"Sharing"

When the word "over" left Zhou Yi's cold lips like gospel from heaven, the entire square first sank into Deathly Silence. Then, immediately after, it erupted with Earth-Shattering cheers and wails, the sound of people who had survived disaster.

The students who had crossed the finish line on their last breath could no longer support bodies that had long since been wrung dry. As if their bones had been pulled out, they collapsed one after another. They gulped in air, greedily sucking down the Green Grass-scented breeze, their Lungs feeling as though they had been scorched by raging flames, every breath bringing tearing Severe Pain. Some burst into laughter, though their laughter carried a Crying Tone; others clung tightly to Comrades beside them who looked just as wretched, sobbing at the tops of their lungs as they celebrated this hard-won "survival."

The entire square looked like a battlefield after a brutal war, strewn with bodies.

And at the center of this "battlefield," a few people looked completely out of place.

"It's finally over."

Long Yao looked at the toppled, staggering scene before him, and a smile rose on his face, From the Heart, genuinely happy for them. His Voice was not loud, yet it was like a clear spring, standing out with exceptional clarity amid the clamor of pained groans.

He turned and looked at Bei Bei and Tang Ya, who had returned from nearby to watch the New Students' training, a gentle smile on his face.

"Want to go eat together?" Long Yao asked the two of them.

This simple invitation was, to these Youths and Maidens who had just crawled out of hell and were already starving, no different from the greatest temptation.

Before Long Yao could be polite, Tang Ya beside Bei Bei had already raised her hand, an incomparably brilliant smile blooming on her Small Face. "Yes! Of course we're going!... You'd better treat us, Long Yao!"

Her naturally familiar, lively personality instantly diluted the tragic atmosphere, drawing a helpless yet doting wry smile from Bei Bei.

Only Huo Yuhao still sat silently on the ground. He was in no hurry to speak, merely quietly circulating the Soul Transformation Art, absorbing the immense vitality brought by the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and repairing his body's fatigue. But his ears had remained perked up the entire time, and his deep Spirit Eyes, like the most precise radar, had never once left Long Yao.

Immediately after, Long Yao's gaze turned and landed beside him, on the Pink Blue-haired "youth" who had kept his head lowered ever since finishing the run, fiddling with the Hem of Clothes as if trying to stare a hole into the ground.

"Then, do you want to come too?"

His Voice was much gentler than when he had invited Bei Bei and the others just now, carrying a trace of cautious inquiry, as if afraid of startling something.

Whoosh—!

Wang Dong's entire body suddenly went rigid!

She felt the eyes of every Survivor present, along with the Lines of Sight of Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao, all focus on her in unison at that instant!

A scalding Hot Stream surged from the soles of her feet straight to the crown of her head with unstoppable force! Her Small Face, which had already been flushed from the intense exercise, now turned even redder, like Fire Burning Cloud on the evening horizon, so hot it seemed almost ready to steam.

Go... or not go?

An unprecedentedly fierce struggle broke out inside her.

Reason told her she should go. After all, they were all classmates in the same class now, and they had just gone through a life-or-death trial together. He had also invited her out of kindness, and refusing would seem far too cold and unreasonable. Besides... besides... he had just... just saved her...

But the pride buried deep in her bones was screaming madly: How can you go?! How can you so easily go eat with him?! You're the Little Princess of the God Realm! Where is your reserve?! Where is your arrogance?!

Go!

Don't go!

Go!

Don't go!

Two little figures fought in her mind until the sky went dark and the sun and moon lost their light.

She could feel Long Yao's questioning gaze resting on her, never moving away. That gaze was not scorching, nor did it carry any pressure. It only waited for Her Reply calmly and patiently.

And it was precisely that calmness and patience that became the last straw that crushed her pride.

She bit her Lower Lip tightly and stayed silent for a full dozen seconds. Just when even Tang Ya felt a little awkward and was about to speak to smooth things over, Wang Dong finally squeezed a syllable from her throat that was softer than a mosquito's hum.

"...Mm."

After saying that one word, she could no longer bear those gazes filled with gossip and ambiguity. She abruptly twisted her head away, leaving everyone with a side profile so red it looked about to Bleed Out. She looked exactly like a frightened ostrich desperately trying to bury itself in the sand.

Seeing her like this, Tang Ya and Bei Bei exchanged a glance and both saw a knowing, ambiguous smile in each other's eyes.

