Jiang Nannan

As for Huo Yuhao, the moment he saw Feng Piaoling, his pupils nearly contracted. He clenched his fists and sank his mind into the Spirit Sea, demanding,

"Brother Sky Dream, didn't you say he would die? How come he's still alive and kicking?"

"I don't know either. By rights, that kid shouldn't have been able to absorb it successfully. Could he really be a once-in-ten-thousand-years genius?"

Sky Dream Ice Silkworm said in astonishment, already beginning to regret his decision. If he'd known this would happen, he wouldn't have agonized over whether the other boy's Martial Soul had a Mental Attribute.

How had he been so bewitched at the time?

He didn't know why, but the instant he'd seen Huo Yuhao, a powerful premonition had arisen within him: if he followed this kid, he would surely become a god.

He definitely would.

And the premonition had been unusually strong.

So strong that even with an unparalleled genius who possessed Twin Martial Souls right before him, even with Huo Yuhao absorbing a ten-year Wind Baboon as his first Spirit Ring,

he hadn't hesitated much before choosing the latter.

"All right, Xiao Ya, Yuhao. There's nothing more to see. Let's go in."

Bei Bei could sense that Feng Piaoling's Soul Power was now nearly as strong as his own. When Feng Piaoling had been at Level 30, he'd slain a thousand-year Datura Snake with two sword strikes.

Granted, he'd relied on a Level 4 Soul Tool.

But there was no denying that his strength was formidable.

Not only was his footwork unpredictable, but his swordsmanship was absurdly good. On top of that, he had that bizarre Talisman Martial Soul, which had gained a Dark Gold Terrorclaw Bear Spirit Ring.

Before breaking through to Soul Elder, Bei Bei hadn't been confident he could handle him. Now he was even less sure.

A dozen or so young men and women around Bei Bei and Tang Ya's age stood guard at the East Gate.

They were all students of Shrek Academy.

Usually, second- and third-year students wearing yellow uniforms kept watch here, but today there were also several fourth-year female students in purple uniforms and one fifth-year male student in a black uniform.

One of the fourth-year female students in purple stood out especially.

If Feng Piaoling had captured the attention of most of the girls present, then this young woman had captured the attention of most of the boys.

She looked only fourteen or fifteen. Her figure was slender and perfectly proportioned, and a cascade of long, black, wavy hair fell behind her. Her skin was fair as snow, and her beauty was beyond compare.

At that moment, like everyone else, she was watching Feng Piaoling.

But unlike the other girls, her eyes held none of the lovestruck adoration his striking looks had inspired in them. Instead, they showed sincere gratitude, and perhaps a feeling of affection she herself hadn't even noticed.

"Wow, Sister Nannan, look! That boy is so handsome," exclaimed another fourth-year female student beside the stunning girl, pointing at Feng Piaoling.

The beautiful girl said nothing, simply keeping her eyes fixed on Feng Piaoling.

When they saw Bei Bei, the second- and third-year students immediately straightened with respect. "Senior Bei, you're back!"

Bei Bei smiled and greeted each of his junior schoolmates. Then he exchanged a few words with the leader of the second- and third-years before turning his gaze toward the only fifth-year student present, the one in black. He teased,

"Well, what do you know? Has the sun risen in the west? Our Young Master Xu has actually come to welcome us. That's a surprise."

"Cut it out. I'm in a bad mood, so I'm looking for a fight."

The young man looked about the same age as Bei Bei. He was tall, with a straight nose, a square jaw, and a dignified appearance.

As he spoke, he glanced at Feng Piaoling, who had drawn the attention of so many women. His fair skin flushed slightly with anger and jealousy.

Bei Bei glanced at the stunning girl beside him and immediately understood. He couldn't help laughing.

This Young Master Xu was Xu Sanshi, the young master of the reclusive Mysterious Underworld Sect.

The stunning girl was Jiang Nannan, the common-born genius known as the Outer Courtyard's number-one beauty.

Young Master Xu had once been perfectly normal, but after meeting Jiang Nannan, he'd become completely infatuated with her.

Unfortunately, Jiang Nannan wasn't interested in him in the slightest. In fact, she detested Xu Sanshi because of his constant pursuit, leaving the young master of the Mysterious Underworld Sect to repeatedly hit a wall.

Even so, Xu Sanshi refused to give up.

That very morning, he'd heard that Jiang Nannan was waiting for someone outside the East Gate, so he'd hurried over too.

But now, it seemed that even the Outer Courtyard's number-one beauty, who usually showed no interest in men, had been captivated by Feng Piaoling's looks.

Small wonder Young Master Xu was in such a foul mood.

Since Xu Sanshi was his friend, Bei Bei kindly warned him, "I know that person. He's no simple character, so you'd better be careful."

"Hmph. If anyone dares lay a finger on Jiang Nannan, I'll break their arms and legs."

Xu Sanshi made no effort to hide the menace in his voice.

As the two spoke, Feng Piaoling had already walked over. He nodded to Jiang Nannan in greeting. The last time Jiang Nannan had seen Feng Piaoling, he'd been eight years old. Her mother had been seriously ill then.

At the time, she'd been helpless and desperate. The Mysterious Underworld Sect had chosen her for a special awakening ritual for Xu Sanshi, and she'd had no choice but to sell herself to get medicine for her mother.

A little boy had saved her.

He'd given her all the money he had on him, not only paying for her mother's treatment but leaving afterward without asking for anything in return.

He'd even left without telling her his name.

Every year, Jiang Nannan checked whether the little boy had enrolled among the new students, hoping to find him.

This was the last year he could join Shrek Academy. After this year, he would likely be too old to meet the admission requirements.

There was a good chance she'd never find him, so she'd come early to wait at Shrek City's East Gate.

But more than three years had passed, and Feng Piaoling had grown up. For a moment, Jiang Nannan wasn't sure it was really him.

When Feng Piaoling nodded to her, confirming it was indeed him, Jiang Nannan's eyes instantly blurred with tears.

With countless people watching, she rushed toward him, as though turning all the longing she'd carried for years into action, and threw herself into his arms.

At the sight, the hearts of nearly every young man and woman present shattered. The girls watched their dream boy taken, while the boys saw the goddess of their dreams fall into someone else's arms.

Xu Sanshi was especially devastated. He'd pursued Jiang Nannan for three whole years, fawning over her the entire time. During those years, he'd driven away countless other admirers.

Now he saw Jiang Nannan throw herself into the arms of a new, pretty-faced student, and he was so furious his lungs nearly exploded.

Don't get angry. Don't get angry. Maybe this is Jiang Nannan's little brother? But Jiang Nannan only has her mother at home, so where would a little brother come from? Maybe he's some distant relative. Fine, if he's family, that's all right. If not, I'll make sure he learns what happens when someone tries to lay claim to my woman...

Xu Sanshi forced down his fury, his face darkening as he followed them.