Morning light filtered gently through the vast canopy of the Golden Tree.
The massive branches above Shrek Academy swayed slowly with the breeze, golden leaves shimmering like fragments of sunlight drifting through the air.
The environment beneath the tree had always been rich with spiritual energy.
But now it felt different.
Denser.
Richer.
More responsive.
The changes were subtle enough that most students would struggle to explain them clearly, yet obvious enough that nearly everyone cultivating nearby had noticed something unusual during the past days.
Several Shrek students sat scattered across the outer roots of the Golden Tree.
Some were still meditating.
Others had already finished their cultivation for the morning.
Among them, a familiar voice suddenly broke the quiet.
"…Why does cultivation feel easier lately?"
Wu Ming stretched her arms as she stood up from the root she had been sitting on.
Nearby, Xi Xi nodded in agreement.
"I thought it was just me."
Chen Zifeng exhaled slowly as he stabilized the flow of soul power within his body.
"No."
He shook his head.
"The spiritual energy really is denser."
Ling Luochen opened her eyes quietly.
Her gaze moved toward the deeper area beneath the Golden Tree where Lin Huang's group had cultivated during the previous fifteen days.
Her voice was calm.
"…It started when they began cultivating."
Wu Ming snorted.
"You're saying they changed the environment of the Golden Tree?"
Ling Luochen didn't answer immediately.
But her silence said enough.
Nearby, Han Ruoruo sighed softly.
"…Honestly, I wouldn't even be surprised."
Yao Haoxuan laughed loudly.
"If that's true, then those monsters owe us an explanation."
Xi Xi tilted her head.
"I advanced two levels."
Wu Ming blinked.
"…You too?"
Chen Zifeng scratched his head.
"…Same."
Even Ling Luochen admitted quietly,
"My cultivation improved as well."
The group exchanged looks.
Two levels in such a short period was not something that normally happened so easily.
Yet none of them complained.
If anything, they were grateful.
Meanwhile, deeper beneath the Golden Tree, Lin Huang slowly opened his eyes.
The quiet world of meditation faded away.
The flow of spiritual energy around him returned to normal perception.
For a moment he remained completely still.
Inside his body, three different systems circulated simultaneously.
His Soul Cores rotated smoothly.
The newly formed Seventh Qi and Blood Ring circulated vitality through his body.
And deep within his spiritual sea, the faint structure of the First Psychic Ring remained stable.
Everything moved in perfect balance.
Lin Huang exhaled quietly.
The fifteen days of cultivation had stabilized his recent advancements.
Nearby, the others were waking up as well.
Qiu'er stretched slightly, golden light flickering faintly around her shoulders before fading.
"…Feels strange."
Lin Huang glanced at her.
"Why?"
She flexed her fingers slowly.
"My soul power feels… lighter."
"That means your circulation improved."
Qiu'er snorted.
"I know that."
But she didn't argue further.
Not far away, Zhang Lexuan stood quietly beneath the shade of a large branch.
Moonlight and faint radiance still lingered subtly around her presence.
Her third Soul Core had stabilized perfectly.
The Laws of Light and Moon flowed naturally through her cultivation.
Even her breathing felt different now.
Calmer.
More precise.
Meanwhile, Ma Xiaotao cracked her knuckles.
A faint crimson flame flickered around her hand before she suppressed it again.
"Alright."
She grinned.
"That was worth the fifteen days."
Wu Feng nodded.
"No argument there."
Nearby, Ning Tian observed the group with a thoughtful expression.
Her Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda floated faintly behind her before dissolving into light again.
Even though her cultivation path was different from the others, the improvement in her amplification abilities was obvious.
Further away, Ye Guyi slowly opened her eyes.
A faint golden glow lingered around her.
Her Angel martial soul faded gradually behind her.
The first Soul Core within her spiritual sea had stabilized completely.
She flexed her fingers slightly, feeling the subtle increase in power.
Then her gaze drifted toward Lin Huang.
