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*****
The moment she opened her eyes, Zhu Zhuqing's hazy vision focused on a girl about her age sitting cross-legged beside her. She immediately raised her guard, but in the next instant, she noticed the clean clothes on her body and the tight feeling of bandages wrapped around her. Hmm... although this set of clothes was a little small for her.
Sensing the movement beside her, Xiao Wu immediately stopped cultivating and spoke softly to Zhu Zhuqing. "How are you feeling now? My name is Xiao Wu, the 'Wu' from 'dancing.' You suddenly fainted earlier. I've already given you the medicine my brother provided. See how you feel."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression remained cold. She nodded and assessed her physical condition, only to be surprised to find that the poison... was completely gone!
"Do you have a change of clothes with you? My clothes are a little too small on you," Xiao Wu said, her tone filled with a sour tang. Unwilling to be outdone, she pressed on, "You still haven't told me your name. And may I ask how old you are this year?"
"Zhu Zhuqing. Eleven years old," she replied, her words concise and to the point.
Xiao Wu could tell that the person before her seemed a bit cold and aloof. But, she really was younger than her. This was devastating.
However, Xiao Wu quickly composed herself. It was fine. She was still growing. She couldn't compare herself to this freak of nature.
"Brother, Tang San, Grandmaster, she's awake."
After waiting for Zhu Zhuqing to change her clothes, Xiao Wu lifted the tent flap and walked out.
After some conversation, the group was surprised to learn that they were all heading to Shrek Academy.
Curiosity immediately sparked in Xiao Wu. "Zhuqing, where did you come from? Shrek Academy is so unknown..."
Xiao Tian: "..."
He gently tugged on Xiao Wu's sleeve. It was their first time meeting; how could she possibly answer that?
Zhu Zhuqing noticed his small gesture. She looked at the person who had saved her, and her gaze softened slightly. "I came from the Star Luo Empire. I'm going to Shrek Academy to find someone."
Yu Xiaogang's interest was piqued. Flender had privately told him about the situation at Shrek Academy, which could only be described with the word "miserable." The entire academy had only three students. What a disgrace to the Golden Iron Triangle! That stingy old coot wouldn't even refund the application fees; couldn't he use the money to improve the academy's environment or something!
'Looking for someone...'
Yu Xiaogang pondered for a moment and quickly formed a hypothesis. At Shrek Academy, Oscar was adopted by Flender, and Ma Hongjun was his direct disciple; neither of them could possibly have a connection to Zhu Zhuqing. That only left Dai Mubai. One surnamed Zhu, the other Dai. Understanding dawned on him. Although he had been living in seclusion at Nuoding Academy for several years, he still knew a fair bit about the situation in the Star Luo Empire. The Zhu Zhuqing before him was very likely Dai Mubai's fiancée. He had to make sure she stayed at Shrek Academy tomorrow. With her, plus Tang San and the others, in a few years, Shrek could participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Competition.
"Zhu Zhuqing, I wonder who you're looking for at Shrek? To be frank, Shrek Academy was founded by the 'Flying Corner' of the Golden Iron Triangle, Flender. And I am the 'Wisdom Corner,' Yu Xiaogang. I wonder if you've heard of us? When Shrek Academy starts its enrollment the day after tomorrow, don't be too surprised when you go. Shrek Academy only accepts monsters. Without a certain level of strength, you won't be able to get in."
Yu Xiaogang smiled at Zhu Zhuqing, his words full of enticement. Shrek Academy was not a place just anyone could enter!
Zhu Zhuqing just nodded coldly, not saying a word. But a thousand thoughts were racing through her mind. 'Only accepts monsters?' In that case, his coming from the Star Luo Empire to Shrek Academy wasn't an escape, but a strategic move to build his own power base from the ground up, wasn't it?
Little did Yu Xiaogang know that his words had just planted a landmine in Zhu Zhuqing's heart.
Afterward, Zhu Zhuqing thanked Xiao Tian once again. The group decided to set off for Soto City together the next day and then rested in their tents.
During their chat, Zhu Zhuqing learned of their current spirit power ranks from Xiao Wu and was astonished. "How do you all cultivate? You're only a year older than me, but your spirit power ranks are so much higher!"
Suddenly, she paused and then said, "Don't tell me... all three of you have innate full spirit power? Is that why you're so strong?" Zhu Zhuqing felt she must have guessed correctly. Her own innate spirit power was only at rank seven. Even with her diligent, daily cultivation, she had only managed to reach rank twenty-seven at her age, which had already broken her family's records. She never expected there were people who cultivated even faster than her. There was only one possibility: their innate spirit power was higher than hers, and they worked just as hard as she did.
Xiao Wu gave a mysterious smile. "Zhuqing, you only guessed half of it. It's true that Tang San and I both have innate full spirit power, but my brother doesn't. His innate spirit power is only rank five." She had already started calling her "Zhuqing" familiarly; they would be classmates in a few days, after all.
"What! Xiao Wu, are you sure you're telling the truth? Innate rank five... in the history of this continent, no one has ever reached the Spirit Elder realm at this age!" Zhu Zhuqing's voice was filled with absolute shock, her tone rising several octaves. She could no longer maintain her cold demeanor; her small mouth was slightly agape, her eyes wide with disbelief.
She had already learned that Xiao Tian was the strongest of the three, but she never imagined that his innate talent was the weakest. This was something she simply could not comprehend. If she could learn something from him, could she become even stronger?
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing was filled with an infinite curiosity about Xiao Tian, but her gaze became incredibly determined. She had to become stronger!
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's shocked expression, Xiao Wu felt a surge of happiness. After all, Xiao Tian was her brother, and he had essentially pioneered a completely new path of auxiliary cultivation, hadn't he? Although this method wasn't suitable for most people, it was still something to be immensely proud of!
In the subsequent conversation, Zhu Zhuqing opened up a little. But during her chat with Xiao Wu, all her questions were related to Xiao Tian, which immediately put Xiao Wu on high alert.
'Could it be that Zhuqing is interested in my brother?' And in the beginning, Xiao Tian had been quite appreciative of Zhuqing's figure and looks.
Xiao Wu remembered something Xiao Tian had once said: "When you become curious about a man, congratulations, you've already started to fall for him."
For some reason, a sour feeling suddenly welled up in Xiao Wu's heart. That was her brother; how could he be so easily stolen away by someone else?
(End of chapter)