As the continent's publicly acknowledged strongest person, Yun Ming had no need to make any arrangements. But reality was just that—in an era where no one could become a god, no matter how powerful he was, he was ultimately still human, not a god.
Even if the academy could remain stable while he was alive, what would happen after he passed away?
All he could do was prepare for a rainy day.
Seeing the solemn look on her beloved's face, Ya Li's former misgivings had long since vanished. She nestled into Yun Ming's embrace and said in a soft voice, "Then do it. I support you."
Yun Ming lowered his head and kissed his beloved's jade-white forehead. His gaze flickered as he said, "When you examined that child, I sensed a familiar aura within him."
"You mean that unusual Darkness Power?"
Ya Li's eyes slightly moved. When she had ignited the Life Fire to save those suffering from the plague, Yun Ming had shared his life force with her. Thus, the two of them could often resonate with each other spiritually.
Yun Ming's gaze was profound. "That's right. But the examination was too brief, and I couldn't sense it clearly. Perhaps we'll only learn everything after he comes to the academy."
"Mm."
Clearly feeling her body gently bobbing up and down, 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 footsteps steady.
Her supple buttocks were supported by a pair of strong, powerful arms, keeping her from slipping down. Yet with each rise and fall, her buttocks kept brushing against his arms.
Ye Xinglan's pretty face reddened slightly, but upon catching that familiar scent, she did not make a fuss.
"Awake?"
A gentle voice sounded beside her ear.
Only then did Ye Xinglan come to her senses. She hurriedly asked, "Why am I on your back?"
Nan Liujing chuckled. "Someone ate and drank her fill, then fell asleep in a daze. 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 a bench and suddenly becoming sleepy for no reason.
"You're too heavy. Why don't you get down and walk by yourself?" 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. She irritably slapped Nan Liujing on the shoulder.
"Fine, fine, you're not heavy. Get down, then." As Nan Liujing spoke, he made to release the arms supporting her buttocks.
"No." Ye Xinglan hurriedly wrapped her jade 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 against the back of Nan Liujing's neck and stopped talking.
Feeling the grip at his collar gradually tighten, Nan Liujing smiled and started walking again.
The girl's breath lightly brushed over the back of his neck like willow fluff, making it itch. He deliberately walked very slowly, afraid of jostling her.
Nan Liujing's back was not especially broad, but it was both resilient and comfortable. Leaning against it, Ye Xinglan felt at ease, like a lazy little cat with her eyes half-closed.
"Nan Liujing," the girl suddenly said.
"What is it?" the young man replied softly.
Ye Xinglan asked hopefully yet somewhat gloomily, "Have you carried any other girls before? Like Wu Sidao?"
"No," Nan Liujing said.
"Not Na'er either?" Ye Xinglan's starry eyes brightened.
"No," Nan Liujing said, then added, "Na'er likes it when I hold her hand."
"So I'm the first girl you've carried?" A small, suppressed delight filled Ye Xinglan's words.
"Are you happy?" Nan Liujing teased.
Ye Xinglan's smile faded, and she huffed. "I'm not happy. I just wanted to say that besides my father, you're the first boy to carry me. You should be happy to carry a future super beauty."
"A future super beauty? So you're ugly right now?" Nan Liujing had found 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, possessed by a movie emperor as he hurriedly admitted his mistake. "My fault, my fault."
"Hmph." Ye Xinglan flashed her snow-white canine teeth. "That's what you get for provoking me."
Noticing the bite mark on his shoulder, she pursed her lips and apologetically asked, "Did it hurt?"
"It hurt a lot." Nan Liujing pretended to be aggrieved. "I even carried you, and this is how you repay kindness."
"Who told you to provoke me?" Ye Xinglan said irritably.
Nan Liujing was just about to say something when his heart suddenly skipped a beat. He slightly turned his head and saw Ye Xinglan's soft little hand gently rubbing the spot where the bite mark had appeared, as though she wanted to ease his pain.
