Accompanied by the Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu and the Amorous Douluo Zang Xin, Jing Shaoyu boarded the cargo ship back to the Douluo Continent.
With two Limit Douluos safeguarding his journey, such treatment was something few could compare to.
On the cargo ship.
"A Yuan, once we return, you can enter the Inheritance Hall," Leng Yaozhu said softly, tilting her delicate chin slightly as her beautiful eyes gazed at Jing Shaoyu.
Jing Shaoyu had now grown to a height where even Leng Yaozhu had to look up at him. Though her stature was exceptional among female Soul Masters—standing at 175 centimeters without shoes—Jing Shaoyu had already neared 190 centimeters.
Leng Yaozhu couldn't help but sigh emotionally. She had practically watched Jing Shaoyu grow up, from a naive child of six or seven to the robust young man he was now at sixteen or seventeen. A full decade had passed, and witnessing his entire journey filled her with a motherly sense of pride and joy.
"No problem," Jing Shaoyu replied with a nod.
"When the time comes, let Yue'er go in with you. The two of you working together will yield far greater rewards than entering alone," Leng Yaozhu suggested after some thought.
At the mention of Gu Yue, a glimmer of light flashed in Jing Shaoyu's eyes, and he grinned brightly. "Of course, I'd love that. The question is, what does Yue'er think?"
"What? Did the two of you have a falling out? That shouldn't be the case..." Leng Yaozhu sounded surprised. "You haven't seen each other in a year and a half. How could there be any conflict?"
"Haha, it's not exactly a conflict. It's more like... I have a feeling she might deliberately avoid me," Jing Shaoyu answered with a hint of helplessness in his laughter.
Leng Yaozhu wore a thoughtful expression before nodding. "I see. Don't worry. If she really does try to avoid you, I'll personally speak to her about it."
Jing Shaoyu brightened. "Thank you, Teacher!"
In truth, his heart was currently filled with hesitation and uncertainty about how to face Gu Yue upon their reunion. Should he lay all his cards on the table? Being completely honest would undoubtedly be for the best, but doing so would inevitably force them to confront the issue of their respective allegiances.
What if Gu Yue pressured him to choose a side? What if he had to pick between humanity and her? Jing Shaoyu's current strength didn't yet allow him to have both!
So, the best course of action was to pretend he knew nothing. Based on his understanding of Gu Yue, she would likely play along with the charade, and he could simply follow her lead. Now was certainly not the right time to bring everything into the open.
As for Na'er... he could only hope to keep delaying things a little longer.
Jing Shaoyu touched his chest lightly. As the distance between him and Na'er gradually closed, the heartbeat of the Heart of Eternity grew steadily stronger.
"A Yuan, what are you spacing out for?" Leng Yaozhu's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "You didn't answer the question I asked earlier."
"Ah? What question?"
"You spent a year in that Dragon Valley Small World. What exactly did you do there? Surely you didn't just spend the whole time digging graves?" Leng Yaozhu rolled her eyes, exasperated.
Jing Shaoyu nodded with a wry smile. "I really did just dig graves for a whole year!"
"..." Leng Yaozhu was left speechless.
Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy.
In the past two years, Shrek Academy remained as peaceful as ever, with everything proceeding in an orderly manner, running like a predetermined program.
A year ago, the first-year class hailed as the strongest in a century advanced to the second year. Except for the class monitor, Jing Shaoyu, who had yet to return to the academy, all other class committee members—vice monitor Gu Yue, Xu Xiaoyan, design committee member Jing Na'er, production committee member Ye Xinglan, maintenance committee member Wu Siduo, and forging committee member Mo Hentian—were admitted ahead of schedule into the Inner Academy, becoming disciples of Shrek Academy's Inner Academy.
A new batch of first-year students enrolled, marking the start of a new cycle. Among them, a fifteen-year-old girl named Lan Fozi set a new historical record by being specially admitted into the Inner Academy after just one month, astonishing countless onlookers.
Yet no one questioned her qualifications, for she was not only a fifteen-year-old Soul King but also the possessor of an Ultimate Soul.
Subsequently, Shrek Academy announced the members of the new generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters and initiated a year-long challenge period. The new Shrek Seven Monsters would face challenges from any team whose members' strength did not exceed that of a Soul Saint. If no team could defeat them, they would solidify their claim to the title of the Shrek Seven Monsters.
After a year, the results spoke for themselves. Led by Gu Yue, the new generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters proved through their strength and achievements that they were the most deserving team to bear the title.
Since this generation of the Shrek Seven Monsters consisted entirely of girls, rumors spread outside the academy that Shrek Academy was becoming increasingly female-dominated and declining in quality. However, those within the academy and a few other well-informed factions knew the truth: Gu Yue, a candidate Spirit Transfer Envoy of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, was only temporarily acting as the team's captain. The true captain of the Shrek Seven Monsters was still on his way back.
