When Ning Fengzhi arrived at Shrek Academy, he was genuinely shocked by the scene of devastation before him.
The entrance of Shrek Academy had almost turned into ruins.
Students were gathered in small groups, busy treating silver-armored soldiers.
After asking around, he learned that a fierce battle had broken out at noon.
The two sides involved were the city defense forces and Prince Xue Xing.
Several Spirit Douluos had taken to the field one after another, reducing the academy's auditorium and two teaching buildings to rubble.
Even the main gate hadn't escaped the disaster.
"What about the casualties among the students?" A faint trace of worry flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
Naturally, he wasn't concerned about the other students—his worry was solely for his daughter's safety.
But Ning Fengzhi seemed to have forgotten that Ning Rongrong was no longer a student but a graduated adult.
The student he asked, though unfamiliar with Ning Fengzhi, answered loudly:
"Seven dead, over twenty injured. Dean Flender is already handling the matter."
This deepened the worry on Ning Fengzhi's face.
He turned to Chenxin and said, "I shouldn't have listened to Rongrong back then. I should have assigned more guards to her!"
"Sect Master, don't worry too much. Rongrong is with Dai Mubai, the prince of the Star Luo Empire. Their combined combat strength is enough to rival a peak-level Spirit Douluo.
"She'll be fine."
Chenxin waved his hand with a smile.
As the saying goes, "Fear arises from love." He knew Ning Fengzhi had lost his judgment due to concern for his daughter.
"Hmm? Why does that person carrying someone on his back look so familiar?"
Ning Fengzhi suddenly frowned, pointing at a young man in the distance.
"Isn't that Ye Tian?"
Chenxin immediately recognized the familiar, handsome face.
He admired this young man.
It was a shame Ye Tian wasn't a Spirit master—otherwise, he would have gladly taken him as a disciple.
Hearing Chenxin's confirmation, Ning Fengzhi quickly walked forward.
"Ye Tian, what are you doing here?"
Ye Tian, not far away, was also startled when he saw Ning Fengzhi.
He hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance at Shrek Academy.
"I'm carrying Prince Xue Xing's daughter. She needs care," Ye Tian deflected, using Xue Lanlan as a shield.
After all, the real reason he was here couldn't be shared with Ning Fengzhi.
"So that's Xue Xing's daughter." Ning Fengzhi looked at Xue Lanlan with surprise.
He had brought quite a few people to pick up Ning Rongrong, but he showed no intention of offering help.
He had long known about the discord between Xue Qinghe and Xue Xing.
The battle at Shrek Academy at noon today was likely related to that.
With Xue Qinghe about to take control of the Heaven Dou Empire, Xue Xing's situation was precarious.
Whether he could even leave Heaven Dou City alive was uncertain.
Clearly, Xue Lanlan, as Xue Xing's daughter, was in the same predicament.
As Xue Qinghe's teacher, Ning Fengzhi had worked hard to build a good relationship with him.
He didn't want to jeopardize the cooperation between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Heaven Dou Empire over Xue Lanlan.
Thus, Ning Fengzhi had no intention of helping her.
He merely expressed sympathy for her plight:
"How pitiful."
Then, he looked up at Ye Tian.
Since Ye Tian had once saved Ning Rongrong, Ning Fengzhi felt it necessary to offer a friendly warning.
"With Xue Qinghe about to ascend the throne, Xue Xing, who has long opposed him, likely won't end well.
"As for Xue Lanlan…"
Ning Fengzhi didn't continue.
With so many people around, some words should never come from his mouth.
Meanwhile, the nearby students cast admiring glances at Ye Tian, murmuring in awe.
"Xue Lanlan is a hot potato now."
"Watch your words! Are you trying to speak ill of His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Let's not talk about this. The royal family's struggles aren't something we students can interfere with. Still, this young man named Ye Tian deserves respect!"
"I hope nothing happens to him."
Hearing Ning Fengzhi's words, Ye Tian understood the underlying message.
If he didn't want to help, he could just say so.
In any case, Ye Tian had no desire to be entangled with Ning Fengzhi.
"Thank you for the reminder, Sect Master Ning. Saving lives is my duty. I must take my leave now."
Ye Tian nodded politely, then strode past Ning Fengzhi with firm steps.
The resolve in Ye Tian's tone left Ning Fengzhi momentarily stunned.
Had Ye Tian not grasped the situation?
Xue Lanlan was now a liability.
