As her final words fell, Ling Luochen turned without hesitation.
No reluctance.
No pause.
Her steps were firm as she walked straight toward the office door, leaving everything behind.
---
Xuan Zi… was completely stunned.
He had never expected that after he brought up the punishment of expulsion, Ling Luochen would actually choose it without a second thought.
Even more—
He never imagined that a mere disciple would dare show him such defiance.
A surge of rage rushed to his head, turning his eyes bloodshot.
But beneath that fury…
Another emotion quietly emerged.
Regret.
Yes.
He regretted it.
Ling Luochen was no ordinary student.
She was an Inner Court elite, a core member of the Supervisory Team, and more importantly—
A confirmed main force for the upcoming All-Continent High-Rank Soul Master Academy Soul Dueling Tournament.
Her control over the Ice Element was exceptional, and her strength ranked among the very best of her generation.
Without her, Shrek's chances of securing victory—especially with the participation of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy—would undoubtedly drop.
And if they were to lose because of this…
The thought alone sent a chill through his heart.
Like cold water dousing his anger.
---
For a brief moment—
He almost called out.
Almost told her to come back.
Almost softened his tone.
Even considered retracting his words.
But—
That thought died before it could leave his lips.
His pride… stopped him.
Who was he?
Xuan Zi!
A Level 98 Super Douluo.
A veteran of the Sea Gods Pavilion.
Second only to Mu En within Shrek.
How could he bow his head to a mere disciple?
How could he take back his own words?
If word got out, what would become of his dignity?
---
In the end—
His fragile pride defeated his reason.
His face flushed red as he swallowed his regret.
And replaced it with a cold threat:
"You will regret this!"
---
His voice echoed through the room.
But outside the door—
Ling Luochen didn't even slow down.
Not a step.
Not a glance back.
She simply walked away.
Calm.
Indifferent.
Gone.
---
Bang.
The office door closed softly.
Like a line drawn between two worlds.
---
Xuan Zi stood still, his mental power fully spread out, locking onto her aura.
He waited.
Expected.
Hoped.
That she would hesitate.
That she would stop.
That she would turn back.
One breath.
Two breaths.
Ten breaths…
Nothing.
Her footsteps remained steady.
Resolute.
Until—
They disappeared entirely from his perception.
---
She had truly left.
Without looking back.
---
"Crack—!"
The wine pot in Xuan Zi's hand shattered violently.
Wine and ceramic fragments scattered across the floor.
"How dare she…! How could she dare?!"
A low, beast-like growl escaped his throat.
His entire body trembled with fury.
The roasted chicken leg in his hand was slammed to the ground, his face twisted beyond recognition.
---
But once the anger subsided—
His first thought wasn't punishment.
It was…
Self-preservation.
---
"This must not reach Mu En!"
Alarm bells rang loudly in his mind.
Mu En rarely interfered—
But when he did, the consequences were severe.
And he had already made one mistake with Liu Yuan.
If it was discovered that he had now driven away another top-tier disciple—
Even he wouldn't escape punishment.
---
Without hesitation, Xuan Zi moved.
He grabbed a sheet of paper and began writing rapidly.
If the truth was dangerous—
Then he would rewrite it.
---
Soon, a report was completed.
A report that turned black into white.
In it, there was no mention of Ling Luochen requesting withdrawal.
No mention of his own harsh reprimand.
Instead—
It stated that Ling Luochen had failed her mission due to poor judgment.
That she had allowed the target to escape.
That she showed no remorse when corrected.
That she disrespected her superior.
And finally—
That she was expelled by Xuan Zi himself to uphold discipline.
---
Clean.
Efficient.
Flawless.
All responsibility… erased.
---
Xuan Zi exhaled deeply, his expression finally easing.
"Hmph. It's just one Ling Luochen."
"If she leaves, she leaves."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"Compared to that genius… she's nothing."
---
Immediately, he issued orders.
The entire Supervisory Network was mobilized.
Their target—
The mysterious youth Ling Luochen mentioned.
---
As long as he could bring that genius into Shrek—
Even losing ten Ling Luochen wouldn't matter.
And this incident?
It would be forgotten.
---
Meanwhile…
Far away from all this turmoil—
Liu Yuan remained completely unaware.
---
Since parting ways with Ling Luochen, he had traveled westward with Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen at full speed.
After days of journeying—
At dusk—
A massive city finally appeared on the horizon.
Towering.
Magnificent.
Covered in metallic structures and infused with technological brilliance.
---
The capital of the Sun Moon Empire—
Mingdu.
---
Since night was approaching and the city gates were about to close, Xiao Hongchen didn't rush to bring Liu Yuan to the academy.
Instead, as a proper host—
He booked the finest rooms in the best tavern in the city.
"Brother Liu Yuan, rest well tonight," Xiao Hongchen said with a smile, patting his shoulder. "Tomorrow morning, we'll come get you and head to the academy."
"Alright," Liu Yuan replied calmly.
"See you tomorrow!" Meng Hongchen waved cheerfully.
---
After they left—
Liu Yuan went upstairs alone.
---
The room was luxurious.
Spacious.
A perfect blend of classical elegance and advanced technology.
After days of rough travel—
It was a rare comfort.
---
He took a long, relaxing bath.
Washing away dust.
Fatigue.
And tension.
---
Finally—
He lay down on the soft bed.
Ready to fall into a deep sleep.
---
But at that exact moment—
A cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
---
[Congratulations, Host. New check-in location unlocked: Mingdu]
[Special Mission Unlocked — "Mingdu, I'm Here!"]
[Mission Objective: Travel to the forest outside Mingdu, summon Mega Rayquaza, activate "Delta Stream," and publicly announce your arrival to the entire city]
[Reward: God-bestowed Spirit Ring (Rayquaza exclusive random skill) ×1]
---
Silence.
---
Liu Yuan slowly opened his eyes.
The corner of his lips lifted slightly.
---
"Well…"
"This is going to be interesting."