Leaving Shrek Academy

On the outskirts of Heaven Dou City, Ning Fengzhi raised his eyes toward Spirit Hall, bracing both hands on his cane as he murmured to himself.

"Uncle Sword, in your opinion, what attitude should our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect take toward the other factions?"

Behind Ning Fengzhi, Sword Dao Chen Xin stood with his hands behind his back, watching small fish leap from the river as he said calmly.

"Watch the tigers fight from the mountain. Neither curry favor nor make enemies. When necessary, choose a side and join it."

With a faint smile, Ning Fengzhi turned to look at the immortal-looking Sword Dao Chen Xin and added.

"Before that, we must investigate the identities of the three members of the Xuena Team. Once their identities are confirmed, we will proceed according to Uncle Sword's method."

The two exchanged smiles, each seeing the other's thoughts in the other's eyes.

Inside Shrek Academy, a mysterious woman in white Hanfu and a mask burst into Xiao Wu's room.

"Mm... mmph!"

The mysterious woman covered Xiao Wu's mouth with her right hand and raised a finger to her lips with her left, signaling her to stay quiet.

Upon smelling that familiar scent, Xiao Wu's bright eyes instantly curved into crescents, and she nodded obediently.

At the dormitory door, Xiao Wu excitedly threw her arms around the mysterious woman's slender waist and asked softly.

"Mom, why are you here? Did you miss Xiao Wu?"

Raising her hand to rub Xiao Wu's head, Charm Rabbit nodded kindly.

"Yes and no. Your mother came this time to take you away from the human world."

"Leave? Why?" Xiao Wu asked in confusion, touching a finger to her lips.

Looking at her daughter, who had grown ever more graceful, Charm Rabbit patiently explained.

"The Silver Dragon King has issued an order. For as little as several months or as long as several years, no Spirit Beast may have contact with any human faction. Only when her order is lifted may they leave freely again."

At the mention of the Silver Dragon King, a trace of admiration and reverence flickered in Xiao Wu's bright eyes.

As for the reason, she had no intention of asking further. After all, that was the Silver Dragon King.

The leader of the Spirit Beast race!

Naturally, every word she spoke was for the sake of the Spirit Beast race.

"Mom, wait a moment. Xiao Wu needs to leave a letter for Xiao Wu's friends, or they'll worry."

Turning toward the room and pushing open the door, Xiao Wu found a black-clad figure standing before her.

"Zhu Zhuqing! You...!"

Recognizing the person behind the door, Xiao Wu jumped in fright and was just about to ask.

But Zhu Zhuqing covered her mouth and cut her off.

"Take me with you. I heard your entire conversation. I promise I won't harm Spirit Beasts! I can swear it!"

After speaking, Zhu Zhuqing released her hand, raised three fingers, and looked at Xiao Wu with complete seriousness as she made her promise.

After hesitating, Xiao Wu turned to look at Charm Rabbit outside the room. Charm Rabbit sized Zhu Zhuqing up from head to toe, then slowly nodded.

With Charm Rabbit's approval, Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu happily embraced.

Outside the room, Xiao Wu wrote beneath the moonlight on yellowed writing paper.

A few minutes later, after placing the letter on the communal desk and taking one last look at the sleeping Ning Rongrong, the two closed the door and walked out.

Charm Rabbit embraced them both and used an enhanced teleportation, vanishing from Shrek Academy in the blink of an eye.

"Y-You're not afraid of us?"

Held in Charm Rabbit's arms, Xiao Wu turned to Zhu Zhuqing and asked cautiously.

After pondering for a moment, Zhu Zhuqing shook her head and smiled.

"Sometimes humans are far more frightening than Spirit Beasts. I just never expected Xiao Wu to be one of the Spirit Beasts. But... how could Spirit Beasts transform into humans?"

Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's question, Charm Rabbit considered it repeatedly before deciding to tell her.

