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After listening to Xue Qinghe, Ning Fengzhi smiled and took out a document.
"I do have some information about Zhuang Zhou."
"A teacher is indeed a teacher." Xue Qinghe praised him, then took the document from Ning Fengzhi.
"I was just lucky. That Little freak Rongrong had dealings with Zhuang Zhou before."
"Oh?" Xue Qinghe's eyes showed a hint of curiosity when he heard this, and he immediately looked at the document in his hand.
"Shrek Academy?" Xue Qinghe raised an eyebrow. "Befriending someone from the Hell Civet Family, and knowing about the Star Luo Imperial Family's struggle, Teacher Qin, do you mean Zhuang Zhou is from the Star Luo Empire?"
"It's hard to say. It's just that based on the current investigation, it's highly probable."
Ning Fengzhi looked at Zhuang Zhou's figure. "Moreover, Zhuang Zhou has been very low-key before this. I sent people to investigate, and after he left Shrek, he disappeared for several months. His information couldn't be found in any major cities. Now he suddenly appears in Heaven Dou City and acts so high-profile. I think his purpose is not simple."
Xue Qinghe said, "Over the past month, many people have actively tried to contact Zhuang Zhou, but all were rejected by him. He seems to be waiting for someone."
Ning Fengzhi asked, "Who do you think he's waiting for?"
"Waiting for someone who can protect Zhu Zhuqing." Xue Qinghe looked at the document in his hand with a smile, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhuqing's name.
Hearing this answer, Ning Fengzhi finally nodded with satisfaction. "Zhuang Zhou is so high-profile; I think he just wants to prove his ability. As for Zhu Zhuqing… if we can gain a future Titled Douluo, what does offending the Star Luo Empire matter?"
"Let's go, we'll go see Zhuang Zhou." Ning Fengzhi stood up confidently.
…
Inside the VIP lounge.
"Your Excellency Zhuang Zhou, congratulations on becoming the first person in our Great Spirit Arena's history to obtain a purple-gold badge at the Spirit Elder level. This is your badge; please keep it safe."
The manager of the Heaven Dou Great Spirit Arena respectfully handed the badge to Shi Quan, who was sitting quietly on the sofa.
"Thank you." Shi Quan raised his hand to take the badge, and feeling the manager still there, he asked, "Is there anything else?"
The manager immediately said, "Your Excellency Zhuang Zhou, there are two distinguished individuals outside who wish to meet you."
Shi Quan asked indifferently, "Who?"
"These two distinguished individuals are Sect Master Ning Fengzhi of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and Crown Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire."
"I won't see them." Shi Quan shook his head and replied.
Hearing this answer, the manager was visibly stunned and said in surprise, "Your Excellency Zhuang Zhou, are you sure? These two distinguished individuals…"
"If I won't see them, I won't see them. Just tell them that the person I am waiting for is not them." With that, Shi Quan stood up and vanished from the spot, transforming into a phantom.
Watching Shi Quan disappear, the manager quickly turned and walked out of the room, relaying the message to Ning Fengzhi immediately.
Ning Fengzhi was clearly stunned when he heard the manager's report, and a strange look appeared in his eyes.
"Uncle Bone, can you find that kid?"
After Ning Fengzhi's voice fell, a moment later, a hoarse voice with a hint of surprise sounded from behind Ning Fengzhi.
"That kid used some unknown method; I've lost track of his aura."
Hearing this, Ning Fengzhi was also surprised. "Uncle Bone, even you can't lock onto his aura?"
Bone Douluo's figure appeared behind Ning Fengzhi. "He must have some kind of treasure that can block and conceal his aura."
"Interesting. Even we aren't the people he wants to wait for. Then who is he waiting for? Could my deduction be wrong? He's not here to protect Zhu Zhuqing?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes were full of curiosity.
Xue Qinghe asked, "Teacher, should we mobilize the Star Luo Empire's secret agents to investigate Zhuang Zhou's information? Zhuang Zhou's talent and strength are obvious. If we can win him over, he will certainly be a great asset to Heaven Dou."
"I've already sent people to investigate on the Star Luo Empire's side. Such a Genius is indeed worth winning over, but if he has already joined another force, then Zhuang Zhou cannot be allowed to remain…" Ning Fengzhi still maintained his amiable appearance, but his voice sent shivers down one's spine.
Ning Fengzhi turned to Bone Douluo and continued, "Uncle Bone, next time I'll have to trouble you to keep a closer eye on him."
Bone Douluo nodded. "No problem, this time was an accident."
