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The carriage swayed gently, and Dugu Yan leaned lazily by the window. After Feng Xiao's treatment, the emerald green in Dugu Yan's hair and eyes had faded, and her purple hair cascaded like a waterfall. She noticed Feng Xiao unconsciously stroking the zither strings with his fingertips, and a mischievous curve appeared on her red lips: "We're already three li out of Heaven Dou City, and our great talent Feng is still thinking about that little wildcat from Shrek?" She deliberately stretched her tone, "Could it be that the successor of our Nine Hearted Sea棠 is not as good as a little agility-attack system girl?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling's earlobes instantly flushed crimson, and the Nine Hearted Sea棠 flower she held in her hand snapped shut: "Yan Yan!" Her voice carried a rare hint of panic, drawing light laughter from inside the carriage.
Yu Feng playfully twirled his folding fan and teasingly interjected: "Exactly, our Lingling is a beauty that countless noble young masters in Heaven Dou City would break their thresholds to seek." He deliberately tapped his palm with the fan ribs, "Last month—"
"Yu Feng!" Ye Lingling glared at him indignantly. Only then did Feng Xiao come back to his senses, and the zither strings under his fingertips emitted a clear, resonant tremor: "You all…" He shook his head helplessly, but his gaze passed through the swaying carriage curtain, looking towards the outline of Soto City, which had long disappeared from view.
Feng Xiao's slender fingers gently stroked the zither strings, and he slowly said: "I was just thinking…" He looked up at everyone, the amber light in his eyes reflecting the shifting light and shadows from the carriage window, "Teacher Qin's days ahead, I'm afraid, will not be easy."
The carriage suddenly fell silent. Yu Feng's folding fan snapped shut in his hand, Dugu Yan straightened up, and even the Nine Hearted Sea棠 in Ye Lingling's arms stopped swaying.
"How do you say that?" Yu Feng leaned forward, his brows furrowed with confusion.
Feng Xiao lightly tapped the zither body with his fingertips: "Don't you find these past few days of combat training strange?" His voice was extremely low, "Different teams mixed together for combat, repeated refinement of tactical coordination—Teacher Qin is clearly preparing for Shrek to be incorporated into Heaven Dou."
"But Teacher Qin has the support of three teaching committee members," Ye Lingling gently interrupted, a worried expression appearing on her delicate face, "It should… be fine, right?"
Feng Xiao shook his head, a strand of hair falling across his forehead: "If Shrek truly enters Heaven Dou, it will not only squeeze out the competition slots for noble children… it will also tear off the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's last fig leaf. This is no longer a situation that a Spirit Emperor can control."
Yu Feng was silent for a moment, his folding fan tapping a dull rhythm against his palm: "Indeed… those dandies who got in through family connections, how could they tolerate a group of 'country Spirit Masters' stealing their thunder?"
Ye Lingling's slender white fingers gently stroked the petals of the Nine Hearted Sea棠, her sigh like a breeze passing through a secluded orchid. As a student of the Moon Pavilion, she knew very well what the final outcome should be.
Feng Xiao's fingertips hovered over the zither strings, also letting out an almost inaudible sigh: "As nobles, you are precisely the most helpless." When he looked up, his eyes were full of emotion, "If Shrek's people were truly allowed to enroll based on merit, it would be equivalent to tearing open the first crack in the noble monopoly. At that time… I'm afraid even the three teaching committee members won't be able to suppress the anger of those people."
Dugu Yan seemed to have thought of something, and a sharp glint flashed in her purple eyes: "Heh, even Little Feng and I have been gossiped about a lot. If it weren't for fear of Grandpa, I'm afraid they would have taken advantage of us."
"If Shrek's people are ostracized and leave, then Teacher Qin's departure is also inevitable. We can only wish Teacher Qin good luck," Feng Xiao spread his hands helplessly.
Ye Lingling's fingertips unconsciously twirled the Sea Tang petals, her voice so soft it almost dissipated in the wind: "Should we give Teacher Qin a heads-up?"
Feng Xiao said softly: "Some things, if exposed, become harder to handle. What means won't those noble lords use for the future of their descendants? Unless…" He suddenly looked up, a hint of sharpness flashing in his eyes: "Shrek can find a backer like Senior Dugu, just like when I enrolled. Otherwise, with just Teacher Qin's enthusiasm…"
The carriage fell silent for a moment, only the sound of wheels grinding over gravel remained. Feng Xiao looked out the window, his face showing a hint of emotion. After entering Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he understood that Heaven Dou Royal Academy was not just an academy, but also a battleground for internal power struggles within Heaven Dou. A group of Spirit Masters without a specific stance would only be excluded.
Ten days later, the morning light was faint.
The Huang Dou Battle Team's carriage slowly stopped in front of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's gilded gate. Yu Feng leaped from the carriage in one swift motion, spreading his arms and taking a deep breath, his robes rustling in the morning breeze: "Ah—the familiar scent of canary flowers, even the texture of the flagstones feels so close!"
