Han Xing and Hu Liena chatted for a while before quickly parting ways.
After all, they had only just met, and there was quite a gap between their levels of strength.
The only reason they could chat together was that they were both Bibi Dong's disciples.
Naturally, there was no chance of them falling for each other at first sight and talking for ages.
In the days that followed, Han Xing's life soon returned to its usual calm.
His days fell into the same routine of classes, cultivation, and training. The only difference from before was that Soul Fighting Arena practice had now been added to his training schedule.
For four whole months, Han Xing spent every day in the Soul Fighting Arena.
At first, the opponents he faced could still put him under some pressure.
But as his strength broke through, once he reached level thirty-four, only the strongest students in the third year could put any real pressure on him.
By the time he reached level thirty-five, he could hardly find an opponent who could last a single round.
Now, Han Xing only felt any pressure during team matches.
On this particular day, Han Xing was doing as usual.
He planned to head to the training grounds for a team Soul Fighting match after class.
[Who would've thought Tang San and Xiao Wu would be this grown up in the blink of an eye.]
[But where's Han Xing? Why isn't he with them?]
[To the person above, they're a couple out shopping. You want to go be a third wheel?]
A few comments suddenly flashed before Han Xing's eyes, interrupting him.
"Has the Shrek storyline started already?"
Han Xing stopped and sat down on a nearby bench.
He began recalling the timeline after Tang San went to Shrek.
From what he remembered, Tang San seemed to have spent half a year at Shrek before being invited to Heaven Dou City.
After that, he stayed in Heaven Dou City for about a year, and then the High-Level Soul Master Tournament began.
With all the plot and scenes that took place there, Heaven Dou City and Shrek were the main centers of the early storyline.
"There's no need to consider going to Shrek."
"That bastard Tang Hao has his eyes on Tang San the whole time. It's far too dangerous for me."
"My sudden departure from Nuoding City six months ago already counts as going off the rails in Tang Hao's eyes."
"If I show up near Suotuo City without a reasonable explanation, I might get killed on sight."
Han Xing furrowed his brow, pondering when to enter the storyline.
At the moment, he had three options.
The first was to secretly enroll at Heaven Dou Royal Academy through Qian Renxue.
To anyone who didn't know the truth, his appearance there could be explained as an early recruitment, which was why he had left Nuoding City.
But after leaving Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he might be branded a traitor by the audience.
Though Han Xing was part of Spirit Hall, the audience wouldn't care about that.
The advantage was that he could use the Imperial Fighting Team to repay the Protagonist Group again and boost his Popularity Value.
The second option was the Star Dou Great Forest, a place every Soul Master had to visit.
If Han Xing happened to run into Shrek there, the audience would find it plausible.
But there weren't many scenes in that part of the story where Han Xing could earn Popularity Value.
The problem was that Han Xing had offended Xiao Wu pretty badly during those years in Nuoding City.
Whenever Han Xing and Xiao Wu fought, he had never held back.
The third option was Sunset Forest, where he could also pursue his goal of obtaining Immortal Herbs.
That was the main reason he hadn't taken Chrysanthemum Douluo straight to Sunset Forest back then.
He wanted to use the search for Immortal Herbs as an excuse to get back on camera.
But that plan would be a little troublesome.
After all, Han Xing didn't just want a brief appearance at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Eye.
"I need to avoid getting branded a traitor, and I need as many chances to appear as possible..."
Han Xing considered it in silence, and soon came up with a new plan.
Before carrying it out, though, he still needed permission from a few people.
He also needed to make his actions seem more reasonable, to avoid any Popularity Value backlash caused by this.
Even if the explanation was a stretch, it would be enough as long as the audience accepted it.
Han Xing first went to find Chrysanthemum Douluo and explained that he planned to travel soon and hoped the other man would accompany him.
"Are you serious?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo was surprised to hear that Han Xing wanted to go to Heaven Dou City.
The boy had mentioned a few years ago that he would be going away for a while someday.
But he hadn't said he was going to a dangerous place like Heaven Dou City.
Seeing that Chrysanthemum Douluo was unwilling to go to Heaven Dou City, Han Xing brought out his trump card.
"Senior, I once learned something about Immortal Herbs by chance."
"There's a place near Heaven Dou City where Immortal Herbs grow, things like Lovesick Heartbreak Red and Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum."
As he spoke, Han Xing watched Chrysanthemum Douluo's expression from the corner of his eye.
"I've spent some time looking into Immortal Herbs, but there are very few records about them in Spirit City."
"I've heard that Immortal Herbs can greatly increase a person's Soul Power, and if they suit a Martial Soul, they can even improve a Soul Master's potential..."
"Then I remembered that your Martial Soul is the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum..."
"Enough!" Chrysanthemum Douluo hurriedly raised a hand.
"Whether what you said is true or not, rumors like that don't come from nowhere."
"I have to go to Heaven Dou City right away."
Chrysanthemum Douluo didn't doubt whether Han Xing's words were true.
At Han Xing's age, if he hadn't really heard something about them, there was no way he could know Immortal Herbs existed.
"But going to Heaven Dou City is easy enough for me. You might not get the chance to go," Chrysanthemum Douluo added.
"You're only in your thirties in terms of level. Even if I agree, His Holiness the Pope might not."
"There are plenty of powerful people hidden in Heaven Dou City. I might not be able to protect you on my own."
"It's enough that you've agreed, Senior. I'll handle my teacher," Han Xing said confidently.
"Is that so? Since you say that, then it's up to you." Chrysanthemum Douluo nodded.
"When you've decided on a departure date, we'll go together."
With Chrysanthemum Douluo's promise secured, Han Xing headed to the second place.
This time, he wasn't going to the Pope Palace, but to the Worship Hall.
In his plan, there was someone whose presence was indispensable if he wanted to get more scenes in Heaven Dou City.
It wasn't that no one else would do, but with this person backing him, Han Xing wouldn't be branded a traitor even if he returned to Spirit Hall later.
It wasn't hard to guess who this person was.
The only way to cover up a blemish like Han Xing's going undercover was with an even bigger blemish.
Han Xing had just reached the hall of the Worship Hall using his token when an old man's voice rang out.
"Come in."
It was Qian Daoliu. His range of perception was enormous.
He had sensed Han Xing's approach as soon as the boy neared the Worship Hall.
"Greetings, Senior."
Han Xing pushed the door open and bowed respectfully.
"All right, drop the act. I know what you've been up to lately."
Qian Daoliu said helplessly, "You've never been a well-mannered, obedient child."