As soon as Zhu Zhuqing opened her eyes, she vaguely saw a girl about her age sitting cross-legged beside her. Instantly alert, her gaze softened the moment she noticed the clean clothes dressing her and the tight bandages wrapped around her body. Well, although the clothes were a little small for her.
Xiao Wu, sensing the movement beside her, immediately stopped practicing and spoke softly, "How do you feel now? My name is Xiao Wu—the 'Wu' means dancing. You fainted just now, and I've given you the medicine my brother provided. Please feel free to tell me how you're doing."
Zhu Zhuqing's face remained cold, but she nodded, feeling her body and surprised to find the poison had actually been healed.
"Do you have any spare clothes? Mine are a bit too small for you," Xiao Wu added, her tone tinged with bitterness. Unwilling to admit defeat, she followed up, "You haven't told me your name yet. Can I ask how old you are this year?"
"Zhu Zhuqing, eleven years old this year," the girl said curtly.
Xiao Wu noticed Zhu Zhuqing's aloof demeanor and coldness but couldn't help noticing how young she truly was. Despite all her tears over feeling inferior, Xiao Wu quickly calmed herself, reminding herself it was alright—she was still growing and couldn't compare to this prodigy.
"Brother, Tang San, Master, she's awake!" Xiao Wu called out after they changed clothes and stepped out of the tent.
Learning that they were all heading to Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu grew curious. "Zhu Qing, where are you from? Shrek Academy isn't exactly famous."
Xiao Tian gently tugged Xiao Wu's hand—a reminder that this was their first meeting, so she shouldn't be so blunt.
Zhu Zhuqing caught Xiao Tian's small gesture, looking at him—the man who saved her—with slightly softened eyes. "I come from the Xing Luo Empire, and I've come to Shrek Academy to find someone."
Yu Xiaogang's interest peaked at once. He had recently heard from Flanders about the sorry state of Shrek Academy—only three students in the entire school! A disgrace to the Golden Triangle, to be sure. Registration fees non-refundable, and no improvements made—a miserable place indeed!
Find someone? Yu Xiaogang's mind raced. At Shrek Academy, Oscar was Flanders' adopted son, and Ma Hongjun was his direct disciple; neither could be connected to Zhu Zhuqing. Only Dai Mubai remained. One bore the surname Zhu, the other Dai—it clicked immediately.
Though Yu Xiaogang had secluded himself at Notting College these years, he knew much about the Xing Luo Empire's affairs. The Zhu Zhuqing before him was likely Dai Mubai's fiancée, whom he must protect at Shrek Academy come morning. Together with Tang San and the others, Shrek could compete in the Soul Master Elite Competition soon.
"Zhu Zhuqing, who are you looking for at Shrek? To be honest, Shrek Academy was founded by Flanders, the Flying Corner of the Golden Triangle, and I'm Yu Xiaogang, the Wisdom Corner. Have you heard of me?
"When Shrek opens for recruitment the day after tomorrow, don't be surprised—Shrek only accepts monsters. Without strength, entry is impossible," Yu Xiaogang said with a tempting smile, emphasizing the exclusivity.
Zhu Zhuqing merely nodded coldly, her mind racing. Only monsters? So she hadn't come to Shrek Academy to escape—but to cut off the source of the problem directly, right?
Yu Xiaogang was unaware he had just planted a seed of suspicion in her heart.
Zhu Zhuqing thanked Xiao Tian again, and the group decided to set out for Soto City the next day before resting in their tents.
During this time, Zhu Zhuqing learned from Xiao Wu about their soul power levels and was surprised.
"How did you cultivate? You're only a year older than me, but your soul power is so much higher."
Zhu Zhuqing paused, then asked, "Could it be that all three of you have full innate soul power? Is that why you're so strong?"
She felt sure of her guess.
Her own innate soul power was only level seven. She practiced diligently and had reached level twenty-seven—already a family record—but didn't expect others to be faster.
There was only one explanation: their innate soul power was higher than hers, and their dedication no less.
Xiao Wu smiled mysteriously. "Zhu Qing, you're half right. Tang San and I both have fully innate spirit power, but my brother doesn't—his is only level five."
Xiao Wu, ever straightforward, called her Zhuqing since they would be classmates soon.
"What! Xiao Wu, are you sure? Level five innate spirit power? No one in this continent's history has ever reached the Soul Master realm at this age!" Zhu Zhuqing's voice rose in shock, her cold mask breaking. Her mouth parted, eyes wide.
She knew Xiao Tian was the strongest among the three but never expected his talent to be the weakest. She was genuinely confused.
Could she learn something from Xiao Tian? Could that help her grow stronger?
Filled with curiosity and determination, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes burned with resolve. She would become stronger.
Xiao Wu smiled happily watching the shock on Zhu Zhuqing's face.
After all, Xiao Tian was her brother and had even pioneered a new approach to auxiliary cultivation.
Although this wouldn't work for most, it was worth pride.
Later, Zhu Zhuqing relaxed somewhat as she chatted with Xiao Wu, probing topics related to Xiao Tian, which immediately heightened Xiao Wu's guard.
Could it be… Zhu Qing was interested in her brother?
It didn't help that Xiao Tian had admired Zhu Qing's figure and appearance from the start.
Xiao Wu recalled Xiao Tian once saying: when you're interested in a man, congratulations—you've begun to fall for him.
For some reason, Xiao Wu suddenly felt sad. He was her brother—how could she possibly let someone else take him away so easily?
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