Leaving the Golden Ancient Tree, Zhu Ziyang arrived at the Inner Courtyard cafeteria.
He entered a private room where eight or nine people, both men and women, were chatting and laughing. Upon seeing Zhu Ziyang, their faces lit up with joy.
"Junior Brother Ziyang is here!" Wu Ming called out, a cheerful smile on her pretty face.
The others also nodded in greeting to Zhu Ziyang.
"Greetings, Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters, long time no see!" Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, walking into the private room and greeting everyone.
The people in the private room were Han Ruoruo, Zhang Weiwei, and other Inner Courtyard Disciples. Everyone was present except for Zhang Lexuan. Everyone had fully recovered; at least physically, there were no longer any issues.
"Junior Brother Ziyang, sit here." Ma Xiaotao called out, patting the chair next to her.
"Okay." Zhu Ziyang didn't refuse and sat down directly. Looking at Ma Xiaotao's exquisite jade-like face, he couldn't help but recall what Yan Shaozhe had said today, so he subconsciously asked, "Sister Xiaotao, how is your condition?"
"I'm very good," Ma Xiaotao chuckled, saying, "Sister, I'm better than ever. Thanks to my fifth spirit ring, I can now handle some minor out-of-control states."
"That's truly wonderful!" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but smile upon hearing this.
"Hey, hey, Junior Brother Ziyang, why are you only staring at Xiaotao when you just arrived? Talk to us too!" Wu Ming said, displeased. "Aren't we beautiful too?"
"Uh!" Zhu Ziyang's expression froze, unsure how to respond.
"Hehe~ Alright, Ming'er, don't tease him anymore. He's just a child." Han Ruoruo rescued Zhu Ziyang, chuckling, her smile as gentle as a spring flower.
"Hehe~ Alright, I'll let him off the hook today." Wu Ming laughed.
"Huh, why don't I see Sister Lexuan and Senior Brother Zhu?" Zhu Ziyang asked.
"Senior Sister's body hasn't recovered yet, so she won't be coming today. Senior Brother Zhu is in the kitchen. He said he wants to personally cook for us," Su Meng explained.
"Oh, I see. Then we're in for a treat today." Zhu Ziyang's eyes lit up as he spoke.
Due to simultaneous damage to her life essence and Spirit essence, Zhang Lexuan was very weak, and it was impossible for her to recover in just one month. She would need at least half a year to replenish her damaged life essence, and as for her Spirit essence, it would probably take even longer. However, once she fully recovered, her combat power would undoubtedly double. Possessing a 100,000-year spirit ring and a 100,000-year Spirit Bone, this configuration was even more powerful than many Titled Douluo.
About a quarter of an hour later, Zhu Lie, accompanied by several cafeteria staff, entered the private room carrying over a dozen dishes.
"Everyone, thanks for waiting!" Zhu Lie said with a smile as soon as he entered the private room. "Today, you can really savor my cooking!"
"Yay!" Everyone cheered in unison. Looking at the variety of dishes on the table, the steaming aroma wafted out, making everyone swallow uncontrollably.
"Everyone, don't be shy, dig in!" Zhu Lie said with a smile, then was the first to pick up his chopsticks and start eating.
Seeing this, everyone else also stopped being polite and eagerly began to feast on their favorite dishes.
Everyone ate and chatted, laughter echoing continuously. The atmosphere was very joyful and lively. Time flowed slowly in this cheerful ambiance. Soon, a large table of food was completely devoured by everyone. Everyone was full and satisfied, leaning back and chatting.
"Everyone, this might be our last gathering in the Academy," Zhu Lie suddenly said, a smile on his face. "I've already applied for graduation from the Academy, and they've agreed. I'm preparing to return to my hometown."
"This..." Zhu Lie's words immediately cast a shadow of sadness over the joyful atmosphere in the private room. Everyone's expressions changed, showing various emotions.
"Cheng Hui, Wan Wan, and I had originally planned to leave the Academy together and return to our hometown after this spirit ring operation, but I didn't expect to be the only one left." Zhu Lie said with a smile, but his eyes were teary.
