Zhu Ziyang remained on the Yue'nan Islands for seven days before finally deciding to return to Shrek Academy.
Before his departure, he bid farewell to Zhang Lexuan, Jiang NanNan, Elder Song, and the others. Turning to Elder Song, he said,
"Elder Song, the next phase of the plan will trouble you. Lexuan-jie and NanNan won't have the energy to manage these affairs until they complete their respective trials."
"Rest assured," Elder Song replied calmly. "This part of the plan never required Lexuan or NanNan to intervene. I know my limits."
"NanNan, Lexuan-jie," Zhu Ziyang looked at the two women. "Focus entirely on completing your trials. When the time comes for you to absorb your next spirit ring, don't rush into it. Return to the Academy and find me first."
"We understand," Zhang Lexuan and Jiang NanNan answered softly. Though puzzled by his words, they did not question him, obediently agreeing instead.
"Oh, and I've found someone to assist you," Zhu Ziyang added. He clapped his hands, and instantly, a figure clad in black-and-white armor appeared before them. From her frame, it was clear she was a woman.
"She is—?" Elder Song and Elder Zhu reacted with alarm and disbelief. Neither had sensed her presence at all, and from her aura, she was at least Elder Song's equal in power.
"Elder Song, Elder Zhu, don't be alarmed," Zhu Ziyang said quickly. "This is Senior Zhang Weiwei, someone I met by chance. I can't explain her origins, but you may trust her absolutely. Her strength should be at the level of a Rank 97 Super Douluo."
"Greetings," Zhang Weiwei said, as the armor around her face retracted, revealing the visage of a gallant yet graceful woman in her prime. Her appearance left Elder Song and Elder Zhu both surprised, though their wariness eased somewhat. Beauty has its advantages.
A Rank 97 Super Douluo! Jiang NanNan and the others couldn't help but stare, their faces full of curiosity at this woman who appeared so delicate, yet radiated such terrifying strength.
"Hello," Elder Song replied politely. Though Zhang Weiwei looked trustworthy, and even familiar with Zhu Ziyang, it was impossible for Elder Song to simply drop all caution.
Zhu Ziyang, however, paid no mind. His purpose in bringing Zhang Weiwei was simple: to protect Jiang NanNan.
"Elder Song, Elder Zhu, Sister Weiwei won't interfere in your decisions. I asked her to help only to provide extra safety for NanNan and Lexuan-jie."
"What, do you think Zhu and I aren't enough to protect them?" Elder Song frowned, displeased.
"Of course not!" Zhu Ziyang replied quickly with an awkward smile. "I'm only thinking of you, Elder Song. You'll have plenty to deal with soon. One more person to help watch over them will lighten your burden."
"Hmph! You know how to talk, at least," Elder Song huffed, but she tacitly agreed to Zhang Weiwei's presence.
"Sister Weiwei, I'll be leaving them in your care," Zhu Ziyang said, smiling warmly.
"You have my word," Zhang Weiwei answered solemnly, pressing her hand to her chest in a vow.
Her deferential attitude toward Zhu Ziyang surprised the others, but Zhang Weiwei herself thought nothing of it. In her heart, Zhu Ziyang was the ultimate master—his commands were her faith.
"Then, I'll be off," Zhu Ziyang said, and departed without hesitation. As for how Jiang NanNan and the others would get along with Zhang Weiwei, he had no worries. None of them were unreasonable people.
After leaving April Island, Zhu Ziyang boarded a merchant vessel and reached Yanghai City on the western coast of the Sun Moon Empire. From there, he charted his course inland, striking directly at the empire's heart.
In a small town 150 kilometers from the imperial capital, he eliminated the third target of the Death God's Four Trials. Then, pressing eastward, he crossed the Mingdou Mountains into the Star Luo Empire, where in a medium-sized city in the west, he killed his fourth target.
With that, only one target remained. Unable to locate it himself, he resolved to return to the Academy and rely on its intelligence network.
Thus, after one month away, Zhu Ziyang returned to Shrek Academy. He first reported to the Sea God Pavilion about the progress of the "Empress's Descent" plan. Though Elder Song would certainly send word herself, there was no harm in him reporting early.
