The late autumn wind blew through the mountains behind Shrek. Most of the leaves on the ancient trees had fallen off, and the remaining dead leaves were swaying precariously on the branches, as if they were reluctant to leave the branches.
Yi Chen was still sitting on the wicker chair under the old tree, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, and his eyes fell on Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing who were sparring in the distance.
One year has passed much faster than he imagined.
This time last year, Golden Spatula had just started to be promoted, and several girls were still fighting over the matching of a lineup.
But now, they have been able to stand alone in the eight-person game and have become Golden Spatula's brightest brand in the mainland.
Xiao Wu's movement is more agile and faster than a year ago. Her Starlight Dress has a soft luster in the morning light, and combined with her agile movement, it is like a stream of light traveling through the forest.
Her movements became more and more smooth, and every leap and rotation carried a natural rhythm, as if she was part of the wind.
Yi Chen noticed that her attack rhythm was a few tenths faster than last month, which showed that her adaptation to that dress had reached a state of complete integration of human and clothing.
Zhu Zhuqing is much calmer.
The black battle dress remained motionless in the wind. Every move she made was precise and fatal, without any unnecessary movements.
Compared with a year ago, her aura was more restrained and more dangerous. When she stood there, she was like a sheathed blade. If she didn't move, she would strike with thunder.
Her progress is the most solid kind, not obvious, but she is getting stronger every day.
The two of them fought quickly in the open space, and the muffled sound of fists and feet clashing echoed in the early morning air accompanied by the flying leaves.
Xiao Wu turned sideways to avoid Zhu Zhuqing's straight thrust, and followed the trend with a sweeping kick to attack the lower body. Zhu Zhuqing did not dodge, but instead used the force to jump up, flipped around in mid-air, and hit Xiao Wu's back neck with the long sword.
Xiao Wu didn't look back, and rolled forward to avoid it. When he stood up, he had already opened three steps away. He turned around and smiled at Zhu Zhuqing, "Zhuqing, your move is faster than yesterday."
"You hid faster than yesterday." Zhu Zhuqing put away his sword, his tone was calm, but there was a very faint arc at the corner of his mouth.
Ning Rongrong is sitting on the stone bench next to Yi Chen, holding a cup of hot tea in his hand, looking at the two people sparring in the distance, and occasionally making comments.
She did not participate in today's morning exercise because she stayed up late last night to process a batch of operational reports for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect branch and got up a little later this morning.
She leaned against the edge of the stone table, her legs crossed, and a white stocking hem exposed under her skirt. Her whole person exuded a lazy and comfortable atmosphere.
Her eyes stayed on Yi Chen's profile for a moment, then moved away, pretending to be watching the sparring between Xiao Wu and Zhuqing.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling just came the day before yesterday, stayed for two days, and went back to Heaven Dou City yesterday afternoon. Dugu Bo was currently working on Level 95, and Heaven Dou City needed Dugu Yan to handle some matters in the branch library, so Ye Lingling went back with her.
Before leaving, Dugu Yan placed a jar of Heaven Dou City's time-honored Osmanthus Wine on Yi Chen's table, saying it was newly brewed this year for him to try.
When she put it down, she casually said, "If you can't finish it, you can keep it for me to drink with you next time." After saying that, without waiting for Yi Chen to reply, she turned around and walked away, her scorpion braids swaying behind her.
Ye Lingling placed a small bag of her newly baked scented tea next to his teacup without leaving a message, but Yi Chen knew it was made by her herself, because there was a piece of Begonia Petal she drew casually on the paper bag, with light strokes, but it was easily recognized at a glance.
The two of them have completely different personalities, one is passionate and direct, the other is reserved and restrained, but the way they express their concern is equally appropriate.
Yi Chen Sometimes I think about how worthy and capable I am to be favored by so many outstanding girls.
Five people appeared in his life in turn, like a polyphonic piece of music, each with its own melody and rhythm, but intertwined harmoniously.
Xiao Wu is a jumping allegro, warm and lively.
Rongrong is a soothing Andante, gentle yet firm.
Zhuqing is a steady bass, restrained and powerful.
Yan'er is a bright interlude, free and sincere.
Lingling is a quiet ending sound, light and long.
Together they played a moving piece of music that he had never heard before.
Yi Chen Sometimes I think that it would be nice if days like this could continue forever.
He put down the tea cup, stood up, and moved his shoulders. The wicker chair made a slight creaking sound, which was particularly clear in the quiet morning light.
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing noticed his movements, stopped their hands at the same time, and looked towards him. Xiao Wu wiped the sweat from his forehead, walked over quickly, and asked, "Master, what's wrong?"
Her breathing was still a little rapid, and a few strands of hair on her forehead were wet with sweat and stuck to her forehead.
