Xiao Wu, who hadn't been able to fully repent, bottled up all her emotions. It triggered a reaction within her, and then…
*[Emotion Points +5555]*
*[Emotion Points +3333]*
*[Emotion Points +6666]*
Isn't this much more tangible than a verbal confession? If only Tang San weren't too weak to be woken up. Otherwise, he would definitely get a slap to wake him up!
After some time, Xiao Wu's emotional points began to drop. However, seeing Zhuge Lan's endurance, they skyrocketed once again!
What?! He's been running with his Nine Shadows Technique for half an hour already, and he hasn't even taken a breather! Zhuge Lan, however, proved with his actions that his limits were unimaginable.
After running for a full two hours straight, he finally returned to the camp in one go. The moment he showed up, Zhu Zhuqing, who had been waiting outside, rushed over in surprise, checking him over to make sure he wasn't hurt. She smiled brightly.
*[Emotion Points +29999]*
Without a word, she expressed more than a thousand words could.
Placing Xiao Wu down and tossing Tang San over to her, Zhuge Lan opened his arms to Zhu Zhuqing.
"I'm back. Aren't you going to give me a little something?"
Zhu Zhuqing smiled and hugged Zhuge Lan, squeezing him tightly as she gave him a big hug.
Zhuge Lan rested his head on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder, inhaling her scent. Not the seductive fragrance of night, but a clean, hormonal scent that was comforting. Exhausted from a day and a night without sleep, Zhuge Lan felt a bit drowsy and decided to set up a little "show effect."
Glancing at his balance…
*[Emotion Points: 135,1423;]*
"System, give me a sleep package. If there's no danger, don't wake me up."
*[Consumed 2 Emotion Points: Host is now asleep!]*
Blackness engulfed his consciousness.
Zhu Zhuqing, sensing the weight on her increase, understood what had happened. Silently, she carried Zhuge Lan back to the tent, leaving Dai Mubai and the others murmuring in astonishment.
Had Zhuge Lan, so full of energy, been pushed to this point?
All eyes turned to Xiao Wu, the only conscious one. She was prepared and began to recount what happened. She explained that a roaring ox frightened off the Titan Giant Ape, which knocked her out. When she awoke, she had broken through Level 30, surrounded by soul beasts, and conveniently hunted one that suited her, absorbing its soul ring on the spot.
Ma Hongjun's eyes widened. "Both of you leveled up and hunted a new soul ring? Really?"
Oscar sighed. "Tang San's new ring is from a 2000-year-old Man-Faced Demon Spider, a match even for a 5000-year soul ring!"
Not that Oscar sounded envious. Just a 2000-year ring? Not worth it for him. But still, wasn't he supposed to be the one being helped to hunt for a ring?
"So." Zhu Zhuqing summarized, "Lan chased after Tang San, saved him, repelled the mighty Dragon Serpent Duo, guarded him, and held on to bring you all back. And yet, you didn't even thank him?"
Xiao Wu: (Д)ノ
Everyone else: (●—●●)●)
"Wait!" Xiao Wu hastily explained, "I was about to say thanks, but Zhuge cut me off, saying he was actually after the Titan Giant Ape."
Ma Hongjun interjected, "That's the part that really makes me mad! Why did you stop him? Then none of this would've happened!"
"Exactly!" Oscar agreed. "If Lan could take on that Dragon Serpent pair with ease, who knows what would've happened if he let loose!"
A bit of regret lingered. Wasting a 100,000-year soul ring was unfortunate, but a soul bone from a 100,000-year creature wouldn't have had the same restrictions!
Xiao Wu wore a bitter expression. She awkwardly explained, "My Martial Soul has a vague sense of good and evil, and that Titan Giant Ape didn't have any malicious intent at the time."
Everyone else: "…"
That's it?
Zhao Wuji slapped his forehead in frustration. What was up with these students this year?
The system seemed to have its unique interpretation of "don't wake me unless there's danger." Zhuge Lan woke up in his own dorm, finding Zhu Zhuqing kneeling by the bed, gently wiping his body with a warm cloth, ready to unbutton his shirt.
His refreshed spirit immediately snapped to attention, waking up completely.
Noticing his change, Zhu Zhuqing looked up and met his gaze. "You're awake."
*[Emotion Points +5555]*
"I slept great," Zhuge Lan replied naturally. "How long was I out?"
"Two days and two nights," Zhu Zhuqing answered with a slightly awkward glance, "Tang San woke up yesterday. I was just cleaning you up a bit, and I've made some congee to tide you over."
Zhuge Lan gave his face a quick rinse with the towel and glanced at his system interface.
*[Emotion Points: 167,5243;]*
Whoa! He'd done nothing but sleep for the past two days, and his points had gone up by 300,000! Checking the details, the bulk was from Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, with some from Dai Mubai and the others.
Tang San's contribution? Only slightly more than Ma Hongjun's. Understandable since he had just woken up yesterday. But, Ma Hongjun, really? Not even close to Zhu Zhuqing's amount, yet he still wants favors? Please.
Zhuge Lan stepped outside, where a small stove had been set up, usually used to heat water. Zhu Zhuqing served up a bowl of steamed meat congee, using the boiling water to prep a bath for him.
This service left Zhuge Lan invigorated and more satisfied with Zhu Zhuqing than ever. Full-bodied, kind, resilient, and even supportive of his pursuits—what a goddess! Dai Mubai had really been blind to let her go.
Footsteps echoed as Tang San and Xiao Wu hurried over.
*[Emotion Points +19999]*
*[Emotion Points +15555]*
"Thank you so much," Tang San said earnestly. "I, Tang San, will remember this debt and repay it one day!"
His words sounded nice, but how much could be trusted? Zhuge Lan simply smiled without commenting. His real gain from all this was the "life-saving favor," meaning he could now do whatever he wanted.
After all, would they really hold a grudge against their savior?
Looking to Oscar, Zhuge Lan asked, "So, did you get your soul ring in the end?"
*[Emotion Points +999]*
Oscar grinned. "Lucky break! We found a suitable 4700-year soul beast on the way back, and Teacher Zhao helped me absorb it."
As they spoke, a stiff-looking middle-aged man approached.
"I'm the new teacher at the academy, Yu Xiaogang. I'll be handling your training."
"Oh? Master?" Zhuge Lan replied with surprise. "Oh, that's right, you're Little San's teacher and part of the Golden Iron Triangle with the headmaster."
*[Emotion Points +1111]*
Yu Xiaogang was briefly at a loss for words.
This kid already knew all about him?
"Sorry," Zhuge Lan continued, "My family sent me a report on the academy's background when I enrolled. It was to help me blend in better."
*[Emotion Points +3333]*
*[Emotion Points +666]*
*[Emotion Points +666]*
Yu Xiaogang was left speechless.
Everyone else just sighed—it was such a Zhuge Lan move.
Compared to that, there was one other thing they couldn't resist commenting on:
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