For a moment, she simply observed him quietly.
Not far away, Huo Yuhao was already awake.
He sat beside his mother, looking around with wide eyes.
Even without cultivating seriously, the environment beneath the Golden Tree had allowed his body to absorb a surprising amount of energy.
"…Mother."
Huo Yun'er looked at him.
"Yes?"
Yuhao hesitated before speaking.
"…Everyone here is incredible."
Huo Yun'er followed his gaze.
Toward Lin Huang.
Toward the others.
She remained silent for a moment.
"…Yes."
Her voice was quiet.
"They are."
But instead of admiration alone, a different thought had begun forming in her mind.
One that would not disappear easily.
A few meters away, Mu En watched the scene with a faint smile.
The old man leaned comfortably against the trunk of the Golden Tree.
The pill Lin Huang had given him had restored the damage within his body far more effectively than even he had expected.
His breathing felt steady.
His meridians stable.
For the first time in many years, the weakness in his body had disappeared.
He looked toward Lin Huang again.
"…Interesting generation."
Cai Mei'er, standing nearby, nodded.
"More than interesting."
Xian Lin'er crossed her arms.
"They might end up changing the entire continent."
Mu En chuckled softly.
"…Perhaps."
Above them, the golden leaves of the ancient tree rustled gently in the wind.
And beneath its branches, a new day at Shrek Academy had begun.
The morning beneath the Golden Tree gradually became livelier.
Students who had been cultivating nearby slowly dispersed, returning to their daily training or classes. Others lingered longer than usual, reluctant to leave the unusually dense spiritual environment around the tree.
Yet for Lin Huang and his group, the day had only just begun.
Although the fifteen days of deep meditation had ended, the breakthroughs many of them had achieved were still fresh.
And fresh breakthroughs often came with instability.
Lin Huang stood quietly beneath one of the great roots, observing the flow of energy around the group.
Some fluctuations were subtle.
Others were obvious.
Soul Cores rotated faster than before.
New laws stirred within spiritual seas that had not yet fully adapted to them.
Even the newly expanded domains carried traces of instability.
None of it was dangerous.
But leaving it unchecked could create problems later.
Lin Huang finally spoke.
"We should stabilize."
Several people immediately understood what he meant.
Ma Xiaotao stretched her shoulders.
"Resonance cultivation?"
Lin Huang nodded.
Qiu'er had already stepped closer.
"That's the fastest way."
One by one, several women moved toward him.
Zhang Lexuan.
Ma Xiaotao.
Qiu'er.
Ning Tian.
Wu Feng.
Meng Hongchen.
Jiang Nannan.
Xu Tianzhen.
Even Bi Ji approached quietly.
This time, no one questioned it.
The resonance cultivation method had already proven its effectiveness many times before.
And after the breakthroughs of the past fifteen days, stabilizing their power quickly would save them weeks of normal cultivation.
Not everyone joined.
Ye Guyi remained where she was.
She watched quietly from a distance.
She understood what the technique was.
And she understood why she was not part of it.
The resonance cultivation Lin Huang practiced was not a simple energy sharing method.
It was something deeper.
Something tied to the dual cultivation system he had created.
A connection that existed only between him and his partners.
So she remained silent.
Observing.
Curious.
Yet strangely calm.
Meanwhile, the group gathered around Lin Huang had already begun preparing.
They sat in a loose circle around him.
Lin Huang sat at the center.
His breathing slowed.
Then he closed his eyes.
A moment later, the resonance began.
Soul power flowed outward from him like a warm tide.
Unlike ordinary cultivation, the energy did not disperse randomly.
It moved with structure.
Direction.
Purpose.
Lin Huang's power acted like a sun at the center of the formation.
The others became the moons orbiting around it.
Their soul power began circulating between them in slow, harmonious cycles.
Golden light flickered faintly around Qiu'er.
Crimson flames appeared briefly around Ma Xiaotao before stabilizing.
Moonlight shimmered quietly around Zhang Lexuan.