Ning Fengzhi nodded. "Let's go, Qinghe. Since Zhuang Zhou has already left, there's no need to stay here."
…
In a dark alley outside the Great Spirit Arena, Shi Quan's figure slowly emerged. Looking at the brightly lit Great Spirit Arena, a faint smile appeared on Shi Quan's lips. "Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe already know about Zhuang Zhou's existence. I finally don't have to come to this Great Spirit Arena anymore."
If he were to go again, Shi Quan knew it wouldn't be so easy to escape.
His main purpose in fighting in the Great Spirit Arena under the name of Zhuang Zhou, without concealing his appearance, was to make Zhuang Zhou's name known.
And now, Zhuang Zhou's reputation had already spread within this short month. Everyone knew of Zhuang Zhou's existence, which was enough for Shi Quan.
Moreover, he deliberately sent a message to Ning Fengzhi and Xue Qinghe to hint to them that Zhuang Zhou was waiting for himself, or rather, Shi Quan, and more precisely, the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone that Shi Quan would bring.
However, they would only connect these dots later.
Changing his appearance, Shi Quan left Heaven Dou City under the cover of night and headed towards Heaven Dou Royal Academy. He did not return to the Heaven Dou Battle Team's dorms but went to the foot of the mountain, to the simulated Cultivation environment. He ate and lived there. This was Shi Quan's exclusive simulated Cultivation environment, and normally, no one else would come here.
So, even if Shi Quan returned to the Academy, no one would know he was back.
During this month, Dugu Bo and the two girls had been staying at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well.
Shi Quan would only revert to his original identity and visit the three at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well about once a week.
When Shi Quan returned the first time, Dugu Bo and the two girls had not yet returned from hunting Spirit Beasts.
It wasn't until his second visit that the three returned.
With Dugu Bo's help, Dugu Yan hunted a 7,500-year-old Purple Jade Dragon Lizard, and Ye Lingling hunted a 6,800-year-old Holy Maiden Fruit Flower.
After absorbing their spirit rings, Ye Lingling's strength reached level 41, while Dugu Yan directly reached level 44.
Their strengths had both improved significantly.
A few days later.
Outside Heaven Dou City, at the foot of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy mountain.
"Rongrong, are you sure it's here?" Flender looked at the towering mountain in front of him, slightly wide-eyed.
"Yes." Ning Rongrong nodded. "Heaven Dou Royal Academy can't have moved, right?"
"But this is clearly a mountain," Flender said, clicking his tongue.
"This entire mountain belongs to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Oh, and the forest behind it, and the lake at the foot of the mountain on the left, are all within their jurisdiction, as far as I know." Ning Rongrong looked straight ahead. "Walk a little further, and we'll enter the Academy grounds."
Flender was instantly dumbfounded.
"Nestled by mountains and water, it's indeed a good place," Yu Xiaogang glanced at him and said leisurely.
Flender then regained his composure, pouting, clearly unconvinced. "What's so great about a good environment and a large place? Can it Cultivate that many powerhouses? In terms of potential, aside from that Little freak Shi Quan, the other members of the Heaven Dou Battle Team are far inferior to our Shrek Academy. Our Shrek may be small, but it Cultivates many monsters."
He scanned the Shrek Seven Devils around him, his expression very proud.
Yu Xiaogang nodded in agreement. "Flender, frankly, over the years you have indeed recruited many excellent potential students for Shrek Academy. This is very rare."
"However, what I'm more curious about is, how exactly did you trick them into joining?"
"Of course, it's…" The smug Flender was about to blurt it out, then instantly changed his expression, his face stern.
"Xiaogang, you can question my taste, but please don't question my character and judgment."
"What do you mean by trick? That's called personal charm!"
In thought, he didn't even look at Yu Xiaogang's expression, waved his hand, and said with his head held high, "Come on, let's go up the mountain! It's almost dinner time, so it's perfect to go in and experience the food here. If the treatment isn't good, I don't even want to stay."
Then, just a few steps later, everyone saw a familiar figure appear within their sight.
"Woo… woo…"
Shi Quan's figure stood directly in front of them, and in front of Shi Quan were ten straw figures.
Why call them straw figures? Because all ten of them were tightly wrapped to the ground by Shi Quan's Blue Silver King, their mouths completely covered, leaving only a pair of eyes and a nose, constantly whimpering towards Shi Quan.
"Those few people on the ground should also be from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, right?" Flender looked at the scene before him and said hesitantly.
