The dead silence in the forest lingered for a long time.
The Shrek girl and the little boy stood frozen, their eyes hollow as they stared at the seven corpses on the ground, as if their souls had momentarily left their bodies.
Only when warm blood slowly seeped from the wounds—pooling together and filling the air with a thick metallic stench—did they finally snap back to reality.
The girl's gaze shifted stiffly from the corpses to the youth standing calmly with his back to her. Her voice trembled slightly, laced with disbelief.
"Th-This… you did all this?"
Liu Yuan turned around slowly, a faint smile on his face, as though he had merely done something trivial.
"Who else?" he replied lightly. "You?"
The girl gave a bitter smile.
Looking again at the seven Spirit King–level Evil Soul Masters lying lifeless on the ground, the shock in her heart surged uncontrollably.
"It seems… I completely misjudged you."
She wanted to ask more—about his identity, his Spirit, and that terrifying, incomprehensible speed.
But Liu Yuan cut her off before she could speak.
"Take the child and leave first. The smell of blood here is too strong. It might attract more trouble."
His tone was calm but decisive.
The girl immediately realized he was right. This wasn't the time for questions.
She quickly dismissed her Spirit and went to the still-dazed little boy, gently comforting him.
Without wasting another moment, they left the forest. Liu Yuan walked ahead, clearing the path, while the girl held the boy's hand and followed closely behind.
---
It didn't take long before they returned to the small town.
Guided by the child, they soon found his home.
The moment the boy's parents saw him safe and sound, they froze—then burst into uncontrollable tears.
They rushed forward, hugging their child tightly, crying and laughing all at once. It was a deeply moving sight.
When they learned that Liu Yuan and the girl had rescued their son from the Evil Soul Masters, the couple was overwhelmed with gratitude. They even tried to kneel in thanks.
Liu Yuan quickly stopped them.
Instead of accepting the credit, he smiled and gestured toward the girl.
"It was this sister from Shrek Academy who risked her life to save your child," he said. "I only helped a little."
The girl glanced at him, slightly stunned.
Clearly, he had done everything—yet he casually pushed the credit onto her.
What a strange person…
---
After leaving the house, the two walked side by side through the quiet streets.
The girl turned to look at Liu Yuan, her emotions complicated.
He had not only eliminated the Evil Soul Masters and saved the child—he had also, indirectly, saved her.
Yet he asked for nothing. Not even recognition.
"You… you're a good person," she said sincerely. "People like you are rare these days."
Liu Yuan smiled faintly.
"Helping when you see injustice is only natural."
He stopped walking and cupped his fists slightly.
"Let's part ways here. I still have somewhere to go."
Seeing that he was about to leave, the girl suddenly felt a sense of urgency.
"Wait!"
She stepped forward, her eyes earnest.
"Why not join Shrek Academy? With your strength and character, you're more than qualified for the Inner Court!"
Liu Yuan paused.
For a moment, he seemed surprised—then he chuckled softly.
He respected the Inner Court students who risked their lives to maintain peace.
But that didn't mean he trusted the people at the top.
He shook his head.
"If joining Shrek were necessary to uphold justice, then perhaps I would consider it."
His tone remained gentle, but firm.
"But whether I join or not… doesn't change what I choose to do."
With that, he waved casually, turned around, and walked away without hesitation.
His figure gradually disappeared into the distance.
---
The girl—Xi Xi—stood alone in the night breeze, staring after him in a daze.
"Hmph… acting all cool and mysterious, and didn't even tell me your name…"
Her voice carried a faint trace of annoyance.
---
With her mission complete, Xi Xi prepared to return to Shrek Academy.
But before she had gone far, she encountered two familiar figures on the road.
Leading them was a tall, handsome young man in the Inner Court uniform, his golden hair gleaming brilliantly under the light.
"Xi Xi?" he called out in surprise. "What are you doing here? On a mission as well?"
Xi Xi stopped, equally surprised.
She removed her mask, revealing her delicate features.
"Dai Yueheng? Why are you here?"
Dai Yueheng
Dai Yueheng gave a brief explanation.
"I received an urgent mission from the Pavilion."
At first, he didn't intend to elaborate. But noticing the direction Xi Xi had come from, something clicked in his mind.
"Our target may have already left Capital City," he added. "He's heading north—toward the Extreme North Land."
He then described the person they were searching for:
"Around fourteen or fifteen. Short red hair. Extremely strong. A student of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy."
Xi Xi had been listening casually.
But as each detail fell into place, a familiar figure flashed through her mind—the youth who had waved goodbye and disappeared into the distance.
Age.
Red hair.
Overwhelming strength.
Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Everything… matched perfectly.
Her eyes widened instantly.
"Could it be… him?!"
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