Tang Feng reached out and gently brushed aside a strand of hair that had been blown against her cheek by the night breeze. His voice was steady as he said, "Grandpa and the others—seven Titled Douluo- level powerhouses. With such a lineup, they could roam freely anywhere on the continent. But the core area of Star Dou, especially near the Lake of Life, is a forbidden zone for humans. The wisdom and power of Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast far exceed ordinary imagination, not to mention other possible variables."
He held her hand, his palm warm, and said gently, "So, promise me, when we get there, you'll follow orders completely and absolutely mustn't take any risks. Your safety is more important than any Soul Ring."
Zhu Zhuqing interlocked her fingers with his and nodded firmly, saying, "I understand. I will stay close to you or Grandpa."
She paused, then added, "I'll be prepared myself. My speed, stealth, and bursts of speed should be effective in the forest environment; they won't be a burden."
Tang Feng smiled, put his arm around her shoulder, and said in an exceptionally gentle tone, "You've never been a burden."
He then drew a circle on her shoulder and said slyly, "Come on, let's go inside..."
Zhu Zhuqing immediately understood his meaning, and her face flushed slightly. After the two entered the house, she quickly turned around and closed the door.
Another night passed without incident.
While the Clear Sky Sect was making intensive preparations for the Star Dou Soul Hunting, the undercurrents on the continent did not cease.
Heaven Dou City, Shrek Academy, Dai Mubai's residence.
A letter bearing the emblem of the Star Luo Imperial Family was gripped tightly in Dai Mubai's palm like a red-hot branding iron, his knuckles turning white.
The letter was cold and sharp, accusing him of "cowardice and escapism" and "damaging the dignity of the royal family," formally announcing the dissolution of his marriage to Zhu Zhuqing, which had long existed in name only, and ending with the unquestionable order, "Return to the Star Luo Empire immediately and await further instructions."
"Awaiting your orders..." Dai Mubai let out a low, guttural laugh, filled with fear and self-mockery. Go back? How would Dai Weisi "deal" with his disgraced and "disobedient" younger brother? Destroy his Soul Power? Imprison him for life? Or die in some "accident"?
An overwhelming sense of fear washed over Dai Mubai like ice water, almost suffocating him.
He crumpled the letter into a ball and slammed it against the wall, as if he could shatter the impending doom.
He needed to vent, he needed alcohol and a warm, soft body to numb this bone-chilling fear.
Almost involuntarily, Dai Mubai pushed open the door, lowered his head, avoided the curious gazes of the occasional passing students, slipped out of the academy, and familiarly disappeared into a dimly lit brothel in Heaven Dou City.
An hour later, Dai Mubai emerged with unsteady steps, the heavy smell of perfume and alcohol barely concealing the deeper gloom in his eyes.
The brief indulgence did not dispel the fear; instead, it brought a doubled sense of emptiness and powerlessness upon regaining consciousness.
Just as Dai Mubai stood bewildered at the street corner, unsure of where to go, a hooded figure, exuding an air of indifference, quietly approached and whispered, "Young Master Dai, my master requests your presence; it concerns Star Luo Empire."
Dai Mubai's pupils contracted, and he instantly sobered up considerably.
A flicker of wariness and struggle crossed his sinister eyes, but ultimately, the overwhelming fear and despair for the future prevailed.
Dai Mubai nodded silently and followed the man through several secluded alleys to a private residence that appeared unremarkable from the outside.
In the secret chamber, when Dai Mubai Salas Spirit Hall and then began to beat strangely faster.
"Your Highness, please be seated." Salas's voice was calm, yet carried a condescending scrutiny. "I am somewhat aware of the contents of the Star Luo Empire's letter. It seems that Prince Dai Weisi has no intention of leaving you any way out."
Dai Mubai tensed his jaw, not denying it, but hissing, "What instructions does Your Excellency have?"
Salas gently stroked the power ring on his finger and slowly said, "It's not about guidance, it's just a transaction. Our Spirit Hall can help you eliminate Dai Weisi and clear all obstacles to your ascension to the Star Luo Empire throne."
Dai Mubai trembled violently, abruptly raising his head to stare intently at Salas.
The throne! These two words were like a spell, instantly igniting the resentment and ambition that had been suppressed by fear for too long in his heart. His voice was dry as he asked, "Conditions?"
Salas smiled slightly and said, "It's very simple. You, and the future Star Luo Empire, must submit to the Spirit Hall and obey His Holiness the Pope."
