Too Considerate of Others

Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong had unique constitutions. They did not need to hunt Soul Beasts to raise their levels and attach Soul Rings to themselves.

Over the years, Kong Deming had also learned that the age of the Soul Rings they attached was determined by the maximum limit they could withstand and their cultivation.

Being able to attach a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring proved that Jiang Qingtong's cultivation was exceptionally solid!

"When Old Hong returned, he told me that you imprinted that brat Yuhao's Spirit Eyes Body Martial Soul. I also examined his condition. That Spirit Eyes Martial Soul does indeed have its unique qualities, so imprinting it isn't a problem."

Kong Deming looked at Jiang Qingtong. After pondering for a moment, he asked, "You already have Three Rings, so you can still imprint two more Martial Souls. Shrek Academy should have quite a few good Martial Souls. Have you imprinted any others?"

Jiang Qingtong told him about the Evil Fire Phoenix as well.

After hearing her out, Kong Deming pondered briefly and shook his head. "That is a bit of a problem. Although the Evil Fire Phoenix is quite good in terms of quality, the effects of that evil fire are troublesome. But as long as you find Ultimate Ice, it'll be fine! Since Shrek Academy is willing to help you find it, let them do the searching."

Kong Deming felt that using Shrek Academy's resources to nurture their own strength was an incredibly worthwhile deal.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Qingtong said, "Teacher, aren't you afraid Shrek Academy will steal me away?"

"Hmph! Do you think I don't know you, little girl? You're the only one who ever takes advantage of others. Who could possibly take advantage of you?" Kong Deming snorted at her words without a moment's hesitation.

Jiang Qingtong grinned and changed the subject. "Teacher, where's Yuhao?"

"He's still in Mingde Hall's laboratory, studying Soul Tools with Ziwen. What do you need him for?" Kong Deming replied before asking in return.

Jiang Qingtong said, "Something."

"You little girl..." Seeing how secretive Jiang Qingtong looked, Kong Deming smiled helplessly and shook his head. Then he said, "Whether it's you or Yuhao, your talents are beyond what ordinary people can match. If the two of you end up together, I won't stop you. But it's still too early."

"Teacher, what are you thinking? No matter what, I could never be with Yuhao!" Jiang Qingtong looked thoroughly speechless after hearing Kong Deming's words.

Seeing her expression, Kong Deming asked, "You really have no such thoughts?"

Jiang Qingtong shook her head. "None!"

"That's rather regrettable." Kong Deming sighed, but said nothing further. He waved his hand at Jiang Qingtong. "All right, go find him."

Jiang Qingtong massaged Kong Deming's shoulders, then jogged off toward Mingde Hall. By the time she arrived, Huo Yuhao had already finished his work for the day and was asking Xuan Ziwen for leave.

When the master and disciple saw Jiang Qingtong had returned, they looked surprised. Xuan Ziwen asked, "Little Shimei, when did you get back?"

Jiang Qingtong narrowed her eyes. "You forgot your junior sister after getting a disciple, didn't you? Senior Brother, that won't do! Shrek Academy's holiday schedule is public information. Don't you care about me at all?"

"Ahem..."

Xuan Ziwen coughed lightly. "Your senior brother was too absorbed in Soul Tool research and forgot to keep track of the date. I'll make it up to you next time. By the way, does Shengyu know you're back?"

"My brother and I are of one mind. Of course he knows." Jiang Qingtong nodded.

Huo Yuhao looked at Jiang Qingtong and asked with concern about how she had been doing at Shrek Academy. "Cousin, how is Shrek Academy? Did they bully you because you're from the Sun Moon Empire?"

Jiang Qingtong patted her chest. "Who do you think your cousin is? I'm the only one who bullies others. Who could ever bully me?"

"That's good." Huo Yuhao nodded and breathed a sigh of relief. His impression of Shrek Academy was genuinely poor, and he had worried that Jiang Qingtong would be treated differently for being from the Sun Moon Empire.

Jiang Qingtong asked again, "I heard you asking Senior Brother for leave just now. What are you planning to do?"

After hearing Jiang Qingtong's question, Huo Yuhao blinked and told her, "Uh... I want to go back and pay respects to my mother."

"My brother and I will go with you?" Jiang Qingtong suddenly suggested after Huo Yuhao explained his reason.

"This..." Huo Yuhao froze, somewhat hesitant. Of course, he was not merely returning to pay respects to Huo Yun. More importantly, he needed to follow Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's guidance to the Far North and obtain his Second Martial Soul!

But if he did not agree to Jiang Qingtong's suggestion, wouldn't that expose him?

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm was Huo Yuhao's greatest secret, and he absolutely could not let anyone discover it! Even though Huo Yuhao already regarded Jiang Qingtong and the others as family, this secret was too significant—so significant that Huo Yuhao could not reveal it to anyone.

Xuan Ziwen did not notice Huo Yuhao's conflicted expression. He nodded and said, "That works too! With you and your junior brother accompanying Yuhao, you can look after one another along the way. But all three of you must be careful. Most of the Soul Hall branches in the Star Luo Empire have already gone into hiding, so the help they can provide is rather limited."

Jiang Qingtong nodded and looked at Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, what do you think?"

Huo Yuhao looked at her and hesitated. "Wouldn't that be too troublesome? Cousin is the master of Soul Hall, and he's also researching Soul Master cultivation methods. You just returned from Shrek Academy and haven't even had a chance to rest, so..."

But Jiang Qingtong smiled and shook her head, reassuring Huo Yuhao, "It's all right! My brother and I should have been involved in Aunt Huo's affairs to begin with! Paying our respects to her is also something we juniors ought to do!"

"That's right, Yuhao. You really are too considerate of others." Xuan Ziwen patted Huo Yuhao's shoulder as well, speaking sympathetically. Unaware of Huo Yuhao's true intentions, he naturally assumed Huo Yuhao was so conflicted because he did not want to trouble Jiang Qingtong and Jiang Shengyu.

With both Xuan Ziwen and Jiang Qingtong saying so, Huo Yuhao would look far too suspicious if he continued to refuse. He could only nod and agree to Jiang Qingtong's proposal. As for how he would slip away to the Far North, he could only think of a solution later.

However, Jiang Qingtong was not planning to leave with Huo Yuhao immediately. She had only just returned and needed to rest for at least a few days.

News of Jiang Qingtong's return from Shrek Academy quickly spread. Xiao Hongchen, Meng Hongchen, Tang Ya, and the others all came to visit, only to be turned away by Jiang Shengyu.

Jiang Shengyu stood at the entrance, looking at the eager Xiao Hongchen. "Sorry, my little sister just got back and isn't feeling well. She's catching up on sleep. Register here for shopping invitations, come back another day for thanks and gratitude, and get lost if you're here to fight or issue challenges."

"Spouting rhymes nonstop—are you trying to become a Core Disciple of our Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?" Xiao Hongchen looked at Jiang Shengyu with disdain and waved him away. "Move aside. Don't stop us from seeing little sister Qingtong."