Enemies on a Narrow Road

At the entrance of the Royal Hotel, Ji Feng was preparing to leave.

"Ji Feng, wait a moment!"

Ning Rongrong trotted out after him, panting as she grabbed his sleeve.

Ji Feng turned around, looking at her with confusion.

Ning Rongrong blinked her bright, watery eyes and flashed a sweet smile.

"Three days from now is the opening ceremony for Shrek Academy. Would you like to come and visit?"

Her voice carried a hint of coquettishness as she spoke.

Ji Feng was slightly stunned, feeling a bit surprised.

Ning Rongrong continued, "You've been away from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for so long, yet you still haven't officially toured the academy."

"This ceremony will be very lively, with plenty of performances and even a dance party!"

As she spoke, a glimmer of mischief flashed in her eyes.

Ji Feng pondered to himself what this little girl was actually plotting.

But then he thought, he didn't have anything else to do anyway.

Going to see the Shrek Academy opening ceremony wouldn't hurt.

"Fine, I'll come in three days," he nodded in agreement.

Ning Rongrong's smile became even sweeter, "It's a deal then!"

She skipped and hopped back toward the academy, her retreating figure radiating triumph.

Ji Feng watched her go, feeling like something wasn't quite right.

But he didn't dwell on it, turned around, and left.

Three days passed in a flash.

Ji Feng changed into clean clothes, preparing to head to Shrek.

He walked to the door and suddenly remembered something.

How could he attend a ceremony without a dance partner?

He had heard Ning Rongrong mention earlier that there would be a dance segment after the ceremony.

The image of Zhu Zhuqing flashed through his mind immediately.

That cold and glamorous cat-girl, with her tall figure and icy temperament.

She was always a loner, like a proud black cat.

Ji Feng wondered, if he invited her to be his partner, would she agree?

He smiled; regardless, he might as well try.

Ji Feng arrived downstairs at the Shrek Academy female dormitory.

He looked up at the third-floor window; that was Zhu Zhuqing's room.

He cleared his throat and shouted, "Zhu Zhuqing!"

The window opened, and Zhu Zhuqing poked her head out.

Seeing it was Ji Feng, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.

"What is it?" she asked coldly.

Ji Feng smiled, "The Shrek opening ceremony is in three days. I would like to invite you to be my dance partner."

Zhu Zhuqing froze, not expecting him to say this.

Her face flushed slightly, but she didn't answer immediately.

"Are... are you serious?" she hesitated.

Ji Feng nodded, "Of course, I'm not joking."

Zhu Zhuqing was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.

"Fine, I agree."

Ji Feng felt a surge of joy, waved goodbye, and turned to leave.

After he left, Zhu Zhuqing closed the window and leaned against the wall.

She touched her burning face, her heart pounding wildly.

Why did this guy suddenly invite her to be his dance partner?

Three days later, the day of the opening ceremony.

Ji Feng finished dressing, ready to head to Shrek Academy.

He walked out the door, only to find no one waiting for him.

He thought to himself, perhaps the ceremony hadn't started yet.

And so, he walked toward Shrek Academy all by himself.

Along the way, he encountered many students of Shrek Academy.

They all looked at him with expressions of surprise.

Some whispered, "Who is this person? He doesn't look like he belongs to the academy."

"How dare he come to attend the ceremony? You can't get in without an invitation."

Ji Feng's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

Only then did he remember that he hadn't received an invitation at all.

Ning Rongrong had only invited him verbally and hadn't given him any proof of entry.

He walked to the academy gate and was, as expected, stopped by the guards.

"Please present your invitation," the guard said, expressionless.

Ji Feng shook his head. "I don't have an invitation."

"Ning Rongrong invited me here; you can go ask her."

The guards exchanged glances, their faces showing signs of hesitation.

"Sir, without an invitation, you cannot enter."

Ji Feng frowned, feeling a sense of dissatisfaction.

Just as they were at a stalemate, the sound of footsteps approached.

A tall figure appeared at the academy gate.

Dai Mubai had returned!

He was dressed in a black formal suit, his presence imposing.

The crowd of students stepped aside one after another, bowing to him.

Dai Mubai saw Ji Feng at the gate and immediately furrowed his brows.

"Why are you here?" he asked with disdain.

Ji Feng did not answer, merely looking at him coldly.

Dai Mubai continued, "This is a ceremony for Shrek Academy; outsiders are not welcome."

"You'd best be sensible and get lost on your own!"

His tone was filled with contempt, showing no courtesy whatsoever.

Anger flared in Ji Feng's heart, but he did not lash out.

He looked behind Dai Mubai and shouted, "Ning Rongrong! Come out!"

In the crowd, Ning Rongrong hid in a corner, pretending not to hear.

She peeked out with one eye, watching Ji Feng's predicament.

She felt a secret thrill: making this guy look like a fool was just too much fun!

Ji Feng shouted a few more times, but Ning Rongrong did not respond.

He understood immediately that the girl was deliberately avoiding him.

It seemed she had never intended to truly invite him from the start.

She only wanted to see him in the pathetic state of being rejected.

Ji Feng let out a cold snort, ignoring Dai Mubai entirely.

He turned around and left Shrek Academy without looking back.

Ji Feng walked along, a fire of resentment burning in his chest.

He thought, since you don't welcome me, then I won't go.

What kind of place is Shrek Academy anyway? Nothing but a place that bullies the weak and fears the strong.

He decided to go to the Star Dou Great Forest to clear his head and grind some monsters while he was at it.

There, he could vent his frustrations by hunting soul beasts.

He walked for dozens of miles in one breath, arriving deep within the forest.

There were many soul beasts here, perfect for venting his rage.

He found a thousand-year soul beast and, without a word, began to fire.

He poured all his dissatisfaction onto the soul beast.

One shot, two shots, three shots...

After killing dozens of spirit beasts in succession, Ji Feng's spirit power grew rapidly.

He felt his bottleneck beginning to loosen.

On a night five days later, he sat cross-legged beneath a large tree.

He focused his mind, guiding his spirit power to circulate within his body.

Suddenly, a surge of heat welled up from within him.

The spirit power inside his body fluctuated violently, like boiling magma.

Ji Feng gritted his teeth and held on, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.

Finally, the spirit power within him broke through a barrier.

Level 75! Spirit Saint!

Ji Feng opened his eyes, which flashed with a golden light.

He let out a long breath, his entire body brimming with strength.

His confidence surged: Shrek Team, just you wait.

After the breakthrough, Ji Feng continued to grind monsters in the forest.

He needed to stabilize his cultivation and push toward level 80 as soon as possible.

That afternoon, he was in the middle of a battle with a ten-thousand-year spirit beast.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from the distance.

He stopped his movements and looked vigilantly toward the direction of the sound.

Soon, a group of people appeared in his line of sight.

It was the entire Shrek Team!

Dai Mubai walked at the very front, with Tang San following closely behind.

The others were all present as well, including Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing them, Ji Feng sneered in his heart: Truly, enemies are bound to meet on a narrow road.

Tang San was the first to recognize him, and a flash of killing intent immediately crossed his eyes.