Submit to the Spirit Hall! Dai Mubai's mind was buzzing.
This means betraying one's family, betraying the empire, and becoming a puppet controlled by the Spirit Hall in the Star Luo Empire!
But... if he doesn't submit, he might lose his life, let alone the throne! Dai Weisi will crush him like an ant!
Fear and ambition tore at him frantically, and finally, through gritted teeth, he managed to squeeze out, "I... I need to think about it."
Dai Mubai did not immediately agree. The last vestiges of the royal family's pride and the fear of the unknown fate prevented him from offering his soul on the spot.
Salas didn't seem surprised, simply nodding. "Alright. The Third Prince is a smart man; he should know that your time... is running out. Once you've thought it through, someone will contact you."
Dai Mubai didn't know how he left that secret room.
The night wind blew across his face, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in his heart or the burning yet icy temptation. He drifted back to the Shrek Academy like a lost soul, plunged into his room, stared at the ceiling, his eyes flashing intensely, and didn't sleep a wink all night.
The following day, Clear Sky Sect.
Oscar and Ning Rongrong invited Zhu Zhuqing and Tai Long to return to the Shrek Academy to visit Flender and their teacher Zhao Wuji.
Tai Long did not go with Zhu Zhuqing because he had to accompany his grandfather Tai Tan, who had just broken through to Level 90 and was about to go hunting for Soul Ring. Tang Feng, on the other hand, went with Zhu Zhuqing.
The four of them, in two pairs, walked side by side on the much wider main road of the Shrek Academy.
Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing held hands. Zhu Zhuqing was dressed in a simple black outfit, looking elegant and aloof, which complemented Tang Feng's calm and profound demeanor.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar were also holding hands; one was gentle and graceful, the other had a sunny smile.
This combination and charisma immediately attracted countless curious and envious glances from both sides of the road.
"Look! It's senior Oscar and senior Ning Rongrong!"
"Who are those two people next to them? They have such a strong presence..."
"That's senior Zhu Zhuqing! I met her during the competition!"
The murmurs drifted over, but the four seemed oblivious, continuing their leisurely pace.
Dean Flender quickly received the message and personally came out to greet him.
He wore a warm smile, but a complex emotion flickered in his eyes. "Young Master Tang, Zhu Zhuqing, Rongrong, Little Ao, welcome back!"
Flender's gaze lingered for a moment on Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing's clasped hands, his smile widening, but when he looked in a certain direction of the academy, a barely perceptible hint of weariness flashed across his face.
Grandmaster Yu appeared not far away at some unknown time, his face indifferent. When his eyes swept over Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing, a very faint ripple flashed across his face before he returned to silence. He was like a withered tree that was losing its moisture.
Dai Mubai, whose Soul Power is currently at level 47, also stood at the edge of the crowd, looking even more haggard than yesterday.
His eyes were half-closed, seemingly uninterested in the scene before him, only tightening involuntarily when his gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing.
Ma Hongjun came running over, looking a bit fatter than before, his aura weak. He had just broken through to the Soul Ancestor, his Soul Power at level 41, and the problem of the Evil Fire was clearly still bothering him.
He greeted them with a grin, " Oscar! Rongrong! Oh, Brother Feng, Zhu Zhuqing, you're here too!"
The group was ushered into the living room.
After exchanging pleasantries, Oscar finally couldn't help but ask the question he was most concerned about, "Dean, Teacher Zhao, in these past few years... have you heard anything about Little San and Yi Ran?"
Mentioning this, Flender's smile faded, and he sighed, "No. They've been completely out of touch since the tournament. We've tried to find out about them secretly, but it's like throwing a stone into the sea."
He glanced at Yu Xiaogang, who remained silent beside him, and the latter's body tensed almost imperceptibly.
Tang Feng listened quietly without interrupting. Zhu Zhuqing sensed the slightly oppressive atmosphere in the hall and gently squeezed Tang Feng's hand.
The visit took place in an atmosphere that seemed warm and friendly, but in reality, everyone had their own thoughts on their own.
Flender tried his best to maintain the dean's dignity and enthusiasm, but the worry between his brows and the solemnity he inadvertently revealed when facing Tang Feng and Zhu Zhuqing showed the hidden worries beneath Shrek's outward glamour.
Yu Xiaogang was almost a silent shadow, Dai Mubai was absent-minded, and only Ma Hongjun was still laughing and joking without a care in the world.