Wang Dong, who had a flying-type martial soul, adapted much quicker. Although his cultivation was the lowest, he was the first among them to master the flying soul tools.
After nearly half an hour of practice, everyone was finally able to operate the flying soul tools proficiently.
The group then formed a "human" formation, flying at full speed towards the northwest of the Star Luo Empire, where the Mingdou Mountain Range lay.
However, a small incident occurred on the way. Elder Xuan felt that the group was flying too slowly, so he personally took the lead and flew for a few hours, greatly increasing their speed.
As the sun set and the moon rose, the night sky was illuminated by brilliant streaks of light, accompanied by the sound of breaking air. The night sky was as bright as day.
More than ten streaks of light passed over a vast, ancient forest, eventually landing in a relatively flat area.
This was the western border of the Star Luo Empire. From a distance, a brightly lit city could be seen, dazzling and magnificent. Beyond that was the endless Mingdou Mountain Range, breathtaking and awe-inspiring.
But the group had no time to appreciate the scenery in front of them. Despite Elder Xuan only flying with them for less than two hours, they were still struggling to recover.
With Xu Zihuang's strong physical constitution, even his stomach was churning. He Caitou, Beibei, and Xu Sanshi, due to their larger builds, were on the verge of vomiting, with bile almost coming up.
The inner academy disciples fared better but were still pale.
Only Wang Dong and Ning Tian, who were at the Soul Sovereign level, collapsed on the ground, utterly exhausted.
Elder Xuan, the culprit, had long since disappeared from sight.
Taking a deep breath, Wang Yan, struggling to keep his composure, spoke to the group, "Up ahead is Xingyue City. Everyone, make sure to help each other and head to the hotel for rest. Xiaotao, Dai Yaoheng, you two stay with me. We'll go investigate whether any merchant caravans have recently entered the Star-Moon Grand Canyon."
Merchant caravans wishing to enter the Star-Moon Grand Canyon would have to pass through Xingyue City first.
"Yes, Teacher Wang," the group responded, though Jiang Nannan seemed a little hesitant.
Wang Yan, sensing her concern, gave a gentle smile.
"All expenses on this journey are covered by the academy. No need to worry about saving money."
With his lighthearted words, Wang Yan eased Jiang Nannan's awkwardness.
However, due to their physical discomfort, the group's spirits were not as high as usual.
Dai Yaoheng helped He Caitou, while Chen Zifeng and Yao Haoxuan took care of Xu Sanshi and Beibei. Jiang Nannan, with her slender and agile build, received assistance from Xixi, a fellow sensitive attack Soul Master.
Xu Zihuang had originally wanted to help Ning Tian, but as the instructor and also the head teacher of Xu Zihuang and Wang Dong's class, Wang Yan had already intended to smooth over the relationship between Xu Zihuang and Wang Dong. He suddenly spoke up.
"Xu Zihuang, help Wang Dong. Ning Tian, you can go with Ling Luocheng."
Xu Zihuang was momentarily stunned, instinctively looking over at Wang Dong, who was equally pale and looking back at Xu Zihuang.
Their eyes met, creating a somewhat awkward atmosphere. Since being placed in the same class, Xu Zihuang and Wang Dong hadn't exchanged much, and their relationship wasn't particularly close.
At that moment, Wang Yan's voice came again.
"Xu Zihuang, Wang Dong. Do you have a problem with this?"
"No, Teacher Wang," Xu Zihuang responded with a calm expression. He walked over to Wang Dong, lifted his arm onto his shoulder, and softly said, "Let's go, Wang Dong."
Wang Dong stiffened, letting out a slight grunt. His expression was a bit unnatural as he turned his head, lips pressed tightly together, but he didn't reject Xu Zihuang's gesture.
On their way, both of them were lost in their own thoughts.
Xu Zihuang's mind was filled with a thousand thoughts, his mood heavy.
The situation just now had been one of helplessness. Refusing Wang Yan would have destroyed the image he had carefully built at Shrek Academy. On the other hand, if he had resisted Wang Dong too much, it would have been easy for someone to notice his unusual behavior.
It was highly likely that from the very beginning, every one of his actions had been observed by the selfless god king.
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