Only Huo Yuhao frowned slightly. He did not understand. He completely did not understand why that ridiculously pretty youth called Wang Dong would show such a strange attitude toward Long Yao. That feeling did not seem like friendship, much less brotherhood, but rather a kind of complicated relationship he had never seen before, mixed with dependence, shyness, and resistance.

"Then... let's go."

A smile of success, From the Heart, appeared on Long Yao's face. Very naturally, he was the first to Stand Up and pat the dust off himself.

Bei Bei also pulled Tang Ya up, and Huo Yuhao rose as well. Just like that, the five of them formed a small group and, under the gazes of the "corpses" sprawled across the square and countless eyes filled with awe, jealousy, and curiosity, headed toward Shrek Academy's legendary cafeteria, said to rival a five-star hotel.

Along the way, Tang Ya's energy seemed inexhaustible. She chattered beside Long Yao, curiously asking this and that.

"Long Yao, you were way too cool just now! When you shouted those words, I felt like my Soul Power instantly increased by a chunk!"

"That's right, Brother Long Yao," Bei Bei also said sincerely. "Not only is your strength unfathomable, your leadership ability also leaves me ashamed of myself. I'm Bei Bei, this is Tang Ya, our Tang Sect's Sect Master, and the one behind us is our new Junior Brother, Huo Yuhao. From now on, we're classmates at the same academy, so please look after us."

"You're too polite." Long Yao responded with a smile. His gaze paused briefly on Huo Yuhao before he nodded. "We're just helping each other."

As for Wang Dong, she did not say a word the entire time and always maintained a distance of half a body-length from Long Yao. Her head was lowered as she looked at the tips of her feet, her short Pink Blue hair hiding her expression, so no one knew what she was thinking at that moment. Only her hand, which had never loosened from tightly Clutching her Hem of Clothes, and her Ear Roots, which were still red and had yet to fade, exposed the unrest in her heart.

Shrek Academy's cafeteria truly lived up to its reputation.

It was a massive circular building a full five stories tall, brilliantly lit inside, with bright windows and clean tables. Row after row of neat Dining Tables and chairs could accommodate several thousand people eating at the same time. The air was filled with the tempting aromas of all kinds of food, stirring people's appetites.

The cafeteria was divided into several areas. There were ordinary windows that provided common meals, as well as "Soul Master Special Meal" windows that required credits to exchange for food made from rare Spirit Beast Ingredients.

The five of them casually found seats by a window. Because the punishment training had ended late, there were not many people in the cafeteria at the moment.

"I'll get the food!" Tang Ya volunteered and jumped up, dragging Bei Bei toward the windows.

Huo Yuhao sat there silently, using his miraculous Spirit Eyes to curiously size up everything in the cafeteria, as well as... the man sitting opposite him, who had always brought him tremendous pressure.

Very soon, Bei Bei and Tang Ya returned carrying several huge trays. The plates were piled full of all kinds of food with complete color, aroma, and flavor: roasted Spirit Beast leg meat sizzling with oil, Vegetable Salad giving off faint Soul Power Fluctuations, and steaming, thick meat soup.

"Hurry up and eat! I'm starving!" Tang Ya impatiently picked up a piece of roast meat, took a fierce bite, and narrowed her eyes in bliss.

Just as everyone was about to pick up their Chopsticks, a middle-aged man in a white chef's uniform, who looked like a cafeteria manager, personally carried over a tray covered with a silver lid and respectfully walked to their table.

"May I ask which two students are Long Yao and Wang Dong?"

The middle-aged man's voice drew everyone's attention.

Long Yao raised his head and said calmly, "I am."

Wang Dong also answered instinctively.

"Excellent." A professional smile immediately filled the middle-aged man's Face. He carefully set the tray on the table, then, under one astonished gaze after another, lifted the silver lid.

An indescribable fragrance, rich to the extreme, burst out in an instant!

On the tray were two portions of exquisitely made dishes that looked like works of art. Each portion was served on a Pure White jade plate. In the center of each plate was a palm-sized fish steak, fried until golden and crispy, topped with a layer of Emerald Green sauce made from some kind of glowing plant, glittering like a river of stars. Beside it were a few ruby-like berries and a cup of jade-green drink in a crystal glass, giving off a faint Life Aura.

Just smelling that fragrance made everyone present feel their Soul Power, which had dried up from exhaustion, begin to grow active again!

"This is..." Shock appeared in Bei Bei's eyes. "This is fish fillet made from Starlight Dragon Scale Fish, sauce boiled from Moonlight Grass shoots, and diluted Fountain of Life?! This... one portion of this costs at least a hundred credits to exchange for, right?!"

