Shrek Square, beneath Tang San's statue,
Su Yunlin and Wang Dong arrived at this spot. Since it had rained on the day of the holiday, they waited until the rain stopped before setting off.
Their routes home were quite similar. Su Yunlin lived in Heaven Dou City, and the Clear Sky Sect wasn't far from there.
"Wait here for a bit—I'm meeting someone," Su Yunlin said as he stopped beneath Tang San's statue.
"Meeting someone?" Wang Dong looked puzzled. Su Yunlin rarely interacted with other classmates. In Class One, only a handful of people could even exchange a few words with him. There had been a few girls who tried to get closer to him, but his consistently cold attitude had quickly discouraged them.
"Mm. The steward's son I mentioned before—he's an inner court student. I arranged to head back together with him."
Wang Dong nodded and waited quietly beside him. She glanced at Tang San's statue and couldn't help but curl her lips slightly.
About ten minutes later, a figure came running from the distance.
"He's here!"
Wang Dong looked over. A young man, around sixteen or seventeen years old, ran toward them. He was nearly 1.8 meters tall, with a well-proportioned build, a clean and handsome face, and short black hair that made him look especially sharp.
"Young Master!"
The man immediately bowed upon reaching Su Yunlin, but Su Yunlin stopped him.
"A-Chen, don't bother with that. I heard you encountered evil soul masters during an inner court mission—were you injured?"
As the heir to the Night Duke's Estate, Su Yunlin naturally had his own intelligence network. His father, the Night Duke, had placed quite a few people within Shrek Academy.
Li Muchen shook his head. "I was lucky. Senior Sister arrived in time—we were fine."
Su Yunlin nodded and patted his shoulder. "That's good. If a mission fails, so be it—your life matters most. Uncle Li only has you as his son, and your talent is excellent. Don't lose your life in a moment of hot-headedness. I don't want to see your name engraved on the Supervisors' Monument."
Li Muchen scratched his head. Though he was older, he felt like a child being lectured. Still, he understood his young master well—ever since his Martial Soul awakened at six, Su Yunlin had astonished everyone.
Compared to him, Li Muchen felt his own talent was insignificant. Of course, he was destined to inherit his father's role and manage the entire Night Duke's Estate. While his father was still capable, he needed to seize the time to cultivate—otherwise, he wouldn't have the opportunity later.
A flash of light came from Su Yunlin's storage soul tool on his wrist, and a soul tool motorcycle appeared beside him.
"Alright, let's go. It'll take some time to get back to Heaven Dou City."
He swung onto the motorcycle, started it, and took out two helmets, gesturing for Wang Dong to come over.
Wang Dong understood immediately. She took a helmet, put it on, and climbed onto the back seat, wrapping her arms around Su Yunlin's waist.
Li Muchen's eyes widened at the sight. When had his young master become so close with someone? And that looked like a boy… could it be that his young master preferred men?
No, no, absolutely not! As the future steward of the Night Duke's Estate, I cannot let the young master fall into such ways! I must stop him!
Just as Li Muchen was about to speak, Su Yunlin had already twisted the throttle. The motorcycle shot forward like a bullet.
"So fast!"
After a brief moment of shock, Li Muchen quickly equipped his flying soul tool and chased after them.
Shrek City was located in the southeastern part of the Heavenly Soul Empire, not too far from Heaven Dou City.
…
"Yunlin, stop here for a moment."
Su Yunlin had brought Wang Dong to a small village. The place was simple, surrounded by towering mountains. Traveling another three hundred li west would lead to the capital of the Heavenly Soul Empire—Heaven Dou City.
Hearing her, Su Yunlin stopped the motorcycle.
Wang Dong stepped down, removed her helmet, and gave him a sweet smile.
"Yunlin, my home is nearby. I should head back now. Where exactly is your home in Heaven Dou City? Can I come visit you sometime?"
Su Yunlin took off his helmet as well and smiled. "Of course. Take this—showing it will grant you direct access to the Duke's Estate. My home is in the central district of the city. Entering through the west gate will be closer."
He handed her a token.
"The holiday lasts thirty days. I need to obtain a Spirit Ring first and then cultivate for a while. I'll probably come find you near the end of the break—don't stand me up, alright? We'll head back to the academy together."
Wang Dong giggled, removing her disguise to reveal her true appearance. Her voice also returned to its original, clear and melodious tone.
Li Muchen, standing nearby, was completely stunned. Just moments ago, it was a boy—how did it suddenly become a girl? Disguised all along?
Su Yunlin smiled faintly. "Alright. See you in twenty-something days."
Wang Dong nodded, then hesitated as if thinking of something. Gathering her courage, she stepped forward.
Taking a deep breath, she quickly leaned in and planted a light kiss on Su Yunlin's right cheek.
The moment she finished, her face flushed red as she ran off. After about twenty meters, she turned back and waved at him.
"Wait for me to come find you~"
Su Yunlin stood frozen. After a moment, he stiffly raised his hand and waved back.
Only after a long while did he come back to his senses.
"Did I just get teased? No… I got kissed? Well, not exactly—just on the cheek…"
His ears turned slightly red. He hadn't expected her to be so bold.
"Tsk tsk, Young Master really has high standards. I thought you had certain… preferences. Turns out she's a young lady. If the Duke and Madam find out, they'll be thrilled.
"Still, this is the first time I've seen you at a disadvantage—especially to a girl. Too bad I didn't bring a recording soul tool, or this would've been priceless."
Li Muchen chuckled from the side, causing Su Yunlin's face to redden further.
"You single dog, what are you mouthing off for? Do you even have a partner? You've been in the inner court for years and still haven't found a girl—Uncle Li must be worried sick."
Li Muchen clutched his chest dramatically. "Ah—critical hit, Young Master!"
Su Yunlin shot him a helpless look before putting his helmet back on. "Enough nonsense. Let's head home."
"Mm."
Vroom—!
With Su Yunlin riding the soul tool motorcycle and Li Muchen flying alongside with his flight-type soul tool, the two sped rapidly toward Heaven Dou City.
…
Heaven Dou City, Night Duke's Estate
After eleven months, Su Yunlin finally returned home. As for Li Muchen, he had been away for a year and a half.
"Young Master!"
The guards at the estate entrance immediately bowed upon seeing Su Yunlin.
"Mm."
He nodded and stepped through the gates.
"Darling! Mommy missed you so much!"
A joyful and gentle voice rang out. In the next instant, a figure rushed forward and scooped Su Yunlin up into an embrace.
Upon closer look, it was a beautiful woman who appeared to be around thirty years old.
She was Su Yunlin's mother—the Saint Demon Douluo, Xu Yunyue [Level 96].
Li Muchen immediately bowed. "Greetings, Madam."
Xu Yunyue looked incredibly youthful, her beauty breathtaking. Most striking, however, was her height—she stood at a full two meters tall. Even Su Yunlin, already tall for his age, looked small in her arms as she lifted him effortlessly.
Perhaps his own height came from inheriting her genes.
"Mom, can you put me down? I'm not a kid anymore—being carried like this…"
Su Yunlin said helplessly.
"Hmph! You brat! Think you've grown wings now? Or did you fall for some girl from another family? Let me tell you—I'm your mother! It's perfectly normal for a son to be close with his mom!"
Su Yunlin scratched his ear awkwardly, while Li Muchen beside them was barely holding back his laughter.
"Oh? Something's off! Don't tell me you really brought a girl home? Well, that makes sense—my son is the best, after all! Come on, tell me—whose daughter is she?"