Chapter 41: Leaving the Academy, Shrek's Conflicts IntensifyTwo days later, Dai Youheng completed all the leave procedures and was ready to leave the academy.After this trip, he would not only acquire a 100,000-year spirit ring but also attach a fourth spirit ring to the Evil Shadow Demonic Tiger, breaking through to Spirit Ancestor.By then, he would have met the graduation requirements for the Outer Court. Shrek Academy, a sacred place longed for by countless Spirit Masters, was to him more like a temporary stop than a destination.Just as he reached the entrance, two graceful blue figures came into view, seemingly having waited for a long time. It was the sisters Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo. Their pretty faces showed obvious worry, and their long blue hair fluttered slightly in the morning breeze."Big Brother Youheng!" Lan Susu was the first to greet him, her voice urgent, "We heard from Teacher Zhou that you took leave to clear your mind? Are you... are you really okay by yourself? Do you want us to come with you?"Lan Luoluo also nodded vigorously, her clear eyes full of concern, "Yes, Big Brother Youheng, two people... uh, three people together, is better than you wandering off alone. We can talk to you; isn't a change of scenery more lively with more people?"Dai Youheng stopped, looking at the charming twin sisters before him. The worry in their eyes was genuine and pure, clearly, like Zhou Yi, they had misunderstood his departure as a dejected escape after suffering a setback.He sighed softly; the emotional debts left by his predecessor occasionally brought this kind of warm trouble.A gentle smile appeared on his face, and his tone softened, "Susu, Luoluo, thank you. But it's really not necessary."He paused, his gaze sweeping over the familiar scenery within the academy, his voice calm yet firm, "I just want to be alone for a while, with no specific destination, just going wherever I end up, looking at the scenery, and sorting out my thoughts. If someone were to follow, I would lose that sense of freedom. I appreciate your intentions.""For you, the academy's courses and cultivation are more important; don't delay them for me. Especially Susu, you've just broken through to Level 30; stabilizing your realm and finding a suitable spirit ring are the priorities. I'll naturally return once I've adjusted."His words were clear, his attitude gentle yet beyond question, completely unlike a disheartened person who needed comfort and companionship.The Lan sisters stared at him, feeling that although the Dai Youheng before them was still handsome, the inner calm and independence he exuded were different from any time before.A sense of loss quietly crept into the sisters' hearts, but looking at his calm yet firm eyes, they knew that any further persuasion would be useless. Lan Susu bit her lip lightly and whispered, "Then, Big Brother Youheng, you must be careful and come back soon."Lan Luoluo quickly added, "Yes, come back soon. Whether you are one of the Shrek Seven Devils or not, in our hearts, you are always the best! Much stronger than that Dai Huabin!"Dai Youheng shook his head with a wry smile, not commenting on Dai Huabin, but just smiled, "Okay, I know. Go back, I'm leaving."With that, he no longer lingered, nodded slightly to the two sisters, turned, and stepped out of the gates of Shrek Academy. The morning light shone on his back, casting a long shadow, which surprisingly appeared somewhat free and resolute, without the desolation and loneliness they had expected.The Lan sisters stood in place, watching his receding figure until he disappeared around the street corner, their hearts a mix of emotions—both the disappointment of not being able to accompany him and a slight flutter of attraction to his unique demeanor.About half a day later, on the open ground next to the Spirit Dueling Zone of Shrek Academy.Seven reserve team members, led by Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong, were undergoing integration training under Xuan Zi's guidance. However, the atmosphere was not harmonious, especially with Dai Huabin, who was out of sync with the other six, showing awkwardness and stiffness in their cooperative exercises.During a break, Xiao Xiao walked over to Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong and whispered, "I just heard Teacher Zhou mention that Junior Student Youheng... he took leave and left the academy, saying he wanted to clear his mind. He must be very disappointed. He's been so good to us since last year, and he must have really hoped to participate in the competition with all of us."Her voice was not loud, but everyone present was a Spirit Master, with sharp hearing and eyesight, so her