But that wasn't the worst of it.
The intense corrosive power clinging to the Dark Blue Silver Grass erupted the instant it touched his body.
Oscar grimaced in pain, his features contorting completely.
Clutching his chest with both hands, he rolled wildly across the ground.
The force had eaten a huge hole straight through his clothes.
A deep, bloody gash had appeared across his chest.
The flesh had peeled back.
The edges of the wound had turned a strange, charred black.
Wisps of black mist curled endlessly around it.
The corrosive mark was slowly spreading to the healthy skin around the wound.
The unbearable pain had drained every ounce of strength from him, leaving him unable even to stand.
Gu Qing slowly lowered his right hand.
The Dark Blue Silver Grass dissolved into flecks of black light and scattered into the night breeze.
"Know your place."
His voice was flat, without a trace of emotion.
As if he had casually crushed a trifling bug.
Yet those four words rang clearly in the ears of everyone present.
The entire street fell silent in an instant.
The onlookers all retreated a few steps, afraid of getting caught up in trouble.
The other members of Shrek Academy were even more silent, not daring to make a sound.
Tang San edged half a step forward.
He wanted to help Oscar off the ground, but when he saw the terrifying black corrosive mist, he stopped.
The Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated through his body, and Tang San's eyes were filled with wariness.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists until they cracked, yet he still didn't dare charge forward.
Ma Hongjun had just been crippled, and now Oscar had ended up like this.
They knew full well that Gu Qing was no one they could afford to provoke right now.
No one dared step forward to intervene.
And no one dared say another word.
All they could do was watch Oscar lie on the ground, howling in agony.
Ning Rongrong stood to the side, taking in everything that had just happened.
She looked at Gu Qing's tall, straight profile.
She felt not the slightest sympathy for Oscar; instead, a surge of satisfaction welled up inside her.
If Gu Qing hadn't stepped in,
she would have had to keep enduring Oscar's harassment and the Shrek members' moral coercion.
Ning Rongrong edged half a step closer.
Carefully moving up beside Gu Qing, she lowered her voice.
"Thank you."
Her voice was soft, with a hint of gratitude.
Gu Qing turned and glanced at the delicate young girl before him.
He didn't waste time on small talk.
He simply reached out with his right hand.
He grabbed Ning Rongrong's slender, pale wrist.
She felt a warm touch against her wrist.
She gave a slight start.
Before she could react,
Gu Qing was already leading her out through the crowd.
Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed faintly, but she didn't pull away.
She obediently let him lead her.
The two of them made their way through the crowded street.
They left the people from Shrek Academy—and all those complicated stares—far behind.
They walked along, stopping now and then.
Gu Qing led Ning Rongrong to a raised platform.
The ground here stood much higher than the surrounding area.
From there, they could look down over the night scene of the Lantern Festival throughout Heaven Dou Imperial Capital.
Below them stretched a brightly lit street.
All sorts of flower lanterns drifted along the river.
The evening breeze swept by, stirring Ning Rongrong's skirt.
At a roadside stall, Ning Rongrong bought a delicate rabbit-shaped lantern.
It was made by stretching red silk over a frame.
She walked to the edge of the platform.
Holding the lantern in both hands,
she used a flint to light the little candle inside herself.
The flickering flame illuminated her fair face.
Ning Rongrong slowly closed her eyes.
Her long lashes cast two shadows in the firelight.
Her expression was utterly serious.
She pressed her hands together, moving her lips as she silently made a wish.
After a long while, she opened her eyes again.
Supporting the lantern from below, she gently lifted it upward.
The rabbit lantern drifted slowly into the night sky on the breeze.
Ning Rongrong tilted her head back, watching as it floated higher and higher.
Gu Qing stood to the side, watching her absorbed expression.
He asked casually,
"What did you wish for?"
Ning Rongrong turned around.
With her hands behind her back, she tilted her head slightly as she looked at Gu Qing.
The young girl kept her thoughts well hidden, but a sweet smile tugged at her lips.
"I'm not telling you."
She blinked her bright, limpid eyes.
"Wishes won't come true if you say them out loud."
Gu Qing didn't press her.
He raised his right hand, and a thread of pure Soul Power flowed around his fingertips.
A vibrant green strand of Blue Silver Grass burst from his palm.
This Blue Silver Grass brimmed with life and vitality.
Under Gu Qing's precise control,
it began to bend, fold, and entwine with nimble grace.
It was as if it had a life of its own.
In just a few breaths,
a lifelike, emerald-green flower took shape in his hand.
Even the veins on its petals were clearly visible.
Gu Qing turned his wrist and held out the Blue Silver Grass flower to Ning Rongrong.
"Happy Lantern Festival."
Ning Rongrong froze.
She gazed at the translucent green flower before her.
A blush instantly spread across her cheeks.
She carefully held out both hands.
She accepted the Blue Silver Grass flower.
Its petals felt soft beneath her fingertips, with a hint of coolness.
"Thank you..."
Ning Rongrong lowered her head, her voice barely audible.
The two of them walked side by side along the raised platform.
As they enjoyed the evening breeze and strolled for a while, the mood gradually grew more relaxed.
Ning Rongrong was lively and outgoing by nature.
Once her earlier reserve faded, she grew more talkative.
She began telling him all sorts of things about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
"Our sect has a huge back mountain."
"It's full of all kinds of rare flowers and plants."
"Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa love playing chess there, but they argue every single time."
Ning Rongrong spoke with enthusiasm, gesturing animatedly as she talked.
"And my father has so many sect affairs to take care of every day. He's always so busy that I hardly ever see him."
Gu Qing listened quietly beside her.
From time to time, he nodded in response.
When Ning Rongrong paused to catch her breath,
Gu Qing smoothly picked up the conversation.
"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is the greatest auxiliary sect in the world."
"In the eyes of any faction, you're an invaluable asset."
"Spirit Hall has always valued the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"If the opportunity arose, Spirit Hall would be very willing to befriend your sect."
His tone was calm, as though he were stating an ordinary fact.
Ning Rongrong was guileless.
She smiled brightly and innocently, revealing two little tiger teeth.
"Sure!"
"You can come visit me."
"Our sect would be happy to welcome you."
Gu Qing looked at her unguarded smile.
He smiled faintly.
"I'll come by when I have time."
The night grew deeper.
A night watchman sounded a gong in the distance.
The Lantern Festival's bustle began to die down.
It was time for them to part.
Ning Rongrong stood at the intersection of the main street.
She clutched the emerald-green Blue Silver Grass flower tightly in both hands.
Her feet seemed rooted to the spot; she couldn't bring herself to leave.
Her eyes were full of reluctance.
"Well, I... should head back."
She took several steps, turning back again and again to look at Gu Qing.
Before you continue