Regarding whether Xuan Zi, upon learning Liu Yuan's name, truly possessed the heaven-defying ability to recruit him into Shrek Academy, Ling Luochen actually had no definitive answer in her heart.
But what she could be one hundred percent certain of was that she, right now, was extremely, extremely unhappy.
The anger suppressed in the depths of her heart, mixed with the stinging pain radiating from her wounds and the worldview that had been completely overturned by Liu Yuan's words, was churning and fermenting violently within her chest.
For the sake of the so-called "Shrek Glory," she had risked danger alone, deep behind enemy lines, fighting for her life against several powerful Evil Soul Masters...
In the end, she had barely survived, returning to Shrek Academy covered in injuries.
Yet, what awaited her was not the care and consolation expected from a teacher, not even a basic "How are your injuries?"
All she received was interrogation, a harsh reprimand for failing to "entice" a Genius back.
At this moment, the look of entitlement and superiority on Xuan Zi's face, contrasted with the shiny, fragrant roasted chicken leg in his hand, created an incomparably absurd and glaring juxtaposition.
A student who had risked her life for the academy was, in his eyes, far less valuable than a Genius he had never met, or even a piece of food in his mouth.
Liu Yuan's words rang out in her ears like a heavy bell at dusk—
"The relationship between you and Shrek is nothing more than a simple transaction of equal value."
"Never let yourself be bound by some ethereal, irrelevant things."
Yes, bound...
The light in Ling Luochen's eyes dimmed bit by bit, replaced by an unprecedented coldness and determination.
The identity of the "Shrek Supervisory Group" that she had once cherished and defended now seemed like a ridiculous shackle.
"Quickly tell me his name!"
Seeing Ling Luochen remained silent for a long time, Xuan Zi urged her again impatiently, his voice filled with an indisputable tone of command.
"I will find a way myself; I must bring such a Genius into the fold!"
Ling Luochen slowly raised her eyelids. Those eyes, once cold due to her Ice-element Spirit, were now even colder than ten-thousand-year black ice.
She met Xuan Zi's impatient gaze and shook her head calmly.
"I'm sorry, Elder Xuan."
"The situation was urgent at the time, and we only met once. After he killed those Evil Soul Masters, he left in a hurry with his companions, and I... I didn't have time to ask his name."
Although it was a lie, it was reasonable and plausible.
"What did you say?!" Upon hearing this, Xuan Zi's eyes widened instantly. The anger that had just been suppressed flared up again. The chicken leg in his hand was squeezed until it creaked, and grease dripped through his fingers.
He subconsciously wanted to roar and lash out again, venting all his anger and the frustration of missing out on a Genius onto this "incompetent" Disciple.
But as the words reached his lips, he forcibly held them back.
He knew that losing his temper now would not help.
Although the Sun Moon Empire was far away, with Shrek Academy's Supervision Team network and intelligence System spread across the continent, as long as they were determined to investigate, they would be able to find it regardless.
The priority was to immediately arrange for people to handle this matter, not to waste time here with Ling Luochen.
Thinking of this, he forcibly suppressed the irritation in his heart and waved his hand impatiently at Ling Luochen, as if shooing away an annoying fly:
"Alright, alright, I know. You have injuries on you, go back and rest first."
This seemingly caring remark carried no warmth, sounding more like an order to leave.
Xuan Zi had made up his mind; he just wanted Ling Luochen to disappear from his sight immediately so she wouldn't delay his upcoming important arrangements.
However, Ling Luochen stood there motionless, as if she hadn't heard his words.
Xuan Zi frowned, his tone becoming increasingly unfriendly: "What? Is there something else?"
Ling Luochen met his gaze and nodded. Her pale lips parted slightly, and the words she uttered were clear and firm, each syllable like a heavy hammer striking within the quiet office of the Sea Gods Pavilion.
"Yes, Elder Xuan. I have one more important matter to report to you."
"What matter? Speak quickly!" Xuan Zi was extremely impatient.
Ling Luochen took a deep breath, as if to use all her strength to break free from the invisible shackle that had bound her for many years. She said, word by word:
"I, Ling Luochen, apply to withdraw from the Shrek Supervisory Group."
The moment the words fell, the air in the office seemed to freeze.
The impatience on Xuan Zi's face froze instantly; he even suspected that something was wrong with his ears.
He slowly put down the wine pot in his hand, staring at Ling Luochen in disbelief, his voice suddenly rising an octave, filled with thunderous rage:
"What did you say?! Say it again!"
A violent Aura erupted from his body. As a Level 98 Super Douluo, his pressure crushed toward Ling Luochen like a landslide or a tsunami.
If it were in the past, under this pressure, she would have long since lost her composure, her face turning deathly pale.