"After cultivating for one hundred thousand years, a Spirit Beast can choose to transform or undergo Tribulation Transcendence. If a Spirit Beast wishes to cultivate into a god like humans do, it must take the path of transformation."

Thud.

After arriving at the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest and stopping, Charm Rabbit released Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, then continued.

"But... for Spirit Beasts nowadays, becoming gods is unimaginably difficult. In hundreds of thousands of years, not a single Spirit Beast has ever become a god."

After hearing Charm Rabbit's words, Zhu Zhuqing looked somewhat shocked, for she had never heard these secrets before.

The three continued onward, following Charm Rabbit and Xiao Wu toward the core region of the Star Dou Forest.

Ten-thousand-year Spirit Beasts could be seen everywhere. After walking for nearly half an hour, the three finally arrived at their home.

The leaves were lush, and several birds with differently colored feathers stood upon the branches.

Beneath the giant tree, a hollowed-out dwelling resembling a small wooden cabin appeared before them.

"This is my home! Mom and I have lived here for a very, very long time. It was only because of Da Ming and Er Ming's protection that we avoided being hunted by Spirit Masters."

Naturally cheerful and lively, Xiao Wu skipped toward the wooden door.

Once the door was opened, the interior decorations were almost no different from those of a human house.

The entire dwelling had three levels, with the base of the giant tree serving as the living room.

The second floor was Charm Rabbit's bedroom, while the third floor was Xiao Wu's room.

Every room had its own balcony. Taking in the treehouse that looked like something from a fairy tale, Zhu Zhuqing smiled curiously.

The two arrived at the third-floor balcony and leaned against the railing, taking in the entire view of the Star Dou Forest's core region.

"Xiao Wu can't go out to find Brother Xiao Jun anymore. I wonder where he is now."

The rabbit ears atop Xiao Wu's head drooped as she muttered dejectedly.

Brushing aside the hair by her cheek, Zhu Zhuqing felt calmer than she ever had before. There were far more smiles on her face than in the past.

"He's so powerful. He should... be doing well, right?"

The loud, proud crow of a rooster awakened the warm morning sun...

"Oh no, oh no! Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing are gone!"

Inside the meeting room, the Shrek group sat around the conference table, staring at the envelope Xiao Wu had left behind.

Nine people sat in their chairs with varying expressions, while Tang San alone lowered his head in silence.

No one knew what he was thinking...

"Xiao Wu was very happy during the time spent with everyone. Third Brother, forgive Xiao Wu for leaving without saying goodbye. Thank you for taking care of Xiao Wu these days. Mom and I have gone home. Don't worry about us..."

Putting down the letter in her hand, Ning Rongrong sat back in her chair with low spirits.

With a sigh, Yu Xiaogang frowned deeply, his frustration written all over his face.

"This is bad. I'm afraid we won't be able to participate in the Continental Advanced Academy Elite Tournament either."

Ma Hongjun interlaced his fingers, hugged his round belly, and muttered.

Raising his head, Tang San took out the Immortal herbs from his Soul Tool one by one.

Looking at the Lovesick Heartbreak Red on the table, Tang San explained the origins and effects of the Immortal herbs.

"I originally intended to give this Lovesick Heartbreak Red to Xiao Wu. If I'd known this would happen, I would have taken it out sooner..."

After putting away the Immortal herbs Tang San had given them, Ning Rongrong and the others finally felt much of their gloom ease.

After chatting for a while, they consumed the Immortal herbs and began refining them on the spot.

"R-Rongrong! Your martial soul!"

Oscar pointed in shock at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda in Ning Rongrong's palm.

At this point, it was more appropriate to call it the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.

Having absorbed part of the Immortal herb's medicinal power, Ning Rongrong opened her eyes.

Her bright pale-green eyes stared at the martial soul in her hand, and shock reddened her eyes.

The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda! So the sect's secret method for breaking through the martial soul's limit was because of it!