Return to the Academy, Undercurrents Stir

By the time Ling Yun returned to Shrek Academy, night had already fallen. The academy was quiet, and most of the students were likely already resting or cultivating.

He had just reached the area near the dormitories when he heard a burst of rapid whistling through the air and heavy panting from the woods beside him. Sweeping the area with his Spiritual Sense, he discovered Tang San frantically practicing hidden weapon throwing and the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track beneath the moonlight. Sweat had soaked through his clothes, yet he tirelessly repeated every movement, his eyes carrying an almost obsessive ferocity.

Clearly, the events of the day had driven Tang San into a state of mad cultivation.

Ling Yun merely cast him a faint glance before withdrawing his gaze and heading straight for his own dormitory. Whatever happened to Tang San had nothing to do with him. Their paths differed, and they could not work together.

When he pushed open the dormitory door, A Qing was sitting at the edge of her bed, seeming somewhat uneasy. The moment she saw Ling Yun return, she immediately stood up, a flicker of relief and concern flashing through her pure white eyes.

"Ling Yun, you're back! Are you all right?" A Qing asked worriedly. She had felt restless all day, and her Precognitive Spirit Eyes had vaguely sensed that Ling Yun might encounter some trouble.

"I'm fine." Ling Yun shook his head and sat down on his bed. He could tell that A Qing's concern was sincere. This girl with precognitive abilities had a pure heart, and he did not dislike her.

A Qing carefully examined Ling Yun and found that his aura was steady, even seeming to have faintly grown stronger by a trace—the aura he had deliberately revealed after disguising his Soul Rings. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief. After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "Ling Yun, I... I felt that something was wrong today. It feels like something bad is going to happen. Lately... you must be careful."

Ling Yun's gaze shifted slightly as he looked at A Qing. "What did you foresee?"

A Qing shook her head, confusion in her pure white eyes. "It was very vague... I only sensed darkness and... the aura of snakes. It was very dangerous."

Darkness? Snakes? Ling Yun recalled the assassins who had called themselves the Black Snake Gang in the Soul Hunting Forest today. Could A Qing's premonition be connected to the force behind those people? Or did it point to something else?

"I understand. I'll be careful." Ling Yun nodded. Though A Qing's precognitive ability was vague, it was often accurate. This served as a warning for him.

Just then, faint footsteps sounded outside the dormitory and stopped at the door. Then came Flender's voice. "Ling Yun, are you asleep? Come out for a moment. I need to speak with you."

Ling Yun exchanged a glance with A Qing, then stood and walked outside.

Flender stood beneath the moonlight, his expression somewhat grave. He pushed up his glasses and said quietly, "Ling Yun, you went to Spirit Hall for certification during the day?"

"Mm." Ling Yun was not surprised that Flender knew. Suotuo City was not large, and the movements at Spirit Hall could not be concealed from the academy's dean.

Flender sighed. "You were too hasty. A level-thirty Soul Elder at eleven years old... that news is far too shocking. Now, it's not only Spirit Hall. I'm afraid many forces have their eyes on you. I just received word that some people of unknown identity seem to have arrived in the city and are asking about you."

Ling Yun's expression remained unchanged. "As expected."

Flender looked at Ling Yun's calm face and gave a bitter smile. "You kid really know how to keep your composure. I know Shrek can't hold on to you, but you're still a student of this academy for now. I and the other old fellows can't just ignore this. Try not to go out alone these next few days. We'll strengthen the academy's security."

"Thank you, Dean." Ling Yun thanked him. Though he was not afraid, he accepted Flender's goodwill.

"There's one more thing." Flender lowered his voice. "That child Tang San... he hasn't been in the right state lately. I know there's some... competition between you two. But before you leave, I hope you can... hold back a little. That child takes things to heart and gets fixated on them. I'm afraid he..."

Ling Yun understood what Flender meant. He was afraid Ling Yun would strike Tang San too hard and destroy his resolve. He said indifferently, "I have no interest in him. As long as he doesn't provoke me, I can't be bothered with him."

Flender nodded and sighed. "Sigh, you're both geniuses. You should have been tempering each other and improving together... Forget it, let's not talk about this. Get some rest early." With that, he turned and vanished into the night.

Ling Yun returned to the dormitory, sat cross-legged on his bed, and began his daily cultivation. He did not care about the storms gathering outside. Soldiers came, generals blocked them; water came, earth dammed it. His most urgent task was to raise his strength as quickly as possible and condense his Second Origin Soul Ring.

He had a feeling that peaceful days would not last much longer.

Meanwhile, inside a secluded residence in Suotuo City.

The cloaked figure who had appeared outside the Spirit Hall Main Hall during the day was standing respectfully before an old man with a sinister face. The old man wore a dark purple robe, its sleeves embroidered with a vicious black snake.

"Have you confirmed it? That Ling Yun is truly only eleven years old? A level-thirty Soul Elder? A Mutated Dragon Martial Soul?" the old man asked in a hoarse voice.

"Reporting to Elder Snake, it is absolutely true! This subordinate personally saw him receive certification at Spirit Hall, and... in the Soul Hunting Forest today, he struck down the five Soul Elders we sent to assassinate that girl from the Ye Family in an instant!" The cloaked figure's tone carried a trace of fear.

"Killed five Soul Elders in an instant?" A glint flashed through Elder Snake's eyes. "It seems his value is even greater than we imagined! If such a genius can be brought into the Holy Cult and properly trained, he will surely become a great asset to our Holy Cult in the future!"

"Elder, then should we proceed according to the original plan..." The cloaked figure made a throat-slitting gesture. The original plan had been to eliminate Ye Lingling if they could not control her, lest the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect gain a powerful Healing Soul Master.

Elder Snake pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "The plan has changed. That girl from the Ye Family can be put aside for now. This Ling Yun is the priority! Find a way to approach him and test his attitude. If he can be used by our Holy Cult, that would be best. If not..." A cold gleam flashed in Elder Snake's eyes. "Such a genius cannot be left to Spirit Hall or the Two Great Empires if he cannot be used by the Holy Cult! Find an opportunity and let him... die by accident!"

"Yes! This subordinate understands!" The cloaked figure bowed to accept the order.

"Remember, do it cleanly and decisively. Leave behind no evidence. This is not yet the time for our Holy Cult to reveal itself openly," Elder Snake warned.

"This subordinate obeys!"

In the darkness, the web of conspiracy around Ling Yun quietly tightened. Yet at the heart of the coming storm, Ling Yun continued cultivating in peace, waiting for the time to leave and... the challenge that was about to arrive.