After reading the letter, Xiao Wu covered her mouth gently, tears falling silently.
So someone had been watching her all along!
A Titled Douluo was keeping an eye on her at all times, wanting to keep her captive. If she ever left, it would mean they had fallen out.
That was beyond what Huo Yuhao could handle right now. Even if he could escape, what about everyone else?
Zhu Zhuqing embraced Xiao Wu from beside her and gently patted her back. "He chose to leave for our sake."
Xiao Wu curled up in Zhu Zhuqing's arms and nodded faintly. Choking back tears, she asked, "Zhuqing, when do you think we'll see him again...?"
Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to the broken moon outside the window. Its pure light streamed through the glass, bathing them both.
"It won't be long."
At the same time, across the dormitory area, three figures had gathered in Dai Mubai's room.
"I think there's something fishy about this. It can't be as simple as Grandmaster said," Oscar said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
Ma Hongjun nodded in agreement.
"I think so too. I know the dean. There's no way he'd do something like this. There's only one explanation: someone threatened him!"
Dai Mubai scratched his head, his tone somewhat disdainful.
"So, brothers, what do you say? We're not just going to let this go, are we?"
Ma Hongjun gave a sly grin.
"Boss Dai, do I look like the kind of person who forgets a kindness? Yuhao's a partner we all acknowledge. But who would target him?"
Dai Mubai nodded, satisfied. "We don't know who it was, but anyone who could threaten the dean must be a Soul Douluo, or even a Titled Douluo. We can't stand up to them yet. Our job now is to train hard. Once we're strong enough, we'll bring Huo Yuhao back openly and honorably!"
The other two nodded, and Oscar continued sharing his thoughts.
"I think that Grandmaster is very suspicious. His attitude was too strange. He must have a lot to do with this!"
"Isn't he Xiao San's teacher? Then Xiao San..."
"Let's not tell Xiao San what we think just yet. We'll wait until we've confirmed where he stands before deciding what to do!"
They each added their thoughts, discussing the matter among themselves. Before long, they had settled on a plan.
Then the three exchanged smiles. "The team can't afford to lose even one of us!"
A girl slipped furtively out of the entrance to Shrek Academy. Looking at the lush trees by the road, she called softly, "Come out."
In an instant, a figure flashed in front of Ning Rongrong and dropped to one knee. "Miss!"
The girl was Ning Rongrong. She nodded and handed over the letter in her hand. "Take this letter back to my father."
"Yes."
The shadow flickered and disappeared once more.
Ning Rongrong gazed at the brightly lit Suotuo City in the distance, her eyes shifting as she clenched her hand into a fist.
"Yuhao, what now?" Tian Meng's voice sounded slowly.
"We'll head to the Star Dou Great Forest. I can feel my bottleneck. In a few days, I should reach level forty. Once we get there, I can obtain my fourth Soul Ring, then go find the Snow Empress."
Huo Yuhao quietly laid out his plans.
"Excellent! I've been sick of that old geezer with the hammer for ages. Once you have the Snow Empress, you won't have to fear him anymore. Give him a good beating!"
Huo Yuhao nodded, his eyes cold.
"I will."
The scene of Flender calling him to the office that day flashed through his mind.
Flender hadn't been alone. The Clear Sky Douluo and Yu Xiaogang had been there too, and guilt had filled Flender's eyes as he looked at him.
If Flender himself were the only one being threatened, it would have cost him no more than his life. He could have shown, in no uncertain terms, that the word cowardice had no place in Shrek Academy.
But the academy had more than just teachers. It also had so many lovable, hardworking monster students.
Flender couldn't refuse. It would have been like throwing an egg against a rock, and he had no right to put his students' lives on the line.
When Tang Hao arrogantly laid out his conditions to Huo Yuhao, saying that, out of consideration for his friendship with his son, he would give him the chance to leave the academy on his own, Huo Yuhao had agreed without hesitation.
He'd smiled brightly as he said goodbye to the dean, acting as though he'd been eager to leave for ages. He hadn't made things difficult for Flender.
