Chen Yuan didn't take long to catch up with Ning Rongrong. After all, his sword flight was incredibly fast. However, he didn't reveal himself immediately.
Instead, he first made contact with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect guards who were secretly protecting Ning Rongrong. The leader of the group was a man named Zhang Youfu, a Soul Emperor in his 50s.
In truth, Ning Rongrong had never truly escaped the sect's surveillance. Anyone who dared to lose track of her would be in serious trouble.
Chen Yuan held the token given to him by Ning Fengzhi, and even Zhang Youfu, a Soul Emperor, treated him with great respect.
However, Chen Yuan didn't use this authority to take control. Instead, he continued to let the guards protect Ning Rongrong as they had been doing. He spent most of his time honing his sword flight skills.
Over the course of two months, Ning Rongrong traveled south, passing through Jialing Pass, crossing the Kingdom of Silvers, and arriving at the Kingdom of Balak.
During this journey, Ning Rongrong had a wonderful time. Passersby would point her in the right direction, merchant caravans would offer her rides, and kind strangers would share their food with her. As for danger, there was none—it had been eliminated at the source.
A delicate, generous little girl like Ning Rongrong didn't encounter a single creepy uncle like Bu Le along the way, all thanks to the diligent protection of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect guards.
In the Kingdom of Balak, there were two major cities: Balak City and Suoto City. Balak City was the royal capital, while Suoto City had flourished due to its location on the fertile Liman Plains.
Ning Rongrong had no interest in visiting the royal capital but was very intrigued by the bustling Suoto City. While shopping in the city, she heard an interesting piece of information.
A so-called "monster academy" located south of Suoto City, which only accepted "monster" students, had recently begun its enrollment. According to the Spirit Hall, graduates of this academy could directly receive the title of viscount from the empire, allowing them to rise in status and become nobles.
Ning Rongrong was very interested in this and thought to herself:
'Someone like Brother Chen Yuan is a monster genius. Dad always tells me to learn from him, but not everyone can break through to Soul Elder before the age of twelve! Cultivation is hard. I've been working so hard all these years. Since there's a monster academy that only accepts monster students, let's see if I qualify as a monster!'
Having made her decision, Ning Rongrong asked around for the academy's name, location, and enrollment dates. After getting the information she wanted, she continued her shopping spree, buying clothes, jewelry, gems, crystals… With a wave of her hand, she bought everything she liked, exuding the aura of a wealthy young lady.
---
Shortly after, news of Ning Rongrong inquiring about the academy reached Zhang Youfu and Chen Yuan.
Zhang Youfu frowned:
"A monster academy that only accepts monster students, and graduates can become empire viscounts? Such an academy shouldn't be so obscure. Shrek Academy—why have I never heard of this name? Is it a legitimate academy registered with the empire? It better not be some shady institution trying to deceive the young lady."
Chen Yuan, holding a teacup, chuckled lightly:
"Uncle Fu, regardless of whether this academy is legitimate or not, Rongrong is clearly interested now. We should immediately investigate the academy's background and the character of its teachers. Write a letter to inform the Sect Leader. If Rongrong is deceived, I'll personally go and tear down their signboard. However, the aftermath will need the Sect Leader's approval and the sect's involvement."
Zhang Youfu nodded. No matter what this academy's background was, could it possibly surpass the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? He then said:
"Young Master is right. I'll go investigate. An obscure academy daring to make such bold claims—I want to see what they're all about."
After saying this, Zhang Youfu left with his men. Once he was gone, Chen Yuan was the only one left in the teahouse's private room. Sitting by the window, holding a teacup, he gazed at the street outside, deep in thought.
---
Chen Yuan found himself facing a dilemma. It wasn't about whether to join Shrek Academy—he had no intention of becoming the "eighth monster" of Shrek.
His dilemma was whether to take advantage of this opportunity to seize the 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor's spirit bone.
The 100,000-year Blue Silver Emperor, Ah Yin, was Tang Hao's wife and Tang San's mother. Just as she was about to reach maturity, she was inexplicably exposed to the Spirit Hall's surveillance.
The previous Spirit Hall Pope personally led the pursuit. Ah Yin willingly sacrificed herself, allowing Tang Hao to achieve the fame of the Clear Sky Douluo. She left behind a seed and a spirit bone.
That spirit bone was a 100,000-year spirit bone, an absolute treasure in the soul master world. Its two skills—one for "flight," which would be a nice bonus for Chen Yuan, and the other, "Indestructible by Wildfire, Reborn in Spring," would be a lifesaver for him.
To a certain extent, this skill could be considered divine. It allowed for rapid recovery from injuries and, when pushed to the limit, could even regenerate lost limbs. As a battle soul master, injuries would be a regular occurrence for Chen Yuan. Having this skill would greatly enhance his survivability.
This 100,000-year spirit bone was hidden by Tang Hao in a waterfall valley near Holy Spirit Village in Notting City, within the Fassno Province. Tang Hao usually stayed in the valley.
However, this time, during Shrek Academy's enrollment, Tang San and Xiao Wu would come to register, and Tang Hao would follow them. This was one of the rare times he wouldn't be in the valley.
If Chen Yuan didn't seize this opportunity now, he might never get another chance. A 100,000-year spirit bone, an absolute treasure in the soul master world, with two top-tier skills—flight and healing.
Chen Yuan's eyes showed a hint of hesitation, but they soon turned resolute. He would take it. Even if there were risks involved, it was a 100,000-year spirit bone.
Once absorbed, as long as he didn't actively use the spirit bone's skills, no one would know he possessed it.
Having made up his mind, Chen Yuan drained his teacup, left the teahouse, and soon disappeared from the city.
---
That night!
A streak of sword light cut through the sky. Upon closer inspection, it was Chen Yuan standing on the Seven Kill Sword, arms crossed, his expression calm. His third soul skill had a passive effect—when flying in a straight line, he could continuously accelerate. Using this effect, he traveled from Suoto City in the Kingdom of Balak to Notting City in Fassno Province in a single night.
With this passive effect, even a Titled Douluo might not be able to match his speed—especially someone like Tang Hao, who was a strength-type Titled Douluo. However, in terms of soul power reserves, Chen Yuan couldn't compete with a Titled Douluo.
Upon arriving in Notting City, Chen Yuan made a few inquiries and learned that Notting Academy's two geniuses, Tang San and Xiao Wu, had recently graduated. They had rejected invitations from several intermediate soul master academies and instead chose to enroll in an unknown academy.
After confirming his suspicions, Chen Yuan purchased a detailed local map, which cost him a considerable amount of money. The map included mountains, rivers, and village distributions.
"Holy Spirit Village, waterfall valley…"
Chen Yuan quickly pinpointed the location.
(End of Chapter)
Word Count : 1,284
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We crossed 100+ Power Stones, can we get more?