Changes The weather was clear and sunny!
A group of people were on their way to the Star Luo Empire.
This group was divided into three smaller groups. Leading the way were a group of beautifully dressed girls:
Xiang Chengxian, Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Yuanyuan, Ye Lingling, Bai Chenxiang, Dugu Yan, the Shuang'er sisters, Di Xin, Yue Ruying, and Jiangzhu.
They chatted incessantly, their clear laughter occasionally ringing out.
Walking in the middle were handsome boys:
Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, Oscar, Yu Tianheng, Ning Huahua, Chen Cheng, and Gu Tianlong.
Bringing up the rear were the older guys:
Sword Douluo, Poison Douluo, Bai Baoshan, Liu Erlong, and Yu Xiaogang.
This was a group tour.
Forming this team was actually quite a coincidence.
The competition had just ended, everyone had graduated, and there was a gap in their lives right after graduation.
When Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong held their engagement ceremony at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, everyone came to offer their congratulations.
The engagement ceremony was actually very simple, without any extravagance; it was just a simple affair between the parents of both sides.
Therefore, those invited were all acquaintances.
They had talked about what everyone would do after graduation.
Ma Hongjun had long harbored the idea of traveling the world, so he brought it up, and unexpectedly, everyone agreed.
Yu Tianheng and Dugu Yan were practically inseparable, and with nothing to do for the time being, they were also looking to go out and nurture their relationship.
The Grandmaster, intending to mentor Yu Tianheng and also planning to travel with Liu Erlong, leaving the academy affairs to Flander and the others, readily agreed to travel and gain experience together.
As for Bai Chenxiang, traveling the continent was her dream; she had secretly run away from home to travel. Ye Lingling, on the other hand, was homeless and only wanted to find her parents; having failed to find them in Tiandou, she was preparing to go to Xingluo to look for them.
The three Ning brothers, especially Chen Cheng, had long wanted to travel. This time, thanks to Sword Douluo, Ning Fengzhi felt comfortable letting them come along.
Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong were the future of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, having already demonstrated their talent in the competition. Without a powerful elder to protect them, Ning Fengzhi wouldn't feel at ease. Therefore, Sword Douluo became their protector.
Only Poison Douluo was an exception, but he always went his own way, so it was better for him to accompany his granddaughter and have her escort him.
The others were all key members of the Fairy Robe Pavilion; they were essential for the Fairy Robe Pavilion to establish itself in Star Luo.
In fact, this trip was for training, which was very useful for a Soul Master's growth. "
Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles."
The same applies to Soul Masters. While cultivation was fundamental, broadening one's horizons was also important. A wider perspective benefited cultivation. Some people remained stuck at a certain level because they secluded themselves, which was detrimental to their cultivation.
These young people had mostly cultivated in small, isolated environments, never truly venturing out into the world.
Consider these established powerhouses: the Golden Iron Triangle, the Peerless Dragon and Snake, the Immovable King—all achieved their current success through traveling the continent and venturing into the world of Soul Masters.
The Fairy Robe Pavilion in the Heaven Dou Empire was overseen by Zhao Wuji, and now, as Shrek Academy's biggest financial backer, Zhao Wuji also helped manage the Fairy Robe Pavilion within the Heaven Dou Empire.
With Zhao Wuji, the Three Musketeers, and the friendly relationship with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, there were virtually no obstacles.
Now, Ma Hongjun was completely hands-off; after Ma Ming's injuries healed, Ma Hongjun's focus was no longer on the Fairy Robe Pavilion, merely assisting its development.
The Fairy Robe Pavilion served as a home for the Shuang'er sisters.
Having dealt with these mundane matters, Ma Hongjun prepared to focus on his cultivation path,
pursuing his desired realm.
Everyone chatted happily on the way.
The elderly at the back, needless to say, had reached a level where they needed to exchange ideas, and with the addition of learned masters, many theories could be helpful to them. Therefore, the group chatted earnestly, as if discussing profound truths.
The two groups of young people in front had more to talk about, and being at the age of budding romance, they were just beginning to spark their feelings.
"Hongjun, I truly admire you,"
Dai Mubai sighed softly, looking at the girls in front.
