As the sun climbed toward its zenith, the Shrek Academy dining hall buzzed with voices. The students sat in small groups, enjoying lunch as they laughed and chatted, with none of yesterday's tension in sight. Life had returned to its usual lively rhythm of training.
Lin Chen carried a simple meal over to Dai Mubai and the others' table and sat down. His expression was calm, and his manner showed nothing out of the ordinary. He was still as gentle and reserved as ever, eating at an unhurried pace and occasionally joining in the conversation. He blended perfectly among the spirited young men, not standing out in the slightest.
Across from him, Xiao Wu picked at the food in her bowl, unable to stop sneaking glances at Lin Chen from the corner of her eye. A sweetness she couldn't hide glimmered in her gaze. Yet whenever Lin Chen's eyes happened to pass over her, she quickly lowered her head and pretended to focus on her meal. The tips of her ears turned faintly red, and she was afraid Ning Rongrong would notice.
Ning Rongrong was nibbling on bread when she noticed Xiao Wu's distraction. She nudged her gently with an elbow and raised a curious brow. "Xiao Wu, why do you keep zoning out today? Did you not sleep well last night?"
"N-no, I'm fine!" Xiao Wu abruptly looked up and hurriedly waved her hands. Her bright eyes blinked rapidly as she forced down her fluster and smiled as naturally as she could. "I was just thinking about this afternoon's training. I'm worried Teacher Zhao will give me a hard time again."
At that, Ma Hongjun immediately chimed in with a pained expression. "You can say that again. Teacher Zhao Wuji's training is enough to squeeze every last drop out of you. Just thinking about it makes my legs go weak!"
Everyone burst into laughter, and the conversation naturally shifted to the afternoon's training. Xiao Wu quietly breathed a sigh of relief, then stole another glance at Lin Chen. She met his smiling gaze, and warmth bloomed in her heart. The corners of her mouth lifted despite herself.
They wordlessly looked away, hiding the sweetness that belonged only to them deep in their hearts. In front of everyone, they were no more than ordinary classmates. All their tenderness and care could only take the form of secret glances, never daring to show themselves.
Lin Chen lowered his eyes to his meal, his expression unruffled, while his thoughts raced ahead, calculating his next moves.
Tang San had been taken away by Spirit Hall's hidden guards, and the matter seemed to have come to an end. But Lin Chen knew that Tang San was a direct descendant of the Clear Sky Sect, and that he carried the secrets of the Tang Sect Secret Arts and Twin Martial Souls. Spirit Hall would never let him go easily. They might keep him confined and interrogate him for a while, but before long, they would surely make another move.
And the Clear Sky Sect, no matter how many years it had lived in seclusion, would never stand by while a direct descendant was abducted by Spirit Hall. The old grudges might keep it from acting rashly for now, but the moment a suitable opportunity arose, it was bound to clash with Spirit Hall.
The two storms were intertwined. Shrek Academy seemed to be standing apart, yet it had already been swept into the undercurrents.
Flender and Zhao Wuji appeared to have put the matter behind them, but in truth, they were deliberately steering clear of danger. They didn't want Shrek dragged into the feud between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall. What they didn't know was that the whole chain of events had been set in motion by the unremarkable-looking Lin Chen sitting right before them.
Lin Chen's fingers gently traced the rim of his bowl as the concealment power of Star Hidden Grass remained in constant motion. It suppressed the Soul Power aura of his level-sixty-two Soul Emperor so completely that even Flender, seated not far away, sensed only the mild fluctuations of a thirty-sixth-level Soul Elder. He had not the slightest suspicion.
For now, Lin Chen needed to keep lying low. He would steadily build his strength with the resources of Shrek Academy while keeping a close eye on Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, waiting for the right moment to make his next move. At the same time, he had to protect Xiao Wu with the utmost care. He absolutely could not let her be caught up in the turmoil.
After lunch, the afternoon's high-intensity training began right on time.
Zhao Wuji was as brisk and decisive as ever. He immediately arranged sparring matches, pairing the students off to practice in the training ground and improve their combat skills. The students found partners, and the sounds of clashing Soul Power and shouts rang out one after another. The training ground was soon buzzing with activity.
Dai Mubai and Oscar were paired together, Ma Hongjun practiced his Soul Skill on his own, and Ning Rongrong supported them from the side. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, was paired with Lin Chen.
The two walked to a corner of the training ground and faced each other. Everyone else's attention was drawn to the fierce sparring in the center, and no one paid them any mind.
"Lin Chen, we..." Xiao Wu looked at the young man before her, her cheeks faintly red and her voice barely above a whisper.
"Keep it light. Don't give anything away," Lin Chen said softly. His tone was gentle, and there was a hint of barely perceptible affection in his eyes. "Go ahead and attack. I'll match you."
Xiao Wu nodded firmly, warmth filling her heart.
At his words, Xiao Wu moved. Her Soft Bone Rabbit Martial Soul quietly possessed her, making her figure even more nimble. Trailing a waft of fragrance, she sprang at Lin Chen, her movements lively and agile, showcasing the Soft Bone Charm Rabbit's grace.
