"Since the esteemed one doesn't want your life, I won't take it either. But from now on, whenever you see me or my granddaughter—get lost. The farther, the better!"
Dugu Bo spat on the ground, holding the torn-off external soul bone in hand as he left the hall with Dugu Yan.
Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng followed closely behind.
Originally, Prince Xue Xing had just come to rope in Dugu Bo to help Xue Beng get revenge. He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly and satisfyingly.
As they passed by the Shrek crowd, Xue Beng couldn't help but click his tongue.
He was beyond pleased with how things had turned out for them.
He thought they had only provoked him. Who would've thought they managed to offend even that poison freak and the mysterious powerhouse…
That's like holding a lantern in a toilet—seeking death in the dumbest way possible.
What a bunch of idiots!
Now, only the Shrek group and Qin Ming remained in the once-crowded reception hall of the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Only after Dugu Bo and the others had fully departed did they dare to step forward to check on Tang San and Flender.
"Grandmaster! Dean Flender's not dead!"
Fatty Ma Hongjun propped up Flender. Though his face was deathly pale and he had clearly been poisoned into unconsciousness, he was still breathing.
"San—Little San! Oscar, quick, sausage!"
Yu Xiaogang could no longer care about anything else. Tang San's back was a mess of torn flesh and blood. He could only grip Tang San's arms, shaking him anxiously.
This was the rare prodigy he had finally found to prove he wasn't a worthless theorist. If Tang San died here, where would he ever find another?
"Brother? Brother! Wake up!"
Xiao Wu rushed to Tang San's side. Seeing his pitiful condition filled her with guilt. Tears streamed down her cheeks like rain.
Just now, she hadn't even dared to show herself—let alone step forward to save him.
"Grandmaster, we can't wait on this. I'll go find Ye Lingling!"
Qin Ming saw his teacher and junior covered in wounds and quickly thought of a solution.
Right now, one of the three Deans, Zhi Lin, was accompanying that mysterious powerhouse. He himself had little chance of convincing him to help. Not to mention, after what just happened, even if he asked, there was no guarantee they would assist.
Fortunately, the Heaven Dou Imperial Academy battle team had a top-tier healing-type soul master—Ye Lingling, wielder of the Nine-Hearted Begonia spirit!
"Good! Qin Ming, go now!"
Yu Xiaogang responded urgently, terrified that if treatment was delayed, his disciple might become crippled.
Before long, Qin Ming hurried back with Ye Lingling in tow.
Under her healing, both Flender and Tang San slowly regained consciousness.
Flender was in better shape—just poisoned, and apart from some lingering weakness, he was fine.
Tang San, though conscious, looked like a sheet of paper, breathing so weakly it seemed like he could die with just one wrong breath.
"M-Master… my soul bone…"
Tang San leaned on Xiao Wu's shoulder, his voice trembling as sharp waves of pain radiated from his mangled back.
"Ah… Little San, it's all my fault… I didn't protect you…"
Yu Xiaogang sighed deeply, looking stricken with remorse.
"Cough cough N-No, Master… it's not your fault… It… it was… cough cough…"
"Alright, Little San, don't talk. Your soul bone was taken—focus on calming your spirit. We'll get you out of here first."
Seeing that Tang San held no resentment toward him, Yu Xiaogang quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
He turned to the Shrek group, wanting to say something to lift their spirits, but then remembered—they were still on someone else's turf.
If those people came back and saw them lingering, who knows what further trouble might arise?
"Quick, let's leave. Qin Ming, scout ahead."
"Yes, Grandmaster."
Qin Ming cupped his hands and left to take the lead.
He understood Yu Xiaogang wanted him to go ahead and check the way.
"Let's go. Sigh…"
With Yu Xiaogang and Xiao Wu supporting Tang San, the group slowly made their way out of the academy.
…
In a spacious square within the academy, Prince Xue Xing was enthusiastically introducing the academy's features to Aether.
"Our Heaven Dou Imperial Academy is top-class in both faculty and facilities—unmatched among most institutions…"
Standing beside him, the three academy Deans were all glaring daggers at Prince Xue Xing's smiling old face.
Originally, Xue Qinghe had called them to give the introductions. Since Dugu Bo was familiar with them due to his connection with "that brother," they hadn't minded.
But they didn't expect this superficial uncle of Xue Qinghe to shamelessly tag along—and steal their job by playing tour guide himself.
Aether didn't respond, only nodded occasionally as Prince Xue Xing prattled on.
Meanwhile, Yu Keke's eyes sparkled as she looked at the uniformed boys and girls training in the square, a trace of envy in her clear, bright eyes.
She remembered her father once told her that when he saved enough money, he would send her to an academy to study, so she could become a great soul master.
But now…
"Papa…"
Her thoughts darkened. The light in her eyes faded, and the once-envied academy surroundings turned into a blur through her tears.
"Huh? Keke, what's wrong?"
Paimon was the first to notice something was off.
"I-I'm fine…"
Yu Keke quickly wiped her tears and smiled.
"Hmm~ okay. But if anything's wrong, you have to tell me, alright?"
Paimon stared at Keke's red eyes, clearly worried.
She could tell something was off—but since there were so many people around, she decided to ask more later, once they were alone.
Could this have something to do with that mission?
Aether noticed everything.
After thinking for a moment, he turned to Xue Xing and said, "Your Highness, that's enough sightseeing. We'll take our leave."
Their purpose in coming had been to retrieve the Serenitea Pot, and now that they had it, there was no point staying.
If not for Paimon and Keke wanting to look around, they'd have left already.
Now would be a good chance to ask the little girl what's really troubling her…
"Alright."
Xue Qinghe responded immediately. He'd grown bored with Prince Xue Xing tagging along anyway.
"My lord, do come again sometime…"
"…Sure."
After exchanging polite farewells, the group of four left the academy.
Dugu Bo, bound by Prince Xue Xing's connection, reluctantly stayed behind to "escort" them out.
Outside the academy gates, She Long was already waiting.
Due to his identity, he hadn't entered with the others.
"My lord, Your Highness."
He greeted them respectfully.
"Uncle She, let's go."
"Yay! Time to head back!"
Paimon hugged the Serenitea Pot proudly and declared,
"Qinghe, Keke—dinner's on me today! I'll treat you guys to something yummy! Oh right—"
She pulled aside the carriage curtain and called out to She Long:
"And this uncle too! Come try my special food!"
"Thank you, Miss Paimon."
She Long smiled awkwardly.
He had overheard everything from outside the carriage, but didn't expect this cheerful girl traveling with such a powerful person to include him.
He was genuinely touched.
"Is it the food you were talking about earlier?"
Inside the carriage, Xue Qinghe glanced at the pot in her arms and chuckled.
"Mhm! Paimon's treating today, hehe~"
Aether watched her smug little face and couldn't help twitching a corner of his mouth.
This girl had only stocked a handful of rations in that pot—one meal might wipe out most of it…
_
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