"Hehe," the middle-aged manager explained with a smile. "Teacher Zhou personally gave the order. She said that to reward the two students who broke the academy's hundred-lap weighted-run record on the very first day of school, she specially prepared this Champion Dinner for you."

After saying that, he respectfully withdrew.

The entire Dining Table fell into an eerie silence.

Tang Ya's mouth hung open as she looked at the two dinners giving off an enticing glow, practically drooling. Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao looked at Long Yao and Wang Dong with extremely complicated eyes.

As for Wang Dong, she was completely stunned. She stared blankly at the portion of "Champion Dinner" that belonged to her, then looked at Long Yao beside her. In her heart, it was as though a bottle of mixed flavors had been knocked over, leaving her unable to tell what she was feeling.

She knew that more than half of this "championship" had been "given" to her by the man beside her.

"It seems Teacher Zhou isn't quite as terrifying as the rumors say." Long Yao said with a Light Laugh, "Let's eat together. Everyone who sees it gets a share."

That casual sentence, "Let's eat together. Everyone who sees it gets a share," was like a warm Spring Breeze, instantly blowing away the strange atmosphere at the Dining Table that had frozen over because of the "Champion Dinner," an atmosphere mixed with envy and awkwardness.

Tang Ya's eyes instantly lit up like two five-hundred-watt light bulbs when Long Yao pushed the plate radiating a sacred glow and tempting aroma to the center of the table! She almost swallowed a mouthful of saliva on instinct, her gaze lingering helplessly on that piece of Starlight Dragon Scale Fish steak fried to a golden crisp as she mumbled indistinctly, "R-Really? This is worth a hundred credits!"

Bei Bei's Face also showed surprise and Moved emotion. He took a deep look at Long Yao, and the admiration in his gentle eyes grew even stronger. He knew very well the value of this dinner. This was not just a meal; it was Teacher Zhou's highest recognition of individual ability, a symbol of honor. And Long Yao had actually taken out this honor that belonged solely to him and Wang Dong and shared it with everyone so casually.

This breadth of mind, this bearing, was far beyond what someone his age should possess!

And Huo Yuhao, this Youth who had always been quiet and reserved, felt his body, which had been kept alert and observant the whole time, tremble almost imperceptibly when he heard Long Yao's final words, which had deliberately mentioned him and carried concern.

"Especially you, Yuhao. You're too thin. If you don't eat your fill, you won't be able to last through this kind of training."

Those words were like a Warm Current, accurately and without warning pouring into his heart, which had become cold and hard from being bullied and ignored since childhood. In all his life, aside from his deceased mother, and Bei Bei and Tang Ya whom he had only just met, no one had ever cared so directly about whether he was "too thin" or whether he "could endure," in such an equal tone, tinged with the concern of an elder brother.

He abruptly raised his head, his pair of Spirit Eyes as deep as the Star Sea staring straight at Long Yao's Face, which carried a gentle smile. He wanted to find even the slightest trace of hypocrisy, calculation, or ulterior motive on that Face.

But he found nothing.

In those black eyes, there was only clear, open, From the Heart kindness.

This kindness was so pure, so direct, that for the first time, a crack appeared in Huo Yuhao's defensive heart.

But the most chaotic one was still Wang Dong.

She sat there blankly, watching Long Yao push out the "Champion Dinner" that should have belonged to the two of them so lightly and share it with everyone. An indescribable, extremely complicated emotion spread wildly through her heart like an overturned palette.

There was disappointment. After all, it was an honor the two of them had "jointly" worked for, the first proof of the "special relationship" between them. Having it shared just like this made her feel as though some precious, private treasure of hers had been made public, leaving her empty inside.

But there was even more of another emotion, one even she herself could not understand. It was a strange feeling... mixed with pride, sweetness, and a trace of Shared Honor.

She saw that when Long Yao said "let's eat together," Bei Bei's admiring eyes, Tang Ya's worshipful gaze, and Huo Yuhao's shocked expression... everyone's focus had gathered on him. And he endured all of it so Cloud Light Wind Light, as though he had only done some trivial little thing.

At that moment, the radiance he emitted was so dazzling that even she, sitting beside him, felt as though she too had been touched by that glow.

Secretly, out of the corner of her eye, she watched him pick up his Chopsticks, elegantly take a small piece of Fish Meat, put it into his mouth, then nod in satisfaction. His every movement carried an innate nobility and composure.

