Time always flies, especially for Spirit Masters who are immersed in Training. Winter gave way to summer, spring to autumn, and another year was drawing to a close.
Shrek Academy experienced a rare light rain, adding a touch of coolness to the entire academy. Wang Nan was walking out of the academy, an umbrella in hand.
He intended to acquire his fourth spirit ring during this winter break.
Since obtaining the right arm bone, Wang Nan's physical strength had been rapidly increasing. He estimated that the spirit ring he could withstand this time would exceed that of an ordinary Spirit Ancestor, likely between six thousand and eight thousand years.
Spirit Beasts of this age were relatively rare in the outer regions of the Star Dou Great Forest. It was possible he might have to venture into the Mixed Zone, so it would be safer to return home and bring his father along.
At the academy gate, a luxurious carriage was parked. Wang Nan glanced at it and then looked away, about to walk past, when a voice suddenly called from behind him.
"Junior Brother Wang, are you heading back to Star Luo City?" Dai Yueheng poked his head out of the carriage and called out to Wang Nan.
"Ah, it's Senior Brother Dai."
Dai Yueheng stepped down from the carriage and approached Wang Nan. Behind him, a burly man stepped forward to hold a large umbrella.
"This rain, who knows when it will stop. If Junior Brother Wang doesn't mind, you can join me in my carriage. We can travel back together."
Dai Yueheng looked at Wang Nan with a faint smile.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Dai. This bit of rain is nothing. I'll just walk back."
"Junior Brother Wang, there's no need to be so polite. We are classmates, and…" At this point, Dai Yueheng lowered his voice and subtly gave Wang Nan a look, "Ever since that incident, I've been looking for an opportunity to thank Junior Brother. It's just that Junior Brother missed the Soul Duel Tournament, and you've been busy with your studies, making it hard to meet. This is a good chance for me to express my gratitude."
Wang Nan saw that Dai Yueheng was not just being polite but genuinely inviting him. Besides, riding in a carriage together was no big deal, so he agreed and followed him into the carriage.
Whether it was due to the carriage's materials or something placed inside, Wang Nan felt a warmth spread over him the moment he stepped in.
"Some Red Spirit Warm Jade was installed inside when this carriage was built," Dai Yueheng explained proactively. "When my mother gave me this gift, I was still young, and she was afraid I'd get cold, so she had some installed. It's just that I've rarely used it since."
"Oh, why is that?" Wang Nan saw Dai Yueheng looking at him and naturally played along.
"Junior Brother, you may not know, but although I come from the Duke's Mansion, my father has always been strict with me since I was young. Even before my Spirit Awakening, my father made me fight low-year Spirit Beasts. Later, after I obtained my first spirit ring, I entered the army with my father, and I rarely used this carriage then."
Dai Yueheng reminisced with some emotion for a moment, then shifted the topic to Wang Nan, "During our last mission, I saw Junior Brother act decisively and cleanly. Did Junior Brother have similar experiences when he was young?"
"At the time, I just saw that tragic scene and acted out of anger without thinking much. Looking back, I was also a bit afraid," Wang Nan explained, half-truthfully.
"Junior Brother truly has a righteous heart." Dai Yueheng nodded, "My first time on the battlefield was during the war with the Sun Moon Empire. Their spirit tools are still vivid in my memory."
Dai Yueheng watched Wang Nan's reaction while subtly guiding the conversation towards spirit tools. He knew that Wang Nan, unlike other Shrek students, had been interested in spirit tools from the start.
As the heir to the White Tiger Duke, Dai Yueheng's words and actions were meticulously trained from a young age. How to communicate with others, how to build rapport—these things came naturally to him.
The carriage traveled for a day and a night. Aside from meditation, Dai Yueheng constantly found topics to discuss, and the two of them conversed quite pleasantly.
"Young Lord, we have arrived."
Wang Nan and Dai Yueheng stepped out of the carriage together. Before them stood a palace-like building, with golden roofs and red doors, ancient and elegant. Three large characters, "Duke's Mansion," were written on the several-zhang-high archway.
"We're here so soon?" Dai Yueheng said in surprise, "It seems Junior Brother and I have quite a tacit agreement. We've been chatting for so long without realizing it."
Wang Nan just smiled.
Throughout the journey, Dai Yueheng had discussed either the development of spirit tools or local foods—all topics Wang Nan enjoyed listening to. It was clear he had prepared in advance. At first, Wang Nan hadn't noticed, but by the end of the trip, he could feel that Dai Yueheng was deliberately trying to befriend him.
"Junior Brother, since you're here, why not stop by the house for a visit?" Dai Yueheng got out of the carriage and came to Wang Nan's side. "My mother always taught me to treat guests well. If you leave now, my mother will scold me when I get back."
"You don't want to see your Senior Brother being scolded by his mother, do you?"
Seeing the situation, Wang Nan knew he couldn't refuse, so he agreed to Dai Yueheng's suggestion.
Entering the Duke's Mansion gate and passing through the courtyard, a stone path lay before them, flanked by lush green bamboo. Dai Yueheng whispered something to a guard nearby, then quickly came to Wang Nan's side.
"I've already arranged for a simple meal. I'll show Junior Brother around the mansion first, and then I'll send someone to take Junior Brother back."
"Then thank you, Senior Brother Dai." Since he was already here, an extra meal wouldn't hurt, and Wang Nan no longer declined.
"It's my pleasure." Dai Yueheng smiled, "Junior Brother, look, these are Soul Tempering Bamboos. While they aren't considered Heaven And Earth Treasure, planting many of them nearby can help keep one energetic."
Dai Yueheng introduced things as they walked. Other people they encountered along the way all bowed their heads and moved aside. Wang Nan experienced firsthand the treatment of a "superior person" by accompanying Dai Yueheng. Until a boy appeared before them.
This was a side courtyard. When Dai Yueheng arrived, all the servants bowed their heads and stood to the side. With them was a child who looked to be six or seven years old, somewhat thin from apparent malnutrition, but with remarkably bright eyes.
'This is… such a coincidence?'
Alright, Wang Nan admitted that when he agreed to visit the Duke's Mansion with Dai Yueheng, he did have some desire to meet this person. After all, in his previous life, he had, in a way, experienced a lot with this child. Yet, he hadn't expected to actually meet him.
Dai Yueheng followed Wang Nan's gaze, his brows slightly furrowed, "This is a child of a servant in the mansion, who with some unknown…"
At this point, Dai Yueheng seemed to find it inappropriate, so he rephrased, "A child born with someone unknown. My mother is kind-hearted and couldn't bear to see him homeless, so she kept him to do some chores."
"So that's how it is." Wang Nan nodded, looking as if he truly believed this explanation.
Wang Nan walked a few more steps with Dai Yueheng when he suddenly felt a gaze fall upon him.
His mental force was incredibly keen. Such an undisguised gaze was almost instantly traced to its source.
Turning sharply, Wang Nan saw Huo Yuhao lower his head in a panic, his hands clenched, his body rigid, clearly very nervous.
"What's wrong, Junior Brother?"
"Nothing."