"Dean, I'm leaving those children in your hands..."
Those were the last words Huo Yuhao had spoken before stepping out of the dean's office.
And so, everything had worked out to everyone's satisfaction. It seemed that each person had gotten what they wanted.
The young man strolled through the lush forest. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting bright patterns across him.
"We're finally here! Yuhao, have you decided what you want for your fourth Soul Ring?"
The Sky Dream Ice Silkworm asked from within Huo Yuhao's mind.
"Not yet. Let's look around first. We might come across something suitable."
Ever since his Spirit Eye Martial Soul evolved, he had no idea what kind of Soul Beast would suit him. Even if they found one, it might not be willing to become his Soul Spirit.
The last time he had visited the Star Dou Great Forest was three years ago. The feeling of returning to nature had stirred the others in his spiritual space to life as well.
A flash of light gleamed from Huo Yuhao's chest, and a tiny fawn with brilliantly colored fur sprang out. It bounced over and landed on his head.
"It feels so good to be home."
Huo Yuhao asked, puzzled, "You Soul Beasts spend tens of thousands of years in the forest. Have you really started missing home after just three years?"
A-Lu hopped from his head onto his shoulder and affectionately rubbed her cheek against his. The fluffy sensation made the corners of Huo Yuhao's mouth lift.
"Mm. Most of us Soul Beasts spend our time cultivating, so tens of thousands of years pass in a blink. But the three years after I followed you into human territory have been so full of life that every day feels much longer."
"I see. Brother Sky Dream, do you feel the same way?"
"Hmph-hmph, of course. It's not just me. Ice Empress and Snow Empress both love the time they spend with you."
Ice Empress's embarrassed voice rang out. "Tian Meng! You're always saying things like that!"
"Oh, look at you getting embarrassed again. Yuhao, just look at her. She's always saying one thing and meaning another... Ow!!!"
Huo Yuhao chuckled. He and the little deer wandered aimlessly, searching for a suitable Soul Ring.
Suddenly, a clear, melodious woman's voice called from behind them.
"Don't move!"
Huo Yuhao stiffened at once. A-Lu turned to look behind them. There stood a little beast with three eyes.
It had thick golden fur and looked somewhat like a lion. A-Lu glanced at Huo Yuhao beside her, his expression complicated, and a hint of amusement flashed in her eyes. She transformed into a streak of golden light, darted into Huo Yuhao's chest, and disappeared.
"I've finally caught up with you. Hmph-hmph, you won't get away this time."
Seeing that Huo Yuhao really had stopped moving, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion nodded with satisfaction. She slowly approached him and curiously studied the young man before her.
His eyes hadn't changed!
That was the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's first thought. Just like that time their eyes had met when they first encountered each other, except now that they were face-to-face, she could see them more clearly.
Along with the sorrow she shared with Bi Ji, there was also a fierce emotion burning in his eyes like a flame.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Do we know each other?"
"No, that can't be right. I'm sure I don't know you, but your aura is somehow connected to mine. No, that's not right..."
Unable to make sense of it, the Three-Eyed Golden Lion raised a paw and rubbed her head. She glared at Huo Yuhao. "Don't you have anything to say? Why are you just staring at me?"
In Huo Yuhao's mind, Tian Meng suggested, "Yuhao, how about showing her your memories?"
Huo Yuhao hesitated. He didn't yet have the strength to protect Qiu'er, and Di Tian was watching from the sidelines. This definitely wasn't the right time.
As he hesitated, a tiger's roar suddenly rang out from nearby, followed by an enraged bellow.
"Who's there?"
The Three-Eyed Golden Lion and Huo Yuhao both looked toward the sound.
Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes and subtly stepped closer to the Three-Eyed Golden Lion, positioning himself in front of her.
He knew the bellow that followed the roar well. He had crossed paths with its owner three years ago. It was Er Ming's voice.
But who had roared first? Was it Er Ming's opponent?