Word Count: 2,794 Words
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Ning Tian let out a proud little 'hmph' then went limp in Ling Bai's arms. Simultaneously operating three Spirit Guidance Devices and using the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda to assist He Caitou had nearly drained her spirit power and spiritual power through the utilization of the Four Aperture Constant Heart.
Ling Bai glanced back to see Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei rushing forward to help He Caitou, while cradling Ning Tian safely in a princess carry.
He Caitou groggily came around from his power-draining blackout. He spotted Ning Tian in Ling Bai's arms, forced a grin, and said, "Junior Sister Ning, that was awesome!"
He gave her two thumbs up before Huo Yuhao and Bei Bei supported him off the competition stage.
Meanwhile, the teachers from Justsky Academy helped Ye Wuqing lift the petrification caused by Medusa's Gaze. Ye Wuqing watched Shrek Academy from a distance, a tumult of emotions swirling in his eyes: unwillingness, regret, frustration...
A combination of a Spirit Ancestor and a Spirit Elder had defeated a Spirit King and a Spirit Ancestor. Ye Wuqing's pride suffered an unprecedented blow. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to hate this girl named Ning Tian. He declined the concern of his teachers and classmates and staggered away from Star Luo Plaza alone.
"Shrek! Shrek! Shrek!"
"We won! We really won."
The thunderous cheers of the audience echoed in their ears. Wang Yan plopped down onto the sofa, watching the figures of Ling Bai, Bei Bei, He Caitou, and the others grow larger in his vision. His lips trembled with excitement, but though he opened his mouth several times, he couldn't utter a single word.
Tactical maneuvering, student breakthroughs, a comeback from a desperate situation… Shrek Academy had always crushed its opponents; flipping through the history of the Continental Elite Spirit Master Academy Tournament reveals they had never won a match with such difficulty. Wang Yan saw an unbendable backbone in Ning Tian and He Caitou this time. They were not mere cannon fodder in a Tian Ji horse race strategy but the key to clinching victory with a decisive blow.
"Teacher Wang, Xiao Tian and I will leave first."
Ling Bai called out, then spread his angelic wings and flew toward the Star Emperor Hotel, carrying Ning Tian in his arms.
In Shrek's rest area, Bei Bei, He Caitou, and Huo Yuhao returned to the team. The Reserve Team members looked at each other and suddenly burst out laughing as if a weight had been lifted.
"Finally, we can relax!"
Xu Sanshi stretched out with a big yawn. Even though he hadn't done anything, he felt utterly exhausted and really wanted to go back to the hotel and sleep the day away.
The Reserve Team members nodded in agreement. Even Bei Bei didn't tease his good buddy for once, because the pressure over the past few days had felt like a massive boulder pressing on their hearts. They were constantly worried that losing any match would bring shame to the continent's number one academy.
Ling Luochen would be able to compete in the next round-robin match, now that Justsky Academy was overcome. They had no fear of the 2-2-3 format with her and Ling Bai pairing up with Huo Yuhao and Ning Tian. Shrek Academy was now as steady as a mountain.
"The third round will take place the day after tomorrow. Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, we'll go together to the Starlight Auction House for the Spirit Guidance Device special auction," Wang Yan said.
Wang Yan's suggestion came at the perfect time. Ning Tian and He Caitou had just defeated Ye Wuqing using Spirit Guidance Devices, and the Reserve Team was full of curiosity about them. They all readily agreed.
"I'm not going!"
Suddenly, Wang Dong felt a surge of negativity rising in his heart. Similar to his inexplicable resentment of the Seraphim, he now inexplicably began to dislike Spirit Guidance Devices. He rushed out of Star Luo Plaza under everyone's astonished gaze.
…
The next day, on the top floor of the Star Emperor Hotel.
A sliver of light seeped through the curtains, falling on the face of the young girl lying on the bed. She breathed evenly, her snow-white skin reflecting the beauty of the sunlight, illuminating her fair neck and delicate collarbones.
Her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes, blue and clear like the ocean. She saw a familiar figure sitting on a chair beside the bed. Light shone from behind him, illuminating the thick ancient book he was reading by its rays.
Ling Bai noticed that Ning Tian was awake. He put down the ancient book and said with a smile:
"Good morning, Xiao Tian."
He stood up and pulled open the luxurious curtains of the Star Emperor Hotel. Brilliant sunlight poured in, dispelling the darkness and illuminating the entire hotel room.
"Good morning, Bai-ge."
Ning Tian instinctively raised her arm. The white light transformed from blinding to gentle, revealing a sky as blue as freshly washed silk and birds soaring freely over Star Luo City.
"The weather is nice," Ling Bai said. "Get up and wash up. I'll go get breakfast."
Ling Bai left the room. The thick ancient book lay on the chair, with two-thirds of its pages turned. Only when the subtle sound of the door closing faded did Ning Tian return to reality. Curiosity prompted her to reach out and pick up the book. The cover read: Encyclopedia of Spirit Beasts (Light Attribute Edition).
