Flender opened his mouth, but in the end, it only became a heavy sigh. His eyes were filled with helplessness.
"I never wanted you to get caught up in the conflicts between these major powers, but no matter how carefully I planned, human plans could not overcome fate."
"Forget it. Having a reliable teacher to support you is a blessing. It will save you many detours. Since you have made up your mind, go ahead without worry."
Zhao Wuji burst into laughter beside them, giving Lin Feng's shoulder a heavy slap. His face was full of gratified approval, as though looking at a teachable child.
"Not bad, Xiao Linzi. It has only been a few days, and you have already grasped the true teachings I passed on to you. Since we are so familiar, I will give you a twenty percent discount on the secret manual. One million Gold Soul Coins, final price."
"Hey, hey, hey! Who are you supposed to be, uncle? Are we that close that you can just come over and start talking to me?"
Lin Feng hurriedly jumped back to avoid his hand, his face filled with disgust.
"Oh, right. One thing at a time. Remember to hurry up and repay the five thousand Gold Soul Coins you owed me before."
True teachings, my ass. I found this bargain-bin teacher through my own abilities. If he thinks he can earn Gold Soul Coins off me, I'll write my name backwards!
The first sword after coming ashore: cut down acquaintances first.
Zhao Wuji was so angry that he laughed instead.
"Fine, fine, fine! Flender was right after all. You brat really are an ungrateful little bastard."
Lin Feng suddenly seemed to remember something important. The playful look on his face vanished at once, and he stepped forward, warmly taking both men's hands, one in each of his.
"Headmaster, Uncle Zhao, let's put the jokes aside first. There is something serious I need to discuss with the two of you."
"Let's make this clear first: no borrowing money!"
Flender and Zhao Wuji instantly pulled their hands back and snorted in unison.
"Go on. What is it?"
Lin Feng was not embarrassed in the slightest, piling a meek smile onto his face.
"Headmaster, Uncle Zhao, this child is about to be unable to afford food. Could you sponsor the future world's number-one support with ten Gold Soul Coins to tide him over?"
"No money for food?"
Flender crossed his arms and raised a brow.
"You brat mooch food and drinks off us every day. When have you ever paid me for meals? Tell me honestly what you need the money for. Explain it clearly, and I will lend it to you."
Lin Feng scratched his head, hesitated for a moment, then explained everything that had happened.
After spending the past few days together, he understood this bargain teacher's prideful nature all too well. Her self-respect was extremely strong; she would never lower her head to ask the Shadow Guards following behind her for money to eat.
If his teacher went hungry because of this, he really would be too guilty to sleep.
Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes. They instantly gained a little more sincere approval for this teacher who had suddenly appeared.
The two did not say much. Each took out a small pouch filled with Gold Soul Coins from their Soul Tools and casually tossed them to Lin Feng.
"How could ten be enough? Let me say the ugly part first: borrow one, repay ten. Today, I am lending you fifty coins. Later, you will have to repay five hundred."
Lin Feng steadily caught both money pouches. Feeling the weighty coins within, his heart bled in pain as he turned and walked out the door.
"You two profiteers. You only know how to take advantage of a crisis."
He quickly walked over to Qian Renxue beneath the tree and handed her the two bulging money pouches.
"Teacher, this is your student's gift for becoming your disciple."
Qian Renxue froze slightly. Looking at the money pouches he offered, she instantly understood. She had only said it casually earlier, yet she had not expected this little fellow to keep it in mind all along.
Ever since she was young, everyone had respected her, feared her, begged her, or plotted against her. No one had ever cared about such a trivial matter as whether she might go hungry.
Warmth spread through her heart. For the first time in her life, she tasted what it felt like to be cared for.
She gently shook her head.
"No need. I have money. Keep it and spend it yourself."
Her originally cold and detached tone unconsciously carried a trace of gentleness.
Lin Feng directly stuffed the pouches firmly into her hands, a hint of feigned displeasure appearing on his face.
"Teacher, this is my gift for becoming your disciple."
"If you refuse to accept it, does that mean you do not acknowledge me as your student at all?"
