Thinking about the risk of the matter being exposed, Zhang Lexuan took a deep breath and suppressed all her surging emotions.
She looked up, meeting Ma Xiotao's gaze, the bitter smile on her face becoming a bit more genuine.
"Sigh, I knew I couldn't hide it from you, girl."
She sighed and took the initiative to admit:
"That's right, I was indeed injured, but I'm fine now. Caelus has already treated me."
"What exactly happened?" Ma Xiaotao pressed.
"Bad luck."
Zhang Lexuan said, downplaying the seriousness.
"We encountered a very strong Soul Beast, extremely strong. Its power far exceeded our estimates. I took a direct hit from it, so I suffered some injuries."
This explanation was half-true; after all, she really had taken a direct hit from the Ice Empress and was seriously injured.
Ma Xiaotao's brows furrowed; she felt that things weren't that simple.
"A very strong Soul Beast? How strong? To injure you like this, could it be a One Hundred Thousand Year level one?"
"It was indeed a One Hundred Thousand Year Spirit Beast."
Zhang Lexuan didn't want to say much more; she just wanted to quickly soothe Ma Xiaotao.
"In short, the process was very dangerous, but fortunately the outcome was good. My injury no longer affects my movements, and I'll be fine after resting for a while. You must not tell Bei Bei and the others, lest they worry."
"Alright, I understand."
Ma Xiaotao nodded. Since Zhang Lexuan said so, there was no need for her to ask too much.
"Then rest well. I'm going to Cultivate too. The juniors are all so formidable; if I don't work hard, I'll be overtaken."
She regained some of her former vitality and pumped her fist.
"Okay."
Zhang Lexuan nodded with a smile, but inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
She had finally managed to fool her for now.
She thought with some apology:
Xiaotao, it's not that big sister doesn't trust you.
It's just that this matter is of great importance. Before the Academy makes a decision, every additional person who knows is an added risk.
Once we return to the Academy, Dean Yan will naturally receive the news, and you will surely find out then.
I hope you... don't blame me.
The night passed in silence.
Caelus meditated quietly in his room, familiarizing himself with the newly born, majestic, and vast Ultimate Ice Soul Power within his body.
The Ice Empress's spiritual Origin was sleeping in his spiritual sea, undergoing a deeper level of assimilation with his Soul.
Meanwhile, that four-hundred-thousand-year torso bone acted like an energy core, continuously transforming his body and allowing his physique to evolve toward a non-human Domain.
Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
After a simple breakfast, Zhang Lexuan gathered everyone and announced their immediate departure to return to Shrek Academy.
"So soon?" Xu Sanshi yawned, looking like he hadn't fully woken up.
"The mission is complete. There's no need to stay in Dragon City any longer."
Zhang Lexuan's tone was unquestionable, regaining the decisiveness of the Inner Court's head disciple.
Seeing this, the others said no more and quickly packed their bags, gathering outside the Dragon Slumber Residence.
Just as the group was about to leave Dragon City, two figures blocked their path at the city gate.
"Wait a moment."
A crisp and somewhat willful voice rang out; it was Nan Qiuqiu, the daughter of the Earth Dragon Gate's Sect Leader.
Standing beside her was the Young Lord of the Heavenly Dragon Gate, the tall and burly Yu Tianlong.
"Miss Nan, Brother Yu, what is this?"
Bei Bei stepped forward and asked with a gentle cupped-hand salute.
Nan Qiuqiu's gaze swept through the crowd, finally landing on Caelus's conspicuous silver hair and heterochromatic eyes. Her eyes lit up as she said:
"I heard you were leaving, so I came specifically to see you off. Hey, Caelus, what did you do? Why the big change?"
Caelus just smiled at her and said, "It's nothing, just a slight change that occurred after a Breakthrough in my cultivation."
Hearing this, Yu Tianlong, standing nearby, suddenly looked at Caelus, his eyes revealing unabashed Battle Intent.
Previously, Caelus was a Soul Elder while he was a Spirit Ancestor, so it wasn't right for him to bully the weak by challenging Caelus. But now that Caelus had broken through, they could fight on the same level.
Immediately, he took a step forward and said in a deep voice:
"Caelus, I've heard Nan Qiuqiu speak of your talent and strength. I, Yu Tianlong of the Heavenly Dragon Gate, hereby challenge you. Do you dare to fight me?"
His voice was loud and resonant, filled with the pride and dominance characteristic of those with Dragon Clan Martial Souls, instantly attracting the attention of many passersby.
Xu Sanshi whistled from the side and whispered to Bei Bei:
"Yo, look at this. This kid didn't get enough from sparring with you last time, and now he's coming for Caelus."
Bei Bei still wore a gentle smile, but he knew in his heart that Yu Tianlong was extremely powerful, and his Martial Soul was the top-tier Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. If they really fought, although he was confident he could win, it would by no means be easy.
However, facing this challenge brimming with Battle Intent, Caelus's reaction was surprisingly indifferent.
He turned his gaze to Yu Tianlong and said apologetically:
"Brother Yu, my apologies. We need to return to the Academy as soon as possible and cannot afford any delays here. As for sparring, if we are destined to meet again, there will be an opportunity."
His words were polite, and his reason was sufficient.
If it were before his Breakthrough, he might have had some interest in facing Yu Tianlong's challenge to gauge the weight of this Heavenly Dragon Gate Young Lord.
After all, the opponent's strength was indeed impressive, roughly on par with Bei Bei, making him a good opponent.
But now... after merging with the Ice Empress, his Soul Power soaring to level forty-five, possessing a four-hundred thousand year spirit ring and torso bone, and mastering the power of Ultimate Ice, Yu Tianlong could no longer pique his interest.
"Fine, then I look forward to our next meeting."
Yu Tianlong didn't persist. It would be best to fight, but if not, it was fine.
Waving goodbye to Nan Qiuqiu and Yu Tianlong, Caelus and the others delayed no further and formally set out on their journey back to Shrek Academy.
Shrek Academy, Soul Dueling Area.
This was where students resolved conflicts and exchanged skills.
At this moment, almost all the students from new student class one were gathered below a standard Soul dueling stage in the Soul Dueling Area.
Without exception, all their gazes were fixed upon the stage.
Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao stood at the very front of the crowd, their faces filled with undisguised worry.
"Yuhao... he's being too impulsive."
Xiao Xiao's voice was very low, carrying a hint of a tremor.
Wang Dong didn't speak; his beautiful pinkish-blue eyes were fixed intently on the red figure on the stage, his fists clenched tightly.
Fury burned in his heart. If he weren't concerned about Huo Yuhao's dignity, he would have loved to rush onto the stage right now and fight in Huo Yuhao's place.
On the stage, Huo Yuhao stood quietly, facing off against Wu Feng, who was tall and curvaceous with a striking red ponytail.
Not far below the stage, the class teacher Wang Yan pushed up the black-framed glasses on the bridge of his nose, his face full of helplessness.
He sighed in his heart.
'Sigh, these kids from new student class one, each one is more of a troublemaker than the last.'
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