Farewell, Strange Feelings

Flender opened his mouth, but in the end, it only turned into a heavy sigh, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"I originally didn't want you to get tangled up in the disputes of these great powers, but no matter how well one calculates, one cannot out-calculate the heavens."

"Forget it. Having a reliable teacher to back you up can be considered your good fortune; it will save you from taking many detours. Since you've made up your mind, go ahead and do it with peace of mind."

Zhao Wuji laughed heartily from the side, his large hand slapping Lin Feng heavily on the shoulder, his face full of "you are teachable" satisfaction.

"Not bad, little Lin. It's only been a few days, and you've already grasped the true scriptures I passed on to you. Considering how close we are, I'll give you a twenty percent discount on the secret manual—one million Gold Soul Coins, no bargaining."

"Hey, hey, hey! This uncle, who are you? Are we close enough for you to come over and start chatting?"

Lin Feng jumped back quickly to dodge his hand, his face full of disdain.

"Also, let's keep business and friendship separate. You still owe me five thousand Gold Soul Coins from before; remember to pay me back soon."

True scriptures? This cheap teacher was found by my own ability. If he wants to earn gold coins from me, I'll write my name backward!

The first sword drawn upon reaching the shore is to slay an acquaintance.

Zhao Wuji was so angry he laughed.

"Fine, fine, fine! Flender was right after all; you little brat really are a heartless thing."

Lin Feng suddenly seemed to remember something urgent. The playful smile on his face vanished instantly, and he stepped forward, affectionately grabbing both of their hands.

"Dean, Uncle Zhao, let's put the jokes aside for a moment. There's a serious matter I need to discuss with you two."

"First things first: no borrowing money!"

Flender and Zhao Wuji pulled their hands back instantly and let out a synchronized huff.

"Speak, what is it?"

Lin Feng wasn't embarrassed at all; a docile smile piled up on his face.

"Dean, Uncle Zhao, the child is almost unable to afford a meal. Could you sponsor the future number one support in the world with ten Gold Soul Coins to tide me over?"

"No money to eat?"

Flender crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"You brat, you're always sponging off my food and drink; when have you ever paid for a meal? Honestly confess what this money is actually for. If you explain it clearly, I'll lend it to you."

Lin Feng scratched his head, hesitated for a moment, and told them the whole story.

After spending these few days together, he knew his cheap teacher's prideful nature too well. Her self-esteem was incredibly high; she would never lower herself to ask the secret guards following her for money to eat.

If his teacher went hungry because of this, he would truly feel too guilty to sleep.

Flender and Zhao Wuji exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes. They instantly felt a bit more genuine approval for this teacher who had suddenly appeared.

The two didn't say much else; each fished a small bag filled with Gold Soul Coins from their Soul Tools and tossed them to Lin Feng.

"Ten isn't enough? Let's get the ugly talk out of the way first: borrow one, repay ten. I'm lending you fifty today, and you'll have to pay back five hundred later."

Lin Feng caught the two money bags steadily. Feeling the heavy gold coins, his heart bled, but he turned and walked toward the door.

"Two profiteers, only knowing how to rob me while I'm down."

He walked quickly to Qian Renxue under the tree and handed over the two bulging money bags.

"Teacher, this is the apprenticeship gift from your student."

Qian Renxue was slightly stunned. Looking at the money bags he handed over, she realized what was happening instantly. She hadn't expected that this little guy would take to heart something she had just said in passing.

Growing up, everyone respected her, feared her, begged her, or schemed against her. No one had ever cared about such trivial matters as whether she might be hungry.

A warmth spread through her heart; for the first time in her life, she tasted what it was like to be cared for.

She shook her head gently.

"No need. I have money; you should keep it and spend it yourself."

Her originally cold tone carried a hint of gentleness she hadn't intended.

Lin Feng shoved the money bags firmly into her hands, a look of feigned displeasure on his face.

"Teacher, this is my apprenticeship gift to you."

"If you don't accept it, does that mean you don't acknowledge me as your student?"

