In the Star Dou Great Forest, everything seemed to be quietly changing, yet also proceeding as usual.
Xiao Wu's departure did not seem to have a significant impact on Tang San's original destiny.
After they entered the forest, they still encountered Chao Tianxiang and Meng Yiran, and a dispute over the Phoenix-tailed Cockscomb Serpent still arose, ultimately ending in a competition.
The next day, although the subsequent plot triggered by Xiao Wu's existence was absent, Tang San's powerful 'protagonist's halo' still shone brightly.
While searching for a suitable spirit ring, he still encountered the Ghost-faced devil spider with an external Spirit Bone.
And as if the plot had been stitched together, they met Meng Yiran again, and a second dispute over the ownership of a Spirit Beast unfolded, this time involving the Ghost-faced devil spider.
Ultimately, the result was still decided by a competition.
This time, when Ao Sika proposed the condition of 'an additional kiss,' the Dragon Duke and Snake Matron were surprisingly happy to see it happen, and Meng Yiran, the person involved, did not object.
The Dragon Duke and Snake Matron already thought highly of this young man named Tang San and had discerned their granddaughter's feelings.
The competition, of course, still ended in Tang San's victory.
This time, Tang San still inadvertently accepted that sudden kiss.
It was his 'trophy' of victory, and he accepted it with pleasure.
He just thought: if this kiss had come from Xiao Wu, he might have been even happier.
Next, he successfully absorbed the spirit ring of the Ghost-faced devil spider and also obtained his destined opportunity, the external Spirit Bone, Eight Spider Lances.
Tang San was incredibly excited; this external Spirit Bone would undoubtedly greatly enhance his strength.
With it, the day he became a powerful individual seemed no longer distant.
Tang San's performance sparked the Dragon Duke and Snake Matron's appreciation for his talent, and they sincerely invited him to join their family.
However, unexpectedly, Meng Yiran's performance also piqued Yu Xiaogang's interest.
He now only wanted to form a combat team as soon as possible, because the All-Continent Spirit Master Academy Tournament was less than two years away.
Moreover, finding geniuses was not easy now.
So, he, in turn, extended an invitation to Meng Yiran to join Shrek.
Meng Yiran, despite the dissuasion of her elders, resolutely chose to join Shrek.
After Yu Xiaogang revealed his identity as the Grandmaster, the Dragon Duke and Snake Matron readily agreed.
Thus, Shrek gained another student.
Elsewhere, Jiang Yunzhou finished his cultivation.
Cultivating here for a day was very peaceful; no Spirit Beasts came to disturb him.
Jiang Yunzhou stretched lazily.
"Teacher, where are we going next?" Ning Rongrong asked.
Jiang Yunzhou pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "How about you all wait here for a bit? Discuss your insights. I have something to do and will be back soon."
Anyway, this place was not far from the Lan Yin Clan Territory, and the three of them did not insist on following along.
Originally, they couldn't help much with this matter; it was mostly about watching the drama unfold.
Since Teacher had said so, then perhaps it was better not to watch this drama.
After giving his instructions, Jiang Yunzhou walked alone towards the Lan Yin Clan Territory.
When he saw Ah Yin again, he immediately noticed that her condition was much more vibrant than before.
He hadn't expected her to have grown so much after just one day apart.
Perhaps this place was very suitable for her recovery.
He was not surprised that she had not chosen to flee.
A plant, even if it wanted to escape, where could it go?
He still spoke with a slightly irritating tone: "Ah Yin, you've actually grown taller! Haven't seen you in a day, did you miss me? Oh, right, have you thought it through?"
Ah Yin: Aren't other people's mammary glands not mammary glands?
She remained silent, too annoyed to speak.
Although she had absorbed a day's worth of origin energy, she had recovered a little and could communicate using mental force.
Jiang Yunzhou then pointed at the Lan Yin King, displeased: "I say, Lan Yin King, how can you be so unobservant? How can you bear to watch your empress suffer like this?"
But he had no intention of giving up easily and continued his verbal assault.
Upon hearing Jiang Yunzhou's words, the Lan Yin King's branches swayed violently, and its ancient voice carried anger:
"Human, thank you for bringing our empress back, but how we choose to act is not for you to dictate!"
It had a rough understanding of many things that happened after Ah Yin took human form.
The reason it was unfriendly towards Jiang Yunzhou was mainly because Ah Yin had 'complained' about him quite a bit.
Jiang Yunzhou raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. When had he dictated anything?
Also, why did he feel that the Lan Yin King's hostility towards him had deepened?
He pointed at the Lan Yin King and retorted: "When did I dictate anything? Old geezer, I'm just making a suggestion."
"A suggestion, this is a suggestion, do you understand?"
He then looked at Ah Yin, "What, did you secretly badmouth me? Honestly, I've never harmed you, have I?"
"And I kindly took you to see your son, brought you back to your clan territory from thousands of miles away… Bah, you scoundrel, you must have slandered me quite a bit."
...Meanwhile, somewhere in the Star Dou Great Forest.
A dust-covered figure was speeding through the forest, radiating a murderous aura.
Any Spirit Beast daring to approach was sent flying by a single hammer blow from him.
The closer he got to the Lan Yin Clan Territory, the clearer Ah Yin's aura became.
Tang Hao's steps grew faster and faster, his heart increasingly agitated; he absolutely could not accept Ah Yin leaving him again.
It wasn't until he reached the edge of the Lan Yin Clan Territory that he suddenly realized Ah Yin had been brought back here?
"Ah Yin, I finally found you."
He barely managed to calm his turbulent emotions, unwilling to see her in such a disheveled state.
For the past two days, he had been relentlessly pursuing her without sleep, just to reunite with her.
Just as he was about to step into the clan territory, his peripheral vision caught sight of several figures; he recognized these people.
These people were Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were sparring, while Ning Rongrong watched from the side, leisurely commenting every now and then.
Upon seeing the three women, Tang Hao immediately recalled the reason Ah Yin was here.
His heart tightened; since they were here, Jiang Yunzhou must also be nearby.
Thinking of Jiang Yunzhou, his temples throbbed, and rage consumed his reason.
A thought suddenly popped into his mind.
"Jiang Yunzhou, you forced my hand."
He flickered, appearing like a ghost before the three women.
The three women noticed the movement, looked up at the newcomer, and were instantly terrified; they wanted to escape but it was too late.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing instinctively shielded Ning Rongrong behind them, their spirit power secretly circulating.
Zhu Zhuqing felt the newcomer's hostility and whispered, "He means us harm; this person is very strong…"
Ning Rongrong also knew the newcomer was not simple; she made a swift decision and immediately unleashed her strongest attack: "Teacher, help!!!"
She used the loudest volume she had ever produced, calling for Jiang Yunzhou to come to their rescue.
Regardless, this was currently the best method.
The moment she spoke, an invisible pressure surged towards the three women like a tide, making them break out in cold sweat.
"Zhu Qing, Xiao Wu, are we going to die? Teacher hasn't even accepted my confession yet…"
Ning Rongrong's voice trembled, but her eyes held regret; she hadn't even managed to get a kiss, alas… And Tang Hao's gaze remained fixed on Xiao Wu, his eyes filled with disgust.
In his opinion, all this turmoil had started because of her; if not for her, none of the subsequent events would have happened.
"Hmph, comply obediently, and you'll suffer less."