After settling the broken promise and staying two more days at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, Yu Yan—having politely declined Ning Fengzhi and Ning Rongrong's invitation to remain—set off on the return journey with Xiao Wu and Spirit Cat Wu Xue.
It was easy to foresee that the moment they got back to Exotic Beast Academy, Vice Dean Jiang Jing would lecture them endlessly; fortunately, both Yu Yan and Xiao Wu were already somewhat used to it.
Spirit Cat Wu Xue couldn't understand a word of Jiang Jing's nagging; whenever the vice dean started, the cat simply sprawled on the windowsill to sunbathe.
"Rongrong, what do you think of those two?"
On the way back to the main hall of the Sect, Ning Fengzhi asked Rongrong for her impressions of Yu Yan and Xiao Wu.
"Sister Xiao Wu is very kind, gentle, and knowledgeable; no matter what you ask, she always answers quickly and can chat about anything."
"Yu Yan has lots of ideas, flexible thinking, and quick reactions; he's the one who makes decisions when something happens, though when he's absorbed in his own work he doesn't like to be disturbed."
After sorting out her impressions, Rongrong relayed them to her father.
"There are things you haven't noticed—for instance, Yu Yan dislikes owing favors and keeps strangers at arm's length. You can tell from…"
Listening to her answer, Ning Fengzhi began pointing out what she'd missed; grooming a qualified successor for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School was vital.
"That doesn't add up, Dad. If Yu Yan hates being indebted, why did he come to our School to read books on spirit power research?"
Spotting the contradiction, Rongrong voiced it the moment her father finished, hoping for praise.
"Sharp observation; it's also what puzzles me. I have two guesses."
Ning Fengzhi praised her, then continued:
"The first: he's favorably disposed toward our School, saw our invitation, and intends to join us—unlikely, but not impossible."
"The second: he holds something we need—information or an item—and is confident it can offset our help, just like his deal with Exotic Beast Academy."
"Rongrong, which do you think is more likely?"
"I think the second guess is more probable."
After mulling over the details of their recent days together, she gave her answer.
"Sect Master, we spotted the group that had been lurking near the School; they tailed Yu Yan and Xiao Wu the moment they left."
While the two carried on their Q-and-A lesson, an outer-chamber steward of the School hurried up to report.
"Find another outer steward and follow at a distance. If those two are in danger, help them; if not, come straight back."
All outer stewards of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School were Spirit Saints below level 75; two such Saints could easily suppress the lurkers.
These people had been sent by the famously vindictive Prince Xue Xing; because Yu Yan had refused his help, Ning Fengzhi had done nothing about them.
If the attackers proved capable, Ning Fengzhi could sell Yu Yan a huge favor.
If they proved useless, he could see exactly what gave Yu Yan the confidence to refuse assistance and fine-tune his recruitment plan.
Whatever the outcome, he stood to gain. "Yu Yan, do you sense it? Someone's tailing us."
On the return trip, Xiao Wu—having sensed the hidden auras—told Yu Yan what she'd noticed.
"Not yet alarmed," he replied, thinking briefly. "Likely Prince Xue Xing's men; the man's famously petty. Let's find a spot and accept his 'test subjects.'"
The strongest Spirit Master in the prince's retinue was a level-73 Spirit Saint; a Saint wouldn't stoop to such dirty work.
With that Saint ruled out, whoever Prince Xue Xing sent, Yu Yan and Xiao Wu could handle.
In truth, even if that very Saint came in person, the pair would still have a fighting chance.
"If Prince Xue Xing heard you call his assassins 'test subjects,' he'd cough up blood in rage."
Hearing the nickname, Xiao Wu—already picturing the annoying prince's face—couldn't help smiling.
"Best if it kills him outright. Once we're beyond the School's range, we'll pick a secluded spot and act."
Should the prince actually die of anger, Yu Yan would throw a feast to celebrate.
After a quick plan, they unfolded a map of the Heaven Dou Empire, chose a quiet place to deal with the "subjects," and sped up.
In the ensuing chase, they led their pursuers to a deserted valley with pleasant scenery—and waited.
Soon a seven-person squad appeared: six men and one woman, two Spirit Kings, three Spirit Ancestors, one Spirit Elder.
One of them, currently under Martial Soul Possession, showed wolf features; he was the weakest, a Spirit Elder.
No wonder they could track so well—there was a specialist scout among them.
"Gentlemen, you've followed us so long—what exactly do you want?"
Knowing full well who they were, Yu Yan still played ignorant for final confirmation; he didn't want to wrong Prince Xue Xing.
"That's no puzzled face; you've guessed who sent us. Don't blame us for ganging up—blame yourselves for offending the wrong man."
The male Spirit King at the front, seeing the calm look on his target's face, answered while wondering why these two showed no fear.
He'd done plenty of dirty jobs for the prince, yet never seen targets so composed.
"Since you haven't spouted any wild words, I won't toy with you."
Even as he spoke, his voice rang out together with the sound of his Martial Soul Possession.
"Not good—fall back!"
Seeing the five spirit rings around Yu Yan—and the fifth one flashing—the Spirit King's face contorted in terror. Even while shouting a warning, he was already fleeing.