I Mean, Blue Silver Pole-Vaulting?

He channeled his Soul Power, and a jade-green glow lit up in his right palm.

A phantom stalk of Green Bamboo as thick as an arm sprang from the ground. Its joints stood out clearly, and its whole body gleamed as it launched him into the air. Night wind rushed down his collar. Treetops swept past beneath his feet. Tang San adjusted his posture midair, bent his knees slightly as he landed, and came to a steady stop.

Not bad.

He tried again. This time, he shot higher, straight through the gap between two treetops. Moonlight washed over the Green Bamboo phantom, giving its joints a soft sheen. Like a bird spreading its wings, he traced an arc above the dense forest.

Land, spring, fly again.

Tang San soon found his rhythm. The instant the Green Bamboo phantom formed beneath his feet, he pushed off and launched himself forward. Spring and land, spring and land—he wove between the treetops. He traveled more than twice as fast as usual. It was hardly graceful, but it saved effort.

The more he bounced, the better he got. On his final leap, he soared high above the treetops. The Green Bamboo phantom vanished beneath his feet, and he traced a long arc through the moonlight, robes snapping in the wind as he dove toward camp.

By the time Lin Yuan returned to camp, the horizon had turned pale as a fish's belly. Little Moon lay across his shoulder, her small head bobbing as she struggled to stay awake.

He had barely sat down on a dead tree stump when he saw something spring up over the distant forest.

A figure shot above the treetops, dropped, then sprang up again. Spring and land, spring and land—like a frog hopping between the crowns, it rapidly approached camp.

Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes.

Tang San?

I mean, Blue Silver pole-vaulting?

The corner of his mouth twitched.

The figure drew closer. With one final bounce, Tang San arced through the air, stretched out, and landed steadily at the edge of camp. He brushed leaves from his clothes and walked over.

Lin Yuan grabbed his own thigh without thinking and squeezed so hard his knuckles turned white. His shoulders began to shake beyond his control.

Oscar came over from the side. When he saw Lin Yuan with his head lowered and shoulders trembling, his expression changed at once.

"Lin Yuan!" He hurried over, dropped down beside him, and patted his back. "Don't be sad. Xiao Wu... she'll be all right."

Lin Yuan did not look up. His shoulders shook even harder.

Dai Mubai came over too. Standing nearby, he spoke with unusual gentleness. "Lin Yuan, I know you and Xiao Wu are close, but this won't help. Pull yourself together."

Ning Rongrong's eyes were red. Seeing Lin Yuan tremble, she gritted her teeth, walked over, and crouched before him. "Lin Yuan, don't be like this... Xiao Wu will be fine."

Lin Yuan clenched his back teeth so tightly that his whole face turned red. His fingers nearly dug into his thigh.

He dared not look up.

Stupid mouth. Hold it in.

He was afraid he would burst out laughing if he raised his head.

Tang San walked over, glanced at them, and asked in puzzlement, "What's wrong with Lin Yuan?"

Oscar glared at him. "Can't you tell? He's worried sick about Xiao Wu."

Tang San looked at Lin Yuan—his whole body shaking, fingers digging into his thigh, face flushed red.

"...Is he?"

Lin Yuan drew a deep breath and pinched his thigh hard once more. At last, he forced the laughter back down. He raised his head, his face twisted beyond recognition, and said hoarsely, "It's fine. I'm fine."

His movement jolted Little Moon awake. Still groggy, she rubbed her eyes, looked down at the handprint he had pinched into his thigh, and tilted her head.

"Guga?"

The campfire had nearly burned out. Only a few charred logs remained. Zhu Zhuqing hugged her knees, her gaze distant. Ning Rongrong stood to one side, twisting her hands together, her nose slightly red.

Zhao Wuji's face changed sharply when he saw Lin Yuan sitting on the stump.

"Lin Yuan!" Zhao Wuji rushed over in a few strides and seized his shoulder. His voice was hoarse. "Where's Xiao Wu? Did you find her?"

Lin Yuan shook his head. "I couldn't catch up."

Zhao Wuji's hand went rigid. He stared at Lin Yuan for several seconds, then slowly let go and stepped back. His shoulders slumped; his whole body seemed to cave in.

"I failed to protect her..." His voice trembled. "I'm the teacher leading this group. I should have kept my students safe..."

