"Me? What would I do?"
Han Ruoruo picked up a thick book and lightly tapped it on Ling Bai's head, looking at him helplessly. "What kind of question is that? Your Elder Sister couldn't possibly be an Evil Spirit Master!"
"Right..."
Ling Bai smiled, but there was no warmth in his smile. He had been reading this book to find out if anyone in history had succeeded in purging the evil nature from an Evil Martial Spirit.
If such a case existed, he could try to learn from it, because one shouldn't put all their eggs in one basket. Among Evil Martial Spirits, compared to the eruption of the Death Abyss Spider Emperor's Rakshasa evil power, Ma Xiaotao's little bit of Phoenix Evil Fire was really insignificant. If Electrolux ended up being helpless in the end, it would be troublesome.
"Don't smile like that; it's too cold. You want to know what I would do? Then I'll tell you."
Han Ruoruo tapped his head a few more times, looked directly into his eyes, and said firmly:
"If I have awakened an Evil Martial Spirit, it means that fate has given me a justified reason to fall into depravity, but I also have the right to refuse to fall. I would have spent my whole life fighting against the Evil Martial Spirit.
Even if I possess an Evil Martial Spirit, I will forever strive to be a person with a clean soul and a clear conscience."
"Mm."
Ling Bai slowly nodded. He was also someone unwilling to fall into depravity. Otherwise, with the blood-soul devouring talent of the Death Abyss Spider Emperor, if he had let loose and killed indiscriminately, he might have already broken through Rank 70 by now.
"Let's go. Elder Sister will treat you to a meal."
Huo Ruoruo stood up and put the pile of books she hadn't finished reading, along with Ling Bai's 'Chronicles of the Continent's Evil Spirit Masters', into her silver earrings, which were her Storage Spirit Guidance Device. Then she strode ahead, leaving Ling Bai behind. Clearly, she was a bit annoyed with him for reading that 'evil book.'
"Elder Sister, let me treat you instead."
Ling Bai followed with a wry smile. Since he had caused trouble, he could handle the consequences. Besides, Han Ruoruo was willing to take him out to eat, so she probably wasn't too angry.
The two of them walked out of the library and were greeted by a refreshing breeze. It wasn't freezing cold, just a refreshing cool breeze that made them feel invigorated.
The vast surface of Sea God Lake sparkled under the sunlight, draped in a thin layer of pale golden gauze. The gentle waves produced a captivating rhythm.
Ling Bai walked beside Han Ruoruo, glancing at her sideways and noticing that her mood had improved. The upturned curve of her lips outlined gentleness and warmth, as if she had already forgotten her earlier displeasure.
And indeed, that was the case. Han Ruoruo simply didn't want him to waste his thoughts on what to do if he awakened an Evil Martial Spirit. In her heart, she was very fond of this Little Junior Brother.
Today was her happiest day in recent years, because Zhang Lexuan, Wu Ming, Hua Yao... all her reading companions had 'abandoned' her. It had been far too long since anyone accompanied her to the library.
Although sitting alone in the history-laden library and savoring books was a beautiful thing, she still preferred the feeling of companionship.
"Luochen, Luochen, open the door!"
A pleading voice suddenly came from ahead. Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo looked over to see a dark-skinned, robust young man leaning over and knocking on a door, carrying a bunch of miscellaneous items in his hands.
"Hm?"
Ling Bai leaned back slightly and asked Han Ruoruo, "Is that Ling Luochen's residence? This fellow... couldn't be pursuing Ling Luochen, right?"
"You guessed it right. That guy is named Qian Fufu, the adopted son of Qian Duoduo, Vice Dean of the Spirit Guidance Department. He fell in love with Ling Luochen at first sight and has been pursuing her for the past two years." Han Ruoruo's expression was somewhat peculiar. But the stuff he's holding... how should I put it? Quite... uh..."
Huo Ruoruo couldn't find the right words to describe it for a moment. Ling Bai softly added:
"Quite creative."
"Right, quite creative." Huo Ruoruo found the description very apt.
A bouquet of bright red roses paired with baby's breath, a rose-gold colored Spirit Guidance Cannon, and a matching Spirit Guidance Thruster...
Ling Bai wasn't close to Ling Luochen and didn't know what she actually liked. But to give Spirit Guidance Devices to a student of Shrek Martial Spirit Department? Dude, you're asking for a beating!
Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo walked openly without any attempt to hide themselves. Qian Fufu naturally noticed them and immediately hid the roses and Spirit Guidance Devices behind his back, whistling and looking up at the sky in an overly conspicuous 'I didn't do anything' manner.
