Zhu Zhuqing's Awakening

Flender had now been driven into a desperate corner, completely at a loss.

He had originally been counting on the Shrek Seven Monsters to form an exclusive Soul Fighting Team, make a name for themselves through team battles, and earn a hefty sum of Gold Soul Coins to keep the rundown Shrek Academy afloat.

But life was unpredictable. Xiao Wu had been taken away, and the academy's remaining liquid funds had all been used as ransom to save their lives and settle the trouble.

Shrek had now truly reached the end of the road.

Though he vaguely felt he had let Yu Xiaogang down, after weighing his options again and again, Flender ultimately had no other way out. He could only grit his teeth and decide to take everyone to seek shelter with Liu Erlong.

The moment Ning Rongrong heard this, a dazzling light flashed in her eyes, and she immediately perked up.

She clearly remembered her earlier agreement with Chen Ling: they would meet again once she reached Heaven Dou City.

At the thought of soon seeing the person she longed for, Ning Rongrong became more eager than anyone else. Without another word, she turned and ran excitedly back to her room to pack.

The others scattered and left as well.

Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun exchanged a glance, perfectly in sync. They first discreetly glanced in Zhu Zhuqing's direction, then Ma Hongjun immediately raised his voice and shouted with feigned righteousness.

"What? That restaurant in Suotuo City still owes Big Brother Dai Gold Soul Coins? Let's go collect the debt for you!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he secretly gave Oscar a look, signaling him to play along.

Oscar looked toward the pink figure in the distance and sighed helplessly. He knew exactly what those two were planning, but in the end, he could not withstand their urging and nodded, leaving with them.

"Haha, then thanks, brothers. Once we collect that debt, you'll get a share." Dai Mubai winked at them, his meaning obvious.

Ma Hongjun's heart itched at the words. He licked his lips and revealed a wicked, teasing grin.

Dai Mubai had once treasured those twin sisters like priceless jewels and guarded them closely every day. Now, he was finally willing to loosen his grip.

He immediately nudged Oscar, who was still staring blankly in the direction Ning Rongrong had left, and urged him to hurry up.

After struggling internally several times, Oscar ultimately let his lower head overcome his upper head and left directly with the two of them.

Not far away, Zhu Zhuqing took in the entire scene and pressed her red lips together.

She knew Dai Mubai too well, so she naturally understood the true reason the three of them were going out together.

In the past, she would certainly have been furious. But after everything she had experienced, she had long since stopped caring. All that remained was indifference and numbness.

It was not as though she had never given Dai Mubai a chance. He simply had never known how to cherish it.

At this point, the last trace of expectation she held for Dai Mubai, along with her unrealistic fantasy of becoming empress, completely vanished into thin air.

After taking one final look in the direction the Shrek Three Swordsmen had left, without the slightest attachment remaining, she turned and slowly headed toward the girls' dormitory.

Inside the dormitory, Ning Rongrong was energetically packing her luggage. She took clothes from the wardrobe one by one and swiftly stuffed them into her Storage Soul Tool, humming a cheerful tune as she worked. Her eyes and brows were filled with undisguised delight.

She did not look like someone preparing for a long journey. Instead, she resembled a young girl about to go on a date with her beloved.

"I wonder whether Brother Chen Ling will like this dress... Should I change back into the one from before?" Ning Rongrong studied several outfits repeatedly and murmured softly, sweetly torn.

A moment later, her eyes lit up as she secretly made up her mind. This one will do! It's just a pity I can only wear it underneath and can't let him see it directly.

Just as the girl was still lost in her fantasies, the dormitory door clicked softly open, and Zhu Zhuqing walked in.

After Xiao Wu left, the two of them naturally began sharing a room, mainly because Ning Rongrong had invited her.

"Zhu Qing, you're back! Hurry and help me see if this outfit looks good." Ning Rongrong's expression looked no different from usual, but an almost imperceptible distance had quietly entered her tone.

In truth, when Ning Rongrong had invited Zhu Zhuqing to live with her, it had never merely been about sharing a room. She had been inviting her to leave with her.

Shrek had already completely offended Chen Ling. It was not a place where they could remain.

In her eyes, no one else at the academy was worth recruiting. Later, she might at most ask whether Oscar was willing to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, solely because his food-type martial soul and Innate Full Soul Power would greatly benefit the sect—not because she approved of Oscar himself.

Setting aside those practical considerations, Zhu Zhuqing was the only person in all of Shrek whom she truly considered a friend. She did not want to watch her friend waste away in this muddy mess, but Zhu Zhuqing had politely declined her recruitment before.

Zhu Zhuqing keenly caught the unfamiliar distance in Ning Rongrong's voice. Her heart stung slightly, but she still took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and spoke with cautious hope.

"Rongrong, does the invitation you mentioned before... still stand?"

After all that had happened, she had completely seen through Dai Mubai's flirtatious and selfish nature. She also understood that there was no point in remaining at Shrek.

If she wanted to survive, she had to cut her losses in time and make the wisest choice. And she had long known the answer.

Ning Rongrong was slightly stunned when she heard that. Then, in the next instant, the faint distance on her face completely faded, and her usual bright, radiant smile bloomed once more.

"Of course it still stands! Zhu Qing, welcome!"

Overjoyed, she stepped forward and hugged Zhu Zhuqing, the weight in her heart finally lifting. Zhu Zhuqing's heart warmed, and she raised her arms to gently hug her back.

Feeling the other girl's ample bosom, Ning Rongrong chuckled inwardly.

With such a powerful general stationed here, there was no way Brother Chen Ling would be able to resist when the time came. And when she said "join," she did not mean joining only the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

As night deepened and the evening breeze turned cool, the huge crater blasted out during the fierce battle that day had filled with water, forming a shallow pool that was quiet and desolate.

In the open clearing, a bonfire blazed fiercely, its warm yellow light dispelling the chill of the night.

Chen Ling and Xiao Wu sat beside the fire. The whole wild boar roasting over it had turned golden and glistened with fat. Its grease sizzled, and its rich aroma made mouths water.

Xiao Wu sat obediently to one side, her bright, watery eyes fixed firmly on the roasted boar. Her long rabbit ears twitched softly, while strands of drool uncontrollably seeped from the corners of her mouth.

"It's ready. You can eat."

Chen Ling casually waved a hand. An invisible streak of sword qi swept out, instantly slicing the entire roasted boar into even portions. Each exquisite piece of meat landed by itself, arranged neatly on dinner plates.

"Mm!" Xiao Wu obediently nodded. She placed the Qingming Sword in her lap, picked up a dinner plate, and began eating in large mouthfuls, savoring every bite.

Watching this, Chen Ling clicked his tongue in amazement. Xiao Wu had not been this obedient before. More often than not, he had needed to punish her harshly first before she would behave.

She had even taken the initiative to offer to hold Chen Ling's sword for him. The Qingming Sword now had a black scabbard around it.

How a qualified scabbard was raised.