Shrek, Hearts Scattered!

But that was not the most lethal part.

The intense corrosive power attached to the Dark Blue Silver Grass erupted completely the moment it made contact with his body.

Oscar grimaced in agony, his features twisted entirely by pain.

Clutching his chest with both hands, he rolled frantically on the ground.

His clothes were corroded into a large hole by that force.

A deep, bloody gash was left starkly across his chest.

The flesh was turned inside out.

The edges of the wound displayed an eerie, charred black color.

Wisps of black mist lingered incessantly around the injury.

The corrosive mark was spreading bit by bit toward the surrounding healthy skin.

The excruciating pain drained him of even the strength to stand.

Gu Qing slowly lowered his right hand.

The Dark Blue Silver Grass transformed into specks of black light, dissipating into the night breeze.

"Overestimating your own capabilities."

The voice was flat, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

It was as if he had casually crushed an insignificant insect.

Yet, these four words reached the ears of everyone present with absolute clarity.

The entire street fell silent in an instant.

The onlookers retreated several steps, fearing they might invite trouble upon themselves.

The others from Shrek Academy were even more terrified, silenced like cicadas in winter.

Tang San shifted half a step forward.

He wanted to help the fallen Oscar, but seeing that terrifying corrosive black mist, he stopped in his tracks.

As the Mysterious Heaven Skill circulated within his body, Tang San's eyes were filled with wariness.

Dai Mubai clenched his fists until they cracked, yet he never dared to rush out.

Ma Hongjun had just been crippled, and now Oscar had ended up like this.

They knew clearly in their hearts that this Gu Qing before them was absolutely not someone they could afford to provoke right now.

No one dared to step forward to intervene.

Even fewer dared to utter a single extra word.

They could only watch helplessly as Oscar lay on the ground, wailing incessantly.

Ning Rongrong stood to the side, taking in everything that had just happened.

She looked at Gu Qing's upright profile.

She felt not a shred of sympathy for Oscar; instead, she felt a sense of satisfaction.

If not for Gu Qing's intervention.

She would still be facing Oscar's pestering and the moral kidnapping of the Shrek group.

Ning Rongrong shifted a small step forward.

She cautiously moved to Gu Qing's side and lowered her voice.

"Thank you."

Her voice was very soft, carrying a hint of gratitude.

Gu Qing turned his head to look at the delicate young girl before him.

He did not waste words.

He reached out his right hand directly.

He grabbed Ning Rongrong's slender, fair wrist.

Ning Rongrong felt a wave of warmth spread from her wrist.

She was slightly startled.

Before she could react.

Gu Qing was already pulling her toward the edge of the crowd.

Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed slightly, but she did not break free.

She obediently allowed him to lead her.

The two passed through the crowded street.

Leaving the group from Shrek Academy, and their complex gazes, completely behind them.

They walked and stopped along the way.

Gu Qing brought Ning Rongrong to a high platform.

The terrain here was significantly higher than the surrounding areas.

Standing here, one could overlook the entire night view of the Lantern Festival in the Heaven Dou Imperial Capital.

Below lay the long streets, brightly lit and bustling.

The river was filled with all sorts of floating lanterns.

The evening breeze blew past, fluttering the hem of Ning Rongrong's skirt.

At a small roadside stall, Ning Rongrong bought an exquisite rabbit-shaped lantern.

The lantern was crafted from red silk.

She walked to the edge of the high platform.

Holding the lantern in both hands, she used a fire starter to personally light the small candle inside.

The flickering candlelight cast a glow upon her fair face.

Ning Rongrong slowly closed her eyes.

Her long eyelashes cast two shadows in the firelight.

Her expression was incredibly earnest.

With her hands pressed together and lips moving slightly, she silently made a wish.

After a long while, she finally opened her eyes again.

Supporting the base of the lantern with both hands, she gave it a gentle push upward.

The rabbit lantern caught the breeze and slowly drifted toward the night sky.

Ning Rongrong tilted her head back, watching as the lantern flew higher and higher.

Gu Qing stood to the side, observing her focused demeanor.

He asked casually, "What wish did you just make?"

Ning Rongrong turned around.

With her hands behind her back, she tilted her head slightly to look at Gu Qing.

The young girl's thoughts were well-hidden, yet a sweet smile played on her lips.

"I won't tell you."

She blinked those large, sparkling eyes of hers.

"If you say a wish out loud, it won't come true."

Gu Qing did not press the matter further.

He raised his right hand, a wisp of pure soul power swirling at his fingertips.

A blade of emerald-green Blue Silver Grass sprouted from his palm.

This blade of Blue Silver Grass was brimming with vitality and vigor.

Under Gu Qing's precise control, the grass began to nimbly bend, fold, and intertwine.

It was as if it possessed a life of its own.

In just a few breaths, a lifelike, emerald-green flower took shape in his hand.

Even the texture of the petals was clearly visible.

Gu Qing flipped his wrist and presented the flower woven from Blue Silver Grass to Ning Rongrong.

"Happy Lantern Festival."

Ning Rongrong froze.

Looking at the crystalline, emerald flower before her, a blush instantly crept up her cheeks.

She carefully reached out both hands.

She took the Blue Silver Grass flower.

The petals felt soft to her fingertips, carrying a hint of cool warmth.

"Thank you..."

Ning Rongrong lowered her head, her voice very soft.

The two of them walked side by side on the high platform.

With the evening breeze blowing and after strolling for a while, the atmosphere gradually became more relaxed.

Ning Rongrong had a lively and cheerful personality.

Once the initial restraint dissipated, her chatterbox opened up.

She took the initiative to talk about many things regarding the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"There is a very large backyard in our sect."

"It is planted with all kinds of rare flowers and grasses."

"Sword Grandpa and Bone Grandpa usually love to play chess there, but they argue every single time they play."

Ning Rongrong spoke with growing excitement, gesturing with her hands and feet.

"And my father, he has to deal with so many sect affairs every day; he is always so busy that I can barely see him."

Gu Qing listened quietly from the side.

He nodded from time to time in response.

When Ning Rongrong paused to catch her breath, Gu Qing took the opportunity to pick up the conversation.

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is the number one support sect in the world."

"In the eyes of any faction, it is an invaluable treasure."

"Martial Soul Hall has always highly valued the strength of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"If there is an opportunity, Martial Soul Hall would be very willing to be on good terms with you."

His tone was calm, as if he were stating a very ordinary fact.

Ning Rongrong was simple-minded.

She smiled innocently and brightly, revealing two small canine teeth.

"That's great!"

"You can come and find me to play."

"My sect will definitely welcome you."

Gu Qing looked at her pure smile.

He smiled slightly.

"I will certainly go when I have time."

The night grew deeper.

The night watchman in the distance struck his copper gong.

The bustle of the Lantern Festival began to slowly subside.

It was time to part ways.

Ning Rongrong stood at the intersection of the long street.

Her two hands tightly clutched that emerald-green Blue Silver Grass flower.

Her feet seemed rooted to the ground, unwilling to take a step to leave.

Her eyes were filled with reluctance to part.

"Then I... will head back first."

She looked back at Gu Qing every three steps as she walked away.