Ning Rongrong was the first to step forward, looking at the figures on the ground with disgust and saying, "Shi Quan, these annoying guys still dare to cross you?"
Shi Quan turned his body to look at Flender and the group, a smile playing on his lips, thinking to himself, "They really came. Xue Beng's information is indeed accurate. It wasn't in vain that I deliberately waited for them here."
Shi Quan specifically returned to Heaven Dou Royal Academy to prevent Xue Beng from driving away the Shrek people.
Only if the Shrek people stayed at Heaven Dou Royal Academy for a few more days would it be convenient for him to act.
Shi Quan scanned the group before asking, "Why are you back?"
Ning Rongrong said haughtily, "Didn't Teacher Qin tell you that he invited Shrek Academy to Heaven Dou Royal Academy for an exchange?"
Shi Quan said indifferently, "Invited you for an exchange? What's there to exchange with your strength?"
"You…" Dai Mubai and the others were instantly enraged, but they had to admit that Shi Quan's strength was indeed superior to theirs.
"What 'you'? Unconvinced? I'll play with you?" As he spoke, several gently swaying Blue Silver King vines rose behind Shi Quan.
Flender frowned and took a step forward, saying, "We were invited here. Is this how your Heaven Dou Royal Academy treats its guests?"
Shi Quan immediately rolled his eyes at Flender. "Heaven Dou Royal Academy, as the Imperial Academy, is a pillar of the Empire and a place for cultivating national pillars. It represents the Heaven Dou Empire. You are dressed in plain clothes, covered in dust, and even have Earth on your feet. You came to visit an Academy that represents the Imperial face without grooming yourselves or changing clothes. With such an appearance, do you respect Heaven Dou Royal Academy? You can't even manage basic etiquette, and you have the nerve to criticize our Academy?"
"…" Flender's face instantly froze, unsure how to refute. His behavior was entirely to save a day's lodging and food expenses; he hadn't thought so much. But now, with Shi Quan saying this, he had to admit that they seemed to have been disadvantaged. However, they were already at the Academy entrance, so turning back was clearly impossible.
"Our appearance is not a disrespect to Heaven Dou Royal Academy; rather, it's a display of respect. The Shrek group traveled quickly without any delay, and upon arriving in Heaven Dou City, they immediately came to visit. This is enough to prove Shrek's sincerity," Yu Xiaogang said in a deep voice.
"Tsk…" Shi Quan waved his hand. "Don't tell me; I don't represent the Academy, and I'm not interested in your affairs. Just don't provoke me. Especially certain rabbits."
Hearing Shi Quan say this, Xiao Wu couldn't help but glare angrily at Shi Quan.
"Zhuqing, it's good you're here. I found what Zhuang Zhou asked me to find. I'll give it to you later." Shi Quan ignored Xiao Wu's gaze and looked at Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing froze for a moment, then looked at Shi Quan and asked, "Where is Zhuang Zhou?"
"I just returned to the Academy myself."
Just then, a powerful voice suddenly rang out, "Shi Quan, what are you doing?"
A figure quickly approached through the shaded path on the hillside. It was Teacher Sun Buyu, who appeared in the original work.
"Teacher Sun, I'm just playing with them." Shi Quan pointed to Flender and the others behind him and said, "It's good you're here too. They were invited by Teacher Qin; they're from Shrek Academy."
"Shrek Academy?" Sun Buyu's heart stirred, and his eyes burned as he looked at Flender and the others. "So, you are the friends from Shrek Academy. This is just some playful skirmishing among the Academy students; please forgive us. Everyone, please come in."
He made a welcoming gesture, then looked at Shi Quan and said, "Shi Quan, release them quickly."
"Got it, got it. I'll release them in a bit." Shi Quan gripped the Blue Silver King in his hand, pulled the ten people together, and walked to the other side, waving to Zhu Zhuqing and saying, "See you later. We'll talk then."
Everyone watched Shi Quan's departing figure, a little surprised in their hearts. Shi Quan was dragging not one person, but ten.
"Zhuqing, what did Zhuang Zhou find for you?" Ning Rongrong curiously leaned closer and asked.
"I'm not sure, but…" Zhu Zhuqing paused slightly, then said, "It should be related to increasing strength."
"Strength?" Curiosity also appeared in everyone's eyes.
Only Dai Mubai's eyes were filled with annoyance.
Tang San looked back in the direction Shi Quan had left and fell into thought. He always felt that Shi Quan's appearance was a bit too coincidental, but he couldn't pinpoint where the coincidence lay…