After leaving the faculty office building, Jiang Nannan hurriedly departed, eager to return to her dormitory to fuse with the ten-thousand-year Ghost Shadow Leopard's left leg bone.
Among the seven reserve team members, she was undoubtedly the most excited. Unlike the others, who came from prominent backgrounds and had broader perspectives, obtaining a ten-thousand-year soul bone worth over a million gold soul coins was an unexpected windfall for her.
As usual, Xu Sanshi trailed behind Jiang Nannan like a persistent plaster.
The faculty office building was situated in front of the senior teaching building. Due to their earlier delay, when the four arrived at the open area in front of the senior teaching building, the sun had sunk almost level with the horizon, painting the sky a golden-red hue.
He Caitou glanced toward the Soul Tool Department, giving a simple smile to Xu Zihuang, Beibei, and Ning Tian. "Senior Bei, Junior Yu, Junior Ning Tian, I'll head back first."
Xu Zihuang, Beibei, and Ning Tian nodded in acknowledgment, watching him until he was out of sight before turning their gazes away.
By now, nearly half an hour had passed since the afternoon classes at Shrek Academy's Outer Court had ended. The open area where the three stood and the nearby senior teaching building were mostly deserted.
The trio immediately spotted a graceful, black-haired girl by the shore of Sea God Lake, looking their way.
It was Tang Ya.
Upon noticing Xu Zihuang, Beibei, and Ning Tian approaching—especially seeing Xu Zihuang—Tang Ya's eyes lit up, and she walked over with a charming smile. Her well-fitted purple fifth-year uniform accentuated her delicate figure. The hem of her skirt and her black ponytail swayed gently, and while she lacked the refined elegance of Ning Tian, who came from a prominent soul master family, she exuded a vibrant, youthful energy that was particularly eye-catching.
Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian smiled and greeted Tang Ya as she approached.
"Senior Xiao Ya."
Tang Ya placed her hands on her hips, playfully scrutinizing the intimate Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian before breaking into a grin. "Looks like what Beibei said was true. Not bad, Tianhuang, Ning Tian—you two are moving fast!"
As she spoke, she cheerfully linked arms with Ning Tian's right arm. "Ning Tian, tomorrow's a day off. Beibei and I are planning to visit Shrek City tonight for a stroll. Why don't you and Tianhuang come along?"
Beibei couldn't help but glance at Xu Zihuang beside him, his eyes flickering.
He had overheard Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian's earlier conversation.
Ning Tian planned to fuse with the Light Rejuvenation Right Arm Bone that evening, with Yu Tianhuang standing guard.
Beibei had no intention of telling Tang Ya about the soul bone rewards given to the reserve team. Having seen Tang Ya's dejected demeanor a month ago, he knew she wasn't as carefree as she appeared.
Telling her about this would serve no purpose and would only deepen her feelings of inferiority.
Xu Zihuang nodded subtly, understanding Beibei's intent.
He wasn't the only one who picked up on it; Ning Tian, closely linked with Tang Ya, understood as well.
Compared to Tang Ya, Ning Tian had less interaction with her and didn't share her outgoing, familiar personality. But this didn't stop her from being friendly toward Tang Ya. Tang Ya's kind-hearted nature was likable, and there was no competition between them. Moreover, Tang Ya was Beibei's partner, the captain of the reserve team. If Ning Tian were to treat Tang Ya poorly or show hostility, she wouldn't be Ning Tian.
Ning Tian smiled softly. "Senior Xiao Ya, actually, Tianhuang and I were also planning to visit Shrek City."
"Really?!" Tang Ya's beautiful phoenix eyes widened in delight. "That's perfect! Let's not waste time and head over now. We'll grab dinner in Shrek City first—I know a great restaurant."
Tang Ya once again displayed her foodie tendencies, her eyes practically sparkling at the mention of food.
With that, she eagerly pulled Ning Tian toward the east gate of Shrek Academy, not forgetting to urge Xu Zihuang and Beibei. "Tianhuang, Beibei, hurry up and follow!"
Xu Zihuang and Beibei walked side by side behind Tang Ya and Ning Tian. Xu Zihuang's gaze briefly met Ning Tian's as she glanced back.
His decision to develop this relationship with Ning Tian was not only due to the deep foundation of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect behind her but also because her personality ensured she wouldn't cause him trouble and could even assist him in many matters.