words were heard clearly by almost everyone. The atmosphere on the training ground instantly became even more delicate.Wang Dong frowned slightly upon hearing this. Although she had previously had some complaints about Dai Youheng regarding breakfast, hearing this news now made her feel a bit uneasy. She pouted, her tone somewhat complex, "He must not have been able to handle the blow of not being selected, right? After all, he was to us before..."She didn't finish, but everyone understood her meaning.Dai Youheng's former meticulous bootlicker-like care, though sometimes cringeworthy and at times making people laugh and cry, was, upon reflection, not false in its enthusiasm and kindness.Such a person who had once tried so hard to integrate with them and be good to them, yet was forced to leave dejectedly due to a selection full of accidents and unfairness, and Dai Huabin's opportunism, left them all feeling heavy-hearted.Bei Bei wiped the sweat from his brow, a hint of regret on his gentle face, "Junior Student Youheng's strength is actually quite impressive, especially his self-created Spirit Ability; it has great potential. If it had been a normal competition, he might not have been unable to secure a spot. What a pity..."He didn't explicitly say what was a pity, but his gaze inadvertently swept over Dai Huabin, the meaning self-evident.He Caitou nodded earnestly. Although he wasn't familiar with Dai Youheng, Dai Youheng's powerful performance in defeating Xu Sanshi head-on during the selection competition had left a deep impression on him. He always admired those who relied on sheer strength.Jiang Nannan, on the other hand, sighed softly, a complex emotion flitting across her beautiful face. She recalled Dai Youheng's gift of medicine, which indeed helped her mother. She murmured to herself, "I hope he can get over it soon."Xu Sanshi, who also didn't become a substitute, still shamelessly stood by as an observer every day, leaning against the side, and snorted. He was about to say something sarcastic, but seeing Jiang Nannan's expression, he swallowed his words back, just turning his head away in displeasure.He hadn't forgotten Dai Youheng's "dark history" of approaching Nannan.And the one who felt it most deeply was undoubtedly Huo Yuhao. His fists quietly clenched. When did Dai Youheng start being good to him last year? It was long ago, in the cold and oppressive Duke's Mansion, that he was one of the very few who gave him warmth and protection.Yet, this person who had given him warmth since childhood was eliminated, and the one who eliminated him was Dai Huabin, who had caused him the most pain.Why could Dai Huabin stay and become one of the Shrek Seven Devils, while such a good Brother Youheng had to be eliminated and leave Shrek Academy in disappointment, all alone?For a moment, his gaze coldly swept towards Dai Huabin at the edge of the team, old and new grudges burning fiercely in his heart.The others also disliked Dai Huabin even more because of this. Although Xu Sanshi was also one of the main reasons for Dai Youheng's elimination, no matter what, Xu Sanshi at least fought Dai Youheng openly. Regardless of who eliminated whom, it could only be said that the other party was not as skilled.But Dai Huabin's sneak attack and opportunistic behavior truly made them look down on him.Dai Huabin felt the clearly colder and more rejecting atmosphere around him, his face ashen. He could only clench his fists, suppressing this embarrassment and anger. He absolutely could not give up halfway; his brother Dai Yueheng was one of the Shrek Seven Devils of the previous generation, and he had finally caught up to his brother's footsteps; he absolutely could not fall here.Xuan Zi looked at this team with its strange atmosphere and numerous conflicts, took a big gulp of wine, shook his head, and sighed, "Alas, it's become like this; it doesn't even look like a team anymore."In stark contrast to the Shrek reserve team, which was plagued by internal strife and a tense atmosphere, Dai Youheng, who had left the academy alone, was in a perfectly clear mood.He walked with light steps, enjoying the unrestrained freedom in the air."Shrek Seven Devils? Whoever wants to be one can be one." A relaxed curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. "It's just an empty title; I'd also have to be led to my death by that unreliable Xuan Zi. How can that be more important than genuinely improving my strength?"His goal was clear and precise: acquire powerful spirit rings, raise his level, and then the vast sky would be his to soar.The thought of the impending 100,000-year spirit ring and the leap in strength dispelled all other thoughts, filling him with anticipation.
