The Warmth of Return, Cute Xiao Wu and Rongrong

Departing from Heaven Dou City, the carriage galloped along the main road for two days, finally arriving at Soto City, where Shrek Academy was located, on the afternoon of the third day.

Yi Chen did not linger in the city, having the coachman drive the carriage straight to the gates of Shrek Academy. He had barely jumped down from the carriage and had not yet had the chance to step through the school gates when two figures came sprinting out from within the academy.

"Master!"

Ning Rongrong took the lead, her pink skirt fluttering as she ran, her delicate little face filled with surprise and joy. Xiao Wu followed closely behind, her scorpion braid swinging behind her, her face equally radiant with a brilliant smile.

Before Yi Chen could even speak, Ning Rongrong had already dove into his arms, wrapping her hands tightly around his waist and rubbing her head against his chest like a spoiled kitten. "Master! You're finally back! We missed you to death!"

Xiao Wu was a step behind and found no room to squeeze in, but she refused to be outdone, grabbing onto Yi Chen's arm from the side and looking up with a grin. "Master, Master! You were gone for so many days! Rongrong kept babbling about when you'd be back every single day; my ears were about to grow calluses!"

"Don't you talk about me!" Ning Rongrong lifted her head from Yi Chen's chest, her cheeks flushed, and retorted, "Aren't you the same? You asked 'Will Master be back tomorrow?' every single night—don't think I don't know!"

"I was just concerned for Master!" Xiao Wu defended herself righteously. "Unlike some people, who didn't even have the heart to play Battle of the Golden Spatula after Master left, just staring blankly at the chessboard all day!"

"You—"

"Alright, alright." Yi Chen felt a headache coming on from the two girls' bickering, yet he felt both annoyed and amused as he patted their heads. "I've only been gone for a few days and you're already making such a fuss. If I were to go on a long trip for months, wouldn't you tear Shrek apart?"

Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, giggled in unison, and let go, though they still stood on either side of Yi Chen like two clingy little tails.

"Master, did things go smoothly in Star Luo?" Ning Rongrong asked, looking up with concern in her eyes. "Was Zhuqing's engagement really annulled?"

Yi Chen nodded. "Smoothly. The Emperor of Star Luo issued the decree himself; from now on, Dai Mubai and Zhuqing have no further ties."

"That's great!" Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu cheered simultaneously, high-fiving each other, their faces filled with genuine joy.

"What about Zhuqing? Why didn't she come back with you?" Xiao Wu peered into the carriage, finding it empty, and asked with some confusion.

"She stayed in Star Luo City," Yi Chen explained. "She and her sister, Zhu Zhuyun, resolved a long-standing conflict, so I told her to stay a few more days to spend time with her family. Besides—"

He paused, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I granted the exclusive agency for Battle of the Golden Spatula in the Star Luo Empire to the Zhu Family. As a direct descendant of the Zhu Family, Zhuqing can help oversee the construction of the branch."

"Wow!" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up. "Master, you're too amazing! You went to break off an engagement and managed to strike a business deal on the side!"

Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly, looking at him with adoration. "When Master takes action, one is worth two!"

Yi Chen felt a bit carried away by his two disciples' flattery, but he maintained a calm expression, gave a light cough, and said, "Alright, enough with the flattery. Let's go, let's head back first. I brought you some specialties from Heaven Dou City."

"Really? That's wonderful!" Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu cheered again, each taking one of his arms and ushering him into the academy.

Passersby watched the scene, casting looks of curiosity and envy. Although Yi Chen hadn't been at Shrek for long, his reputation had already spread throughout the academy. He was a powerhouse who had Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhuqing all apprenticing under him, a mysterious figure who had created Battle of the Golden Spatula, and even Dean Flender treated him with great respect.

The three chatted and laughed all the way to the ancient tree behind the mountain. This was where Yi Chen usually taught the three girls, and it had become their exclusive training ground.

Yi Chen sat on the stone bench under the tree and took two oil-paper parcels from his storage soul tool, handing them to his disciples. "Here, osmanthus cakes and candied fruit from a time-honored shop in Heaven Dou City. I had to wait in line for quite a while to get them."

Ning Rongrong took the oil-paper parcel and opened it to see the golden osmanthus cakes emitting an alluring, sweet fragrance. She couldn't help but pick one up and take a bite, her eyes instantly brightening. "Delicious! Master, you're the best!"

Xiao Wu didn't want to be left behind, grabbing a piece of candied fruit and stuffing it into her mouth. Her cheeks bulged like a little squirrel stealing food, and she mumbled indistinctly, "Mmph... delicious! Much better than the pastries in Soto City!"

Watching his two disciples eat happily, the corners of Yi Chen's mouth couldn't help but lift slightly.

He took a sip of tea and suddenly remembered something. "By the way, I met two people while I was in Heaven Dou City."

"Who?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously, her mouth still full of cake.

"Dugu Bo's granddaughter, Dugu Yan. And her friend, Ye Lingling."

"Dugu Yan? Ye Lingling?" Xiao Wu tilted her head in thought. "I think I've heard of them. Isn't Dugu Yan a student at the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy? Is Ye Lingling one too?"

Yi Chen nodded. "That's right. Both of them play Battle of the Golden Spatula, and their skill level is quite good. I'm planning to host a small exhibition match in a while and invite them to participate."

"An exhibition match?" Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu looked at each other, their eyes igniting with competitive spirit.

"Master, how good are they?" Ning Rongrong asked, a hint of defiance in her tone. "Are they better than us?"

Yi Chen glanced at her and smiled. "Their level is about the same as yours right now. However, they started later than you, so the fact that they've reached this level shows their talent is indeed quite good."

Ning Rongrong huffed and clenched her little fists. "Then when the exhibition match comes, I'll make sure to show them what I'm made of!"

Xiao Wu nodded repeatedly, looking confident. "Exactly! Let them know that Master's direct disciples aren't to be trifled with!"

Watching his two disciples brimming with fighting spirit, Yi Chen felt both gratified and amused.

"Alright, having ambition is a good thing." He set down his teacup and stood up. "But talk is cheap. Come on, let me check if you've been slacking off while I was away."

Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu exchanged a look, immediately putting down their snacks and sitting upright before the chessboard.

"Don't worry, Master, we haven't been slacking!" Ning Rongrong said confidently. "Xiao Wu and I have been training on time every day, and we've even developed several new lineups!"

Xiao Wu nodded in agreement. "That's right! Master, take a look and see if we've improved!"

Yi Chen walked behind them with his hands behind his back, watching the lineup taking shape on the board, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

These two girls certainly hadn't been slacking.

Moreover, their progress was even faster than he had anticipated.

It seemed that when the exhibition match arrived, they should be able to give Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling quite a few "surprises."