Ning Huan: I Hate Smart People

In an instant, countless questions flooded Zhang Lexuan's mind, causing a splitting headache.

What exactly was her relationship with the Sun Moon Royal Family?

Why was she born in the Heaven Dou Empire?

Was there a connection between the destruction of her family and her [Moon] Martial Soul?

What role did the royal families of the two nations play in all of this?

And then...

Shrek Academy...

Thinking of this, Zhang Lexuan suddenly snapped back to reality, clutching her head and shaking it frantically.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Mu En once saved me from fire and water; although it was under the premise of being a child bride, but... but..."

However, as she spoke, her voice grew quieter and quieter.

Where did that fire and water come from?

Long-blurred childhood memories suddenly surfaced, and her experiences at Shrek Academy swirled and intertwined in her heart.

Raging flames.

The sorrowful and desperate faces of her parents.

A vow that was no different from looting a burning house.

And the final, fleeting flash of a Radiant Giant Dragon.

Numerous images flashed by in succession.

Yes...

Although Mu En had been cultivating his character and mind all these years, his aura becoming increasingly gentle.

As a peerless powerhouse who had sat firmly in one of the most prestigious positions on the continent for many years.

How could his strength and methods be something an ordinary person could fathom!

Perhaps, she had never truly understood him from the very beginning...

Zhang Lexuan's beautiful eyes, her faith on the verge of shattering, were filled with despair.

Now, she had absolutely no idea what she should do.

She simply slumped in her chair, clutching the ancient text to herself, muttering to herself, tears streaming down her face.

"Sigh~ being soft-hearted is a bad habit, it must be changed~"

"Ning Huan, you're here..."

The sudden self-mockery did not fully bring the young girl back to her senses.

The response from her lips was merely an instinctive reaction.

But for Ning Huan, this level was just right.

Able to listen, yet not too sharp.

"Since you already know the origin of your own Martial Soul, what are your thoughts on what comes next?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously despairing eyes of Zhang Lexuan suddenly lit up with a faint glimmer.

She then raised her tear-streaked, pretty face; her pitiful appearance made Ning Huan feel a pang of heartache involuntarily.

But it was fleeting.

"Uh... I bet no one has ever seen you like this."

As he spoke, he stepped forward quickly, casually taking a handkerchief from his Soul Tool and handing it over.

"Wipe your face. Oh, it's clean, no one has used it."

"Ning Tian helped me prepare a lot of them."

Zhang Lexuan blinked her eyes upon hearing this.

She then looked down at the pink handkerchief embroidered with a small bear pattern and burst into laughter through her tears.

"Sniff~ I can tell, no little boy would like pink~"

"But... thank you."

Sure enough, someone who could stand out among so many top geniuses was certainly no fool.

Even if she lost her composure due to a massive upheaval, she could quickly adjust back in a short amount of time.

Undoubtedly, Zhang Lexuan was one of the best among them.

In just two and a half minutes, she had completed her emotional control and tidied her appearance.

She even did a simple touch-up of her makeup, stunning Ning Huan to the point of awe!

"Alright, let's settle our accounts."

"Hmm? I gave you a chance to learn the truth and even offered you a handkerchief, yet you want to settle scores with me? Biting the hand that feeds you, are we?"

"I will keep your kindness in my heart, sister! But the matter of you painstakingly scheming against me is a separate issue!"

"..."

Ning Huan felt his composure cracking.

Isn't this big sister recovering a bit too quickly?!

Yes, what he said when he came downstairs earlier was quite blunt.

But the expression she had just now, looking like she wanted to end it all, didn't seem like the state of someone who could listen to reason!

And here he was, feeling sorry for her and 'kindly' changing his attitude and plans!

"Fine, what do you want to do? I have no money, and I'm not giving you my life!"

"Hmph~ where did that arrogance from just a moment ago go~"

"Look at you saying that; times change, and so do circumstances."

"Give it a rest, you little brat, not a word of truth in your mouth."

Watching the youth feign resignation, Zhang Lexuan snorted indignantly.

Yet, the slight curve of her lips proved that she was in a fairly good mood.

"It's almost dawn, let's talk business!"

Glancing at the horizon, which was already beginning to brighten, Ning Huan immediately withdrew his smile and sat up straight.

"Alright, ask away. What do you want to know from me?"

"When did you start scheming against me?"

"Of course it was... hmm? You hemmed and hawed for so long, and that's all you have?"

"What else would it be?"

Having lowered most of her defenses, Zhang Lexuan smiled radiantly and said softly:

"Martial souls originate from bloodlines; this is an eternal truth."

"Therefore, no matter how bizarre my true identity may be, it is an undeniable reality."

"As for what role the academy and... Mu En play in all this, that is not something I can dwell on at the moment."

"After all, a Limit Douluo and the strongest academy on the Douluo Continent are far beyond what you or I can contend with."

"Given that, why should I trouble myself and put myself in danger?"

"...You're incredible! If anyone says the average IQ on the Douluo Continent is failing, I'll slap them right in the face."

Hearing the heartfelt explanation from the person before him, Ning Huan couldn't help but twitch his eyes uncontrollably.

The sense of superiority he felt from being a 'prophet' vanished in an instant.

There was no other reason; if everyone in Shrek was as clear-headed as Zhang Lexuan, he would definitely suffer a huge loss in the near future.

He then recalled his bold remarks in front of Ning Hao over a month ago and subconsciously shuddered.

If it weren't for the protection of Chen Xin, and the fact that Uncle Ning values the sect above all else, I fear I would have been locked in a dark room long ago, serving as a tool!

Looking at it this way, I'm just lucky to be alive!

"Is it because I've become strong that I've become reckless... I've clearly been warning myself to be cautious..."

"Ning Huan? What's wrong?"

"Ah, nothing, I was just thinking about how to answer you!"

The gentle voice suddenly ringing in his ears interrupted Ning Huan's self-reflection.

He then suppressed his fluctuating state of mind and composed his expression.

"Actually, I've known of your existence for a long time."

"A long time... was it during the Soul Fighting Tournament?"

"You could say that."

Ning Huan nodded gently at her words.

Although they were not talking about the same tournament, the actual effect was much the same.

"I don't have many hobbies; aside from cultivation, I mostly just slack off and read books."

"Therefore, after learning that your martial soul was [Moon], I became suspicious."

"However, regarding the matter of scheming against you... well, I had the idea for a long time, but I never expected you to come at such an opportune moment."

Throughout his self-account, he kept observing the changes in Zhang Lexuan's expression.

Only after confirming that she showed no unusual emotions did his words become a bit bolder.

"As for the ultimate goal, I cannot say; it concerns the great cause of the sect."

"There is one thing I can tell you clearly: I, and the entire sect, hold not a shred of malice toward the existence that is Zhang Lexuan."

"Secretly guiding you to learn the secret of your Martial Soul was merely a casual move, a spare piece played on a whim."

Hearing this, Zhang Lexuan, having grasped the cause and effect, picked up the thread of conversation with an exceptionally calm expression.

"If it's useful, it weakens the academy; if it's useless, it has no significant impact."

"Because you were certain that I wouldn't dare confide this matter to anyone... weren't you?"

"...That is correct."

At this moment, Ning Huan's reply was filled with helplessness.