Sister Xiao Wu, I'm Innocent

The next day, as dawn broke, five figures quietly left Shrek Academy.

Flender stood by the window of the dean's office, watching them leave, his teacup already cold.

"Just let them go like that?" Zhao Wuji appeared at the doorway at some point, his voice low and deep.

"Otherwise what?" Flender smiled wryly. "Forced relationships don't work. And..." He paused, "Perhaps leaving Shrek is actually a better choice for them."

"But what about Xiao Gang..."

"I'll explain to him." Flender turned, his gaze sharpening. "Old Zhao, from today onwards, the academy will strengthen its management. Incidents like Tang San's sneak attack on his classmate must never happen again."

Zhao Wuji nodded emphatically. The two looked out the window; the five figures had disappeared into the morning mist, as if they had never appeared.

Meanwhile, in a dormitory on the other side of the academy, Tang San stood by the window, toying with a new Sleeve Arrow in his hand. His eyes were colder than the glint of the arrowhead.

"Yan Zu... we will meet again. When we do, I will show you who the real genius is."

The Sleeve Arrow twirled between his fingertips, reflecting the unfathomable gloom in his eyes. Outside the window, the sun was rising, but it could not dispel the darkness in his heart.

In the morning light, two distinctly different roads are slowly unfolding.

The outline of Suotuo City gradually became clear in the morning mist. The ten-meter-high blue stone city wall resembled a lurking beast, and the city gate was crowded with people, with noise coming from afar.

Five figures walked side by side on the official road. The young man in the lead had a small jade-colored beast perched on his shoulder. It was Yan Zu and his group who had left Shrek Academy.

"Back here again." Ning Rongrong looked at the familiar city gate, her tone tinged with emotion.

In just half a month, my mindset has changed from initial curiosity and pickiness to returning as a "dropout".

Xiao Wu skipped over to Yan Zu's side. "A-Zu, where are we staying this time? Are we going to the Rose Hotel again?"

"Okay." Yan Zu nodded. "Let's settle in first, then we'll make further plans."

Upon entering the Rose Hotel again, the receptionist was still the same woman in a cheongsam. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes when she saw Yan Zu and his group of five, which quickly turned into a professional smile, "Welcome back, distinguished guests."

Ning Rongrong generously paid the room fee, and the five of them went up to the top floor. The suite was still luxurious, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking most of Suotuo City, and sunlight filtering through the sheer curtains onto the soft carpet.

After everyone had settled their luggage, they gathered in the living room.

Yan Zu's gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing and Oscar, and he said in a deep voice, "Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, since you have chosen to follow me, I will naturally not hold back. I have a unique cultivation method that may help you improve your strength more quickly."

Zhu Zhuqing's beautiful eyes lit up, a hint of anticipation flashing across her cool face. Oscar was so excited he almost jumped up. "Really? Boss Yan! I knew following you was the right choice!"

Yan Zu nodded, his expression turning serious. "However, before I begin, I must emphasize that this technique originates from a reclusive senior, is extremely precious, and must never be passed on to outsiders. I require you to swear by your own Martial Soul that without my permission, you will never teach this technique to anyone, including your closest relatives."

The room was silent. Oaths made with one's Martial Soul are extremely solemn in the Douluo Continent, concerning the very foundation and credibility of Soul Master.

Zhu Zhuqing stood up first, her right hand on her chest, and the phantom of the Hell Spirit Cat appeared behind her. Her eyes were solemn. "I, Zhu Zhuqing, swear by my Martial Soul, the Hell Spirit Cat: I will strictly keep the secret of the cultivation technique passed down by Yan Zu that I have obtained today. Without his permission, I will never teach or reveal it to any other person. If I break this oath, may my Martial Soul be shattered and my soul path destroyed."

The clear, cold voice was resolute and decisive, carrying an unquestionable resolve.

Oscar stood up, his Sausage Martial Soul appearing in his palm. His usual playful demeanor vanished, and he solemnly declared, "I, Oscar, swear by my Sausage Martial Soul: I will cherish the techniques taught by Yan Zu as if they were my own life, and will never divulge a single word without his permission. If I break this oath, may I never make any further progress in my life, and may I be forever confined to the Soul Elder realm."

Yan Zu nodded in satisfaction. "Good, I trust you."

He turned to Zhu Zhuqing, "Zhu Zhuqing, your Hell Spirit Cat follows Agility Attack System path. Extreme speed and attack are your advantages, but correspondingly, defense and sustained combat ability are weaknesses."

I will teach you the Bone Forging Chapter, Inner Power Chapter, Healing Chapter, and Movement Technique Chapter of the Nine Yin Manual, as well as a claw technique called "Nine Yin Divine Claw." The Bone Forging Chapter can strengthen your bones and physique, making your body more able to withstand the load of high-speed movement;

The Inner Power Chapter can optimize your Soul Power circulation, making it more concentrated and enduring;

The Healing Chapter helps you recover quickly after an injury;

The Movement Technique Chapter "Nine Spiral Shadows" greatly enhances your evasion and dash abilities;

The Nine Yin Divine Claw, with its unpredictable and fierce attacks, targets vital points and complements your Netherworld Hundred Claws. If they can be combined, their power will be multiplied.

As he spoke, Yan Zu handed the pre-prepared manual of martial arts techniques to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing flipped through the manual and subconsciously circulated her Soul Power according to the route in the manual. She felt that her originally somewhat restless Soul Power had become much more docile and solid, and there seemed to be Sisi cold and sharp aura around her fingertips.

Zhu Zhuqing, born into the Star Luo Zhu Family, possessed extraordinary insight and instantly understood how precious these cultivation methods were, far surpassing the meditation methods passed down by the Zhu Family.

Such a precious cultivation technique, yet Yan Zu entrusted it to her without reservation. Zhu Zhuqing, who was usually aloof and self-possessed, felt a surge of heat in her chest at this moment, which she could not suppress.

She glanced at Yan Zu, then suddenly stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek before pulling away, her ears flushed.

The air seemed to freeze for a moment.

"Zhu Zhuqing! What are you doing!" Ning Rongrong was the first to explode, her scream shattering the silence as she sprang up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. She rushed forward, grabbed her sleeve, and started wiping Yan Zu's face, indignantly shouting, "I haven't even kissed him yet! Why did you get to do it first!"

Yan Zu's face was almost distorted from all the rubbing she did, so he helplessly raised his hand and flicked her forehead. "What nonsense are you talking about? Zhu Zhuqing is just too excited."

Ning Rongrong covered her forehead, glaring at him with teary eyes. "Does being excited mean I can kiss you? Then I'll get excited too!"

Before he finished speaking, a sinister aura emanated from behind Yan Zu.

Two slender fingers precisely pinched the soft flesh of his waist and twisted it hard.

"Hiss--" Yan Zu gasped, frozen in place, too afraid to move.

Xiao Wu's face peeked out from behind his shoulder, smiling, but her pink eyes flashed with a dangerous light. "Little Brother A-Zu, are you flirting with other girls again?"

"Sister Xiao Wu, I'm innocent..." Yan Zu was on the verge of tears.

"Injustice?" Xiao Wu pressed harder. "Then who initiated the hug?"

"It was Zhu Zhuqing who carried me..."

"Then why didn't you dodge?"

"I..."

"Um?"

"I... I was wrong!"

(Thanks to readers 6976, Shuangtong2, and Zhuiyunzhuxia for their monthly ticket support)