After seven days in the Yue Nan Islands, Zhu Ziyang finally decided to return to Shrek Academy.
Before leaving, Zhu Ziyang bid farewell to Zhang Lexuan, Jiang Nannan, Old Song, and others. He said to Old Song, "Old Song, the implementation and operation of the plan will be troublesome for you. Sister Lexuan and Nannan probably won't have much energy to manage these matters until they complete their respective trials."
"Don't worry, the next phase of the plan doesn't require Le Xuan and Nannan's effort. This old woman knows what she's doing!" Old Song replied.
"Nannan, Sister Lexuan, you just need to focus on completing your trials." Zhu Ziyang then looked at Jiang Nannan and Zhang Lexuan and said, "When you can absorb your next spirit ring, don't rush to absorb it. Remember to come back to the Academy and find me."
"Understood!" Although Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan were puzzled by Zhu Ziyang's words, they did not refuse but agreed very obediently.
"Oh, right, I found a helper for you. Let me introduce her to you." Zhu Ziyang added, clapping his hands. A person in black and white armor instantly appeared before everyone. From her figure, it was clear this was a woman.
"She is?" Old Song and Old Zhu immediately showed vigilance and shock at the sudden appearance of this woman, because they had not noticed that there was someone else hidden beside them, and judging from her aura, this stranger's strength was no less than Old Song's!
"Old Song, Old Zhu, no need to be nervous!" Zhu Ziyang immediately explained after seeing Old Song and Old Zhu's reactions, "This is Senior Zhang Weiwei. She is a senior I met by chance. I cannot elaborate on her origins, but you can rest assured that she is absolutely trustworthy.
Senior Zhang Weiwei's strength should be that of a Level 97 Super Douluo."
"Hello, everyone!" Zhang Weiwei said, and the armor covering her face automatically retracted, revealing her appearance. Seeing that beneath the armor was a heroic and elegant young woman, Old Song and the others were very surprised, but their vigilance in their hearts dissipated somewhat. Sometimes, high Appearance is a very strong plus.
A Level 97 Super Douluo! Jiang Nannan and the others couldn't help but show surprised expressions, filled with curiosity about this seemingly delicate woman.
"Hello!" Old Song replied politely. Although Zhang Weiwei didn't seem like a bad person and was an acquaintance of Zhu Ziyang, it was clearly impossible for Old Song to be completely unguarded against her.
Zhu Ziyang didn't mind these things. His purpose in leaving Zhang Weiwei was simple: to personally protect Jiang Nannan. He said, "Old Song, Old Zhu, Sister Weiwei will not interfere with your decisions. I asked her to help merely to add a layer of safety for Nannan and Sister Lexuan!"
"You brat, do you think Old Zhu and I can't protect Nannan and Le Xuan?" Old Song, hearing this, immediately looked displeased and said.
"Of course that's not what I meant!" Zhu Ziyang said with an awkward smile, "Aren't I thinking of you? You're going to be very busy with things, so having one more person to look after Nannan and the others can also make things easier for you, can't it?"
"Hmph! You're good with words, brat!" Old Song snorted, but tacitly agreed to Zhang Weiwei's inclusion.
"Sister Weiwei, I'm leaving them to you!" Zhu Ziyang said to Zhang Weiwei, his smile unwavering.
"Absolutely!" Zhang Weiwei raised her hand to her chest and solemnly agreed.
Her attitude towards Zhu Ziyang surprised the other four people present. However, Zhang Weiwei didn't mind. In her heart, Zhu Ziyang was the absolute master, and his commands were her faith.
"Well then, I'm off!" Zhu Ziyang said, and then left directly. As for how Jiang Nannan and the others would get along with Zhang Weiwei, Zhu Ziyang wasn't worried at all. Neither Jiang Nannan, nor Zhang Lexuan, nor the two elders were unreasonable people.
—
After leaving April Island, Zhu Ziyang took a merchant ship directly to Yanghai City on the west coast of the Sun Moon Empire. After confirming his route in Yanghai City, he set off, directly entering the heartland of the Sun Moon Empire. In a small town 150 kilometers from the Imperial Capital of the Sun Moon Empire, he killed the third target of the Death God Fourth Trial.
Immediately after, he continued eastward, crossing the Mingdou Mountain Range into the Star Luo Empire. In a medium-sized city in the western part of the Star Luo Empire, he killed the fourth target of the Death God Fourth Trial.
At this point, only one target remained for the Death God Fourth Trial. He hadn't found this last target, so he decided to return to the Academy first and use the Academy's intelligence department to search for it.
Thus, a month after leaving the Academy, he returned to Shrek Academy. First, he reported the progress of Empress's Advent plan to the Tian Yuan Pavilion. Although Old Song would certainly send back intelligence on these matters, there was no harm in him reporting it in advance.