"Light attribute spirit beasts?" Ning Tian's brows furrowed slightly. "Is Bai-ge trying to select his sixth spirit ring in advance?"
The fewer people who knew the secret, the better. Ling Bai, Ning Fengya, and Jianmu Douluo had tacitly kept it from Ning Tian. Even if she racked her brains, she could never guess that Ling Bai, who possessed the continent's number one holy Martial Spirit, the Seraphim, actually had a second Evil Martial Spirit, the Death Abyss Spider Emperor, and was even troubled by its backlash.
Suddenly, she noticed the pure white silk nightgown she was wearing. After a few seconds of blank staring, she immediately buried herself under the covers. Her last memory after the match was falling into a deep sleep, her final conscious moment being Ling Bai's warm embrace. She had woken up in the bed of the Star Emperor Hotel. So this nightgown couldn't have been...
No, don't think about it anymore!
Ning Tian hugged the quilt tightly, gathering the cotton inside around her face, as if this could reduce the temperature on her cheeks.
She composed herself with a few deep breaths, hurried through her morning routine, then dashed right back under the blanket. Moments later, the door opened again, and Ling Bai entered with a tray of steaming-hot breakfast.
"Want to eat in bed?"
"Uh... yes..."
"No problem. Here, have some warm milk first."
Ling Bai handed her a glass of warm milk and placed the tray on the bedside table. The Star Emperor Hotel used to be exclusively for the Star Luo imperial family. The chefs they hired were all top-notch masters. The ingredients and cooking skills were impeccable, comparable to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's private kitchen and Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard.
The hotel's breakfast options were dazzling and varied. Ling Bai chose bread, fried eggs, and milk, considering Ning Tian's dietary habits.
Neither of them spoke for a long while afterward; the only sound in the room was food being chewed. Ling Bai sat by the bed, quietly watching Ning Tian. She seemed almost ethereal, as if melting into the bright sunlight. Her pretty face had a rosy tinge beneath its fairness, perhaps due to the warm steam from the bread.
Gulp, gulp...
Ning Tian stole glances at Ling Bai while drinking the milk, trying to discern any unusual expressions on his face. Every time she met those bright, golden eyes, however, she would duck her head like an ostrich. She might have tried to bury her whole face in the milk if the cup had been larger.
She finished the last bite of bread, set aside her milk, and took a wet napkin to dab her mouth and hands. Finally plucking up the courage, she asked, "Bai-ge, did... did you change my clothes for me?"
"Mm," Ling Bai nodded calmly. "Your clothes were filthy with dust, and sleeping in them wouldn't have been comfortable, so I helped you change."
"Then… you saw… everything… That's so embarrassing…"
Ning Tian's voice gradually lowered until it was as soft as a mosquito's hum. A blush crept from her neck up to her cheeks and earlobes due to her elevated body temperature.
Ling Bai neatly gathered the empty dishes and simply said, "It's all right. Small ones have their charm too."
"Huh?!"
Ning Tian couldn't care about her feverish, reddened body anymore. She swiftly popped out of the blanket. The nightgown couldn't fully cover her lovely collarbones and milk-white fair skin, which were now exposed.
"Where am I small? Tell me, hurry up and tell me!"
The young girl glared at Ling Bai indignantly, her face flushed with embarrassment and anger. She had always been satisfied with her slender figure; moreover, she was only twelve this year and considered quite ample among her peers, with great potential for future growth.
"I was just teasing you. I asked Ma Xiaotao to help you change into the nightgown yesterday."
Ling Bai made a gesture of 'princess, please quell your anger.'
"That's... Wait, that's worse!"
Ning Tian widened her eyes. The speaker might have had no intention, but the listener took it to heart. Anyone else would have been fine, but it just had to be Ma Xiaotao, the one with the most ample bosom. She suspected Ling Bai was hinting at something but couldn't find any evidence.
"What's worse? Here, have some water to soothe your throat."
A warm cup was brought to her lips, and Ning Tian took small sips of the water. As she tilted her head back, her long, slender neck, flushed red from embarrassment, was exposed. The pinkish-white hues resembled a peony. Blue veins traced along her collarbone, disappearing deeper beneath her nightgown into undulating terrain that offered a pleasant view.
'I hadn't noticed before, but she really has a good figure...'
Ling Bai retracted his gaze that had been appreciating beauty and thought to himself.
Wu Feng usually stuck to Ning Tian like a little tail. The unfortunate thing was that, compared to Wu Feng, who had developed an hourglass figure, Ning Tian's figure wasn't typically considered as eye-catching. This was the first time he had carefully observed her.
After some light-hearted banter, Ling Bai brought up serious matters:
"Xiao Tian, Uncle Xie came to deliver something last night while you were asleep, so I temporarily kept it for you."
"Deliver something?" Ning Tian was puzzled. "Doesn't the clan send cultivation supplies every three months? It's not three months yet since the school term started."
"Uncle Xie brought the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's credit voucher," Ling Bai said. "The Starlight Auction House event will be held in a few days. The Star Luo Empire has prepared many precious items for auction, coinciding with the tournament held once every twenty years. Aunt Ya said she won't come in person, but we should buy whatever we like; she'll foot the bill."
