Even during this brief moment of rest, Zhu Zhuqing didn't waste a single second. She began reviewing the day's events, hoping to glean some insights.
However, when her thoughts drifted to the words Nami had spoken to her that afternoon, her reflections came to an abrupt halt.
"Leave…?"
Her gaze fell upon the dilapidated village at the foot of the mountain—the place that called itself Shrek Academy but was little more than a rundown hamlet.
Zhu Zhuqing fell into silence, her eyes flickering with uncertainty as memories of her arrival at the academy resurfaced.
Images flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern, and forgotten details gradually sharpened into clarity:
Dai Mubai, the lecherous coward who had abandoned her and fled, only to indulge in debauchery at Shrek Academy. The rumors of his promiscuity she'd heard before coming here…
Ma Hongjun, the lustful "Phoenix of the Brothels," who frequented pleasure houses under the guise of his martial spirit's influence, yet whose true nature was no different.
And Oscar, who had immediately fawned over Ning Rongrong upon her arrival, claiming it was love at first sight—though it was hard not to suspect his motives given her noble background.
After all, as the saying went, all love at first sight was merely a pretense for lust.
These were just the students. The teachers were even worse: Li Yüsong swindling admission fees, Zhao Wuji's hot-headed temper, Flender's greed and stinginess…
Every one of them had glaring flaws.
Then there was the so-called school rule that baffled Zhu Zhuqing: "Those who dare not stir trouble are mediocrities." What kind of academy taught such a thing? Who would go out of their way to provoke others? Did they not fear crossing someone they couldn't handle?
The fact that Dai Mubai and the others found this absurd rule normal was telling. If Shrek Academy didn't have the power to warp minds, then it could only mean one thing: Dai Mubai and his peers were already twisted to begin with.
Most importantly, the academy offered no means for her to grow stronger quickly. Flender's claims of helping her were outright lies.
There wasn't even a simulated training environment. How could she ever hope to catch up to her sister or survive the brutal competition ahead?
…
The more she reflected, the more Zhu Zhuqing realized Nami's words rang true.
At the same time, her disappointment in Dai Mubai, her so-called fiancé, deepened.
Though he had abandoned her, she didn't blame him. She understood the despair that had driven him to flee—after all, she had once harbored similar thoughts herself, though she'd never acted on them.
But what she couldn't forgive was Dai Mubai's complete surrender to hedonism after his escape. He knew the consequences of slacking in his cultivation: not only his life but hers as well would be forfeit.
Yet he had chosen this path regardless. To Zhu Zhuqing, this was nothing short of a betrayal.
Her eyes turned icy, and her resolve solidified.
"Then I'll leave."
True to her decisive nature, Zhu Zhuqing wasted no time.
With her mind made up, she immediately set off down the mountain to gather her belongings and depart the academy.
However, halfway down, she sensed something amiss in her surroundings.
Years of assassination attempts and pursuit had honed her vigilance. She tensed, her gaze sharp as she scanned the area.
Three spirit rings materialized behind her as her spirit power surged, her body coiling like a leopard ready to strike.
A few seconds later, her eyes snapped toward a large tree in the distance. Though she saw nothing, her instincts, tempered by life-and-death struggles, screamed that someone was watching her from there.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
Clap, clap, clap…
A slow applause echoed from behind the tree, followed by the emergence of a figure.
"Third Young Miss, it's been a while. Your senses remain as sharp as ever."
The figure smiled warmly as he approached, his strides deceptively slow yet covering ground with unnatural speed. In the blink of an eye, he stood before Zhu Zhuqing, leaving a trail of afterimages in his wake.
"Un… Uncle Fu?"
Recognition dawned, but Zhu Zhuqing's expression didn't brighten with joy—instead, despair crept into her eyes.
She knew this man. No, it was more accurate to say she could never forget him.
Uncle Fu, the chief steward of the Nether Duke's Mansion. His real name was unknown; she had only ever called him "Uncle Fu" since childhood, and over time, she'd stopped questioning it.
As the duke's steward, his strength was unfathomable. Whispers claimed he had reached the Spirit Douluo level.
With such power, he could have enjoyed prestige in any faction, even earning a hereditary title if he'd sworn allegiance to the imperial family.
But none of that mattered now. What did matter was that Zhu Zhuqing remembered clearly: before she left the mansion, Uncle Fu had been closely associated with Zhu Zhuyun.
If that was the case, had he come here at her sister's behest… to kill her?
Zhu Zhuqing harbored no illusions about defeating a Spirit Douluo. Despair settled over her.
So… this is where I die?
Her thoughts sparked like lightning as she stared at the figure before her, her face pale. With a bitter smile, she asked:
"Uncle Fu… have you come to kill me?"
"No, no, no! I wouldn't dare lay a hand on you," Uncle Fu exclaimed, waving his hands frantically as if horrified by the suggestion. "I've come to bring you good news."
"Good news?" Zhu Zhuqing's voice was hollow. "Is there still such a thing for me?"
...
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(End of Chapter)