T
he night passed without incident.
The next morning, Li Zhexian and Zhu Zhuqing left the Star Dou Great Forest, walking along the official road towards the Heaven Dou Empire.
About half an hour later—
At a fork in the road, the two were about to part ways.
Zhu Zhuqing's destination was Shrek Academy, located in Soto City, a small town in the subordinate Balak Kingdom of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Meanwhile, Li Zhexian was heading to Heaven Dou Imperial City.
His reasoning?
Where there's prosperity, there's bound to be good wine.
"Safe travels, Zhuqing-jie."
Li Zhexian smiled as he bid her farewell.
He was the same age as Zhu Zhuqing—perhaps just a few months older.
Calling her Zhuqing-jie was more of a teasing endearment than a sign of seniority.
At first, Zhu Zhuqing had resisted the name.
But now, she'd grown used to it.
Staring at the youth before her, clad in tattered white robes yet exuding a wild, unrestrained charm, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly spoke:
"Li Zhexian… you said purple is more elegant, didn't you?"
"Hmm?"
Li Zhexian blinked in confusion.
Why bring that up all of a sudden?
When had he ever said that…?
Oh—right.
Back when they first met, she had asked why his first Spirit Ring was purple.
He'd casually made something up: "Because purple has a certain elegance."
He hadn't expected her to remember such a throwaway comment.
Li Zhexian was just about to explain that he was joking—that she didn't need to take it seriously.
But Zhu Zhuqing continued:
"Next time we meet… I'll wear purple for you."
"G-goodbye!"
With that—
She didn't even wait to see his reaction.
She spun around and hurried off, practically fleeing.
In her haste, she even twisted her ankle slightly.
With his keen eyesight, Li Zhexian caught the sight of her graceful, snow-white swan-like neck turning pink.
"Take care, Zhuqing-jie."
Li Zhexian curved his lips into a smile, humming a tune as he set off in the opposite direction.
He didn't feel any lingering sorrow over their parting—
Because he knew—
If fate allowed, they'd meet again.
The Star Dou Great Forest was roughly 800 kilometers from Heaven Dou City.
The route passed through the Fasno Province, Baronbu City, and the Sunset Forest.
In Bolan City, the closest urban center to the forest—
Li Zhexian had sold the hides and bones of the spirit beasts he hunted, exchanging them for a generous amount of gold spirit coins. He then purchased a white-maned horse and embarked on his journey.
Traveling leisurely, sometimes exploring, sometimes playing…
Half a month later, Heaven Dou City finally came into view.
The sun blazed in the sky.
At the end of the official road, a figure riding a white horse emerged from the dust.
"Whoa~~"
Li Zhexian pulled on the reins, and his mount reared, kicking up a cloud of dust.
He took a swig of wine, casually wiped the sweat from his forehead, and gazed ahead at the grand city lying on the horizon like a crouching beast.
Even from several hundred meters away—
He could see sunlight spreading across the vermilion city walls like gold leaf. The moat reflected the shimmering golden eaves, making for an exquisitely resplendent sight.
Anyone seeing this city for the first time would be moved to sigh:
"What a splendid city!"
Li Zhexian murmured:
"Let's hope this imperial city has a wine worthy of my taste."
Along the journey—
He had tasted the wines of every city he passed through.
But none had qualified to be poured into his Clear Spring Wine Gourd.
Leading his white-maned horse—
Li Zhexian arrived at the base of the city walls.
It's worth noting—entering the imperial city required a fee.
However, the moment Li Zhexian released his Spirit Power aura at Level 22, the gate guards respectfully ushered him inside.
Level 22 Spirit Power wasn't that impressive.
But someone this young possessing it—that was extraordinary.
Li Zhexian waved off the enthusiastic guards with a smile, feeling a touch disappointed.
"Don't stories always say the protagonist gets harassed at the gates?"
"Why didn't that happen to me?"
Chuckling to himself—
He entered Heaven Dou City.
The moment he stepped inside—
He was greeted by a bustling, vibrant scene.
On either side of Vermilion Avenue, golden ginkgo leaves fluttered down from the trees.
Crowds of people paused in front of shops, haggling with vendors.
Not far away, steam billowed from teahouses and noodle stalls, cloaking the area in a hazy warmth.
On the other side, a storyteller in green robes struck his wooden block with a thud, bowing with a smile as he invited patrons to reward him.
Beneath a stone bridge, a painted pleasure boat drifted slowly by, young nobles drinking and making merry on board.
"What a place!"
Li Zhexian strolled along, taking everything in, his mood growing lighter and more relaxed.
Before long—
He found the finest tavern in Heaven Dou Imperial City—Shanxiang Pavilion.
It was said to be one of the most prestigious culinary establishments in the capital, offering every kind of rare delicacy imaginable.
"Well now, I haven't seen you around before, young master!"
The welcoming waiter spotted Li Zhexian from afar and immediately draped a white cloth over his shoulder, greeting him with a wide smile.
"Just leave your horse to me, young master—I'll make sure it's well fed and taken care of."
He took the reins and handed them to a nearby stable boy.
Then, stepping slightly to the side, he gestured politely for Li Zhexian to enter.
"Young master, you seem unfamiliar with the place. Would you like me to introduce our specialties?"
Li Zhexian leisurely looked around the interior.
Intricate carvings, flowing water features, miniature rock gardens—
It was clear this tavern spared no expense.
"Came from the outer city. Bring me all your house specialties."
"And two jugs of your strongest, most fiery liquor."
"Right away!"
The waiter didn't judge Li Zhexian by his worn clothing.
He had seen too many guests to be fooled.
This youth might be in rags, but he exuded an air of ease and confidence—definitely not ordinary.
"Would young master prefer a private room or the main hall?"
"Main hall. I like the lively atmosphere."
"Understood!"
The waiter called out instructions and bowed as he prepared to leave.
"Wait."
Li Zhexian pulled a gold spirit coin from his pocket and placed it in the man's hand.
His eyes lit up.
"Thank you, young master!"
Meanwhile, on the other side—
Zhu Zhuqing had finally arrived at Shrek Academy.
Calling it an "academy" was a stretch—it was built in a tiny village with barely a hundred households.
A simple wooden fence circled the area.
At the entrance, a small crowd had gathered.
Zhu Zhuqing furrowed her brows slightly, her cold face showing a hint of surprise.
This… is Shrek Academy? Isn't it a little too shabby?
There seemed to be some commotion up ahead.
A young man, after paying ten gold spirit coins to register, was told he didn't meet the requirements—and that the fee was non-refundable.
The boy and his father protested angrily.
At that moment—
An older, blond-haired youth stepped forward and released two hundred-year and one thousand-year Spirit Rings.
That level of Spirit Ring configuration at his age caused the crowd to exclaim in awe.
His powerful Spirit Power exerted pressure on the father and son, forcing them to back down.
In the crowd—
Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes narrowed with a trace of disdain.
This kind of person—who bullies the weak with strength—
Compared to Li Zhexian, it's like heaven and earth.
She didn't even bother looking at the blond youth.
Her gaze wandered casually over the rest of the crowd.
In front of her stood a black-haired boy accompanied by a girl with a scorpion-tail braid.
At that moment—
A beautiful young girl in a white dress with short hair was being tested.
This girl seemed to have drawn the attention of an elderly examiner.
"Did your family know you came here?" he asked.
The white-dressed girl's voice was clear and pleasant.
"They say education should be available to all. As long as I meet the requirements, you have no reason to turn me away, right?"