He slammed a fist into the tree beside him. Bark burst apart, and splinters flew.

Just then, a figure sped in from outside the forest and landed at the edge of camp.

Flender.

He looked hurried, and night dew still clung to his robes. He had clearly rushed all the way here. His gaze swept the camp. When he saw Zhao Wuji, his brows drew together. "What happened? Where's Xiao Wu?"

Zhao Wuji raised his head and looked at Flender. "The Titan Giant Ape, king of the forest, appeared out of nowhere and took Xiao Wu," he said hoarsely.

Flender's expression changed. He patted Zhao Wuji's shoulder. "Old Zhao, when the king of the forest makes a move, nobody can stop it. Getting the other children out unharmed was already no easy feat."

Zhao Wuji lowered his head, his shoulders trembling faintly.

Lin Yuan stood nearby, watching. Then he said, "Headmaster Flender, I'm leaving Shrek."

Flender froze and turned toward him.

"At my current strength, I couldn't even catch up with that Titan Giant Ape, let alone take someone back from it," Lin Yuan said. "Staying at Shrek and training step by step is too slow. I need to grow stronger as soon as possible."

Flender was silent for a few seconds, then slowly nodded.

"I understand. Shrek's teaching methods are better suited to building a foundation. If you want a rapid breakthrough, this path isn't right for you. Since you've made up your mind, I won't force you to stay. If you ever need help, come find me."

Zhao Wuji raised his head, his voice still rough. "Lin Yuan, Xiao Wu was taken because I, Zhao Wuji, was useless. I failed to protect my student. If you need anything in the future, come to me. I won't hesitate."

Lin Yuan nodded, then turned toward Zhu Zhuqing, who had stood silently in the corner all this time.

"Zhuqing, will you stay here or come with me?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked at him without answering at once.

Her expression was complicated.

She remembered the first time she had met Lin Yuan. She had been hunting a Soul Ring in the Star Dou Forest when a Hell Spirit Cat pounced, its claws already before her face. In that instant, she thought she was going to die.

A white figure appeared out of nowhere before her. The next moment, Little Moon kicked the Hell Spirit Cat, sending it flying through two tree trunks before it stopped. Lin Yuan stood not far away. After saving her, he turned and left without an unnecessary word.

The second time was when she had been injured, without even the strength to stand. Lin Yuan carried her all the way to the Heaven Dou Empire. Lying against his back, she could feel the steadiness of his steps and the warmth of his body.

Twice, Lin Yuan had appeared at the moments when she had been most desperate. During her years in the Star Luo Empire, everyone had told her she was merely Dai Mubai's accessory, a chess piece. Dai Mubai had fled to the Heaven Dou Empire first, leaving her alone in Star Luo without ever thinking of taking her with him. No one cared whether she lived or died. No one would stand before her in a moment of danger.

But Lin Yuan would.

She raised her head and looked at Lin Yuan.

"I'll come with you."

No extra explanation. Just that one clean, decisive sentence.

Dai Mubai shot to his feet, his face livid. "Zhu Zhuqing! Don't forget the betrothal in the Star Luo Empire!"

Zhu Zhuqing turned and glanced at him, her expression calm. "I haven't forgotten. Don't you forget that you were the one who ran away first."

Dai Mubai clenched his fists, his chest heaving. He opened his mouth to speak but, in the end, said nothing. He spun around and punched a tree trunk with a dull thud.

Ning Rongrong stepped forward and managed a smile. "Lin Yuan, Zhuqing, take care of yourselves."

"What will you do?" Lin Yuan asked.

"Me?" Ning Rongrong gave a strained little smile. "I only came to Shrek because it sounded fun. Now something's happened to Xiao Wu, and you two are leaving. There's no point in staying here alone. I'm going back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

Just then, a middle-aged man emerged from the shadows of the trees. He was a Soul Saint guard from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He came to Ning Rongrong's side and bowed slightly.

Ning Rongrong turned and waved to Lin Yuan and Zhu Zhuqing. "Come visit me at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sometime. I'll have Grandpa Sword make you tea."

With that, she followed the guard toward the forest's edge. After a few steps, she looked back, pursed her lips, and muttered, "That idiot Xiao Wu... she'd better be okay."

She turned away and hurried off.

Lin Yuan drew back his gaze and looked at Zhu Zhuqing. "Let's go."

