"I, Zhu Zhuqing."
Her voice was hoarse from the long journey, but every word rang crystal clear.
"I willingly withdraw from Shrek Academy."
"I humbly beg you, Senior, to accept me as your disciple!"
With that, she lowered her head deeply until her forehead touched the ground, performing a formal kowtow to her prospective master.
The courtyard fell silent.
Only the rustle of wind through the leaves and the bubbling of boiling water in the tea stove in the distance could be heard.
Chen Xuan did not speak at once.
He simply gazed quietly at the girl kneeling before him, his eyes as still as a fathomless ancient pool.
Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan exchanged a glance, each seeing surprise in the other's eyes.
Neither had expected Zhu Zhuqing to be so resolute.
After all, leaving the academy was no small matter for a Soul Master.
Especially one like Shrek, a group with strange ways but deep bonds between its members.
"Give me a reason."
Only after a long while did Chen Xuan's indifferent voice ring out in the courtyard.
At his words, Zhu Zhuqing slowly raised her head.
A trace of dust clung to her forehead, but her gaze had grown even more determined.
"Because I want to become stronger."
She spoke each word slowly and firmly.
"Truly strong."
"Shrek can't give me what I want."
"All I saw there was so-called friendship, bonds, and that vague, illusory theory about monsters."
There was undisguised scorn in her voice.
"On the day of the team tournament, I saw it."
"I saw Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan transformed completely, and I saw Senior Ah Yin's incomprehensible strength."
"I understand now. The path I've been walking all this time was wrong."
"So-called monsters are no more than ants before true gods."
She