Heart-to-Heart in the Night, Traces of a New Disciple

The group marched imposingly toward the largest restaurant in Suotuo City to dine, with Young Master Chen naturally picking up the entire tab.

People often say, how much can a group of children eat? But that assumes the children are normal; for Spirit Masters, that rule simply does not apply.

"Hiss, my heart still aches a little."

Once the children heard the Dean was treating, there was no way they wouldn't feast to their heart's content.

Thus, fourteen children managed to eat with the spectacular appetite of forty-four, and it was fortunate the owner was experienced and had encountered true young masters treating before, so he wasn't frightened enough to run over and ask questions.

"But at least we aren't short on Gold Soul Coins now." Chen An smiled.

It wasn't that he was truly pained by the cost; when it came to food, this particular Dean was quite generous.

"Master, why aren't you inside eating with us?"

Zhu Zhuqing noticed Chen An had been missing for a while, and since she wasn't quite accustomed to such settings, she slipped out to find him.

Seeing this girl had actually run out to look for him, he was somewhat surprised, having assumed she hadn't noticed him "stealthing" away earlier.

"I'm fine. Why did you slip out?" Chen An turned to see her standing behind him, then ruffled Zhu Zhuqing's hair and said gently.

"I'm still not used to that atmosphere."

There was no need for the master and disciple to hide anything; Zhu Zhuqing walked to Chen An's side, leaned against the railing, held a drink in her hand, and spoke bluntly.

How could he not know Zhu Zhuqing's temperament? Usually, she was cold and aloof in crowded places, and only felt better when there were fewer people around.

"You seem to have something on your mind. What is it? Is it about facing Dai Mubai again today?"

Zhu Zhuqing had never spoken in detail about her personal affairs, but Chen An knew most of it, so they both tacitly assumed the other was already aware.

"Mm, it is related."

She sighed first, then admitted it.

Chen An curled the corner of his mouth in a bitter smile; he had only guessed, never expecting to be so spot on. No wonder the child seemed as low-spirited as she looked.

"Tell me about it. What troubles are bothering my clever and icy-cool eldest disciple?"

He teased her slightly to lighten the mood; it was far too gloomy, as if the sky were falling or the world were ending, which simply wouldn't do.

"Master, you know I am of the Zhu Family, and Dai Mubai is of the Dai Family. We have had a marriage contract since the beginning," Zhu Zhuqing said after weighing her words.

"Just because of a piece of paper? Why not just tear it up?" Chen An said indifferently.

He had never liked arranged marriages, let alone these kinds of family alliances.

Yet, when these words reached Zhu Zhuqing's ears, they shocked her; even though she often heard such rebellious talk, she still wasn't quite used to it.

"Master is right." Zhu Zhuqing didn't deny it; she had the same thought, she just couldn't bring herself to say it.

In other words, it was a clash between traditional thinking and new ideas; otherwise, why would she hesitate? According to his philosophy, if you don't want to marry, then don't.

"Rest assured, the day you go back to the Zhu Family to flip the table, I, along with your junior brothers and sisters, will all go with you to back you up."

Chen An stated it clearly, cutting in before Zhu Zhuqing could speak to save her from having to ask.

Zhu Zhuqing froze, not expecting her master to speak first and see through her little worries.

But her heart felt warm, and as a breeze brushed across her face, she tucked her hair behind her ear and smiled.

"Alright, Master, you mustn't lie to me."

What else could she do? Since Chen An had said as much, the last of her underlying concerns vanished.

She had always felt pressured by this, but that pressure had only served to hinder her; now that Chen An had brought it into the light, it saved her from sinking into depression.

"Rest assured, when have I ever failed to keep my word?"

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing's small face turned truly serious, clearly deep in thought.

"Let me think... it seems never."

In reality, she was just pretending to ponder; Chen An knew for certain that he might deceive or misspeak regarding sneaking snacks, but in all other matters, he would never fail to deliver.

"Then Master, what will happen to Shrek?"

After the two joked for a while, Zhu Zhuqing recalled the strangeness during their battle with Shrek today and asked.

Chen An thought for a moment; it was hard to predict, and he recalled the whole affair.

"Them? Their Dao hearts might be shattered; it all depends on how the Shrek teachers guide them."

He had kept his eyes on Shrek the whole time, feeling they were suitable to serve as whetstones.

Judging by the results, the whetstone effect was excellent, but he hadn't expected the other side's Dao hearts to be so unstable that they were now somewhat ruined.

"Hm? Dao hearts shattered?"

Zhu Zhuqing rarely showed a look of confusion, seemingly wondering how they could be shattered when she hadn't even used her full strength.

Chen An wasn't surprised to see this expression on Zhu Zhuqing, as he felt the same way.

He had already restricted his disciples from using their full strength, so why couldn't those "Children of Destiny" handle it? He had only wanted to give the kids a taste of failure to make them strive for improvement.

This was just ridiculous.

After thinking it over briefly, he found a line of reasoning and explained helplessly.

"Perhaps it is because they were defeated by the same group of people repeatedly; whether it was the 2v2 or the 5v5, they were crushed by you all. Furthermore, you defeated them head-on, and even bested them in individual duels, yet they still hold themselves in such high regard."

What prodigy does not hold themselves in high regard? Even if Shrek is not quite as severe, they still bear the marks of those who believe themselves invincible among their peers.

Now that they have lost to Zhu Zhuqing and the others, how could they not harbor resentment? It goes in cycles; without effective guidance, it inevitably leads to students doubting their teachers, and then to teammates doubting one another.

"Oh, I see."

After this explanation, she understood instantly, yet she felt no guilt, and she believed the other junior brothers and sisters would not feel any either.

Because everyone in the arena is an enemy; to be defeated repeatedly only proves one is unskilled, and to be spun like a top only proves one is even worse.

How could there be sympathy? It is not as if they have never experienced civil wars within Phantom Star, and she had never seen his juniors show such signs. Moreover, they strike even harder when facing their own people.

Especially when meeting in solo or duo queues, they truly act like mortal enemies; the most classic example was when Ruan Feng ran into the high-tier team captain Le Yan.

"I am very curious what it will look like when we meet again next time."

Zhu Zhuqing said with a smile. Chen An did not speak; he was also very curious about what would happen when they met again.

Whether Tang God King discovers the useless side of his teacher, or whether he falls out with his brothers.

The latter half of that plot is hard to see, but the first half is quite easy to witness.

As long as one compares Shrek with Phantom Star, with his vision, a moment of reflection would reveal the gap. As the saying goes, one does not fear being unskilled, one only fears comparison; without comparison, there is no harm.

"Clatter."

As they were conversing and enjoying the tranquility, they heard a commotion that shattered the peace.

"What is going on? Why is it so noisy?"

Chen An, having been disturbed, appeared slightly dissatisfied. He was just an ordinary person—or more accurately, a human—and thus he still maintained human emotions.

"Let's go, let's go see what is happening."

He had a feeling he might encounter Little Stone for the first time; he might be able to take on a disciple here, though as for this disciple, he would still need to observe.

He would go and take a look, see what the situation was; he had a feeling there would be some entertainment to be found.