"Really? That's fantastic!"
Ning Tian was overjoyed. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's credit voucher was equivalent to an unlimited credit card, which Ning Fengya had generously given them.
Buy it all!
They had to buy it all!
"There's one more thing. Teacher's old injury has fully healed, and he's working on constructing a second spirit core through Resonance to break through to Limit Douluo."
The surprises kept coming one after another. Having a Limit Douluo was obviously more important compared to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's credit voucher. The Holy Spirit Cult had yet to emerge, making Shrek Academy the only faction on the Douluo Continent with a Limit Douluo. Both the Body Sect and their leader, Body Douluo Du Busi, would become mere clowns once Jianmu Douluo broke through.
"About how long will Grandpa Jianmu need?" Ning Tian asked eagerly.
"Breaking through to Limit Douluo is no easy feat. Teacher said it might take three to five years."
A certain Taotie Douluo couldn't touch the Rank 99 threshold in his entire life on his own. Jianmu Douluo accomplishing it within three to five years was considered very fast. Plant-type Titled Douluo were known for their longevity; furthermore, Jianmu Douluo's Sacred Jianmu Tree was a life-attribute Martial Spirit that had absorbed Life Gold. Guarding the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan for another 150 years after entering the Limit Douluo realm wouldn't be a problem.
"Aunt Ya also wrote a letter to Aunt Yu, telling her that Linglong Pavilion can act more boldly in the Sun Moon Empire now. The clan will soon have a Limit Douluo to hold down the fort, so those who don't submit can be dealt with when the opportunity arises," Ling Bai said with a chuckle.
"Hahaha!"
Ning Tian couldn't help but laugh. She could imagine her aunt Ning Fengyu's shock upon reading the letter. What? The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is soaring?!
"Uncle Xie heard about your situation and didn't immediately return to the clan. He's found a place to stay in Star Luo City. I'll let him know you're awake so he won't worry."
"Mm-hmm!"
…
Meanwhile, the Shrek group returned to the Star Emperor Hotel with their spoils from the Spirit Guidance Device auction. Wang Yan and the four Spirit Ancestors went to the dining hall to eat. Huo Yuhao, however, was concerned about Wang Dong, who was feeling down in his room, and decided to go upstairs alone to check on him.
Huo Yuhao clutched his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges with a silly grin on his face. He had acquired a Class 3 Spirit Paralysis Ray, gaining a great new asset to serve Shrek Academy better.
"Yuhao, be careful!"
Skydream issued a warning in his Spiritual Sea. Huo Yuhao immediately looked in the direction of the upper floors.
His spiritual perception had become increasingly sharp as his cultivation improved and he absorbed more of Skydream's origin power. Moreover, the approaching individuals made no effort to conceal themselves, which allowed him to detect them immediately.
There were two people in total, both middle-aged men in their forties. They had ordinary, unremarkable appearances, but their physiques were exceptionally peculiar. One had an especially thick right arm that resembled the legendary Qilin Arm. He had short brown-black hair and an imposing aura. The other was thin and small, with a head three times the size of an ordinary person's. His eyes were bright, and his gaze fell on Huo Yuhao, causing an intangible pressure that made him feel like he couldn't breathe.
Big Head and Qilin Arm saw Huo Yuhao and displayed what they thought were gentle smiles but were actually quite unsettling:
"Huo Yuhao, twelve years old, Rank 25 spirit power, Martial Spirit: eyes. A rare spiritual attribute Body Martial Spirit, with a promising future."
"Who are you?"
Huo Yuhao asked cautiously, his entire body tensing up in preparation for battle.
Qilin Arm opened his mismatched arms. "We are from the Body Sect. We are your family."
"Family?"
Huo Yuhao was dumbfounded. Family was such a foreign word to him!
"Yes, family!"
Big Head chimed in. "All Body Martial Spirits under heaven are members of the Body Sect. We are naturally your closest family. Come, Huo Yuhao, join the Body Sect. We will guide you onto the true path of Body Martial Spirits."
"I won't! I'm already part of Shrek Academy!"
Huo Yuhao shook his head vehemently and took step after step backward. You've got to be kidding. He had never even heard of the Body Sect, and now two deformed men wanted to abduct Shrek Academy's rising star?
Big Head let out a cold snort. "Shrek dares to secretly keep a Body Sect member? Our Sect Master will surely go to them and demand an explanation! Enough talk. You have no choice today!"
He released an intangible spiritual wave. Huo Yuhao's limbs instantly lost control, becoming a puppet without any autonomy, and slowly walked toward Big Head and Qilin Arm.
Just as Huo Yuhao was desperately calling out to Skydream, a voice with a hint of amusement suddenly rang out.
"Oh, what a coincidence to meet you three here. Doing something interesting?"
A figure with black hair and black eyes appeared at the far end of the hallway. Huo Yuhao recognized him and couldn't help shouting, half in desperation and half in relief:
"Death Abyss Douluo, save me!"