Whatever It Is, It Can Only Harm You!

As the publicly acknowledged number one on the continent, Yun Ming had no need to scheme. But reality was what it was. In an era where no one could become a god, no matter how powerful he was, he was still only human, not divine.

Even if the Academy could remain stable while he was alive, what would happen after he was gone?

All he could do was prepare for a rainy day.

Seeing the gravity on her beloved's face, all the misgivings in Ya Li's heart vanished. Nestling in Yun Ming's arms, she said softly, "Then do it. I support you."

Yun Ming lowered his head and kissed his beloved's fair forehead. His eyes flickered as he said, "When you examined that child, I sensed a familiar aura within him."

"You mean that peculiar dark power?"

Ya Li's gaze shifted slightly. When she had ignited the flame of life to save the people suffering from the plague, Yun Ming had shared his life force with her. Because of that, their minds often resonated with each other.

Yun Ming's gaze was distant. "That's right. But the examination was too brief, and I couldn't sense it clearly. Perhaps only after he comes to the Academy will we learn the truth."

"Mm."

Feeling her body gently rise and fall, Ye Xinglan let out a soft murmur and slowly opened her eyes. Then she froze.

On the dim forest path, the young man carried the girl on his back, his steps steady.

Her soft, springy buttocks were supported by a pair of firm, powerful arms to keep her from slipping down. Yet with every motion, her buttocks kept brushing against his arms.

Ye Xinglan's pretty face flushed slightly, but the familiar scent reassured her, and she did not make a fuss.

"You're awake?"

A gentle voice sounded by her ear.

Only then did Ye Xinglan come back to herself. She hurriedly asked, "How did I end up on your back?"

Nan Liujing chuckled. "Someone ate her fill, then fell asleep without realizing it. If I hadn't carried you away, you probably would've slept in the park all night."

"I think... I did fall asleep." Ye Xinglan vaguely remembered sitting on the bench before suddenly becoming inexplicably sleepy.

"You're too heavy. How about you get down and walk on your own?" Nan Liujing suddenly stopped and turned his head to speak.

"You're the heavy one." No girl liked being called heavy, and Ye Xinglan was no exception. Annoyed, she smacked Nan Liujing on the shoulder.

"Fine, fine, you're not heavy. Get down, then." As Nan Liujing spoke, he moved to release the arms supporting her buttocks.

"No." Ye Xinglan quickly wrapped her slender arms around Nan Liujing's neck.

Nan Liujing teased, "What, you like being carried by me that much?"

"It's not like I like it. I'm just sleepy." Ye Xinglan deliberately buried her face in the back of Nan Liujing's neck and stopped talking.

Feeling her grip slowly tighten around his collar, Nan Liujing smiled and began walking again.

The girl's breath lightly brushed against the back of his neck like drifting willow catkins, ticklish and soft. He deliberately walked slowly, afraid of jostling her.

Nan Liujing's back was not especially broad, but it was both strong and flexible. It was comfortable to lean against. Ye Xinglan narrowed her eyes like a lazy little cat.

"Nan Liujing," the girl suddenly said.

"What is it?" the young man replied softly.

With anticipation in her voice, Ye Xinglan asked in a muffled tone, "Have you carried any other girls before? Like Wu Sidu."

"No," Nan Liujing said.

"Not even Na'er?" Ye Xinglan's starry eyes brightened.

"No," Nan Liujing said, then added, "Na'er likes holding my hand."

"So I'm the first girl you've carried?" Ye Xinglan tried to suppress the small burst of delight in her voice.

"Are you happy about that?" Nan Liujing teased.

Ye Xinglan's smile vanished as she snorted. "I'm not happy. I just wanted to say that aside from my dad, you're the first boy to ever carry me. You should be delighted to carry a future super beauty."

"A future super beauty? So you're ugly right now?" Nan Liujing caught the key point.

"Nan Liujing!"

Ye Xinglan instantly lost it and viciously bit down on Nan Liujing's shoulder with her rosy little mouth.

Nan Liujing sucked in a breath and instantly put on an act. "My fault, my fault."

"Hmph." Ye Xinglan flashed her pearly little canine teeth. "That's what you get for provoking me."

Noticing the teeth marks on his shoulder, she pursed her lips and asked apologetically, "Did that hurt?"

"It hurt a lot." Nan Liujing pretended to be pained. "I carried you, and this is how you repay me."

"Then you shouldn't have provoked me," Ye Xinglan said irritably.

Nan Liujing was just about to say something when his heart skipped a beat. He turned his head slightly and saw Ye Xinglan's tender little hand gently rubbing the spot where her teeth marks had appeared, as though trying to soothe away the pain.

