In a room facing the main gate of Qianyu Academy, Li Yu was standing beside Qian Renxue, watching the situation outside the gate.
After Qian Renxue had learned about Dai Mubai and his group causing trouble at the academy, Li Yu had used 'Space Jump' to bring her to the scene. However...
Since it was their first time arriving, and he was only relying on Qian Renxue description to locate the spot, there were naturally some errors.
Fortunately, after spending some time together, this wasn't their first time using 'Space Jump' for transportation. Thus, Li Yu had gained some experience, and everything had proceeded smoothly without any safety issues.
With the special cloaking abilities provided by the "Tree of Life," they hadn't disturbed anyone and had arrived at Qianyu Academy without being noticed.
Everything that had been happening inside the academy was now clearly visible to them.
At this moment, Qian Renxue eyes narrowed as she watched Zhu Zhuqing reveal her 40th-level soul power.
The last time she saw Zhu Zhuqing was a little more than half a month ago, when Li Yu had just woken up from his coma. Zhu Zhuqing had visited him at that time. Back then, Zhu Zhuqing soul power was only at level 32.
It was impressive, but compared to now, it was like night and day.
In just over half a month, how could there be such a tremendous improvement?
This was completely impossible! Not everyone was like Li Yu...
Wait a minute…
Qian Renxue suddenly remembered something. When Zhu Zhuqing came to visit Li Yu, he had given her a plant... a herb.
Could it be that the herb, which seemed ordinary at first glance—well, maybe a little unusual—was the key?
She had carefully examined the herb at the time, but couldn't find any features apart from its appearance.
So, she didn't ask more questions back then.
But now, looking at the results, that couldn't have been an ordinary herb. It was undoubtedly a divine herb!
Thinking about this, Qian Renxue gaze turned accusingly toward Li Yu.
Li Yu noticed the look in her eyes and immediately understood that she had figured out the reason behind Zhu Zhuqing rapid increase in soul power.
She was… jealous!
He chuckled and tightened his hold on her arm.
"I saved the best for you!"
Giving Zhu Zhuqing the "Water Fairy Jade Bone" was partly because it was the right fit, but also because, since he had "taken in" Zhu Zhuqing, he naturally couldn't treat her unfairly.
Moreover, he had already planted the "Gate of Life" for Zhu Zhuqing. How could he give her nothing in return?
Even Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan had received gifts from him. For Dugu Yan, he had given her an "Eight Petal Immortal Orchid," although he wasn't sure how well she was absorbing it.
And of course, when it came to his "legal" wife... he wouldn't treat her any differently.
Furthermore, if he had to choose the most precious immortal herb from the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he still considered the "Yearning Heartbroken Red" to be the most valuable.
When he said he had saved the best for Qian Renxue, he was referring to "Yearning Heartbroken Red."
If Qian Renxue successfully picked it, it would be proof of her feelings for him, and from that point onward, he would devoted himself wholeheartedly to her.
On the other hand, if things didn't work out, he would step back and stop investing so much emotion.
He might be "overthinking" things, but… wasn't this a great opportunity for Qian Renxue as well?
So, he didn't explain any further.
After hearing Li Yu words, the resentment in Qian Renxue eyes diminished somewhat, but she still had questions in her mind.
Could there really be another divine herb that could cause such a terrifying improvement for Zhu Zhuqing?
These weren't things you could just find lying around!
But she knew now wasn't the time to focus on that. The "drama" in front of them was much more interesting.
...
...
"Zhu Zhuqing…"
Dai Mubai expression kept shifting.
He never expected that in just four months, Zhu Zhuqing would have such an extraordinary improvement.
She had gone from level 31 when they parted to now reaching level 40!
But...
He remained rational.
He knew that this wasn't something that could be achieved through simple cultivation; there had to be some special opportunity or fortuitous event involved.
"How is this possible…"
Ma Hongjun and Oscar, who were both bruised and battered, had temporarily forgotten their pain, too shocked to do anything other than stare at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Don't call me that. We're not familiar."
Zhu Zhuqing eyes were cold. She didn't show any sign of smugness despite Dai Mubai and the others' shock.
When Dai Mubai called her "Zhu Qing," she didn't even try to hide her disgust.
"Anyway, I've made it very clear: there will never be any possibility between us. Please don't disturb my life anymore!"
Zhu Zhuqing repeated her stance once more.
Ma Hongjun and Oscar exchanged looks, and they could see the strange glint in each other's eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing behavior today was completely different from what Dai Mubai had told them.
They hadn't thought much about it earlier, but now, after "calming down," they realized something was off.
This wasn't some small misunderstanding.
This was clearly a severed relationship, one that would never be repaired!
Seeing Dai Mubai clenched fists and lowered head, both Ma Hongjun and Oscar fell silent, waiting for Dai Mubai to decide for himself.
If this wasn't just a trivial emotional matter, then they wouldn't interfere.
As for their companion, Zhu Zhuqing, if she insisted on leaving, they respected her decision, and they felt it was wrong to force her.
But now, standing alongside Dai Mubai, it wasn't the right moment for them to voice such thoughts.
"Zhu Zhuqing…"
Dai Mubai spoke after a long pause. "I'm surprised by your immense progress, but I'm also happy for you!"
"But you're still young, and maybe you've underestimated some things. Not just for me, but for you as well. Therefore…"
"Forgive me for not respecting your wishes this time!"
After a long silence, Dai Mubai finally raised his head, his eyes filled with aggression as he stared at Zhu Zhuqing.
"I don't know how you managed to reach such a rapid improvement in such a short time!"
"But I do know that this can't be achieved through normal cultivation. The way you've gained power, do you really have a solid foundation? Can you truly use your soul power properly?"
"Do you realize you've gone astray?"
He paused before continuing: "You don't need to rebut me right away. I'm only at level 37, and you've already surpassed me!"
"So, to prove yourself, do you dare fight me?"
"If you win, I'll respect your wishes. From then on, I'll never disturb you again and won't be in your sight!"
"But if I win, you'll come back to Shrek, and we'll resolve everything between us. You'll give me a chance to explain!"
After speaking, Dai Mubai eyes became even more aggressive and confident.
"Zhu Zhuqing, do you dare fight me?"