"Then I'll be direct," Beibei said. "Xiaoya told me she felt a bit afraid when she saw you."
Afraid?
Wang Nan was startled at first. He had never interacted with Tang Ya, so where did the fear come from?
However, he quickly realized. It wasn't Tang Ya who was afraid of him, but the Spirit within her that was afraid of the Evil Breaking Dragon.
The Evil Breaking Dragon Wang Nan process is an evolved version of Evil-Breaking Dragon, combined with Wang Nan's own memories, and inherently had a clear suppressive effect on evil auras.
This influence wasn't obvious when their cultivation was similar. But with Wang Nan's spirit power rank exceeding Tang Ya's by thirty, this effect was very strong for her. The most obvious feeling was an instinctive fear upon seeing Wang Nan.
"You should know what my Spirit is, right?" Wang Nan didn't answer directly, but instead asked a question.
Beibei nodded.
"You grew up at Sea God Pavilion and have read many of the books there. You should have some understanding of things related to Spirits." Wang Nan paused. "Are you genuinely unaware, or unwilling to consider that direction?"
"I... but..." Beibei was speechless for a moment.
Initially, he had approached Tang Ya under Mu En's instruction, but after spending time together, he had grown fond of the girl.
Now, learning that he didn't fully understand the girl beside him, he naturally found it hard to accept.
"Senior Brother, are there other ways?"
Wang Nan glanced at Beibei.
There certainly was a way, and it was standing right in front of him.
Mu En had helped Wang Nan a lot, and he didn't mind helping Beibei. Moreover, with the spirit power gap between Wang Nan and Tang Ya, solving her Spirit problem would be a simple matter.
But would Tang Ya be willing?
She was different from Ma Xiaotao. Ma Xiaotao had an ultimate Spirit, but the evil aura had polluted her Spirit, so for her, the more thoroughly it was removed, the better.
Tang Ya's Spirit, however, was the weak Blue Silver Grass. Although the devouring power it contained wouldn't actively manifest when not in use, it was precisely this power within her Spirit that gave her her current talent.
She knew herself that without this power, it would be utterly impossible to rebuild the Tang Sect in her heart with the power of ordinary Blue Silver Grass.
"You two should consider this matter yourselves. Come find me once you've made up your minds." Wang Nan patted Beibei's shoulder and left.
Beibei stood in silence for a long time, then finally seemed to make a decision, turning and walking towards the Outer Courtyard.
...
Three months passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three months, Wang Nan's spirit power rank showed no change, yet he was quite satisfied with this.
Although his spirit power rank hadn't increased, all the spirit power in his body had undergone compression, making it incomparable to three months prior.
Now, Wang Nan's aura was more stable and restrained; at first glance, one might even mistake him for an ordinary person without spirit power.
At this moment, he was uncharacteristically standing in front of the mirror in his room, tidying his school uniform.
It wasn't that he had recently changed his personality, but rather that a few days ago, the Academy informed him that people from the Star Luo Empire's royal family would be visiting the Academy today. For some reason, he had also been chosen to join several Academy high-ranking officials at the Academy entrance to welcome them.
At the East Gate of Shrek Academy, the small vendors who usually gathered there were nowhere to be seen today. Only four people stood before the tall gate tower: besides Wang Nan, there were Martial Soul Department Dean Yan Shaozhe, Disciplinary Director Du Weilun, and Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan, who possessed a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring, had quickly become the Inner Courtyard's chief disciple within just three months, which was why she was also present here.
Shortly after, a procession appeared in Wang Nan's field of vision.
This procession consisted of fifty or sixty people. At the very front were armored guards holding long spears. Behind them was a team of palace maids in palace attire, holding fans and parasols of names Wang Nan didn't know.
In the very center was a golden carriage, pulled side-by-side by two thousand-year Spirit Beasts. Behind it was a slightly smaller black carriage. As it approached Shrek Academy, a person in black clothing stepped out of the carriage; judging by their aura, they were clearly a Titled Douluo.
As expected of royalty, not only was a Titled Douluo accompanying them, but most of the people in the procession possessed spirit power, and the spirit power ranks of the guards holding long spears at the front were all above Rank forty.
The carriage slowly stopped at the entrance of Shrek Academy. A girl of seventeen or eighteen, assisted by her maids, stepped out of the carriage, her bright yellow palace dress very eye-catching.
"Your Highness." Shrek Academy did not belong to any Empire, so even when meeting royalty, there was no need to bow; a slight bow was sufficient.
Xu Jiujiu also bowed in return.
"This time, I am not here on behalf of the Star Luo Empire, but as myself to visit Shrek Academy. Please, everyone, do not be overly polite."
Xu Jiujiu immediately stated her position. Regardless of her purpose for coming this time, Shrek Academy's neutral stance would not change. Her saying this could at least avoid some unnecessary misunderstandings on the surface.
No wonder Zhang Lexuan and Wang Nan were present. Shrek Academy, after all, had a considerable reputation. If only Academy teachers were present, it would seem as if they were too focused on this Princess.
"Your Highness is too kind. We welcome every disciple who wishes to come to Shrek Academy to study and visit." Yan Shaozhe's words were also very official.
"I naturally would not doubt Shrek Academy and Dean Yan's reputation. Oh, and before I came this time, my Imperial Brother specifically instructed me to convey his regards to Dean Yan."
Emperor Xu Jiawei of the Star Luo Empire, who had once entered Shrek Academy to study under a hidden identity and even entered the Inner Courtyard, naturally knew Yan Shaozhe.
"Thank Your Majesty for your concern, and please convey my regards to His Majesty on my behalf, Your Highness." Yan Shaozhe said, stepping aside and opening the door behind him. "Please, Your Highness, come inside the Academy to visit."
"Thank you, Dean Yan." Xu Jiujiu responded with a smile, then looked at the procession behind her. "Sui Xing Enshrinement, just you come in with me; the rest of you wait here."
"Yes." A neat chorus of responses came from the procession.
Everyone entered the Academy, and Du Weilun became the guide, introducing the various buildings within Shrek Academy as they walked.
Even though Xu Jiujiu knew all of this clearly, a smile remained on her face as she listened patiently, occasionally glancing at everyone.
And whenever her gaze turned towards Wang Nan, Wang Nan would curl his lips into a smile to acknowledge her.
No wonder Wang Nan always disliked the world of adults; the communication efficiency was too low. They had been in Shrek Academy for most of the day, and not a single useful word had been spoken.
It wasn't until everyone arrived at Sea God Lake, where an exquisite wooden boat was docked.
The Academy actually allowed Xu Jiujiu to board Sea God Island. Wang Nan knew that the main event was finally about to begin.