A Fateful Encounter

At the entrance to the Royal Hotel, Ji Feng was just about to leave.

"Ji Feng, wait!"

Ning Rongrong came running after him, panting as she grabbed his sleeve.

Ji Feng turned around and looked at her in confusion.

Ning Rongrong blinked her bright, sparkling eyes and gave him a sweet smile.

"Shrek's opening ceremony is in three days. Would you like to come watch?"

Her voice carried a playful, coaxing lilt.

Ji Feng paused, a little surprised.

Ning Rongrong continued, "You've been here from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for so long, but you still haven't had a proper look around the academy."

"This ceremony will be lively, with lots of performances and even a dance!"

As she spoke, a sly glimmer flashed in her eyes.

Ji Feng wondered what the little girl was up to.

But then he thought it over. It wasn't as if he had anything else to do.

There was no harm in going to see Shrek Academy's opening ceremony.

"Sure. I'll come in three days." He nodded.

Ning Rongrong's smile grew even sweeter. "It's a promise!"

She bounced back toward the academy, her triumphant air clear in every step.

Ji Feng watched her go, feeling that something was off.

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

Three days passed in a flash.

Ji Feng changed into clean clothes and prepared to head to Shrek.

As he reached the door, he suddenly remembered something.

How could he attend the ceremony without a dance partner?

Ning Rongrong had mentioned that there would be a dance after the ceremony.

The first person who came to mind was Zhu Zhuqing.

That cool, stunning catgirl had a tall figure and an aloof air.

She was always on her own, like a proud black cat.

Ji Feng wondered if she would accept if he asked her to be his dance partner.

He smiled. Whatever happened, he could at least try.

Ji Feng went to the girls' dormitory at Shrek Academy.

He looked up at a third-floor window. That was Zhu Zhuqing's room.

He cleared his throat and called out loudly, "Zhu Zhuqing!"

The window opened, and Zhu Zhuqing leaned out.

When she saw Ji Feng, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.

"What is it?" she asked coldly.

Ji Feng smiled. "Shrek's opening ceremony is in three days. I'd like to invite you to be my dance partner."

Zhu Zhuqing froze, not expecting him to say that.

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

"You... You're serious?" she asked hesitantly.

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

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

"Fine. I accept."

Ji Feng was delighted. He waved goodbye and turned to leave.

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

She touched her burning cheeks, her heart pounding.

Why had that guy suddenly asked her to be his dance partner?

Three days later, the day of the opening ceremony arrived.

Ji Feng got dressed and prepared to head to Shrek Academy.

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

He thought perhaps the ceremony hadn't started yet.

So he headed to Shrek Academy alone.

Along the way, he passed many Shrek students.

They all looked surprised when they saw him.

People whispered among themselves. "Who's that? He's not from the academy, is he?"

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

Ji Feng's heart sank.

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

Ning Rongrong had invited him verbally, but hadn't given him any kind of pass.

When he reached the academy entrance, the guards stopped him, just as he'd expected.

"Please show us your invitation," one guard said expressionlessly.

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

"Ning Rongrong invited me. You can ask her."

The guards exchanged glances, looking troubled.

"Sir, you can't enter without an invitation."

Ji Feng furrowed his brow, starting to feel annoyed.

As they stood at an impasse, footsteps approached.

A tall figure appeared at the academy gates.

Dai Mubai was back!

He wore a black formal suit and exuded an imposing air.

The students parted to let him through, bowing as he passed.

When Dai Mubai saw Ji Feng at the entrance, he immediately frowned.

"What are you doing here?" he asked disdainfully.

Ji Feng didn't answer. He only stared at Dai Mubai coldly.

Dai Mubai continued, "This is Shrek Academy's ceremony. Outsiders aren't welcome."

"You'd better know your place and get out!"

His tone was dripping with contempt, utterly blunt.

Anger flared in Ji Feng's heart, but he held it back.

He looked past Dai Mubai and called out, "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 was secretly delighted. Making him look foolish was just too much fun!

Ji Feng called several times, but Ning Rongrong didn't respond.

He understood at once. The girl was deliberately hiding from him.

It seemed she had never intended to truly invite him.

She had only wanted to watch him get rejected and humiliated.

Ji Feng snorted and stopped paying Dai Mubai any attention.

He turned around and left Shrek Academy without looking back.

Ji Feng walked on, simmering with anger.

If they didn't welcome him, then he wouldn't go.

What kind of place was Shrek Academy, anyway? Just a place that picked on the weak and feared the strong.

He decided to go to the Star Dou Great Forest to clear his head and hunt monsters.

There, he could vent by hunting Soul Beasts.

He walked dozens of miles in one go, reaching the depths of the forest.

The place teemed with Soul Beasts, perfect for venting his anger.

He found a thousand-year Soul Beast and started firing without a word.

He poured all his resentment into the Soul Beast.

One, two, three...

After killing dozens of Soul Beasts in a row, Ji Feng's Soul Power rapidly increased.

He could feel his bottleneck beginning to loosen.

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

He focused his mind and guided Soul Power through his body.

Suddenly, a wave of heat surged through him.

The Soul Power inside him churned violently, like boiling magma.

Ji Feng gritted his teeth and endured, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

At last, the Soul Power within him broke through a barrier.

Level seventy-five! Soul Saint!

Ji Feng opened his eyes, golden light flickering in them.

He let out a long breath, his whole body brimming with power.

His confidence soared. Just you wait, Shrek.

After breaking through, Ji Feng continued hunting monsters in the forest.

He wanted to stabilize his cultivation and reach level eighty as soon as possible.

That afternoon, he was fighting a Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from afar.

He stopped and warily looked toward the sound.

Soon, a group of people appeared in his field of vision.

It was the entire Shrek Team!

Dai Mubai was at the front, with Tang San right behind him.

The others had all arrived too, including Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing them, Ji Feng sneered inwardly. Talk about a fateful encounter.

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