In reality, many couldn't understand why the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, once so closely intertwined with Shrek Academy, had begun to distance itself. In the past, the Shrek Seven Monsters had never shied away from members of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda or Tang Sect—indeed, all three parties had welcomed the collaboration.
However, due to grievances from the previous generation, a rift had formed between the two major factions, making it impossible to return to the past. For instance, during the selection of this generation's Seven Monsters, some Elders had proposed formally inducting Gu Yue as a member. Yet, one highly respected and senior Elder remained adamantly opposed.
Although Gu Yue herself had no interest in becoming one of the Shrek Seven Monsters, it was still a pity to many.
"Sister Xiaoyan, is there some happy occasion today? Why does everyone seem so cheerful?"
In the former class committee workspace—now the Seven Monsters' studio—a vibrant and beautiful blue-haired girl, brimming with Primordial Qi, looked at the others, who couldn't suppress their smiles, and asked curiously.
"Hehe, because Brother Shaoyu is coming back soon!" Xu Xiaoyan replied with a giggle.
"Brother Shaoyu?" The blue-haired girl's expression turned puzzled, a hidden glimmer flashing in her eyes. "You mean that Jing Shaoyu—our real captain?"
"That's right," Xu Xiaoyan nodded in response.
"That is indeed something to be happy about," the blue-haired girl also said joyfully. As someone who had joined temporarily, she heard Jing Shaoyu's name mentioned by these sisters almost every day. Even the Gu Yue she admired would inadvertently bring him up, which made her increasingly curious about Jing Shaoyu.
"But what about Sister Gu Yue?" the blue-haired girl suddenly asked a very important question.
"Well..." Xu Xiaoyan's expression froze for a moment before she glanced at the blue-haired girl, thinking inwardly that, honestly, you were the one who came later. Truth be told, though it was a pity Gu Yue hadn't become one of the Shrek Seven Monsters, Xu Xiaoyan felt a sudden relief from pressure. After all, as the eldest sister, none of them dared to act out of line around her.
Honestly, Gu Yue had been too overwhelming. Now that she wasn't in the team, it was finally Xu Xiaoyan's turn as the second sister to take charge—hahaha! More than anything, Xu Xiaoyan felt excitement and anticipation.
"Fozi, this isn't your concern. Just focus on yourself!" Xu Xiaoyan patted the blue-haired girl's shoulder with a wise, almost mentor-like tone.
"Xiaoyan, what are you doing? Hurry up and come here!"
Wu Siduo's voice called from behind.
"Coming!" Xu Xiaoyan turned and immediately ran toward her.
The blue-haired girl, Lan Fozi, watched Xu Xiaoyan and Wu Siduo laughing and playing, then glanced at Gu Yue, who sat quietly in her seat with a calm expression. She lowered her head, a thoughtful glimmer flashing in her eyes. Jing Shaoyu... could it really be him?
Gu Yue, who appeared composed on the surface, was actually panicking inside. People only grew anxious when things were about to happen.
"Heh!" Na'er observed Gu Yue, a mocking smile on her face. "Sister Gu Yue, you don't seem very happy. Don't you want Brother to come back?"
"Get lost! Don't bother me!" Gu Yue snapped, her expression dark. Already irritated, she had no patience for Na'er's provocations.
"Hahaha!" Instead of being upset, Na'er burst into laughter, thoroughly delighted. She loved seeing Gu Yue's helpless, furious expression—it was just too satisfying.
Na'er's laughter was grating, making Gu Yue even more agitated.
She abruptly stood up. "If there's something to discuss, say it. Otherwise, disband!"
The cheerful atmosphere in the room instantly froze. Except for Na'er, who remained unfazed, everyone else stiffened and obediently returned to their seats. Xu Xiaoyan then raised her hand. "Well, it's nothing major. We mainly wanted to discuss preparations for welcoming Shaoyu back."
"He won't be here for over a month. It's too early to talk about this now," Gu Yue said flatly.
"Too early? A month will pass in no time!" Na'er muttered under her breath.
"...So, what have you all decided?" Gu Yue chose to ignore Na'er's provocation and directed the question at Xu Xiaoyan.
Xu Xiaoyan enthusiastically explained the plan she, Wu Siduo, and Ye Xinglan had come up with. As Gu Yue listened, her frown deepened, and by the time Xu Xiaoyan finished, her expression had turned stormy.
"No. I don't agree!" In the end, Gu Yue vetoed the proposal outright.
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Xu Xiaoyan immediately looked as if she had lost her parents, her face full of dejection. "Why? This plan is clearly great! Both Xinglan and Maomao agreed to it, right?"