The sight made him stop. As if sensing something, Ye Xinglan subconsciously looked ahead, only to meet Nan Liujing's gaze.

Ye Xinglan's pretty face instantly turned crimson. She hurriedly buried her face back into the familiar crook of his neck. This time, she truly stopped talking, but she had not expected that the gesture would seem even more intimate.

The night wind blew past, dispersing some of the restless heat.

The girl kept her head down in silence while the boy smiled quietly.

They traveled the rest of the way without a word.

Only after leaving the park and hailing a rideshare did Ye Xinglan return to the ground.

Through the car window, they bid each other farewell and watched as the other's figure gradually faded into the distance.

Upon returning to the Heavenly Spirit Tower, Nan Liujing had barely entered the lobby when his communicator chimed.

He took out his phone and looked at it.

A smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Ye Xinglan: Good night!

He replied with a good night as well, then took the private elevator back to the ninety-ninth floor.

Leng Yaozhu had not yet gone to rest. She sat on the sofa watching television, and her fair feet in slippers were particularly eye-catching.

Delicate as snow and gleaming with a lustrous glow, her ten toes curled slightly like pearls glistening with dew. At that moment, Nan Liujing suddenly understood why some men had a foot fetish.

But whatever it was, it could only harm him. He calmly shifted his gaze away.

Seeing her disciple return, Leng Yaozhu smiled gently. "Your great-grandfather and great-grandmother just left. Would you like to go over and catch up?"

They should be making arrangements for Cai Yue'er's soul. Nan Liujing thought to himself before saying, "I won't disturb them."

Leng Yaozhu nodded. "Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to Shrek Academy. Remember to get up early."

Nan Liujing instinctively looked up, thoroughly surprised.

Leng Yaozhu merely met his gaze calmly.

Not knowing what else to say, Nan Liujing could only ask, "Teacher, will you still be having sandwiches tomorrow morning?"

"Of course I will." At the mention of that, Leng Yaozhu immediately perked up. "I've already put the ingredients in the refrigerator. Just take them whenever you need them."

"Alright," Nan Liujing replied. These past few days, he had personally made sandwiches nearly every day. They tasted fairly good, but nowhere near extraordinary. Yet Leng Yaozhu simply loved them.

Perhaps what she was eating was not the sandwiches, but the past.

After all, there was a photo frame in his teacher's bedroom. It held a picture of two girls. One was her, while the other was Leng Yulai, who had long since joined the Holy Spirit Cult.

The following morning.

Master and disciple enjoyed breakfast together.

For Nan Liujing, watching his graceful teacher eat was a rather enjoyable experience.

They boarded a hovering Soul Guidance Vehicle and traveled to a building surrounded by greenery within Shrek Inner City.

Five large characters were emblazoned upon the massive archway: Shrek Academy.

There were no soul masters guarding the vicinity. Clearly, none were needed.

The moment Nan Liujing stepped out of the vehicle, a soft glow flashed before his eyes.

"Sky Phoenix?"

A gentle female voice, clearly somewhat surprised, rang out. Nan Liujing focused his eyes and immediately felt that this visit to Shrek would not be so easy.

Just like yesterday, Ya Li wore a long aqua-green dress. Her exquisite face and tender skin made her look incomparably gentle and beautiful. No one would doubt it if she claimed to be barely twenty.

As for Leng Yaozhu, when she saw Ya Li appear, her elegant brows lifted slightly. Today, she wore a vivid red dress that complemented her tall yet voluptuous figure. Her peerlessly beautiful face, clear and carrying a touch of seductive charm, needed no makeup to draw anyone's attention, blazing as fiercely as flames.

"Liujing greets Holy Spirit Your Highness." Nan Liujing stepped forward to ease the tension.

"I am this child's teacher," Leng Yaozhu added.

Ya Li's gaze deepened as she smiled faintly. "This child's talent truly is as remarkable as Brother Ming said. Otherwise, the renowned Sky Phoenix Douluo would not have taken him as her disciple."

When she said the words "Brother Ming," she deliberately emphasized them.

Yet to Ya Li's surprise, Leng Yaozhu remained so calm that she seemed unfamiliar. She merely smiled indifferently. "No matter how remarkable he is, he is still a junior. Ya Li, time waits for no one. Let's finish our business sooner."

Her provocation having failed, Ya Li smiled brightly. "You're right. Follow me."

As soon as she spoke, she transformed into a streak of green-gold light and flew away. Leng Yaozhu was not the least bit inferior. Grabbing Nan Liujing by the shoulder, she took him toward the inner courtyard.