After returning to the academy, Tang San and Oscar lay on their beds, thinking over everything that had happened that day. Something still felt wrong, but they couldn't put their finger on what. Just as they tossed and turned, unable to sleep, a knock suddenly came at the door.
"Who is it?"
Tang San sat up and asked.
"It's me, Lie."
"Lie? What is it this late?"
Tang San opened the door in confusion, only to see Feng Xinglie holding a wooden tub about a meter tall, filled with steaming hot water.
"I was wrong to go so hard on my classmates today. I went back and gave it some serious thought, and decided to make up for it in whatever ways I could. I can't do much, so I figured I'd start by preparing bathwater for everyone to help them relax."
"Xiao Lie, look at you! You're far too kind!"
At the prospect of a hot bath, Oscar sprang out of bed and hurried to the door.
"Come on in! Don't stand out there. Just put the tub here!"
After a whole day of being put through the wringer, the two of them were exhausted in body and mind. Now, lying comfortably in the hot water, they felt as though they were melting away, and their earlier irritability vanished. Just as they were savoring the moment, a delicious aroma suddenly wafted into their noses.
"Training at Shrek Academy is grueling, and the food is pretty basic. Everyone's tired today, so have a late-night snack to replenish your strength."
Feng Xinglie walked in carrying two bags of delicious food. He had even thoughtfully brought over a table and set it between their tubs, so they could easily reach the food.
"Your towels are here, and I've folded your clothes too. Get a good night's rest. Tomorrow, we can start our academy life over."
"Brother! What are you talking about? This little thing is already water under the bridge. If anyone dares bring it up again, they'll have to answer to me, Oscar!"
Oscar hurriedly swallowed the skewer in his mouth and thumped his chest as he promised. Even Tang San nodded along.
"Exactly. Since you're sincerely sorry, let's put it behind us. We've got a long time ahead of us at the academy, and you deserve a second chance."
Feng Xinglie smiled and waved to the two of them, making a few brief replies before leaving their room. On his way out, he even pulled the door shut behind him. The moment it closed completely, the smile on his face melted away like spring snow. He reached out and gently rubbed his Storage Soul Tool.
"The goods are in hand. That was even easier than I expected."
Inside lay two letters, both of which he had stolen from the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night while helping Tang San tidy his clothes just moments ago. One was Yu Xiaogang's, containing nothing more than some teaching notes. The other was a letter in Tang Hao's own hand. Tang San had received it when he returned to Holy Soul Village for his first vacation after starting at the junior Soul Master Academy; it was the letter in which Tang Hao told him he was leaving.
"Heh. I can't wait to see what happens next..."
After reviewing his plan, Feng Xinglie's smile returned. He strode off toward his room.
The next day, everyone gathered on the training ground as usual, except Dai Mubai was missing. Feng Xinglie had gravely injured him with a single blow, and though he had received treatment, he still needed time to recuperate.
"Dean, I've broken through to level thirty!"
Class had barely started when Oscar, who had been looking after Dai Mubai, came running over excitedly. The clouds that had been hanging over Flender's face immediately parted into a smile.
"Well done, Oscar! You're worthy of being my student. On behalf of the academy, congratulations!"
After everyone had congratulated him, Flender promptly decided they should all go back and prepare. The next day, Zhao Wuji would lead them to Star Dou Forest to hunt for a Soul Ring. Oscar's Great Sausage desensitization training ran into a bit of trouble, however. Oscar stared intently at the three beauties and leered as he chanted, "I have a big sausage! I have a little sausage!" Influenced by Feng Xinglie, Zhu Zhuqing had already eaten one before, so she had no trouble swallowing it. Ning Rongrong had also been influenced by Feng Xinglie, and her pride hadn't taken too much of a hit. But once her young-lady temper flared, she flatly refused to eat the sausage Oscar had conjured with his lewd incantation.
"Ning Rongrong! If you won't accept my training, then get out of Shrek!"
Faced with Flender, who was glaring so hard his eyebrows nearly flew off, Ning Rongrong only shot him a scornful look.
"Honestly, it's the same line every time. Do you have any other tricks besides kicking people out?"
The same trick usually stopped working the second time around. Ning Rongrong had especially realized that Flender couldn't bear to lose a direct disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect like her, so she simply took the attitude of a pig that feared neither boiling water nor scalding.
"Fine, fine! If none of you have any respect for me as the headmaster... Feng Xinglie, go throw Ning Rongrong's luggage outside the academy!"
Flender didn't dare lay a hand on Ning Rongrong, so he simply passed the headache on to Feng Xinglie, hoping to make up a little of Dai Mubai's losses. But to his surprise, Feng Xinglie smiled and gestured for Ning Rongrong to go ahead.
"Come on, Rongrong. I'll help you pack."
"Sure. Once you've packed everything, take it back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for me too. I'll introduce you to my father and the two grandpas."
Watching the two of them chatting and laughing as they headed for the dormitory, Flender's mouth fell open wide enough to fit a durian. Wait, when had the two of them gotten so close? After hesitating for a long while, he felt the letter from Ning Fengzhi in his pocket. In the end, Flender couldn't bring himself to give up on such a promising student. After all, competing in the Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament would be incredibly difficult without a top-tier support Martial Soul like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
He took a deep breath and gave himself a thorough pep talk, then trudged after them. It took a long bout of pleading and every argument he could think of, but at last he managed to keep Ning Rongrong at the academy. As he left, he shot Feng Xinglie a resentful glance. It was one thing that the kid hadn't helped him; he had actually been ready to send her away without a second thought.
"Hehe, you're something else! How did you know Flender would definitely keep me?"
Once Flender had walked off, Ning Rongrong immediately dropped her angry act and asked, her face full of excitement and curiosity.
"Nothing special. I was just sure that someone as outstanding as you is someone nobody would be willing to give up—not even Flender."
"Hmph! Of course!"
Ning Rongrong enjoyed the flattery, tipped up her little nose, and patted her chest.
"Like I said, I remember everything you've done for me. If anyone ever dares bully you, just give them the name of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Come on, I just couldn't stand Flender's arrogant attitude. It's not like I'm after anything from you."
Rather than acting lofty and pretending to want nothing, having someone they both disliked clearly struck a stronger chord with a girl. As soon as Ning Rongrong heard that Feng Xinglie disliked Flender too, she excitedly chattered away, while Feng Xinglie listened patiently, occasionally adding a comment or two. Only after a long while, when Ning Rongrong's mouth had grown a little dry, did Feng Xinglie tactfully mention that he still needed to prepare supplies for their trip to Star Dou Forest. Then he left the dormitory.
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