Leaving Shrek

Yu Xiaogang and Ye Xuan conversed for a long while. Once Ye Xuan had finished asking his current questions, Yu Xiaogang took his leave.

After Yu Xiaogang departed, Ye Xuan's expression turned solemn.

His aversion toward me seems to stem from that battle with Tang Hao, Ye Xuan thought to himself. He is so overly enamored with Tang Hao that he refuses to accept that a young man like me could fight him to a draw.

Yu Xiaogang had been holding back too much information from him; it was now clear that he would never be able to learn more about martial souls from him.

If he wanted to understand the nature of martial souls, he would have to look elsewhere.

With this thought in mind, Ye Xuan wondered if it was time for him to consider leaving this place.

Yu Xiaogang arrived at Tang San's location to inquire about what had transpired in the Star Dou Great Forest.

While with Tang San, Yu Xiaogang also discussed matters regarding the spirit bone.

Once the debriefing concluded, Yu Xiaogang asked sternly, "San, how did that Ye Xuan come to be here?"

"Him?" Tang San had not expected his teacher to probe him about Ye Xuan.

He gathered his thoughts for a moment before recounting everything he knew to Yu Xiaogang.

After listening, Yu Xiaogang frowned slightly. "So, he encountered Zhu Zhuqing on the way and followed her here. San, do you truly believe he is a young man?"

Tang San shook his head, his expression grave. "I don't think so, but he is truly bizarre and impossible to fathom. Furthermore, Xiao Wu seems quite fond of him lately, which worries me."

"It seems we cannot let him stay here indefinitely," Yu Xiaogang said, enunciating each word.

"Teacher, you mustn't," Tang San quickly interjected. He then added, "Ye Xuan's strength is too great. If we offend him, it would be too dangerous for us."

Tang San had witnessed Ye Xuan clashing with the Titan Giant Ape; although he hadn't seen the end, the Titan Giant Ape had indeed fled afterward, so his strength was self-evident.

"Making him leave does not necessarily require offending him. Rest assured, I will find a way," Yu Xiaogang said.

Upon hearing this, Tang San was overjoyed.

He quickly asked, "Teacher, are you not leaving this time?"

"Indeed! I shall remain at Shrek Academy from now on to instruct you all," Yu Xiaogang nodded.

That night.

Ye Xuan arrived at Flender's study. He brought back all the books he had previously borrowed and said, "Dean Flender, these are the books I borrowed. I am returning them to you now."

As Ye Xuan placed the books on the desk, Flender looked slightly dazed. He asked in confusion, "Young Master Ye has finished them all?"

"Yes, I have," Ye Xuan nodded, then continued, "I will be leaving tomorrow. I hope my time at Shrek Academy has not caused you any trouble."

"Young Master Ye is leaving? Is there something about Shrek Academy that has not been to your satisfaction?" Flender asked cautiously.

"No," Ye Xuan shook his head and turned to leave.

After Ye Xuan left, Flender felt that something was amiss, though he could not quite put his finger on what it was.

The next day.

Before his departure, Ye Xuan went to where Zhu Zhuqing and the others were gathering for training.

"Zhuqing, come here. I have something I need to tell you in private," Ye Xuan said.

"Very well, Brother Ye." Although she did not know what it was about, Zhu Zhuqing followed him with great delight.

At that moment, Flender was preparing to introduce Yu Xiaogang to the students. Seeing that Ye Xuan needed to speak with Zhu Zhuqing, he paused the introduction, intending to wait until she returned.

When the two of them reached a secluded spot, Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously, "Brother Ye, what did you want to tell me?"

"I am leaving Shrek Academy. You should continue to study hard here, and if you ever need anything, come find me at Spirit Hall," Ye Xuan said.

"Leaving? Brother Ye, why are you leaving?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, puzzled.

"I came here to learn about martial souls, and now that I have learned enough, it is time to move on. There should be extensive research on martial souls at Spirit Hall, so I intend to head there," Ye Xuan explained.

A conflicted look appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face. After a moment of hesitation, she finally summoned the courage to say to Ye Xuan, "Brother Ye, I want to leave with you. Can you take me along?"

"Leave with me? If you come with me, I won't be able to teach you," Ye Xuan reminded her.

"I can learn on my own," Zhu Zhuqing said firmly.

Ye Xuan looked at her, sensing an unprecedented resolve within her.

"Very well! Then I will take you to speak with Dean Flender."

If Zhu Zhuqing possessed such courage, and he failed to accept it, then he would not be worthy of challenging the underlying logic of this world.

"Thank you, Brother Ye." Seeing that Ye Xuan had agreed, Zhu Zhuqing's face lit up with joy.

Ye Xuan brought Zhu Zhuqing back to where Flender and the others were. Ye Xuan said to Flender, "Dean Flender, I intend to take Zhuqing with me when I leave. Would that be acceptable?"

"Absolutely not," Yu Xiaogang spoke up before Flender could respond.

"Hm?" Flender's expression darkened; he had not expected such a strong reaction from Yu Xiaogang.

This made Flender rethink the situation regarding Ye Xuan's departure.

Ye Xuan glanced at Yu Xiaogang. At that single look, Yu Xiaogang felt as if a sword had been pressed instantly against his throat.

Sensing the atmosphere turn hostile, Flender quickly intervened, "Xiaogang, don't be hasty. Young Master Ye, what is the meaning of this?"

Before Ye Xuan could speak, Zhu Zhuqing took the initiative and said, "Dean, it is I who wish to leave with Brother Ye."

"Dean Flender, if Zhuqing wants to leave, there is no point in forcing her to stay here. Don't you agree?" Ye Xuan said.

"If it is Zhuqing's own wish to leave, there is no need for us to force her to stay. However, Zhuqing is, after all, a member of our Shrek Academy, so we will retain her student status. In the future, she will still be considered one of our own. What do you think, Young Master Ye?" Flender proposed.

"Zhuqing, what do you think?" Ye Xuan looked at Zhu Zhuqing.

With these words, Flender was clearly extending a gesture of goodwill toward Ye Xuan and his group. He hoped to use Zhuqing's status at the academy to forge a connection between Ye Xuan and Shrek Academy.

"As long as I can go with Brother Ye, it doesn't matter if my student status remains," Zhu Zhuqing said.

She had never cared about such things; all she cared about was following Ye Xuan and staying far away from Dai Mubai.

Everything else was of little concern to her.

"Then it is settled. Zhuqing, go pack your things, and we shall depart," Ye Xuan said.

"Very well, Brother Ye," Zhu Zhuqing replied, quickly leaving the area.

After Zhu Zhuqing had departed, Ning Rongrong asked curiously, "Brother Ye, where are you two going?"

Hearing this, Flender's heart tightened. He was truly terrified that Ning Rongrong's next sentence would be a request to follow Ye Xuan as well.

He had seen the talent of both Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong with his own eyes.

If such exceptional individuals were to both leave Shrek Academy, it would be a tremendous loss for the institution.