Shrek Academy was currently on holiday, and the usually bustling campus was noticeably much quieter.
The entire academy seemed to have been extracted from the noise, immersed in a rare tranquility.
On Sea God Island in the center of the academy, Yun Ming's unassuming little courtyard welcomed a guest today.
Leng Yaozhu, dressed in a long purple gown, sat upright on a stone stool in the courtyard's pavilion.
Two cups of freshly brewed tea sat on the stone table in front of her, the curling fragrance of the tea swirling and dissipating in the afternoon breeze.
She had come specifically today to discuss matters regarding Devil Island with Yun Ming in person. The previous Golden Tree incident had caused quite an uproar, and Long Yeyue had returned in defeat. Because Shrek Academy failed to keep Huo Yuhao, it had ironically caused Yun Ming's influence within the academy to rise significantly.
Yun Ming sat opposite Leng Yaozhu, one hand resting on the stone table, his fingertips unconsciously tapping against the surface as a look of contemplation filled his face.
After a long silence, he slowly raised his head, looked at Leng Yaozhu, and asked, "Yaozhu, how much do you know about Devil Island?"
Leng Yaozhu shook her head and replied candidly, "Your Shrek Academy's work on confidentiality is quite good. My understanding of Devil Island is limited only to knowing that such a place exists; as for the specific situation on the island, I know very little."
Hearing this, Yun Ming sighed. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then slowly said, "Although Devil Island has always been regarded as Shrek Academy's 'private reserve,' the outside world has always assumed that the academy holds absolute control over the island. But to be honest, Shrek Academy cannot truly be said to have control over Devil Island."
The hand Leng Yaozhu used to hold her teacup paused slightly, and a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
She set down the teacup and frowned, asking, "What do you mean by that? Don't the Shrek Seven Devils of every generation go to Devil Island for 'military training'?"
"Could it be that there is something on that island that even your academy cannot control? Could there be danger?"
Yun Ming organized his thoughts before speaking, "The Spirit Pagoda's historical records should also contain accounts of how Devil Island was born; you should know at least a little about that."
Upon hearing this, Leng Yaozhu quickly flipped through the dust-covered documents she had once seen in the Spirit Pagoda archives in her mind.
Her brows furrowed slightly, and her tone carried a hint of uncertainty, "Those records did indeed mention some… very vague statements."
"Could the birth of Devil Island really be related to deities?"
Yun Ming did not evade the question and nodded solemnly, "That's right, there is indeed Divine Power remaining on that island."
"The reason I said Shrek Academy has not truly mastered that place lies precisely in this. The academy's understanding of Devil Island is not comprehensive, and there are indeed unknown risks within. Over a thousand years ago, one generation of the Shrek Seven Devils fell on Devil Island!"
Leng Yaozhu's heart skipped a beat upon hearing these words; she hadn't expected such a thing to have happened.
Yun Ming watched Leng Yaozhu's expression and said, enunciating every word, "Therefore, I have no way to guarantee to you that they will be safe after entering Devil Island."
"Even if nothing has happened for a long time, it doesn't mean that nothing will ever happen."
"That is why I must ask clearly: are you sure you still want them to go to Devil Island?"
Leng Yaozhu fell silent. The hand holding the teacup remained suspended in mid-air for a long time, and the surface of the tea reflected her slightly furrowed brow.
She understood Yun Ming's character; he was definitely not the type of person to exaggerate just to shirk responsibility, nor would he deceive her about this matter.
After pondering for a long time, she finally spoke, her tone heavier than before, "This matter is too significant. I cannot make this decision for them; I must ask for the children's opinions first."
After all, since it involved genuine safety issues, she could not overstep her bounds and make the decision for these children directly.
Yun Ming nodded understandingly, simply adding, "It is better to be cautious. Go back and discuss it with them first. If you ultimately decide to go, I can make arrangements at any time."