Draconic fire moved steadily around Wu Feng.
Icy mist drifted around Meng Hongchen.
Gentle vitality pulsed softly around Bi Ji.
One by one, their energies synchronized.
Soul Cores responded immediately.
The newly formed cores began rotating in more stable patterns.
Unstable fluctuations disappeared quickly.
Even the newly perceived laws began settling into clearer forms.
Bi Ji's participation changed the flow noticeably.
Her control over life energy strengthened the circulation between everyone involved.
The vitality within the resonance became smoother.
More nourishing.
Lin Huang noticed it immediately.
But he did not interrupt the process.
Instead, he allowed the resonance to adapt naturally.
The cycle continued quietly for nearly an hour.
From a distance, the phenomenon looked almost peaceful.
Soft waves of energy flowed between the cultivators like tides moving across a calm sea.
Ye Guyi watched the scene silently.
Her eyes moved slowly across the circle.
She had witnessed many cultivation techniques in her life.
But nothing quite like this.
"This… is his method."
She murmured softly.
The balance between them was obvious.
None of them were forcing their power.
None of them were competing.
It was cultivation built on harmony.
Nearby, Huo Yuhao had also been watching with wide eyes.
"…Mother."
Huo Yun'er glanced at him.
"Yes?"
Yuhao hesitated.
"…Are they… sharing power?"
Huo Yun'er observed the circle quietly.
"…Something like that."
But she knew it was more than simple sharing.
The flow of energy between them looked far too refined for that.
At the center of the circle, Lin Huang finally opened his eyes.
The resonance cycle slowed.
Then gradually stopped.
The circulating energy returned to its original owners.
One by one, the women opened their eyes.
Ma Xiaotao stretched her arms.
"…That helped."
Wu Feng nodded.
"My flames feel much more stable."
Meng Hongchen exhaled slowly, a faint mist escaping her lips.
"The Law of Ice is easier to control now."
Even Zhang Lexuan admitted quietly,
"My domain stabilized."
Bi Ji simply smiled softly.
The life energy flowing through her body felt clearer than before.
Lin Huang stood up slowly.
The group had stabilized their breakthroughs.
Now their cultivation could continue normally.
But as he turned slightly, his gaze met someone standing not far away.
Ye Guyi.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ye Guyi simply nodded.
A silent acknowledgment.
Lin Huang returned the gesture calmly.
The resonance circle slowly dispersed.
And beneath the Golden Tree, the calm morning continued.
The Golden Tree's massive roots provided more than enough space for everyone to sit comfortably.
After the resonance cultivation ended, the group naturally gathered beneath one of the largest roots, the atmosphere far more relaxed than it had been during the previous fifteen days of intense cultivation.
Some sat against the tree.
Others leaned casually against the roots.
And at the center of the small gathering—
Lin Huang had simply laid down.
More specifically, his head rested comfortably on Bi Ji's lap.
Bi Ji herself seemed completely unbothered by the situation.
She sat calmly with one hand resting lightly in his hair, gently brushing a few strands aside as if the position were the most natural thing in the world.
The others, however, reacted in different ways.
Ma Xiaotao snorted.
"…You're getting more shameless."
Lin Huang didn't even open his eyes.
"I'm resting."
Qiu'er crossed her arms.
"You could rest sitting."
Lin Huang replied lazily,
"This is more comfortable."
Bi Ji chuckled softly but said nothing.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lexuan simply smiled faintly, long since used to the strange dynamics of the group.
Not far away, Wu Feng leaned against a tree root while watching the scene.
"…He's not even pretending anymore."
Ning Tian sighed.
"He never really did."
Nearby, Huo Yuhao watched everything with wide eyes.
He leaned toward his mother and whispered quietly,
"…Mother."
Huo Yun'er glanced at him.
"Yes?"
Yuhao hesitated.
"…Is that normal?"
Huo Yun'er looked toward the group.
Then at Lin Huang.
Then back at Yuhao.
