"Oh, isn't this the Prince Consort?" Xie Xie was the first to approach, teasing with a mischievous wink.
Tang Wulin suppressed a smile, feigning seriousness as he replied, "No, no, no, now it should be called Viscount."
Fang Yang's face immediately darkened at the words.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi, watching from the side, finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Even the usually cool Gu Yue had the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.
Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan exchanged glances, then both chuckled.
"Tang Wulin, Xie Xie."
Fang Yang spoke slowly, his voice terrifyingly calm. He swept his gaze over the two, his eyes carrying a clear warning.
Xie Xie immediately took half a step back, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender: "No, no, no, I was wrong, isn't that enough?"
Tang Wulin also put away his playful expression and lightly coughed.
Gu Yue stepped forward, a hint of helpless amusement in her eyes: "Alright, they were just joking."
Fang Yang casually handed the wooden box to Gu Yue: "Gu Yue, you keep this for me for now."
He turned his gaze to the others who were still snickering, "You all…"
Xie Xie immediately straightened up and said, "Brother Yang, don't worry, we promise not to mention it again!"
Tang Wulin nodded repeatedly, though his eyes still held an irrepressible smile.
Gu Yue took the wooden box and gently opened it for a look; inside lay a Spirit Bone emitting a faint glow.
She carefully put the wooden box away and looked up at Fang Yang: "What's the plan next?"
"Let's go back to the hotel to rest. They still have a team competition to prepare for tomorrow," Fang Yang said softly, his gaze sweeping over Tang Wulin and Xie Xie.
At his words, everyone also put away their playful thoughts.
Although the individual competition was over, the team competition and other matches were still ongoing.
"Let's go."
Fang Yang was the first to turn and walk out of the Star Luo Grand Stadium.
Seeing this, everyone followed and left… Star Luo Grand Hotel.
Night fell, and the city lights began to twinkle.
The entire city was enveloped in brilliant lights, like a shining pearl embedded in the earth, emitting a captivating glow.
Fang Yang stood alone by the window, gazing at the myriad lights of Star Luo City outside, his eyes deep, wondering what he was thinking.
A cool night breeze gently brushed his cheek through the half-open window, bringing with it the faint distant clamor.
"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 was standing outside, moonlight spilling onto her waterfall-like black hair, giving it a soft sheen.
Beside her were Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan, both having changed into comfortable casual clothes.
"You're here."
Fang Yang stepped aside to let them in, then closed the door.
"Mm."
Gu Yue nodded.
Xu Xiaoyan blinked curiously: "Fang Yang, did you ask Gu Yue to call us over for something?"
She tilted her head, her light blue twin ponytails swaying slightly, a hint of confusion on her face.
"Yes."
Fang Yang nodded, "I plan to leave for a while."
"Leave?"
Xu Xiaoyan's eyes widened in surprise.
She instinctively looked at Gu Yue, only to find that Gu Yue and Na'er were both silent, as if they already knew.
"Yes."
Fang Yang's voice was very calm, "I need to go to a place to Cultivate, and there… it's inconvenient to contact the outside world."
"Then… how long do you plan to be gone?" Xu Xiaoyan asked softly, her tone full of reluctance, her small hands unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.
Fang Yang was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Three years, I suppose."
The room immediately fell silent, with only the faint city clamor coming from outside the window.
Xu Xiaoyan bit her lip, her eyes welling up. Three years was not a long time for a Spirit Master, but for her, it was a significant separation.
Xu Xiaoyan thought for a moment, then looked up, "Can I go with you?"
Her voice was soft but carried an undeniable firmness.
Fang Yang was slightly startled at her words, "You want to come too?"
"Mm, I don't want to be separated from you."
As Xu Xiaoyan spoke, she suddenly burst into tears, stepping forward and hugging him tightly. Her tears wet Fang Yang's clothes, and her shoulders trembled slightly.
Fang Yang held Xu Xiaoyan, looking up at Gu Yue and Na'er. Gu Yue nodded gently, and Na'er showed a sweet smile.
"Okay."
Fang Yang smiled slightly, his voice gentle, "Xiao Yan, don't cry, we'll go together."
"Mm."
Xu Xiaoyan looked up, her eyes misty with tears at Fang Yang, finally breaking into a smile.
She nodded vigorously, her light blue twin ponytails swaying gently with the movement, looking especially charming in the moonlight.
Xu Xiaoyan asked, "Then when are we leaving?"
"Let's wait until Tang Wulin and Xie Xie finish their competitions," Fang Yang said, taking out a tissue to gently wipe away the tear stains on Xu Xiaoyan's face.
"Okay."
Xu Xiaoyan nodded obediently at his words, a smile blooming on her face again.
Na'er reminded, "However, before we go, let's leave a letter first."
"Na'er…" Fang Yang looked at Na'er upon hearing this.
He remembered when Na'er left Aolai City, she had left a letter, and that separation was still fresh in his memory.
"Brother."
Na'er looked at Fang Yang pitifully, her purple eyes carrying a hint of grievance that made it hard to blame her.
Seeing this, Fang Yang sighed, "Never mind."
"Then… are you blaming me?" Gu Yue's tone was calm, but her eyes held a hint of playfulness.
Fang Yang quickly said, "No."
He wouldn't dare admit it; Gu Yue was hard to appease when she got angry.
"Then we'll head back first," Gu Yue said, turning to leave.
Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan also nodded slightly at her words, following Gu Yue towards the door.
"Cough, cough."
Fang Yang lightly coughed, a hint of expectation on his face, "Um… why don't you stay and sleep together?"
"You wish."
Gu Yue rolled her eyes at him, her tone carrying a faint hint of reproach, then left the room with Na'er and Xu Xiaoyan.
The door gently closed, and the room returned to quiet.
Fang Yang gazed at the closed door, a faint smile unconsciously appearing at the corner of his mouth.
In the following days, the Shrek Academy group continued to fight on the arena.
In the doubles competition, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie displayed astonishing strength, overcoming all obstacles.
Whenever they competed, Fang Yang would watch with Gu Yue and the others.
"Wu Lin's Clear Sky Hammer is becoming more and more proficient," Fang Yang commented softly, watching Tang Wulin send his opponent flying with a single Clear Sky Hammer strike on the field.
Gu Yue nodded: "Their growth rate is indeed astonishing."
Xu Xiaoyan excitedly waved her small fists: "Tang Wulin is so amazing! Xie Xie's speed is so fast I can't even see him!"
"They are all very hardworking," Na'er said softly, smiling as she watched the competition on the field.
Finally, after fierce competition, Shrek Academy successfully won the doubles championship as desired.
When Tang Wulin and Xie Xie stood on the podium, holding up the trophy, 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 full of brilliant smiles.
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