Outside Soto City—
Deep within a mountain forest, on a wide, open grassy plain.
Dozens of Blue Silver Spirit Jade Trees erupted from the earth, their crystal-blue trunks twisting and arching toward the center, forming a giant blooming flower bud of translucent sapphire light.
Inside the blossom, the space resembled a vast tent with a vaulted canopy that reflected the starlit sky.
"Ye Yu, you have to take responsibility for this!"
Having just finished getting dressed, Ning Rongrong threw herself into Ye Yu's arms. Her refined, delicate face was flushed scarlet, but her eyes sparkled with shyness and sweetness as she gazed at him with a mixture of affection and determination.
Nearby, Zhu Zhuqing, also now clothed, sat off to the side. A faint ache lingered in her body, as if she'd just completed a brutal gravity-training session.
Her stunning, pure features were also tinged red. Though she said nothing, her fingers fidgeted against her lap, gently tapping against each other—revealing her nervous, flustered heart.
"…To be honest, what happened this time was mostly to save you both."
Ye Yu sighed, a hint of conflict flashing across his handsome face.
"But it's true I benefited. If you both wish, I'll take full responsibility."
"However… there are some things I must make clear first."
He then explained that he already had a girlfriend—Dugu Yan—and he had no intention of breaking up with her.
On top of that, he would be leaving Shrek Academy soon. If Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing wanted him to take responsibility, they would have to leave with him.
That said, he promised that if they chose to stay by his side, he would do everything in his power to care for them and help them grow stronger—protecting them always.
That final line, he said while looking straight at Zhu Zhuqing.
Learning that Ye Yu already had a girlfriend made Ning Rongrong's heart sink a little.
But she wasn't exactly surprised.
After all, back at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, she'd already heard rumors about this.
She just hadn't cared much at the time.
But now… she had given herself to him alongside Zhu Zhuqing.
And among all her time at Shrek Academy, Zhu Zhuqing was the only one she truly saw as a genuine friend.
So she couldn't—wouldn't—ask Ye Yu to abandon Zhu Zhuqing and choose only her.
Besides, she quickly came to terms with it.
So what if he already had a girlfriend?
As long as he treated her well from now on, that was enough.
This situation may have been a strange twist of fate, but since it happened, she wouldn't back down.
Why should she give up such an extraordinary man—talented, powerful, and absurdly handsome?
No way!
Her father, Ning Fengzhi, had more than one wife. In a world ruled by powerful Spirit Masters, it wasn't uncommon for the strong to have multiple partners.
If Ning Rongrong could accept it, then Zhu Zhuqing was even more prepared.
She was born into the Duke Nether Clan, a family bound by generations of political marriage to the Star Luo Imperial Family.
And royal heirs had always had multiple wives and concubines—Zhu Zhuqing had been raised with that expectation.
Right now, given that she and her fiancé Dai Mubai were no match for her elder sister Zhu Zhuyun and her partner, Davis, her only goal was survival.
She had seen with her own eyes how Ye Yu—just a Spirit Ancestor—had crushed a Spirit Sage with his bare hands, someone as renowned as the Unmovable King Zhao Wuji.
She was certain: following Ye Yu meant she could live.
With everything now laid bare—and both girls having accepted the situation—Ye Yu nodded and said:
"Alright. I'll take you both back to Shrek Academy first. We'll let Flender know that you're dropping out to follow me."
"Oh, and I plan to take Xiao Wu with me, too."
Hearing that, Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes widened, and she placed her hands on her hips, glaring at Ye Yu like he was some shameless scoundrel.
"Seriously, Ye Yu?!"
"You're after Xiao Wu, too?!"
"You want to collect all Shrek Academy's Three Beauties, don't you?!"
Ye Yu gave a helpless laugh.
"You've got it all wrong."
"If not for this… unexpected turn of events, I wouldn't have gotten involved with you two, either."
"As for Xiao Wu, I'm taking her with me for a different reason."
"What reason?" Ning Rongrong's sapphire eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Ye Yu thought for a moment—then decided not to hide it.
"But you must swear not to tell a soul, no matter who it is."
He looked at both girls solemnly.
"You have my word," Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing said together, nodding seriously.
"…Actually, Xiao Wu isn't human."
Ye Yu said calmly.
"She's a hundred-thousand-year-old Soft Bone Rabbit in human form."
"WHAT?!"
Both girls exclaimed in shock, eyes widening in disbelief.
In response, Ye Yu withdrew his Martial Soul and activated his spirit core's energy field, lifting himself effortlessly into the air. His eyes shimmered with pride and confidence.
"Since you're both my women now, I won't hide this from you."
"I'm not a Spirit Ancestor."
"My true rank is Spirit Emperor, and the quality of my Spirit Power… is already at Title Douluo level."
"My actual strength rivals that of a Title Douluo—minus the seventh Spirit Ability."
"So, of course I could see through Xiao Wu's disguise. She's a hundred-thousand-year-old Spirit Beast in human form."
This time, Ye Yu didn't use his Blue Silver Domain to alter the appearance of his Spirit Rings.
So what appeared before Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were two purple and four black rings—two purple, four black, six rings total.
As they stared in disbelief at the soul rings encircling him, both girls felt their hearts race. They were stunned, overjoyed, and completely awed.
They had actually ended up with a monster like this?!
Ye Yu hadn't revealed his true strength just to show off.
He simply wanted them to understand:
He was already monstrously powerful—and his future was limitless.
Even if Ning Rongrong accidentally leaked Xiao Wu's identity to Ning Fengzhi, once her father knew Ye Yu's true talent and strength, he wouldn't dare covet Xiao Wu's spirit ring.
It wasn't that Ye Yu didn't trust them.
But it was always best to be prepared.
Besides—his speed was unparalleled, and he could use his self-created Spirit Ability: Railgun to snipe enemies from ten kilometers away.
He might not be unbeatable yet.
But no one in the world could catch him.
And if he couldn't be caught—
Then there was always a way… to strike back.
With that assurance, Ye Yu no longer feared being exposed.