Anyone who took her in might face life-threatening consequences.
If Ye Tian were a powerful Titled Douluo capable of protecting Xue Lanlan, that would be one thing.
But Ning Fengzhi knew Ye Tian's abilities were inferior even to Xue Lanlan's.
Such a person might not even stand a chance against an ordinary city guard.
"Ye Tian, I advise you not to meddle in this," Ning Fengzhi cautioned kindly.
At these words, Ye Tian suddenly felt a tight grip on his shoulder.
He glanced sideways and noticed Xue Lanlan's hand clutching his shoulder tightly.
Her eyes were closed, but tears seeped through the gaps.
Unbeknownst to him, Xue Lanlan had already woken up.
Of course.
After fleeing the auditorium, the jostling along the way would have been enough to wake her multiple times.
Faced with Ning Fengzhi's well-meaning advice, Ye Tian waved him off:
"Thank you for the concern, but I won't abandon my belief in saving lives."
Though he said this, Ye Tian's true intention was simply to avoid further involvement with Ning Fengzhi.
Since the other party was so worried about the danger Xue Lanlan posed,
He would make a point of keeping her by his side.
Yet Ye Tian's words had an unintended effect.
Hearing them, Ning Fengzhi's expression softened with admiration.
In his youth, he, too, had held firm to righteous convictions like Ye Tian.
But time had worn him down, making him more pragmatic.
At some point, he had even begun to waver in his commitment to justice.
A pang of guilt struck Ning Fengzhi.
Fine.
Since Ye Tian had saved Ning Rongrong, he would repay the favor today.
After this, they'd be even.
"Uncle Chen, bring Ye Tian with us. With so many guards around, he'll be safer staying with us."
"Understood."
Chenxin nodded, then turned to Ye Tian with a grin.
"What are you standing around for? Come here."
"Kid, I really like your attitude."
"It's a shame you have no talent as a Spirit master. Otherwise, I'd have loved to pass on my knowledge to you."
Ye Tian was visibly taken aback by Ning Fengzhi's sudden invitation.
What was this about?
Just moments ago, Ning Fengzhi had been subtly refusing.
Now he was actively offering protection for him and Xue Lanlan?
"What, you're not willing?"
Chenxin glared at Ye Tian.
Before Ye Tian could respond, he dashed forward, grabbing both him and Xue Lanlan and hauling them to Ning Fengzhi's side.
With a chuckle, he scolded, "Don't be ungrateful, kid. Right now, the streets of Heaven Dou City are swarming with soldiers. You wouldn't even make it out of Shrek Academy."
"And the academy itself isn't safe. There might be assassins from the Spirit Hall lurking, waiting to strike at Heaven Dou's prodigies amid the chaos."
"If you get caught in the crossfire, you won't even have a chance to plead your case."
Hearing this, Ye Tian pursed his lips.
Chenxin had a point.
Qian Renxue knew him, and the Spirit Hall's higher-ups knew him.
But their subordinates didn't!
If he were mistaken for a prodigy and assassinated,
That would be a terrible loss.
"Thank you for your kindness, Sect Master Ning." Ye Tian gave a slight bow.
Staying with Ning Fengzhi for the time being wasn't a bad idea.
Once the situation stabilized,
He could head to the palace to meet Qian Renxue—that would be the best course of action.
After wandering around Shrek Academy with Ning Fengzhi for a while,
They finally found Ning Rongrong and the others in a hidden chamber.
"Father!" Upon seeing Ning Fengzhi, Ning Rongrong rushed over joyfully, giving him a big hug.
Then she stepped back and asked in surprise, "Why are you and Grandpa here?"
Ning Fengzhi sighed. "It's all because of you."
"As soon as I heard about the unrest in Heaven Dou City, I came straight here."
"Oh, I'm fine." Ning Rongrong puffed her cheeks and pointed at Liu Erlong beside her.
"When the chaos started, Teacher Erlong immediately brought me, Xiao Wu, and the others to this sealed chamber."
"Thank you for looking after Rongrong." Ning Fengzhi bowed slightly to Liu Erlong.
Liu Erlong smiled gracefully and waved her hand. "Protecting them is our duty."
Listening to the conversation, Ye Tian couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Truly, people were not created equal.
Ning Rongrong and the others had been safeguarded from the start,
While he had been scrambling for survival amid the chaos,
Nearly losing his life in the process.
Watching Ning Fengzhi and the others laugh and express relief that everyone was safe,
Ye Tian sighed softly and retreated to a dim corner of the chamber.
