Soon after, Jing Shaoyu and his group of four returned to Shrek City from East Sea City.
The moment they arrived, Yun Ming summoned him to the God of Battle Pavilion.
"What are your thoughts regarding Na'er's situation?" Yun Ming inquired. He wasn't entirely convinced by Jing Shaoyu's explanation about Na'er's departure. A strong premonition told him there was more to the story, but lacking concrete evidence, he could only suppress his doubts for now.
"Well, I plan to bring Na'er back after our special training on Devil Island," Jing Shaoyu sighed lightly. "It's just not the right time yet."
He intended to seek the Goddess of Life's assistance—even if she couldn't fully reconstruct Na'er's physical form, at least she could help stabilize her soul. As for Yun Ming's suspicions, delaying was the only option for now. After all, by the time they returned from Devil Island, Yun Ming might already be in seclusion.
Perhaps before Yun Ming emerged, Jing Shaoyu himself would gain the ability to reconstruct Na'er's body.
"Very well." Yun Ming gave Jing Shaoyu a deep look before nodding. "As long as you have a clear plan. Go prepare—we depart the day after tomorrow."
"Understood." Jing Shaoyu replied before leaving the pavilion.
Eighty percent of Golden Island was covered in lush vegetation—towering trees and vibrant flowers created breathtaking scenery. Aside from their daily activities around the Lake of Life and the Inner Academy buildings, teachers and students often explored other parts of the island in small groups.
Being a newly created island shaped by Jing Shaoyu's power, these explorations often yielded delightful surprises—thoughtfully designed pathways or secluded spots perfect for romantic encounters.
After leaving the pavilion, Jing Shaoyu walked through the dense forest toward the Seven Monsters' activity room.
"Xiaoyan, how did your Soul Power improve so much in just a few days?" Inside, the girls had gathered around Xu Xiaoyan with astonished expressions. Wu Siduo was the first to voice the question.
"Seriously," Ye Xinglan added with puzzlement, "We're happy you broke through to Soul Emperor, but jumping straight to level 63? That's bizarre. Spill it—did Shaoyu give you special training?"
"Sister Xiaoyan, keeping secrets isn't nice," Mo Hentian chimed in.
Though Lan Fozi didn't join the interrogation, her curious gaze spoke volumes.
"Hmph!" Facing the trio's coordinated questioning, Xu Xiaoyan remained completely unflustered. A smug smile even played on her lips as she teased, "Want to know?"
"Out with it!" Wu Siduo, provoked by her expression, grabbed Xu Xiaoyan's cheeks in mock threat. "Or I'll draw a turtle on your face!"
"It's actually simple!" Xu Xiaoyan giggled mysteriously before whispering something into Wu Siduo's ear.
A visible blush instantly spread across Wu Siduo's face. Her wide eyes flashed with disbelief before turning both embarrassed and indignant. "That's impossible! You're not lying to me, are you?"
"Of course it's true!" Xu Xiaoyan vowed confidently, "I've tested it myself—it works!"
"This..." Wu Siduo, seeing Xiaoyan so certain, believed her words, causing her delicate face to redden even more.
"What kind of riddle are you two talking about?" Ye Xinglan and Mo Hentian, standing nearby, were visibly displeased. Ye Xinglan grabbed Xiaoyan's hand and said, "What's so secretive that you have to whisper? Can't you say it out loud?"
"Yeah, it's not like there are outsiders here," Mo Hentian chimed in with a nod.
Hearing their words, Xiaoyan instinctively glanced at Lan Fozi, who looked like an inquisitive child, then awkwardly smiled and said, "Well, here's the thing..."
In the past, Xiaoyan might have considered including Fozi in their circle. But after her intimate encounter with Jing Shaoyu, her perspective had shifted. What was already done couldn't be undone, but she could certainly prevent new complications.
Besides, it was clear Shaoyu had no romantic feelings for Fozi. She was just helping him avoid unnecessary trouble.
Her hesitation didn't escape the others' notice. Lan Fozi looked surprised and disappointed but maintained a smile. "Eldest Sister was looking for me earlier. I should go check in," she said, turning to leave.
However, Ye Xinglan stopped her. "Fozi, you're not going anywhere! Xiaoyan, what's your problem? Is Fozi an outsider? Do you really think she can escape her current situation? And weren't you the one pushing for this before? Why the change of heart now?"
"I..." Xiaoyan felt guilty and genuinely sorry for Fozi. She offered an apologetic smile. "It's just... this really isn't something Fozi should know yet. She and Shaoyu haven't defined their relationship. Hearing this would only complicate things for her."
