Jiang Siming took Tang San straight to Blue Tyrant Academy, but the gate now bore the words Shrek Academy.
"Brother Siming, does our Shrek Academy have a school in Heaven Dou too?" Tang San asked curiously.
"Xiao San, whatever you do, don't ask the teacher that. It'll end badly," Jiang Siming kindly warned him.
Tang San nodded in confusion but said nothing.
After the gatekeeper announced them, the two had barely entered Shrek Academy when they spotted two male students pestering Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
"What the—You dare lay a hand on my wife? Are you looking to die?" Jiang Siming leaped forward and kicked both of them away.
Zhu Zhuqing looked relieved when Jiang Siming arrived. She took one of his hands in both of hers and lowered her head as if she'd done something wrong. Xiao Wu ran to Tang San and, without a hint of embarrassment, wrapped her legs around his waist.
I can't take this! She's so adorable, and her big brother's such a softie. I'm doomed! Jiang Siming thought.
"Ahem, you two. What's going on?" Jiang Siming looked at the two male students as they staggered back to their feet.
"What kind of skill is it to sneak up on us? If you've got guts, fight us fair and square. Whoever wins gets these two girls!" one of the burly students said indignantly.
"Fair and square, huh?" Jiang Siming flashed in front of them and slapped each one across the face.
"You're trying to steal my wife, huh?" Jiang Siming slapped them both again. The repeated blows left the two students' faces swollen like pig heads.
Hearing Jiang Siming call her his wife, Zhu Zhuqing didn't know what he meant, but the words sounded strangely affectionate. The tips of her ears turned faintly red.
"Stop! Wait! We give up! Please don't hit us!" they both begged.
"What kind of rotten habit is that? Study hard and improve every day. You're learning how to pick up girls—and worse, you're trying to steal mine! Get lost!" Jiang Siming said, hands on his hips.
Once the commotion was over, Tang San and Jiang Siming each left with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing walked beside him, looking troubled.
"What's wrong?" Jiang Siming asked.
"Siming, I feel like you're not the same as before," Zhu Zhuqing said worriedly.
"I don't know what you went through during the month you were away. I just feel like you're in a lot of pain." Zhu Zhuqing suddenly stopped and clasped Jiang Siming's hands tightly.
"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm fine!" Jiang Siming denied it outright.
"You really have changed. It's like you're hiding something, using a casual tone to conceal how much you're hurting," Zhu Zhuqing said, heart aching for him.
Jiang Siming said nothing. Ever since leaving the White Space, his whole personality had changed completely. He'd noticed it himself, but kept using a careless tone and saying things that sounded almost crazy to hide how unfamiliar he felt to himself.
The experiences of a lifetime! Jiang Siming couldn't forget them. In truth, he now carried the memories of an old man who had lived for more than a century.
"Zhuqing, thank you for caring about me. I admit I haven't been myself lately. Maybe I really do need some time alone." After saying that, Jiang Siming turned and walked out of the academy.
"System, is there any way to ease my current condition?" The feelings Jiang Siming had been suppressing finally spilled out after Zhu Zhuqing questioned him.
"Ding. The host's current condition is a side effect of forcibly activating the second stage of the Mirror World. Activate the second stage of the Mirror World as soon as possible and undergo the third sword's trial to eliminate the side effects of the second sword."
"How much longer until I can activate the second stage?" Jiang Siming asked urgently.
"Please develop it yourself, host."
"Damn it!" Jiang Siming finally snapped. Inside his twelve-year-old body was a soul more than a hundred years old. He couldn't hold it in any longer, and a faint red haze rose in his eyes.
A man suddenly appeared on the streets of Heaven Dou, running wildly.
That was Jiang Siming.
The next day, Jiang Siming returned to the academy, staggering and covered in blood, then collapsed at the gate.
When Jiang Siming woke again, he found everyone gathered around him.
"Are you all right, Siming?" Grandmaster asked with concern. Everyone else looked genuinely worried too.
"I don't remember. I think I went to the Spirit Beast Forest," Jiang Siming said, trying hard to recall.
"You certainly did. You were incredible. The captive Spirit Beast Forest outside Heaven Dou City was completely wiped out last night," Flender said helplessly. Those were all walking Gold Soul Coins!
"Brother Siming, you really should thank Rongrong this time. If not for her, the Heaven Dou authorities would probably have arrested you," Tang San said with a shrug.
"Thank you, Rongrong. That was a bit much, even for an accident!" Jiang Siming scratched his head sheepishly and looked gratefully at Ning Rongrong, who stood nearby with a proud expression. An entire captive Spirit Beast Forest had been wiped out. How many Gold Soul Coins would the compensation cost? Only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could consider that a small sum.
"Siming, what exactly is wrong with you? Zhuqing told me you're in a very bad state," Grandmaster said gravely.
Jiang Siming looked at Zhu Zhuqing, whose eyes were swollen and red. Warmth stirred in his heart.
"Sorry for making everyone worry," Jiang Siming said apologetically.
"I think I've fallen into demonic possession, and I can't suppress it for now. I don't know when it might suddenly happen again," Jiang Siming said in a low voice.
Everyone fell silent.
"I think I should leave for a while. If I stay, I could cause irreversible damage at any moment," Jiang Siming said seriously.
Everyone looked sadly at Jiang Siming, lying in bed.
"No. I'm going with you. Wherever you go, I'll go too." Tears fell from Zhu Zhuqing's eyes again as she tightly held Jiang Siming's left hand.
"Brother Siming, I might have a way!" Tang San said seriously, rubbing his chin.
"Among the Immortal Herbs I picked at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, there was a Forget-Me-Not Herb. The only problem is that anyone who takes it loses all their memories." As he spoke, Tang San took out the herb.