Zhu Zhuqing was startled—she hadn't expected anyone on the streets of Heaven Dou City to recognize her. Following the voice, she saw Ning Rongrong waving at her energetically with one hand while the other clung to Xu Yang's arm.
"Rongrong, Brother Xu Yang—what are you doing in Heaven Dou City?"
She hurried over with quick steps.
"We're just out shopping." Ning Rongrong let go of Xu Yang and grabbed Zhu Zhuqing's hand, immediately launching into a round of complaints. "Zhuqing, you have no idea! Brother Yang and my dad were too much. They went out to sea to hunt a soul ring and were gone for half a year! They totally ignored me. I was stuck at home bored out of my mind, and Grandpa Bone forced me to cultivate every single day!"
Zhu Zhuqing: "…"
Zhu Zhuqing didn't know what to say, and simply let Ning Rongrong drag her along.
Xu Yang gave her an apologetic smile, quietly listening as the two girls chatted. From their conversation, he learned that Shrek Academy had indeed relocated to the former Blue Tyrant Academy, just like in the original story. The Blue Tyrant Academy had now become the new Shrek Academy.
Zhu Zhuqing had come to Heaven Dou City for a walk because the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Elite Tournament was drawing near. She would soon face the Star Luo Empire's Crown Prince and her elder sister, yet her own strength had only just broken through to the Soul Elder rank. Dai Mubai had barely advanced to Soul Ancestor. They had no hope of winning.
Feeling uncertain after training, she had decided to come out and clear her head.
After hearing Zhu Zhuqing's words, Ning Rongrong also fell silent. She was familiar with the Star Luo Empire's brutal succession system, and she understood the consequences Zhu Zhuqing would face if she failed—not death, perhaps, but a fate worse than death. For a moment, she didn't know how to comfort her and turned to Xu Yang with a pleading look.
Xu Yang sighed softly. "Zhu Zhuqing, if you're willing, you can come train at the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect with me. I might not be able to help you reach Soul Ancestor in one year, but I can definitely get your combat ability to that level. And if you lose to Davis and Zhu Zhuyun… you could choose to join our sect. I doubt the Star Luo Empire would dare act rashly against someone under the protection of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
Hearing this, Ning Rongrong excitedly squeezed Zhu Zhuqing's hand. "Exactly! Come with us, Zhuqing! We can cultivate together, go shopping together—wouldn't that be wonderful?"
This time, Zhu Zhuqing didn't reject the idea outright like she had back at Shrek Academy. Instead, she remained quiet for a moment before slowly saying, "I'll think about it, Rongrong." Then she turned to Xu Yang and asked, "Can I really come train at your sect?"
"Of course." Xu Yang nodded, pulling out a jade token from his storage ring and handing it to her. "This is my personal token. Once you've gotten leave, bring it with you to Seven Treasures City. You'll be allowed into the sect, and someone will notify me."
"Alright. I'll go."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes were firm. She knew this was likely her last chance—if she didn't take it, she might never get another.
After accompanying Xu Yang and Ning Rongrong around the city for a while, she hurried off back toward Shrek Academy. She needed to request leave from Yu Xiaogang and the others and head straight to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect to train under Xu Yang.
Inside Shrek Academy's new residence within the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were training when Zhu Zhuqing rushed past them toward Yu Xiaogang's office.
The three looked on, confused.
Ma Hongjun scooted over to Dai Mubai and asked curiously, "Boss Dai, where's Zhuqing off to? Didn't she say she was just going out for a stroll in the city? Why is she back so fast?"
Dai Mubai rolled his eyes. "How should I know?"
Ma Hongjun grinned mischievously. "Come on, she's your fiancée. Don't tell me you don't know where she's going—we won't believe it!"
Clearly, he already knew about the relationship between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai sighed. Since Zhu Zhuqing had come to Shrek, he had let go of his bad habits and committed himself to cultivation. In just a year, he'd advanced from Soul Elder to Soul Ancestor, and Zhu Zhuqing's attitude toward him had gradually softened.
But recently, ever since their team leader Yu Xiaogang had ordered them to prepare for the next Elite Tournament, he had noticed a shift in her mood. He knew exactly why.
Ever since the discovery of spirit jelly, the younger generation's overall strength had skyrocketed compared to the previous one—especially within the royal families of the two empires, who possessed vast resources.
He had already heard the news—his brother Davis had reached the Soul King level.
That left him feeling utterly hopeless. There was no chance of winning. He wanted to give up, but every time he saw the stubborn determination in Zhu Zhuqing's eyes, he suppressed that thought and trained even harder.
Just as Dai Mubai was lost in thought, arguing voices suddenly rang out from Yu Xiaogang's office. A moment later, Zhu Zhuqing burst out, slamming the door behind her. She paused briefly as she passed Dai Mubai, then strode outside without looking back.
Yu Xiaogang's angry voice bellowed from inside the room:
"Zhu Zhuqing! I'm warning you—if you walk out that door today, you're no longer one of the Shrek Seven Monster!"
Zhu Zhuqing only paused for a second before walking even faster.
Dai Mubai chased after her and grabbed her arm. "Zhuqing, what happened?! Why are you leaving Shrek?!"
Zhu Zhuqing turned to him and said coldly, "I'm going to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. Are you coming? Because if I stay here, I see no hope of ever defeating Davis and Zhu Zhuyun."
"Why?! What's wrong with Shrek Academy?!"
"I saw Rongrong today in the city. She and Brother Xu Yang invited me to train at their sect, and he's willing to teach me personally. It gave me a glimmer of hope... Are you coming with me?"
Dai Mubai stood frozen, shocked by her words.
Zhu Zhuqing stared at him, unwavering. "Will you come? I don't think Rongrong would mind. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect is one of the Upper Three Sects. In recent years, it's even rumored to be overtaking the other two. They must have their own powerful cultivation methods. Maybe... just maybe, it's our only shot at victory."
Dai Mubai felt that Zhu Zhuqing was grasping at straws—but in their situation, what other options did they have?
He looked up at her and said, "Alright. I'll go with you."