Zhu Zhuqing was startled by the sudden tears shed by Yun Ming. She did not know why mentioning Shrek Academy would trigger such a massive reaction from him; could it be that this Shrek Academy was tied to some painful memory of his? Zhu Zhuqing's cold, clear voice softened slightly as she spoke with caution.
"Yun Ming, are... are you alright?"
Hearing Zhu Zhuqing's slightly worried inquiry, Yun Ming struggled to emerge from the surging emotions. After calming himself for a long while, his state of mind finally settled. Wiping the tears from his face, Yun Ming fell into deep thought.
He was searching his memories, trying to recall if he had experienced any other inexplicable events over the years. Aside from the images he saw during his Spirit Awakening and the sudden flood of memories and emotions when that academy was mentioned just now, the only thing he could not explain was that strange cultivation technique, Absolute Dominance, which he had instinctively practiced when he first began his meditation method. His Spear Art and spirit rings were too obscure, and Yun Ming, being clever enough, had simply attributed them to his own natural talent. However, a technique like Absolute Dominance was not something one could just conjure up with talent alone, so there must be something else that Yun Ming did not know.
Although the images in his mind could not be verified against Absolute Dominance, there was still one point he could investigate: that "Shrek Academy"!
He now wanted to figure out what exactly this Shrek Academy was and what significance it held for him.
He had clearly never come into contact with anyone or anything from this academy before, so why did hearing the name alone cause him to lose control of his emotions? Yun Ming wanted to find the reason, and he also wanted to see if he could unravel the mysteries surrounding himself through this academy.
Yun Ming asked Zhu Zhuqing with a serious expression.
"Can you tell me everything you know about Shrek Academy?"
Seeing the serious look on Yun Ming's face, Zhu Zhuqing was curious about his reasons for seeking out this academy, but she had no objections to sharing what she knew, especially since she already owed him a debt of gratitude and did not yet know how to repay it. Zhu Zhuqing answered Yun Ming, telling him all the information she possessed.
"Alright!"
"Shrek Academy is in the Barak Kingdom, in Suotuo City. It is said to be a very unconventional academy."
Zhu Zhuqing paused for a moment, her pretty face flushing slightly as she continued.
"I don't know much else, that's all."
Having said this, Zhu Zhuqing felt a bit embarrassed; the information she had seemed far too sparse. How had she dared to head north to the Heaven Dou Empire based on so little information before? (She had been forced by a life-or-death crisis.)
"It's fine, that's enough! Thank you!" Yun Ming replied.
Yun Ming felt it was perfectly fine. Now that he had a specific address, things would be easier to handle. He was definitely going to visit that Shrek Academy; it was just a matter of time.
Yun Ming thought for a moment and decided that in three days, once Zhu Zhuqing's injuries had fully healed, they would set off for Suotuo City to find Shrek Academy.
Three days later.
Yun Ming stood in front of the carriage and looked at Zhu Zhuqing beside him.
"Are you really going to Shrek Academy to see your fiancé? If you meet him, the life you've just managed to calm down might be forced back into the whirlpool you were in before."
Zhu Zhuqing understood what Yun Ming meant. Meeting her fiancé meant she might reappear within the sights of the Star Luo Dai Family. He was a successor to the throne, which was different from Zhu Zhuqing, who was merely a prospective Imperial Consort. After all, they were not married yet; an Imperial Consort could be replaced, but could a prince be replaced so easily?!
The Star Luo Royal Family would never ignore the situation of her fiancé! Zhu Zhuqing knew the consequences, but she still wanted to see how that person was doing now after he had abandoned her and left. Her reason for leaving in the first place was because of him, and she wanted to know if it was worth it.
"I have to go!" Zhu Zhuqing replied firmly. Whether it was the inertia of fate or not, Zhu Zhuqing was still heading toward Shrek.
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing had made up her mind, Yun Ming said no more.
"Get in the carriage."
Afterward, the two boarded, and the carriage headed toward Suotuo City in the Barak Kingdom, embarking on a new journey.
The Barak Kingdom was located south of the Heaven Dou Empire and bordered the Fasinuo Province. Although it was called a kingdom, its area was actually only three-quarters of the Fasinuo Province, a province directly under the Heaven Dou Empire. It was one of the four great kingdoms within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire. The King of Barak, Kundera, was a cousin of the current Heaven Dou Emperor, Xue Ye.
The Barak Kingdom was located in the south and bordered the Star Luo Empire directly. Therefore, among the four great kingdoms of the Heaven Dou Empire, the Barak Kingdom had the strongest military force and could be considered the gateway to the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Heaven Dou Empire originally had ten provinces, but with the enfeoffment of the four great kingdoms, six factions were formed. The empire itself directly controlled five provinces, and each of the four kingdoms controlled one. There was also a duchy, second only to the kingdoms, which occupied the smallest province in the east of the empire.
On the surface, the four kingdoms and the duchy were all under the rule of the Heaven Dou Empire, but in reality, these five states had become independent nations within its borders, possessing complete autonomy except for the necessary tributes. If it weren't for the Heaven Dou Imperial Family controlling heavy troops, internal turmoil might have already erupted.
The Star Luo Empire had a similar power structure, but unlike the Heaven Dou Empire, the Star Luo Empire's royal family was capable, and their control over their subordinates was far beyond what the Heaven Dou Empire could achieve.
The "winner takes all" royal succession system of the Star Luo Dai Family, while forcing successors to struggle for survival every day, also ensured that the successive Star Luo Emperors were rarely incompetent fools. It greatly reduced the probability of a foolish ruler appearing, and in most cases, they could select someone above the average level.
The royal families of the two great empires, Heaven Dou and Star Luo, were just like their respective ancestral spirits: the Heaven Dou Swan was all show and no substance, while the Star Luo White Tiger truly possessed the aura of a royal race when it came to governance. If it weren't for the fact that Martial Soul Hall had become so powerful in recent years, Star Luo would have long since sent troops against Heaven Dou to start a war for the unification of the continent!
There were two most important cities within the Barak Kingdom. One was the capital, Barak City, where King Kundera resided, which was the political and economic center of the entire kingdom. The other city was the granary of Barak, Suotuo City, located in the center of the most prosperous Lima Plain in the Barak Kingdom.
Both cities were heavily guarded and were crucial to the entire kingdom.
One day later, Yun Ming opened the carriage window and looked at the tall city walls in front of him, and the streets behind the walls that were even more bustling than Silver River City. His mood was somewhat heavy; they had arrived! Suotuo City!!!
Zhu Zhuqing's expression was also not quite right, because her so-called fiancé was here. Zhu Zhuqing felt very conflicted and anxious inside.
After arriving in Suotuo City, Yun Ming had the coachman drive the carriage to the best hotel in the city before letting him go.
PS: Seeking monthly tickets, seeking recommendations.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: DaoistReader