Vacation

Lin Chen couldn't help wondering, Teacher Wu has started recruiting. I wonder what Wulin and Xie Xie are planning.

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

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

Lin Chen looked up at Wu Changkong's cool expression and replied calmly, "Sorry, Teacher Wu. I'm not thinking of joining an organization right now."

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

A trace of barely perceptible disappointment flashed through Wu Changkong's eyes, but he soon returned to his usual composure. "It's all right. Everyone has their own ambitions. The Tang Sect's doors will always be open to you."

Changing the subject, he turned to Tang Wulin and Xie Xie. "All right, that's enough testing for today. You're on vacation. Xie Xie, Tang Wulin, fill out all the paperwork, and you'll be outer disciples of the Tang Sect."

Once the two had completed the paperwork, everyone boarded the bus back. Gu Yuena sat by the window and naturally took Lin Chen's hand.

Lin Chen turned toward Gu Yuena and asked softly, "Na'er, we have a month off. Let's go back to Shrek City."

Gu Yuena's slender fingertips curled slightly as his warm palm enveloped her hand. "All right. I'll do as you say. I can visit my teacher while we're there."

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

Gu Yuena's eyes curved, a smile blooming at her lips. "I'm not telling you."

"It's probably still Heavenly Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu, right?"

Lin Chen didn't press her further. Gently rubbing the back of Gu Yuena's delicate hand, he smiled. "All right, then. Once we're back, I'll get to meet this mysterious teacher eventually."

Xie Xie leaned halfway out of his seat behind them and teased, "Captain, now that you're going back to Shrek City, are you and Gu Yuena going to take your relationship one step further?"

At his words, both Lin Chen's and Gu Yuena's ears turned bright red. Without saying a word, they stood and walked toward Xie Xie.

"Ow!" Xie Xie cried out in pain. A lump had appeared on his head. Clutching it, he muttered plaintively, "I was only joking. You didn't have to hit me so hard."

Tang Wulin beside him lowered his head, trying to hide his laughter as his shoulders trembled. Gu Yuena leaned against the window, gazing at the scenery outside with a smile tugging at her lips.

The soul-guided bus stopped at the gates of Eastsea Academy. After getting off, the group went back to pack their things. Lin Chen took out his phone and dialed a number.

The call was answered quickly, and Ya Li's gentle voice came through. "Lin Chen, what made you call all of a sudden?"

Leaning against the wall, Lin Chen replied softly, "Mom, the academy gave us a month-long vacation. I miss you all."

A soft laugh came from the other end. "All right. Be careful on the way, and call me when you arrive."

Before she had finished speaking, a steady, composed male voice came through the phone. "You can come over during the break. I'll see whether you've been slacking off in your training."

Lin Chen heard him and rubbed his forehead helplessly. "Dad, how could I slack off? I've never taken my daily training lightly. I've been working hard the whole time."

Ya Li chuckled beside him. Feng Wuyu and Zhuo Shi could also be heard clamoring in the background. Yun Ming gave a quiet acknowledgment and reminded him to be careful on the way, then slowly ended the call.

Lin Chen returned to the dormitory, packed his things, took off his Eastsea Academy uniform, and changed into casual clothes. When he opened the dorm door, he immediately spotted Gu Yuena standing quietly beneath a tree not far away, her long black hair fluttering in the breeze.

He hurried over and asked softly, "Na'er, I didn't keep you waiting, did I?"

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

After a series of transfers, they finally reached Shrek City. The warm afternoon sun spilled across the academy gates as Lin Chen and Gu Yuena stood side by side in front of them and sent Ya Li a message to let her know they had arrived.

Moments later, a gentle figure came flying through the air. Ya Li landed before them with a smile, then took them straight to Sea God Island.

When they landed, Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu were already waiting. They looked at Gu Yuena standing beside Lin Chen, exchanged glances, then raised their eyebrows at him with teasing smiles. "Not bad, Little Lin Chen. It's only been a little while, and you've already brought your little girlfriend home to meet the family?"

