Four dazzling trails of flame streaked across the clear sky above Sea God Lake. They belonged to Tang Ya, Beibei, Xu Sanshi, and Jiang Nannan.
Flight soul tools, due to their construction requiring several rare and precious metals, were extremely costly. As a result, the flight soul tools provided free of charge to inner court disciples by Shrek Academy were only level four.
In addition to the flight soul tools, every inner court disciple, upon entering the inner court, would also receive a level five Invincible Shield defensive soul tool. This demonstrated Shrek Academy's immense wealth.
Fortunately, Shrek Academy's deep foundation and the limited number of inner court disciples allowed it to bear such an expenditure amounting to at least tens of millions of gold soul coins, without significant strain.
Of course, this was also a form of indirect investment by Shrek Academy in its inner court disciples. All investments require returns.
Elder Mu's tireless guidance of Xu Zihuang followed the same principle. While there was no denying his recognition of Xu Zihuang's potential, his primary goal was to foster a deep sense of attachment to Shrek Academy in Xu Zihuang, so that after Elder Mu's passing, Xu Zihuang would take his place in protecting the academy.
During their high-speed flight, the lakeside path soon came into view.
Xu Zihuang used the dark red crystal mirror he conjured in midair to propel himself forward, his speed not the least bit inferior to Beibei and the others using their flight soul tools.
Unless it was for long-distance or extended travel, he preferred using his second soul skill, Mirror of Shattering, to tread through the air. It gave him a sense of solidity underfoot.
In the three years he had spent at Shrek Academy, he had been constantly walking on thin ice to maintain his persona and avoid revealing any flaws.
The pressure he bore at this stage was immense—far from the glamorous image others perceived.
The calm surface of Sea God Lake was disturbed by the airflow from the flight soul tools, creating ripples. The group landed one after another on the lakeside path. He Caitou and Ning Tian, who had been waiting there, stepped forward to greet them.
"Senior Sister Xiao Ya, Senior Brother Bei, Senior Sister Jiang, Senior Brother Xu."
Ning Tian smiled and greeted everyone before naturally and affectionately linking her arm with Xu Zihuang's.
Today, Ning Tian had dressed with great care. Her platinum blonde hair, which now extended past her shoulders, was styled in a somewhat vintage manner. Her snow-white collarbone and shoulders were exposed, and the fitted, white silk gown accentuated her graceful figure.
Xu Zihuang's gaze flickered momentarily. In his childhood memories, his mother had styled her hair in the same way.
This style had been passed down from the nobility of the Heaven Dou Empire ten thousand years ago. Even today, some ancient noble families and prominent soul master clans in the Heavenly Soul Empire would have their young ladies adopt this hairstyle for formal occasions.
Perhaps because they were often together, Xu Zihuang didn't notice any significant change in Ning Tian beyond this. However, the others saw in her the shadow of one of the original Shrek Seven Devils, the Nine Treasure Douluo, Ning Rongrong.
This was especially true with her hairstyle and the refined elegance unique to the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda martial soul.
"Junior Sister Ning Tian, you look stunning today," Tang Ya said with a playful smile, locking eyes with Ning Tian.
"You need to leave a deep impression on Tianhuang like this, so he won't bear to leave you."
Ning Tian gave a sweet smile and looked up at Xu Zihuang. Noticing the fleeting daze in his eyes, though her expression remained unchanged, a trace of joy rose in her heart.
Snapping back to reality, Xu Zihuang reached out with his other hand, gently caressing Ning Tian's smooth, fair cheek, tucking a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.
"Senior Sister Xiao Ya is right. You look truly beautiful today."
Ning Tian's cheeks flushed slightly, a mix of three parts shyness and seven parts sweetness. Only when she noticed the others watching them with teasing smiles did she suggest, "I've already made arrangements. Senior Sister Xiao Ya, Senior Brother Bei, Senior Sister Jiang, Senior Brother Xu, Senior Brother He, let's head to the Nine Treasure Pavilion in the southern part of Shrek City."
"Let's go," Beibei was the first to speak, extending his right hand to Tang Ya with an obvious hint.
Tang Ya gave Beibei a playful glare but still stepped forward to link her arm with his.
