Torn

Yue Ling, who had not experienced such a sense of weightlessness in a long time, collapsed onto the ground, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

"C-Can you give me some warning next time...?"

"Uh, next time... we'll talk about it next time."

Facing those resentful eyes, Xuan Zi's pitch-black eyes, utterly mismatched with his age, revealed a trace of embarrassment. He lightly brushed aside the loose strands over his forehead.

"Ah, let's go inside first. This old man hasn't eaten yet..."

"Got it... Ordering me around the moment I get back..."

Though Yue Ling complained, he still briskly got to his feet and shakily walked into the house.

At a glance, everything looked the same as before. Even the kitchen was free of dust, so someone must have cleaned it regularly.

Since he was cooking for his teacher anyway, why not make more and invite his senior sister and the others over as well?

After all, back in that underground cave, he had promised his senior sister that he would tell her about his second Martial Soul.

This would be a good chance to catch up properly. Otherwise, they would have to wait until he entered the Shrek Inner Court a year from now before meeting again.

With that decided... Yue Ling called toward the room, "Teacher, I'm going to get Senior Sister. She can help me out in the kitchen."

A moment later, Xuan Zi's robust voice came from within. "Go on, go on. If you're looking for that girl, stop by Sea God Pavilion and bring Mu En and the others too. Oh, and hurry up. This old man hasn't eaten—I'm starving to death..."

"Mm-hm, I'll be right back!"

Yue Ling smoothed his hair and jogged out of the courtyard.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

"Y-You mean the boy you like is only