"I'm signing up, Huo Yuhao."
Huo Yuhao slowly stood up, forcing himself to endure the burning pain in his throat. With a complicated expression, he glanced at Su Wen.
"Alright."
Su Wen, acting like a shopkeeper, squeezed Ning Tian's small hand. Ning Tian glared angrily at him, then picked up the pen and quickly wrote down the names, her handwriting delicate and beautiful, just like herself.
"Thank you..." Huo Yuhao nodded and silently turned to leave.
"He looks like a dog~," Wu Feng said, with a candy in her mouth, looking curiously at Huo Yuhao's back.
Su Wen remained calm, gently pinching Ning Tian's soft, boneless white wrist.
That day, when leaving the library—
Senior Brother Zhang Bailing had reminded him—Yuhao seemed to have some opinions about him.
Was it because of Zhou Yi?
In the original story, his deep feelings for Zhou Yi developed only after winter break. However, because of Su Wen's appearance, many students transferred out of Zhou Yi's class, causing Zhou Yi to value Huo Yuhao even more and invest in him early, bringing the two closer.
It's understandable.
Does he want revenge?
Once he becomes a god, does he want Su Wen to kowtow at Zhou Yi's grave?
Unable to help himself, Su Wen found himself amused by his own thoughts.
….
Star Dou Great Forest
On the summit of an ancient tree.
Three figures in black robes stood tall.
The leader gazed into the distance. At the edge of the horizon, the vague outline of a colossal city could be seen.
"Big Brother, what exactly does the Sect Master intend?" another black-robed figure asked the leader, his tone confused, "Are we supposed to capture the hundred-thousand-year soul beasts or not?"
"Nonsense! Of course, we capture them!" Zhongli Tian pulled back his hood, his tone cold.
"Earlier, we were too close to Shrek Academy. The Sect Master exposed his aura, attracting Yan Shaozhe's search, so we retreated deeper into the Star Dou Great Forest. Now, that guy thinks we've left, so we can resume our operation."
"Tsk tsk... Three hundred-thousand-year soul beasts. There aren't many in our sect stuck at the ninth bottleneck. Wouldn't those soul rings be wasted?" Zhongli Ren clicked his tongue.
"How could that be!" Zhongli Di sneered.
"These three soul beasts are all prepared for the Sect Master's Bone Dragon. Their souls will be devoured by it, but as for the soul bones of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast... heh heh."
"Not that we'd get them," Zhongli Ren muttered.
"Silence!" Zhongli Tian narrowed his eyes, "Conceal your auras well. Don't let those in the Star Dou Great Forest discover us. When the trouble is lured to Shrek Academy, we'll retreat immediately, leaving no evidence."
"If a beast tide does break out, it won't be our problem."
"Yes, sir!" ×2
"Flap, flap~"
Suddenly, a few black crows appeared atop the hundred-meter-tall ancient tree. Instead of cawing, they spoke in human language: "Everyone, get ready. The operation begins!"
…
Half a month later
Outside Shrek Academy's gate.
A group of students in inner and outer court uniforms gathered. Su Wen was among them. Ning Tian, Wang Dong, and others who were still far from breaking through stayed behind to focus on cultivation. But in the crowd, a beautiful figure caught Su Wen off guard.
"Sister Lexuan?"
Su Wen looked in surprise at the gentle beauty before him.
"Come, let big sister give you a hug~"
Zhang Lexuan pulled Su Wen into her arms, giving him a tight hug. She then cupped his cheeks, squeezed them, and, after looking him over, nodded in satisfaction—"Mm, you've grown taller again."
"I'm not a kid anymore." Su Wen protested helplessly.
"Who's that?"
"I heard she's the senior sister of the inner court."
"She's close with the outer court's demon king?"
"Looks like it… probably."
"..."
The outer court disciples gossiped among themselves.
Most inner court disciples knew about the incident back then, so they just smiled and watched.
Today, Zhang Lexuan wore sea-blue cloth shoes, and her green long dress perfectly outlined her graceful figure. She was gentle and beautiful, yet had an air of distance, like a fairy descending to the mortal realm—a rare sight in the world.
Zhang Lexuan subconsciously held Su Wen's hand.
Just like five years ago in the Star Dou Great Forest.
Su Wen felt the soft touch at his side, the faint fragrance so close, and couldn't help feeling a bit awkward. With his other hand, he touched his nose.
"You'll always be a child to me…" Zhang Lexuan smiled, squeezing Su Wen's hand, her eyes filled with laughter. Su Wen only felt her hand was cool, soft, and smooth.
Many new inner court disciples watched this scene with emotion: "No wonder he's called the demon king of the inner court—even the senior sister treats him like this. Normally, she's gentle with everyone, but there's always a barrier no one can cross. So many inner court seniors have failed, but he succeeded. Is this guy cultivating some demon technique?"
"Senior brother, hasn't the demon king never even entered the inner court? Why is he called the inner court demon king?" an outer court disciple asked curiously.
"He grew up in the inner court. He was cute as a kid, fair and chubby, but after growing up he just started challenging people all the time. The scary thing is, he's freakishly strong. Before enrolling, he even defeated Yao Haoxuan—it was hilarious! That guy's been a disgrace ever since. Only after he crippled Zhou Yi did he dare show his face again, so we call him the demon king of the inner court."
"Can't beat him, can't run from him," the inner court senior shook his head, full of emotion. "You know, I'm just a Soul King!"
"Who's leading the team this time?" Su Wen whispered.
"Elder Xuan."
Zhang Lexuan was silent for a moment, then slowly replied.
Su Wen nodded.
He wasn't surprised. After all, Elder Xuan was officially the strongest in Shrek Academy, showing the Academy's importance for this trip. Though, that old man sure has his quirks…
"Let's go!"
Xuan Zi's sloppy figure appeared.
Still holding a chicken leg in one hand and a gourd in the other.
Only, when he looked at Su Wen, his eyes avoided him a bit.
The group set off toward the core area of the Star Dou Great Forest.
"What soul beast do you want to capture this time?"
Zhang Lexuan glanced at Su Wen with a smile, deliberately pulling him to the back of the group, never letting go of his hand—seemingly making up for lost time.
"An Emerald Swan, perhaps."
"Or a bird-type soul beast," Su Wen considered seriously.
"Why a bird?" Zhang Lexuan asked softly.
"For air superiority. If I encounter flying agility-types, I'll be at a disadvantage," Su Wen explained.
"What about Gale?" Zhang Lexuan asked.
"Gale... huh?" Su Wen froze.
Right now, Gale could only be considered an agility-type soul beast. In the right terrain, it could be twice as effective, but on flat land, its advantage was gone…
But—Gale can evolve!
Its element is wind!
That means, in the future, it'll have absolute air superiority!
Maybe by the next stage, it'll even be able to control the wind.
Su Wen suddenly understood.
It's not that he shouldn't pick a bird-type beast.
But there's no need to do so just for air superiority…
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Advanced chapter here: p-atreon.com/Sajaboyzzz
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