More than a month had passed since the last Transmigration with Leng Yaozhu, and Huo Yuhao had not returned to Ten Thousand Years ago again.
In the blink of an eye, the holiday quietly came to an end, and the bell for the new semester echoed over Shrek Academy.
The campus became lively again, and everything returned to its usual appearance.
However, neither Huo Yuhao nor Gu Yue appeared in the classrooms for the new semester at Shrek Academy.
Leng Yaozhu had already informed everyone of the information she received from Yun Ming, telling them all about the dangers of Devil Island exactly as they were.
However, the final answer was unexpectedly unanimous; not a single person backed down. During the last trip to the Tang Sect's Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, every one of them had gained tangible benefits.
The medicinal power of the Immortal Herb had been gradually digested and absorbed over this month-long holiday, and everyone's strength had improved significantly.
It was precisely because they had tasted the sweetness of rapid growth in dangerous situations that they were even less willing to miss the next Opportunity.
Since Devil Island was a treasure trove where Shrek Academy had trained Students and honed their strength for generations, they naturally had to go and challenge it. Things like Opportunity never just fall out of thin air; they are earned with courage and sweat.
As for the danger mentioned by Yun Ming, Tang Wulin had also specifically done his homework. He made a special trip to find Wu Changkong and seriously learned about the situation.
According to Wu Changkong, Devil Island was indeed perilous; many Students who had gone to Devil Island in previous years had been left with psychological trauma and could not recover for a long time after returning.
But at least within the last hundred years, no Students who went to Devil Island had faced life-threatening danger.
Since there was no life-threatening danger, there was nothing to be afraid of.
If one wants to improve their strength, how can they not take even the slightest risk?
If one seeks stability in everything, they might as well go home and lie down.
After receiving a positive answer, Leng Yaozhu quickly contacted Yun Ming, and both sides soon finalized the departure time.
Nowadays, there was no one at Shrek Academy who could manage Huo Yuhao.
These past few days, Gu Yue naturally followed his lead; if Huo Yuhao didn't go to the academy, she would accompany him and not go either.
Just one week after the academy started, Leng Yaozhu had arranged all the work at the Spirit Pagoda in advance and quietly set off with Huo Yuhao and Gu Yue, heading to the soul guidance train station.
Before leaving, Leng Yaozhu specifically changed into low-key, dark-colored casual clothes, restraining the aura of a powerhouse that usually made people afraid to look directly at her.
The three of them rested for a while in the station's VIP lounge. Not long after, the door to the VIP lounge was pushed open, and several familiar figures filed in one after another.
Na'er walked in front, her long silver hair flowing with a soft, moonlight-like radiance under the lights. As soon as she entered, she revealed a faint smile toward Huo Yuhao's direction.
Tang Wulin followed closely behind, his tall figure blocking everyone behind him completely.
Further behind were Xie Xie and Xu Xiaoyan; one had his hands in his pockets with a lazy expression on his face, while the other followed quietly at the very back, though her eyes were bright and sparkling with anticipation.
Huo Yuhao set down his teacup and was about to raise his hand to greet them, but his gaze went over Tang Wulin's shoulder and caught a glimpse of someone else walking in through the door.
That person wore a peaked cap pulled extremely low, and a pair of large sunglasses rested on their face, covering almost half of their face completely.
But how sharp was Huo Yuhao's eyesight? Even if the other person were wrapped up like a dumpling, he could recognize them at a glance.
Isn't this Yun Ming?!
Huo Yuhao knew that for this trip to Devil Island, Shrek Academy would likely send someone to lead the team, but he never expected that it would be Yun Ming, the Sea God Pavilion master, who would come in person.
He subconsciously wanted to stand up and salute, but just as his bottom left the sofa, Yun Ming's voice transmission preemptively slipped into his ears: "Don't make a scene; I don't want to be recognized."
Huo Yuhao's movements paused for a moment; he forcibly swallowed the words that were about to come out and pretended to sit back down as if nothing had happened.
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
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