Blue Silver - Hybridization Plan!

Three days later.

Stepping out of the forest beyond the outer perimeter of the Star Dou Great Forest.

The moment he stepped out, his field of vision suddenly widened.

Stepping onto the flat ground, a breeze from the plains immediately blew in from afar, carrying the scent of green grass. On the distant horizon lay the prosperous Shrek City.

"Ah..."

"Finally out!"

"Shrek, I'm back!!"

The students could no longer suppress the excitement in their hearts, cheering with surging emotions. Relieved smiles appeared on their faces, and their taut nerves could finally relax.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Each person in this team had gained so much.

Lu Ran walked out of the forest and stretched his body, his joints making a faint cracking sound.

"Whew~"

This was his first time staying in the Star Dou Great Forest for so long.

In terms of gains alone, this trip was absolutely worth it.

Looking back, the figure of Yan Shaozhe had already disappeared, but Lu Ran knew clearly that he must be guarding them from somewhere in the shadows.

In fact, he roughly understood the purpose of having him come along this time.

It was to let him experience a team soul-hunting mission, to give him a concept of the process of obtaining a Soul Ring as a team, and to let him feel the students' experience, which would be beneficial for his future.

But given Lu Ran's importance, it was impossible to truly let him experience the dangers of the Star Dou Great Forest.

That was why he was added to this team.

After all, throughout the entire process, he had actually always been a bystander. Aside from not being allowed to change clothes or bathe, Yan Shaozhe had not asked him to do anything.

It could be considered an immersive experience.

Most of the students were immersed in the joy of the return journey, but Jiang Nannan seemed somewhat out of place. She only wore a faint, lingering smile, her head bowed.

"What's wrong? Not happy to be back?"

Lu Ran leaned in and asked.

Hearing this, a smile bloomed on Jiang Nannan's face once more, and she shook her head: "No..."

"Let's hurry back."

After saying that, she quickened her pace forward.

"..."

Lu Ran raised an eyebrow and followed silently, not asking any further.

The group quickly arrived at the east side of Shrek City, where Shrek Academy was located.

After entering the academy and completing the inspections, five or six students couldn't wait to dash away. There was no need to guess the reason; having obtained new soul skills, they naturally wanted to find someone to spar with.

After all, if becoming stronger wasn't for the sake of victory, then what was the point of becoming stronger?

The remaining students left one after another.

This temporarily formed team was soon reduced to just Lu Ran and Jiang Nannan.

Jiang Nannan looked at Lu Ran, her gaze carrying a trace of hesitation, her voice very soft:

"Lu... Ran, will we be able to meet again?"

In the Star Dou Great Forest, she had spent almost every moment with Lu Ran, traveling together, eating dry rations together... But the moment she stepped out of the forest, she suddenly realized the invisible distance between them.

Among the thousands of students at Shrek, she was no longer unique or conspicuous, while Lu Ran remained the Lu Ran with a mysterious identity, close ties to Yan Shaozhe, and the ability to have the inner court's senior sister accompany him.

The gap in their statuses was immense.

She was afraid that this time would be like the last, that Lu Ran would disappear again, never to be found.

Watching the cautious anticipation revealed in Jiang Nannan's eyes, Lu Ran felt a sudden stir in his heart. His fingertips twitched, an instinctive urge to reach out and stroke that golden hair, but he suppressed the impulse.

He merely raised a hand to scratch his own hair instead.

"Hmm... I live in the Inner Court, it's not far."

He pondered for a moment.

"How about this? We're both quite dirty right now, so let's go back and wash up. We'll meet back here in half an hour."

"How does that sound?"

Jiang Nannan's eyes lit up instantly. The unease and hesitation from before were swept away, and she nodded solemnly.

"Mm-hmm!"

A genuine smile bloomed on her face. She turned and hurried toward the female dormitory, her steps light and quick.

"I'll be back soon!"

With that, she vanished quickly at the end of the path.

"..."

Lu Ran watched her retreating figure, an inexplicable emotion suddenly welling up in his heart.

By the time he realized it, he found himself smiling unconsciously.

It seemed... not bad at all.

After lingering for a moment, He also turned and left, heading back to the Sea God Pavilion.

To ensure he experienced the most authentic soul-hunting journey, Yan Shaozhe had specifically forbidden him from using any storage Soul Tool.

