Under the constant nourishment of numerous soul-enriching Immortal Herbs and those that significantly amplified her spiritual energy, A'Rou's soul steadily solidified. Finally, the day arrives when her ethereal form shimmers with a newfound intensity within the Crimson Soul Emperor's Crown. With a surge of focused will and a significant draw upon Song Qing's Soul Power, channeled through the unique properties of his Primordial Life Tree Spirit, A'Rou manages to condense a tangible Spiritual Body.
Though it is translucent and flickers slightly, it is undeniably visible to others besides Song Qing. She can even interact physically with the world, her touch feeling like a gentle breeze with a hint of warmth. The manifestation can only be sustained for about ten minutes at a time, requiring a considerable amount of Song Qing's energy, but A'Rou is immensely satisfied with this progress.
"Song Qing, look!" A'Rou's excited mental voice echoes in his mind as her translucent hand gently touches a nearby flower. "I… I can touch it! You see?"
Song Qing's emerald eyes widen in amazement. "Madam A'Rou! This is incredible! You did it!" He feels a slight drain on his soul power, but the sheer joy radiating from A'Rou makes it worthwhile.
With A'Rou's ability to manifest now a reality, Song Qing feels a sense of urgency building within him. The third stage of his plan to exact revenge against Tang Hao needs to commence. He is now twelve years old, and coincidentally, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong have also recently celebrated their twelfth birthdays. The time feels right.
He approaches Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, a determined glint in his eyes. "Zhuqing, Rongrong," he says, his voice serious, "I think it's time for us to go on a trip."
Both girls' eyes light up with excitement. "A trip? Where are we going, Qing?" Rongrong asks, her curiosity piqued.
"It's a secret for now," Song Qing replies with a mysterious smile. "But I promise it will be an adventure."
Later that same day, Song Qing seeks out his teacher, Bibi Dong, in her private chambers. He finds her reviewing some documents, her expression focused.
"Teacher," Song Qing begins, his tone respectful but firm, "I need to talk to you about something."
Bibi Dong looks up, her violet eyes meeting his. "What is it, Qing'er?"
"I… I am going to leave the Spirit Hall for a while," Song Qing states, watching her reaction carefully.
Bibi Dong's quill stills in her hand, her expression shifting to one of surprise, then concern. "Leave? Where are you going, Qing'er? And why?"
"There are some things I need to do, Teacher," Song Qing explains, choosing his words carefully. "Things I need to accomplish on my own." He reassures her, "Don't worry, I won't be in any danger. I will be very careful. If I sense even the slightest bit of trouble, I will run away immediately." He even winks. "You know about my… unique transformation abilities. Not even someone as powerful as you, Teacher, can see through them. I will be perfectly safe."
Bibi Dong studies him for a long moment, her expression a mixture of reluctance and understanding. She knows Song Qing is not a child anymore, and he has his own plans and ambitions. "Alright, Qing'er," she says softly. "But please, promise me you will take care. And come back to me soon."
"I promise, Teacher," Song Qing says, his voice sincere. "And before I go," he adds, a specific request in his eyes, "would you mind giving me the right leg bone of that Seventeen Thousand Year Old Frostfire Mane Lion? I… I want to give it to Zhu Zhuqing."
Bibi Dong's eyes soften, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. She reaches into her Spiritual Storage Tool and pulls out the formidable bone, its surface radiating a faint chill and heat. She hands it to Song Qing, her gaze filled with affection. "Take care of yourself, Qing'er," she whispers, her voice laced with genuine concern.
Later, Song Qing informs his other friends – Hu Liena, Qian Renxue, Dugu Yan, and Ye Lingling – of his impending departure. All of them express a desire to accompany him, their faces etched with disappointment when he refuses.
"I can't take all of you," Song Qing explains firmly but gently. "This trip is something I need to do with just Zhuqing and Rongrong. But I promise, I will visit you all soon. Please, just stay here and continue to cultivate. I'll be back before you know it." Reluctantly, they agree to abide by his wishes.
