Bring Her Back to the Rose Hotel!

A streak of blue-white lightning tore across the sky above Suotuo City, so fast it was almost mistaken for an illusion.

Huang Yun had one arm around Zhu Zhuqing's waist while controlling their flight with the other. The Lightning Falcon's wings adjusted slightly against the wind as they descended steadily toward the city.

At first, Zhu Zhuqing's body had been taut, clearly unused to being carried through the air. But Huang Yun was simply too fast and too steady. The wind howled past her ears, while the treetops below streamed backward like flowing water. In less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, Suotuo City's outline had appeared at the edge of her vision.

"We're almost there," Huang Yun said, lowering his head.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded slightly without saying anything, but her tense body did relax somewhat.

They landed in a quiet alley behind the Rose Hotel. Huang Yun folded his wings, and the fluctuations of his Soul Power vanished in an instant.

Once Zhu Zhuqing had found her footing, she stepped half a pace away. She lowered her head to look at her black leather outfit, stained with mud and blood, then at the layer of dried medicinal powder on her left arm. A trace of embarrassment appeared on her face.

"Come with me." Huang Yun said nothing more as he led her into the hotel through the back entrance and made his way familiarly to Room Three, Third Floor.

The instant the door closed, the clamor of the streets outside was shut out. The room was quiet enough for them to hear the wind beyond the window and the occasional hoofbeats from downstairs.

Zhu Zhuqing stood by the door, her gaze swiftly sweeping over the furnishings. Only after confirming there was no danger did she finally let out a breath of relief.

She leaned against the wall and slowly slid down to sit. Although the bleeding from her left arm had stopped, days of fleeing, combined with the chaotic battle just now, had drained far too much of her strength. The moment she relaxed, it felt as though all the energy had been sucked out of her body. She could barely even lift a hand.

Huang Yun rummaged through the cabinet, pulled out a clean set of clothes, and tossed them onto the bed. Then he poured a cup of hot water and set it on the table. In an even tone, he said, "Drink some water first, then go take a bath. You'll need to change out of those clothes."

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at him. There was a trace of scrutiny and wariness in her eyes, but it quickly faded.

She reached out, picked up the cup, and drank it in small sips. The warm water ran down her throat, easing its dry discomfort considerably.

"The bathroom's over there." Huang Yun pointed toward a small partition in the corner of the room. "Sort out the hot water yourself. I shouldn't need to teach you something that simple, right?"

Zhu Zhuqing stood up, picked up the clean clothes from the bed, then paused before entering the bathroom. She turned her head to glance at Huang Yun. "You..."

"Don't worry, I won't peek." Huang Yun sat in a chair by the window with his legs crossed and his hands behind his head, looking utterly relaxed. His eyes were already fixed on the view outside, not on her in the slightest.

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing else and closed the bathroom door. Soon, the sound of rushing water began to fill the room.

Listening to the water, Huang Yun looked out at the street below and lightly tapped his fingers against his knee twice.

He could indeed sense the girl's presence in the bathroom. Steam rose in the air, and soft footsteps landed on the tiled floor. Though he had not deliberately probed with his spiritual power, a Soul Master's senses were naturally keen. Even without intending to think about it, certain images inevitably surfaced in his mind.

Zhu Zhuqing was only eleven or twelve this year, yet the Zhu Family bloodline had given her a figure far more developed than those of her peers. Huang Yun had already noticed the curves outlined by her tight leather outfit during their close contact earlier. Hearing the water now, he had to admit that a stray thought did arise in his heart.

He was a hot-blooded young man, after all. Who didn't have normal reactions?

But Huang Yun merely took a calm breath, then slowly exhaled and suppressed those thoughts. He had lived two lives; he was no inexperienced brat who had never seen the world.

Besides, Zhu Zhuqing was his guest at the moment. Helping her had been a matter of convenience. That did not mean he had the right to take advantage of her vulnerability.

A person needed principles. He still had that much restraint.

The sound of water continued for about the time it took to burn two incense sticks. Then the bathroom door opened, and Zhu Zhuqing emerged wearing Huang Yun's somewhat oversized clothes. She had rolled the sleeves up twice just to expose her fingertips, while the hem hung down to around her thighs.

Her hair was still wet and hung loose over her shoulders. Droplets ran from the tips onto her collar, soaking a small patch dark.

"The clothes are too big," she said, standing at the bathroom door with a rare hint of awkwardness on her face.

Huang Yun turned and gave her a glance, the corner of his lips lifting slightly. "Make do with them."

Zhu Zhuqing walked over to the table and sat down. She gathered her wet hair to one side and slowly dried it with a towel.

The wound on her left arm had already been treated again. The effects of Huang Yun's specially made wound medicine were indeed excellent. New flesh had begun to grow, most of the swelling had faded, and only the faintest trace of pain remained.

The two fell silent for a while.

Huang Yun spoke first. "What are you planning to do next?"

Zhu Zhuqing's hand paused. She lowered her eyes and thought for a moment before looking up at him with a serious expression. "I heard there's a Shrek Academy nearby that specializes in training monstrous geniuses. I want to give it a try."

At that, Huang Yun's lips slowly curved upward into an amused smile.

"Shrek Academy?"

He leaned back in his chair, hands folded over his abdomen, his gaze carrying a hint of deeper meaning. "Do you know what kind of place that is?"

Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "A high-level Soul Master Academy with very strict admission standards. They say it only accepts monsters."

"The admission standards are high, that's true, but not because the place is so good. It's because Flender is too stingy." Huang Yun snorted. "You'll see once you get there. That place is as rundown as some village elementary school. One headmaster, one teacher, not even a decent training ground. As for teaching resources, the students have to figure them out themselves. A real genius will be a genius anywhere. Going to a dump like that is purely a waste of time. Pick any respectable high-level Soul Master Academy—Heaven Dou Royal Academy or somewhere in Spirit City—and you'll grow far faster than you would at Shrek."

Zhu Zhuqing frowned even more deeply. "How do you know so much about it?"

"Because I've met Flender." Huang Yun spread his hands. "That old bastard is a profiteer. I even swiped one of his storage rings yesterday."

He said it as casually as if he were merely commenting on the pleasant weather.

Zhu Zhuqing stared at him for several seconds. Once she confirmed he was not joking, her expression became somewhat complicated.

She was silent for a moment, then spoke again. "But Dai Mubai is there."

Hearing that, Huang Yun raised an eyebrow. "Your fiancé?"

Zhu Zhuqing did not deny it. She nodded. "Part of the reason I left the Star Luo Empire was to find him. No matter what happens with the engagement in the end, I need to see for myself what he's like now."

Huang Yun stroked his chin, the amused smile on his face deepening. "What a coincidence. I happened to run into him at the Great Soul Arena yesterday."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes tightened slightly. "You've seen him? He..."