Chapter 78: Hair Like Grass
A week later, Zhu Zhuqing, Ye Feng, and Zhao Wuji returned to Shrek Academy. The process of hunting spirit beasts had gone smoothly. On the very day they entered the Star Dou Great Forest, they encountered a thousand-year-old spirit beast that was perfect for Zhu Zhuqing. She successfully obtained her third spirit ring, and her new ability was called Nether Slash.
The night at Shrek Academy was quiet, the sky studded with stars, with the occasional call of an owl breaking the silence. Seeing the peaceful night, Ye Feng suddenly had the urge to write a poem, but unfortunately, he wasn't exactly a scholar. So all he could think was, Damn, the night is beautiful.
"Well, it's late. You two should get some rest."
Zhao Wuji stepped through the gates of Shrek Academy, said his piece, and walked straight into the academy.
"Let's head in too. Feels good to be back," Ye Feng said with a satisfied sigh.
"Do you really want to be back?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, her tone carrying a strange edge.
"Of course."
"...I'm not tired yet."
"You want me to spar with you again?"
Ye Feng smirked, as if he already knew the answer. He turned to look at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Would you?" Zhu Zhuqing asked seriously.
"Fine, we'll break a sweat first. Then a shower, then sleep," Ye Feng said with a chuckle before turning to face her and closing his eyes.
Whoosh!
Zhu Zhuqing swung her leg in a sweeping attack, cutting through the air with a sharp sound.
Ye Feng, feeling the shift in airflow, made the slightest movement with his toes and easily dodged the attack like a seasoned master. Zhu Zhuqing, unfazed, shifted her stance and aimed another kick at Ye Feng, but he casually raised his hand and blocked it.
But right then—
Something dark and swift shot toward Ye Feng's face.
"Huh?! Since when did she have three legs?!"
Startled, Ye Feng opened his eyes. He instantly leaped backward to avoid the attack.
"...A tail?"
He blinked in surprise, finally realizing what had attacked him.
Zhu Zhuqing's cat tail.
He had to give it to her. "Not bad, your combat instincts have improved a lot."
Hearing his praise, Zhu Zhuqing smirked. She had always seen her tail as a vulnerability, but after sparring with Ye Feng, she'd discovered it could also be used as a whip.
Under the silver moonlight, the two exchanged blows back and forth, completely immersed in the fight.
Until—
"What the hell are you two doing?"
Dai Mubai's voice suddenly rang out.
Both Ye Feng and Zhu Zhuqing froze, their movements halting instantly.
"Dai Mubai?"
"Mu Bai?"
They looked over, stunned. They hadn't even noticed when he had appeared, standing about thirty meters away.
And to make matters worse—
Ye Feng was currently gripping Zhu Zhuqing's ankle with one hand. And in his other hand... he was holding her tail.
From Dai Mubai's angle, the scene looked very questionable. If Zhu Zhuqing had been wearing a skirt, it would've been even worse.
"Ye Feng, what the hell are you looking at?!" Dai Mubai growled coldly.
Ye Feng, realizing the awkwardness of the situation, hurriedly let go of Zhu Zhuqing's tail and foot.
"Dai Mubai, it's not what you think—"
"How the fuck is it not what I think?!" Dai Mubai snapped, his voice ice-cold. His sharp gaze locked onto Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, have you forgotten what I told you? I told you to stay away from Ye Feng! Have you forgotten your damn status?"
Zhu Zhuqing was naturally cold and aloof, but being called out like that pissed her off. "What I do is none of your damn business," she shot back.
"Fine! Then I won't give a damn anymore!"
Dai Mubai's face twisted with anger. He suddenly lifted the object in his hand and smashed it to the ground, stomping on it hard.
Crunch.
He let out a furious snort, then turned and stormed toward Soto City without looking back.
Only now did Ye Feng notice that Dai Mubai had been holding something. He walked up and crouched beside the broken object.
It was a crystal carving. From the shattered pieces, he could tell it had been shaped like a cat and a tiger, intertwined.
Ye Feng glanced at Dai Mubai's retreating figure and turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, I think he wanted to give you a gift just now. He probably found out from the dean that we were coming back tonight and was waiting for you here. You should go after him and explain, so he doesn't misunderstand."
Zhu Zhuqing looked down at the shattered crystal, her expression unreadable. "...I know. Today is my birthday."
Ye Feng was momentarily stunned. So that's why...
Dai Mubai had wanted to give Zhu Zhuqing a birthday present.
Ye Feng looked at Dai Mubai's fading silhouette and tried again. "You should go explain to him."
Zhu Zhuqing lifted her gaze, watching as Dai Mubai disappeared down the road. Her cold eyes darkened with something unreadable. "There was never anything between us to begin with. What's there to explain?"
With that, she cast one last glance at the broken crystal, then turned and walked toward the academy gates.
"Zhuqing," Ye Feng called.
She paused and turned back.
"It's your birthday, so... here."
Ye Feng snapped his fingers and retrieved something from his storage spirit guide.
A delicate, white herb, its translucent petals shimmering under the moonlight like a pure white lotus.
"This isn't just any herb," Ye Feng explained. "It's called the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone. It strengthens your tendons and bones, increases flexibility, and helps spirit energy circulate more smoothly through your body."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated. "...This is a bit much."
"Relax, it's not a personal gift or anything," Ye Feng said casually. "I only just found out it's your birthday. This thing is good for your cultivation. You just reached Spirit Level 30, so taking it now will give you the best results. Eat the petals first, then suck the pistil. Use your spirit energy to absorb it."
Zhu Zhuqing studied him for a moment, then took the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone.
"...Thanks."
"No problem."
But just as she reached out—
"YOU—"
That voice again.
Both Zhu Zhuqing and Ye Feng turned toward the source, their expressions tensing.
Dai Mubai.
He had come back.
Just in time to see Ye Feng handing Zhu Zhuqing a flower.
Dai Mubai had left, but on his way, he had started second-guessing himself. Maybe he had overreacted. Maybe he should go back and talk to Zhu Zhuqing.
But the moment he returned—
He saw Ye Feng giving her a damn flower.
At that moment, Dai Mubai felt his head turn completely green.
"...Tch."
He let out a loud, bitter scoff, then turned and stormed off toward Soto City.
This time, he didn't look back.
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(End of Chapter)
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