Looking at Ning Rongrong's tough-yet-timid expression, Ye Qiu felt a little amused.
He didn't bother with her, instead picking up his own bowl and beginning to feed Xiao Wu beside him.
Although Xiao Wu didn't have an appetite, being personally fed by Ye Qiu was something rare.
Obediently, with her face flushed red, she opened her delicate lips and slowly chewed, savoring the food.
She stared straight at Ye Qiu, not blinking even once.
Seeing this scene, the rest of Shrek Academy's members' faces immediately darkened.
Alright then—Turns out it was just the little couple showing affection.
They hadn't even eaten half their meal yet, and their stomachs were already filled with dog food.
Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and looked away.
Only Tang San still looked at Xiao Wu in confusion.
That look from earlier…Was he imagining it?
Tang San stared at Xiao Wu now—shy, tender, where was that cold and emotionless look?
He could only secretly shake his head. It seemed it truly was just his imagination.
——
After the meal, they didn't stay.
They walked out of the small town on foot to digest a bit.
Once they exited the town, Zhao Wuji led the Shrek group at full speed.
They got closer and closer to the Star Dou Great Forest.
The most excited ones were naturally Oscar and Tang San, who were about to obtain their third rings.
They were full of anticipation for their third Soul Skills.
As for Xiao Wu, she no longer had the excitement of returning home. Her mood was low, and Ye Qiu held her hand the whole way.
The Star Dou Great Forest was one of the three great wild Soul Beast habitats on the continent, its dense greenery stretching endlessly like a boundless ocean of green, blocking out the sky.
Even from afar, one could feel refreshing energy blowing toward them, opening every pore, clearing the mind and refreshing the spirit.
The Blue Silver Emperor tied around Ye Qiu's waist trembled with excitement.
If one could cultivate inside such a place…
For plant-type Soul Masters, it would be an unparalleled advantage.
Finally, they arrived at the entrance of the Star Dou Great Forest.
It was Ye Qiu's first time here as well.
Seeing that even the outer trees were over twenty meters tall, he couldn't help feeling shocked.
Zhao Wuji, walking in front, suddenly raised a hand.
"Stop!"
Everyone halted immediately.
Zhao Wuji's expression became stern as he repeated the warnings.
"All of you listen carefully!"
"After entering, you are forbidden to leave a twenty-meter range around me. If we encounter Soul Beasts, without my command, you are NOT allowed to attack! Understood!?"
"Understood, Teacher Zhao!"
This wasn't their first time following him here; they knew this well.
Zhao Wuji continued ordering:
"Ning Rongrong, Oscar, come stay beside me."
As the team's non-combat support-type Soul Masters, they naturally received special protection.
With everyone moving forward, the Star Dou Great Forest swallowed them like a giant beast.
After entering the forest, they hadn't gone far when the sky dimmed. The blazing sunlight was blocked by layer upon layer of trees.
The formation shifted.
Dai Mubai and Tang San led at the front.
Purple Demon Eye provided wide vision, and a pair of tiger claws cut down anything in the way with ease.
Zhao Wuji held the center, with Ning Rongrong and Oscar beside him.
Zhu Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun guarded the flanks.
As for Xiao Wu and Ye Qiu, being the strongest aside from Zhao Wuji, they naturally took the rear guard.
This suited Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu perfectly.
At the back of the group, Xiao Wu held Ye Qiu's arm closely, walking in sync with him.
The sight looked like a couple on a romantic stroll.
It made Zhao Wuji's eyelids twitch wildly.
But they hadn't left the twenty-meter range, so he couldn't say anything.
Ye Qiu leaned close to Xiao Wu's ear.
"Xiao Wu, release your aura."
"Mm…"
Xiao Wu reluctantly responded.
She released her Soul Beast aura and silently prayed in her heart—that Er Ming and the others wouldn't come.
Soul Beasts in the Star Dou Great Forest grew stronger the deeper you went.
The limit for most people's third ring was around 1,700 years.
The outer region mostly had hundred-year Soul Beasts, with thousand-year ones appearing occasionally.
To save time hunting Soul Beasts, their best choice was to head to the Mixed Zone.
The Mixed Zone was where thousand-year and ten-thousand-year Soul Beasts coexisted.
Along the way, they encountered many hundred-year Soul Beasts, some solitary, some in groups.
Zhao Wuji never ordered them to fight, only to avoid and go around.
After advancing for about an hour…
It was noon.
The Mixed Zone was in sight.
"Stop!"
"Rest here for one hour."
Zhao Wuji's voice allowed everyone—who had been tense—to finally relax.
He knew that going deeper risked far more danger. Resting and recovering strength would ensure safety.
Dai Mubai extended his tiger claws and quickly cleared the area, creating an open space.
Everyone sat against the trees to rest.
Xiao Wu leaned against Ye Qiu's shoulder, listless, sipping water fed by him.
Ning Rongrong crouched in front of Ye Qiu.
She extended a hand, sounding tired.
"You liar, this lady is tired."
"Mm."
Ye Qiu didn't have time to argue with her.
He nodded and held her hand, continuously injecting life force into her.
Ning Rongrong glanced at Xiao Wu, opened her mouth wanting to say something, but held back—unwilling to disturb the couple.
Blushing, pouting slightly, she left.
"Ye Qiu… I really don't want to go."
In Ye Qiu's arms, Xiao Wu's voice trembled with sadness. She lifted her red-rimmed eyes, tears sparkling.
"I will come find you."
Ye Qiu softly promised, gently wiping away her tears.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, using the Blue Silver Emperor's Soul Skill to relieve her fatigue.
This wasn't something she could refuse.
Ye Qiu did NOT want any "wife dies, becomes Soul Ring" plot happening to him.
Xiao Wu bit her red lips, burying her face in his chest, letting out faint sobs.
After resting for about half an hour—
Suddenly.
Ye Qiu and Zhao Wuji's gazes simultaneously snapped toward one direction.
Zhao Wuji abruptly stood up, eyes sharp and powerful, and let out a low shout:
"Everyone get up, something's coming!"
Rustle!
Everyone reacted instantly, moving with perfect coordination, protecting Ning Rongrong and Oscar in the center.
Everyone, including Zhao Wuji, had already released their Martial Souls.
The rustling sound grew louder and closer.
Soon, even Ning Rongrong and Oscar could clearly hear it.
"Zhu Zhuqing, go see what it is."
Upon Zhao Wuji's command, Zhu Zhuqing silently leaped up.
Sharp claws extended from her hands. The tall trees were nothing to her; she moved like walking on flat ground.
Within a few breaths, she was already perched on a branch.
Ye Qiu remained calm.
He knew what it was—and he could also sense two human-shaped Soul power auras rushing toward them quickly.
Zhu Zhuqing pressed her body low on the branch, tense, staring into the distance.
Soon, her cold voice came down:
"It's a snake that can fly."
"About three meters above the ground, with a big rooster-like crest on its head, and a fan-shaped tail…"
May everyone have a pleasant life!
...
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(End of Chapter)