A few hours later, under the cloak of night, a small, unassuming carriage rolls out of the Spirit Hall's main grounds. Inside, Song Qing, Ning Rongrong (who had managed to sneak away from her clan with a hastily scribbled note), and Zhu Zhuqing are huddled together, heading towards Suotuo City in the Heaven Dou Empire.
"Alright, you two," Song Qing says, a grin spreading across his face. "We're going to the Shrek Academy."
Before either girl can fully react, Song Qing closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them, his appearance has drastically changed. His bright blue hair is now a common shade of brown, and his emerald eyes have shifted to a striking red. He looks like an entirely different person.
"Qing! What did you do?" Rongrong exclaims, her eyes wide with surprise.
"It's just a little disguise," Song Qing replies with a wink.
He then subtly activates the active ability of his Third Soul Ring of the Primordial Life Tree Spirit, Veiled Aura. His soul power level visibly drops, the powerful aura of a Soul Emperor receding until he feels like a mere Soul Master at level 31.
The ability also seals his soul rings from casual observation.
For his first three soul rings, he utilizes the Illusionary Transformation ability of his Fifth Soul Ring, reducing their apparent ages. The first two now appear as faint yellow, indicating a few hundred years, while the third glows with a modest purple, signifying a thousand-year ring.
"But why are you hiding your strength like that?" Zhu Zhuqing asks, her brow furrowed in confusion.
"It's important," Song Qing simply states, offering no further explanation. Both girls exchange a look but slowly nod, trusting his judgment.
The journey continues, and soon, the familiar playful bickering between Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing begins.
"Qing looks tired," Rongrong says, nudging Zhu Zhuqing. "He should rest his head on my lap. It's much more comfortable."
"Oh, is that so?" Zhu Zhuqing retorts, a hint of steel in her voice. "I think my lap is perfectly comfortable for him. It's certainly softer than yours."
"Softness isn't everything!" Rongrong shoots back. "My lap provides excellent support!"
"Support for what? Rolling around?" Zhu Zhuqing sneers, a playful jab at Rongrong's more petite figure.
Rongrong's eyes narrow. "At least I have a beautiful face that Qing loves to look at!"
Zhu Zhuqing's own beautiful face darkens slightly. She knows Song Qing appreciates Rongrong's cute features. "And Qing appreciates a mature figure, Rongrong. Something you wouldn't understand." She subtly emphasizes her ample chest.
Rongrong's gaze drops to Zhu Zhuqing's chest, a flicker of jealousy in her eyes. She knows Song Qing is not oblivious to Zhu Zhuqing's impressive assets. Zhu Zhuqing, sensing Rongrong's gaze, smirks slightly, aware of her own advantages.
Throughout their entertaining catfight, Song Qing leans back against the carriage cushions, a small smile playing on his lips. He enjoys their playful rivalry, their attempts to gain his attention and affection. He doesn't intervene.
~~
As the carriage rumbles along the dusty road towards Suotuo City, Song Qing decides it is time to share some crucial information with his companions. He leans forward, his red eyes serious, contrasting with his current brown-haired appearance.
"Zhuqing," Song Qing begins, his voice gentle but carrying a note of importance, "according to the investigations conducted by the members of the Spirit Hall, and some reports I have received… you are going to see a familiar face at Shrek Academy."
Zhu Zhuqing, who has been silently observing the passing scenery, turns her head, her usually calm expression showing a hint of curiosity. "A familiar face? Who is it, Qing?"
"It's… your fiancé," Song Qing reveals, watching her reaction closely. "Dai Mubai."
As soon as the name leaves Song Qing's lips, Zhu Zhuqing's expression drops as if she has been struck. Her dark eyes, usually filled with a quiet intensity, now flash with anger and a chilling coldness. Her delicate hands clench into fists in her lap.