"…For them, apparently."
Meanwhile, footsteps approached from the outer area beneath the Golden Tree.
Several familiar figures appeared soon after.
Han Ruoruo.Wu Ming.Ling Luochen.Xi Xi.Chen Zifeng.Yao Haoxuan.
They had come earlier to check on the group after hearing the cultivation beneath the Golden Tree had finally ended.
But when they arrived—
The first thing they saw was Lin Huang lying comfortably on Bi Ji's lap.
Wu Ming stopped walking.
"…Are we interrupting something?"
Lin Huang opened one eye.
"No."
Wu Ming pointed at him.
"You're literally being pampered."
Lin Huang closed his eye again.
"I'm resting."
Yao Haoxuan laughed loudly.
"Looks like a good life to me."
Xi Xi tilted her head slightly.
"…You're not even embarrassed?"
Lin Huang shrugged slightly.
"Why would I be?"
That only made Wu Ming roll her eyes.
"Shameless."
But the conversation quickly shifted.
Han Ruoruo crossed her arms while looking around at the group.
"…You all feel different."
Qiu'er smirked slightly.
"Different how?"
"Stronger."
Ling Luochen spoke quietly.
The calm woman's eyes moved slowly across the group.
"The changes are obvious."
Chen Zifeng scratched his head.
"I thought we were imagining things."
Wu Ming nodded.
"Same."
Xi Xi suddenly grinned.
"Well, I advanced two levels because of you people."
Ma Xiaotao laughed.
"Then you should thank us."
Wu Ming snorted.
"I'm still deciding whether to thank you or blame you."
Meanwhile, Ling Luochen's attention shifted back toward Lin Huang.
Specifically—
To the fact that he still had not moved from Bi Ji's lap.
Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
"…You're not even going to sit up?"
Lin Huang opened his eyes again.
"Why?"
Ling Luochen immediately looked away.
"I… that's not what I meant."
She tried to continue speaking but ended up hesitating slightly.
Xi Xi leaned closer toward her with a mischievous smile.
"…You're blushing."
Ling Luochen froze.
"I'm not."
Wu Ming laughed.
"Oh you definitely are."
Han Ruoruo simply sighed quietly.
Meanwhile, Bi Ji continued gently stroking Lin Huang's hair as if the entire situation were perfectly normal.
Her calm expression never changed.
Lin Huang closed his eyes again.
For the moment, the peaceful atmosphere beneath the Golden Tree was more than enough.
After fifteen days of intense cultivation—
A quiet conversation among friends felt surprisingly refreshing.
The conversation beneath the Golden Tree continued for quite some time.
For once, no one seemed in a hurry to leave.
After fifteen days of deep cultivation, the relaxed atmosphere felt almost refreshing.
Lin Huang still hadn't moved from Bi Ji's lap.
Bi Ji herself seemed perfectly content to let him remain there, occasionally brushing a loose strand of hair away from his forehead with calm patience.
Ma Xiaotao shook her head again.
"You're getting worse."
Lin Huang replied without opening his eyes.
"You're jealous."
Xiaotao immediately grabbed a small stone from the ground and flicked it toward him.
Lin Huang lifted one hand lazily and caught it without even looking.
Wu Feng snorted.
"You didn't even move."
"Why would I?"
Nearby, Xi Xi watched the scene with growing amusement.
"You all act like this normally?"
Qiu'er crossed her arms.
"This is him behaving."
Wu Ming looked at Lin Huang again.
"…I refuse to believe that."
Chen Zifeng laughed.
"Trust me. It used to be worse."
Han Ruoruo simply shook her head slightly.
The conversation gradually shifted toward the future.
Yao Haoxuan leaned forward slightly.
"So it's confirmed then?"
"Confirmed," Ma Xiaotao answered.
"You're all going with us."
Wu Ming raised an eyebrow.
"To the Sun Moon Academy?"
Lin Huang finally opened his eyes.
"No."
Several of them blinked.
"No?"
