What a Coincidence

"It's good that you're willing to trust Yuhao, Senior."

Jiang Bai nodded. If the Ice God truly approved of Yuhao, the matters that followed would be much easier to handle.

"So, what do you plan to do next?"

the Ice God asked. He truly could not guess what Jiang Bai was thinking. That calm, calculating look made him impossible to read.

"Wander around, eat and drink."

Jiang Bai answered casually. Although he needed to join the reserve team later, there was no way he would take the initiative to seek out the people from Shrek.

That would be far too strange. He needed the people from Shrek to come over themselves and "happen" to run into him.

Of course, Jiang Bai estimated that it would not take too long. They should arrive in a few days.

A few days later...

The hotel manager who had previously received Jiang Bai bowed to Ning Tian. Behind him stood numerous wooden crates half a person tall.

The crate lids were open, revealing neatly arranged medicinal herbs and spiritual treasures.

Some were wrapped in brocade, while others were stored in jade boxes. Their medicinal fragrance filled the room, crisp and rich.

"Young Mistress, these are the heavenly treasures we brought."

As soon as she arrived in Star Luo City, Ning Tian contacted the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's informants within the city.

She had them secretly bring over quite a number of heavenly treasures and medicinal materials for healing. Now, she could use them to earn Shrek a favor.

At that moment, Wang Yan, Ma Xiaotao, and Ling Luochen were receiving the medicinal materials in front of her.

"Thank you, Ning Tian."

Looking at crate after crate of medicinal materials, Wang Yan was deeply moved. Fortunately, they had Ning Tian. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for them to procure so many heavenly treasures.

Ning Tian had used her own connections and informants to move these heavenly treasures here.

"No need to be polite. I'm also part of Shrek."

Ning Tian replied with a smile, her tone exceedingly courteous. She could be considered half a member of Shrek, and especially in their current circumstances, helping Shrek was like sending charcoal in a snowstorm.

As long as they overcame this crisis, no matter whether they won or lost this tournament, she would have earned herself a share of the credit.

Once this crisis had passed, she intended to have the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's seniors pay Shrek a "visit" and see whether they could obtain some benefits from them.

The higher-ups of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had always suspected that Shrek had secretly hidden away the Aromatic Silk Beauty.

Every generation of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had wanted to know the answer.

After all, that Aromatic Silk Beauty had been produced by the Thousand Hands Douluo, Tang San. Perhaps he had left something behind at Shrek Academy as well.

Maybe Shrek was simply waiting to fleece the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

As Ning Tian pondered this matter, she suddenly noticed one of her subordinates giving her a meaningful look.

"Teacher, I'll go check on the medicinal materials. I'll be back shortly."

Without revealing anything, Ning Tian found an excuse to leave.

"Alright."

After Wang Yan agreed, Ning Tian followed that subordinate elsewhere.

Once they had confirmed there was no one nearby, the manager reported what had happened a few days earlier.

"Young Mistress, a young man named Jiang Bai previously came to the hotel to spend money using the VIP card you gave him. What should we do?"

This subordinate was Ning Tian's trusted confidant and also the hotel manager who had received Jiang Bai before, so naturally he had to report it to her.

"Jiang Bai? He's in Star Luo City?"

Hearing Jiang Bai's name from the manager, Ning Tian froze. Her eyes were full of confusion.

Jiang Bai was in Star Luo City?

How could that be such a coincidence?

Did he do it on purpose?

Ning Tian immediately felt that Jiang Bai had done it deliberately, but she could not figure out what his purpose might be.

It could not be that Jiang Bai had known in advance that Shrek had been severely wounded by an Evil Soul Master at the Soul King level and had rushed to Star Luo City ahead of time, could it? How was that possible?

Ning Tian dismissed that possibility. The chances were practically zero.

Then, Ning Tian thought of another possibility.

Could Xiao Xiao or Yuhao have told Jiang Bai about the seven of them becoming the reserve team for the Soul Master Tournament?

No, that could not be it either.

Ning Tian shook her head and dismissed that possibility as well. No one among the seven had the nerve. If they were discovered, they would be punished.

Could it really be a coincidence?

Just as Ning Tian accepted that it was a coincidence, she suddenly thought of something.

"However, if I tell Wang Yan about Jiang Bai..."

A glint flashed through Ning Tian's eyes. She suddenly thought of Shrek's current circumstances. No matter what, as long as she brought Jiang Bai before Wang Yan and the others...

"Hurry and find Jiang Bai's whereabouts. Report to me immediately afterward."

"Yes!"

Ning Tian was thrilled. She had to find Jiang Bai as soon as possible.

She should be the only one who knew Jiang Bai was in Star Luo City right now. No matter what, it would be best to find him first.

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

"Will Jiang Bai really be here?"

On the streets of Star Luo City, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao walked along the roadside. As they wandered around to relax, they also searched the city for traces of Jiang Bai.

Wang Dong wore a doubtful expression. She seriously questioned whether Jiang Bai would truly come.

Wasn't this too much of a coincidence?

Wang Dong suddenly felt uncertain, but the doubt quickly faded away. It was probably just a coincidence.

Besides, what would it matter if Jiang Bai came here? He was only a Soul Elder.

Thinking of Jiang Bai's cultivation, Wang Dong inexplicably let down her guard.

Wait, why am I thinking like that?

Wang Dong frowned, feeling that the thoughts in her mind made no sense.

What did it have to do with her whether Jiang Bai came or not? Why did she care? Forget it, she would stop thinking about it.

The three of them wandered around the city. When they passed a small restaurant, a familiar voice suddenly came from inside.

"Oh? What a coincidence."

At an outdoor table by the small restaurant, Jiang Bai turned his head toward the three of them. He had not even put down his chopsticks yet, and his face was full of surprise.

"Eep eep eep?"

Xue Ying heard the commotion, still holding a half-eaten steamed bun in both hands.

"Jiang Bai?!"

"Brother Jiang?!"

Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up. Xiao Xiao was stunned as well before revealing an expression of surprise and delight.

At that moment, even Jiang Bai had not expected Yuhao and the other two to find him first.

Looking at them, Jiang Bai scratched his head.

He had actually always assumed that Ning Tian would find him first. After all, Ning Tian's sources of information here were much better than those of the people from Shrek.

"Um... Have you eaten?"

After being apart for so long, Jiang Bai felt that he should treat them to a meal or something.

Watching Xiao Xiao and the others bring Jiang Bai over, Ning Tian fell silent.

"..."

What? She had clearly found him first. How had they beaten her to him?

Watching Jiang Bai and the others chat with Wang Yan, Ning Tian could not help feeling frustrated.

"Teacher Wang, we happen to be short on people. Can Jiang Bai join our reserve team?"

Huo Yuhao stepped forward and asked Wang Yan.

At that moment, Wang Yan was extremely surprised to see Jiang Bai. He had not expected him to be here.