Yi Chen glanced at her and stretched out his hand to help her move the strand of hair behind her ears. The movement was as natural as if it had been done countless times.
Xiao Wu's face blushed slightly, but he didn't hide away. Instead, he raised his head slightly, like a cat being groomed.
Yi Chen took back his hand and said, "I want to go Spirit City."
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were stunned for a moment at the same time. Ning Rongrong also put down his tea cup and raised his head to look at him.
"What are you going for?" Xiao Wu asked directly. There was a hint of vigilance in her tone, as if Spirit City was some kind of dragon pit and tiger's den.
"Bibi Dong sent a letter half a month ago, saying that he has some strategic issues regarding the future development of Golden Spatula that he wants to discuss with me face to face."
Yi Chen's tone was as casual as saying that the weather was nice today, "I originally wanted to turn it down, but then I thought about it and I haven't been to Spirit City for some days. I just happened to go to see the operation of the branch library over there. I heard that the average daily reception volume of the Spirit City main library has hit a new high recently. I have to confirm it in person to see if it needs to be expanded."
What he told was the truth, but not the whole truth. Bibi Dong did write him a letter, but he decided to go to Spirit City for another reason. He wanted to see for himself how deep the chess pieces that were operating in secret had penetrated.
Although he is Omniscience and Omnipotence, there are some things that are more real to see with your own eyes than to have an omniscient view.
"I'll go with you." Xiao Wu said almost reflexively.
"I'll go too." Zhu Zhuqing followed closely.
Ning Rongrong also stood up: "I want it too"
"No need." Yi Chen waved his hand, his tone calm but firm.
"I'm just here to talk about things, not to fight. Bringing too many people will make it appear that I don't have enough confidence. You three stay at Shrek and train as usual, don't relax. When I come back, I want to see your ranks improve."
The three women looked at each other. Although they were reluctant, they did not insist anymore. They knew that things Yi Chen decided rarely changed.
"Then how long are you going to go?" Ning Rongrong asked. Her voice was softer than usual, and there was a hint of unnoticeable worry in her eyes.
"It can take as little as three to five days, or as long as a week." Yi Chen said, "Let's see how good Bibi Dong is at chatting. If she keeps me for dinner, she might stay one more day."
He said it easily, but Ning Rongrong didn't smile. She was silent for a moment, then stood up, walked to Yi Chen, and stretched out her hand to straighten his collar.
The movements were very light and natural, like a wife packing for her husband who was about to go on a business trip.
After she finished, she took a half step back, looked into his eyes, and said, "Go early and come back early."
Yi Chen looked at her clear eyes and nodded. "Yes."
He turned around and walked down the mountain road. After walking a few steps, he stopped again, looked back and added, "By the way, if you are unsure about anything, you can go to Heaven Dou City to find Qian Renxue. She will help you deal with it."
The three girls nodded and watched him walk down the mountain road. His figure gradually faded away in the morning light and disappeared among the ancient trees and rocks. The autumn wind blew by, picking up a few fallen leaves and swirling down in the direction where he disappeared.
Xiao Wu stood under the ancient tree and looked at the direction in which Yi Chen disappeared. He was silent for a while, then turned to look at Rongrong and Zhuqing: "Do you think Master is really just going to Spirit City to talk about things this time?"
Zhu Zhuqing did not answer, but her fingers holding the sword tightened slightly.
She is more perceptive than Xiao Wu, and she can feel that Yi Chen's state today is different from usual. It is not nervous or vigilant, but a deeper, calmness that seems to be planning.
Ning Rongrong picked up the half-cooled cup of tea, took a sip, and then put it down. She looked at the direction in which Yi Chen disappeared, and was silent for a long time before she said, "Master said there is business, that means there is business. When did he lie to us?"
Xiao Wu thought about it and thought it was true, so they stopped thinking about it. The three of them sat down again under the ancient tree and continued today's training arrangements.
At the same time that Yi Chen left Shrek Academy, in the hidden valley hundreds of miles away, Tang San was standing at the highest point of the stone palace, looking down at the dozen chess pieces he had collected below.
In one year, he has grown from an ordinary Spirit Master that was overshadowed by Yi Chen's light to a true demigod.
The level 99 Soul Power cultivation level, coupled with the initial mastery of Asura Divine Power power, gave him the confidence to be able to fight against any opponent.
But he was not in a hurry to act. He knew that Yi Chen's strength was unfathomable, and taking action rashly would only expose his trump card.
He needs to wait for the right time, a time when his actions can have the greatest impact.
He turned around and looked at the sky cut by the cliffs outside the stone palace, his eyes deep and calm.
Soon.
All he needs is an opportunity.