On the other side, the three women from Shrek Academy had also received the information. Meng Yiran's experience and the "script" had little effect on them.
What they cared more about was whether they would encounter the legendary Yu Tiancheng, who could foresee the future, on this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest.
The thought filled their otherwise dull journey with a secret hint of anticipation.
Heaven Dou City, Blue Tyrant Academy.
Liu Erlong paced anxiously in her office.
She had just finished reading the diary, and a powerful sense of unease and heartache welled up inside her.
"This child... Why did he choose such a dangerous path!"
She clenched her fists, her eyes full of worry. "Can you just cross the Star Dou Great Forest whenever you want? And he even ran into Peerless Dragon Snake..."
Although the diary showed that Yu Tiancheng was safe for the moment, Liu Erlong was worried about the rest of his journey.
A child in his teens, alone in a forest full of dangers...
"I should go pick him up..." Liu Erlong regretted it deeply. "At the very least, I should have gone to meet him."
She walked to the window and gazed at Heaven Dou City under the night sky, making up her mind.
"When he comes out of the forest, I'll go pick him up myself. I can't let him take risks alone again."
At the inn, Yu Tiancheng had no idea what kind of stir his diary had caused.
He finished his meal, paid, and went upstairs to his room.
"I'll be entering the forest tomorrow..."
He sat on the edge of the bed, feeling Soul Power slowly flow from the Time-Space Ring into his body. His heart was filled with both anticipation and nervousness.
"I hope I can break through smoothly and get my Second Soul Ring."
"And... I wonder what tomorrow's diary reward will be."
With that anticipation, Yu Tiancheng lay down to rest and build up his strength for the journey ahead.
The next morning, it was time for the rewards to be issued.
Yu Tiancheng was woken from his sleep by the familiar system notification.
[Ding! Yesterday's diary settlement is complete] [Basic Reward: Soul Power increased by 2 levels] [Extra Reward: Mysterious Cloak (can conceal your figure, change your appearance and bearing, simulate Soul Power fluctuations below the God level, and offers excellent resistance to Spiritual Power detection)]
A warm current swept through his body. The Soul Power barrier broke with a snap, and his aura steadily rose, finally settling at the threshold of level 20.
"I did it!" Yu Tiancheng awoke completely. Feeling the abundant Soul Power within him and the thin, gossamer-like black cloak with its unusual texture between his fingers, he was overjoyed.
"Talk about getting exactly what I wished for. This cloak is practically a godsend for exploring the forest! The system gets me."
He immediately tried it out. The moment he put on the cloak and focused, his reflection became a gray-robed traveler with blurred features and an obscure aura. Even his Soul Power fluctuations turned erratic.
"With this, I'll be much safer crossing the forest. It'll also make it easier to... well, do a few 'good deeds.'"
He thought of some unpleasant scenes from the original story, and the corner of his mouth curled up. The reward wasn't just practical; it also gave him the confidence and means to intervene and change certain things.
Almost at the same time, the other Diary Copy holders felt something stir.
At the same inn, in Meng Yiran's room.
Meng Yiran sat cross-legged on her bed, her mind still unsettled by yesterday's diary.
The boy named Yu Tiancheng, the "script" he wrote, and the fate of her life sketched out in just a few words all filled her with an inexplicable mix of irritation and curiosity.
Just as her thoughts wandered—
A cool, mysterious energy surged without warning from the Diary Copy by her pillow. It slipped gently, yet irresistibly, into the space between her brows.
"Hmm?" Meng Yiran's body shuddered slightly. She instinctively tried to examine it, but the energy had already dissolved in her mind, transforming into a series of vivid images—
Countless illusory and real snake shadows moved, lunged, entangled, and dodged along incredibly intricate, unpredictable paths...
An unprecedented insight into combat techniques took root deep in her consciousness like a seed, swiftly condensing into four ancient, profound characters:
Spirit Snake Thousand Illusions (Prototype)
At the same time, a clear notification appeared in her consciousness:
[Reward settlement complete] [You were the person whose name appeared most often in yesterday's diary] [Extra Reward obtained: Self-Created Soul Skill "Spirit Snake Thousand Illusions" (Prototype)] [This skill contains the wonders of movement techniques, illusion, and attack. Its potential is limitless, and it will grow with your cultivation and insights]
"Self-Created Soul Skill!" Meng Yiran's eyes flew open. Shock and disbelief filled her purple eyes before giving way to a burning light.
She instinctively circulated her Soul Power. A faint, oddly moving snake-shaped phantom flickered at her fingertips, its fluid movements dazzling to behold.
Joy surged over her like a tide, but close on its heels came an even clearer, more fervent yearning.
Just because he had written a few more words about her, she had received such a precious reward!
If she could get close to him and form a real connection, make him pay more attention to her and write about her more...
"Grandpa! Grandma!" She all but charged out of her room and found Dragon Duke and Snake Granny eating breakfast, her voice more urgent and fervent than ever. "Let's head into the forest right away. I feel better than ever today, and I've had a new insight into my martial soul. I'm sure I can find the perfect Spirit Ring! We have to hurry!"
Dragon Duke and Snake Granny exchanged surprised glances. They could both keenly sense the subtle yet significant change in their granddaughter.
Her Soul Power seemed more condensed, her gaze sharper, and her whole being radiated a bold eagerness to act.
"Yiran, you..." Chao Tianxiang began, then hesitated.
"Grandma, I'm fine. I had a sudden inspiration last night, and my cultivation went especially well! Let's hurry."
Meng Yiran could barely contain her excitement. Her face flushed with urgency and a hint of secret delight.
Seeing the fighting spirit and eagerness practically blazing in their granddaughter's eyes, Meng Shu was puzzled, but even more pleased.
"Good! Since Yiran is so eager, then we'll set off right away! We'll find you the best Spirit Ring today."
The three members of Peerless Dragon Snake left the inn much faster than planned and plunged into the mist-shrouded outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Meng Yiran's thoughts were no longer entirely focused on finding Spirit Beasts.
Her gaze swept across the forest like an eagle's. She searched for traces of suitable snake-type Spirit Beasts, but also kept an eye out for any lone young Spirit Masters around her age.
The other Diary Copy holders, however, received nothing but cold notifications.
Heaven Dou City, Blue Tyrant Academy.
Liu Erlong sensed the Diary Copy stirring and checked it again.
[You were not the person whose name appeared most often yesterday and did not meet the reward requirements]
Liu Erlong froze, then felt a complicated rush of emotions.
"Of course. The child has grown up and has a life of his own. I'm not important to him anymore, even as his aunt."
She sighed softly. It wasn't that she cared about the reward; it was just a strange feeling—as though she, his aunt, didn't matter very much.
"No, I have to go right away. I can't wait any longer."
A determined light kindled in her eyes—the resolve to protect her family.
She would search for him at the edge of the forest, then protect him and help him find a suitable Spirit Ring.
Once the thought had taken hold, she could no longer suppress it.
She didn't even have time to make proper arrangements. After hastily giving a few instructions to the academy's teachers, she turned into a streak of fiery red light and shot out of Heaven Dou City, racing toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
At that moment, the safety of that child mattered more than any responsibility as dean.
Before you continue