manynovel Chapter 41: Leaving the Academy, Shrek's Conflicts Intensify
Chapter 41: Leaving the Academy, Shrek's Conflicts Intensify
Two days later, Dai Youheng completed all the leave application procedures and prepared to leave the academy.
After this trip, he will not only acquire a 100,000-year soul ring, but also add a fourth soul ring to the Evil Shadow Demon Tiger, breaking through to the Soul Master level.
At that time, he would have met the graduation requirements of the outer academy. Shrek Academy, the holy land that countless soul masters yearn for, was more like a temporary stop than the final destination for him.
As soon as they reached the doorway, two slender figures in blue came into view, seemingly having been waiting for some time. They were the Lan sisters, Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo. Their pretty faces bore obvious worry, and their long blue hair swayed gently in the morning breeze.
"Brother Youheng!" Lan Susu was the first to greet him, her voice urgent. "We heard from Teacher Zhou that you took leave to clear your head? Are you... are you really okay on your own? Do you want us to go with you?"
Lan Luoluo nodded vigorously, her clear eyes full of concern. "Yes, Brother Youheng, it's better for two people... uh, three people together than for you to wander around alone. We can keep you company and talk to you. Isn't it more fun to relax with more people?"
Dai Youheng stopped and looked at the two pretty twins in front of him. The worry in their eyes was sincere and pure. They were clearly like Zhou Yi, misinterpreting his departure as a dejected escape after suffering a blow.
He sighed inwardly; the debts of gratitude left behind by his predecessor sometimes brought this kind of warm trouble.
A gentle smile appeared on his face, and his tone softened, "Susu, Luoluo, thank you. But really, it's not necessary."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the familiar scenery of the academy, his voice calm yet firm, "I just want to be alone for a while, with no specific destination, just wandering around, looking at the mountains and rivers, and sorting out my thoughts. If someone follows me, it will only take away this freedom. I appreciate your kindness."
"For you, the courses and cultivation at the academy are more important. Don't let me hold you back. Especially Su Su, you just broke through to level 30. Stabilizing your realm and finding a suitable soul ring are the important things to do. I will come back naturally once I have adjusted."
His words were clear and logical, and his attitude was gentle yet unquestionable, unlike that of a disheartened person who needed comfort and companionship.
The Lan sisters stared at him blankly, feeling that although Dai Youheng was still handsome, his inner calmness and independence were different from any other time.
A sense of loss crept into the sisters' hearts, but looking into his calm yet resolute eyes, they knew that further persuasion would be useless. Lan Susu gently bit her lip and whispered, "Then, Brother Youheng, you must be careful and come back soon."
Lan Luoluo quickly added, "That's right, come back soon. No matter if you're one of the Shrek Seven Devils or not, in our hearts, you've always been the strongest! Much stronger than that Dai Huabin!"
Upon hearing this, Dai Youheng chuckled and shook his head, offering no comment on Dai Huabin. He simply smiled and said, "Okay, I understand. Go back now, I'm leaving."
Having said that, he didn't linger. He nodded slightly to the two sisters, turned around, and stepped out of the gates of Shrek Academy. The morning light shone on his back, casting a long shadow that appeared somewhat carefree and resolute, without the slightest hint of the desolation and loneliness they had expected.
The Lan sisters stood there, watching his receding figure until he disappeared around the corner of the street. Their hearts were filled with mixed feelings, a sense of loss at not being able to go with him, and a flutter of excitement at being attracted by his unique demeanor.
About half a day later, on the open ground next to the Shrek Academy's Soul Fighting Area.
The seven reserve team members, led by Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, are undergoing practice under Xuanzi's guidance. However, the atmosphere is not harmonious, especially Dai Huabin, who is out of place with the other six and appears awkward and stiff when practicing teamwork.
During the break, Xiao Xiao walked over to Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong and whispered, "I just heard Teacher Zhou mention that You Heng... he asked for leave and left the academy, saying he wanted to go out and clear his head. He must be very disappointed. He's been so good to us since last year, so he must really want to participate in the competition with us all."
Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone present was a Soul Master, with sharp ears and eyes, so her words reached almost everyone's ears clearly. The atmosphere on the training ground instantly became even more subtle.
Upon hearing this, Wang Dong frowned slightly. Although she had previously harbored some resentment towards Dai Youheng regarding the breakfast incident, hearing this news still left her with a bitter taste. She pursed her lips, her tone somewhat complicated, "He must be devastated by the loss, right? After all, he was so kind to us before..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone understood what she meant.
Although Dai Youheng's meticulous, sycophantic care in the past was a bit cringe-worthy and sometimes even made people laugh and cry, looking back now, that enthusiasm and kindness were not fake.
This person, who had once tried so hard to integrate into their lives and treat them well, was forced to leave in disappointment due to an unexpected and unfair selection process, as well as Dai Huabin's taking advantage of their vulnerability. This left them all with a heavy feeling in their hearts.
Beibei wiped the sweat from her brow, a hint of regret appearing on her gentle face. "Junior Brother Youheng's strength is actually quite remarkable, especially his self-created soul skill, which has great potential. If it were a normal competition, he might very well have secured a place. What a pity..."
He didn't explicitly say what he regretted, but his gaze inadvertently swept over Dai Huabin, the meaning of which was self-evident.
He Caitou nodded honestly. Although he wasn't familiar with Dai Youheng, Dai Youheng's impressive performance in defeating Xu Sanshi in the selection competition that day had left a deep impression on him. He had always admired people who relied on their hard-earned strength.
Jiang Nannan sighed softly, a complex emotion flickering across her beautiful face. She recalled Dai Youheng's gift of medicine, which had indeed helped her mother. She murmured to herself, "I hope he can come to his senses soon."
Xu Sanshi, who was also not made a substitute, still shamelessly watched from the sidelines every day, snorting coldly. He wanted to say something sarcastic, but seeing Jiang Nannan's expression, he swallowed his words and just turned his head away unhappily.
He hadn't forgotten Dai Youheng's "dark history" of getting close to Nannan.
The one who felt it most deeply was undoubtedly Huo Yuhao. His fists clenched quietly. Dai Youheng hadn't just started being kind to him last year; he had been one of the very few people who offered him warmth and protection even back in the cold and oppressive Duke's mansion.
Ironically, the person who had given him warmth since childhood was eliminated, and the one who eliminated him was Dai Huabin, who had caused him the most pain.
Why was Dai Huabin able to stay and become one of the Shrek Seven Devils, while such a good You Heng was eliminated and left Shrek Academy alone in disappointment?
For a moment, his gaze swept coldly toward Dai Huabin at the edge of the group, old and new grudges burning fiercely in his heart.
The others disliked Dai Huabin even more because of this. Although Xu Sanshi was also one of the main reasons for Dai Youheng's elimination, at least Xu Sanshi fought Dai Youheng fairly and squarely. Regardless of who eliminated whom, it can only be said that the other side was less skilled.
Dai Huabin's sneaky and opportunistic behavior was truly despicable to them.
Dai Huabin felt the atmosphere around him grow noticeably colder and more hostile. His face turned ashen, and he could only clench his fists, suppressing his embarrassment and anger. He couldn't give up halfway. His brother, Dai Yueheng, was one of the previous Shrek Seven Devils. He had finally caught up with his brother, and he couldn't afford to fall here.
Xuanzi looked at the group, whose atmosphere was strange and full of contradictions, took a big gulp of wine, shook his head and sighed, "Sigh, it's turned into this mess, where is the semblance of a team?"
In stark contrast to the Shrek Academy reserve team, which was rife with internal strife and a somber atmosphere, Dai Youheng, who left the academy alone, was in a completely carefree mood.
He walked briskly, feeling the unrestrained air of freedom.
"The Shrek Seven Devils? Let whoever wants to be one have it." A relaxed smile appeared on his lips. "Having a title but still being led to death by that unreliable Xuanzi is not as important as actually improving our strength."
His goal was clear and definite: to acquire powerful spirit rings, level up, and have a vast and boundless future to soar to.
The thought of the 100,000-year soul ring he was about to obtain and the leap in his strength dispelled all his distracting thoughts.