A day later, at the Star Luo Empire Border Outskirts Forest, near where it connected to the Star Dou Great Forest.
With the mission over, Qian Chaoyun and Ling Luochen were heading back to Shrek Academy, having flown for an entire day.
Along the way, Qian Chaoyun carried Ling Luochen on his back the whole time.
His senior sister had been injured protecting him, so no matter what, Qian Chaoyun refused to let her use Soul Power and carried her back to the Academy himself.
Ling Luochen lay against his sturdy, powerful back, her pretty face flushed red.
This was the first time she had ever been so intimately close to a boy. Not even within her family had she ever done something like this.
What was wrong with her? Why did she no longer dislike boys?
She had clearly always disliked boys, especially boys like Dai Yueheng. Yet she somehow had a favorable impression of Qian Chaoyun.
This guy really had a magnetic personality.
Especially his decisive, ruthless nature—it was simply stronger than that of any Inner Court Student.
When they had first met in the Star Dou Great Forest, this guy had still been a filthy four-ring Soul Ancestor. Who would have thought that in barely a year, he would surpass her?
When they returned to the Academy this time, Qian Chaoyun could apply to hunt his Sixth Spirit Ring and advance to Soul Emperor.
His strength was truly improving too quickly. She could not even keep up with him anymore.
Thinking of this, Ling Luochen softly asked, "Chaoyun, when we return to the Academy this time, do you plan to hunt your Sixth Spirit Ring first, or complete the Inner Court Disciple Assessment first?"
"Of course, the Inner Court Disciple Assessment."
Qian Chaoyun turned back and smiled.
He was not stupid enough to obtain his Sixth Spirit Ring first.
Even without obtaining a Spirit Ring, his Soul Power could still increase; he simply would not be able to sense or display it.
But completing the Inner Court Disciple Assessment came with a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone as a reward.
Even if he could not use that Soul Bone himself, he could keep it.
It might come in handy someday.
Ling Luochen gave an "oh" before saying, "Then be careful when you return to the Academy. Tang Qi is the type to hold grudges. During this mission, you completely disregarded your companions' life and death and forcibly killed the Evil Spirit Master, causing Dai Yueheng and Tang Qi to be injured. That guy will definitely report you to the Resident Elders."
"We can't afford to offend people from the Clear Sky Sect. Their sect has an Old Ancestor who became a god, so even the Resident Elders yield to him. If the Resident Elders punish you, can you obediently accept it?"
She was worried about Qian Chaoyun. Given his personality, he probably would not let the matter rest either. If he truly argued with the Resident Elders, there would inevitably be plenty of trouble.
Although Dai Yueheng and Tang Qi had been captured first by the Evil Spirit Master, in that situation, they should have saved Dai Yueheng and Tang Qi first rather than attacking so recklessly.
Though both of them ultimately survived, they were still injured.
If Tang Qi made a huge issue out of this, the trouble would likely be considerable.
In response, Qian Chaoyun smiled faintly, signaling for Ling Luochen not to worry.
Even if Tang Qi had heaven-reaching means and Resident Elders backing him up,
was his old esteemed teacher, who did nothing, taught nothing, and spent all day eating chicken drumsticks, merely for show?
He was Xuan Zi's Personal Disciple.
How could Shrek's second strongest expert allow his own disciple to be punished?
Normally, his old esteemed teacher Xuan Zi had praised his disciple quite a bit before the Resident Elders.
Furthermore, his helper was not limited to his old esteemed teacher. There was also the renowned dean of the Martial Soul Department, Yan Shaozhe. For the sake of his disciple's future, Yan Shaozhe would weigh the pros and cons.
After that, Qian Chaoyun spoke a few more words to comfort Ling Luochen, and the two did not continue discussing the matter.
By the time they crossed the border and saw the vast plains, the sky was gradually darkening.
Ling Luochen suggested, "Chaoyun, let's rest for the night. We'll reach the Academy after another day of travel tomorrow."
Qian Chaoyun thought about it and nodded in agreement.
Originally, he had wanted to reach the Academy as quickly as possible, confront Tang Qi, and resolve this incident.