Ye Lingling elegantly stepped out, holding her skirt. Not far away, Dugu Yan, upon hearing him, gave him a sidelong glance: "Are you thinking about that countess's daughter who plays the harp, or that marquis's daughter who always brings you pastries?" A wisp of Bi Lin Snake Venom suddenly shot from her fingertips, gleaming dangerously in the sunlight.
"I'm innocent!" Yu Feng's folding fan snapped open with a 'swish,' hastily covering half his face, "This is my sincere love for the Academy!" One eye peeking from behind the fan, however, guiltily glanced towards the teaching building.
Feng Xiao's fingertips lightly brushed the zither strings, and he asked in confusion: "Strange, I seem to have never seen any girl actively seek him out?"
Dugu Yan scoffed, a hint of mockery flashing in her emerald snake eyes: "Which of those noble young ladies isn't a shrewd one?" She twirled a strand of purple hair around her fingertip, "On the surface, they offer a handkerchief or a box of pastries, but secretly, their calculations are louder than anyone else's—they're either after his Yu family's title, or coveting the excellent bloodline of his Spirit. No powerful female Spirit Master would look at him."
"It's… it's come to this?" Feng Xiao's face showed surprise, his amber eyes widening slightly. At this moment, Feng Xiao's Worldview was refreshed, but upon closer thought, wasn't Liu Erlong a product of this very situation?
Feng Xiao then continued with some disbelief: "It can be like this?"
Dugu Yan laughed disdainfully: "Why only him? Any direct descendant of a Sect will have plenty of people rushing to them." She suddenly lowered her voice, "Why do you think the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School insists on recruiting outsiders?"
Feng Xiao thoughtfully stroked the zither body, secretly sighing in his heart: "That Yu Xiaogang is truly pure, even if his abilities aren't great, he hasn't sown any wild oats all these years."
Dugu Yan narrowed her dangerous snake eyes, a faint glow of Bi Lin Snake Venom subtly flowing between her fingertips: "Little Feng, don't be like some playboys." The end of her sentence carried a hint of chill.
Feng Xiao suddenly snapped back to reality, a chill running down his neck, and quickly waved his hand: "Sister Yan is joking." His awkward head-scratching motion froze in mid-air, because Dugu Yan's fingernails had already turned a strange emerald color.
"What's wrong with learning from me?" Yu Feng had just stubbornly retorted, but instantly deflated under Dugu Yan's glare, "…Indeed, such an excellent role model like me is hard to follow." He shrank his neck, muttering softly: "Protecting him so much, anyone who didn't know would think…"
"What nonsense!" Dugu Yan's voice suddenly rose, "I'm doing this for Lingling…" She suddenly choked, her cheeks flushing a suspicious red.
Not far away, Ye Lingling, holding her Nine Hearted Sea棠, paused her steps, then quickened her pace to leave, her earlobes so red they looked like they were about to bleed.
"If you dare to talk nonsense again," Dugu Yan's snake venom condensed into a sharp blade at her fingertip, gesturing at Yu Feng's crotch, "I'll have Grandpa perform a 'small operation' on you."
Yu Feng snapped his folding fan shut with a 'swish,' covering his vital area, cold sweat beading on his forehead: "Heroine, spare me!" He looked to Feng Xiao for help, but found that the other party had already retreated three zhang away with his guqin, looking up at the clouds in the sky, pretending to be detached from the World.
Qin Ming clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention, his gentle gaze sweeping over each young face: "Everyone has worked hard during this exchange." A faint smile hung on his lips, "Tomorrow, you are granted one day of rest. Take a good break." With that, he waved to everyone, "The day after tomorrow, at Chen Shi, gather at the training field."
"Yes, Teacher!" Yu Tianheng was the first to cup his fists and respond.
Dugu Yan stretched, her purple hair gleaming like satin in the setting sun: "Finally, I can sleep in!"
Feng Xiao nodded slightly while holding his guqin. Yu Feng opened his folding fan with a 'swish' and was about to speak, but suddenly met Dugu Yan's warning gaze, and quickly made a zipping motion over his mouth, scurrying away discomfited.
Qin Ming watched his students disperse, the smile on his face gradually fading. He looked towards the teaching committee's direction, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.
With nothing else to do, Feng Xiao strolled to the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's Ni Tai Training Field, his fingertips gently stroking the Spirit lamppost along the way. After days of contemplation, he had already grasped the mysteries of Mysterious Heaven Skill. He also understood the characteristics of Mysterious Heaven Skill compared to normal meditation methods.
Feng Xiao arrived at his usual familiar spot, then slowly closed his eyes. He closed his eyes and felt the surging spirit power around him. Meditation, using the Spirit as a bridge to communicate with the energy between heaven and earth, depends on individual aptitude how much one can absorb, drawing energy from heaven and earth like scooping water with a spoon. The higher the aptitude, the larger the spoon, naturally.