Gently, he set the limp Xue Lanlan down from his shoulder.
He patted her shoulder lightly. "Stop pretending to sleep. Open your eyes."
At this, Xue Lanlan's grip on Ye Tian's clothes trembled slightly.
Her eyelashes fluttered open as she peered at him timidly.
Then, her hands tightened on his clothes again, as if afraid he would abandon her.
Her gaze remained hesitant, unable to meet his eyes directly.
Ye Tian found this amusing. "Am I that scary?"
Xue Lanlan stayed silent, staring at him fearfully.
Her grip was unrelenting, as though letting go meant being left behind.
But sensing that silence might be rude, she finally spoke.
"Th… thank you… for saving me."
Her voice was barely audible.
But for her, this was already a significant step down from her usual pride.
Ye Tian grinned and teased, "Stay here. I'm leaving."
"…Don't go." Xue Lanlan's eyes widened in panic, tears welling up.
Ye Tian chuckled. She was still just a child, after all.
Using his spiritual sense, he rummaged through his storage space
And pulled out half a loaf of bread.
Placing it in Xue Lanlan's hands, he reassured her, "Eat this."
Xue Lanlan swallowed hard but continued staring at him fearfully.
Though her last meal had been in the morning,
She resisted the temptation of the bread before her.
She was terrified that if she started eating, Ye Tian would vanish.
So she kept her eyes fixed on him.
Noticing her gaze, Ye Tian patted her head gently.
"Relax. I won't abandon you."
Keeping Xue Lanlan with him
Might leave a sliver of hope for reconciliation between Xue Xing and Qian Renxue.
As a prince, Xue Xing held significant influence in the Heaven Dou Empire.
Though winning his support was nearly impossible,
As long as he didn't oppose Qian Renxue's ascension,
Her path to the throne would face fewer obstacles.
This would also speed up the Spirit Hall's unification of the continent.
Reassured by Ye Tian's promise, Xue Lanlan relaxed slightly.
Only then did she begin nibbling at the bread cautiously.
But her eyes never left him, still wary of his sudden departure.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the chamber,
Xiao Wu only realized Ye Tian was present after chatting with Ning Rongrong's father.
She glanced around and finally spotted him in the dim corner, comforting a young girl.
"Haha, I almost didn't notice you here, Ye Tian."
Xiao Wu approached with a smile, handing him half a chicken leg.
"You haven't eaten, right? Here, take this."
"Thanks." Ye Tian accepted it without hesitation, then passed it to Xue Lanlan.
Xiao Wu's face darkened. "Hey, I gave that to you."
"Her leg is injured." Ye Tian pointed at Xue Lanlan's bandaged right leg.
Only then did Xiao Wu notice the wrappings beneath her skirt.
"Oh… Well, Grandmaster has more food. I'll get some for you."
Xiao Wu shrugged and turned to leave.
"Wait, who did you say has food?" Ye Tian frowned.
"Grandmaster. You've heard of him, right? The renowned theory master of Spirit masters."
"Never mind. I'm not hungry." Ye Tian waved dismissively.
Of course, he knew of Yu Xiaogang's infamous reputation.
The man was the epitome of scum in his eyes.
Though he wouldn't go so far as to kill him out of personal dislike,
Ye Tian wanted nothing to do with him.
Xiao Wu caught the distaste in Ye Tian's expression. His tone suggested some past conflict with Grandmaster.
Had they met before?
She wondered but kept the question to herself.
Some curiosities were better left unspoken.
"Zhu Zhuqing has food too. I'll get hers for you." Xiao Wu grinned playfully, leaning in with a wink.
"If you won't eat the old man's food, how about a beauty's? Surely that suits your taste?"
Ye Tian: "…"
Faced with Xiao Wu's teasing, he could only shrug helplessly.
"Think what you want."
Xiao Wu straightened up, crossing her arms smugly.
"Alright, fine. 'A man may live without gold, but not without food.' Today, I, Xiao Wu, will brave all odds to snatch you a meal from Zhu Zhuqing!"
"Who's trying to steal my food?" Zhu Zhuqing appeared behind Xiao Wu, munching on half a loaf.
Xiao Wu spun around with a grin and pointed at herself. "Me, of course!"
Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes. "Oh? So for your little boyfriend, you'd betray our sisterly bond?"
Xiao Wu: "…"
Ye Tian: "…"
(End of Chapter)