"I'm also preparing to leave the Academy," Shen Xu suddenly said. His face was filled with indifference, but deep in his eyes, a hint of reluctance was revealed.
"I wish you all a safe journey!" Han Ruoruo pursed her lips, forcing a smile, and said to Zhu Lie and Shen Xu, "Even though you're leaving the Academy, you will still be Shrek people!"
"Mm! We won't forget!" Zhu Lie and Shen Xu nodded in unison, agreeing.
A joyous gathering ultimately ended with a melancholic farewell. Before leaving, Zhu Lie called out to Zhu Ziyang and said, "Junior Brother Ziyang, I owe you a life. If you ever need anything in the future, I will surely come!"
"Don't worry about it, Senior Brother Zhu." Zhu Ziyang naturally knew Zhu Lie was referring to the Hundred Cures Pill, and he smiled, waving his hand, and said.
"My home is in Taining City, Tianhun Empire. If you pass through Taining City, don't forget to look for me!" Zhu Lie said. "My family has some influence in Taining City."
"I will." Zhu Ziyang smiled and agreed.
---
A few more days passed.
Shrek Academy was about to begin its holiday.
In the classroom of Class One, First Year, Xia Yu was announcing the holiday arrangements.
"Today is the last day of this academic year. The holiday starts tomorrow, and after the holiday, it will be the second-year promotion assessment." Xia Yu said expressionlessly, "I've already said everything I needed to say during regular classes. I have nothing else to say, so you can go pack your things."
The students immediately stirred, each finding a companion, and began to leave the classroom in twos and threes.
"Ziyang, Nannan, are you going home?" Tang Ya asked.
"Yes, why wouldn't I go home? I haven't seen my mother in a year," Jiang Nannan said.
"Wuwu~ You're all going home, and I'm the only one left in the Academy, so lonely!" Tang Ya said with a bitter face, feigning misery.
"Go on, go on, don't think I don't know that Bei Bei will also be staying at the Academy!" Jiang Nannan didn't fall for her act at all and immediately exposed her little scheme, saying, "You two will be spending time alone together; it would be strange if you were lonely!"
"Uh~ Hehe, I just didn't want you to leave!" Tang Ya, exposed, didn't feel embarrassed and said with a smile.
"Enough already." Jiang Nannan waved her hand helplessly and said.
The next day, early morning.
At the entrance of Shrek Academy.
Many students were saying their goodbyes to each other. Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan were also bidding farewell to Tang Ya and Bei Bei. The four didn't have much to say, as they would meet again in a month.
"We're off!" Zhu Ziyang said, then took Jiang Nannan's hand and walked in the direction of Suotuo City, Suonan Province.
They had walked less than a hundred meters when two figures appeared before them: Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier.
"Senior Sister, Junior Senior Sister."
"Senior Sister, Senior Sister Cai."
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan called out simultaneously.
"Mm-hmm, let's go," Xian Lin'er said with a smile. "Meier, you take Junior Brother, and I'll take Nannan, alright?"
"Can do." Cai Meier nodded and said.
Then, the two women, each taking one, embraced Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, directly soaring into the air and flying towards the northern lands of the continent.
With the escort of two Super Douluo, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan's journey home was extremely fast. It only took one day to reach Heaven Dou City.
Descending upon this ancient capital once more, Zhu Ziyang felt a different sensation. At the very least, the feeling of insignificance and detachment he had experienced during his first visit had significantly diminished.
His thoughts were actually more focused on the Sunset Forest outside the city. The dense miasma there made even the two Super Douluo unwilling to pass over it, and he became increasingly aware of the dangers within.
After resting for a night in Heaven Dou City, the four continued their journey the next morning. However, Zhu Ziyang stopped Xian Lin'er and Cai Meier, who wanted to continue traveling at high speed, and chose to proceed slowly.
This made both women very puzzled.
"I'm just here to fulfill a promise." Zhu Ziyang explained, then recounted the events of passing through Zhangyang Village a year ago. After hearing his story, both women fell silent, then expressed their support for Zhu Ziyang's decision.
Thus, this small mountain village called Zhangyang Village, after many years, finally welcomed another opportunity for Spirit awakening. And it was precisely this occasion that created yet another legend for future generations.