Liu Erlong: I'll Teach You a Lesson When I Turn Back

Zhu Zhuqing, on the other hand, was calmer and more focused.

As the diary's contents flooded her mind, her ice-blue eyes snapped open in the shadows before quickly returning to normal, only the slight dilation of her pupils betraying the turmoil within.

"Stealth... control... even Teacher Zhao didn't notice..." These keywords collided repeatedly in her consciousness, stirring unprecedented ripples.

She understood all too well what "stealth" and "control" meant to her.

In the Star Luo Empire, under the suffocating rules of her family and their omnipresent surveillance, she was like a butterfly trapped in a transparent glass jar. Seemingly free, every move was nonetheless observed by others, leaving her powerless to break free from her predetermined cruel fate.

She craved power, but even more, she craved this feeling of being able to control everything.

The composure Yu Tiancheng described—making an opponent look foolish in front of everyone, issuing a warning, and then vanishing without a trace—struck the deepest desire in her heart.

This was not merely a display of strength, but a clever utilization of the environment, a way of survival beyond the conventional, "outside the rules."

"He's in this forest."

Zhu Zhuqing's gaze fell upon the deep darkness beyond the campfire's glow, the entrance to the Star Dou Great Forest, and the place Yu Tiancheng was about to enter.

Dangerous, but also full of variables and... opportunity.

Before, she had mostly viewed the diary as a mysterious source of information, harboring a certain degree of curiosity about Yu Tiancheng.

But now, that curiosity had rapidly transformed into a more purposeful focus.

Yu Tiancheng himself, the abilities he displayed, and the secrets or methods he might possess that could help her break her shackles, had become a clear and strong "target."

She needed to become stronger, to break free from fate.

The "elusive" quality Yu Tiancheng possessed might just be a glimmer of hope. Their encounter in the forest was no longer just a possibility; she had to actively look for or even seek out such an opportunity.

The thought was cold and firm, like the fist she now quietly clenched.

Xiao Wu almost cried out in surprise, quickly covering her mouth, her large eyes filled with excitement and curiosity.

When the diary's contents appeared, seeing Yu Tiancheng describe in the first person, with a hint of smugness, how he made Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun kneel with a "plop," how they twisted their ankles with an "ouch," and finally how he imitated an old voice to scare everyone.

Xiao Wu almost burst out laughing, quickly burying her face in her arms, her shoulders shaking suspiciously several times, her long scorpion tail braid even trembling slightly.

"So it was him! Yu Tiancheng!"

She cheered inwardly, her big eyes sparkling in the shadow of her arms.

Moreover, his methods of tricking people were so fun, so... to her taste!

Thinking that Yu Tiancheng might be in the forest not far away, or perhaps preparing to enter the forest to hunt for Soul Rings somewhere, Xiao Wu felt that this trip to the forest had suddenly become much more enjoyable.

What about thousand-year Soul Beasts, dangerous environments—they all seemed to be covered in the playful colors of a "treasure hunt adventure."

She began to imagine what Yu Tiancheng would look like, whether his personality was as interesting and a little proud as written in the diary, and if they met in the forest, would they experience something fun together?

As for the stealth ability and the cloak secret, she didn't think too deeply about them.

She simply felt that this person was interesting and wanted to get to know him. If they could explore the forest together, it would definitely be more fun than just following Teacher Zhao to hunt Soul Beasts.

This pure curiosity and sense of closeness filled her with eager anticipation for the upcoming forest adventure.

She quietly raised her head, looking towards the dark entrance of the forest, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful arc.

Hundreds of miles away, in the night sky.

Liu Erlong's body was engulfed in crimson Soul Power flames, like a meteor tearing through the night sky, as she sped madly towards the Star Dou Great Forest.

The wind pressure pulled her fiery red hair straight back, her stunning face etched with anxiety and a desperate resolve.

Just as she passed over a mountain peak and prepared to accelerate again, the diary copy in her arms pulsed strongly.

Liu Erlong stopped abruptly in mid-air, her crimson glow retracting, and landed on a protruding rock.

Without even time to steady herself, she impatiently sank her consciousness into it.

The diary's contents quickly unfolded before her eyes.