And this Mysterious Heaven Skill… He slowly assumed the Five Hearts Towards Heaven posture, his breathing gradually synchronizing with the surrounding spirit power fluctuations. It uses breathing and exhalation, combined with the circulation of spirit power within the body, to draw the energy between heaven and earth into the body, constantly strengthening the energy to nourish and open up meridians, using the body as a cauldron and spirit power as a guide. The meridians within his body lit up with a faint blue trajectory, like the veins of a galaxy.
Feng Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint appearing in them: "Wonderful! Meditation is like drinking from a stream alone, but internal cultivation is like drawing rivers into the body!"
The Ni Tai environment within the training field suddenly fluctuated violently. Feng Xiao chuckled, secretly thinking: "It seems I need to test the depth of this 'river' today."
A circle of ice-blue spirit power ripples suddenly erupted around Feng Xiao. He was surprised to find that with the enhancement of the Ni Tai environment, the efficiency of Mysterious Heaven Skill's operation was more than fifty percent higher than usual.
"Interesting…" Feng Xiao murmured to himself, his whole body's spirit power fluctuating, flickering with the rhythm of his breathing.
Time flowed like water, and two months passed in a blink of an eye.
"Hoo—"
Inside the Ni Tai Training Field, Feng Xiao suddenly opened his eyes, and a sharp spirit power fluctuation swept out like a tide. He slowly exhaled a turbid breath, his eyes gleaming: "Level thirty-nine."
In these two months, ever since he replaced the conventional meditation method with Mysterious Heaven Skill, his cultivation speed had simply advanced by leaps and bounds. Without the aid of any Spirit Bone, simply relying on the characteristics of the cultivation method, he achieved four consecutive level breakthroughs in two months. If such progress were to get out, it would probably drop many people's jaws.
After a simple wash, Feng Xiao strolled towards the academy cafeteria. The morning light streamed through the Gothic arched windows, casting mottled shadows on his shoulders. Just as he was getting his food, his peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure—a black-clad girl sitting alone in a corner, her cat ears trembling slightly in the morning light.
"Zhuqing girl?" Feng Xiao approached, a little surprised.
Zhu Zhuqing looked up, a ripple flashing in her cold eyes: "Morning." She briefly explained, "Just arrived yesterday."
Feng Xiao suddenly realized, secretly thinking: "Calculating the time, Shrek's people should indeed have arrived in Heaven Dou City."
Feng Xiao's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the edge of his tray, but his gaze remained fixed on the direction of the cafeteria entrance. Zhu Zhuqing keenly noticed his abnormality, and asked with some confusion: "What's wrong?"
"…" Feng Xiao came back to his senses, a faint smile on his lips, but the complex emotions in his eyes did not reach them: "Nothing, I just didn't expect to meet you here."
Feng Xiao's fingertips lightly plucked the zither strings, looking thoughtfully at Zhu Zhuqing, and slowly said: "Have all of Shrek's people… settled down properly?"
Zhu Zhuqing's tone was as calm as if she were discussing the weather: "Mm. It's just that Mubai hit a noble yesterday evening." She picked up her teacup, the surface of the water reflecting her cold eyes.
"It seems Zhuqing girl had anticipated this?" Feng Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, gently stroking his 'Fuxi' guqin in his arms.
"The dealings of the Star Luo Imperial Family are much dirtier than this," Zhu Zhuqing's lips curved into a sarcastic arc, her fingernails unconsciously leaving a few fine scratches on the table, "At least the nobles here still pretend to follow procedures."
Feng Xiao chuckled upon hearing this, and said: "It seems I was overthinking it." He looked out at the falling leaves, his voice gradually lowering, "It's a pity I am insignificant and probably can't help much."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Feng Xiao, her cold gaze softening slightly: "It's fine."
Feng Xiao watched Zhu Zhuqing's retreating figure. The black-clad girl's figure quickly disappeared into the morning light and the crowd. He lowered his head to look at the slightly cool breakfast on his plate, a hint of helpless amusement on his lips.
After finishing his meal, Feng Xiao did not go to his usual spot for playing the zither, but instead found a secluded place near the Heaven Dou Royal Academy's main gate and quietly played his zither.
Soon, Feng Xiao stood quietly in a secluded spot by the academy gate, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the zither strings, his gaze following Qin Ming and Shrek's people as they gradually walked away. The bright sun stretched their shadows long, casting a tangled patch of darkness in front of the gilded gate.
"Someone even the three teaching committee members couldn't protect…" Yu Feng approached, fanning himself with his folding fan, then suddenly lowered his voice, "I heard Prince Xue Xing personally intervened, and even brought Poison Douluo…"
"Grandpa owes Prince Xue Xing a favor, so he told me not to get involved in these matters," Dugu Yan appeared beside him at some point, complex light flickering in her eyes.
"We couldn't change anything anyway. Let's focus on cultivation. We'll meet on the competition stage in the future," Feng Xiao said with a smile.
Dugu Yan and Yu Feng nodded, and all three looked at the departing figures of Shrek's people with a look of regret.