The two walked out of camp side by side, leaving behind a silent campfire and the silent people of Shrek.

Heaven Dou City, Dugu Manor.

Dugu Yan sat in her room, holding a note. Her fingertips trembled slightly. She hesitated for a long time before finally standing and pushing open the door to the next room.

Dugu Bo was seated cross-legged, regulating his breathing. He looked up at the sound of footsteps and frowned slightly when he saw Dugu Yan in the doorway. "What is it?"

Dugu Yan bit her lip and held out the note. "Grandpa, someone asked me to give you this."

Dugu Bo took it, opened it casually, and skimmed it.

Then his expression froze.

The note read:

"Whenever the sky turns overcast or it rains, do you feel an itching numbness at your ribs that gradually grows stronger? It strikes once at noon and once at midnight. In your current condition, each attack should last well over an hour. And late each night, around the third watch, do you feel a needle-like stabbing pain at the top of your head and the soles of your feet? Your whole body spasms for at least half an hour."

There was no signature, no name at the bottom.

But every word pierced Dugu Bo's heart. No one knew about these symptoms except him. He had never told anyone, not even Dugu Yan.

The hand holding the note trembled slightly, his fingertips whitening. "Yanyan, what did the person who gave you this look like?"

"A boy, about thirteen or fourteen. Black hair, delicate features." Dugu Yan thought back.

Dugu Bo's gaze sharpened. "What's his name?"

"Lin Yuan. He's around Suotuo City."

Dugu Bo's face changed sharply. The next instant, he became a dark-green blur, burst through the window, shot into the sky, and vanished into the night.

When Lin Yuan and Zhu Zhuqing reached the outskirts of Suotuo City, a terrifying pressure descended from above.

Zhu Zhuqing's body went taut at once. The Titled Douluo's pressure made even breathing difficult for her. Lin Yuan stood firm where he was, merely knitting his brows.

A dark-green figure fell from the night sky and slammed into the ground before them. The earth cracked, and gravel sprayed outward.

Dugu Bo slowly straightened and fixed Lin Yuan with a scrutinizing, suspicious stare. Seeing that Lin Yuan remained composed beneath his pressure, surprise flickered in his eyes.

Xuanwu Guga nestled in Lin Yuan's arms. Still half asleep, Guga looked around, spotted Dugu Bo, tucked his neck in, and buried his face against Lin Yuan's chest.

"Did you write the note?" Dugu Bo asked coldly.

"I did." Lin Yuan met his gaze without backing down.

Dugu Bo's face darkened, and he reached out to seize him.

Three figures sped in from afar and blocked his path to Lin Yuan.

Yang Wudi held the Soul Breaking Spear. With a flick of its tip, he forced Dugu Bo's outstretched hand back. Not a trace of fear showed on his face.

Three Soul Douluo against a Titled Douluo.

Dugu Bo withdrew his hand, glanced over the three people before him, and sneered. "You think three Soul Douluo can stop me?"

Yang Wudi's grip on the Soul Breaking Spear did not waver. "You can try."

Their auras collided in the air. The invisible pressure made the air around them seem thick.

Lin Yuan stepped out from behind Yang Wudi and stood before Dugu Bo. "I can cure your poison."

Dugu Bo sneered. "You, a little brat? Do you know how many years I've searched?"

"The curse of the Jade Phosphor Serpent Martial Soul is passed down through generations," Lin Yuan interrupted. "That poison killed your son and daughter-in-law. Your granddaughter Dugu Yan will meet the same fate."

Dugu Bo's smile froze. His expression changed drastically.

"How... how do you know?"

"That's not all I know. I also know a place that can solve your problem." Lin Yuan looked at him. "Your Medicine Garden."

Dugu Bo's expression changed completely. His secret Medicine Garden lay deep in the Sunset Forest, shrouded in poisonous mist and mazes. He had never told anyone about it.

"Who exactly are you?"

"Who I am can wait. Let's go there first."

Dugu Bo stared at him in silence for a long time. The lines on the note flashed through his mind, then his son's face before he died, then the future awaiting Dugu Yan. At last, he gave a cold snort and turned toward the Sunset Forest.

"Keep up. Don't blame me if you fall behind."

Lin Yuan followed, with Yang Wudi, Niu Gao, Bai He, and Zhu Zhuqing close behind.

The group disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.