Ma Hongjun's ability to bring the Shuang'er sisters, Zhuqing, Rongrong, and the slightly ambiguous Bai Chenxiang and Ye Lingling into one group, and to maintain such harmony among them,
was what Dai Mubai admired most.
It's worth noting that Zhu Zhuqing was present when Ma Hongjun and Ning Rongrong got engaged, and the usually aloof Zhu Zhuqing didn't react. Moreover, even Ning Fengzhi, the father-in-law of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, knowing about Ma Hongjun's many lovers, didn't punish him.
What a fortunate outcome!
In reality, Zhu Zhuqing lived in a large, influential family where men could accept having multiple wives and concubines. The reason she found Dai Mubai's philandering so repulsive in the original novel was entirely because Dai Mubai was different from others; he carried the weight of his family's fate. At that time, philandering wasn't something he could afford; it was a form of moral decay.
Ultimately, it came down to ability; Dai Mubai lacked the strength and means to indulge in philandering.
But Ma Hongjun is different. He possesses exceptional talent and abilities in all aspects. Furthermore, his womanizing is always forced upon him, and he is genuinely devoted to his women, never betraying or playing with anyone.
Ma Hongjun is affectionate, not promiscuous.
Besides his romantic relationships, Ma Hongjun is also incredibly diligent in his cultivation. He has endured hardships no less than anyone else in Shrek Academy. Except for his relationships with women, Ma Hongjun's perseverance in all other areas is remarkable.
His ability to endure the torment of internal heat since childhood, surviving grueling physical training to the point of exhaustion, and becoming powerful,
demonstrates his character .
As for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, they value Ma Hongjun's talent. The number of women he has is irrelevant; as long as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School is there, Ning Rongrong will not suffer.
Ning Fengzhi also recognized Ma Hongjun's affectionate nature, which is why he was in a hurry to arrange their engagement. To a certain extent, he wanted to help his daughter secure her position as the principal wife.
Ma Hongjun understood everyone's thoughts. His harmonious relationships with the women, unaffected by gossip,
ultimately stemmed from his strength and talent. In this world, the strong reign supreme.
Power is the explanation for everything.
Any rumors or gossip vanish under the weight of power, becoming perfectly natural.
Of course, his deep affection for the women also stemmed from Ma Hongjun's personal charm, his flirting skills, and his emotional investment.
Each of them had their own reason for liking him,
and at least their feelings were genuine .
"Boss Dai, I think you're just envious," Oscar chuckled.
Oscar wasn't like Dai Mubai; he didn't have so many ulterior motives. Having Xiao Yuanyuan was enough for him.
"You still dare to have other thoughts? Aren't you afraid of your tigress?"
Speaking of his tigress, Dai Mubai felt a lingering fear, but his eyes softened.
He did envy Ma Hongjun; he too had once been a womanizer.
However, thinking of Xiang Chengxian, Dai Mubai still felt a warmth in his heart. Although Xiang Chengxian was usually domineering like a queen, always suppressing him completely,
the fact that she took the Lovesick Heartbreak Red showed that her heart belonged entirely to him.
This sibling-like relationship, while suppressing Dai Mubai's domineering nature, also gave him a happiness that enveloped him.
"Ahead is the Kingdom of Barak, and after passing the Kingdom of Barak is the Star Luo Empire.
Go around this mountain, and then walk along a plain, and you'll reach the Royal City of Barak.
I'll rest in the Royal City of Barak tonight, and continue my journey tomorrow!"
Ma Hongjun pointed to the mountain ahead and said.
The tour was slow, mostly focused on sightseeing, a rare moment of leisure.
This time, the group sped up a bit, finally arriving at Barak City before sunset.
However, upon entering the city, they found that Barak City seemed to be engaged in military activity, with pairs of knights going in and out.
There were also many more soldiers guarding the city walls than usual; in short, it looked like a war was about to break out.
The people were hurrying along, anxious and fearful, all crowding into the city.
"What happened?"
Showing his Soul Master identity, he approached a city garrison general for questioning.
"Yesterday, a great upheaval occurred in Soto City; many people died."
(End of Chapter)