Chen Xin, Gu Rong

As his words fell, a black shadow drifted in through the window. Yue Guan appeared out of thin air in the center of the room, dressed in a purple robe, a faint smile on his alluring face.

He looked Yang Jian over, a trace of gratification flashing through his eyes.

"This is how a young man should look." Yue Guan leaned against the window, his tone carrying a hint of sentiment. "You always used to act so mature and steady. It made even me feel tired for you."

Yang Jian did not pursue the topic and spoke directly. "Uncle Yue, I'd like to borrow one million gold soul coins from you."

Since Yue Guan had been hiding in the shadows all day, he knew perfectly well that Yang Jian intended to give the gold soul coins to Wang Hegui. He nodded slightly. "No problem. I'll have someone deliver them tomorrow."

"Thank you, Uncle Yue." Yang Jian clasped his hands.

Yue Guan waved a hand, then vanished into the night with a flash.

Over the next three days, Yang Jian set aside all cultivation and devoted himself to accompanying his brother and sister.

On the first day, they went to the most bustling commercial street in Linhai City.

Yang Chan was like a bird released from its cage, running all over the street. Whatever she saw, she had to touch and inspect.

Yang Jian bought her several sets of new clothes and got Yang Jiao a good-quality short trident.

On the second day, they went to the seaside.

Yang Chan ran barefoot across the beach and collected a pile of seashells, saying she wanted to take them back to the academy for her classmates.

Yang Jiao stood by the shore, gazing at the distant horizon as he told Yang Jian amusing stories about the things he had encountered over the years.

On the third day, they went nowhere and simply stayed home.

Yang Chan pestered Yang Jian to tell her stories about Spirit Hall. He picked a few that he could tell her, and her eyes sparkled as she listened, filled with longing.

Those three days passed in the blink of an eye.

When it was time to part, Yang Chan cried until she was drenched in tears.

"Second Brother... you have to come get me soon..." She clutched Yang Jian's clothes, her voice choked with sobs as tears pattered down.

Yang Jian crouched down and wiped away her tears, looking seriously into her eyes. "Once I've finished what I need to do, I'll come get you right away."

"Pinky promise."

"Pinky promise."

Only then did Yang Chan let go. She took two steps back, her eyes red as she watched Yang Jian board the carriage.

Yang Jiao stood beside her and patted his sister's shoulder. "Be careful."

Yang Jian nodded, his gaze lingering on his brother and sister for a moment before he turned and entered the carriage.

The carriage slowly began to move, its wheels rolling over the bluestone pavement with a rumbling sound.

Yang Chan chased after it for a few steps before Yang Jiao pulled her back.

She stood where she was, watching the carriage disappear into the distance as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

Inside the carriage, Yang Jian leaned against the cushion and watched the scenery race backward beyond the window, silent for a long time.

Yue Guan appeared in the seat opposite him but did not disturb him.

After quite a while, Yang Jian finally withdrew his gaze. His eyes became steady and sharp once more.

"Where are we going next?" Yue Guan asked casually.

Yang Jian had already prepared his explanation.

"While looking through old records in the Book Repository, I noticed someone named Qin Ming. They said he was the second-youngest Soul Emperor on the entire continent and had once studied at an academy called Shrek."

"For an academy to produce a student like that, it must have something worthwhile."

"Our next stop will be Shrek Academy. I want to take a look."

Yue Guan nodded thoughtfully.

"Qin Ming? I've heard that name before." He stroked his chin. "He truly counts as a genius. If Shrek Academy could teach someone like him, then it doesn't seem simple."

"Going to have a look is fine."

Yang Jian gave a soft grunt, leaned back against the cushion, and closed his eyes.

Yue Guan noticed nothing unusual.

Shrek Academy.

Xiao Wu, I'm coming.

The carriage traveled steadily along the official road, its wheels crushing gravel with a monotonous sound.

It was the third day since they had left Linhai City.

At their current pace, they would enter the Barak Kingdom in another ten days or so.

Soto City was in the eastern part of the Barak Kingdom, and Shrek Academy was there as well.

Yang Jian leaned against the inner wall of the carriage, resting with his eyes closed, but his mind was calculating his next steps.

Once he arrived at Shrek Academy, he first needed to confirm whether Tang San and Xiao Wu had already enrolled.

If the plot had not deviated too much.

They should already be at the academy by now.

Then...

Yang Jian's thoughts were suddenly interrupted.

Yue Guan, who had likewise been resting with his eyes closed across from him, abruptly opened them.

His usually languid eyes now gleamed sharply, and his expression had turned grave beyond measure.

"What is it?" Yang Jian sat up straight.

Yue Guan did not answer. He fully unleashed his soul power perception and probed in a certain direction.

A moment later, his expression became extremely ugly. His lips moved slightly as he forced out a few words.

"Why are they nearby?"

Yang Jian frowned and released his own perception as well.

He discovered two overwhelmingly powerful auras rapidly approaching from the southeast.

That oppressive feeling.

It was absolutely not something an ordinary Titled Douluo could give off.

Level ninety-five.

At least level ninety-five Titled Douluos!

There were only a handful of Titled Douluos above level ninety-five on the entire continent.

Those who would appear at this time, in this place, and travel together...

Yang Jian faintly formed a guess.

"It's them." Yue Guan's voice carried a hint of apprehension. "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's two enshrined elders: Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong!"

As soon as he spoke, those two auras were already close at hand.

Yue Guan's perception had not been wrong. The pair had come straight toward the carriage, their target so clear it could not be ignored.

"Chrysanthemum Guan!"

Suddenly, an aged yet booming voice rang out from the sky, filled with undisguised contempt.

"You like hiding inside a carriage like a turtle with its head tucked in?"

Yue Guan's face turned ugly to the extreme.

He took a deep breath and turned to Yang Jian.

"Stay in the carriage. Don't come out."

Before his words had faded, Yue Guan vanished from the carriage.

Yang Jian lifted the curtain and looked toward the sky.

Two figures floated in midair, looking down imperiously at the carriage below.

The man on the left was tall, with white hair and beard. He wore a gray robe, and his stern face looked as though it had been carved with a blade.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

The man on the right was thin, with a sinister face and an unhealthy grayish-white complexion. A faint layer of bone armor covered his body, his arms were especially long and thick, and his fingertips were sharp as claws.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong.

Yue Guan stood before the carriage, looking up at the two uninvited guests. His expression was so dark it seemed as if water could drip from it.

"Chen Xin, Gu Rong."

His voice carried a measure of vigilance. "What do you mean by this?"

Gu Rong folded his arms across his chest, his gaze passing over Yue Guan and landing on the carriage.

"Kid inside, come out. Don't make this old man do it himself."

His tone was casual, as though he were discussing something utterly insignificant.

As for Yue Guan, he could not even be bothered to give him a proper glance.

Though they were both level ninety-five Titled Douluos.

Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum was not a martial soul known for combat.

Not to mention that Chen Xin was standing beside him, even if Gu Rong were alone, defeating Yue Guan would only be a matter of time.

Yue Guan clenched his fists. They had come for Yang Jian!

He stepped forward and shielded the carriage behind him, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"What exactly do you want?"