Xi Xi tilted her head.
"Then where?"
Lin Huang sat up slowly this time, stretching his shoulders before speaking.
"The Lin Clan Territory."
Chen Zifeng blinked.
"…The what?"
Han Ruoruo's expression changed slightly.
"You mean… the territory you built?"
Lin Huang nodded.
"Yuelan City."
Ling Luochen looked thoughtful.
"That explains the airships."
Wu Ming rubbed her chin.
"So instead of studying at the academy…"
"We'll study in your clan?"
"Something like that."
Yao Haoxuan laughed loudly.
"That sounds far more interesting than sitting in a classroom."
Ma Xiaotao grinned.
"You'll see soon enough."
Meanwhile, Xi Xi looked unusually excited.
"Wait… does that mean we'll get to see all those strange systems you created?"
Ning Tian nodded calmly.
"The Institute branches are there as well."
That immediately caught their attention.
Wu Ming pointed at Lin Huang again.
"You realize this is going to make Shrek owe you another favor."
Lin Huang shrugged slightly.
"That's Mu En's problem."
Everyone laughed.
But while the conversation continued, someone nearby had remained mostly silent.
Huo Yun'er.
She stood slightly apart from the group, watching them quietly.
Watching their relaxed confidence.
Watching the overwhelming strength each of them carried.
Even the younger ones among them possessed cultivation levels far beyond what most people could ever reach.
And yet—
This was the world Yuhao was slowly stepping into.
Her gaze moved toward her son.
Huo Yuhao sat not far away, listening to the conversation with bright eyes.
Curious.
Excited.
Unaware of the dangers such a path would bring.
Huo Yun'er's expression softened slightly.
Then her gaze shifted toward Lin Huang.
For a moment she hesitated.
Then she walked toward him.
The group slowly noticed her approach and quieted slightly.
Lin Huang looked up at her calmly.
"Something wrong?"
Huo Yun'er shook her head.
"No."
She hesitated briefly before continuing.
"I've been thinking."
Lin Huang remained silent, allowing her to speak.
Huo Yun'er looked toward Yuhao again before finishing her sentence.
"If Yuhao continues on this path…"
Her voice grew quieter.
"…then I cannot remain weak."
The words carried more determination than emotion.
The group understood immediately what she meant.
Ma Xiaotao crossed her arms.
"Fair."
Wu Feng nodded.
"Completely fair."
Lin Huang studied her quietly.
"You want to become stronger."
It wasn't a question.
Huo Yun'er nodded.
"Yes."
Lin Huang was silent for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly.
"There is a method."
The group immediately paid attention.
Lin Huang continued.
"A pill."
Huo Yun'er blinked.
"A pill?"
Lin Huang nodded.
"It can reconstruct your foundation and greatly increase your strength."
He paused slightly.
"But the process is not easy."
Everyone waited.
"It will cause intense pain."
"Your eyes will remain blind for several days."
"And your cultivation will remain locked for a time afterward until your foundation stabilizes."
Huo Yun'er didn't hesitate.
"I accept."
Her answer came instantly.
Lin Huang studied her for a moment longer.
Then nodded once.
"Good."
The decision had been made.
The afternoon beneath the Golden Tree gradually drew to a close.
Students who had gathered nearby slowly returned to their training grounds, while the group that had cultivated beneath the ancient tree finally began preparing to leave.
For Lin Huang and the others, their time at Shrek had been unexpectedly productive.
Fifteen days of cultivation.
New Soul Cores.
Clearer understanding of laws.
And for Mu En—his restored foundation.
Now it was time to move again.
Near the edge of the academy grounds, the large dirigible waited quietly on the open landing platform.
Its metal hull reflected the sunlight, while several Shrek instructors stood nearby observing it with curiosity.
Even now, airships of that scale were rare sights on the continent.
Mu En stood near the landing area, speaking quietly with Cai Mei'er and Xian Lin'er.
Meanwhile, the students preparing to accompany the group gathered together nearby.
