Spirit City, teams set off one after another. The streets were crowded with carriages, pedestrians, and students from various academies saying goodbye, with dust swirling in the air from the footsteps of those coming and going.
Outside the Shrek Academy temporary camp, after Tang Hao left with Tang San and Xiao Wu, the remaining few people gathered together, and for a moment no one spoke.
Dai Mubai slung his coat over his shoulder, glanced at the carriage convoy that had already started moving towards the Star Luo Royal Academy, and turned to say, " Zhu Zhuqing and I are leaving. We're going back to the Star Luo Empire with the Star Luo Royal Academy convoy."
Ma Hongjun opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end only managed to utter. " Boss Dai..."
"Alright, stop making that face." Dai Mubai patted his shoulder, then glanced at everyone. "How about this, let's make a five-year agreement."
Five years from now, let's get together at the Shrek Academy and see how we've all fared and changed since leaving the academy.
Ning Rongrong nodded first. "Okay, it's settled then."
Oscar, standing beside her, smiled and said, "I'll definitely surprise you all then."
Ma Hongjun wiped his face and grinned. "Okay, then I'll wait for you guys to come back at Shrek."
Dai Mubai glanced at Zhu Zhuqing one last time. Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently, and the two turned and walked side by side toward the Star Luo Royal Academy's convoy.
The people in the group automatically made way for them as they approached. The coachman lifted the curtain, Dai Mubai helped Zhu Zhuqing into the carriage before bending down and crawling into the carriage himself.
Ning Rongrong and Oscar took another route—the carriage sent by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to meet them was parked at a crossroads three miles outside the city, bearing the banner of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Ma Hongjun stood beside Flender and Liu Erlong, watching the two groups walk away before scratching his head and turning to follow his teacher.
"Let's go back to Shrek."
Godwind Academy's camp was at the other end of the street, and the team was packing up to depart.
Feng Xiaotian stood beside the carriage, twirling a blade of grass in his hand. His expression didn't resemble that of someone who had just won a championship; instead, it carried a hint of impatience.
Feng Lingtian leaned against the carriage shaft and looked at him, knowing exactly what he was thinking.
" Lingtian, don't get in the car yet, I have something to tell you." Feng Xiaotian tossed aside the grass stalks, turned to look at Dugu Bo who was walking over, and said, "I've already spoken with Senior Poison Douluo; we're going straight to hunt for Soul Ring and won't be returning to the academy."
Feng Lingtian nodded; he had already guessed this. Feng Xiaotian had suppressed his level for so long in the finals, so it was inevitable that he would unleash a breakthrough after the match.
Dugu Bo walked closer, dangling a branch he'd broken off from somewhere, his expression lazy but his eyes sharp. "Little fellow, let me remind you."
This time, your breakthrough should get you to at least level 63, Sixth Soul Ring must be at least ten thousand years old.
Finding a suitable Soul Beast isn't something that can be done in a day or two. Talk to your family clearly about this, so they don't worry.
Feng Xiaotian grinned. "It's all clear now. I've already spoken to Dad, and I just talked to my brother too."
Feng Qingxuan was standing at the front of the convoy talking to Shui Qinghan when he heard this. He glanced at his son, said nothing more, and simply waved his hand, meaning, "Go ahead, be careful."
Feng Xiaotian winked at Feng Lingtian: "Alright, you guys go back to the academy first. I'll be back with Senior Poison Douluo once I've settled things."
"Brother, be careful, we'll be waiting for you to come back," Feng Lingtian said.
"Don't worry." Feng Xiaotian onto a small carriage that Dugu Bo had prepared separately. The curtain was lifted and lowered, the wheels turned, and it headed in the opposite direction from the Godwind Academy's convoy.
Feng Lingtian watched the carriage disappear around the corner of the official road before turning his gaze away and jumping into his own carriage.
The Godwind Academy's convoy also began to move. Besides the Godwind Academy's own three carriages, the convoys from the Blazing Fire Academy and Skywater Academy followed behind.
After the finals, everyone's destination was within the Heaven Dou Empire, so they decided to travel together for a while so they could look after each other.
Huo Wushuang rode a tall horse at the head of the Blazing Fire Academy's convoy, nodding in the direction of Feng Lingtian from afar.
Huo Wu leaned out of the window of a carriage behind her and waved at Feng Lingtian, but Huo Wushuang quickly pressed her back down.
At the Skywater Academy, Shui Yue'er pulled the curtain wide open, almost peeking out, and excitedly looked towards the Godwind Academy convoy.
Shui Bing'er sat in the carriage, grabbed her sister by the back of her collar and dragged her back inside. The curtain fell again.
Shui Yue'er: "Sister, my brother saw Feng Xiaotian leave the group." I wonder where he went. Did he tell you?
Shui Bing'er calmly said, "Brother Feng is going to obtain Soul Ring."
"Oh... Brother Feng~" Shui Yue'er teased playfully.
Shui Bing'er turned her head away shyly and ignored her, and the carriage fell silent instantly.
On the other side, Feng Lingtian lowered the carriage curtain and leaned back against the carriage wall. The wheels rolled over the gravel on the official road, and the carriage swayed slightly.
Su Mei'er sat opposite him, slowly munching on a freshly picked wild fruit, her fox tail curled at her side, occasionally glancing unconsciously at the cushion. She glanced at Feng Lingtian: "What are you thinking about?"
"Thinking about what might happen next," Feng Lingtian didn't hide it from her, "We won the finals, but trouble is about to begin."
The Spirit Hall won't let this go so easily. Bibi Dong is probably already investigating our changes, and it might even implicate the Pill Pavilion.
Su Mei'er carefully wrapped the fruit pit in paper and put it away, her expression becoming more serious. "How far do you think the Spirit Hall can investigate?"
"I don't know." Feng Lingtian's voice was neither loud nor soft, "However, Salas must have already reported the matter of the Nine Heart Begonia submitting to the Pill Pavilion; he also personally witnessed Blue Sunshine Academy using pills in the advancement competition."
Add to that your Ultimate Attribute during the finals and Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul Evolution —which was revealed right under the Spirit Hall's nose— Bibi Dong and her team couldn't possibly have missed it. With all these things connected, Bibi Dong will inevitably take it seriously and intensify her investigation sooner or later.
Su Mei'er nodded and didn't ask any more questions. She stuffed the wrapped fruit pits into her sleeve pocket, leaned back against the car wall, and closed her eyes, as if listening to the sound of the wind again.
Outside the carriages came the sounds of wheels, horses' hooves, and the occasional conversations of Feng Qingxuan and Shui Qinghan. Several groups stretched out in a long line along the official road.
Feng Lingtian leaned back in his seat, his gaze falling on a swaying tassel on the car roof.
His brother had gone to hunt for his Sixth Soul Ring; the matter of the Pill Pavilion couldn't be kept secret for long; the Spirit Hall's investigation would come sooner or later... He knew better than anyone what was going to happen next.
He closed his eyes and mentally reviewed each step he was about to take.
The carriage continued its smooth journey forward.