"Hehe, I'll tell you tonight." Jiang Nannan teased, keeping the details to herself. She didn't reveal to Zhu Ziyang that her trial required assisting him in completing the Death God's Seventh Trial. Instead, her gaze shifted to Qian Lingyi, who stood quietly at his side. A flicker of emotion passed through her eyes. "Brother, aren't you going to introduce her?"
"My name is Qian Lingyi. This should be our second time meeting." Before Zhu Ziyang could speak, Qian Lingyi stepped forward gracefully and introduced herself.
"Qian Lingyi?" Jiang Nannan repeated softly, pondering for a moment. Then her eyes lit with recognition. "You're the little girl from the Tianhui Grand Canyon?"
"Mhm!" Lingyi nodded firmly. "But I'm not so little anymore!"
"Then… how did you end up with my brother?" Jiang Nannan asked curiously.
"Lingyi is now also a student of Shrek Academy," Zhu Ziyang explained. "She's been traveling with me these past few months."
"Traveling together, huh? How nice." Jiang Nannan's face darkened slightly, her lips pursed as she gave Zhu Ziyang a look full of dissatisfaction.
"Hehe…" Zhu Ziyang could only scratch his head awkwardly, forcing out an embarrassed laugh.
That evening, Zhu Ziyang accompanied Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan to the Sanctuary of the Moon Goddess.
"Nannan, Sister Lexuan—how many trials have you completed now?" he asked as the two knelt before the silver statue of the goddess, their eyes closed in prayer.
"We've passed five and are now undergoing the Sixth Trial," Jiang Nannan answered as she rose gracefully to her feet. "And this trial has something to do with you, Brother!"
"With me?" Zhu Ziyang blinked in surprise. At once he recalled what Nannan had hinted at earlier and felt his heart tremble. "Could it be… your Sixth Trial is tied to my Seventh?"
"That's right!" Jiang Nannan nodded. "Both Sister Lexuan and I must help you complete your Death God's Seventh Trial. By the way, Brother, what is your seventh trial exactly?"
Zhu Ziyang was left stunned. He had never imagined that the trials of the Taiyin God could intertwine with those of the Death God. Were these two deities somehow connected? He longed to ask Xiaobai, but the moment wasn't right. For now, he focused on sharing information.
"My Seventh Trial is troublesome," he admitted. "It requires me to leave Douluo Continent and journey to another land."
"Another land?" Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan exchanged wide-eyed looks of disbelief.
"Yes." Zhu Ziyang nodded solemnly. "That continent lies east of Douluo. That's why I plan to head for Eastsea City to investigate. We've never had much contact with the ocean—let alone sailing in search of a new continent."
"You're right," Zhang Lexuan agreed, her expression serious. "Setting out to sea is extremely dangerous. Unpredictable factors abound, and one misstep could mean we never return. We must prepare thoroughly."
"Then what do we do? Go to Eastsea City to gather information?" Jiang Nannan asked quickly.
"That's the plan," Zhu Ziyang confirmed. "But before that, we should return to the Academy. I need to inform Elder Xuan, my parents, and your mother as well. After all, this journey will take at least a year. Once that's done, we'll obtain soul spirits for you both, and only then head for Eastsea City."
"Agreed," Zhang Lexuan said. "We'll also need to inform our elders, since our current plans may need to be paused."
"Good. Then it's settled—we return to the Academy tomorrow!" Zhu Ziyang declared with a smile. Then, curious, he asked, "By the way, Nannan, Sister Lexuan, what rewards have you received from your trials?"
"Hehe, they've been amazing!" Jiang Nannan beamed. "Look!"
She released her spirit rings—two purple and four black. Zhu Ziyang's eyes widened. "Your rings… they've changed? That's your reward?"
"Yes!" Nannan nodded proudly. "Completing the first five trials boosted all my rings by five thousand years and gave me five extra ranks of soul power. Otherwise, how else could I have advanced eight levels in just one year?"
"That's incredible…" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but feel envious. "Why don't my trials grant such rewards? No spirit power, no ring upgrades…" Shaking his head helplessly, he turned to Zhang Lexuan. "And you, Sister Lexuan?"
"My rewards are similar to Nannan's, though not quite as abundant," she replied with a smile.
"I see…" Zhu Ziyang gave a wry laugh, but his heart warmed. "That's good. With spirit spirits, your strength will rise even higher."
"Brother, I've been meaning to ask," Jiang Nannan said suddenly. "What exactly is a soul spirit?"
"Watch." Zhu Ziyang summoned the Snow Empress. The radiant figure appeared at his side, and he explained her origins and purpose. Both Nannan and Lexuan were astonished, their eyes full of longing and anticipation.
Afterward, the three returned to the residence arranged for them at the Marquis' estate. Zhu Ziyang's room was beside Nannan's, with Lingyi's beside Lexuan's. Clearly, the arrangements had been deliberate.
Just as Zhu Ziyang prepared to enter the inheritance grounds to question Xiaobai, a knock came at his door. Surprised, he opened it—only to see Jiang Nannan standing there, hugging a pillow.
Without a word, she pushed past him into the room.
"Nannan, what's this about?" Zhu Ziyang asked, bewildered.
"I've decided—I'm sleeping here with you tonight!" Her cheeks burned crimson, but her voice was unshakably firm.
"Eh?!" Zhu Ziyang's heart skipped wildly. "Nannan, you… you're ready?"
At his expression, Jiang Nannan immediately realized what he was thinking. Her blush deepened to scarlet, and with a cry of embarrassment she hurled the pillow into his chest. "Brother! What are you imagining? I only came to talk with you! I-I'm not giving myself to you—I'm not even an adult yet!"
"Er… haha, my mistake." Zhu Ziyang rubbed the back of his neck, laughing awkwardly. "Then… shall we stay up and chat?"
So it was that the two lay side by side on the bed. Nannan curled against him, speaking softly of her year of longing and struggle. Zhu Ziyang listened, his heart stirred by her every word, every breath.
The night deepened. Their whispers grew slower, softer, until tender warmth gave way to something more profound, more intimate…
The next morning, Zhu Ziyang awoke to find Nannan still nestled in his arms, her cheeks faintly flushed, her beauty serene. His heart skipped as he remembered the night before—unexpected, natural, a step neither of them had planned yet both had embraced.
She stirred, blinking her large eyes, hazy with sleep and shyness. Meeting his gaze, she flushed scarlet, burying her face beneath the blanket as she pushed lightly against his chest.
Zhu Ziyang could only laugh softly.
When the two finally dressed and emerged, they bumped directly into Zhang Lexuan.
"You two…" Lexuan froze, her expression blank—until she caught sight of Nannan's lingering blush. Her lips curved into a teasing smile. "Nannan, did you sleep well last night?"
"L-Lexuan-jie!" Nannan stamped her foot, clutching Lexuan's arm in mortified protest. "Don't tease me like that!"
"Our little Taiyin Goddess is shy?" Lexuan chuckled.
Soon after, Qian Lingyi also arrived. She studied Zhu Ziyang and Nannan closely, sensing something had changed between them, though she couldn't pinpoint what. Nannan seemed prettier, Zhu Ziyang steadier. Curious, she tried to ask—but he only laughed it off, leaving her unconvinced but unable to press further.
With their matters settled, the four bid farewell to Elder Song and departed from the Yue'nan Archipelago, setting out for Shrek Academy once more.
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