When she saw Yu Tiancheng describe how he used the "Mysterious Cloak" to teach the Shrek people a lesson, how he simulated a voice to warn them, and finally returned to his room safely to write the diary—

Liu Erlong first let out a heavy sigh of relief, her taut heartstrings loosening—

Good, this child has peculiar means of self-preservation, he didn't suffer any losses, and even managed to trick them in return.

But immediately after, a stronger sense of lingering fear and anger surged into her heart.

"This little rascal!"

Liu Erlong gritted her teeth and cursed, her chest heaving violently, "He's too bold! Daring to provoke people from Shrek Academy alone, and in such a... such a spooky way!"

"And what's going on with Brother Fu, is that how he educates his children?"

She knew too well what kind of place the inns near the Star Dou Great Forest were, a mix of all sorts, and that Zhao Wuji, a Soul Sage with rich combat experience, was leading the Shrek Academy this time.

Although Tiancheng had gained a temporary advantage with that magical cloak, what if he was exposed? What if the other party had even more powerful means... Liu Erlong dared not think further.

Under the moonlight, her heroic brows furrowed tightly, her eyes churning with worry, annoyance, and deep self-reproach.

She blamed herself for not finding Tiancheng sooner, for letting him venture alone, and even more for this child being too strong-willed, carrying everything on his own.

In the diary, Yu Tiancheng wrote it lightly, even with a hint of smugness, but what Liu Erlong read was the loneliness and adventure of a child facing danger alone.

He didn't call for help in the diary, didn't complain, and didn't even show much fear, but this only made Liu Erlong's heart ache more.

"When I get my hands on you, I'll teach you a lesson!"

She said fiercely, but there wasn't a trace of real anger in her tone, only deep affection and urgency.

BOOM!

Even more violent and scorching Soul Power erupted. Liu Erlong's figure transformed once more into a dazzling red light, tearing through the night sky at an even faster speed. She plunged headfirst towards the Star Dou Great Forest without hesitation.

All thoughts of exhaustion and fatigue were cast aside. She had only one goal now—

To find that reckless brat as quickly as possible, keep him firmly by her side, and never let him venture out alone again.

Heaven Dou Empire, Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

Qian Renxue had just concluded a banquet with several elder nobles of the empire. Returning to her study, she removed the gentle and amiable mask of the Crown Prince, a faint weariness and aloofness coloring her brows.

Yu Tiancheng's diary entries surfaced in her mind.

Reading Yu Tiancheng's first-person account of toying with the Shrek Academy group, a flicker of surprise crossed Qian Renxue's cool, clear eyes, quickly replaced by a hint of amusement.

She held no particular opinion of the people at Shrek Academy, but she had heard a little about Dai Mubai's behavior as the "Star Luo Prince."

In her view, Yu Tiancheng's actions were akin to a "minor punishment" for those who didn't know the rules, though the methods were perhaps... still a bit childish.

What caught her attention, however, were the details of the abilities Yu Tiancheng displayed, and the unique writing style in his diary, which blended youthful spirit, cautious assessment, and a touch of tender emotion.

"Training alone, with someone on his mind, employing strange methods... quite different from an ordinary sect disciple."

Qian Renxue picked up the slightly cool tea by her side and took a sip.

This Yu Tiancheng seemed more like an individual with his own independent secrets and thoughts, rather than a standard product churned out by the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family's assembly line.

"Star Dou Great Forest..."

She recalled her crucial mission of infiltrating the Heaven Dou Empire, the delicate balance between the empire and the Martial Soul Hall, and the intricate web of relationships among the Upper Three Sects.

Yu Tiancheng's appearance, along with his peculiar diary, seemed to be slowly drawing together and intertwining people and events that were originally unrelated.

She would not directly intervene in the affairs within the forest for the time being, but the information from the diary undoubtedly provided her with a broader perspective and more intelligence fragments.

Yu Tiancheng himself, his abilities, and the potential chain reactions he might trigger were all worth considering in her future strategic planning.

"Perhaps, I should have 'Pufferfish' or 'Snake Lance' pay a little attention to the movements in the forest. No need to intervene, just observe."

Qian Renxue mused inwardly. She wouldn't act rashly, but necessary, unobtrusive information gathering was the foundation for controlling the situation.

This Star Dou Great Forest, stirred by a single diary, might bring her some unexpected "variable" intelligence.