Destination: the Mingdou Mountain Range, Guided by Fate
The lake breeze on Sea God Island carries the coolness of the night, dispelling the hustle and bustle of the day.
After their walk, Dai Huabin led Zhu Lu, Wang Dong'er, and the others back to the Outer Academy dormitory area.
Zhang Lexuan, Wu Ming, Han Ruoruo, Ma Xiaotao, and Ling Luochen followed the bluestone path toward a secluded courtyard deep within the Inner Academy.
The girls' dormitories were very close together, and they got along well.
Moonlight filters through the branches and leaves of the ancient tree, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
After walking for a while, Ma Xiaotao finally couldn't stand it anymore. She went up to Zhang Lexuan and nudged her gently with her elbow.
"Sister Lexuan, what do you think of Huabin?"
Hearing this, Ling Luochen, who was walking behind the group, slowed down and quietly perked up his ears.
Zhang Lexuan's steps remained steady, and her silver eyes shone brightly in the moonlight.
"Hmm... He's very strong, and his talent is unheard of. As for his character, he's quite good too."
At this point, she changed the subject, her tone becoming somewhat teasing.
"Otherwise, why would so many outstanding girls be willing to stay by his side? Even our Xiaotao and Luo Chen, didn't they take the initiative to get close to him?"
As soon as the words were spoken, a blush appeared on the cheeks of both Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen.
Under the cool moonlight, the blush was particularly noticeable.
Ma Xiaotao immediately retorted, "That was... that was to suppress the Evil Fire! A fair trade!"
But even she herself felt somewhat unsure of herself when she said those words.
Ling Luochen simply turned her head away without saying a word, but a faint blush crept onto her ears.
"Sister Lexuan, you're the one talking about us!"
Not to be outdone, Ma Xiaotao immediately burned the fire back up.
"I think you're about the same, right? And Ruoruo and Wu Ming, don't think I didn't see you two looking at Huabin quite a few times today."
This time, it was the other three who fell silent.
Wu Ming crossed her arms, snorted, and turned her face away, but her slightly flushed cheeks betrayed her thoughts.
What she was thinking was: That kid is ridiculously strong; he can beat me. What's wrong with me taking a few more glances?
Han Ruoruo rubbed her forehead, feeling somewhat helpless.
Mu En and the higher-ups in the institute were making their plans far too blatantly, as if they were afraid no one would know.
By appointing the three of them as team leaders and teaching assistants, their intention to win over Dai Huabin is crystal clear.
Zhang Lexuan stopped and looked at the several junior girls in front of her, some proud, some frank, and some shy, and sighed softly.
She understood perfectly well what Mu En was thinking.
After announcing the annulment of her engagement with Bei Bei, Mu En mentioned Dai Huabin to her more than once, his admiration and respect for him almost overflowing.
This was intended to bind her, or one of them, to Shrek Academy through an emotional bond, completely tying the boy destined to stir up the winds and waves of the continent together.
"Alright, stop fooling around."
Zhang Lexuan regained her composure as the Grandmaster.
"We'll just follow the college's arrangements. As for the rest, let nature take its course."
After she said that, everyone fell silent, and the atmosphere returned to calm. However, what each person was thinking was probably only known to themselves.
Five days have passed in the blink of an eye.
During these five days, the Reserve Team's training did not stop. With the addition of Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo, two new sparring partners, the training intensity increased to another level.
Wu Ming, in particular, always specifically asked to spar with Dai Huabin, ostensibly to "help him solidify his combat skills," but in reality, he became increasingly alarmed and frustrated with each match.
Dai Huabin's "Defy Heaven and Slay Gods" battle technique was too much of a counter to her. Every time she faced him, she felt as if her Golden Crow True Fire had been doused with cold water, and her Battle Intent would weaken by three points.
The sun was shining brightly that morning.
In the open space of the Shrek Academy's Inner Academy, two teams, each with more than ten people, had all assembled.
It was the Shrek Team members who were on their way to carry out a surveillance mission.
Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu stood together, both dressed in smart and practical outfits.
Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian stood together, chattering about something, occasionally letting out crisp laughter.
The Main Team's Dai Yueheng, Gongyang Mo, and others were all present, each with a solemn expression.
Teachers Zhang Lexuan, Wu Ming, and Han Ruoruo stood at the front of the group.
"Everyone's here." Zhang Lexuan counted the number of people, her voice clear and firm.
"The journey to the Mingdou Mountain Range is long, so to save time, we will fly there directly."
As she spoke, her Soul Power surged behind her, and a pair of silver, moonlit wings slowly unfurled.
Ma Xiaotao and Wu Ming also summoned their own fiery wings.
Dai Yueheng and the others had also prepared their own Flying Soul Tool, which were metal objects that looked like wings and were engraved with complex Soul Guidance Array.
"Huabin, where's your Reserve Team?" Zhang Lexuan asked Dai Huabin.
A flash of light appeared behind Wang Dong'er, and her magnificent butterfly wings unfolded.
Dai Huabin smiled and said, "We also have Soul Tool."
Immediately afterwards, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian took out the simple Flying Soul Tool that the academy had uniformly distributed.
Zhang Lexuan nodded, then glanced at Xue Qingyao and Bing Hanyue, who had remained silent. However, since Mu En had said not to worry about them, Zhang Lexuan didn't say anything more.
She turned to face the crowd, her expression becoming serious.
"Let me reiterate: our primary mission on this trip to the Mingdou Mountain Range is to monitor the movements of the Evil Soul Master and clear obstacles for the upcoming competition. Follow orders!"
"On the way, Xuan Zi will secretly protect us. But remember, Xuan Zi will not intervene unless absolutely necessary. We will have to face all dangers ourselves!"
Upon hearing the name "Xuan Zi," everyone's heart skipped a beat.
That's the academy's Sea God, a Level 98 Super Douluo! With him around, the safety of this mission is guaranteed to the greatest extent.
Dai Huabin shook his head slightly. Xuan Zi was truly invincible; every time he led a team, something bad was bound to happen!
Zhang Lexuan took a deep breath, her silver eyes sweeping over each team member.
"Alright, that's enough of the chit-chat."
"Everyone, let's go!"
At a command, more than a dozen figures soared into the sky, transforming into streaks of light and flying eastward toward the rising sun.
At the very front of the group were Zhang Lexuan, Wu Ming, and Han Ruoruo.
Dai Huabin, along with the Reserve Team members, followed the Main Team at a leisurely pace.
High in the sky, the wind howled.
An hour later, the group approached the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Just then, deep within the Star Dou Great Forest, in a secluded place with ancient trees reaching for the sky.
A woman dressed in a bright green gauze dress, with a gentle and pure temperament, was looking up at the sky.
Beside her stood a blonde girl.
The girl had a slender and graceful figure, with long, dazzling golden hair that fell smoothly down her back. Her skin was as white as snow, her eyebrows and eyes were delicate and aloof, and her amber eyes were clear and bright, exuding an innate nobility.
"The Auspicious Beast, it's Huabin's aura," Bi Ji said softly.
The blonde girl didn't speak, but an indescribable emotion flickered in her clear, cold golden eyes.
She felt it more clearly.
It was a pull from the depths of fate, as if an invisible thread was connecting her tightly to some aura in the sky.
"Sister Bi Ji, I felt it too!" The blonde girl's voice was clear and ethereal.