The group set off, but as they reached the academy gates, they noticed there were no means of transportation prepared.
Xiao Wu's face was filled with disbelief as she looked at Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, are we really walking all the way to the Star Dou Forest?"
Zhao Wuji crossed his arms and grinned. "Walking? No, you'll be running. Otherwise, when will we ever get there? Of course, you can use your soul power during the journey, and you can also eat Oscar's sausages to recover stamina and reduce fatigue. Alright, start running now!"
His words left everyone dumbfounded. Running all the way to the Star Dou Forest was undoubtedly a massive challenge.
Seeing their reactions, Zhao Wuji couldn't help but feel a bit bitter. The academy's poverty wasn't just a joke—it couldn't provide the basic amenities that a normal academy would. He then shouted, "Kids, let's move out!"
Despite their complaints, everyone prepared to start running.
Except for Chen Yuan. He summoned his martial soul and activated his third spirit skill, instantly standing on his flying sword.
He wasn't a student of Shrek Academy, so its rules didn't apply to him. Besides, he knew these rules were only in place because the academy was dirt poor. There was no way he was going to run like a fool.
He bent down and extended his hand, his deep black eyes landing on Ning Rongrong. With a slight smile, he said, "Rongrong, come up. Running is too slow. Let's head to the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest and wait for the others to catch up."
Facing Chen Yuan's invitation, Ning Rongrong smiled brightly, her sparkling eyes fixed on him. "Sure!"
After saying this, she extended her flawless, slender hand.
Chen Yuan grasped her hand and gently pulled her into the air, wrapping his other arm around her waist to steady her on the flying sword.
Their actions didn't go unnoticed. Zhao Wuji frowned and spoke up first. "Young… friend, the journey to the Star Dou Forest is quite long. Are you sure you can handle flying all the way there? Won't your soul power run out?"
Chen Yuan glanced over, his expression relaxed and confident. "No need to worry. I'm fast, and my soul power is abundant. It's more than enough to get us to the Star Dou Forest. Alright, everyone, we'll see you there."
With that, Chen Yuan manipulated the flying sword, soaring into the sky. The wind whistled past their ears, tousling their hair. He then released a bit of soul power to form a simple barrier, not strong in defense but enough to block the wind.
Ning Rongrong smiled happily, snuggling close to Chen Yuan. She felt that running away from home had been the right decision. Otherwise, she would never have known that the once single-minded, cultivation-focused Chen Yuan could be so gentle and attentive.
After they left, the others watched their figures disappear into the distance, each with different expressions.
Ma Hongjun nearly gritted his teeth. "Show-off! Such a show-off! Handsome, strong, can fly on a sword, and even take someone with him. This guy could just snap his fingers in the city, and he'd be more popular than Dai Mubai. What young lady wouldn't want a chance encounter with him? Flying together, three-way flights… I'm so jealous!"
Oscar was numb. He had just broken through to the 30th level, and today should have been his moment to shine. But instead, he could only watch as the real protagonist flew off with a girl, leaving him behind.
Xiao Wu tugged on Tang San's sleeve, her eyes filled with longing and a hint of regret as she looked in the direction Chen Yuan and Ning Rongrong had gone. "Brother, it's a shame you can't fly. Then we wouldn't have to run."
Tang San's expression stiffened, and he felt a pang of panic. He thought about what Ma Hongjun had said earlier. Could it be… Xiao Wu…? No, absolutely not. This Chen Yuan's background was unclear, and he couldn't let his sister be deceived by him. He forced a smile and said, "Xiao Wu, I can't fly, but if you get tired, I'll carry you the whole way."
Xiao Wu turned back to him, smiling. "Brother, you're the best."
Tang San felt relieved and let go of his wariness toward Chen Yuan. He said gently, "I'm your brother. It's what I should do."
Chen Yuan's actions were indeed captivating for girls of this age. More than a prince on a white horse charging into their world, this kind of gesture was even more likely to stir their hearts.
Even Zhu Zhuqing, as she watched Chen Yuan and Ning Rongrong disappear into the distance, felt a complex, indescribable emotion flicker in her dark eyes. But in the end, she lowered her head and sighed softly.
She couldn't bear to see such open affection and care. It was warmer than the winter sun, and she was afraid—afraid that she might not be able to resist the urge to throw herself into it.
"Ahem!"
Zhao Wuji coughed. Chen Yuan and Ning Rongrong had backgrounds too intimidating for him to control, and he didn't want to bother. Facing the remaining students, he regained his authoritative tone. "What are you waiting for? Let's move out!"
This time, everyone started running toward the Star Dou Forest. No one spoke, and the atmosphere was heavy.
---
Meanwhile, on the other side!
Chen Yuan's third spirit skill, a powerful 5,000-year spirit skill, was further enhanced by his external spirit bone, the Golden Feather Wings. Its effects were astonishing. By noon, they had already reached the edge of the Star Dou Forest.
However, Chen Yuan immediately turned around and headed back. Before Ning Rongrong could ask, he explained, "That Oscar who needs a spirit ring hasn't arrived yet. There's no point in us entering the forest now. Let's head back to the town we saw earlier, rest for a bit, and wait for them to catch up."
Ning Rongrong nodded obediently, caught in the ambiguous atmosphere of budding romance. Compared to how she acted around Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, and Gu Rong, she was much more docile now. She replied softly, "Okay."
One couldn't help but wonder if Ning Fengzhi would regret this in the future…
Even the town closest to the Star Dou Forest was a hundred kilometers away. After all, this was a wild spirit beast forest—the largest on the continent. Even at its edges, there was a risk of encountering hundred-year or even thousand-year spirit beasts. Getting too close could be life-threatening.
The Star Dou Forest was located in the southeastern part of the Balak Kingdom, as was Suotuo City. However, Suotuo City was still five hundred kilometers away from the forest.
Chen Yuan had flown five hundred kilometers to reach the edge of the Star Dou Forest, then another hundred kilometers to return to the town.
Just outside the town, Chen Yuan and Ning Rongrong dismounted from the flying sword. After retracting his martial soul, they entered the town.
The town was bustling. As the saying goes, those near mountains live off the mountains, and those near the sea live off the sea. This town, being close to the Star Dou Forest, catered to spirit masters. Weapons, armor, antidotes, recovery potions—selling these to spirit masters was highly profitable.
Spirit beasts were also treasure troves. Beyond their spirit rings, their meat could be eaten, their fur used for clothing, and their bones, horns, and claws crafted into weapons or decorations. They had countless uses.
Ning Rongrong quite liked the place. She dragged Chen Yuan around all afternoon, buying many things. It wasn't until evening fell that they checked into an inn to rest.
(End of Chapter)
Word Count : 1,293
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