"Here, a chicken leg."
Xiao Wu handed over a chicken leg the size of a watermelon, somewhat dejectedly saying:
"I didn't pay attention and burned it. Just make do with it. After eating, we'll set off."
The starving Ye Tian didn't reject the large chicken leg Xiao Wu handed him.
He wolfed it down ravenously.
As the chicken gradually digested, some strength returned to his body. He raised his head with a puzzled expression and asked:
"Where are we going?"
Xiao Wu pointed north matter-of-factly. "To Heaven Dou City, of course."
"When I graduated from Shrek Academy, I made a promise with my friends to meet again at the academy in five years."
At this point, Xiao Wu sighed.
"Time flies so fast. In the blink of an eye, five years have passed."
Xiao Wu half-knelt in front of Ye Tian, resting her chin on her hand as she stared at him:
"Your current condition makes it hard for me to leave you alone. So, I've decided to take you to Shrek Academy to recuperate for half a month."
"After half a month, if you want to stay in Heaven Dou City, I can recommend you to teach at Shrek Academy. At least you'll have a job to make a living."
"Of course, if you want to leave, I won't stop you either."
Xiao Wu stood up lightly, clasping her hands behind her back.
Her graceful and agile figure leaped up as she plucked a peach blossom from the tree above and tucked it behind Ye Tian's ear.
Bending slightly at the waist, she tilted her head and looked at Ye Tian. "You really look like a pretty little girl."
"Such a beautiful girl shouldn't seek death so easily, okay?"
Ye Tian pursed his lips and rolled his eyes at Xiao Wu.
But deep down, Ye Tian understood—Xiao Wu had misunderstood him.
She thought he had tried to drown himself.
So she was trying to comfort him.
Ye Tian didn't plan to explain too much.
After all, one lie would require countless more to cover it up.
Going to Heaven Dou City wasn't a bad idea.
As the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, Heaven Dou City's transportation networks were extensive.
Moreover, Qian Renxue was there.
Once he entered the city, all he needed to do was find Qian Renxue.
Having her send him back to Spirit City would be effortless.
"Mm, I think your suggestion is good."
Ye Tian nodded slightly and struggled to stand up.
Having been unconscious for half a month, his body was extremely weak.
Fortunately, his foundation was solid, and he had taken many body-strengthening elixirs during this time.
He still had the strength to walk.
Besides, he didn't even need to walk.
Because Xiao Wu had come on horseback.
"Sit behind me."
Xiao Wu led the horse over to Ye Tian, patted the saddle, and blinked her beautiful big eyes.
"Later, you'll get to see my riding skills!"
"Mm, they must be amazing." Ye Tian clapped symbolically and praised.
This made Xiao Wu extremely happy. She placed a hand on her hip and flicked her bangs.
"Hmph, of course! I, Xiao Wu, am the boss of the Star Dou Great Forest!"
...
Xiao Wu's riding skills were indeed impressive.
Even Ye Tian, who never got disoriented easily, was completely lost after a day of being jostled around by her.
"Xiao Wu, are we there yet?" Ye Tian slumped weakly against Xiao Wu's back, looking half-dead.
Xiao Wu, riding in front, turned her head and couldn't help but cover her mouth in laughter at his expression.
She pointed ahead at the outline of a towering city.
"We're almost there."
Ye Tian lifted his eyelids with great effort, glanced at the city ahead, and let out a long sigh.
The physical difference between soul masters and ordinary people truly couldn't be compared.
As a Spirit Sage above level 70, Xiao Wu naturally didn't feel the strain of a long journey on her body.
But he was miserable.
After being unconscious for fifteen days and just waking up, he had been dragged along for a whole day of nonstop travel.
Ye Tian felt that he really needed to rest for half a month this time.
Once inside Heaven Dou City, Xiao Wu didn't ride too fast due to the crowded streets.
They meandered through the streets until they reached a wide avenue.
The road was lined with tall pine trees, and there were very few pedestrians.
This was because the southern side of the street had no shops—just a long stretch of wall.
After riding along the street for a while, a grand gate came into view.
Above it were five gilded characters: Shrek Academy.
Xiao Wu's face lit up with satisfaction as she gazed at the words.