He looked at his cheap teacher and felt a pang of sympathy.

It seemed she had lived her whole life for others, wearing a mask and playing someone else for half her life. Perhaps she had never lived a single day for herself.

Since he was here, he would change all of that.

Hearing this, Qian Renxue lowered her eyes to look at the money bags in her palm. She didn't push them away again and silently tucked the two bags filled with Gold Soul Coins into her storage Soul Tool.

With a flick of her fingertips, a jade plaque, pure white and warm to the touch, appeared in her palm. She handed the plaque to Lin Feng and said indifferently:

"A gift for you. If you encounter trouble in the future, take this out; it will be enough to keep you safe."

Lin Feng didn't stand on ceremony and grabbed the jade plaque. It felt cool and smooth in his hand. He looked down and his eyes lit up.

On the jade plaque, a Six-Winged Angel Goddess holding a holy sword was carved with vivid detail, every feather on her wings visible.

He remembered that in the Angel bloodline, the number of wings determined one's status and nobility. Six wings were the symbol of the highest-ranking martial soul bloodline in the Angel family. This jade plaque was definitely no ordinary token.

He grinned broadly.

"Thank you, Teacher. This jade pendant is beautiful; I like it very much."

The corners of Qian Renxue's lips curved upward involuntarily, though she immediately recalled her undercover mission, a flicker of imperceptible guilt crossing her phoenix eyes.

After a moment of contemplation, she spoke:

"My time is limited, and I cannot guide your cultivation all day. I can arrange for you to enter the Heaven Dou Royal Academy or the highest-tier Soul Master Academy of Martial Soul Hall. Which one would you like to attend?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Feng shook his head gently.

"Teacher, I don't want to go to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, nor do I want to go to the Martial Soul Hall Academy. I just want to stay at Shrek Academy."

"You just go about your business. When you have time, you can come find me, or I can come find you—it's all the same."

Qian Renxue raised an eyebrow, curious and somewhat surprised.

"What is so special about this Shrek Academy?"

Lin Feng nodded and grinned.

"I have my little brothers there, and the Dean and Uncle Zhao treat me very well. I've grown accustomed to staying at Shrek and don't want to go anywhere else."

"Besides, my Martial Soul doesn't rely on simulated cultivation environments. As long as you remember to bring me more Gold Soul Coins next time, Teacher, that would be more useful than any top-tier academy."

Qian Renxue pondered seriously for a moment and nodded, deciding not to press the matter further. With two Soul Saints like Flender and Zhao Wuji to protect him, she had no concerns regarding his safety.

"Very well. Where is this Shrek Academy located? When I have time, I will go there to guide your cultivation."

Lin Feng was stunned for a moment. He had prepared a bellyful of arguments, never expecting this "convenient" teacher to agree so readily.

He quickly snapped back to reality and blurted out:

"In Suotuo City, just on the outskirts of Suotuo City."

"I don't know where you usually stay, Teacher? If I encounter any difficulties in my cultivation, I could write you a letter."

"Heaven Dou City."

Qian Renxue dropped those three words, and the golden Angel wings behind her back suddenly unfurled. The gilded radiance shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight as she tapped her toes and soared into the air, flying toward the distant horizon.

"Blue Sentinel Power!"

Seeing this, Lin Feng's first Soul Ring lit up instantly, and a cerulean halo attached itself to Qian Renxue.

He tilted his head back and shouted toward the golden figure growing smaller in the sky:

"Teacher, have a safe trip! Remember to eat!"

High above, Qian Renxue heard that childish reminder, and the corners of her lips curled into a gentle, uncontrollable smile.

She glanced back at the small figure gradually disappearing from her field of vision. With the incessant chatter of the past few days gone—the voice calling her "Teacher" at every turn, the little money-grubber who would occasionally bicker with her for Gold Soul Coins—

An inexplicable sense of emptiness and loneliness welled up in her heart. She frowned slightly, a trace of confusion she couldn't even understand herself rising from within.

"Strange... what has come over me?"