Their Own Paths

After reading the letter, Xiao Wu gently covered her mouth, tears falling silently.

So, she had been targeted all along!

A Titled Douluo-level existence had been keeping a constant watch on her, wanting to keep her in captivity, and the moment she left, it meant the mask had been torn off.

That was not something Huo Yuhao could withstand right now; even if he could escape, what about the others?

Zhu Zhuqing, standing to the side, embraced Xiao Wu and gently patted her back. "He chose to leave for our sake."

Xiao Wu curled up in Zhu Zhuqing's arms, nodded slightly, and choked out, "Zhuqing, when do you think we will see him again..."

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at the crescent moon outside the window, the bright moonlight streaming through to bathe them both.

"It won't be too long."

At the same time, on the other side of the dormitory area, three figures had gathered in Dai Mubai's room.

"I feel there's something fishy about this; it's not as simple as Grandmaster said," Oscar said, stroking his chin in analysis.

Ma Hongjun nodded in agreement.

"I think so too. I know the Dean; he would absolutely never do something like this. There is only one possibility for this situation: he was threatened!"

Dai Mubai scratched his head, his tone tinged with disdain.

"Brothers, what do you say? We aren't just going to let this slide, are we?"

Ma Hongjun gave a dark chuckle.

"Boss Dai, do I look like the kind of person who would be ungrateful? Huo Yuhao is a partner we've acknowledged, but who on earth would target him?"

Dai Mubai nodded with satisfaction. "Although we don't know who it is, anyone capable of threatening the Dean must be a Spirit Douluo or even a Titled Douluo. It's not something we can contend with right now. Our current task is to cultivate hard, and when our strength is sufficient, we will bring Huo Yuhao back with our heads held high!"

Both nodded, and Oscar continued to share his thoughts.

"I think that Grandmaster is very suspicious. His attitude is too strange; this matter must have a lot to do with him!"

"Isn't he Xiao San's teacher? Then Xiao San..."

"Let's not tell Xiao San our thoughts for now. We'll make plans after we confirm his attitude later!"

The group exchanged ideas, one sentence after another, and soon they had settled on a course of action.

Then, the three of them shared a smile. "A team can't be missing a single person!"

At the entrance of Shrek Academy, a young girl snuck out. Looking at the lush trees by the roadside, she whispered, "Come out."

In an instant, a figure flashed before Ning Rongrong and knelt on one knee. "Young Miss!"

The girl was Ning Rongrong. She nodded and handed over the letter in her hand. "Send this letter back to my father."

"Yes."

The black shadow flashed again and vanished.

Ning Rongrong looked toward the brightly lit Suotuo City in the distance, her eyes flickering, her hands clenched tightly.

"Huo Yuhao, what now?" Tian Meng's voice sounded slowly.

"Head to the Star Dou Great Forest. I can already feel the bottleneck; within a few days, I will reach level forty. Once I get there, I can obtain my fourth spirit ring, and then I will go find the Snow Empress."

Huo Yuhao spoke softly about his plans.

"Very good! I've long been annoyed by that old geezer with the hammer. Once you have the Snow Empress, you won't have to fear him anymore. Beat him to a pulp."

Huo Yuhao nodded with cold eyes.

"I will."

The scene of Flender calling him to the office that day flashed through his mind.

Inside, there was not only Flender but also Clear Sky Douluo and Yu Xiaogang, and the look Flender gave him was filled with guilt.

If it were only Flender being threatened, it would be nothing more than his own life; he could fully embody the fact that Shrek Academy did not have the word "cowardice" in its vocabulary.

But this academy had not only teachers but also so many lovely, diligent monster students.

Flender could not say the word "refuse." That would be throwing an egg against a rock, and he had no right to place the lives of his students on the gambling table.

When Tang Hao had arrogantly stated his conditions to Huo Yuhao, claiming that he was giving him a chance to leave the academy out of consideration for the friendship between him and his son, Huo Yuhao had agreed without hesitation.

