Five Elements Armor? That Crimson Figure Has Arrived...

Jiang Nannan's eyes curved into crescents, and she asked softly, her heart brimming with joy.

A gentle breeze swept across the winding path in the Shrek Academy woods, causing the branches and leaves to sway and rustle. Dappled, warm sunlight filtered through, scattering into soft, shimmering specks upon her shoulders.

She stood with her hands clasped behind her back, her figure slender and graceful, her long, golden-brown wavy hair rippling softly in the wind. Her skin was as lustrous as jade, and her eyes held a gentle, sweet smile. The reserved, tense air she usually carried had faded, replaced by the spirited tenderness of a young girl.

One could tell at a glance that Jiang Nannan was genuinely happy from the bottom of her heart.

She had always known how stubborn Jiang Yang was; he treated cultivation as paramount and never allowed himself a moment of slack.

Since they had both entered Shrek Academy and were now together day and night, she had secretly harbored wishes during their countless idle moments: she wanted to stroll through the woods with him, to walk side-by-side and chat about daily life just like the other couples in the academy.

Yet, whenever the thought arose, she would worry about hindering his cultivation progress and would silently suppress these girlish feelings, hiding them deep within her heart.

It was precisely because of this that, on such a gentle day with such perfect sunshine, being invited by Jiang Yang of his own accord caused the joy in her heart to overflow.

"Cultivation has been a bit stifling lately. If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to invite you to take walks here for the next few days."

"I don't know if you have..."

"I do! I have time! As long as it's Brother Jiang Yang looking for me, I always have time!"

Before Jiang Yang could finish his sentence.

Jiang Nannan immediately interrupted him, speaking with excitement.

She was afraid that if she were even half a step too slow, something might go wrong.

Although this might make others think she was being too forward in pursuing Jiang Yang, Jiang Nannan never cared.

Compared to being perceived that way.

She was far more worried that Jiang Yang would reject her love, or worse, fail to perceive it at all.

"No need to be so nervous. In a few days, when things settle down, I'll take you to the Treasure Appreciation Pavilion and buy you a birthday gift."

"A birthday gift? Isn't there still some time until my birthday? Isn't it a bit too early..."

"It's last year's birthday gift."

Hearing this.

Jiang Nannan's eyes instantly turned red.

Ever since they had first met, Jiang Yang had never once missed her birthday.

And naturally, he had never once failed to provide a birthday gift.

It was only last year, after Jiang Yang told her he was going to hunt a ten thousand year soul beast for his soul ring, that he seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth.

It wasn't until a few days ago, when she checked the new student enrollment information on a whim.

That she discovered Jiang Yang had enrolled at Shrek Academy.

Upon learning this, she had spent the night tossing and turning, yet she was afraid to disturb Jiang Yang's cultivation.

She had been anxious and insecure, fearing that Jiang Yang's hunt for a ten thousand year soul beast last year had merely been an excuse to get away from her.

Fortunately, her emotions eventually overcame her anxiety.

Jiang Nannan ultimately chose to prepare breakfast and stand silently beneath the new student dormitory building, waiting for Jiang Yang to appear.

Thankfully, the result was perfect.

Jiang Yang was still her Brother Jiang Yang.

"Why are you crying?"

"Are you blaming me for not spending your birthday with you last year?"

Jiang Yang asked.

"No, no, I'm just too happy!"

"I... I thought you had already forgotten about it."

Jiang Nannan wept with joy, looking at Jiang Yang with a hint of shyness.

"How could I? I specifically swindled Dean Qian out of one million Gold Soul Coins. You can start thinking about what kind of birthday gift you want now."

Jiang Yang casually produced the gold card he had swindled from Qian Duoduo.

"Ah?"

"One million? And in Gold Soul Coins!"

"Dean Qian is someone who loves money so much, how could he give you so much? No, no, I can't take it!"

Jiang Nannan hurriedly waved her hands in refusal.

Her little head shook like a rattle, and even the two rabbit ears atop her head swayed with the motion.

It was very cute.

"Is there any need to be so formal between us?"

"Besides, one million Gold Soul Coins isn't that large a sum; it's just the price of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone."

"I have no use for it anyway."

Jiang Yang was not lying when he said that.

Ever since he walked out of Qian Duoduo's office, he had never been short of ten or twenty thousand in cultivation resources.

Not to mention that after the Zhou Yi incident, the Sea God Pavilion had granted him an even greater privilege.

It was only a slight exaggeration to say that as long as his body could absorb it, if Shrek Academy possessed it, he could obtain it.

Therefore, this one million Gold Soul Coins was nothing more than an ordinary number to him.

Although Jiang Yang had not directly responded to Jiang Nannan's affection, that did not mean he did not like her.

He had long since listed Jiang Nannan as one of his exclusive possessions.

It was just that.

His strength was still too weak right now, and in order to deal with the reach of the Tang God King.

He simply had no time to spare for romance.

Moreover, he intended to unify the Douluo Continent in the future, and when it came to core personnel, loyalty naturally had to be the priority.

After all, Jiang Yang was not worried about Jiang Nannan's personal strength, because he had also promised to help his teacher restore the glory of the Armor Warrior.

That would naturally involve forging armor.

As long as she had the Five Elements Armor in hand, there was no need to worry too much about Jiang Nannan's personal strength.

Of course.

As long as Jiang Nannan remained as loyal to him as ever, Jiang Yang would naturally not let her strength remain too weak.

For instance, the reason he had planned to invite Jiang Nannan to Sea God Lake today and for the next few days was primarily to encounter the rampaging Ma Xiaotao.

This way, besides being able to quickly and inadvertently expose his second Ultimate Ice martial soul to gain more benefits, he could also allow Jiang Nannan, who was accompanying him, to reap some rewards as well.

It was a free reward; it would be a waste not to take it.

Originally, Jiang Yang had wanted to invite Wang Dong as well, but considering it didn't quite fit his persona, he dismissed the thought.

In any case, Wang Dong was not lacking in these cultivation resources.

Besides, Wang Dong's current level of loyalty still remained to be observed.

There was no need to be overly hasty.

"How about we forget it? Brother Jiang Yang, if I accept such a precious gift, others will say I'm a gold digger..."

"Hmm?"

Just as Jiang Nannan's voice trailed off, Jiang Yang instantly sensed a red figure in the distance at Sea God Lake, flying rapidly toward them.

He could not help but smile faintly.

Sure enough.

Better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early.

"Ah--"

A woman's scream rang out.

A red figure wrapped in scorching flames suddenly arrived before Jiang Yang, grabbing him by the shoulders.

With Jiang Yang at the center, the surrounding hundred meters were almost entirely covered by scorching evil fire.

Countless plants turned scorched yellow.

At the same time.

The corners of Jiang Yang's mouth curled up slightly.

"Brother Jiang Yang!"

"Jiang Yang!!"