"Teacher..."
"Is one Soul Bone really enough?"
Gu Yue looked in Leng Yaozhu's direction, speaking with a serious tone.
She knew the other party had originally planned to give Luo Chuan a Soul Spirit. Compared to a hundred-thousand-year Soul Spirit, a hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone was still somewhat inferior...
Although giving an additional one might not necessarily be useful, more is always better.
"Hmm?"
Tang Luochuan was momentarily stunned, looking toward Gu Yue with a smile surfacing on his face. Was this a case of a kind teacher and filial disciple?
"..."
Leng Yaozhu remained silent, just quietly watching Gu Yue.
What, are you trying to exhaust your teacher's entire collection!
"Now isn't the optimal time to absorb a Soul Bone. Later, when there's a suitable one, it will still be given to Luo Chuan. There's no need for our Yue'er to worry."
"Rest assured, your Luo Chuan won't be shortchanged."
Leng Yaozhu quickly regained her composure, her face showing helplessness. Yue'er wasn't like this before—she's really changed.
"Then thank you, Teacher."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
Hearing this, Gu Yue finally responded with a smile. The harmonious scene of the two made Leng Yaozhu feel quite troubled.
These two little ones coming here...
They were here to raise her blood pressure.
"Alright, Yue'er, you and Luo Chuan should head back now. You've just enrolled at Shrek Academy, and there must be plenty of things to attend to. Coming to see me once is enough."
"Remember to visit me when you have time in the future."
Leng Yaozhu shook her head, quickly regaining her composure, and spoke with a somewhat unsettled smile.
She could see it now—standing with these two little ones made her feel like a third wheel.
Shivering with anger, when will this teacher ever stand tall?
"Yes, Teacher."
Gu Yue didn't hesitate at all, immediately pulling Luo Chuan beside her and heading toward the office door.
"Really..."
"Leaving just like that."
Watching her decisive disciple, Leng Yaozhu felt a wave of frustration. They got the benefits, but they left so abruptly.
"Although, but..."
"Luo Chuan really is a good young man."
Leng Yaozhu watched the two departing figures, especially focusing her gaze on Tang Luochuan, and chuckled softly.
In him, she saw the shadow of the continent's number one. One day in the future, he would likely replace or even surpass that person's position.
Him being with Yue'er was indeed very fitting. And compared to him, the young master of the Qian Gu family...
Was even more unsuitable.
"..."
"I didn't expect Teacher to only give one Soul Bone."
On the way back, Gu Yue wore a slightly regretful expression. Though she couldn't call her teacher stingy, it certainly wasn't particularly extravagant.
"A hundred-thousand-year Soul Bone is already quite good."
"And you know, if I really wanted to absorb a Soul Bone, in Dragon Valley, the Soul Bones left behind by the Dragon Souls—none are weaker than a hundred-thousand-year level..."
Tang Luochuan shook his head, speaking indifferently.
In Dragon Valley, any dragon bones still containing Soul Power were not below that level. In comparison, this Soul Bone would only gather dust.
"For the first meeting..."
"Teacher definitely had to give a suitable gift."
Gu Yue shook her head, her expression serious.
There was no reason to refuse what the teacher gave, especially since it was meant for Luo Chuan.
"Our Gu Yue has learned to take advantage of the teacher," Tang Luochuan couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing this.
The Heavenly Phoenix Douluo's expression had been far from calm—how could it be when her disciple was already favoring someone else?
"I didn't do that, you know," Gu Yue shook her head innocently. That hadn't been her intention at all.
"And also..."
"Who's 'yours'?" Gu Yue's face flushed slightly as she huffed, though the corners of her lips curled into a faint, lovely smile. It seemed...
Her mood was rather good.
"Who else could it be..." Tang Luochuan laughed softly. Who else indeed? Certainly not a certain little Silver Dragon King who refused to reveal her name!
"..."
Not long after, the two returned to Shrek Academy.
In the dormitory building, the moment Tang Luochuan opened his door, Gu Yue darted in like lightning, unceremoniously plopping down on the sofa without the slightest hesitation.
"Hmm?"
"Gu Yue, are you planning to stay with me?" Tang Luochuan sat beside her and asked.
He had assumed she would rush back to cultivate after returning, striving to catch up to him just as she had before.
"Of course."
"Unless... you don't want me to?" Gu Yue nodded lightly, her gaze settling on him as she blinked and asked softly.
If he dared say no...
He'd be done for.
"How could that be? Do you really think..."
"I'm that kind of person?" Tang Luochuan shook his head with a smile, speaking earnestly.
"Aren't you?" Gu Yue tilted her head slightly, her voice light.
"Not at all." Tang Luochuan met her gaze squarely.
"I didn't think so either." Gu Yue's smile deepened, her tone gentle.
In her heart...
Luo Chuan would always be an exceptionally good person.
Knock knock knock...
Just then, a sudden rapping sounded at the door.
"Who is it?" Tang Luochuan frowned slightly. Who could be visiting at this hour? Na'er and the others shouldn't even know he and Gu Yue had returned yet.
"You're finally back."
The moment Tang Luochuan opened the door, Wu Siduo's figure appeared before him, her expression anything but calm—in fact, she looked downright frustrated.
"Wu Siduo?"
"What's the matter?" Tang Luochuan's confusion deepened, but before he could finish, she wordlessly handed him something.