But after thinking it over, he decided to take care of his senior sister instead.
There was no rush to return to the Academy right this moment.
Soon, the two descended from the sky, chose a quiet mountaintop, and took out a tent to set up.
Ling Luochen took out several pieces of dry rations from her storage Soul Tool and gnawed on them, only to find them difficult to swallow.
So disgusting~
At that moment, Qian Chaoyun looked toward the dense forest below and said, "Wait here. I'll get you something tasty."
His figure instantly vanished.
Ling Luochen opened her mouth, but swallowed back what she had been about to say.
A few minutes later, Qian Chaoyun returned carrying a cleaned wild chicken and rabbit. He snapped his fingers and began a fire to roast the meat.
Ling Luochen asked in surprise, "You know how to do this too?"
As Qian Chaoyun roasted the meat, he said, "I was the one who taught this to Huo Yuhao. Ordinary people do not get to eat it, because I have never cooked for any woman. You're in for a treat."
Ling Luochen froze for a moment, somewhat lost in thought.
She watched Qian Chaoyun's movements, repeatedly mulling over those words.
This guy had never cooked for a woman before?
That made sense. Qian Chaoyun was an orphan who had lost his parents at a young age and survived alone.
In her eyes, Qian Chaoyun had done nothing wrong.
How much mercy could someone who had grown up in that kind of environment possibly have for Evil Spirit Masters?
He was different from those young masters born into prominence.
While grilling the fish, Qian Chaoyun glanced sideways at Ling Luochen and found that she was spacing out.
Women really did have a lot on their minds.
Very soon, more than ten minutes later, a grilled rabbit sprinkled with cumin and chili powder was handed to Ling Luochen.
Ling Luochen took a bite, chewed carefully, and praised it aloud. "Wow! It's so delicious! Your cooking is amazing. This is the first time I've eaten something this good."
Qian Chaoyun smiled but said nothing.
This was Shu craftsmanship. Go ahead and eat—it was certain she had never eaten anything this delicious before.
Then, Ling Luochen took bite after bite, exclaiming in amazement as she ate.
It was her first time eating something so delicious.
Qian Chaoyun had the potential to become a Kitchen God!
After their simple dinner, Qian Chaoyun took the initiative to offer to help his senior sister treat her injuries, allowing her to recover more quickly from the wounds inflicted by the Evil Spirit Master.
Ling Luochen nodded with a blush. "All right, but be gentle."
After their many physical contacts, she no longer rejected such things. Instead, she even enjoyed them a little.
That was because an Angel Soul Master's Soul Power differed from that of other soul masters.
At that moment, Qian Chaoyun placed his hand over hers and began circulating Soul Power to treat her injuries.
The Evil Aura left behind by the Evil Spirit Master had already been mostly expelled.
Soon, Ling Luochen felt that gentle power moving through her body, nourishing her heart meridians.
Why did this guy seem so practiced at this?
Right, he had helped Ma Xiaotao suppress her Evil Fire.
Thinking of that, an inexplicable flame rose in Ling Luochen's heart. She felt that Ma Xiaotao had taken advantage of her.
She said, "Chaoyun, can you stop helping Ma Xiaotao suppress her Evil Fire in the future?"
"Are you jealous?" Qian Chaoyun could not help asking.
Ling Luochen pursed her lips, too embarrassed to say it.
She clearly was jealous, but she could not bring herself to admit it. After all, she was competing with Ma Xiaotao for a man.
But on second thought, Ma Xiaotao had gone too far.
She had monopolized Qian Chaoyun for so long, and now she was about to advance to Soul Sage.
Then Ling Luochen said, "Actually, I can help Ma Xiaotao suppress her Evil Fire too. I was unwilling before, but now I am. If you're busy cultivating in the future, I'll help you."
The moment those words came out, Qian Chaoyun's mind stalled.
Didn't this woman get along poorly with Ma Xiaotao? Why had her attitude made a complete one-eighty? Had she finally come around?
Forget it. Women had too many thoughts.
He did not want to keep thinking about it. Killing a few Evil Spirit Masters would be much more satisfying.
Before you continue