Intent to Leave!

Huang Fei only wanted to lie in the darkness and watch the people on stage shine.

Hmm, it was time to leave.

He turned over, faced the wall, and pulled the quilt up to his chin.

It wasn't leaving Tang San, but leaving Notting Academy.

Tang San's extreme Life Flow path had already been set; his second spirit ring was the homologous Life Ancient Vine, and his foundation was laid very firmly. No matter how much Yu Xiaogang tried to hoodwink him later, Tang San would not go astray on his own.

After all, he was a person with his own ideas. Choosing the Life Flow for his first spirit ring and the Life Flow for his second proved that he had completely accepted this direction.

Huang Fei didn't need to keep watching anymore.

If he kept following Tang San, he would never be able to unleash his own strength.

It wasn't that he couldn't, but that he dared not.

Wherever Tang San was, he had to disguise himself, restrain himself, and suppress his spirit power to the level of eleven. He had the strength of level thirty but couldn't use it, and he had stronger spirit skills but had to pretend he didn't.

This feeling was like a champion swimmer being thrown into the water with their hands and feet tied.

Suffocating.

He didn't like being suffocated.

He needed to find a place, a place where no one knew him, a place where he didn't need to disguise himself.

There, he could freely use his martial spirit, freely research the uses of Blue Silver Grass, and freely explore the possibilities of the Life Flow path.

He wouldn't need to explain to anyone why his spirit ring was so strong, wouldn't need to hide from anyone why his spirit power grew so fast, and wouldn't need to pretend to be a "mediocre-talented work-study student" in front of anyone.

There, he could be his true self.

Regarding matters at Notting Academy, he needed to find a suitable reason to leave.

He couldn't say he was quitting, as he wouldn't be able to answer to Old Jack, and Tang San would also keep asking.

He couldn't say he was transferring, either, because no academy would accept a work-study student with a "first spirit ring of 120 years and level eleven spirit power."

So, it could only be for training.

Going out for training to broaden his horizons and hone his practical combat abilities.

This reason made sense to Old Jack, and it made sense to Tang San.

Old Jack would worry but wouldn't stop him; Tang San would be reluctant but wouldn't stop him either.

Because what he said was right—a spirit master would never become a true powerhouse if they only stayed in the academy.

As for when he would return, he hadn't decided yet.

Maybe a year, maybe two, maybe... he would decide when he felt like coming back.

Huang Fei closed his eyes and let out a long breath.

Tang San's breathing came from the bed next to him, steady and long.

He didn't know what Tang San was dreaming about, but the corners of his mouth were slightly curled up, as if he were having a good dream.

Huang Fei glanced at him and said in his heart: Tang San, walk your path steadily from now on.

Then he closed his eyes as well.

That night, he slept more soundly than usual.

Early the next morning, when Tang San woke up, he saw Huang Fei already sitting on the bed.

This wasn't the usual Huang Fei who "needed to be called three times to crawl out from under the quilt," but a Huang Fei who was neatly dressed, with clear eyes, looking as if he had been awake for a long time.

"You... up so early today?"

Tang San rubbed his eyes, finding it hard to believe.

"I have something to tell you."

Huang Fei's voice wasn't loud, but it was very serious.

Tang San was stunned for a moment.

In his impression, whenever Huang Fei spoke in this tone, he never said anything unimportant.

"What is it?"

Huang Fei looked at him, paused for a moment, and then spoke slowly.

"I plan to leave Notting Academy for a while."

The corner of the quilt in Tang San's hand fell to the floor.

"Going out for training."

Huang Fei added, his tone as calm as if he were saying the weather was nice today.

"Staying in the academy, my cultivation speed is too slow. My first spirit ring's age is too low, and I need to find a cultivation method that suits me. Staying here forever won't change anything."

Tang San opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words stuck in his throat.

He wanted to say, "Your spirit power is only level eleven; it's too dangerous to go out for training."

He wanted to say, "You don't even have a second spirit ring; what will you do if you encounter a spirit beast?"

He wanted to say, "Just stay by my side, and I will protect you."

But he said none of these things.

Because he knew that Huang Fei was not the type of person who needed others to protect him.

Having grown up together in Holy Soul Village, Tang San knew better than anyone that although Huang Fei was lazy, slack, and looked like he hadn't woken up all day, he never did anything without being certain of the outcome.

If he said he was going out to train, it must have been carefully considered, and he must have made all the necessary preparations.

"How long?"

Tang San asked.

"I don't know."

Huang Fei answered honestly.

"Maybe a year, maybe longer. It depends on the situation."

"Where are you going?"

"I'll head south first. The climate is warmer in the south, and there are many plant-type spirit beasts, which is suitable for Blue Silver Grass cultivation."

Tang San was silent for a long time.

The others in Dormitory Seven had not yet woken up; only the sound of their two voices echoed softly in the dim room.

The hearth fire had already gone out, and while a trace of last night's warmth remained in the ashes, it was slowly dissipating.

"When are you leaving?"

Tang San's voice was a bit hoarse.

"Tomorrow."

Huang Fei said.

Tang San did not speak again.

He lowered his head, looking at the crumpled quilt on his bed, his fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the fabric.

He wanted to ask him to stay, but he didn't know what to say.

He wanted to say, "Wait for me to go with you," but he knew Huang Fei would not agree.

So, in the end, he simply nodded.

"Alright."

A single word, the sound as light as a falling leaf.

On the day Huang Fei left, Nuoding City saw its first rain since the beginning of autumn.

Tang San stood at the academy gate, rainwater streaming down his hair. He did not use an umbrella, nor did he channel his spirit power to block the rain. He watched Huang Fei's figure grow smaller and smaller in the curtain of rain, finally disappearing around the bend at the end of the main road. There was nothing left there, only the gray sky and the gray earth merging into one.

When Huang Fei left, he only carried a single bundle. The bundle was not large, containing a few changes of clothes, the Peace Knot given by Old Jack, and the last month's subsidy received from Martial Soul Hall—one Gold Soul Coin. Forty-Eight Moons Embracing the Stars still held plenty of items, enough to last him a long time.

Tang San asked if he wanted him to walk him to the city gate, but Huang Fei said there was no need. Tang San asked again if he should help him hire a carriage, but Huang Fei said it would be a waste of money. Tang San stood at the gate watching him, his lips moving several times, but in the end, he only managed to say two words: "Take care."

Huang Fei looked back at him and smiled.

"You too."

Then he walked away, his pace neither fast nor slow, his hands tucked into his sleeves, exactly the same as when he strolled around the academy. There was no looking back, no reluctant farewell, not even any extra words.

Tang San stood in the rain, remaining there until Huang Fei's figure had completely vanished, before slowly turning around and walking back to Dormitory Seven.

Wang Sheng poked his head out at the doorway, but seeing the look on Tang San's face, he didn't dare to ask any questions. Xiao Wu sat on her bed, holding a carrot in her hand, taking a bite and chewing slowly, not her usual chirpy self.

Dormitory Seven was very quiet. The hearth fire was burning brightly, but no one spoke.