As for Huo Yuhao, the moment he saw Feng Piaoling, his pupils contracted. He clenched his fists, sinking his consciousness into the Sea of Spirit to question:
"Elder Tian Meng, didn't you say he was going to die? How is he still alive and well?"
"I don't know either. Logically speaking, it should have been impossible for this kid to succeed in the absorption. Could it be that he truly is a rare genius only seen once in ten thousand years?"
Tian Meng Iceworm spoke in bewilderment, and a hint of regret began to stir in his heart. Had he known this would happen, he wouldn't have obsessed over whether the boy possessed a Spirit-type martial soul.
Why had he been so fixated back then?
He didn't know what had come over him; the instant he saw Huo Yuhao, he had a powerful premonition that following this boy would surely lead to Godhood.
He was certain.
And that premonition was exceptionally intense.
So intense that, even when faced with a peerless genius possessing twin martial souls, and even though Huo Yuhao had absorbed a mere ten-year wind baboon as his first ring, he had chosen the latter without much hesitation.
"Alright, Xiaoya, Yuhao, there's nothing more to see. Let's head in."
Beibei could feel that Feng Piaoling's soul power fluctuations were currently not much inferior to his own. Back when the other boy was at Rank 30, he had been able to slay a thousand-year Datura Snake with two strikes of his sword.
Though he had relied on a Rank 4 soul tool, one had to admit his strength was indeed formidable.
Not only was his movement technique elusive and unpredictable, but his swordsmanship was also absurdly high. Coupled with that strange talisman martial soul which had obtained a Darkgolden Terrorclaw Bear soul ring, Beibei realized he had lacked the confidence to face this man before reaching the Soul Elder level—and now, he was even less certain.
At the East Gate, about a dozen young men and women roughly the same age as Beibei and Tang Ya stood guard.
These were all students of Shrek.
Usually, second and third-year students in yellow uniforms stood watch here, but today there were several fourth-year female students in purple uniforms and a fifth-year male student in black.
Among them, one female student in a purple uniform was particularly eye-catching.
If Feng Piaoling had captured the gaze of almost every girl present, then this young woman was the focus of nearly every boy's attention.
She appeared to be around fourteen or fifteen years old, with an incredibly well-proportioned and slender figure. Great waves of black hair draped over her shoulders, and her skin was as white as snow. She was breathtakingly beautiful.
At this moment, like the others, she was staring intently at Feng Piaoling.
However, there was a slight difference. Her eyes did not hold the infatuated expression of the other girls attracted by Feng Piaoling's looks; instead, they held a sense of pure, unadulterated gratitude, along with an affection she perhaps hadn't even realized herself.
"Wow, Sister Nannan, look quickly! That boy is so handsome," another fourth-year student beside the stunning girl exclaimed, pointing at Feng Piaoling.
The beautiful girl didn't speak, her eyes never leaving Feng Piaoling.
Upon seeing Beibei, the second and third-year students immediately straightened up in respect. "Senior Beibei, you've returned."
Beibei greeted each junior with a smile and exchanged a few words with the lead third-year student. Finally, he turned his gaze toward the lone black-clad fifth-year student and teased:
"What's this? Has the sun risen from the west? Our Young Master Xu has actually come to welcome us. How unexpected."
"Knock it off. I'm in a bad mood. Looking for a fight?"
This person appeared to be around Beibei's age, tall with a straight nose and a square jaw—quite handsome.
As he spoke, he glanced at Feng Piaoling, who was the center of female attention. His fair skin flushed slightly with a mix of anger and jealousy.
Beibei glanced at the beautiful girl nearby and understood immediately. He couldn't help but chuckle.
This "Young Master Xu" was Xu Sanshi, the young lord of the hidden Xuanming Sect.
The stunning girl was Jiang Nannan, a commoner genius known as the number one beauty of the Outer Courtyard.
Originally, Young Master Xu had been quite normal, but he had become completely infatuated after meeting Jiang Nannan.
Unfortunately, Jiang Nannan had absolutely no interest in him. In fact, due to his persistent pestering, she harbored an extreme dislike for him, causing the young lord of the Xuanming Sect to hit a brick wall time and again.
Despite this, Xu Sanshi refused to give up.
Thus, early this morning, upon hearing that Jiang Nannan was waiting for someone outside the East Gate, he had followed her here.
To his dismay, this number one beauty of the Outer Courtyard—who usually showed no favor to the opposite sex—seemed to be captivated by Feng Piaoling's appearance.
It was no wonder Young Master Xu was in a foul mood.
Since they were friends, Beibei offered a kindly warning: "I know that person. He is far from simple. You should be careful."
"Hmph. If anyone dares to lay a finger on Jiang Nannan, I'll break their limbs."
Xu Sanshi made no effort to hide the threat in his voice.
While they were speaking, Feng Piaoling had already walked over. He gave Jiang Nannan a small nod. The last time Jiang Nannan had seen Feng Piaoling was when he was eight years old; at that time, her mother had been gravely ill.
In her most helpless and difficult hour, when she had been chosen by the Xuanming Sect to undergo a special awakening ceremony for Xu Sanshi—essentially being forced to sell herself just to obtain medicine for her mother—a young boy had saved her.
Back then, he had produced all the money he had on him. He not only funded her mother's treatment but left afterward without asking for anything in return.
He hadn't even left his name before departing.
To find him, Jiang Nannan had checked the new students every year for signs of that young boy.
This was the last year he could possibly join Shrek Academy; after this year, he would exceed the age limit for admission.
She feared she might never find him again, which was why she had been waiting at the Shrek City East Gate since early morning.
However, more than three years had passed, and Feng Piaoling had matured. For a moment, Jiang Nannan wasn't entirely certain it was him.
But when she saw Feng Piaoling nod to her, confirming his identity, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
Under the gaze of the crowd, she rushed forward. As if turning years of longing into action, she flew like a bird into Feng Piaoling's embrace.
Seeing this scene, almost every young man and woman present felt their hearts shatter. The girls saw their "god" was already taken, and the boys saw the goddess of their dreams throw herself into another's arms.
Xu Sanshi, in particular, felt like he was about to explode. He had pursued Jiang Nannan for three whole years, acting as her devoted follower and driving away countless suitors.
Now, seeing Jiang Nannan throw herself into the arms of a fresh-faced newcomer, his lungs nearly burst with rage.
"Don't get angry, don't get angry. Maybe he's her brother?" he muttered to himself. "But Nannan only has her mother at home. Where would a brother come from? Maybe a distant relative? Fine, if he's a relative, that's one thing. If not, I'll make sure he knows the consequences of trying to lay hands on my woman..."
Xu Sanshi suppressed his boiling fury and followed them with a darkened face.
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