Lin Xian and Zhu Zhuqing didn't leave right away.
They still had their individual Spirit fights to complete.
As expected, both secured easy victories.
Zhu Zhuqing only used her first Spirit Ability the entire night.
Lin Xian was even more outrageous—his opponent was a newly advanced Spirit Grandmaster at the same level. With one white and one yellow spirit ring, the opponent already looked quite weak.
Lin Xian didn't even bother summoning his Martial Soul. He simply used raw Stellar Power and crushed his opponent with his bare hands.
The young man broke down on the spot.
He had finally advanced to Spirit Grandmaster and wanted to show off his second Spirit Ability—
Only to be defeated effortlessly without his opponent even using a Spirit.
The nights at the Great Spirit Arena could be brutally cold.
---
Late at night, within Shrek Academy, a red figure dashed rapidly through the grounds.
He stopped in front of a small wooden cabin and knocked frantically on the door.
"Boss Dai! Boss Dai! I—I have news!"
For once, Dai Mubai hadn't gone out looking for trouble.
He was cultivating, attempting to break through to Rank 36.
And at that exact critical moment—
Ma Hongjun's voice shattered his focus.
Dai Mubai nearly exploded with rage.
Of all times, it had to be now.
The door burst open instantly.
Ma Hongjun, caught off guard, stumbled forward—
Only to be kicked away.
"Fatty, you'd better have something important to say. Otherwise, I'll personally loosen your bones."
Dai Mubai cracked his knuckles, his expression dark.
Ma Hongjun swallowed nervously.
He knew very well—Boss Dai didn't joke when it came to beating people.
"Boss Dai, you'll definitely be interested in this. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare disturb you."
"Speak."
"Today at the Great Spirit Arena… I saw the person you've been looking for."
"What?"
"That masked girl—you've been searching for her, right? I saw her today—"
Before he could finish, Dai Mubai had already rushed out.
The wooden door shattered behind him.
Ma Hongjun stood there, stunned.
…Was he really that desperate?
Luckily, I wasn't the one he was venting on.
Otherwise, I'd end up just like that door.
Still, in that brief glance, Ma Hongjun had clearly seen—
There was a young man beside that girl.
And judging by how she held his arm…
They looked like a couple.
When did Boss Dai start liking this kind of situation?
Ma Hongjun scratched his head, confused, but didn't think too deeply about it.
He could only silently pity that young man.
In Soto City, no one dared refuse something Dai Mubai wanted.
---
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai had already activated his Spirit and rushed toward Soto City at full speed.
Six kilometers wasn't far.
Within moments, he arrived at the Great Spirit Arena.
But no matter how much he searched—
He couldn't find them.
Ma Hongjun wouldn't lie.
And judging by how out of breath he was, he must have rushed over immediately.
At most, half an hour had passed.
Could it be… their match ended that quickly?
Though he found it hard to believe, the empty search left him furious.
Coming all this way for nothing.
Forget it.
I'll just head to the Rose Hotel.
At the very least, Dai Mubai had one rule—he never brought his "companions" back to the academy.
He briefly considered bringing Ma Hongjun along, but dismissed the idea.
Not only had he disrupted his cultivation, but he had also been too slow.
No reward for him tonight.
---
At the same time, in a quiet park—
Lin Xian and Zhu Zhuqing sat side by side, leaning gently against each other, gazing at the star-filled sky.
With Star Attraction circulating automatically, they no longer needed to meditate constantly.
Zhu Zhuqing had gradually relaxed from her once-tense routine.
So when Lin Xian suggested a walk, she agreed without hesitation.
"Look, I won two matches today. Just enough to pay you back."
Lin Xian smiled, holding a handful of gold coins that clinked softly together.
His other arm rested naturally around her waist.
He had grown far too accustomed to it.
"No need. You should keep them."
"That won't do. A deal is a deal—didn't you say I had to repay—"
Before he could finish, Zhu Zhuqing shot him a glare.
Her hand moved as if to remove his arm from her waist.
"Alright, alright, I was joking."
Only then did she relax, a faint smile returning to her lips.
This peaceful, leisurely feeling…
It was something she had never experienced before.
With the burdens of her past lifted, everything felt different.
"Two more months until the academy enrollment. Do you still want to go to Shrek?"
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated.
Training with Lin Xian was already far more effective than any academy.
And becoming stronger had always been her goal.
Now, the academy didn't seem necessary anymore.
"It's up to you. I'll go wherever you go."
Lin Xian smiled faintly.
"Let's at least take a look. I'm curious about those so-called 'monsters.' It might be interesting."
In his mind, however—
Tang San. Yu Xiaogang.
He was already looking forward to what they might "drop."
---
Meanwhile, in a private room at the Rose Hotel—
The room was dark, and two figures lay asleep on the bed.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
A large figure strode in.
The two women were startled awake—
But soon recognized the situation.