Afterward, upon leaving the Tian Yuan Pavilion, he learned that the next day would be the day for the student exchange with the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy. Therefore, Tang Ya decided to hold a farewell banquet for Huo Yuhao and He Caitou, and specifically invited Zhu Ziyang, who had just returned.
The farewell banquet was held in an open space by Sea God Lake. When Zhu Ziyang arrived, Huo Yuhao was diligently grilling fish, while Tang Ya squatted in front of him, drooling. The others were preparing other food nearby.
"Zhu Ziyang, you've really returned at the perfect time!" Tang Ya, seeing Zhu Ziyang arrive, immediately stood up, wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth, and said, "If you had returned one day later, Yu Hao would have already left!"
"Hehe, it's better to arrive at the right moment than too early!" Zhu Ziyang laughed, "Besides, Yu Hao is just going for an exchange study. It's not like he's not coming back? If I miss him, can't I just go to the Sun Moon Empire to see him?"
"Wang Dong, did you hear that? Yu Hao is just going for an exchange study. We can go see him when we have time, so stop acting like it's a permanent farewell!" Tang Ya, hearing Zhu Ziyang's words, deeply agreed, and then shouted at Wang Dong, who was squatting beside Huo Yuhao with his back to everyone.
"How am I acting like it's a permanent farewell!" Wang Dong, called out by Tang Ya, immediately turned around and retorted. However, his retort was so pale and weak; his somewhat choked voice and red eyes all indicated his state just now.
"I'm really impressed with you!" Tang Ya, looking at Wang Dong, couldn't help but roll her eyes and say, "How are you more like a girl than Xiao Xiao and I, two actual girls, whimpering like that!"
"I..." Wang Dong wanted to argue, but the words wouldn't come out. He mumbled, and finally just pouted, expressing his dissatisfaction.
"Alright, Xiao Ya, stop teasing Wang Dong!" Bei Bei walked over with a plate of vegetables, coming to Wang Dong's rescue, "He and Yu Hao have the best relationship. It's normal to be sad when they have to part!"
"Alright!" Tang Ya waved her hand and said, "I feel like if I say anything more, I'll become a sinner!"
"Hehe!" Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but laugh.
Soon, everything was ready. Everyone gathered around, enjoying the delicious food. The atmosphere was unusually joyful, without any sadness of farewell. Tang Ya deserved much credit for this ambiance.
"Ziyang, did Sister Lexuan find her clansmen?" Bei Bei looked at Zhu Ziyang, asking about something he was very concerned about.
"Yes! Sister Lexuan still has a Great-grand-aunt alive, and they have successfully recognized each other." Zhu Ziyang took a bite of grilled fish and replied.
Regarding Zhang Lexuan and the Empress plan, not many people in the Inner Courtyard knew the inside story. Bei Bei and the others were clearly not among them. Like other disciples, they only knew that Zhang Lexuan's ancestors were from the Sun Moon Empire and that she was currently searching for surviving clansmen from the time of their clan's annihilation.
"I really didn't expect Sister Lexuan to actually be from the Sun Moon Empire!" Tang Ya couldn't help but exclaim. Fortunately, neither she nor Bei Bei knew that Zhang Lexuan had once been Bei Bei's child bride, otherwise, their emotions would definitely not be as they were now.
"It's certainly surprising!" He Caitou also said, a strange look flashing across his face, "I remember, Eldest Senior Sister's Spirit is the moon, right!"
"That's right!" Zhu Ziyang nodded and said, giving He Caitou a deep look. If the Academy's information was accurate, then He Caitou would be one of the important aids for Zhang Lexuan to ascend the throne of the Sun Moon Empire.
"Then why aren't she and Sister Nannan coming back?" Xiao Xiao asked, puzzled.
"Sister Lexuan's Great-grand-aunt is old and doesn't have much time left. Sister Lexuan wants to wait until the old lady passes away naturally before returning to the Academy. Nannan and the others are staying there to accompany her!" Zhu Ziyang said, casually fabricating a story about Xu Jianwei without any burden on his conscience.
"Oh!" Xiao Xiao nodded, a hint of sympathy on her face, and said, "Eldest Senior Sister is truly pitiful. She finally found her family, only to face separation again. Alas!"
"Let's not talk about this uncomfortable topic!" Tang Ya, seeing the atmosphere about to turn somber, immediately changed the subject and said, "Zhu Ziyang, do you know? I've already reclaimed the Tang Sect's ancestral property!"
"Is that so? Congratulations!" Zhu Ziyang was a little surprised, but then the surprise faded, and he said with a smile, "Bei Bei must be exhausted, right?"
"Not bad. Although the other side had more people, their strength was inferior to mine." Bei Bei said with a smile.
"Oh, why can't it be that I, Tang Sect Master, displayed divine power and reclaimed the foundation from the villains?" Tang Ya was extremely annoyed by Zhu Ziyang and Bei Bei's conversation, exasperatedly saying.
"Hey! I still understand your strength, buddy!" Zhu Ziyang said with a smile.