In the shadows of a corner, Yu Tiancheng let out a quiet breath and deactivated the Mysterious Cloak's concealment and Simulation. His figure solidified again in the dim light at the stairwell landing.
Feeling the small amount of Soul Power he had expended and how smoothly the cloak still responded to him, he curled his lips into a satisfied smile.
"The effect was even better than I expected. I taught those two a lesson without exposing myself, and I even left them with a little mystery... There'll be plenty to write about in tonight's diary."
He didn't return to the hall right away. Using the shadows for cover, he silently went upstairs and returned to the room he had booked in advance.
He closed the door, slid the bolt into place, then leaned against the door and quietly relived that brief, thrilling moment.
The frustration in his chest, born from knowing the original story, had finally eased somewhat.
"That infuriating Canghui Academy scene is finally not playing out exactly according to the 'script.' The change wasn't big, but at least... I feel better."
He went to the window and opened it a crack, letting the cool night air flow in. As he watched the lights gradually appear in the town and the vast, indistinct shadow of the forest in the distance, his thoughts churned.
"I need to think carefully about what to write tonight. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's expressions, the details of their embarrassment... How the Shrek group reacted? Especially Zhao Wuji's solemn expression and Tang San's confusion."
"Oh, and the warning from that 'mysterious senior,' and the mention of Flender..."
A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Since I'm the only one who reads this diary, I can write whatever I want. I can vent all I like! The system won't snitch."
"Also, Meng Yiran should have entered the forest today, but there's a good chance she didn't find anything?"
"As for Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue... Forget it. Why am I thinking about them? It has nothing to do with me."
"Aunt Liu Erlong... If she knew I'd taken such a risk, she'd scold me to death. But I doubt she'll find out."
Countless clues, possibilities, and expectations intertwined in his mind.
This diary had long since become more than just a way to keep records and obtain rewards. It was also a unique space for sorting through his thoughts, venting his emotions, and even planning for the future.
He lit the Soul Guiding Lamp and sat at the table. His consciousness sank into his mind, and the glowing, illusory diary appeared once again. He let his thoughts flow, and a new entry began to take shape:
[Staying in a town on the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest. Didn't expect to run into a "classic scene" so soon—the clash between Shrek and Canghui.]
[I saw it with my own eyes. Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun's arrogant, domineering expressions as they picked a fight were even more irritating than the written descriptions.]
[They're conceited because they have a little talent and a decent background. They looked down on everyone, made lewd remarks about that female student from Canghui Academy, and when she asked them to apologize, they turned around and blamed her instead.]
[Zhao Wuji was watching from upstairs and didn't even intervene. That teaching culture... Tsk.]
[But I did make a small change to tonight's "script."]
[I couldn't stand the sight of them, so I quietly tested out my new toy.]
[When Dai Mubai charged, I added a little "something" beneath his feet. He nearly fell flat on his face. His expression was priceless.]
[Ma Hongjun was even funnier. He'd barely formed his Phoenix Fireline when it went "pfft" and died out. His Soul Power even went haywire. His chubby face turned bright red, like a fat chicken with its neck squeezed. Haha!]
[Neither Zhao Wuji nor Tang San noticed me. Purple Demon Eye and Spirit Scan didn't seem to do much, either.]
[Looks like the cloak's concealment and interference abilities really are impressive.]
[I even mimicked a voice to warn them, and casually brought up Dean Flender.]
[Judging by Zhao Wuji's expression, he's probably wondering which "senior" I am.]
[The people from Canghui Academy took the chance to slip away. They were probably pretty spooked, too.]
[On the Shrek side, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun looked like they'd swallowed flies. Tang San looked grave, while Xiao Wu seemed a little unconvinced but curious.]
[Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were there, too. They seemed pretty wary. I wonder what they were thinking.]
[But they definitely can't guess that the person who was messing with them was nearby—and a Spirit Master about their age, at that?]
[Heh. It feels pretty good to control everything from the shadows.]
[Come to think of it, Meng Yiran should be in the forest by now, right?]
[I hope she finds a suitable Spirit Beast this time and doesn't get beaten to it by the "Protagonist Group" again. Though there's a good chance she will. The Peerless Dragon Snake couple had better come through.]
[All right, I've vented. I feel much better.]
[Tomorrow, I officially enter the Star Dou Great Forest. Goal: the Second Soul Ring! Time Dragon Emperor, do me a favor and send me a suitable Spirit Beast!]
[Diary entry complete.]
[Rewards will be settled together at midnight the following day.]
After writing the final character, Yu Tiancheng felt his mind relax, as though he had poured all the frustration and excitement of the night into words that only he could see.
He blew out the Soul Guiding Lamp and lay down fully clothed. As he thought about tomorrow's rewards and his adventure in the forest, he gradually drifted off to sleep.
Completely unbeknownst to him, the contents of the diary he considered absolutely private were appearing at that very moment in the special Diary Copy.
In the hearts of several female readers of different backgrounds, they stirred up far greater waves than before.
On the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest, at the Shrek camp.
The campfire crackled, driving away the chill and dampness of the forest.
After the trouble at the inn, Zhao Wuji decided to travel farther through the night and set up camp at the edge of the forest, giving the students a chance to calm down and avoiding as much trouble as possible.
Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu were in a tent. After tidying up, all three almost simultaneously felt the warmth and faint stir of the diary copies against their chests.
Without a word, they each found a relatively private position—leaning or sitting—and sank their consciousness into the diary.
Ning Rongrong's eyes first fell on the comments about their "teaching culture."
When she saw the unreserved criticism of Shrek's "teaching culture," her slender fingertips trembled, and she instinctively clenched her skirt.
As the carefully groomed heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she knew all too well what "upbringing" and "family reputation" meant. They were tied to the very foundations and dignity of an organization.
Yu Tiancheng's single, curt "Tsk" was like a basin of cold water, dousing the hazy fondness she had felt for Shrek as a place that was "different." In its place came a burning, unbearable embarrassment—as if he had exposed something she hadn't wanted to see.
Was this really how the academy she had chosen looked to an outsider?
And when she read, "They definitely can't guess," a mixture of indignation and defiance surged in her heart.
"Who says I can't guess?"
She gave a quiet scoff in her mind, but then an even greater shock seized her—
"System rewards," "cloak," "Tang San and Zhao Wuji didn't notice"... The power and treasures behind those words were far beyond anything she could comprehend.
The merchant's blood awakened in her, and she quickly assessed the situation: Yu Tiancheng wasn't merely an interesting "record keeper." He might also be a "treasure" with enormous potential.
Getting close to him and learning more about him might bring unexpected gains.
A new kind of curiosity and calculation, grounded in self-interest, quietly took root in her heart.
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