"Little Junior Brother, let's hurry along." Han Ruoruo was amused by Qian Fufu's antics.
"Sure."
Ling Bai wasn't one to take pleasure in watching strangers make fools of themselves, so he sped up alongside her.
As the two figures faded from his peripheral vision, Qian Fufu let out a sigh of relief and hurriedly resumed knocking. He pleaded pitifully, "Luochen, please open the door. I specially made these Spirit Guidance Devices for you!"
"Get lost!"
Ling Luochen's cold voice came from inside the room. At the same time, a chill emanated from the door seam. The once-vibrant roses were instantly frozen, just like Qian Fufu's heart.
He glanced at the still-closed door, let out a long sigh, and left with his head hanging low.
…
"Elder Sister, this doesn't seem to be the way to the cafeteria."
Ling Bai suddenly spoke up a few minutes after passing Ling Luochen's residence.
He may be a new student, but that didn't mean he was directionally challenged!
They were already nearing the edge of Sea God Island!
"Who told you we were going to the cafeteria?" Han Ruoruo asked in confusion.
Ling Bai blinked. "For food... not the cafeteria?"
"Your Elder Sister said she'd treat you to a meal earlier. How can I treat you when the Inner Courtyard's cafeteria is free?" Han Ruoruo reached out a finger and poked Ling Bai's head askew. "Of course we're going to Shrek City!"
Ling Bai straightened his head. "Shrek City? We were in such a hurry during the admission process that I didn't get to appreciate this city that rivals an imperial capital."
"Perfect, I'll take you for a walk."
Han Ruoruo said with a smile, "Many students only focus on their cultivation and never visit the nearby Shrek City, even until they graduate. Elder Sister doesn't want you to have any regrets."
"Then I'll have to trouble Elder Sister to be my guide again."
"Mm-hmm."
In terms of prosperity, Shrek City was one of the foremost cities on the entire Douluo Continent. The city was teeming with merchants selling everything imaginable, dazzling to the eye, and bustling with people.
"Crispy chicken wings! If they're not delicious, you don't have to pay!"
"Zhang's soup dumplings! Thin skin, generous filling, juicy and flavorful! Come and try!"
"Candied hawthorn! Only one copper coin per skewer! Have a taste, students!"
All kinds of hawking and selling voices resounded endlessly. At street corners, there were performers and street artists, surrounded by many adults and children.
In front of various shops, enthusiastic attendants were pulling in people, able to rattle off a basketful of nice-sounding words.
At this moment, there were numerous Outer Courtyard students dressed in various colored Shrek Academy uniforms on the streets. Enjoying delicious food during their spare time was also a kind of pleasure, and many vendors in Shrek City had gathered here specifically to do business with these students.
Wherever Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo passed, the Outer Courtyard students, who were already quite impressive in the eyes of ordinary people, would voluntarily make way, because they were wearing the blood-red uniforms of the Inner Courtyard.
In Shrek City, Inner Courtyard students represented the elite.
People voluntarily made way, but Ling Bai and Han Ruoruo were not arrogant. When Outer Courtyard students tentatively greeted them, they would smile and nod in return. Any student who saw their smiles would blush with excitement, dreaming of joining the Inner Courtyard one day.
Along the way, they bought quite a few things, most of which were snacks. Huo Ruoruo was true to her word and didn't let Ling Bai spend even a spirit copper coin. At first, he wanted to return the favor, but Han Ruoruo used her spirit power far surpassing his to firmly press down his hand.
After several attempts, Ling Bai decided not to embarrass himself any further and resigned himself to enjoying the treats provided by his Elder Sister.
After strolling around Shrek City for about an hour and sampling many delicious snacks, the duo gradually slowed their pace, planning to find a proper restaurant for lunch.
Little Elephant Noodle Shop.
A small eatery caught their attention, not because of its name, but because there was a table set up next to the shop's entrance with an azure crystal ball on it.
"Azure Crystal," Ling Bai said. "Originating from the Sun Moon Continent, it's a type of rare metal with excellent spirit power conductivity. Due to its inherently fragile nature compared to other metals, it's unsuitable for making attack-type Spirit Guidance Devices and is more commonly used to make spirit power testing devices."
"Oh?"
Han Ruoruo walked over and discovered a line of small text printed beneath the crystal ball.
"This crystal ball can display your spirit power in numbers, that's all. As human beings, we should first be kind, then be honest, and only then should we strive to cultivate our spirit power."