Holiday (Seeking Follow-ups, Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

Hearing this, Lin Chen muttered to himself, Teacher Wu has started recruiting; I wonder what Tang Wulin and Xie Xie are planning now.

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie exchanged a glance and, without the slightest hesitation, agreed on the spot.

As soon as they finished speaking, three pairs of eyes turned simultaneously toward Lin Chen and Gu Yuena, waiting for the two of them to make their choice.

Lin Chen looked up at the cold-faced Wu Changkong and said in a calm tone, "Sorry, Teacher Wu, I have no intention of joining any organization at the moment."

"Sorry, Teacher Wu, I have already joined an organization," Gu Yuena's voice carried a hint of apology.

A flicker of imperceptible disappointment flashed in the depths of Wu Changkong's eyes, but he quickly returned to his usual demeanor and said indifferently, "It's fine. Everyone has their own aspirations. The doors of the Tang Sect will always be open to you."

Changing the subject, he looked at Tang Wulin and Xie Xie, "Alright, today's test ends here. You are dismissed. Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, fill out all the necessary forms, and you will be disciples of the Tang Sect's Outer Court."

After the two finished filling out their forms, everyone boarded the bus for the return trip. Gu Yuena sat by the window and naturally took Lin Chen's hand.

Lin Chen turned his head to look at Gu Yuena beside him and whispered, "Na'er, for this month-long break, let's go back to Shrek City."

Gu Yuena's slender fingers curled slightly, wrapped in the warmth of his palm, and she said, "Alright, I'll listen to you. It just so happens that I need to go see my teacher."

Lin Chen raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "Na'er, who is your teacher?"

Gu Yuena's eyes curved, and a smile bloomed on her lips, "I won't tell you."

"It should still be Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu, right?"

Lin Chen did not press further. He gently stroked the back of Gu Yuena's delicate hand with his fingertips and smiled faintly, "Alright then, once we get back, I'll surely get to meet this mysterious teacher."

A voice came from the back row as Xie Xie leaned over halfway, teasing, "Captain, now that we're heading back to Shrek City, is your relationship with Gu Yuena going to take another step forward?"

Hearing this, both Lin Chen and Gu Yuena's ears turned crimson. They didn't speak, but instead stood up and walked toward Xie Xie's seat.

"Ouch!" A cry of pain rang out. A large bump appeared on Xie Xie's head. He clutched his head and muttered aggrievedly, "I was just joking, you didn't have to hit so hard."

Beside him, Tang Wulin lowered his head to hide his laughter, his shoulders trembling continuously. Gu Yuena leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside, a curve forming at the corners of her lips.

The soul-guided bus stopped in front of Eastsea Academy. After getting off, everyone returned to pack their luggage. Lin Chen took out his phone and dialed a number.

The call was answered quickly, and Ya Li's gentle, soft voice came from the other end, "Lin Chen, why are you calling so suddenly?"

Lin Chen leaned against the wall, his tone softening, "Mom, the academy has given us a month-long break, and I missed you all."

A soft laugh came from the other end of the line, "Alright, be careful on the road and call me when you arrive."

Before she could finish, a steady, calm male voice came through the phone, "Just in time to come over during the break; I want to see if you've been slacking off in your cultivation."

Lin Chen sighed helplessly and rubbed his forehead, "Dad, how could I slack off? I've never been lax with my daily cultivation; I've been training diligently."

Ya Li chuckled on the side, and the voices of Feng Wuyu and Zhuo Shi could be heard shouting in the background. Yun Ming gave a hum, reminded him to be careful on the road, and then slowly ended the call.

Lin Chen returned to his dormitory to pack his things, shed his Eastsea Academy uniform, and changed into his casual clothes. As he pushed open the dormitory door, he immediately saw Gu Yuena standing quietly under a tree not far away, her long black hair fluttering in the breeze.

He walked up quickly and asked softly, "Na'er, I didn't keep you waiting long, did I?"

Gu Yuena looked up at him, a ripple of tenderness in her eyes, and shook her head gently, "No, I just finished packing too. Let's go, back to Shrek City."

After traveling all the way to Shrek City, the warm afternoon sun spilled over the academy gates. Lin Chen and Gu Yuena stood side by side in front of the gate and sent a message to Ya Li that they had arrived.

Before long, a gentle figure broke through the air. Ya Li landed in front of them with a smile and flew them directly toward Sea God Island.

