Farewell Before Departure, the Girls' Deposits and Promises

Dai Huabin put the token into his Storage Soul Tool. He knew the significance of this thing. Mu En was Level 99 Limit Douluo, one of the most outstanding beings on the continent. His personal token was more useful than any pass.

"Thank you, Mu En."

Mu En waved his hand. "Don't thank me. Remember one thing... Shrek Academy will always be your support. No matter how far you go, this is always where you can come back."

The words were spoken in a flat, unremarkable manner.

Dai Huabin stood there looking at the old man for a few seconds, then bowed respectfully. "I'll remember."

Mu En didn't say anything more and closed his eyes again.

Dai Huabin did not leave Sea God Island immediately, but instead went to Ling Luochen's residence.

The wooden houses of the Inner Academy disciples were scattered on the mountainside, Ling Luochen's house was located near the herb garden. The wooden door was half-open, and the humming sound of Soul Power circulating inside could be heard.

Dai Huabin waited outside the door for a moment.

The fluctuations in Soul Power ceased, and the door opened from the inside. Ling Luochen was wearing a light blue short-sleeved shirt used for cultivation, with a fine layer of sweat on his forehead.

Why are you here?

"Just letting you know, I'm going on a long trip for a few days, a bit of training."

Ling Luochen wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Didn't you say before..."

"When I get back, I'll help you evolve your Martial Soul," Dai Huabin continued. "Use the Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice Marrow Essence step by step, don't rush it. One drop a day is enough. Rushing it will only damage your meridians."

Ling Luochen pursed his lips, wanting to say something, but held back.

"I'll wait for you." That was all she said in the end.

Dai Huabin nodded and turned to descend the mountain.

Ling Luochen stood at the door, watching his figure disappear at the end of the forest path, before slowly closing the door.

Outer Academy Department Dormitory.

When Dai Huabin returned, several people were already standing at the dormitory entrance.

Zhu Lu leaned against the doorframe, carrying two packed luggage bags. Ice Empress stood against the wall with her arms crossed, while Snow Empress stood quietly beside Ice Empress. Di Lingxi squatted on the ground, poking ants with a twig.

... Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Cui Yajie, and Ning Tian were also there, blocking the corridor.

Dai Huabin stopped in his tracks. "Why are you all here?"

Cui Yajie was the first to speak. "Zhu Lu said you're leaving today."

Dai Huabin glanced at Zhu Lu.

Zhu Lu nodded slightly, indicating, "I just said you were going out, but I didn't say where you were going."

"Not today, probably early tomorrow morning," Dai Huabin corrected.

"Take us there!" Cui Yajie said directly.

Xiao Xiao nodded in agreement. "I want to go too. I've almost mastered the new combination of the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron, it'll be a good opportunity to test it in actual combat."

Wang Dong'er didn't speak, but her light blue hair swayed slightly, and she took a half step forward.

Dai Huabin raised his hand and pressed it down. "Not this time."

"Why?" Cui Yajie's voice rose a half-octave.

"The Mingdou Mountain Range are no place to be trifled with. The density of Soul Beast there is high, and Evil Soul Master are also entrenched there. The three of you at your current cultivation levels won't be of any help; in fact, you'll only distract me from taking care of you."

The words are blunt, but the principle is indeed true.

Cui Yajie is level 36, Xiao Xiao is level 35, and Wang Dong'er is level 39. They are already considered excellent in the Outer Academy, but if they were placed in a dangerous place like the Mingdou Mountain Range, they would be far inferior.

Although Xiao Xiao was unwilling, she wasn't an unreasonable person. She bit her lower lip and didn't insist any further.

Cui Yajie is different; she still wants to fight for it.

"Then we..."

"I'll bring you gifts when I get back," Dai Huabin interrupted her.

Cui Yajie choked. "What gift?"

"You'll see then. You all should focus on your training at the academy and raise your levels. I'll take you next time."

Cui Yajie pouted and remained silent.

Ning Tian leaned against the wall, unconsciously twirling the glass bead chain on her wrist with her right hand. She wanted to go too, but since Dai Huabin was going to the Mingdou Mountain Range to find his Sixth Soul Ring, taking Ice Empress and Snow Empress with him was enough; her role as a support would indeed be limited.

"That Aromatic Silk Beauty..."

"Wait for me to come back, and I'll take you to get it myself." Dai Huabin looked at her.

Ning Tian pursed his lips, and after a long while, nodded. "Then you owe me."

"I remember."

Ning Tian snorted, grabbed Wu Feng's sleeve, and turned to leave. Before leaving, Wu Feng glanced back at Dai Huabin, probably to remind him not to keep the young master waiting too long.

Only Cui Yajie, Xiao Xiao, and Wang Dong'er remained in the corridor.

Suddenly, Cui Yajie took a step, stood on tiptoe, and quickly pecked Dai Huabin on the right cheek.

The movement was so fast that Dai Huabin didn't even have time to react.

"This is the deposit." Cui Yajie's face was already flushed when she finished speaking, but her expression became even more generous. "If you don't bring me a gift when you come back, I'll have to give you double."

Zhu Lu stood silently by the door frame, only slightly tilting her head with a slight smile playing on her lips.

Ice Empress rolled her eyes. Di Lingxi glanced up, muttered "My lord is such a hassle," and continued poking at the ants.

Xiao Xiao wasn't that bold, but she still stepped forward and gently hugged Dai Huabin. It wasn't a strong hug, and she quickly let go.

"You promised me you'd come back and teach me how to use the Three-Life Soul-Suppressing Cauldron in conjunction with the Martial Soul Fusion Skill." Xiao Xiao's voice was very soft.

"I haven't forgotten."

Xiao Xiao took a step back and smiled at him.

Of the three people, only Wang Dong'er remained standing still.

Her hands gripped the sides of her school uniform skirt, her knuckles tightening slightly. Her light blue hair fell beside her ears, obscuring half her face.

There was a silence that lasted several seconds.

"Don't die out there."

Her voice was sharp, with a hint of defiance.

Dai Huabin looked at her.

"Xiao Xiao, Yajie, and I are still waiting for you at the academy." Wang Dong'er finished speaking, as if afraid she'd say more if she stayed even a second longer, then turned and walked away. She took a couple of steps, then stopped, without looking back, her voice much softer...

"... come back safely."

After saying that, he pulled Xiao Xiao and Cui Yajie away quickly.

The corridor fell silent instantly.

Di Lingxi finally stood up and dusted off her hands.

"Have they left yet? There are so many people here, it's so noisy."

Ice Empress glanced at her. "You're such a troublemaker."

"You're the one who's making a fuss! You've been standing here for ages without saying a word, like a pillar."

"I don't need to speak."

"You just can't say it."

"Shut up."

Snow Empress walked over and patted Di Lingxi on the head. "Stop fooling around, go inside and help pack your luggage."

Di Lingxi immediately became obedient, grabbing Snow Empress's hand and pulling her into the house.

Ice Empress snorted and followed them inside.

Only Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu remained in the corridor.

Zhu Lu handed him two cloth bags. "Everything's ready. Change of clothes, dry food, common medicine powder, and low-level Soul Tool parts are all inside."

Dai Huabin took it and weighed it in his hand. "When did you pack this?"

"When you went to the Inner Academy last night," Zhu Lu replied softly, then walked to his side and gently leaned her shoulder against his arm.

She didn't say anything more.

Needless to say, she will always be the one walking with him.