Beibei's face showed a gentle smile, though in Xu Sanshi's eyes, it carried a hint of mockery.
Xu Sanshi rolled his eyes in annoyance, but then something seemed to occur to him. The frustration on his face vanished, replaced by a pleading, almost pitiful look directed at Jiang Nannan, like a dog begging for its master's affection.
But how could Jiang Nannan give him any encouragement? With a cold huff, she quickened her pace, following Xu Zihuang and the others along the lakeside path toward the eastern gate of Shrek Academy.
Left behind were only Xu Sanshi and the honest-looking He Caitou.
Xu Sanshi, standing over one meter ninety with a robust build, already appeared imposing, but compared to He Caitou, he was still noticeably smaller.
He Caitou's muscular frame was exaggerated, his dark skin gleaming with a healthy sheen. Though he wore a simple smile, his demeanor was far steadier than before.
As a food-type soul master, he had recently acquired his fifth soul ring, advancing to the Soul King rank. Moreover, he had naturally become a level six soul engineer, successfully crafting a level six soul cannon with ease.
Compared to melee soul tools, long-range attack soul tools of the same level were undoubtedly easier to create. Their larger size allowed for greater tolerance for error, and the requirements for components and rare metals were less stringent.
Nevertheless, He Caitou was a genuine level six soul engineer, and at just seventeen years old.
Xu Sanshi patted He Caitou's shoulder, sighing wistfully.
"Caitou, look at them, all paired up. Seems like it's just us two brothers in misery."
"No, no, no. You're just pining for what you can't have. If Nannan agreed to be with you, would you still be here wallowing with me?" He Caitou, said with disdain.
"Senior Brother Bei said you're the type who'd stab a brother in the back for a woman."
Xu Sanshi was still marveling at how sharp He Caitou was today, but the last sentence instantly infuriated him.
That Beibei, badmouthing me behind my back!
But on second thought, Beibei didn't seem entirely wrong.
If stabbing Beibei twice would get Nannan to agree to be with him, it might not be a bad deal.
…
In a luxurious private room in the Nine Treasure Pavilion in the southern part of Shrek City.
Under the soft glow of soul tool lighting, the crystal dining table was laden with dishes made from top-tier ingredients. Amid clinking glasses, the group chatted and laughed with one another.
Ning Tian had previously hosted Beibei and the others at the Nine Treasure Pavilion, and as the host, she was meticulous in her care. Even Jiang Nannan, who was usually reserved, felt at ease here.
During the meal, they opened several bottles of fruit wine brewed from rare, heavenly treasures, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Xu Zihuang picked up a slice of pink lobster meat laid over crushed ice with his chopsticks. The thin lobster meat was crisp and tender, melting in the mouth into a sweet, refreshing juice with the fresh taste of the sea.
This was a soul beast that lived in the ocean, the Peony Lobster. Its meat was tender and highly nourishing for soul masters.
Paired with the fragrant fruit wine, the Peony Lobster sashimi had a unique flavor.
Feeling the warm, soft touch on his left arm and the sweet scent in the air, Xu Zihuang instinctively turned his head.
Ning Tian sat close to him, her water-blue eyes shimmering with a dreamy, slightly tipsy glow. Her rosy lips held an indescribable allure.
They were already sitting close, and with Xu Zihuang's slight turn, their cheeks nearly brushed against each other.
A few strands of Xu Zihuang's purple hair fell across Ning Tian's cheek, his expression gentle. The intimate atmosphere and the tingling sensation on her cheek caused Ning Tian's long lashes to mist over, and she couldn't help but part her red lips slightly.
Xu Zihuang understood her cue and leaned closer, their breaths mingling.
Though their hair partially obscured the view, the others, despite not seeing clearly, knew exactly what was happening.
Beibei's smile remained unchanged, while Tang Ya's expression mirrored his, though her dark eyes held a mix of shyness and teasing.
He Caitou, just kept eating with a simple smile. The ones with the strongest reactions were undoubtedly Jiang Nannan and Xu Sanshi.
Jiang Nannan's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Apart from that deal with the Mysterious Underworld Sect, she had never had close contact with any man in her life.