That sight made him stop walking. Ye Xinglan seemed to sense something and subconsciously looked forward, only to meet Nan Liujing's gaze.
Ye Xinglan's pretty face instantly turned scarlet. She hurriedly buried her face back in the familiar hollow behind his neck. This time, she truly stopped speaking, but she had not expected the gesture to seem even more intimate.
The night breeze blew over, dispersing some of the sultry heat.
The girl kept her head lowered in silence, while the young man smiled soundlessly.
They said nothing the rest of the way.
Only after they left the park and hailed a ride-hailing car did Ye Xinglan return to the ground.
Through the car window, they bid each other farewell and watched one another's figures gradually grow distant.
After returning to the Heavenly Spirit Tower, Nan Liujing had just entered the lobby when he heard a notification sound.
He took out his phone and looked at it.
A trace of a smile curled across 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 jade feet in slippers were particularly eye-catching.
Delicate as snow and lustrous with a soft glow, her ten toes curled slightly like pearls and jade holding dew. At that moment, Nan Liujing suddenly understood why some men had a foot fetish.
But jading everything would only harm you. He calmly shifted his gaze away.
Seeing her disciple return, Leng Yaozhu smiled gently. "Your great-grandfather and great-grandmother just left. Do you want to go over and catch up?"
They should be settling Cai Yuer's soul. Nan Liujing silently guessed 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 subconsciously raised his head, immediately feeling surprised.
Leng Yaozhu, however, calmly met his gaze.
Nan Liujing did not know what to say and could only ask, "Teacher, will you still be having sandwiches tomorrow morning?"
"Of course I will." At the mention of this, Leng Yaozhu immediately perked up. "I've already put all the ingredients in the refrigerator. Just take them whenever you need them."
"Alright," Nan Liujing answered. These days, he had personally made sandwiches almost every day. They tasted fairly good, but certainly not exceptional. Yet Leng Yaozhu simply liked them.
Perhaps what she ate was not sandwiches, but the past.
After all, there was a picture frame in his teacher's bedroom. It held a photo of two girls—one was her, while the other was Leng Yulai, who had long since joined the Holy Spirit Cult.
The next morning.
Master and disciple enjoyed breakfast together.
For Nan Liujing, watching his elegant teacher eat was a rather enjoyable experience.
They boarded a Hover Soul Guide Vehicle and traveled all the way to a green-surrounded building within Shrek Inner City.
On the enormous archway were five striking characters: Shrek Academy.
There were no Soul Masters stationed nearby; clearly, none were needed.
Just as he stepped out of the vehicle, a gentle light flashed before Nan Liujing's eyes.
"Tian Feng?"
A clearly surprised, gentle female voice rang out. Nan Liujing focused his eyes and immediately felt that this trip to Shrek would not be so easy.
Just like yesterday, Ya Li still wore a water-green long dress. Her exquisite face and dewy skin made her appear incomparably gentle and beautiful. No one would question it if someone said she was only in her twenties.
As for Leng Yaozhu, upon seeing Ya Li appear, her delicate brows rose slightly. Today, she wore a blazing red long dress that complemented her tall yet full figure. Like raging flames, her breathtaking face was clear and beautiful with a hint of gentle charm, requiring no makeup to draw anyone's attention.
"Liujing greets Her Holiness Holy Spirit." Nan Liujing stepped forward to ease the atmosphere.
"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 astonishing as Brother Ming said. Otherwise, the renowned Heavenly Phoenix Douluo would not have taken him as her disciple."
When she spoke the words "Brother Ming," she clearly emphasized them.
Yet to Ya Li's surprise, Leng Yaozhu remained so calm that she felt unfamiliar. She merely smiled indifferently. "No matter how astonishing he is, he is still only 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. Come with me."
With that, she transformed into a streak of green-gold light and flew away. Leng Yaozhu was not to be outdone. She grabbed Nan Liujing by the shoulder and took him toward the Inner Court.
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