He had bid the Dean farewell with a brilliant smile, acting as if he had wanted to leave early all along, so as not to make things difficult for Flender.

"Dean, those children... I leave them to you."

That was the last thing Huo Yuhao said as he stepped out of the Dean's office.

And so, things happened in a way that pleased everyone; it seemed as if everyone had gotten the result they wanted.

The youth walked leisurely through the lush forest, the sunlight filtering through the green leaves to cast bright patterns upon his body.

"Finally here! Huo Yuhao, have you decided on your fourth soul ring?"

Brother Sky Dream asked within Huo Yuhao's mind.

"Not yet, let's look around first. Maybe we'll run into something suitable."

Ever since his Spirit Eye Martial Soul Evolution, he didn't know which soul beasts were right for him anymore, and even if he found a suitable one, the other party might not be willing to become his Soul Spirit.

The last time he came to the Star Dou Great Forest was three years ago, and the feeling of returning to nature made the others in his mental space, including Brother Sky Dream, quite lively.

A flash of light shone from Huo Yuhao's chest, and a petite deer with magnificent fur darted out, hopping and skipping until it landed on top of Huo Yuhao's head.

"It feels so good to be home."

Huo Yuhao asked in confusion, "You soul beasts spend tens of thousands of years in the forest; have you started missing home after just three years?"

A-Lu hopped from his head onto Huo Yuhao's shoulder, affectionately rubbing against his cheek; the furry sensation made the corners of Huo Yuhao's mouth curl up.

"Mm, we soul beasts spend most of our time cultivating, so tens of thousands of years pass in a flash. But the three years since I followed you into human territory have been very fulfilling, and the concept of time has become much longer."

"I see. Does Brother Sky Dream feel the same way?"

"Hmph, of course. Not just me; Ice Empress and Snow Empress both really enjoy the time spent with you."

Ice Empress's shy, angry voice rang out, "Tian Meng! You guy, talking nonsense again!"

"Ouch, she's shy again. Huo Yuhao, look at her, always saying the opposite of what she means... Ow!!!"

Huo Yuhao chuckled, and the man and the deer wandered aimlessly, searching for a suitable soul ring.

Suddenly, a clear, moving female voice came from behind.

"Don't move!"

Huo Yuhao stiffened instantly. A-Lu turned to look behind them; it was a small beast with three eyes.

With thick golden fur and an appearance somewhat like a lion, A-Lu glanced at the complex expression on Huo Yuhao's face, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes before she turned into a golden light and vanished into Huo Yuhao's chest.

"Finally waited for you. Hmph, you can't run this time."

Seeing that Huo Yuhao had truly stopped moving, Three-Eyed Golden Ni nodded in satisfaction and strolled over to stand before him, curiously sizing up the youth.

His eyes haven't changed at all!

This was the first thought that crossed Three-Eyed Golden Ni's mind. Just like that first time they locked eyes, seeing him face-to-face this time was even clearer.

Beyond the sorrow that Bi Ji also possessed, there was a trace of emotion as scorching as fire.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Do we know each other?"

"No, that's not right. I definitely don't know you, but you have my scent on you. No, that's not it either..."

Unable to figure it out, Three-Eyed Golden Ni raised a paw to rub her head and glared at Huo Yuhao, "Don't you have anything to say? Just staring at me?"

Brother Sky Dream suggested in his mind, "Huo Yuhao, why not give her the memories?"

Huo Yuhao looked hesitant. He currently lacked the power to protect Qiu'er, and with Di Tian lurking nearby, this was definitely not a good time.

Just as he hesitated, a tiger's roar suddenly echoed from not far away, followed immediately by a furious bellow.

"Who?"

Three-Eyed Golden Ni and he both looked toward the direction of the sound.

Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes, his feet shifting imperceptibly to move in front of Three-Eyed Golden Ni, placing himself right in front of her.

He was very familiar with that second roar; he had dealt with it three years ago. It was the voice of Er Ming.

But who was the one before it? Er Ming's opponent?