"I never expected Shrek Academy to have grown so much in just five years since I graduated!"
As an alumna, seeing her alma mater flourish naturally filled her with pride.
Xiao Wu's striking beauty drew the attention of many passing students as she sat on horseback at the academy's entrance.
One bold student even stepped forward to strike up a conversation:
"Classmate, are you also from Shrek Academy? My name is Su Lai. My father is the Tyrant Dragon Duke. I'm a fourth-year student. Would you like to be friends?"
A handsome young man, about 1.8 meters tall, gave a slight noble's bow.
"How old are you, little brother?"
Xiao Wu blinked her big, doll-like eyes and giggled.
This student, Su Lai, probably wasn't even fifteen yet.
She patted his shoulder. "I'm already twenty."
"Age isn't a problem," Su Lai replied with a bright smile.
This made Xiao Wu even more amused. This junior was quite interesting.
Resting her chin on her hand, she said, "Too bad, I don't really like little brothers. You should focus on training."
"I'm not little!"
Su Lai flexed his muscular arm in protest.
"Su Lai, you're flirting in the wrong place. Do you know who she is?"
Just then, a magnetic voice sounded behind Su Lai.
Su Lai turned around, startled.
"Senior Rongrong! Why are you here?"
The newcomer was none other than Ning Rongrong.
To fulfill the five-year promise of the Shrek Seven Devils, she had arrived at Shrek Academy ten days ago.
At the invitation of Dean Flender, Ning Rongrong had also taken up a temporary teaching position at the academy, imparting knowledge that couldn't be learned in regular classes.
Ning Rongrong shot Su Lai a disdainful look.
"If I hadn't come, you'd have gotten yourself into big trouble."
She pointed at Xiao Wu on the horse.
"This is the Xiao Wu I've often mentioned to you—one of the Shrek Seven Devils."
The moment these words were spoken, Su Lai's jaw dropped so wide he could have fit a fist inside.
"You… you're Xiao Wu?!"
As a member of the first generation of Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu was incredibly famous—practically a household name among the students.
They took great pride in having seniors like the Shrek Seven Devils.
Su Lai never imagined that this stunningly beautiful girl was actually the Xiao Wu he idolized.
After Ning Rongrong's introduction, Su Lai immediately turned pale and bowed respectfully to Xiao Wu.
"Senior, please don't be angry! I really didn't know you were Sister Xiao Wu."
Hearing someone call her "Sister Xiao Wu," Xiao Wu couldn't help but feel smug.
She dismounted and waved her hand dismissively.
"It's fine. Since it's your first time, I'll let it slide."
"But you'd better remember—if I catch you harassing other students again, don't blame me for being harsh."
Su Lai nodded repeatedly, quickly agreeing.
At the same time, he noticed the pale and weak-looking Ye Tian still on the horse.
Since Ye Tian was riding with Xiao Wu, Su Lai immediately thought of one person.
He stepped forward in awe and asked respectfully:
"You… you wouldn't happen to be Senior Tang San, would you?"
"I'm not," Ye Tian replied weakly.
Hearing this, Su Lai awkwardly took a step back.
"Ahaha, my mistake."
He scratched his head and glanced at Xiao Wu.
"Awkward. I mistook your boyfriend for Senior Tang San."
Xiao Wu glared at him. "If you don't know how to talk, then don't."
"Ye Tian is my friend, not my boyfriend."
Su Lai's face turned beet red, and he trembled with embarrassment.
He wished he could find a hole to crawl into.
Unfortunately, there were no holes nearby, so he could only slink away with his tail between his legs.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, who had heard Su Lai's words, cast a surprised glance at Ye Tian.
With Xiao Wu blocking the way earlier, she hadn't paid much attention to the person behind her.
Now that she got a clear look, Ning Rongrong gasped.
"Ye Tian?!"
"You two know each other?" Xiao Wu was astonished, her eyes widening as she looked at Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong's shock didn't fade. "Not just know each other—Ye Tian once saved my life."
Though she inwardly looked down on Ye Tian, she openly acknowledged the past.
Her manners were impeccable as she nodded at Ye Tian.
"Long time no see."
Then she immediately turned back to Xiao Wu and asked in a low voice:
"Why are you with Ye Tian? What happened?"