Now, Ye Xinglan, Mo Hentian, and Lan Fozi all understood—Xiaoyan's secret was related to Jing Shaoyu. And judging by Wu Siduo's blushing face, it was a very intimate matter.
Ye Xinglan seemed to realize something, her face flushing red as she stammered, "Y-you... you didn't... with Brother Shaoyu... and that's why your Soul Power improved so much, did you?"
"...Mhm." Xiaoyan nodded helplessly. "Yeah."
"..." Ye Xinglan fell silent, unsure how to respond. She also realized that insisting Fozi stay might have been impulsive.
But she didn't regret it. Fozi was part of their team. Forcing her out would only hurt her and damage their unity—creating unnecessary trouble for Shaoyu.
"What kind of thing are you talking about?" Mo Hentian asked, confused.
"It's..." Xiaoyan mumbled under her breath, her voice barely audible. But none of them were ordinary people—every word was heard clearly. Mo Hentian and Lan Fozi, slower on the uptake, soon turned scarlet as well.
So when Jing Shaoyu arrived, he found all five girls with flushed faces. Xiaoyan's eyes held a trace of guilt, while Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan, Mo Hentian, and Lan Fozi gazed at him with unmistakable heat and longing.
A sharp pain shot through his lower back—a foreboding sense of impending doom.
"Shaoyu, we all know about it." Sure enough, Wu Siduo was the first to take action, darting forward to grab Jing Shaoyu's hand with a tone of dissatisfaction and urgency. "I want it too!"
"Brother Yu, me too!" Ye Xinglan followed closely, her eyes burning as she stared at Jing Shaoyu.
"Class Monitor..." Though Mo Hentian's words were subtle, her gaze was unmistakably direct, her pink eyes shimmering with allure. She even activated her Celestial Fox Martial Soul!
"Ahem, Brother Shaoyu, I... I can do it too," Lan Fozi said with a bashful demeanor, though her expression was filled with anticipation.
Listening to their demands, Jing Shaoyu immediately agreed, "Alright, alright, I know you're all eager, but don't rush! Let's wait until after our Devil Island training to discuss this, okay?"
"You said it—after Devil Island training, I get to be first!" Wu Siduo declared without hesitation.
The other three girls didn't press further. They all understood the timing wasn't ideal, and what they really wanted was just Jing Shaoyu's acknowledgment. Since his attitude was positive, they naturally didn't push him further.
After this little episode, the group turned their attention to studying Xu Xiaoyan's new Soul Skills.
First, Xu Xiaoyan's fourth Soul Skill had evolved from Starlight Anchoring to Starry Sky Chains. It remained an auxiliary-type Soul Skill, but compared to Starlight Anchoring, Starry Sky Chains contained spatial energy, greatly expanding its range. Those connected by the chains could freely switch positions or transfer between any node. Additionally, Starry Sky Chains granted immunity to the opponent's Space Transfer or positional swaps.
Second, her fifth Soul Skill, Starlight Divine Destruction, had advanced to Starry Sky Annihilation. This skill caused the space around a designated target to collapse, trapping them in a cage woven from spatial energy. Their Soul Power would also be forcibly sealed until the cage was released or dissipated. The spatial cage could be relocated at Xu Xiaoyan's command.
Lastly, her sixth Soul Skill, Starry Sky Divine Curtain, summoned a radiant curtain composed of countless stars. It provided absolute defense against physical, mental, and energy-based attacks while reflecting the damage back at the opponent multiplied. Though its duration was fleeting, it was more than enough.
The evolution of her Martial Soul elevated Xu Xiaoyan's control and support abilities to new heights. Despite being only a Soul Emperor, her control capabilities could easily surpass some Soul Douluo—or even Titled Douluo-level control-type Soul Masters.
On the night before their departure to Devil Island, Jing Shaoyu arrived at the Spirit Transfer Pagoda headquarters.
As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he saw a man pestering Gu Yue.
"Yuena, do you have time tonight? I'd like to discuss the Ten Thousand Beasts Platform Project with you—maybe over dinner?" The man smiled sincerely, his voice gentle.
He was undeniably handsome, with an imposing presence. His Soul Power fluctuations were strong, indicating he was at least a Soul Douluo-level powerhouse. Achieving such a level at a young age spoke volumes about his extraordinary talent. Faced with such a gifted and attractive young man, most people would at least smile to maintain goodwill. But Gu Yue remained cold.
"No," she replied icily.
"How could that be? I've asked your team members, and they said your work is already done. You're free tonight, Yuena. Just give me a chance." The young man, undeterred by Gu Yue's rejection, persisted.
"Who said that?" A flash of anger crossed Gu Yue's eyes as she spoke coldly.
