Inner Courtyard Canteen

The Sea God Pavilion meeting continued for over half an hour.

After every issue had been resolved, the meeting finally adjourned. As Elder Song passed Yan Jingzhe, he smiled and nodded, murmuring, "Now is your era."

Then he slowly made his way out of the Sea God Pavilion, evidently in an excellent mood.

After greeting Cai Mei'er, Yan Shaozhe left as well. Xian Lin'er and Feng Ling waited for him at the door for a while. Seeing that he was still speaking with Mu En, they went downstairs first.

Only Yan Jingzhe and Mu En remained in the meeting room.

Mu En sat in the main seat, holding the cup of tea that had long gone cold, his gaze resting on Sea God Lake beyond the window. He did not look at Yan Jingzhe, but his voice carried a special gentleness when he spoke. "How confident are you in the Soul Spirit Method you mentioned?"

"Teacher, even if I told you I was more than ninety percent confident, you probably wouldn't believe me, would you?" Yan Jingzhe said with a bitter smile.

How could he tell his teacher that there was a Demigod from another world in his Sea of Spirit—Electrolux, the Necromancer Holy Mage—and that the Soul Spirit Method could definitely be developed?

"I believe you, Jingzhe. You are not someone who likes to joke around." Mu En set down his teacup, his expression solemn. "I know you may have some plans that no one knows about. I only want to tell you this: no matter what happens, Shrek Academy and I will stand firmly behind you."

"Teacher, I..." Yan Jingzhe froze for a moment, then rose and solemnly bowed to his teacher. "Teacher, I do have some plans. It was not my intention to hide them from you."

"It's fine. Everyone has their own secrets." Mu En waved a hand dismissively and smiled. "All right, go on. Lin'er and Feng Ling are still waiting for you. You're already this old, yet you still don't know to give me a grand-disciple to look after."

"Uh... I'll be going first, Teacher." Yan Jingzhe smiled awkwardly and turned toward the door. There was something he did not say. It was not that he did not want children. If his plan succeeded, he would at least become a First-Level God after ascending to godhood. But the God Realm had rules: a First-Level God or God King could only bring two closest relatives into the God Realm. Those two would certainly be Xian Lin'er and Feng Ling. If he had a child, what would happen to the child? That was why he did not want one.

Yan Jingzhe stepped outside and stood on the stairs.

The sky outside the Sea God Pavilion had already darkened considerably. The wind over Sea God Lake carried the distinct chill that came before nightfall, refreshing him as it blew across his face.

He descended the steps and followed the bluestone path outward. After only a few steps, he saw two figures approaching from the distance.

Xian Lin'er walked ahead, her long golden hair gleaming softly beneath the streetlamps. Her hands were tucked into her pockets, and her steps were leisurely, as though she had been waiting for quite some time.

Feng Ling followed half a step behind her. Her long, straight black hair fell over her shoulders, and she was as quiet as a tree planted beside the road. Yet the instant she saw Yan Jingzhe emerge, her gaze shifted.

"Why are you still waiting here?" Yan Jingzhe asked with a smile as he went to meet them. "Didn't I tell you to head back first?"

"The three of us finally got to be together. Why would we go back?" Xian Lin'er tilted her head and said playfully. "If we hadn't waited for you outside, Teacher would definitely have kept you behind for tea."

"That's not true. I only exchanged a few words with Teacher." Yan Jingzhe was speechless.

"And how would we know that?" Xian Lin'er laughed, walked over, and naturally linked her arm through his right arm. "Let's go. The Inner Courtyard Canteen is still open. Let's eat together."

Xian Lin'er tugged him forward, and Yan Jingzhe glanced at Feng Ling on his other side.

Feng Ling said nothing, but her steps had already fallen into pace. Walking on his left, she gently linked her arm through his. They were neither too close nor too far apart, just close enough for him to sense her cool, crisp fragrance.

The three of them followed the road along Sea God Lake toward the Inner Courtyard Canteen.

Yan Jingzhe looked at the two women—one as passionate as fire, the other as cool as water—and softly said, "It's wonderful to have you two."

Xian Lin'er and Feng Ling both heard him, but neither replied. The corners of their lips merely curved upward, ever so slightly, yet visible beneath the moonlight.

After passing through the trees, Yan Jingzhe and the others saw an elegant, spacious building. It was Shrek Academy's Inner Courtyard Canteen. After entering, they did not stop, instead heading straight toward the deepest part of the canteen, where there was a dining area reserved for the elders of the Sea God Pavilion, a place ordinary disciples had no chance to enter.

The head chef was a peak Soul Douluo of the food system. His culinary skills in food-based supplementation were unmatched throughout the academy, and dishes personally prepared by him had doubled effects. Even Inner Courtyard disciples found it exceptionally difficult to reserve a custom dish.

But now, he had already prepared the food and was waiting for the elders to arrive.

The three chose a table by the window and sat down.

Thousand-year Soul Beast meat, Ice Crystal Deer stew, Thunderbird eggs, charcoal-grilled thousand-year lion meat, and ten-thousand-year Fish Dragon soup were served—all top-grade ingredients rarely seen in the outside world.

Yan Jingzhe picked up a piece of fish and put it into his mouth. It was indeed fresh. Xian Lin'er ladled a spoonful of soup into his bowl beside him, while Feng Ling pushed the plate closer to him. Neither of them spoke as they did so, their movements as natural as though they had repeated them countless times.

Halfway through the meal, Xian Lin'er put down her chopsticks and asked, "What did Teacher keep you behind to say?"

"Teacher just asked how confident I was in the Soul Spirit Method," Yan Jingzhe replied.

Xian Lin'er nodded to show that she understood.

Feng Ling listened quietly for a while before suddenly asking, "Once the Soul Spirit matter succeeds, what do you plan to do?"

Yan Jingzhe thought for a moment before answering, "I may negotiate with the Soul Beast Clan and establish an entirely new organization to promote peace between humans and Soul Beasts."

Xian Lin'er and Feng Ling exchanged a glance. Neither said anything more, and they quietly continued eating.

When they came out after dinner, the moonlight was brighter than before, making the surface of Sea God Lake look as though it had been covered in a layer of white frost.

The three followed the same route back. When they returned to the small two-story building, Xian Lin'er pushed open the courtyard gate.

After entering, Xian Lin'er went to the kitchen to boil water and make tea, while Feng Ling sat on the sofa in the living room, taking off her outer coat and draping it over the armrest.

Yan Jingzhe stood at the foot of the stairs and glanced toward the cultivation room on the second floor. After thinking for a moment, he still did not take a step.

Xian Lin'er's voice drifted out from the kitchen entrance. "What? Thinking of going upstairs to cultivate in seclusion again?"

Yan Jingzhe stopped in his tracks.

Feng Ling leaned back against the sofa, slowly twirling a loose lock of black hair between her fingers. Her gaze rested on his back. She said nothing, but that look already explained everything.

Xian Lin'er emerged from the kitchen carrying two cups of tea. She stuffed one into Yan Jingzhe's hand and placed the other on the coffee table before Feng Ling.

She stood in front of Yan Jingzhe with her hands on her hips, a bright, undisguised smile in her amber eyes.