Within a secluded corridor of the Inner Court at Shrek Academy.
A gentle breeze brushed past, and the vegetation on both sides of the corridor made a rustling sound.
After the news that the First Grade was about to be dispatched to the Lower Realm for experiential learning was officially announced, Ling Luochen did not immediately return to her dormitory to pack her luggage. Instead, she went directly to the Inner Court to find Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan was currently sitting by a stone table. Seeing Ling Luochen approach, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Luo Chen, why have you come over at this time? Have the lessons for the First Grade finished?"
Ling Luochen sat down opposite Zhang Lexuan, nodded slightly, and then recounted the training arrangements Teacher Shen Yi had announced in class to Zhang Lexuan in full detail.
"Teacher Shen Yi said that for the next four months, all our First Grade students will leave this Sky Island and head down to the Douluo Continent for actual combat training."
Upon hearing Ling Luochen's words, Zhang Lexuan's movement of pouring tea paused slightly.
She gently pushed the teacup in front of Ling Luochen and fell into a long silence.
A breeze blew past, lifting the long hair by Zhang Lexuan's ears.
Zhang Lexuan snapped back to her senses, a flash of daze in her eyes. Thinking about how the two of them had been dispatched as spies into this Shrek Academy in the sky, they had already stayed for more than five months by a full count—quite a long time.
During this time, they had witnessed too many miracles and received too many favors.
Zhang Lexuan raised her head, her clear eyes quietly gazing at Ling Luochen as she asked softly.
"Luo Chen, since your class is going to the Lower Realm for training, then... do you plan to go back?"
When Zhang Lexuan said "go back," she naturally referred to the Shrek Academy that had existed for ten thousand years on the surface of the Douluo Continent, which was also their original academy.
Hearing these words, Ling Luochen did not hesitate at all and shook her head decisively.
"No, I don't plan on going back."
Ling Luochen's gaze fell upon Zhang Lexuan, and an unidentifiable emotion flashed through her eyes.
"If I take this opportunity of training to go back, I might be chased and interrogated by Elder Xuan and the others for information about this academy. However, you and I have received many favors in this academy. Even if our identities as spies were exposed, we could still remain here. Furthermore, this academy basically doesn't treat us as outsiders and imparts knowledge to us without any reservation."
"Although I don't want to say it this way... in my heart, I lean more toward this academy."
"So I will not leak any information about this academy."
It had to be said that this Shrek Academy was truly a place for people. Thinking back to the previous Shrek Academy she stayed at, not only did entering the Inner Court require joining the Shrek Inspection Corps and being subjected to moral kidnapping—where you couldn't enter the Inner Court without joining—but also when Xuan Zi and the others sent the two of them here, their lack of reliability really made one wonder if that was the level of reliability a teacher should have.
At the very least, after staying in this academy for so long, Ling Luochen understood that this academy paid considerable attention to the safety of its students.
Listening to Ling Luochen's firm statement, a flash of gratified light appeared in Zhang Lexuan's eyes.
She nodded gently.
"It is good that you can think this way."
In truth, how could Zhang Lexuan not have the same thoughts in her heart? In this academy in the sky, they had experienced true guidance and care; that kind of atmosphere and the path to becoming stronger were incomparable to the old academy on the ground.
Plus... Ling Luochen was different from her. Ling Luochen had absolutely no need to be tied to that Shrek Academy. From the moment Xuan Zi gave incorrect information, causing the two of them to fall into deep danger, Ling Luochen no longer needed to be bound.
One must know that if it were any other academy, Xuan Zi and the others' actions would undoubtedly have been sending the two of them to their deaths.
But... she was different; she owed Elder Mu a debt of gratitude.
Seeing Zhang Lexuan agree with her decision, Ling Luochen also breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, Ling Luochen looked at Zhang Lexuan with some curiosity and asked.
"Eldest Senior Sister, what about your arrangements? Our First Grade will be in the Lower Realm for four months of training. Will you have any other tasks while staying in the Inner Court?"
Upon hearing this, a gentle smile appeared at the corners of Zhang Lexuan's mouth.
She spoke.
"I don't have any training missions. For the coming period, I will be staying by Elder Cai's side to study."
"And..."
Zhang Lexuan paused, her tone carrying a hint of excitement that was hard to conceal.
"Elder Cai said she plans to use this time to help me compensate for the Origin loss within my body."
"What?!"
Hearing this news, Ling Luochen was so shocked that she stood up directly, her face full of disbelief!
This Shrek Academy in the sky was truly selfless towards them! They were even willing to do something that could be called a Heaven-Defying act of changing one's fate!
Others might not know, but as a Disciple of the Inner Court, Ling Luochen knew Zhang Lexuan's situation all too well.
In the early years, Zhang Lexuan had followed Elder Xuan and others into the Star Dou Great Forest to hunt Spirit Beasts.
As a result of Elder Xuan's negligence, the team encountered an attack from a one hundred thousand year Spirit Beast.
In that tragic battle, Zhang Lexuan was severely injured and, in the end, having no other choice, was forced to absorb a 100,000-year spirit ring.
Forcibly absorbing a 100,000-year spirit ring with a heavily injured body, although she fortunately survived, that violent Spirit Power completely destroyed Lexuan's Foundation, leading to a serious loss of her Origin.
From then on, Zhang Lexuan, who was originally exceptionally gifted, saw her speed in Spirit Power cultivation become quite slow.
The Shrek Academy on the ground, including the Sea God Pavilion, was helpless regarding Zhang Lexuan's injuries.
But now!
In this Shrek Academy in the sky, that Cai Yue'er actually said she planned to help Lexuan make up for this long-solidified loss?!
Looking at Ling Luochen's shocked expression, Zhang Lexuan smiled and nodded.
"Elder Cai has already examined me. Combined with the resources in this academy, there really is hope of being able to repair my damaged Foundation."
Ling Luochen took a deep breath, calming the shock in her heart.
She nodded heavily, indicating she understood.
If that were the case, Lexuan wouldn't be able to go down. Rather, given Lexuan's status, not returning to that Shrek Academy was a good thing; otherwise... if Mu En were there, it might influence something.
Of course, Ling Luochen also knew that with Lexuan's personality, she would not leak information about this Shrek Academy.
If only she could tell Mu En about what Xuan Zi had done; she still needed to properly punish Xuan Zi, otherwise this guy would always be unreliable.
"Eldest Senior Sister, then you stay here and Cultivate well, and wait for me to return from my training!"
Ling Luochen bid farewell to Zhang Lexuan.
Zhang Lexuan smiled and waved her hand.
After bidding farewell to Zhang Lexuan, as Ling Luochen walked back to pack her luggage, her gaze couldn't help but cast toward the Douluo Continent below, which was obscured by layers of clouds.
It was time to prepare for landing.
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A/N:
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.