"Oh my, isn't this the prince consort?" Xie Xie was the first to come forward, winking and teasing with exaggerated expressions.
Tang Wulin forcibly suppressed his laughter, assuming a serious demeanor as he chimed in: "No, no, no—we should address him as Lord Viscount now."
Upon hearing this, Fang Yang's face immediately darkened.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi watched this scene from the side, finally unable to hold back their laughter.
Even the usually cold and aloof Gu Yue had the corners of her mouth rise slightly.
Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged glances, both bursting into laughter as well.
"Tang Wulin, Xie Xie."
Fang Yang spoke slowly, his voice terrifyingly calm. His gaze swept over the two of them, his eyes carrying an obvious warning.
Xie Xie immediately retreated half a step, raising both hands in surrender: "No, no, no, I was wrong, alright?"
Tang Wulin also put away his joking expression, clearing his throat lightly.
Gu Yue stepped forward, her eyes carrying a hint of helpless amusement: "Alright, they were just joking."
Fang Yang casually handed the wooden box to Gu Yue: "Gu Yue, hold onto this for me first."
His gaze turned to the others who were still snickering, "You all..."
Xie Xie immediately assumed a serious expression: "Don't worry, Brother Yang, we guarantee we won't mention it again!"
Tang Wulin nodded repeatedly, though his eyes still held uncontainable mirth.
Gu Yue accepted the wooden box, gently opening it to take a look. Inside lay a soul bone emitting a faint light.
She carefully put away the box and looked up at Fang Yang: "What are your plans next?"
"Return to the hotel to rest first. They still have team matches to prepare for tomorrow." Fang Yang spoke softly, his gaze sweeping over Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.
Hearing this, everyone put away their playful thoughts.
Although the individual competition had ended, the team matches and other competitions were still ongoing.
"Let's go."
Fang Yang turned first, walking toward the exit of the Star Luo Grand Stadium.
Seeing this, everyone followed and left.
...
Star Luo Grand Hotel.
Night fell, and lights illuminated the city.
The entire city was enveloped in brilliant lights, like a pearl embedded in the earth, emitting captivating radiance.
Fang Yang stood alone before the window, gazing at the countless lights of Star Luo City outside, his eyes deep, lost in thought.
The cool night breeze drifted through the half-open window, gently brushing his face, bringing distant faint sounds of bustle.
Knock, knock.
The door was lightly knocked, the sound exceptionally clear in the quiet room.
Fang Yang slowly turned and opened the door.
Gu Yue stood outside, moonlight spilling over her waterfall-like black hair, emitting a soft luster.
Beside her were Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan, both having changed into comfortable casual clothes.
"You've come."
Fang Yang stepped aside to let them in, casually closing the door.
"Mm."
Gu Yue nodded.
Xu Xiaoyan blinked her curious eyes: "Fang Yang, did you have Gu Yue call us over for something?"
She tilted her head, her light blue twin-tails swaying slightly, her face carrying some confusion.
"Yes."
Fang Yang nodded, "I plan to leave for a period of time."
"Leave?"
Xu Xiaoyan's eyes widened in surprise.
She subconsciously looked at Gu Yue, only to discover that Gu Yue and Na'er were both silent, seeming to have known already.
"Yes."
Fang Yang's voice was very calm, "I need to go to a place to cultivate. That place... is not convenient for contacting the outside world."
"Then... how long do you plan to be away?" Xu Xiaoyan asked softly, her tone full of reluctance, her small hands unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes.
Fang Yang was silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, "About three years."
The room instantly fell into silence, with only the faint city noise drifting in from outside the window.
Xu Xiaoyan bit her lip, her eyes welling up with tears. Three years was not long for a soul master, but for her, it was a considerable separation.
Xu Xiaoyan thought for a moment, then raised her head, "Can I come with you?"
Her voice was light, yet carried undeniable determination.
Fang Yang, hearing this, was slightly stunned, "You want to come together?"
"Mm, I don't want to be separated from you."
Xu Xiaoyan said, suddenly bursting into tears, stepping forward to tightly embrace him. Tears wet Fang Yang's clothes, her shoulders trembling slightly.
Fang Yang held Xu Xiaoyan, looking up at Gu Yue and Na'er. Gu Yue nodded lightly, and Na'er revealed a sweet smile.
"Alright."
Fang Yang smiled slightly, his voice gentle, "Xiaoyan, don't cry, we'll go together."
"Mm."
Xu Xiaoyan raised her head, looking at Fang Yang through tear-blurred eyes, finally breaking into a smile through her tears.
She nodded forcefully, her light blue twin-tails swaying gently with the movement, appearing exceptionally moving under the moonlight.
Xu Xiaoyan asked, "Then when are we leaving?"
"After Tang Wulin and Xie Xie finish their matches." Fang Yang said, taking out a tissue to gently wipe away the tear stains on Xu Xiaoyan's face.
"Alright."
Xu Xiaoyan, hearing this, nodded obediently, a smile blooming anew on her face.
Na'er spoke up to remind: "However, before we leave, let's leave a letter first."
"Na'er..." Fang Yang, hearing this, looked at Na'er.
He recalled when Na'er had left a letter upon departing Aolai City—that separation remained vivid in his memory to this day.
"Brother."
Na'er looked at Fang Yang pitifully, those purple eyes carrying a hint of grievance, making one unable to bear blame.
Fang Yang, seeing this, sighed, "Forget it."
"Then... are you blaming me?" Gu Yue's tone was calm, yet her eyes carried a hint of teasing.
Fang Yang hurriedly said, "No."
He dared not admit it—when Gu Yue got angry, she was not easy to coax.
"Then we'll head back first." Gu Yue spoke, turning to prepare to leave.
Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan, hearing this, also nodded slightly, following Gu Yue toward the door.
Ahem.
Fang Yang coughed lightly, his face carrying a hint of expectation, "Well... how about staying to sleep together?"
"In your dreams."
Gu Yue rolled her eyes at him, her tone carrying faint annoyance, then led Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan out of the room.
The door gently closed, and the room returned to quiet once more.
Fang Yang gazed at the tightly shut door, an involuntary faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
In the days that followed, the Shrek Academy group continued to fight on the competition grounds.
In the doubles competition, the team of Tang Wulin and Xie Xie displayed astonishing strength, advancing all the way through every obstacle.
Whenever they competed, Fang Yang would watch together with Gu Yue and the others.
"Wulin's Clear Sky Hammer is becoming more and more proficient." Watching Tang Wulin send an opponent flying with a strike of his Clear Sky Hammer, Fang Yang evaluated softly.
Gu Yue nodded: "Their growth speed is indeed astonishing."
Xu Xiaoyan excitedly waved her small fists: "Tang Wulin is so amazing! Xie Xie's speed is so fast you can't even see him!"
"They're all working very hard." Na'er smiled as she watched the match on the field, speaking softly.
In the end, after fierce competition, Shrek Academy successfully won the championship of the doubles competition as wished.
When Tang Wulin and Xie Xie stood on the award platform, raising the trophy high, the entire venue erupted in thunderous applause.
After the award ceremony, everyone gathered at the hotel restaurant to celebrate.
Tang Wulin and Xie Xie were still immersed in the joy of victory, their faces filled with brilliant smiles.
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