Han Ruoruo.
Wu Ming.
Ling Luochen.
Xi Xi.
Chen Zifeng.
Yao Haoxuan.
They were discussing the upcoming exchange when an elderly Shrek elder approached them casually.
The old man had watched the past days with great interest.
He glanced briefly toward Lin Huang's group in the distance.
Then he spoke in a teasing tone.
"You youngsters are lucky."
Wu Ming raised an eyebrow.
"…Lucky?"
The elder chuckled softly.
"Not many people get invited to visit the Lin Clan Territory."
Xi Xi leaned forward slightly.
"That's true."
The elder's eyes drifted briefly toward Lin Huang again.
Then he added casually,
"Who knows?"
"If one of you girls becomes Madam Lin someday, just don't forget about Shrek."
For a moment—
Complete silence.
Wu Ming froze.
Han Ruoruo blinked.
Ling Luochen's face turned red instantly.
Xi Xi's eyes lit up.
The elder laughed quietly and walked away before anyone could respond.
A few minutes later, the group boarded the dirigible.
The large vessel slowly rose into the air, its engines humming steadily as Shrek Academy gradually grew smaller beneath them.
Inside the cabin, several of the Shrek students gathered near the windows, watching the academy fade into the distance.
But the atmosphere inside the room felt slightly… strange.
Because several of them were remembering the elder's words.
Xi Xi was the first to break the silence.
She leaned forward with bright eyes.
"So…"
Wu Ming immediately interrupted.
"Don't start."
Xi Xi grinned mischievously.
"What? I didn't even say anything yet."
Wu Ming crossed her arms and looked away toward the window.
Her ears were slightly red.
"…That old man talks too much."
Xi Xi laughed.
"You're blushing."
"I'm not."
"You are."
Wu Ming muttered quietly under her breath.
"…That shameless guy."
Her gaze drifted toward Lin Huang, who stood near the opposite side of the cabin speaking calmly with Ma Xiaotao and Ning Tian.
"…What kind of person just lies on someone's lap like that in public…"
Han Ruoruo sat nearby, her expression calmer but still thoughtful.
She rested her chin lightly on her hand.
"…Madam Lin…"
She murmured the words quietly before shaking her head slightly.
"…Ridiculous."
Yet the faint pink tint on her cheeks betrayed her thoughts.
Meanwhile, Ling Luochen had become unusually quiet.
She sat near the window, looking outside.
But every so often her gaze drifted toward Lin Huang.
Then quickly away again.
Xi Xi leaned toward her suddenly.
"You're doing it again."
Ling Luochen nearly jumped.
"Doing what?"
"Looking at him."
"I am not—"
Her voice faltered halfway through the sentence.
Xi Xi laughed.
"You totally are."
Ling Luochen turned even redder.
"…You're imagining things."
Across the cabin, Lin Huang seemed completely unaware of the conversation happening behind him.
Or perhaps he simply didn't care.
Either way, the dirigible continued flying steadily across the sky.
Leaving Shrek Academy behind.
And heading toward their next destination.
Yuelan City.
The territory of the Lin Clan.
The dirigible sailed steadily across the sky.
Below them, the vast forests and mountains of the continent stretched endlessly toward the horizon, slowly shifting as the airship advanced toward its destination.
Inside the cabin, the atmosphere had gradually calmed after the earlier teasing conversation.
Some of the Shrek students had gathered near the windows, still fascinated by the view from the air.
Others had settled down into quieter activities.
And a few had already begun cultivating again.
Meanwhile, near the center of the cabin, Lin Huang had once again found a comfortable position.
Except this time—
His head rested on Zi Ji's lap.
The purple-haired woman sat calmly in one of the wide seats built into the cabin wall, one arm resting casually along the backrest while the other hand absentmindedly combed through Lin Huang's hair.
Unlike Bi Ji's gentle movements earlier, Zi Ji's touch was slower.
More deliberate.
Yet she didn't seem bothered at all by the position.