"Yuena, don't be angry. They were just trying to help!" The young man didn't seem to realize his actions had upset her. In his mind, the entire Spirit Transfer Pagoda belonged to his family, so it was only natural for its employees to assist him in pursuing Gu Yuena.
This young man was Qian Gu Zhangting, the eldest grandson of the current Spirit Transfer Pagoda's master, Qiangu Dongfeng. Exceptionally talented, he had already reached level 88 in Soul Power at just twenty-eight years old. It was almost certain he would become a Limit Douluo in the future, so many high-ranking members of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda had already tacitly accepted him as the next master.
A few days ago, when Qian Gu Zhangting first laid eyes on Gu Yuena, he fell hopelessly in love. Upon learning she was Leng Yaozhu's disciple, he was thrilled—this meant his pursuit of her would undoubtedly have Qiangu Dongfeng's support.
And indeed, whether due to Leng Yaozhu's influence or Gu Yue's personal merits, Qiangu Dongfeng fully supported his grandson's pursuit. Gu Yue's extraordinary talent made him wary, as he believed she could threaten the Qian family's position in the Spirit Transfer Pagoda. But if she married Qian Gu Zhangting, that problem would vanish.
Thus, Qian Gu Zhangting launched an unrelenting courtship.
"She's already made it clear—she's busy!" Jing Shaoyu, who happened to witness the scene, stepped forward without hesitation. Pulling Gu Yue into his arms, he glared coldly at Qian Gu Zhangting and snapped.
Startled by Jing Shaoyu's sudden appearance, Qian Gu Zhangting quickly burned with rage. Seeing Jing Shaoyu embrace Gu Yue—and Gu Yue not resisting, even smiling in a way he had never seen before—sent him into a fury.
"Who are you?" Qian Gu Zhangting demanded angrily. He had met Jing Shaoyu once, but that was six or seven years ago, and he had long forgotten.
"I'm her man. Got it?" Jing Shaoyu didn't back down, his voice icy. "Stay away from her from now on, or don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"What? How is that possible?" Qian Gu Zhangting's face twisted in disbelief as he turned to Gu Yue, shouting, "Yuena, is this true?"
"Let's go." But Gu Yue ignored him completely, linking arms with Jing Shaoyu as they headed toward the elevator.
Qian Gu Zhangting watched them leave without stopping them, his expression dark. He needed to find out who that man was—immediately. How dare someone challenge him, the heir of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda, for a woman right under his nose?
And as for Gu Yuena—he would make sure she learned who was truly worthy of her reliance!
Turning sharply, Qian Gu Zhangting stormed toward the top floor.
Meanwhile, Gu Yue led Jing Shaoyu straight out of the Spirit Transfer Pagoda headquarters. Frowning, she said, "Didn't we agree you wouldn't come here? If you miss me, just call!"
"Heh, I forgot." Jing Shaoyu scratched his head and grinned.
"It's only been a few days, and you've already forgotten?" Gu Yue rolled her eyes, giving Jing Shaoyu a coquettish glance. "Seems like you never took it to heart at all!"
"Alright, next time—next time I'll definitely let you come find me, okay?" Jing Shaoyu wrapped his arm around Gu Yue's waist, grinning. "Who was that guy earlier?"
"Qian Gu Zhangting, the heir of the Qian Gu family," Gu Yue replied, her face twisting with annoyance. "He's been pestering me nonstop these past few days—so irritating! If his grandfather weren't the Pagoda Master, I'd have already smacked him dead!"
Her voice dripped with resentment, making it clear just how much Qian Gu Zhangting grated on her nerves.
"Why not have Teacher deal with him?" Jing Shaoyu suggested. "Or lure him out, and I'll beat him up for you. How about that?"
"No." Gu Yue refused immediately. "You're the dean of Shrek Academy now. If you hit him, it could spark a conflict between Shrek Academy and the Spirit Transfer Pagoda. Not worth it."
"Then let's ask Teacher. She's the deputy Pagoda Master—surely she can teach Qian Gu Zhangting a lesson, right?" Jing Shaoyu was quite pleased, thinking how considerate she was, always looking out for her man. He continued, "I—"
At the mention of Leng Yaozhu, Gu Yue visibly hesitated. "She's... in a special situation right now, so I haven't told her."
A complicated glint flashed in her eyes as she subtly glanced at Jing Shaoyu, a flicker of irritation in her heart.
Misinterpreting her silence, Jing Shaoyu assumed she held some grudge against Leng Yaozhu because of him. "Yue'er, it's all my fault. Don't blame Teacher. You two still have many days ahead to spend together."
Gu Yue stared blankly at him, momentarily unsure which "days ahead" he meant. In the end, she could only reply woodenly, "You... fine. I understand."
(End of Chapter)