Eliminating the trio of evil soul masters didn't take Zhu Ziyang much time. He rushed back along the path they came from, catching up to Jiang Nannan and Yang Zhenzhen just as the two had stepped out of the Star Dou Great Forest's boundary.
"Nannan!" Zhu Ziyang called out.
"Brother! That was fast?" Jiang Nannan turned around at the sound of his voice, her delicate face filled with delight and a hint of surprise. She asked softly.
"They were just three old geezers. How much effort could they take?" Zhu Ziyang said nonchalantly. "Come on, let's take Zhenzhen back to her school. We also need to return to the academy."
"Mm!" Jiang Nannan immediately nodded in agreement. She had no intention of asking Zhu Ziyang for details—she knew her Brother Ziyang would tell her what she needed to know.
The three didn't stop along the way, heading directly to the Advanced Soul Master Academy in Fran City. Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan saw Yang Zhenzhen off at the gate.
"Zhenzhen, we're heading off now," Jiang Nannan reminded her before leaving. "Work hard in your cultivation, but remember to balance rest and effort. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
"Mm-mm! I understand, Sister Nannan," Yang Zhenzhen nodded seriously, though a trace of reluctance showed on her face. "Sister Nannan, Brother Ziyang, when will we meet again?"
"Hehe, don't be sad!" Jiang Nannan saw the look of reluctance on her face and chuckled softly. "Isn't your academy forming a team for the Soul Master Tournament? As long as you become a member of your academy's team, we'll see each other again in Mingdu!"
"Really?" Yang Zhenzhen's eyes lit up instantly. She exclaimed excitedly, "Then I must make it onto our academy's team!"
"Mm! Go for it. I believe you definitely can!" Jiang Nannan encouraged.
After watching Yang Zhenzhen happily run back into her academy, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan didn't linger and set off for Shrek Academy.
On the way, Zhu Ziyang told Jiang Nannan about the two Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs. She was quite shocked and became extremely curious, pestering Zhu Ziyang to let her see them.
Unable to refuse, Zhu Ziyang stopped and released the two bear cubs from the Holy Law Demiplane.
The two cubs had already woken from their slumber. Their eyes were filled with confusion and fear. They were still very young and had lost both parents before even weaning—truly pitiful.
Once released, the two bear cubs trembled and huddled together. Their small eyes scanned the surroundings cautiously. When they saw Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan, their eyes were filled with curiosity. These two little ones were encountering humans for the first time. Their inherited memories contained only knowledge of their race's talents and skills—not how to deal with humans.
The conflict between soul beasts and soul masters was something their parents were supposed to teach them—but that would no longer be possible.
"So cute!" Jiang Nannan was immediately charmed by the two cubs. She bent down and gently stroked one's head. Her eyes curved into crescents as she exclaimed, "So soft and fluffy!"
"Is that so?" Zhu Ziyang also reached out to pet the other cub and his eyes lit up. "You're right—super soft!"
The two cubs were only about 80 to 90 centimeters tall, covered in light golden fluff. Their famous claws were still soft and round like kitten paws, completely non-threatening. They swayed unsteadily when standing, and often plopped onto their bottoms with a wobble—adorably clumsy.
Darkgold Terrorclaw Bears grow very slowly. Ordinary soul beasts reach adulthood in under ten years, but as one of the top-tier species, their juvenile and maturation stages are long. An adult Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear is usually over a hundred years old.
There are two signs of maturity: one, their fur transitions from light gold to the iconic dark golden hue, with the soft fluff replaced by coarse, tough hair; two, their claws harden into razor-sharp weapons, and their once-soft paw pads become nearly indestructible—among the hardest substances in the soul beast world.
"They're really adorable!" Jiang Nannan exclaimed again. She picked one up like a child. The cub docilely allowed her to cuddle it, sensing the powerful aura emanating from this unfamiliar being. Their instincts urged submission.
As babies, they hadn't yet developed the pride and dignity of their species and were perfectly content to be pampered like pets in a human's arms.
"Alright, let's get back to the academy. You'll have plenty of time to play with them then," Zhu Ziyang said helplessly as he took the cub from her arms and sent both back into the Holy Law Demiplane.
"Aww, I wasn't done playing yet, Brother!" Jiang Nannan pouted adorably in protest.
"Here, take this soul bone." Zhu Ziyang ignored her grumbling and handed her the Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear's right arm bone. "It belonged to the cubs' father. About 50,000 years old. Just happens to be a right arm bone—perfect for you. Saves you the trouble of looking for one in the Treasury when we return."
"Fifty-thousand-year Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear right arm bone!" Jiang Nannan gasped. She didn't refuse—hugging Zhu Ziyang in excitement and exclaiming sweetly, "I knew Brother treats me the best!"
"Not mad anymore, right?" Zhu Ziyang chuckled, wrapping his arm around her slender waist.
"Mm-mm!" Jiang Nannan giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck, her breath fragrant and warm. Zhu Ziyang felt his mind start to wander—if not for the timing, he would've taken full advantage of the moment.
By the time the two returned to Shrek Academy, it was already evening. Zhu Ziyang found Xingcai strolling leisurely under the Golden Ancient Tree and prepared to introduce the bear cubs.
"Huan'er, playing with Xingcai again?" Zhu Ziyang saw a girl with long red hair in front of Xingcai—he recognized her back instantly. "So it's you."
"Yes," Diwu Huan'er replied automatically, then turned to see Zhu Ziyang. Her face lit up with joy. "Brother Ziyang, you're back? Where's Sister Nannan?"
"She went to the dining hall first," Zhu Ziyang replied as he walked up to her. "Seems you really like Xingcai."
"I feel so comfortable when I'm with her," Diwu Huan'er's eyes flickered with a strange light. Though her face remained innocent, Zhu Ziyang caught the subtle shift.
He found it amusing but didn't call her out. "Xingcai seems to like you too. That's good."
Xingcai cooperatively walked up and rubbed her horn against Huan'er's palm, drawing a crisp giggle from the girl.
"Xingcai, I found you two new playmates!" Zhu Ziyang said.
"Playmates?" Xingcai blinked in confusion and looked at him blankly.
Zhu Ziyang smiled and waved his hand. The two bear cubs appeared on the grass, looking dazed and unsure.
"Those are…" Diwu Huan'er's pupils shrank, and her voice trembled with a hint of anger.
"Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs," Zhu Ziyang said calmly. He took Huan'er's hand to calm her. "Their parents were killed by evil soul masters. I brought them back—for Xingcai to have some company."
"I see…" Diwu Huan'er believed him. Her anger quickly faded as she gazed at the cubs thoughtfully.
"Hooray!" Xingcai laughed. "Two Darkgold Terrorclaw Bear cubs, for me?!"
"Of course," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile. "But you have to take care of them—make sure they grow up safe and sound. They're top-tier soul beasts, after all. Great for guarding the place."
"Psh! I knew it!" Xingcai rolled her eyes. "You're not giving me playmates—you're giving me future overlords to babysit! Thanks a lot!"
"With great power comes great responsibility!" Zhu Ziyang laughed mischievously.
(End of Chapter)
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