After speaking, she glanced at Ye Xinglan and Wu Siduo beside her, hoping they would back her up.
"Yes, I think Xiaoyan's idea is quite good," Ye Xinglan said. "I can be the one to carry out the plan."
"Exactly, I agree too. And this kind of thing is better left to me," Wu Siduo quickly chimed in, straightening her posture as she spoke, her ample chest pushing forward, her pretty face brimming with unspoken pride.
"Um, I think I'm also very suitable for this!" At this point, Mo Hentian quietly raised his hand while straightening his back, his two large "pomelos" straining against his shirt buttons, instantly making Ye Xinglan across from him feel utterly defeated.
They were all seventeen now, and every part of their bodies that should have developed had already done so. Thus, Ye Xinglan's previous self-comfort of being "still developing" no longer worked. Even the newly arrived Lan Fozi was better endowed than her. The only consolation she had left was her long legs.
Fortunately, she had the longest legs among all the girls, so at least she wasn't completely without merits.
"No!" Gu Yue remained unmoved—or rather, she became even more unwilling to agree to the plan. "This is non-negotiable. Meeting adjourned!"
Without waiting for anyone's reaction, silver light flickered around Gu Yue, and she vanished from their sight.
"Ugh! Seriously, Sister Gu Yue is so domineering!" Xu Xiaoyan hung her head in frustration.
"Is this your first day knowing her?" Na'er said with a smile. "She's always been like this. It's just that with Brother around before, she wasn't as overbearing. Just wait—once Brother returns, he'll definitely teach her a lesson."
"Uh..." Mo Hentian said hesitantly, "Do you think there's a chance Sister Gu Yue might secretly go ahead with the plan behind our backs?"
"Impossible!" Na'er scoffed. "If she had the guts, she would've done it long ago. Why wait till now?"
Xu Xiaoyan also shook her head. "Sister Gu Yue is actually quite shy. She doesn't seem like the type to do something like that."
"Um..." Lan Fozi, who had been listening quietly all this time, finally couldn't hold back and raised her hand. "Can I ask what exactly you're all talking about? I don't understand a single word!"
"It's fine if you don't understand, Fozi. You're still too young," Wu Siduo, sitting beside her, patted Lan Fozi's shoulder with a smile.
"Huh?" Lan Fozi tilted her head in confusion.
"Fozi, when Brother Shaoyu comes back, you must stay far away from him!" Xu Xiaoyan warned solemnly.
Ye Xinglan and Wu Siduo rolled their eyes in unison, thinking to themselves that Xu Xiaoyan was the least qualified person to say such a thing!
Because the girls had deliberately kept it from her, Lan Fozi didn't fully understand the nature of their relationship with Jing Shaoyu. At most, she could guess that the six girls were very close to him, but she would never imagine that they were all intimate partners sharing the same bed.
"Oh!" Lan Fozi nodded, though she didn't quite grasp the meaning.
At the same time, Sea God Island, Sea God Pavilion.
"Ming, counting the days, Shaoyu should be back in another month!" Ya Li sat in Yun Ming's arms, her mood quite cheerful as she said, "When I first heard he was trapped in that minor world, it really scared me to death."
"Yes, that boy is truly too reckless," Yun Ming chuckled lightly while sitting on a swing.
"You say that now, but back then you didn't show a single trace of worry!" Ya Li rolled her eyes, her tone carrying a hint of reproach.
"That's because I knew he would definitely be fine!" Yun Ming defended himself, saying, "I've said it before—Shaoyu carries great fortune and would never come to harm so easily!"
"Mhm!" Ya Li nodded seriously. "It's just a shame about Gu Yue. Such a good child. If only Sister Yue could have relented..."
"Actually, the way things are now might be for the best," Yun Ming offered a different perspective when Ya Li mentioned Gu Yue. "If Gu Yue had stayed, which of the seven children would you have excluded? That Lan Fozi girl? She possesses an Ultimate Soul, you know. To be blunt, in terms of potential alone, hers is the strongest. The others are still unknowns."
"That's true," Ya Li nodded. "After all, those with Ultimate Souls in the past all became Limit Douluos at the very least."
"So, the current situation might be the optimal solution," Yun Ming said, his eyes gleaming with wisdom. "Once Shaoyu and the others grow up, the rift between the academy and the Spirit Transfer Pagoda should be able to heal."
"Mhm!" Ya Li nodded in agreement, then added with both excitement and worry, "By the way, Ming, what do you think about officially adopting Shaoyu as our son when he returns? Do you think he might refuse?"
"He wouldn't dare!" Yun Ming declared loudly. "If he dares to refuse, I won't acknowledge him as my disciple anymore!"
"You wouldn't dare!" Ya Li instantly protested, raising her voice as well.
Yun Ming laughed. "See? Whether he agrees or not—does it really matter?"
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