Let It Rest, A Deal

"I..."

Clutching her head, Ning Tian slowly sat up and realized she had been resting against Ning Wuque's thigh. He was kneeling on the ground with his eyes closed.

On either side, two vigorous voices filled with guilt and concern rang out by her ears:

"Young Mistress, you are finally awake! This subordinate was incompetent and failed the Sect Master's trust!"

"Young Mistress, a powerful mental shockwave knocked us both unconscious. When we awoke again, we found Ning Wuque weakly keeping watch by your side."

After speaking, the two elders—both Soul Douluo—dropped to one knee before Ning Tian in unison.

This was no small matter. If anything had happened to Ning Tian and the other two, even if their opponent had been a Titled Douluo beyond their ability to defeat, the sect's investigation would still have left them with no path but death!

Moreover, the Sect Master had entrusted them with this mission because of his faith in them. As confidants who had grown up within the sect, Ning Tian coming to harm would have been more painful to them than death itself!

Fortunately, after coming to their senses, they found the weakened Ning Wuque keeping watch beside Ning Tian. He was desperately stuffing food into his mouth, looking as though he had suffered grave injuries.

They wanted to ask what had happened, but considering the Sect Master's instructions, they assumed Ning Wuque would explain it to Ning Tian.

Resting on Ning Wuque's thigh, Ning Tian's face flushed slightly. If not for catching sight of Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao awakening as well, she would actually have wanted to pretend she was still unwell and remain there a while longer.

But that was no longer possible. She slowly got to her feet. Fortunately, the mental shockwave had only been meant to knock her out; aside from a faint lingering dizziness, she was unharmed.

Once seated upright, she looked into Ning Wuque's eyes and silently asked what had happened earlier.

"I'll explain it to you once we get to the academy. For now..."

Ning Wuque spoke softly, then gently shook his head.

Ning Tian did not press the matter. All she knew was that Ning Wuque had been the first to awaken while she was unconscious, and that he had immediately kept her safe by his side. That was enough!

Perhaps Ning Wuque had been so worried about her that he had forced himself awake?

The moment that possibility crossed her mind, Ning Tian's heart felt as though it had eaten the sweetest candied fruit in the world. Being protected so completely by the person she liked felt wonderful!

"Bei Bei, what happened just now? Why did I pass out?"

"Ugh... Damn it, who ambushed me? They'd better not let me catch them!"

Soon, Tang Ya and Wu Feng, the last to awaken, also climbed up from the ground while clutching their heads.

Bei Bei fussed over Tang Ya, while Ning Tian similarly checked on Wu Feng.

After quite some time, the group finally returned to the state they had been in when they first entered the Star Dou Great Forest. When Bei Bei and Tang Ya saw the two black-clad figures protecting Ning Wuque and Ning Tian, they wisely refrained from asking questions.

Once they had confirmed that everything was truly fine, the two Soul Douluo secretly guarding Ning Tian concealed themselves once more. To ease the slightly awkward atmosphere, Bei Bei spoke up.

"Little brother Yuhao, how are you feeling now? If you're all right, let's continue hunting soul beasts."

"I... I..."

Yuhao looked nervous and at a loss, drawing puzzled looks from Wu Feng, Ning Tian, and Tang Ya. He stammered as if he wanted to say something, but when the words reached his lips, he had no idea how to explain.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, he was frantically asking Sky Dream Ice Silkworm for help, while looking toward Ning Wuque in hopes that the only person who knew the truth would help him out.

Ning Wuque nodded and spoke, taking responsibility for the doubts surrounding Huo Yuhao.

"There's no need. Yuhao has already obtained his First Soul Ring. As for how he obtained it, please forgive me for declining to elaborate."

"If that's the case, then let's leave it at that. Next, we only need to obtain a soul ring for Senior Sister Tang Ya."

At his side, Ning Tian immediately backed Ning Wuque up. Though she did not know why he was helping Huo Yuhao, her clever mind had already guessed that their earlier unconsciousness was most likely connected to him.

She already had a rough guess. Could it have been a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast voluntarily sacrificing itself? Only that explanation could account for why all of them had passed out without suffering any injuries.

At the same time, Ning Wuque must have gained some benefit from it and shared the gains with Huo Yuhao, which was why he was shielding him.

But regardless, everything would become clear when Ning Wuque came to speak with her later. This was not the time to discuss it.

With that, Ning Tian made her position clear: they should let this matter rest.

Across from them, Tang Ya and Bei Bei exchanged a glance. After seeing Bei Bei shake his head, Tang Ya nodded.

"Alright, then we'll trouble you."

The two of them had little influence. Even if there had been some benefit involved, they had no way to demand a share, and the "elders" behind them would most likely not interfere in children's squabbles.

Therefore, accepting Ning Tian's suggestion to let the matter rest was the best choice. After all, neither of them had lost anything. They had merely been unconscious for a while and felt somewhat unwell.

Before long, they resumed their journey to hunt soul beasts.

The process went smoothly. Tang Ya successfully hunted a thousand-year Mandala Snake for her third soul ring. After resting for a while, the group planned to head to Shrek Academy.

During the break, Ning Wuque asked Tang Ya, who was sitting beside Bei Bei some distance away, "Senior Sister Tang Ya, I remember you saying that the Tang Sect has always had a quota for admission to Shrek Academy without an entrance exam. Would you be willing to make a deal with me? I'd like to exchange for that quota so Yuhao can study at Shrek Academy for the time being."

Ning Wuque intended to make a deal with Tang Ya.

He was definitely going to send Huo Yuhao to the Body Clan, but not yet. Before that, perhaps he could spend some time with Yuhao first, making him indebted to him for the rest of his life.

At the same time, this was a test Ning Wuque intended to set for Huo Yuhao—to see what choice he would make after gaining the Ice Jade Scorpion.

Would he continue to trust him, or would he... attach himself to the academy?

"Eh? You intend to send him to Shrek Academy?"

Tang Ya looked at Ning Wuque in surprise, deeply confused. Wasn't this guy treating little brother Yuhao a little too well?

What had they gone through before this, for Ning Wuque to help him so much?

Huo Yuhao, who was sitting alone by the campfire grilling fish, also looked up and stared blankly at Ning Wuque.

Brother Wuque, he...

"Mm. Before entering Shrek Academy's inner courtyard, aren't students free to leave or stay? If you're helping, help to the end; if you're seeing someone off, see them all the way there. The nearest Continental Advanced Soul Master Competition is only about a year away, right?"

Ning Wuque calmly laid out the excuse he had prepared long ago:

"How could people from the Body Clan miss such a grand event to pick up bargains? Maybe some academy will be hiding a promising Body Spirit Soul user, just waiting to be taken home. That way, Yuhao won't have to search all over the world for one."

"That's true! All right, then. I get along well with little brother Yuhao too. One hundred Gold Soul Coins, and you can have this slot. Of course, Yuhao has to become a registered disciple of my Tang Sect first, or else he won't be able to use the slot."

Tang Ya generously patted her chest. She was kind by nature, and since the registration deadline was almost here anyway, she might as well give the slot away.