After leaving the Pavilion, he learned something else: the following day was the scheduled student exchange with the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. To mark the occasion, Tang Ya had decided to host a farewell banquet for Huo Yuhao and He Caitou. Naturally, she invited the newly returned Zhu Ziyang.
The farewell feast was held on an open stretch by the Sea God Lake. When Zhu Ziyang arrived, Huo Yuhao was diligently grilling fish, while Tang Ya squatted nearby, practically drooling. The others were busy preparing side dishes.
"Zhu Ziyang, you couldn't have come back at a better time!" Tang Ya exclaimed, springing to her feet and wiping her mouth. "If you'd been a day later, Yuhao would've already left!"
"Haha, better late than never," Zhu Ziyang laughed. "Besides, Yuhao's just going on an exchange program, not leaving forever. If I miss him, I can always visit the Sun Moon Empire, can't I?"
"Wang Dong, did you hear that?" Tang Ya shouted suddenly. "Yuhao's only going to study for a while. We can always visit him. So stop acting like it's a life-and-death farewell!"
"I am not acting like it's life-and-death!" Wang Dong spun around defensively—but his tear-reddened eyes, trembling voice, and choked words betrayed him completely.
"Honestly, I don't know what to do with you!" Tang Ya groaned, rolling her eyes. "You're a grown man, Wang Dong, yet you're sniffling like a little girl!"
"I…" Wang Dong wanted to retort, but the words stuck in his throat. Finally, he could only pout in frustration.
"Alright, Xiao Ya, stop teasing him," Bei Bei interjected, carrying over a tray of vegetables. "Wang Dong and Yuhao are closest of friends. It's only natural he'd feel sad at their parting."
"Fine, fine!" Tang Ya threw up her hands. "Any more and I'll be the villain here."
Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but chuckle aloud.
Soon, the food was ready, and everyone sat together, laughing and eating. The atmosphere was cheerful, free of the gloom that usually clung to farewells. For this, Tang Ya deserved full credit.
"Ziyang, did Lexuan-jie manage to find her clansmen?" Bei Bei asked at last, unable to hide his concern.
"She did," Zhu Ziyang replied, biting into his fish. "She still has a great-aunt alive, and they've reunited."
Bei Bei's relief was obvious, though he knew nothing of the Empress plan. Like the other disciples, he only believed Zhang Lexuan's ancestors had been from the Sun Moon Empire, and that she was searching for survivors of her clan's massacre.
"I can't believe Lexuan-jie really is from the Sun Moon Empire," Tang Ya said with a sigh. Thankfully, she and Bei Bei had no idea about Lexuan's past engagement as Bei Bei's child-bride, or the mood would've been very different.
"Truly surprising," He Caitou remarked, a strange flicker crossing his face. "If I recall, Senior Sister's martial soul is the Moon itself, isn't it?"
"That's right," Zhu Ziyang confirmed, giving Caitou a long, thoughtful look. If the Academy's intelligence was correct, He Caitou would play a crucial role in Zhang Lexuan's future rise to the Sun Moon throne.
"Then why haven't she and NanNan returned?" Xiao Xiao asked curiously.
"Lexuan-jie's great-aunt is elderly and doesn't have long left," Zhu Ziyang explained smoothly. "She wishes to stay until the end. NanNan and the others are with her."
"Oh…" Xiao Xiao nodded, her face showing sympathy. "That's so pitiful. Finally finding family, only to lose them again so soon…"
"Let's not dwell on sad things," Tang Ya interrupted quickly, steering the mood back. "Zhu Ziyang, guess what? I've reclaimed the Tang Sect's ancestral estate!"
"Really? Congratulations!" Zhu Ziyang was surprised at first, then smiled warmly. "Bei Bei, that must've been exhausting for you."
"Not too bad," Bei Bei said modestly. "They had numbers, but not enough strength."
"Why is it always Bei Bei who gets the credit?" Tang Ya fumed, stomping her foot. "Why can't it be me, the great Tang Sect Master, reclaiming our heritage?"
"Come on now, I know your strength better than anyone," Zhu Ziyang teased with a laugh.
"You—!" Tang Ya exploded in mock fury, making everyone burst out laughing.
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