Three days later, on the eastern coast of the Dou Ling Empire.
The morning mist had yet to disperse, and the salty sea breeze carried the scent of the distant continent as it rushed toward them.
The Black Pearl slowly sailed into port.
On the deck, Xia Ming stood against the wind, gazing at the gradually sharpening outline of the docks as a faint sense of homecoming rose within him.
"My lord."
Footsteps sounded behind him as the captain of the Black Pearl stepped forward and solemnly bowed.
"If not for your intervention this time, we might never have avenged ourselves for the rest of our lives! Everyone aboard the Black Pearl will never forget this kindness."
Xia Ming turned around and lightly shook his head. "We each got what we needed. There is no need for such courtesy."
He paused before continuing, "Now that we have reached shore, I shall take my leave here."
"Wait—!"
The captain suddenly called out, his tone carrying a hint of hesitation and inquiry.
Xia Ming halted.
The captain took a deep breath and asked tentatively, "My lord, are you from Shrek Academy?"
Xia Ming raised a brow. "How did you tell?"
"It was a guess." The captain gave a bitter smile. "
At your age, you were already able to easily drive back a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
With such strength and bearing, I cannot imagine anywhere on the continent besides Shrek Academy that could nurture someone like you."
Xia Ming fell silent.
The man had guessed correctly by sheer coincidence.
He was indeed from Shrek.
Yet even if he had not been in the academy, possessing such strength at his apparent age would not have been difficult given his true talent.
It could even be said that throughout Shrek Academy's ten-thousand-year history,
apart