'Dai Mubai,' she thinks, her heart pounding with a mixture of fury and disgust. 'That… that coward. I wanted nothing to do with him then, and I certainly want nothing to do with him now. My life… my future… it all belongs to Qing. I only want to please him, to be by his side for the rest of my days.'
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, who has been idly humming a tune, blinks her cyan eyes, her gaze drifting between Song Qing and Zhu Zhuqing. Suddenly, a flicker of recognition crosses her face. She recalls some hushed whispers she had overheard within her clan about the Star Luo Empire's Second Prince who had mysteriously disappeared some three years ago. The pieces click into place.
"Wait a minute!" Rongrong exclaims, her eyes widening. "Dai Mubai… isn't he that Second Prince of the Star Luo Empire who ran away from home?"
Zhu Zhuqing's expression hardens even further, confirming Rongrong's suspicion with her silence.
Ning Rongrong's eyes gleam with mischief. Now that she has this juicy piece of information, she has no intention of letting Zhu Zhuqing off the hook easily. She leans forward, a playful yet sharp glint in her eyes.
"Oh, Zhuqing," Rongrong begins, her voice dripping with mock sympathy, "you poor thing! Having such a handsome prince as your fiancé, and yet… you've been spending all your time with our dear Qing here. Aren't you a little bit of a bad girl?"
Zhu Zhuqing glares at Rongrong, her anger simmering beneath the surface. "It's none of your business, Rongrong."
"But it is!" Rongrong retorts, her voice rising slightly. "I mean, having a fiancé, a prince no less! He must be incredibly wealthy and powerful! Though, of course," she adds quickly, shooting a sweet smile at Song Qing, "I highly doubt he could ever be better than our Qing. No other man could possibly compare! But still, Zhuqing, you shouldn't be such a temptress, leading Qing on like this while you have a perfectly good prince waiting for you!"
Rongrong continues her relentless teasing, her words carefully chosen to prick at Zhu Zhuqing's insecurities and paint her in the worst possible light. She emphasizes the 'prince' aspect, making Zhu Zhuqing sound ungrateful and perhaps even a gold-digger.
"Imagine the scandal!" Rongrong exclaims dramatically, clutching her chest. "The Second Prince, all alone and heartbroken, while his fiancé is off… gallivanting with another man! Especially such a charming and capable man like Qing! Oh, the tragedy!" She fans herself theatrically. "You really are a heartbreaker, Zhuqing! A dangerous temptress!"
Zhu Zhuqing's face flushes with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Rongrong's words, though clearly meant to be teasing, still sting. She hates the thought of being perceived as disloyal or as someone who would hurt Song Qing.
'She's just trying to make me feel bad,' Zhu Zhuqing thinks, her fists clenching tighter. 'She's jealous of my closeness with Qing.'
As Rongrong's teasing intensifies, and Zhu Zhuqing's anger threatens to boil over, Song Qing gently reaches out and pulls Zhu Zhuqing closer to him, wrapping a comforting arm around her shoulders. He whispers softly into her ear, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves.
"It's alright, Zhuqing," Song Qing murmurs, his hand gently stroking her back. "Don't let her get to you. I know how you feel, and that's all that matters." He holds her mature body close, offering silent support and reassurance.
Rongrong's expression shifts, the playful smirk fading as she witnesses this tender display. A flicker of something akin to paleness crosses her face. She hadn't anticipated that her teasing would actually push Zhu Zhuqing even closer into Song Qing's arms. The sight of Song Qing comforting Zhu Zhuqing, holding her so intimately, sends a sharp pang of jealousy through her own heart.
Zhu Zhuqing, feeling Song Qing's comforting embrace, shoots a triumphant look at Rongrong, a subtle but clear message of victory in her dark eyes. This only serves to further infuriate Ning Rongrong, who now glares at Zhu Zhuqing with renewed intensity, the battle for Song Qing's attention clearly far from over.