By the clear spring, the three girls looked at each other as they watched the young man leave with elegant grace. They could all see the admiration and gratitude for him reflected in one another's eyes.
"He's such a nice person."
Ning Rongrong cupped her face, her eyes blinking as her cheeks turned bright red.
She suddenly remembered there were some items in her luggage that her senior sister from the sect had given her as a prank.
She had secretly opened the package and was mortified—so embarrassed she nearly fainted. In a panic, she had tossed the contents into a corner of her box.
No one will see them... right?
Panic welled up in her again. But when she looked up, she saw Zhu Zhuqing's usually cold and beautiful face flushed as red as hers, her slender body even trembling slightly.
Their eyes met, and an unspoken understanding flashed between them.
"My sister gave me a few of those before I left. She said girls can't go without them. I..."
Zhu Zhuqing stammered, her mind spinning. The thought that the red-haired boy might have seen those things made her dizzy with shame.
"Wait, what are you two talking about?"
Xiao Wu looked at them in confusion, curiosity in her eyes.
"What can't a girl live without? Clothes?"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing shook their heads.
Seeing that Xiao Wu was about to press further, Ning Rongrong quickly pulled her away.
"Go change your clothes! Isn't the water freezing?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded in flustered agreement.
No way can we let Xiao Wu find out about that!
When we get back, those things have to go. Burn them if necessary!
Still confused, Xiao Wu allowed herself to be dragged ashore by the two flustered girls.
They glanced around to make sure the coast was clear, then quickly peeled off their wet clothes.
For a moment, the quiet spring became a paradise of breathtaking beauty—enough to make any man lose his mind.
Unfortunately, no one was there to appreciate the sight.
Except for one person—someone who had accidentally ended up in the hot spring.
That someone was now debating whether to look for Cui Hua or ask Boss Dai to help.
"Forget it, I'll go find Boss Dai."
He sighed. Since it had already happened, there was no point in obsessing over it. That would only lead to more trouble later.
The red-haired boy flew back to Shrek Academy but couldn't find a trace of either person he was looking for.
Not just them—even Flander, and the other teachers were nowhere to be found.
The enormous campus felt deserted. Only he and the still-missing Tang San remained.
Standing at the school gate, the red-haired boy stared at the endless wheat fields and winding country paths beyond and found himself at a complete loss.
Where the hell did everyone go?
"Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect truly lives up to its name as one of the top three sects. Come on, everyone—let's raise a toast to Elder Ning!"
In Soto City, inside a luxurious hotel suite…
Flander, Zhao Wuji, and several other teachers from the academy sat around a large table, lifting their cups to an elderly man.
Flander's face was flushed from drinking, and he laughed heartily as he waved his hand in a grand gesture.
"Eat whatever you like! Don't worry about saving money for Elder Ning! We won't get a feast again anytime soon!"
Elder Ning swirled the wine in his glass, frowning as he watched the group gorge themselves with abandon. The corner of his mouth twitched.
If it hadn't been for the awe-inspiring sight of that phoenix soaring across the sky, he'd have walked out already.
At first, he had doubted himself, wondering if he was being too hasty. But when he saw that divine, world-shaking phoenix—he knew he had made the right call.
That boy… he had to be Rongrong's future husband.
Knowing Feng Zhi's temperament, it was already half-decided. The only challenge would be persuading Chen Xin and Gu Rong. But so what? If anyone objected, they could try breaking this old man's bones!
With his mind made up, Elder Ning had invited Flander to dinner. The principal was notoriously tight-lipped, so he hoped to loosen him up first.
Securing the engagement early would put his heart at ease.
But to Elder Ning's surprise, Flander's eyes had immediately lit up and he'd asked whether he could bring along the other teachers as well.
Naturally, Elder Ning had no reason to refuse.
This was a good opportunity to meet the people who might become Rongrong's future mentors.
And so, here they were now...
"Hey! That's my pork leg, old man!"
"Damn you, Zhao Wuji! Don't think I won't smack you with my dragon-patterned stick!"
Strong as they might be, Elder Ning could only shake his head as he watched this group of middle-aged soul masters squabbling over food like children.
"Enough! It's not like you've never seen food before!"
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Flander shouted, trying to bring some order to the chaos.
"That's easy for you to say, Dean!"
Zhao Wuji retorted, his massive hand holding two pork knuckles, his face slick with oil.
"Be honest—how long has it been since we've had proper meat ?"
Shao Xin took a huge swig of beer and joined in. "Not only do we not get paid, but we're even expected to fund the academy ourselves!"
"And you still have the nerve to pretend otherwise!"
The complaints came in from all directions. Flander's pride deflated instantly, replaced by a sheepish smile.
"Come on, come on! We're not doing this for the academy—we're doing it for the kids! Hahaha, don't worry. Everything will be taken care of, you'll all get your share!"
Then he turned to Elder Ning, rubbing his hands awkwardly.
"So, uh… about that sponsorship…?"
Elder Ning had been thinking the man was just pitiful, but after hearing that, it all clicked.
So that's what this is really about... You're here for the money?
This old fox is shrewder than he looks!
"Money isn't a problem."
Elder Ning calmly took out a black card that shimmered with golden light. He placed it on the table and pushed it forward.
Flander and Zhao Wuji couldn't help swallowing audibly. Their eyes locked on the card, unable to look away.
They recognized it immediately—it was a Black Gold Savings Card, only issued to those who had over 200,000 gold soul coins deposited.
In other words, this card contained at least that much.
"But, Dean Flander, you understand—there's just one condition."
A gleam flashed in Elder Ning's eyes as he fixed Flander with a serious gaze.
"That young man must get engaged to Rongrong immediately!"
The room fell silent.
Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, and the other teachers stared at Elder Ning in stunned disbelief.
Zhao Wuji finally managed to speak, his voice trembling.
"You mean… you're offering two hundred thousand gold soul coins… to have some kid engaged to the sole heiress of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect?"
The brain of this infamous soul master practically short-circuited.
The young lady of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect was offering to pay for a fiancé?!
Who the hell was this kid?!