Xiao Wu glanced back at the frail-looking Ye Tian and sighed.
"Don't ask about what happened. Just know that Ye Tian is a good friend of mine."
Xiao Wu knew Ye Tian's emotional state was unstable.
If she outright said he had jumped into a river, it would only humiliate him further.
Seeing Xiao Wu's evasiveness, Ning Rongrong immediately sealed her lips and didn't pry further.
But in her heart, she was already speculating.
Something unspeakable must have happened between Xiao Wu and Ye Tian.
That was why Xiao Wu was avoiding the topic.
Ning Rongrong could understand that.
During her ten days at Shrek Academy, she had learned many things.
Among them was the fact that Tang San and Xiao Wu had lost contact after parting ways five years ago.
Five years was neither too long nor too short.
Few people could remain unchanged over such a span.
It wasn't impossible that Xiao Wu had found new love.
At this thought, Ning Rongrong smiled bitterly to herself.
"I just wonder if Tang San can accept it."
She knew Tang San well.
He had always been deeply devoted to Xiao Wu.
Of course, there were boundaries even between close friends.
Especially when it came to matters of the heart, Ning Rongrong felt it was best not to interfere.
Then she sighed softly again.
She didn't even know where that silly Oscar of hers was.
Back then, she had only casually mentioned that the successor of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Set couldn't have a partner who was also a support-type soul master.
She never expected Oscar to take it so seriously.
So much so that he had completely vanished for five years.
To be honest, Ning Rongrong's heart was in turmoil.
She was afraid Oscar wouldn't even have the courage to show up for the five-year reunion.
"If that's the case, I'd truly be disappointed in you…"
For a moment, Ning Rongrong's expression grew distant.
But she quickly regained her composure.
Taking Xiao Wu's arm, she smiled.
"Shrek Academy has changed so much over the years."
"Now, its scale is almost comparable to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy."
"Since we're early, why don't I show you around?"
Xiao Wu hesitated, glancing back at Ye Tian.
"I just got back to the academy. Maybe I should find a place to stay first."
Noticing Xiao Wu's distracted gaze lingering on Ye Tian, Ning Rongrong's earlier suspicions were further confirmed.
She sighed inwardly—it seemed Tang San was about to get cuckolded.
…Well, maybe not.
Ning Rongrong recalled the past.
Tang San and Xiao Wu had always had a sibling-like relationship, never developing into romance.
Shaking her head to dismiss thoughts about Xiao Wu and Ye Tian, Ning Rongrong smiled.
"Then I'll go with you."
Then she couldn't resist teasing Xiao Wu.
"You're really concerned about Ye Tian, huh?"
"Am I?" Xiao Wu shrugged.
In her mind, this was just how good friends treated each other.
After all, Ye Tian had just escaped death. She couldn't just abandon him the moment she reunited with an old friend.
Hearing Ning Rongrong's loaded words, Xiao Wu grew slightly puzzled and whispered:
"You said Ye Tian once saved you, right? But you don't seem to like him much?"
Ning Rongrong cast a cold glance at Ye Tian.
In front of Xiao Wu, she didn't hide her disdain.
"He's just a spineless opportunist with a bit of skill. Not even a soul master. Maybe he's good with sweet talk, but he's not worth befriending."
"As for saving me, my father can repay that debt. I don't want anything to do with him."
If she had met Ye Tian alone, Ning Rongrong wouldn't have held much resentment toward him.
But now, seeing him cozy up to Xiao Wu—that was something she couldn't tolerate.
Her words were actually a subtle warning to Xiao Wu: Ye Tian was no good.
She should stay away.
In Ning Rongrong's eyes, ten Ye Tians couldn't compare to a single Tang San.
She couldn't understand what Xiao Wu saw in Ye Tian to treat him so well.
But she wouldn't voice these thoughts outright.
Since Xiao Wu was already with Ye Tian, badmouthing him without proof would only strain their friendship.
Ning Rongrong wasn't that foolish.
Still, she had a plan.
Before Tang San arrived, she would test Ye Tian and expose his true nature.
That way, Xiao Wu would see the light and return to Tang San's side!
(End of Chapter)