Lin Chen deliberately restrained his Soul Power, using only the strength a thirty-sixth-level Soul Elder ought to possess as he calmly met Xiao Wu's attacks. He seemed to be defending, yet each time, without drawing attention, he managed to protect her from falling whenever her movements became too forceful.
Their sparring wasn't especially intense. To everyone else, they were simply classmates practicing together. But only the two of them knew that every accidental brush of their fingertips and every tender glance held a sweetness meant for each other alone.
After several exchanges, Xiao Wu was breathing slightly hard, a fine sheen of sweat beading on her forehead. Lin Chen stopped at just the right moment and handed her a clean handkerchief. His gesture was casual, and his tone calm. "Wipe off your sweat."
Xiao Wu accepted it and lowered her head to wipe her brow, unable to hide the smile at the corners of her mouth. Her heart felt sweet as honey.
To anyone watching, it was just ordinary concern between classmates. Lin Chen had always been gentle by nature and never distant with anyone, so the gesture aroused no suspicion.
During a break in training, Flender gathered everyone together. His expression was stern as he spoke. "For the next little while, focus on your training. Don't wander around the outskirts of the academy, and don't go looking for trouble. Whatever happens out there has nothing to do with Shrek. Remember that!"
Flender was clearly still wary of the feud between the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall. He was deliberately warning everyone to avoid getting burned.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Lin Chen stood among them, his expression calm, though he understood perfectly well.
Flender's caution gave Lin Chen even better cover. As long as Shrek didn't involve itself in the turmoil outside, Lin Chen would have more time to plan and would be better able to protect Xiao Wu.
The sun sank in the west, and the day's training finally came to an end. Exhausted, the students returned to their dormitories to rest.
Lin Chen followed the others as usual, quietly trailing behind. But as he passed Xiao Wu, he gave her a tiny, discreet glance.
Xiao Wu understood at once. Without drawing attention, she slowed her pace. After saying goodbye to Ning Rongrong, she used the excuse of admiring the night scenery to quietly make her way toward the academy's back hill.
Once everyone else had gone far enough, Lin Chen made sure no one was watching him, then slipped into the night in a flash and silently returned to the secluded bamboo grove.
Xiao Wu was already waiting among the bamboo. The moment she saw Lin Chen, she hurried over. With no one else around to see, she no longer needed to hide her delight. She tugged at his sleeve, her eyes curving into a smile. "Lin Chen, you're here."
Lin Chen took her hand in his. The warmth of the girl's palm filled his own, and his eyes were tender as he shed every disguise and guard. "Sorry for the wait."
The bamboo grove was quiet, and the evening breeze cool. The two sat side by side beneath the bamboo. They had no need for many sweet words; they simply leaned against each other, enjoying this time alone.
Xiao Wu rested her head on Lin Chen's shoulder, soothed by his reassuring presence. All her fatigue vanished. "It feels so nice being with you."
"Whenever I have time, I'll be with you," Lin Chen promised softly. He gently drew her close, his voice firm. "I'll grow stronger as quickly as I can. One day, we won't have to keep sneaking around like this."
He wasn't willing to keep their relationship hidden in the shadows, nor was he willing to remain on the back foot forever. If he wanted to protect Xiao Wu openly and take control of the whole situation, he needed strength enough to crush all opposition.
Xiao Wu looked up into Lin Chen's deep eyes and nodded firmly, trusting him with all her heart.
They leaned against each other for a little while longer. Then Lin Chen stood and, as always, saw Xiao Wu off first. Afterward, he carefully cleared away every trace of Soul Power from the bamboo grove. Only after making sure nothing was amiss did he return to the boys' dormitory.
By the time he got back, Dai Mubai and the others had already begun meditating and cultivating. The room was silent.
Lin Chen sat cross-legged on his bed. On the surface, he was circulating his Soul Power to cultivate, but in truth, he opened the system once more to inspect his status.
[Host: Lin Chen] [Level: Level 62 Control-type Battle Soul Emperor] [Disguised Level: Level 36 Control-type Battle Soul Elder] [Concealment Skill: Max Level (undetectable by anyone below Titled Douluo)] [System Mission: Watch and wait for the movements of the Clear Sky Sect and Spirit Hall. Reward: Hidden Soul Bone Fragment]
Lin Chen's eyes flashed sharply as he looked at the system panel.
Once assembled, the Hidden Soul Bone Fragment would allow him to perfect his concealment abilities. By then, even a Titled Douluo would find it difficult to detect his presence.
Night deepened, and Shrek Academy sank into a deep sleep. Everyone rested peacefully, but Lin Chen remained awake in the darkness.
He lay on his bed with his eyes closed, calming his mind as he endlessly worked through the many possible developments to come. The web of his plans was quietly spreading in the dark.
On one side was the sweetness he kept hidden in his heart; on the other, a game of shadowy intrigue sweeping across the continent. Lin Chen's gaze was resolute.
He would protect this secret tenderness and keep Xiao Wu safe for the rest of her life. He would also hold the game in his hands, sweep away every obstacle, and carve out his own path to the heavens on the Douluo Continent.
No one knew that beneath the calm night sky, the young man's plans were steadily advancing toward a deeper, more distant horizon.
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