If anything, she appeared perfectly relaxed.
Lin Huang had one arm behind his head and his eyes half closed, clearly enjoying the quiet moment.
Across from them, Wu Ming glanced over again.
"…He switched laps."
Xi Xi followed her gaze and burst out laughing.
"You're keeping track?"
Wu Ming looked away immediately.
"I'm not."
"You totally are."
Meanwhile, Ling Luochen had already chosen to focus very carefully on the scenery outside the window.
Her face had not fully recovered from earlier.
Not far from them, Bi Ji sat at another table near the side of the cabin.
Unlike the others, she seemed deeply focused on something in her hands.
A book.
A thick one.
Its pages were filled with strange drawings and notes written in Lin Huang's handwriting.
Bi Ji turned a page slowly, her emerald eyes studying the content with clear interest.
"…Interesting."
Meng Hongchen leaned slightly closer.
"What are you reading?"
Bi Ji lifted the book slightly so she could see the title.
"A comic."
Meng blinked.
"A… comic?"
Bi Ji nodded.
"It seems to be a story Lin Huang drew when he was bored."
Meng leaned closer.
"What kind of story?"
Bi Ji flipped another page.
"A healer."
She paused briefly.
"…But she fights."
Meng blinked again.
"A healer that fights?"
Bi Ji pointed to one of the panels.
The drawing showed a woman with blonde hair standing calmly while shattering the ground with a single punch.
"The character uses precise control of energy and knowledge of the human body."
She flipped another page.
"Instead of cutting or stabbing, she strikes specific points in the body to disrupt internal energy."
Meng tilted her head.
"…That sounds terrifying."
Bi Ji nodded thoughtfully.
"Yes."
Her eyes moved slowly across the pages again.
"…Very efficient."
Another panel showed the same character healing severe injuries moments later.
Bi Ji's expression grew even more thoughtful.
"…So the same knowledge used to destroy can also be used to heal."
Meng crossed her arms.
"You're thinking about adapting it, aren't you?"
Bi Ji smiled faintly.
"Perhaps."
The concept fascinated her.
Precise control of life energy.
Understanding the body's pathways.
Using vitality itself as both weapon and medicine.
It was a completely different approach from traditional healing techniques.
Bi Ji turned another page.
"…Tsunade."
She murmured the name quietly.
Nearby, Lin Huang spoke without opening his eyes.
"You like it?"
Bi Ji looked up.
"Yes."
She tapped the page lightly.
"The concept of controlling energy through the body's internal structure."
Lin Huang opened one eye lazily.
"That one inspired a few ideas."
Bi Ji smiled slightly.
"I can see that."
Meanwhile, Zi Ji continued calmly brushing her fingers through Lin Huang's hair.
"Your hobbies are strange."
Lin Huang shrugged slightly.
"I get bored."
Xi Xi leaned forward suddenly.
"So you just… draw random stories?"
"Sometimes."
Wu Ming looked unimpressed.
"…You're ridiculous."
Lin Huang ignored her.
Instead, his gaze drifted toward the window.
The clouds slowly moved past the dirigible as the continent stretched endlessly below them.
For a moment, he simply watched the sky.
Then he spoke again.
"…It's been a while."
Zi Ji glanced down at him.
"What?"
Lin Huang's expression softened slightly.
"When we arrive…"
He paused briefly.
"…I'll finally see Yuxin again."
For the first time since leaving Shrek, a faint hint of anticipation appeared in his voice.
Zi Ji's expression softened slightly.
"…She'll be happy."
Across the cabin, Qiu'er overheard the conversation and smirked slightly.
"She might bite you again."
Ma Xiaotao laughed loudly.
"That kid definitely will."
Lin Huang sighed.
"…She only does that when she's worried."
Bi Ji closed her book quietly.
"…Then perhaps you should prepare yourself."
Lin Huang raised an eyebrow.
"For what?"
Bi Ji smiled gently.
"A very enthusiastic welcome."