In contrast, Ma Xiaotao, with her fiery temper and tendency to act without considering consequences, was far less suitable than Ning Tian.
He avoided excessive contact or ambiguity with Ma Xiaotao for precisely this reason—her personality could easily lead to complications.
Watching Xu Zihuang and Ning Tian's interaction, Beibei couldn't help but inwardly admire how well-suited they were.
The group of four walked along the lakeside path, quickly attracting attention.
The four were undoubtedly prominent figures in the Outer Court.
Their combination was full of gossip potential. Beibei and Tang Ya's relationship was practically public knowledge throughout the Outer Court. So what about Yu Tianhuang and Ning Tian? The two had grown notably close over the past year.
It didn't take long for gossip-loving students to spread the news.
Tang Ya seemed to think of something and leaned close to Ning Tian's ear, whispering. A faint blush instantly appeared on Ning Tian's delicate face, and she gently shook her head.
Both then glanced at Xu Zihuang behind them. Tang Ya's eyes held a hint of playful mischief, while Ning Tian's were filled with shyness.
Beibei's mouth twitched slightly. Knowing Tang Ya's sometimes carefree nature all too well, he could guess the gist of her whispered words, even though she used soul power transmission, based on their subtle movements.
At that moment, Xu Zihuang suddenly felt an intense sense of unease, his expression turning serious.
No sooner had this feeling arisen than a peculiar voice rang out.
"Xuanzi, get out of here."
The voice didn't seem loud at first, but it reverberated with a booming resonance. Most terrifyingly, it enveloped the entire Shrek Academy. Just a few simple words carried the weight of dark clouds pressing down on a city about to crumble.
Beibei's face changed drastically, and he quickly shielded Tang Ya, whose face had paled.
Xu Zihuang, who had a suspicion, similarly pulled Ning Tian into his arms. Nearby students with cultivation below level 30 fared worse, some even swaying unsteadily.
In Xu Zihuang's spiritual sea, the slumbering Tianmeng Iceworm was instantly awakened, its tone grave as it warned, "Zihuang, be careful. The owner of this voice is extremely powerful, no weaker than your Shrek Academy's Elder Xuan."
Before Tianmeng Iceworm's words faded, intense beams of light shot into the sky, numbering at least thirty. Each beam remained cohesive, especially the leading dark green pillar, which was exceptionally thick, almost overshadowing the others behind it.
Within that distant dark green pillar, a figure slowly emerged. It was a tall, imposing old man with long, dark green hair cascading down his back. Comically, he was bald on top. His face was rosy like a baby's, with only his weathered, dark green eyes betraying his age.
The soul rings surrounding him were two yellow, two purple, two black, and three red—an astonishing three hundred-thousand-year soul rings. His overwhelming aura seemed to shatter the very air.
Following him, eleven other figures appeared, each with nine soul rings.
In total, there were twelve Titled Douluo-level powerhouses, with over half possessing a red, hundred-thousand-year ninth soul ring.
Behind them, more than twenty others emerged, each a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse.
Twelve Titled Douluo and over twenty Soul Douluo arriving together—what a staggering scene! How many forces on the continent could boast such terrifying strength?
"Old Poison, is your Body Sect coming out in full force to start a war with our Shrek Academy?" Elder Xuan's voice rang out above Shrek Academy, thick with gravity.
A brilliant yellow pillar of light shot into the sky, its dazzling brilliance instantly enveloping the entire academy. Moreover, powerful auras erupted from within Shrek Academy.
The academy had over thirty powerhouses rising into the air as well.
Elder Xuan's words confirmed the identity of the newcomers: the Body Sect's leader, Du Busi.
Du Busi stared coldly at Elder Xuan, standing in the void above Sea God Island, and snorted, his tone unyielding. "Xuanzi, don't give me that nonsense. Hand over our sect's member, or even if it means war with your Shrek Academy, so be it!"
Hearing Du Busi's words, Elder Xuan's gaze sharpened, intense yellow light bursting from him as his powerful aura erupted. "Old Poison, you dare threaten me? Do you really think our Shrek Academy fears your Body Sect?"
Du Busi responded without backing down. "Try me. I'll ask you one last time—will you hand them over or not?"
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