But after walking for a while, everyone gradually began to sense that something was off. The teacher was leading them deeper into the forest, and he was hurrying along, his expression betraying an unusual urgency.
Seeing this, Xiao Yexuan frowned slightly and stopped. He politely asked,
"Teacher, is something urgent? If you're in a hurry, you can just tell us where the administration office is. We can go there ourselves."
"If you need our help with something, or want us to pick up the pace, just say the word. We can keep up."
"The young master is as graceful and elegant as ever, and so unfailingly courteous to everyone!"
Ning Rongrong gazed at Xiao Yexuan with deep affection, then turned to the teacher with a generous smile. "Please, go take care of your business. Don't let us hold you up!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded solemnly as well, her eyes carrying a hint of anticipation. "If you have something to do, teacher, you should go and take care of it."
As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously flicked toward Xiao Yexuan. A glimmer flashed through her eyes, almost too subtle to notice, as if she were hoping that once everyone else had left, she could be alone with Xiao Yexuan and have a proper, intimate conversation.
Xiao Wu hadn't taken her eyes off Xiao Yexuan for even a moment. Hearing what the others said, she quickly bobbed her head like a pecking chick and chimed in, "Same here!"
Seeing how understanding these young men and women were, the flustered teacher couldn't help but beam with delight as he stroked his beard.
Then he looked straight at Xiao Yexuan, his eyes bright, his voice full of praise and urgency. He spoke slowly,
"Actually, I wanted to take you to meet the dean!"
"You defeated a level twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster at the peak of his rank despite being a One-Ring Soul Master. If a peerless genius like you is properly trained, your strength will surely shine in the future. Your prospects are limitless!"
"You're only eighteen, right? The next Soul Master Tournament is in six months, and the one after that is five years later."
"Five years from now, you'll only be twenty-three or twenty-four, just the right age to compete in the tournament after next!"
"If the dean saw you use your Soul Skill to defeat an opponent whose Soul Power is more than ten levels higher than yours, she'd surely be astonished and take you as her disciple!"
"Teacher, the young master certainly has remarkable potential, but is there really any need to rush him off to meet the dean?"
Zhu Zhuqing had her own plans. She still wanted to find a quiet corner to have a long, in-depth talk with Xiao Yexuan, and really didn't want to keep rushing around like this.
Besides, the teacher's behavior was indeed rather baffling and hard to make sense of.
Under the doubtful gazes of the group, the teacher gave a quiet snort, his face full of disdain and indignation.
"The teachers and students from Shrek Academy are clearly no good!"
"I'm in such a hurry because I want to find the dean before they do and report every last detail of the vile things that happened earlier!"
"Though they're powerful, their character is despicable. They're completely at odds with our academy's educational principles.
We only accept students from commoner families!"
"Picking on the weak and throwing their weight around—if they were allowed into our academy, they'd ruin its culture and bring endless trouble!"
"As for you, Xiao Yexuan, you must have crossed them somehow. I'm taking you to meet the dean. She's a powerful Soul Saint!"
"If the dean takes you as her disciple, you'll have someone to rely on from now on, and you won't have to fear Shrek's retaliation anymore."
After hearing all this, Xiao Yexuan suddenly understood. He finally grasped the teacher's good intentions, and gave a slight bow as he offered his sincere thanks.
"Thank you for your kindness, teacher."
Although Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu thought all this rushing around was a bit of a hassle, they saw that the teacher genuinely had Xiao Yexuan's best interests at heart, and gradually let go of their reservations.
They had always been clear about who deserved their gratitude and who deserved their resentment. Naturally, they felt warmly toward anyone who treated Xiao Yexuan with genuine kindness.
So the group stopped complaining and obediently followed the teacher, hurrying toward Liu Erlong's residence.
To reach Liu Erlong before the people from Shrek did, Ning Rongrong pursed her lips and released the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda without hesitation.
A gentle halo enveloped everyone, and the speed boost took effect at once. Their bodies grew suddenly light, and their strides quickened considerably.
Before long, they had left the academy and arrived at a tranquil place filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, with a stream burbling nearby.
Exotic flowers and plants grew everywhere, and lush greenery filled the air with fragrance. A tiny wooden cottage stood hidden among them.
The surroundings were serene and elegant, like a paradise beyond the mortal world—a perfect place to retire and enjoy a peaceful life.
Xiao Yexuan couldn't help feeling a little excited. He hadn't expected to meet Liu Erlong so soon.
He had always been confident in his own charm.
With looks and bearing enough to make any woman fall at first sight and give him her heart, surely Liu Erlong would be smitten with him after just one glance.
Xiao Yexuan had been a little worried before. If he hadn't come with the teacher, would Liu Erlong have reunited with Yu Xiaogang, and would Yu Xiaogang have used the chance to drive him away?
But there was no need to worry too much. Ning Rongrong was right there beside him, a wealthy young lady who was generous with her money. Wherever he went, he'd be able to thrive. There was nothing to fear.
Besides, if Yu Xiaogang dared to make trouble for him, he certainly wouldn't let him get away with it!
Since he'd met Liu Erlong ahead of time, he might as well make good use of the opportunity and let Yu Xiaogang experience the taste of despair!
The group hurried across a small stone bridge and soon spotted a slender figure standing among the flowers in the distance. She was holding a watering can and slowly tending to the plants.
She was a woman in her thirties, dressed in a simple, elegant blue cloth dress. A plain kerchief held up a strand of hair at her temple, giving her a neat, fresh look.
Her face was slightly pale, but it did nothing to diminish her delicate beauty. Her features were like a painting, gentle and captivating.
Her dark eyes seemed somewhat vacant, yet they still held a lively sparkle.
Even beneath her loose robe, her curvaceous, perfectly proportioned figure was impossible to conceal—one that ordinary young women could never hope to rival.
"Dean, we have some special guests at the academy today."
The teacher who had brought Xiao Yexuan and the others hurried forward and bowed respectfully to Liu Erlong, his voice barely containing his excitement.
Liu Erlong's expression was indifferent. She continued watering the flowers without pausing, as though she couldn't care less about anything around her.
But when her gaze passed over Xiao Yexuan and the others, then settled on him, the watering can in her hand abruptly stopped. Her fingers trembled faintly, and her heart began to pound uncontrollably. Even her breathing slowed for a moment.
She had founded Blue Tyrant Academy simply to pass the long, tedious years. She had never cared in the least about the trivial business of welcoming people and seeing them off.
But Xiao Yexuan's arrival stirred an unfamiliar feeling in her heart, as if a stone had been tossed into a still lake, sending ripples spreading across its surface.
She slowly raised her head and fixed her gaze on Xiao Yexuan. Her voice was soft, with a hint of curiosity she couldn't quite conceal, as she asked, "Who are they?"
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