Shi Qing Has Left, the Way to the Central Continent
The freshman was somewhat bewildered by Dongfang Yueming's sudden chuckle, but looking into his deep, cold eyes, he didn't dare to ask any further questions.
"Heh, the Earth Spirit Sect..." Dongfang Yueming sneered inwardly, "I'll remember this debt. If I get the chance in the future, I'll settle it properly!"
He collected his thoughts and asked again, "What about Shi Qing? How is she now?"
"Senior Shi Qing?" The freshman thought for a moment, "Oh, I heard that after she came back some time ago, she immediately went through the procedures for taking a leave of absence, it seems... she left the Martial Dao Academy."
"He's taken a leave of absence and left?" Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yueming frowned slightly, a hint of surprise and worry rising in his heart.
"Thank you for letting me know." He didn't ask any more questions, turned around and left, deciding to go and check on the Shi Family first.
As they strolled along the familiar paths of the Martial Dao Academy, a commotion suddenly arose ahead. A group of freshmen were surrounding one person like a star around the moon – it was Liu Yu!
"Senior Liu Yu is truly amazing! He reached the Skin Tempering Perfection so quickly!"
"Yes! Although he's only at the Cowhide Realm,' he's absolutely the number one among our freshmen!"
"What a genius!"
A chorus of compliments filled the air. Liu Yu stood in the center of the crowd, his face beaming with undisguised pride and satisfaction, basking in the adulation.
Just then, Dongfang Yueming calmly walked past the crowd. In the instant the two brushed past each other, Liu Yu inadvertently caught a glimpse of Dongfang Yueming's profile, and his body stiffened abruptly!
It was him?! The guy who easily defeated the senior student in the Flesh Refining Realm! He... wasn't he expelled from the Martial Dao Academy? And, it seems he participated in the Battle of the Python Gate before? Why?! Countless questions and a trace of inexplicable fear surged in Liu Yu's heart.
The freshman next to him noticed Liu Yu's unusual behavior and asked curiously, "Senior Liu Yu, what's wrong?"
"N-nothing... it's nothing." Liu Yu quickly concealed his inner turmoil, forcing himself to remain calm. But in his heart, a storm was raging! "Impossible! I am the most talented! I paid such a high price... why him..." A strong sense of humiliation surged into his heart again.
Dongfang Yueming ignored Liu Yu's reaction and left the Martial Dao Academy, heading straight for the bustling streets.
The teahouses and taverns along the street were bustling with activity. The faint sounds of martial arts practitioners conversing could be heard.
"Have you heard? It's gotten unsafe in the city lately; several martial artists have mysteriously disappeared!"
"Yes, and the people who disappeared were quite powerful, ranging from the Flesh Refining Realm to the Bone Forging Realm!"
"Who on earth did this? The authorities haven't given us any explanation..."
Dongfang Yueming kept these discussions in mind and, without stopping, soon arrived at the Shi Family mansion.
It was Uncle Shi who opened the door as always.
"Dongfang?" Uncle Shi was somewhat surprised to see Dongfang Yueming.
"Uncle Shi, Shi Qing, she..." Dongfang Yueming asked directly.
Uncle Shi sighed, his expression complicated. "Qing'er... she's gone."
Dongfang Yueming's heart tightened.
"She has decided to travel to the Central Continent to seek a breakthrough, hoping to escape her family's fate," Uncle Shi said slowly. "I have already used my connections to send her to the Great Han Dynasty, where there are giant ships that regularly travel to the Central Continent."
Dongfang Yueming remained silent for a moment, then nodded.
"Young friend, what brings you here..."
"I wanted to say goodbye to her, but now that she's left, it's time for me to go too," Dongfang Yueming said.
Upon hearing this, a hint of admiration flashed in Uncle Shi's eyes. "Young friend, you indeed have lofty aspirations. Before you depart, I would like to do something more for you. Your ' Light Snow ' weapon, though quasi-A-grade, still has room for improvement. If you can use it to slay sufficiently powerful Ferocious Beast and absorb their essence and malevolent energy, it might truly transform into an A-grade divine weapon."
Dongfang Yueming shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Shi, but there's no need to trouble you with this matter."
Uncle Shi was taken aback, somewhat surprised, and even had a fleeting thought that "the young man is too arrogant."
Dongfang Yueming did not explain, but simply clasped his hands in a fist salute again. "Take care, Uncle Shi, this junior will take his leave!" After saying that, he turned and left, heading straight for the Beast Defense Frontier!
"The Beast Defense Frontier..." Dongfang Yueming's eyes gleamed. "It's a perfect three-in-one solution! First, we can find powerful Ferocious Beast and use their essence and blood to nourish Light Snow and help her advance! Second, we should also go and see what's going on there. I wonder if Xi Lang's uncle, Xi Zhenyue, is still there... Third, Hongxiu..." Thinking of that passionate woman, a ripple of emotion stirred in his heart.