At those words, a light blush spread across Gu Yuena's cheeks. She edged a little closer to Lin Chen.

Lin Chen's mouth twitched. "Uncle Zhuo, Uncle Feng, take a good look. Have you really not recognized her yet?"

Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu froze, then hurried closer to examine her. A moment later, realization dawned, and they cried out in surprise that it was Na'er. They immediately forgot their earlier teasing and surrounded Gu Yuena, fussing over her. They asked why she had left in such a hurry back then, then repeatedly grilled Lin Chen about whether he had been bullying her.

Ya Li stood to one side, smiling as she watched the commotion. Then she turned to Lin Chen, who looked thoroughly speechless. "Your dad is still taking care of some matters. He should come find you once he's finished."

Lin Chen nodded. "All right."

As soon as he finished speaking, two heavy gazes fell on him. He looked up and found Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu staring intently at him. They beckoned him over, their voices carrying a hint of scrutiny. "You brat, come clean. Have you been bullying her?"

Lin Chen scratched his head, caught between laughter and tears. "I... how would I dare bully her? I do whatever she wants."

At some point, Gu Yuena had quietly moved to Ya Li's side. She glanced at Lin Chen.

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

Seeing Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu grilling Lin Chen one question after another, he cleared his throat and beckoned Lin Chen over.

His gaze swept over the young man, and he quietly extended his Soul Power to examine him closely. After a moment, he gave a slight nod. "Not bad. Your mental power and Soul Power have grown a lot, but you still need to keep working hard."

Ya Li smiled. "I told you long ago that this child never slacks off in his training. You can finally relax now."

Lin Chen raised a hand to scratch the back of his head, his voice carrying a hint of grievance. "Training with an Ultimate Attribute is slow, so my progress can't help being a little slower."

He immediately put on an ingratiating look and leaned toward Yun Ming, speaking in a low voice. "Dad, why don't you give me a Soul Bone? It might make up for my shortcomings in training."

Yun Ming looked helpless and glanced at him. "Do you think Soul Bones are cabbages by the roadside? You can't just pull one out whenever you want."

He paused, a trace of amusement passing through his eyes, then changed tack. "Still, I do have a Soul Bone. I prepared it for you a long time ago. But I'll give it to you after you officially get into Shrek Academy."

Lin Chen drooped his head. "Oh... all right." His disappointment was written all over his face.

Ya Li smiled. "Brother Ming, stop teasing him. All right, Lin Chen, I'll sneak it to you in a little while."

At once, Lin Chen's gloom vanished. His eyes lit up, and he leaned toward Ya Li with a cheeky grin. "Mom really is the one who loves me most!"

Yun Ming could only shake his head and laugh helplessly. He'd meant to tease Lin Chen, but his wife had seen right through him.

Lin Chen suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, right, Mom, Dad. I still have to take Na'er to the Spirit Pagoda."

Ya Li and Yun Ming both looked curious and casually asked him why. Lin Chen thought for a moment, then made an excuse. "Na'er's parents arranged things for her and had her join the Spirit Pagoda."

Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuyu exchanged a glance. Even though the Spirit Pagoda and Shrek weren't on good terms, none of them distanced themselves from or rejected Na'er because of it.

Yun Ming raised a hand and calmly instructed them, "Since you have things to take care of, then get going. Remember to be careful out there." As he spoke, he handed Lin Chen a token.

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

On their way out of Shrek Academy, a slender figure was practicing her sword with intense concentration. She wore the Shrek uniform, and her neat, high golden ponytail swayed as she moved through the forms. Her blade flashed fiercely. At a glance, Lin Chen recognized the girl as Ye Xinglan.

Ye Xinglan sensed the two figures, lowered her sword, and turned to look at Lin Chen and Gu Yuena beside him.

Xu Lizhi ran over eagerly and asked, "Sister Xinglan, why aren't those two wearing Shrek uniforms?"

Ye Xinglan looked at Lin Chen and Gu Yuena in the distance. "I don't know."