Surely a little peek wasn't too much!

"Young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I'll be heading to Heaven Dou City next. We'll have another chance to meet there."

With that, Chen Xuanqing strode away with easy grace, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing following behind him.

At the sight, Dai Mubai was so furious he nearly coughed up blood. He felt as though a splash of cuckold green had appeared above his head.

Just then, a Soul Master from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect appeared behind Ning Rongrong.

"Young lady, we should head back!"

Ning Rongrong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Go and drag that guy back here! I'm going to grind him beneath my feet and make him kneel and beg for mercy."

The Soul Master's mind instantly went blank. As a mere Soul King, was he supposed to fight a Soul Saint with his head?

"Young lady, Heaven Dou City is our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's territory. Once he's there, won't he be yours to toy with? For now, just let him swagger around for another couple of days."

With a cold snort, Ning Rongrong left, abandoning any thought of joining Shrek Academy.

All Ning Rongrong wanted now was to go home and find a chance to get revenge on Chen Xuanqing.

The Soul King responsible for protecting Ning Rongrong also breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, he had managed to talk the young lady around.

Still, a sixteen-year-old Soul Saint was worth the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's utmost efforts to recruit. He would have to make a detailed report when he returned.

After everyone had left, Tang San approached Zhao Wuji.

"I'd like to join Shrek Academy. Naturally, my talent meets Shrek Academy's requirements."

"Good. Welcome aboard."

Neither Li Yusong nor Zhao Wuji felt like saying much. They simply pulled Tang San along and headed inside.

If Tang San met the requirements, Shrek Academy would naturally take every additional student it could get.

On a tree-shaded path.

Xiao Wu still led the way, while Zhu Zhuqing followed behind Chen Xuanqing, at a loss for what to do.

She did not know whether following this mysterious youth was right or wrong. But with the traditions of the Zhu Family and the Star Luo Empire forcing her into a corner, she had no other choice. Since she was already here, she might as well settle in.

Having thought it through, Zhu Zhuqing's steps grew lighter, and she no longer resisted Chen Xuanqing quite so much.

"We'll stay here for a while, then make a trip back to the Star Dou Great Forest."

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated at those words, as though she wanted to say something.

Xiao Wu, however, clapped happily. "Great! Brother Xuanqing, I'll introduce you to Da Ming and Er Ming when we get there."

Along the way, Chen Xuanqing strolled through the bustling streets with Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, occasionally picking out all sorts of exquisite little trinkets for them.

Although Zhu Zhuqing was somewhat reserved at first, she gradually began to lower her guard.

By the time they returned to the inn, evening had already fallen.

Under the attendant's astonished gaze, Chen Xuanqing led Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu up the stairs.

Watching their retreating figures, the attendant could not help muttering, "The world's morals are going to the dogs. Are young people these days really this wild?"

Chen Xuanqing, however, did not hear those remarks. He simply gave Zhu Zhuqing one of the rooms he had reserved earlier.

Then he turned back toward his own room, gently drew Xiao Wu into his arms, and went inside with her.

Standing in her doorway, Zhu Zhuqing watched their intimate retreating figures, her cheeks flushing slightly. A complicated feeling welled up in her heart. She gave a soft, disdainful huff, then turned and entered the room Chen Xuanqing had prepared for her.

Back in his room, Chen Xuanqing immediately used two lottery draws.

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have obtained one Soul Ring Critical Hit Card.]

[Ding! Congratulations, host! You have obtained a Zoan-type, Mythical Beast, Nine-Tailed Nether Cat Form Devil Fruit.]

Beck had already grown numb to the system's critical hit cards.

The Devil Fruit, however, piqued Chen Xuanqing's interest, and he took it straight out of the system.

Xiao Wu blinked her big, crystal-clear eyes, her face brimming with curiosity and excitement. Pointing at the Devil Fruit in Chen Xuanqing's hand, she asked curiously, "Xuanqing, what kind of fruit is that? It looks so strange!"

As she spoke, Xiao Wu reached for the Devil Fruit, apparently eager to investigate.

Yet just as she was about to bite into it, Chen Xuanqing swiftly snatched it away, a nervous look crossing his face.

Devil Fruits did indeed come in all sorts of bizarre shapes. To a girl as curious as Xiao Wu, their peculiar appearance was undoubtedly enticing.

Chen Xuanqing gently pinched Xiao Wu's plump little cheek and smiled indulgently. "Xiao Wu, this isn't an ordinary fruit. It's a secret treasure of the sea-a Devil Fruit. As for the taste, you could say it's as disgusting as shit. Are you sure you want to eat it?"

At Chen Xuanqing's words, disgust spread across Xiao Wu's face. She hurriedly shook her head, rejecting the Devil Fruit.

She might have been curious, but she was not willing to try just anything.

"Then what exactly does this Devil Fruit do?" Xiao Wu's curiosity had not diminished, and she continued pressing him. "Something you brought out can't just be disgusting, right, Brother Xuanqing?"

Chen Xuanqing smiled faintly and answered mysteriously, "You'll see in a moment."

Then Chen Xuanqing gently picked Xiao Wu up and carried her to Zhu Zhuqing's room next door. Taking a key from his pocket, he deftly unlocked the door.

As the door opened, a rather awkward scene greeted them.

Zhu Zhuqing was wearing black gauze, its light fabric looking as though it had been dyed by the night. It clung tightly to her body, outlining her alluring, graceful figure.

Under the lamplight, the black garment offered fleeting glimpses of her perfect curves, making it impossible not to look.

Perhaps sensing the gazes behind her, Zhu Zhuqing abruptly turned, her eyes meeting Chen Xuanqing's and Xiao Wu's.

A trace of surprise flashed across her face, quickly giving way to coldness and wariness.

Seeing this, Chen Xuanqing immediately put on the air of an upright gentleman, offering an awkward yet polite smile as though trying to conceal his earlier lapse.

Xiao Wu, however, was lively and irrepressible. Without a care, she said, "Don't worry! Brother Xuanqing didn't see anything."

Though Xiao Wu's words were innocent, they still made both Chen Xuanqing and Zhu Zhuqing blush.

Zhu Zhuqing glared at Xiao Wu, inwardly annoyed, but did not lash out. Fully aware of her current circumstances, she could only do her best to remain calm and composed.

Just then, Xiao Wu seemed to remember something and reminded him, "Brother Xuanqing, didn't you say you were going to give her something? Hurry up and let me see!" Her voice carried a hint of curiosity and anticipation.

Chen Xuanqing nodded and took out the Devil Fruit. Glancing at Zhu Zhuqing, he said evenly, "This is indeed something that can increase a person's strength. But who would give something like this to a little maidservant?"