"This guy..." Wang Dong thought silently, while the corners of her mouth, without her noticing, lifted slightly into the tiniest sweet arc. "Sometimes... he's... he's not bad..."

"Wow! Then I won't stand on ceremony!"

Tang Ya was the first to break the silence. She cheered, immediately grabbed her Chopsticks, and, with lightning speed, accurately went for the largest fish steak!

"Hey! Xiao Ya, slow down!" Bei Bei shook his head helplessly, but his Face was full of a doting smile. He also picked up his Chopsticks, took a small piece, tasted it carefully, and praised, "As expected of Starlight Dragon Scale Fish. It melts in the mouth, its Soul Power is pure, and it greatly benefits the recovery of the Meridians."

"Mm... mm-hmm!" Tang Ya's mouth was stuffed full, like a little hamster that had successfully stolen food, as she said indistinctly, "Delicious! Too delicious!"

Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment, but under Long Yao's encouraging gaze, he finally stretched out his Chopsticks and carefully picked up a small piece of Fish Meat.

The instant that Fish Meat containing pure Soul Power entered his mouth, his body, exhausted from running to the limit, felt as though it had been injected with a powerful burst of vitality! That gentle energy slid down his esophagus into his stomach, then quickly spread through his Limbs and Bones, repairing his damaged muscles and Meridians. Just that tiny bite was more effective than him meditating and cultivating for half an hour!

More importantly, as he chewed the Fish Meat, that From the Heart feeling of being cared for and valued made his eyes, which had always hidden sorrow and vigilance, veil over with a faint mist.

And so, the atmosphere at the Dining Table became incomparably harmonious and lively.

A plate of ordinary roast meat and two priceless portions of "Champion Dinner" were shared boisterously among the five of them just like that. Tang Ya was still the atmosphere-maker, chattering about how, during the makeup exam, she had heroically used Blue Silver Grass to entangle the Legs of a thousand-year Ironhide Porcupine. Bei Bei corrected her exaggerations from time to time while also placing food in her bowl. Although Huo Yuhao did not speak much, his tense body had completely Loosened, and he began to eat on his own initiative.

And Wang Dong, finally under Tang Ya's enthusiastic urging, put aside her awkwardness and picked up a piece of the fish steak that belonged to her. When that fresh, smooth, tender Fish Meat melted on the tip of her tongue, she felt that all the exhaustion, grievance, and confusion of the entire day had been healed by this ultimate delicacy.

As she ate in small bites, she secretly observed Long Yao out of the corner of her eye, watching him chat and laugh with Bei Bei while pointing out some minor cultivation problems to Huo Yuhao.

She realized that she seemed... less and less able to see through him.

He could be domineering, gentle, black-bellied, and also... like he was now, like a Big Brother filled with a leader's charisma, someone people instinctively wanted to draw close to and trust.

How many sides did he still have hidden away that she knew nothing about—contradictory, yet perfectly fused together?

That thought was like a pebble tossed into Heart Lake, sending out ring after ring of ripples named "curiosity" and "investigation."

After the meal, the five of them walked out of the cafeteria together. The evening breeze brushed past, carrying a hint of coolness. It dispersed the heat of the food, and also scattered the last traces of everyone's fatigue.

"Thank you for today, Long Yao," Bei Bei said solemnly again when they parted. "If you need any help at school in the future, just say the word."

"Yeah, yeah!" Tang Ya also waved her little fist. "If anyone dares bully you, just use our Tang Sect's name!"

Long Yao only smiled and did not say much.

It was not until Bei Bei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao disappeared around the corner of the Dormitory Area that the road leading to Building No. 7 was left with only Long Yao and Wang Dong.

Shrek Academy at night was much quieter than during the day. The Street Lamps gave off a soft orange-yellow glow, stretching the two of their shadows long across the ground. Occasionally, students returning late passed by, and they would all glance at them curiously a few more times.

The atmosphere became somewhat subtle again.

Wang Dong lowered her head, her hands clasped behind her back, her feet unconsciously kicking small stones on the road. She could clearly hear her own useless heartbeat.

"Um..." In the end, she was the one who mustered her courage first and broke the silence. Her voice sounded especially clear in the quiet night, with a faint, almost imperceptible tremble born from nervousness.

"Today... thank you." She paused, then added in an even smaller voice, "Not just for the running, but also... for dinner."

After saying that, she no longer dared look at Long Yao. With her head lowered, she quickened her pace and rushed toward the dormitory building as if fleeing.