In other words, just like the other students, he hadn't taken a proper bath in over ten days, only managing to splash some water on his face when they encountered a stream.

Although his soul power kept him from looking as disheveled as an ordinary person, For someone who valued cleanliness, the sticky feeling on his skin

was still quite uncomfortable.

Walking into the bathroom, The sound of rushing water filled the room, washing away his fatigue and discomfort.

Lu Ran scrubbed himself clean, enjoying a thorough shower.

He changed into fresh clothes, And the youth in the mirror looked handsome and refined, his attire clean and well-fitted, his spirit refreshed.

Checking the time, less than half an hour had passed.

Thinking that Jiang Nannan might run into some unexpected trouble, he decided to head over early.

Before he even reached the meeting spot, He saw a small crowd gathered there.

Lu Ran immediately frowned and quickened his pace.

In the center of the crowd were two people: Jiang Nannan and a... black-haired boy in a school uniform.

The black-haired boy was flushed with agitation:

"Nannan! Who is he!? Why did you hug him? What exactly makes me inferior to him?!"

"Xu Sanshi, go away!"

"Nannan, I'm just afraid you're being deceived!!"

As Lu Ran approached, Jiang Nannan caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye. Her cold expression melted instantly, her eyes filled with tenderness, and a faint, unconscious smile tugged at her lips.

Xu Sanshi was stunned.

His face was filled with utter disbelief, as if he had just witnessed someone ascending to godhood on the spot.

Following that gentle gaze, he turned his head stiffly.

Xu Sanshi saw a stranger, and Jiang Nannan was holding his hand... Jiang Nannan suddenly blushed?!!

He froze.

Having known Jiang Nannan for over half a year, he had never seen such an expression on her...

More than half a year ago, his lackey had excitedly told him he'd seen a super beautiful girl, and after he went to check...

He had fallen in love at first sight!!

Jiang Nannan's cold exterior and gentle heart, her beauty, and every movement she made had left him unable to extricate himself.

From that day on, he had begun his frantic pursuit, Full of confidence.

After all, I am the young master of the Profound Nether Sect. I have talent, looks, strength, and Gold Soul Coins...

But... but...

Whether it was giving her precious Soul Beast inner cores, waiting for her downstairs in the dormitory, trying to engineer encounters, or displaying my powerful strength and talent...

It was all useless.

Jiang Nannan's rejection had gone from polite but distant at first, to cold and resistant in the end, never wavering in the slightest.

Why!

Why can't you accept me!

"Nannan! Who is he?!"

Xu Sanshi clenched his fists and questioned her excitedly.

Jiang Nannan's expression turned cold. She hadn't expected Xu Sanshi to be so shameless, even pestering her in front of Lu Ran.

Would Lu Ran misunderstand?

Anxiously, she prepared to pull Lu Ran and leave immediately.

Seeing this, Xu Sanshi became even more agitated.

He had been chasing her for a full six months!

Where did you come from?!

Seeing that Lu Ran was about to leave, Xu Sanshi immediately shouted:

"Stop! I challenge you to a duel!"

"Xu Sanshi, shut up!"

Jiang Nannan blocked the two of them, her eyes fixed coldly on Xu Sanshi.

Lu Ran looked at Xu Sanshi. He had initially only thought of him as a sycophant, and didn't know much else.

But no matter what, he had to step forward.

He held Jiang Nannan's hand.

"It's okay, Nannan, I'm here."

Hearing this, Xu Sanshi almost couldn't breathe and fainted on the spot.

Lu Ran stared at Xu Sanshi and said calmly, "Alright, I accept..."

Xu Sanshi was stunned.

He hadn't expected Lu Ran to actually accept.

He immediately bared his teeth and smiled triumphantly, "Good!"

"How about right now?"

He was ecstatic.

As the young master of the Profound Nether Sect, his status was prominent, yet he had never heard of this Lu Ran.

His talent and resources must not be as good as his.

He wasn't as old as him either.

He was definitely going to win!

Xu Sanshi looked at Jiang Nannan affectionately, his eyes filled with eagerness once more.

Nannan! This time I will let you see clearly who is worthy of your affection!

I will let you witness with your own eyes how I defeat him!

"Come with me now!"