"Of course I was complimenting my brother!" Meng Hongchen nodded firmly. "I'm his sister, after all."
With that, she slipped past Xiao Hongchen and fell into step beside Jiang Shengyu.
As she walked away, Xiao Hongchen murmured to himself, "Did she… did she just try to console me? Or was that just my imagination?"
Gu Lingjun stepped around him and said quietly, "Xiao Hongchen, it wasn't your imagination—but if you don't move, you soon will have one."
He looked at Gu Lingjun, feeling a flush of embarrassment. "Hey! Dean Gu, come on—I'm a genius from the Imperial Soul Tutor Academy!"
"It's not lack of genius—but lack of growth," Gu Lingjun replied without turning. "Genius means little until it matures. Remember that, OK?"
"I'm trying!" he mumbled, catching up to the others.
---
Back at camp, Tang Ya watched them return and asked, "You were gone a long while. What exactly happened—enough for the dean to go too?"
Jiang Shengyu blinked, exchanged a glance with Meng Hongchen, then carefully recounted everything that had happened at Shrek Academy. Tang Ya's expression turned grave.
"What about Beibei? You saw him, right?"
"He's fine," Shengyu assured her, patting her shoulder gently.
Tang Ya visibly relaxed. Then she frowned in concern, "But whose leading teacher at Shrek allowed such a disaster? Even Inner Academy students suffered heavy losses!"
"An old Grandmaster wolfing down chicken legs," Shengyu replied offhandedly.
Tang Ya stiffened. "You mean Xuánzǐ? But… with his skill, how could that happen?"
"Maybe the Soul King was just too cunning," Shengyu shrugged. "Even a Grandmaster can misread a sneaky trick."
Tang Ya paused, then softened. "Yes—dark Soul Masters can be twisted. There may have been some vile magic Xuánzǐ didn't expect." She implied this gently, softening the critique.
Shengyu only smiled and moved on. "It's late—everyone rest."
The rest of the Sun-Moon team didn't feel any personal stake with the Shrek students—so long as both Jiang Qingtong and Beibei were safe, they were satisfied.
The next morning, they resumed the journey toward Star Luo Empire. As the official delegation from the Sun-Moon Empire, they were accorded full respect by everyone along the way, regardless of underlying tensions.
---
At Shrek, Xuánzǐ reported the events to the council of elders:
"It's my responsibility. Haoxuan's body was recovered. Xixi, Chen Zifeng, and Gongyang Mo also returned…"
Elder Song sighed deeply, looking at the solemn Grandmaster. Dean Yan spoke up, "I'll notify Yao Haoxuan's family myself—I'm head of the Wuhun Department."
Elder Xian Lin'er asked, "And the rest? They haven't returned?"
Xuánzǐ explained that Jiang Qingtong and the three new Inner Academy students were volunteering to continue the tournament for Shrek's honor. Everyone fell silent as they processed the weight of that decision.
Elder Zhuang rose. "I won't interfere in your discussions here—let me know what you decide. I need to see to those three's recovery."
Once Zhuang left, Master Song cleared her throat. "Is it true? Jiang Qingtong wants to stay and fight—for Shrek's glory?"
Xuánzǐ nodded and recounted how Qingtong had stood her ground, even after her fiery clash with Jiang Shengyu.
Song blinked. "So… she's cutting herself off from Sun‑Moon Empire?"
"Yes," Xuánzǐ affirmed.
Cai Meier turned to Mu'en. "Elder Mu'en, what do you think? Should they stay in the tournament? With only three active starters, victory seems unlikely."
Mu'en stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Then perhaps… let them lose?"
Elder Xian Lin'er frowned. "If we lose, we appear weak. Should we swap in new Inner Academy students? Or postpone the tournament?"
Mu'en shook his head. "The glory of Shrek Academy isn't about trophies—it's about character. Those young ones already embody the Academy's glory."
The elders fell silent. Then Mu'en declared, "Let them continue. We trust them."
Xuánzǐ acknowledged the decision, adding his proposal for an exchange program with the Sun Moon Academy—a plan Mu'en approved for further discussion.
That night, Xuánzǐ and the Sun‑Moon team set off toward Star Luo Empire, carrying the three Shrek students with them by spirit flight.
---
Outside the city gates:
"Brother!" Jiang Qingtong called, spotting Jiang Shengyu among the crowd.
He didn't respond. After their teacher and the guards verified their credentials, he passed through the gate with the delegation—ignoring Qingtong completely.
She watched silently, her head bowed, pain honest in her posture.
Beibei approached her but paused, uncertain whether to touch her shoulder. He whispered, "I thought I recognized someone…" and watched the Sun-Moon team disappear into the city.
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