Long Yao watched her slightly flustered, fleeing back, and a heartfelt, indulgent smile appeared on his face.

He knew that the fortress named "Wang Dong," covered in ice on the outside yet incomparably soft within, had already been completely conquered by him.

In the Livestream Room, everyone had long since gone completely crazy over this "betrothal dinner."

[I Really Only Know How to Give Freely]: Aaaah! One meal! In the time it took to eat one meal! The Streamer not only won over the hearts of the protagonist group, he even made the Tsundere Princess take the initiative to thank him again! What kind of immortal move is this?!

[Lust is the Primary Productive Force]: Did you guys not see it?! The way Wang Dong looked at the Streamer just now! That was pure affection! That was tenderness like water! My heavens! Isn't this progress way too fast?! Daddy's God Slaying Blood Sword is still flying through the sky, and his daughter's heart has already run off with someone else!

[Keyboard Warrior Ninth-Rank Elder]: Deep analysis! Sharing honor is the fastest way to build team trust! Caring for the weak is the most effective weapon for breaking down personal defenses! Every single thing the Streamer did was filled with Deep Meaning! He wasn't eating—he was laying out a plan! He was conquering hearts! This is no longer within the scope of emotional intelligence. This is imperial mindcraft!

[Rich Women Love Me]: Wuwuwu, so sweet, too sweet! Watching the five of them sit together and eat was like watching a family! Especially my little Long Yao, he really has the bearing of the head of the household!

[Rich Women Love Me] tipped [Space Storage Bracelet (couple model)] x1 (value: 99,999 yuan): Little Long Yao, one bracelet for you and one for that little roommate of yours! It'll be convenient for storing things in the future! Don't ask. If you ask, it's because Big Sis thinks you two are a perfect match!

Long Yao watched the revelry in the Danmu and merely smiled faintly, then gathered his thoughts. He raised his head and looked toward the bright moon hanging in the deep night sky.

His gaze became incomparably profound.

Tang San... your sword should be about here, shouldn't it...

He sensed that terrifying fluctuation coming from the distant God Realm, becoming clearer and stronger by the moment, filled with destruction and the law of causality. The smile at the corner of his mouth turned cold and full of anticipation.

A true confrontation spanning planes was about to begin.

Time: Douluo Calendar Year 2030 Season: Autumn First Day of Enrollment 8:30 PM

Location: Shrek Academy, Central Plaza

Viewers: 238,991

Equipment: Shrek Academy Uniform x1, True Vast Sea Ring (divine artifact), Student Emblem x1

Items: Shrek Academy Uniform x1, Student Emblem x1, Dormitory Key x1

First Martial Soul: Soul Breaking Spear [Traits: Armor Breaking, Soul Devouring, Penetration]

Second Martial Soul: Chaos Holy Dragon (hidden) [Traits: Strength, Time, Space]

Soul Power: Level 45 (Soul Ancestor) [Status: True Vast Sea Ring Shielding, External Perception is Level 24]

Soul Rings: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Soul Ring (Yellow Hundred-Year), Second Soul Ring (Purple Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Black Ten-Thousand-Year)

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Soul Ring (Black Thirteen-Thousand-Year), Second Soul Ring (Black Twenty-Eight-Thousand-Year), Third Soul Ring (Black Forty-Six-Thousand-Year), Fourth Soul Ring (Rose Gold Hundred-Thousand-Year)

Soul Skills: [Soul Breaking Spear] First Soul Skill: Swift Shadow Stab, Second Soul Skill: Whirlwind Spear, Third Soul Skill: Armor Breaking Spiral, Fourth Soul Skill: Thousand Spirit Spear Rain

[Chaos Holy Dragon] First Soul Skill: Star Ring, Second Soul Skill: Holy Dragon Claw, Third Soul Skill: Void Claw, Fourth Soul Skill: Time and Space Roar

Soul Bones: None

Soul Spirits: None

Reward Stash: [Million-Year Spirit Beast Inverse Scale] x1, [Starlight Sapphire Brooch] x1, [Tsundere Princess Strategy Manual Platinum Edition] x1, [God-Bestowed Soul Ring (Hundred-Thousand-Year)] x1, [Fountain of Life (Concentrate)] x1, [Constant Temperature Double Jade Bed] x1, [Calming Incense (First Thaw of Snow Mountain)] x1, [Dragon Blood Body Tempering Pill] ×10, [Space Storage Bracelet (couple model)] ×1