The sky was dim, and the night had grown deep.
Ordinary people who had toiled all day had long since washed up, rested, and drifted into dreams. In the commoner districts on the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, there was only impenetrable darkness and scattered candlelight.
After all, only a minority could afford Soul Tool crystal lamps. Apart from the bustling commercial streets, only the aristocratic district at the heart of Heaven Dou City was lit as brightly as day.
The banquet continued until very late. Zhao Xuan did not know whether the nobles attending had gained anything, but his own harvest had been quite good.
Until the banquet ended, Zhao Xuan did not see Xue Qinghe again. He spent several hours in the reception room studying Tang Yuehua's Noble Ring, carefully memorizing every tiny rune within it.
Only when the banquet was about to end and Tang Yuehua had no choice but to return to preside over it did he reluctantly stop and bid her farewell.
Shrek Academy was utterly silent at night. Only a few Soul Tool crystal lamps were lit in the vast academy, making it seem especially lonely beneath the night sky. From the distant back mountain came the occasional shrill cry of summer cicadas...
Zhao Xuan and Hermione chatted casually as they walked toward the dormitories. Their light footsteps made no sound upon the paths paved with fine pebbles.
Suddenly, Zhao Xuan's expression shifted. Frowning, he looked behind them.
"What is it?"
Feeling puzzled, Hermione also turned to look behind them.
Yet everything behind them was shrouded in darkness, and there was no unusual movement within sight. Just as Hermione was about to turn back, she suddenly heard faint footsteps. They were soft, light, and hurried, falling like a steady drizzle. Before long, she saw