Looking at his bargain teacher before him, he felt a little sympathy for her.
Her whole life, she seemed to have lived for others. She had worn a false face and played someone else for half her life. Perhaps she had never lived even a single day for herself.
Since he was here now, he would change all of that.
At his words, Qian Renxue lowered her eyes to the money pouches in her palm. She did not refuse again, silently storing the two pouches full of Gold Soul Coins into her storage Soul Tool.
With a slight movement of her fingertips, a jade tablet appeared in her palm, pure white throughout and warm to the touch. She handed it to Lin Feng and said indifferently,
"A gift for you. If you encounter trouble in the future, take it out. It will naturally keep you safe."
Lin Feng did not stand on ceremony. He grabbed the jade tablet at once. It felt warm yet cool in his hand, and when he lowered his head to look at it, his eyes lit up.
On the jade tablet, a lifelike Six-Winged Angel Goddess wielded a holy sword, every detail of her wing patterns exquisitely visible.
He remembered that Angel Martial Souls distinguished the rank and purity of Bloodline by their wings. Six wings represented the most elite Angel Martial Soul Bloodline of the Angel Clan. This jade tablet was definitely no ordinary token.
He broke into a broad grin.
"Thank you, Teacher. This jade tablet is beautiful. I really like it."
The corners of Qian Renxue's lips unconsciously lifted, but she immediately recalled her undercover plan. A trace of guilt, too faint to notice, passed through her phoenix eyes.
After pondering for a moment, she said,
"My time is limited, and I cannot guide your cultivation all day. I can arrange for you to enter Heaven Dou Royal Academy or Spirit Hall's highest-ranked Soul Master Academy. Which one would you like to go to?"
Lin Feng gently shook his head.
"Teacher, I do not want to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, and I do not want to go to Spirit Hall Academy either. I just want to stay at Shrek Academy."
"You can focus on your own matters. When you have time, you can come find me, or I can go find you. It makes no difference."
Qian Renxue raised a brow, somewhat surprised and curious.
"What is so special about this Shrek Academy?"
Lin Feng nodded and grinned.
"My little brother is here. The headmaster and Uncle Zhao are both very good to me. I am used to staying at Shrek and do not want to go anywhere else."
"Besides, my Martial Soul does not depend on a simulated cultivation environment. As long as Teacher remembers to bring me more Gold Soul Coins next time, that will be more useful than any top academy."
Qian Renxue seriously considered it for a moment, then nodded. She did not try to persuade him further. With Flender and Zhao Wuji, two Soul Saints, protecting him, there was nothing to worry about regarding his safety.
"Fine. Where is this Shrek Academy you mentioned? When I have time, I will go guide your cultivation."
Lin Feng froze. He had already prepared a whole bellyful of arguments, yet he had not expected this bargain teacher to agree so readily.
He quickly came back to his senses and blurted out,
"In Suotuo City, just outside Suotuo City."
"Where does Teacher usually stay? If I run into difficulties in cultivation, I can write to you."
"Heaven Dou City."
Qian Renxue left behind those three words. Golden Angel wings abruptly unfolded behind her, their gilded radiance gleaming beneath the sunlight. With a light tap of her toes, she soared into the air and flew toward the distant horizon.
"Blue Sentinel Power!"
Seeing this, Lin Feng's first soul ring instantly lit up, and a deep-blue halo attached itself to Qian Renxue.
He raised his head and shouted toward the golden figure growing farther and farther away in the sky.
"Teacher, have a safe journey! Remember to eat!"
High in the sky, Qian Renxue heard that childish reminder, and a gentle smile uncontrollably rose on her lips.
She looked back at the small figure behind her as it gradually disappeared from view. The past few days, her ears had been filled with his chattering, with him calling her Teacher every other sentence and occasionally bantering with her for Gold Soul Coins like a little miser.
For some reason, an indescribable emptiness and loneliness welled up in her heart. She frowned slightly, and a trace of confusion she could not understand even herself surfaced within her.
"Strange... what is wrong with me?"
Before you continue