As for Xu Sanshi, he was purely envious, muttering to himself in his mind.
"That Tianhuang's got some moves. I wonder when Nannan and I will get a moment like that."
As he thought this, his gaze inadvertently shifted to Jiang Nannan.
Noticing Xu Sanshi's subtle actions, Jiang Nannan's expression turned cold, though she restrained herself from making a sound.
"She's the girl I like, alright. Whether she's shy or angry, she's always so beautiful," Xu Sanshi thought, shamelessly praising her aloud.
His words seemed to startle Ning Tian, who quickly pulled away from Xu Zihuang, her eyes darting as she pursed her lips.
She didn't know why she had acted so boldly in front of everyone. Perhaps it was the atmosphere, or maybe an impulse.
The sweet taste of the Peony Lobster and the fragrance of the fruit wine lingered in her mouth, her cheeks still slightly warm.
Xu Zihuang calmly picked up the crystal glass beside him and took a sip. The teasing looks from the others did not affect him; his heart was as still as water.
Everyone knew that tonight's protagonists were Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian. Since Yu Tianhuang was leaving for the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy tomorrow, parting with Ning Tian for two and a half years, they wanted to give the two more time alone.
Besides, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy's delegation would arrive at the Sea God Island training platform tomorrow morning, so they would have a chance to see Yu Tianhuang off in person.
As for He Caitou, there was even less to say—he would be accompanying Yu Tianhuang to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy, so there was no parting to speak of.
Seeing that the meal was nearly finished, Beibei stood up with a smile. "Alright, it's getting late. We should head back."
"True, I'm stuffed and ready for a good sleep," Xu Sanshi said lazily, stretching before giving Xu Zihuang a cheeky eyebrow wiggle.
Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan, and He Caitou also stood up, and the five of them tactfully headed toward the soul tool elevator outside the private room. Giving Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian more time alone was something they had agreed on beforehand.
"Senior Brother Bei, Senior Sister Xiao Ya, I'll see you out," Ning Tian said, hurrying to follow.
As the host, it was only proper for her to personally see them off. Xu Zihuang followed as well.
But the others stepped into the soul tool elevator's crystal doors first. Before the doors closed, Tang Ya waved at Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian with a grin.
"No need to see us out, Junior Sister Ning Tian. Tianhuang is leaving for the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy tomorrow, so you two should have a proper goodbye tonight. We won't disturb you."
The specially treated crystal doors closed swiftly, and Tang Ya's voice, along with the others' figures, vanished.
Not long after, the crystal doors of the soul tool elevator on that floor opened again, but it was empty.
Xu Zihuang took Ning Tian's hand and stepped inside, riding the elevator to the top floor's reception hall. Though called a reception hall, it was more like a private space for Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian. On nights when it got late, they would sometimes rest or cultivate here.
In Shrek City, located in the south-central part of the continent, summer nights were always dazzling and profound. The sky was adorned with countless stars, and the silver moon hung tilted. The purple crystal floor-to-ceiling windows of the spacious reception hall shimmered deep blue under the starlight and moonlight.
Looking out, the endless night view of the majestic Shrek City stretched before them, as if they were standing atop the clouds.
Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian sat closely on the sofa, gazing up at the night sky. Often, both were too rational.
Just as Ning Tian would never try to stop Xu Zihuang from going to the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy or impulsively decide to follow him, Xu Zihuang similarly understood Ning Tian's thoughts.
Thus, they didn't waste words on meaningless chatter.
Leaning her head on Xu Zihuang's shoulder, Ning Tian softly said, "Tianhuang."
"Hm?"
"What is it you pursue?" Though Ning Tian was asking, her tone suggested she already knew the answer.
Xu Zihuang's eyes flickered briefly, meeting Ning Tian's gaze calmly before giving a faint smile.
"The strongest."
His words came straight from the heart. Only what he could control was truly his. For revenge and ambition, personal strength was indeed the most important to him.
As expected.
Ning Tian smiled—a genuine smile, like a blooming white lotus, fresh and elegant.
"I am willing to follow you with my Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda, helping you reach the pinnacle."
Before her words faded, Ning Tian's delicate face loomed closer in Xu Zihuang's vision.
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