Examining it, he found a badge emblazoned with a green, indistinct creature alongside an engraved hammer. The creature was none other than the emblem of the original Shrek, and combined with the hammer, it was unmistakably the badge of the Shrek Forging Master Association.
"This is... the Shrek Forging Master Association badge?" Tang Luochuan's puzzlement grew. Wu Siduo wasn't a forging master—how did she end up with this?
"Mm. A red-haired senior left it for you while you were away. He seemed to be one of the academy's forging masters..."
"He asked me to tell you to visit the Forging Master Association when you have time. Since you're back now, I figured I'd hand it over." Wu Siduo sighed helplessly. She had been peacefully meditating in her room earlier, only to be roped into playing delivery girl by some senior...
Though the other party was indeed one of the academy's top talents, having her do such a thing still felt somewhat like bullying.
However, she hadn't expected that Tang Luochuan would choose the most difficult secondary profession—Forging Master. She had assumed he would venture into the field of Mecha Design.
"Red-haired senior?"
"I see, thank you."
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan froze for a moment. He truly hadn't anticipated that Feng Wuyu would come looking for him specifically.
"You're welcome."
"So, do you have time right now?"
Wu Siduo shook her head, then seemed to recall something and asked. If he was free now, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to…?
"Hm?"
"What do you want?"
At that moment, a voice sounded as Gu Yue appeared beside Tang Luochuan, her cold gaze fixed on Wu Siduo, her expression unreadable.
"Huh?"
"You are…"
The scene before her took Wu Siduo by surprise. She had seen this girl before—wasn't she the one who had passed the entrance exam alongside Tang Luochuan?
She just hadn't expected to run into her under these circumstances. Were she and Tang Luochuan… lovers?
"Nothing, I just wanted to spar with Tang Luochuan. That's all."
Wu Siduo quickly snapped out of her thoughts and shook her head, explaining. She could tell that the relationship between these two was anything but ordinary. It wouldn't be good if they misunderstood her intentions toward Tang Luochuan.
Then again, what was there to misunderstand? What could possibly happen between her and Tang Luochuan?
"Sparring?"
"There'll be plenty of time for that after the semester starts. Can't you wait until then?"
"Luo Chuan doesn't have time right now."
Gu Yue's expression remained indifferent as she shook her head.
She was skeptical of this girl.
Sparring? What kind of person suggests a one-on-one duel right after meeting someone? There had to be something fishy about this.
"Of course."
"Then I won't disturb you two any further."
Wu Siduo's face betrayed no emotion as she nodded in response.
With that, she closed the door behind her for Tang Luochuan and calmly returned to her own room.
She hadn't expected to see Tang Luochuan again today. If that old man hadn't interrupted her meditation earlier, she wouldn't have even bothered delivering that item for him.
"That girl…"
"She seems quite formidable too…"
A thoughtful gleam flashed in Wu Siduo's eyes. To have passed the entrance exam alongside Tang Luochuan—their strengths must be comparable.
"But I…"
"Absolutely won't lose to her."
With that thought, Wu Siduo sat cross-legged on the sofa and resumed her meditation.
"That person…"
"So she's your neighbor?"
Meanwhile, back in the living room, Gu Yue's gaze lingered on Tang Luochuan, her eyes filled with contemplation.
She remembered—this was the girl Luo Chuan had glanced at a few times during the exam.
"Yeah, since she was the first to finish the exam, it makes sense she'd be in the room next to ours."
Tang Luochuan replied calmly.
"True…"
"But what's this about her wanting to spar with you?"
Gu Yue pressed, her eyes fixed on him.
"Perhaps she thinks I'm stronger? She invited me for a spar earlier. Seems like a Soul Master who really enjoys combat."
Tang Luochuan smiled faintly as he offered this explanation.
"Enjoys combat in general."
"Or enjoys combat with you specifically?"
Gu Yue shook her head, voicing her skepticism.
"That's not it."
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan chuckled lightly and shook his head. Wu Siduo harbored no ill intentions—she was simply one of those young geniuses with a competitive streak.
As for her interest in him...
They'd only met three times so far.
"Let's hope so."
"But if she's so eager for a spar, next time, maybe I should be the one to fight her properly."
Gu Yue wore an indifferent expression as she snorted coldly. What was so interesting about sparring with Luo Chuan anyway...
If she really wanted to test her skills, why not challenge her instead?
What was the point of seeking out Luo Chuan for one-on-one combat?
"You..."
Seeing her jealous demeanor, Tang Luochuan couldn't help but smile fondly.
"Still, Elder Feng showing up like this was truly unexpected."
The next moment, he murmured while looking at the badge in his hand. Elder Feng truly lived up to his reputation as the impatient Blazing Dragon Douluo.
"When there's a chance..."
"I should pay him a visit."
Meanwhile, at Sea God Island.
"Zhuo Shi."
"When are you going to have Changkong bring that Luo Chuan kid to Sea God Island? I still haven't seen him today."
Feng Wuyu fixed his gaze on Zhuo Shi, unable to hold back his words. Had he known, he should've gone to the examination si
te himself.
Now, of all people, he was the one most eager to meet the boy yet hadn't gotten the chance. The frustration was unbearable!
"They just enrolled. The children are probably busy."
"Don't be so impatient."
Zhuo Shi chuckled and shook his head at his old friend's anxious demeanor. Truth be told...
He found it rather amusing.
"Not impatient?"
"I'm genuinely anxious now!"
Feng Wuyu wore a helpless expression as he spoke.