Outside Tian Dou City.
Dai Chengfeng drove a carriage, with the meditating Bibi Dong sitting inside and the golden three-eyed lion beast, Qiu'er, lounging on the carriage shaft.
The carriage traveled along the wide official road leading back to Spirit City, its wheels producing a monotonous yet rhythmic sound as they rolled over the ground. On either side of the road stretched vast fields, while the outline of Tian Dou City had already faded from view under the midday sun.
"Achoo!"
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng, who had been leisurely controlling the reins, suddenly sneezed without warning.
He rubbed his nose and instinctively wiped it on the soft, warm golden fur of Qiu'er's back.
"Meow?"
Qiu'er shook her head in dissatisfaction, her three golden eyes glancing at him, emitting a low growl of protest from her throat.
Then she turned her body, presenting her golden rump and fluffy tail toward Dai Chengfeng.
It was as if to say, "I'm very angry, and I refuse to provide any more hand-warming services."
Dai Chengfeng couldn't help but laugh at the sight of this golden "heating brick" deliberately turning its back on him.
He bent his fingers and gently tapped the top of Qiu'er's deliberately turned head.
"All right, little one, you've got quite a temper."
Dai Chengfeng lowered his voice, smiling, "It's just a little rub. Your fur is warm, and my hands are cold."
"Who's cursing me?"
Dai Chengfeng ignored Qiu'er and looked at the small tuft of golden fur he had ruffled on her smooth coat. He smoothed it out with his fingers and muttered to himself.
"Could it be Tang San and the others?"
The image of those gritting "little tough guys" naturally came to mind.
"Or maybe Liu Erlong?"
Dai Chengfeng shook his head and laughed.
After all, yesterday he had promised sincerely to visit Lanba Academy in person today.
However, plans changed when Teacher Bibi Dong suddenly decided to return to Spirit City immediately after a private talk with "Xue Qinghe."
What could he do?
He could only choose to follow Teacher Bibi Dong back to Spirit City.
As for Liu Erlong…
Well, although tricking Xiaogang was important, Bibi Dong clearly took precedence. Moreover, there was the exciting opportunity to observe the Great Sumeru Hammer.
Thus, Liu Erlong and Gangzi didn't seem so urgent anymore.
It wouldn't hurt to delay them a bit. After all, the Soul-Shaping Grass was still in his possession; there would be opportunities later.
Thinking this, Dai Chengfeng shook his head and lightly flicked the reins, urging the horses to pick up speed.
---
Meanwhile.
In the principal's office of Lanba Academy in Tian Dou City.
Liu Erlong, the principal of Lanba Academy, was currently seated at her desk, several thick ledgers spread open before her.
She was carefully inventorying her "assets"—rare treasures, rare medicinal herbs, soul bone fragments, or ancient artifacts that might attract the mysterious Dai Chengfeng and make him willing to trade pills made from Soul-Shaping Grass.
"The heart scale of a ten-thousand-year-old fire lizard?... Not good enough."
"This piece of ancient jade of unknown quality?... He might not recognize its value..."
"That main root of fifty-thousand-year-old silver vine?... Only useful to plant-based soul masters..."
Liu Erlong's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her fingers unconsciously tapped on the desk.
The lack of bargaining chips was making her somewhat irritated.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
A middle-aged man dressed in teacher's attire entered with a respectful expression.
"Principal," Xu Ping's face showed some difficulty, and his tone carried apology, "I went to Swan Hotel as you instructed to see if Mr. Dai Chengfeng had forgotten about your appointment, but..."
Liu Erlong raised her head, her eyes questioning.
"But what?"
"But... the manager of Swan Hotel said that Mr. Dai Chengfeng and the esteemed guest accompanying him had checked out and left this noon, seemingly..."
"...directly returning to Spirit City."
"What?!" Liu Erlong abruptly stood up from her chair, knocking over the penholder beside her voluptuous figure.
Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible!"
"He clearly promised me yesterday! He said he would come today!"
Teacher Xu Ping, seeing Liu Erlong's anger, was worried about being implicated but ultimately mustered up the courage to add, "Principal, please calm down... The manager of Swan Hotel confirmed multiple times that Dai Chengfeng indeed left."
"It seems he left very suddenly. That gentleman even left a message specifically for Miss Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect..."
"Slap!"
Liu Erlong's slender hand slammed heavily onto the sturdy ebony desk, producing a dull sound.
"Dai! Cheng! Feng!"
She practically spat out those three words through gritted teeth.
You promised so "sincerely," and now you've run off without even a word?
Soul-Shaping Grass!
She was determined to get it!
Now the key ingredient was in someone else's hands, and that "someone" had casually stood her up like this!
The next second, Liu Erlong looked at the chaotic desk and scattered documents, suddenly grabbing a few sheets filled with writing and diagrams, clenching them tightly in her hand!
"Rip—!"
A sharp tearing sound rang out as the carefully prepared list and potential negotiation strategy diagrams instantly turned into shreds under the fiery soul power in Liu Erlong's palm.
Liu Erlong threw the crumpled paper fiercely on the ground. She lifted her gaze, directly targeting the southwest—Spirit City.
"Teacher Xu!"
Soon, Liu Erlong's voice regained some calmness, and she spoke again.
"Yes!"
Xu Ping, startled by his principal's fiery temper, quickly straightened up.
"Prepare a carriage!"
Liu Erlong commanded decisively, enunciating each word, "The fastest one! Immediately! Right away! I'm heading to—Spirit City!"
"Spirit City?"
Teacher Xu was astonished, thinking he had misheard.
The principal usually kept a low profile and, due to certain unknown past events, held no fondness for Spirit City. Yet now she was actively choosing to go there?
"Do I need to repeat myself?"
Liu Erlong's gaze swept over, the invisible pressure sending chills down Xu Ping's spine.
"Yes! Principal! I obey! I'll prepare at once!"
Xu Ping dared not ask another question, quickly bowing and exiting the office.
The door was softly closed.
The office returned to silence, leaving only scattered paper scraps and lingering anger in the air.
Liu Erlong turned around, walked to the window, her gaze passing through the academy buildings, looking far toward the direction of Spirit City.
The setting sun cast a hard-edged silhouette on her figure, and she slightly raised her exquisite chin.
Soul-Shaping Grass, and that audacious Dai Chengfeng...
Spirit City, good, I'm coming.
At this moment, Dai Chengfeng remained completely unaware.
He was driving the carriage, basking in the warm glow of the slanting sun, oblivious that his "temporary postponement" had caused yet another woman related to Yu Xiaogang to head to Spirit City.
But even if he knew, Dai Chengfeng wouldn't care.
On the contrary, he might remark how Spirit City was becoming increasingly lively!
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