Upon landing, Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu were already waiting there. The two stared at Gu Yuena beside Lin Chen, exchanged a glance, and then winked at him, teasing, "Not bad, little Lin Chen. How long has it been, and you're already bringing your little girlfriend home?"

At these words, a faint crimson blush instantly bloomed on Gu Yuena's cheeks, and she leaned half a step closer to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen's mouth twitched slightly as he said, "I say, Uncle Zhuo, Uncle Feng, take a closer look. Haven't you recognized who she is yet?"

Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu were stunned. They hurried over to examine her closely. A moment later, they realized who it was and exclaimed in surprise that it was Na'er. They immediately cast their jokes aside, surrounding Gu Yuena to ask how she was doing, questioning why she had left so suddenly back then, and repeatedly interrogating Lin Chen on whether he had been bullying her.

Ya Li stood to the side, watching the lively scene with a smile. She turned to the speechless Lin Chen and said, "Your father is still handling some matters. He should come to see you once he's finished."

Lin Chen nodded in response, "Alright."

No sooner had he spoken than two heavy gazes fell upon him. He looked up to find Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu staring at him intently. They beckoned him over, their tone carrying a hint of scrutiny, "You brat, tell the truth: have you been bullying her?"

Lin Chen scratched his head, feeling both amused and frustrated, "This... how would I dare to bully her? I've been catering to her every whim."

Gu Yuena had already arrived at Ya Li's side at some point and glanced at Lin Chen quietly.

Before long, Yun Ming, dressed in white, finished his tasks and walked slowly into the courtyard.

Seeing Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu surrounding Lin Chen with questions, he gave a light cough and raised a hand to call Lin Chen to his side.

His gaze swept slowly over the youth, and his soul power quietly extended to inspect him carefully. A moment later, he nodded slightly, "Not bad. Your spiritual power and soul power have increased quite a bit, but you must continue to work hard."

Ya Li said with a smile, "I told you this child never slacks off in his cultivation. Now you can finally rest easy."

Lin Chen raised a hand to scratch the back of his head, his tone carrying a hint of grievance, "My extreme attributes make cultivation slow; my progress is inevitably a bit behind."

He immediately put on a fawning expression, leaned toward Yun Ming, and whispered, "Dad, why don't you reward me with a spirit bone? Maybe that would make up for my shortcomings in cultivation."

Yun Ming looked at him helplessly, glanced at him, and said indifferently, "Do you think spirit bones are cabbages on the street? That I can just pull one out whenever you want?"

He paused, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes, and changed his tone, "However, I do have a spirit bone; I've already prepared it for you. But, I will only give it to you once you have officially been admitted to Shrek Academy."

Lin Chen hung his head and replied, "Ah, alright then." The disappointment was written all over his face.

Ya Li, standing to the side, laughed and said, "Brother Ming, stop teasing him. Alright, Lin Chen, I'll quietly get it for you later."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Chen's dejection vanished instantly. His eyes brightened as he leaned toward Ya Li, grinning, "Mom is definitely the one who loves me most!"

Yun Ming could only shake his head and chuckle helplessly; he had intended to tease him, only to be exposed by his own wife.

Lin Chen suddenly remembered something and spoke up, "Right, Mom and Dad, I still need to take Na'er to the Spirit Pagoda."

Upon hearing this, Ya Li and Yun Ming both looked curious and casually asked for the reason. Lin Chen thought for a moment and used an excuse, saying, "Na'er's parents have already made arrangements for her to join the Spirit Pagoda."

Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu exchanged a glance. Even though the relationship between the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek Academy was not particularly good, none of them distanced themselves from or ostracized Na'er because of it.

Yun Ming lightly raised his hand to give instructions, "Since you have matters to attend to, then set off. Remember to stay safe while you are out." As he spoke, he handed a token to Lin Chen.

After Lin Chen and Na'er bid farewell to Yun Ming and the others, Zhuo Shi escorted them off Sea God Island.

On the way out of Shrek Academy, a slender figure was focused on practicing swordplay. Clad in a Shrek Academy uniform, her high, golden ponytail swayed gracefully with the movements of her blade. The sword light flashed sharply, and one could recognize at a glance that the young girl was Ye Xinglan.

Ye Xinglan, who was practicing, sensed two figures approaching. She sheathed her sword and turned to the side, her eyes falling upon Lin Chen and Gu Yuena by his side.

Xu Lizhi, who was nearby, trotted over eagerly and asked, "Sister Xinglan, how come those two aren't wearing Shrek Academy uniforms?"

Ye Xinglan looked at Lin Chen and his companion in the distance and replied, "I'm not sure."