Chapter 146: Farewell to Ouyang Jian!

When Jing Xiaoyu returned home from Eastsea Academy, he happened to see Jing Ziyuan preparing to leave for work.

"Mom, I'm back," Jing Xiaoyu called out.

"A-Yu, what are you doing home at this time?" Jing Ziyuan looked at him with surprise, but her face quickly lit up with joy. "Did something happen?"

"We just finished our end-of-term assessment," Jing Xiaoyu replied with a smile. Noticing the bag in her hand, he asked casually, "Mom, are you heading to work?"

"Yes, I am." Jing Ziyuan nodded, beaming. "You rest at home for now. I'll come back at noon and cook something delicious for you."

"Sure," Jing Xiaoyu answered instinctively. But after a moment's thought, he added, "Wait, Mom. Let me come with you. I have some matters to discuss with Grandpa Ouyang."

"Huh?" Jing Ziyuan paused for a moment, looking at her son with a bit of surprise. But instead of questioning him, she simply said, "Alright then, come along."

"Mm!" Jing Xiaoyu nodded cheerfully and followed her to the garage.

Jing Ziyuan started the car, and Jing Xiaoyu hopped into the passenger seat. As the car pulled out and began its journey to the City Lord's Mansion, he said softly, "Mom, we're leaving for Shrek Academy in five days."

"Really?!" Jing Ziyuan's eyes widened in surprise and excitement, her gaze immediately shifting to her son. Her voice carried unconcealed joy as she exclaimed, "Does that mean you're going to study at Shrek Academy? My son is going to be a student at Shrek Academy, isn't he?"

"You can say that." Jing Xiaoyu smiled at her happiness and added, "Although we're going to Shrek Academy to take the entrance exam, I'm confident I'll pass. So, Mom, you can go ahead and tell everyone your son got into Shrek Academy."

"Hahaha!" Jing Ziyuan burst into joyous laughter, her entire face glowing with pride and excitement. "A-Yu, you're my precious boy! You've made me so proud!"

Watching his mother immersed in pure happiness, Jing Xiaoyu felt his reluctance to leave begin to ease. He realized that for Jing Ziyuan, his acceptance into Shrek Academy was akin to how parents in his past life felt when their child got into prestigious universities like Tsinghua or Peking University.

At first, he had worried that his mother might feel sad or reluctant about him leaving. But it was clear that she hadn't even considered that yet. Right now, all she felt was pride and joy.

When the car pulled into the City Lord's Mansion, Jing Ziyuan was still radiating happiness, her cheerful mood obvious to anyone who saw her.

"Mom, don't forget to take a few days off," Jing Xiaoyu reminded her.

"I know, I know!" Jing Ziyuan replied, nodding lightly and humming a cheerful tune.

As Jing Ziyuan headed off to work, Jing Xiaoyu made his way directly to the City Lord's office.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Is that you, Xiaoyu? Come in," Ouyang Jian's voice called from inside. From his tone, it was clear he had expected Jing Xiaoyu's visit.

"Grandpa Ouyang." Jing Xiaoyu pushed open the door and entered. Ouyang Jian was sitting behind his desk, busy reviewing documents. When he heard the door, he looked up and smiled kindly at Jing Xiaoyu.

"Sit down for a bit, Xiaoyu. Let me finish this up first," Ouyang Jian said warmly.

"Take your time, Grandpa Ouyang. I'm not in a hurry." Jing Xiaoyu casually sat on the sofa and poured himself a cup of tea from the table, sipping it leisurely.

Ouyang Jian noticed Jing Xiaoyu's relaxed demeanor and couldn't help but smile. He didn't mind at all. While continuing to review the papers, he asked, "When is Teacher Wu planning to take you all to Shrek Academy?"

The news of Zero Class going to Shrek Academy to take part in the entrance exams wasn't a secret among the core figures of Eastsea City. They all supported the idea. After all, if Eastsea Academy produced students who got into Shrek Academy, it would be a point of pride for the entire city.

"In five days," Jing Xiaoyu replied.

"That soon?" Ouyang Jian looked up in surprise.

"Teacher Wu said it's better to get there early, so we can familiarize ourselves with the environment and procedures. That way, we'll avoid any surprises during the official exam," Jing Xiaoyu explained.

"That makes sense," Ouyang Jian nodded. With a knowing tone, he added, "Xiaoyu, I recall your mother broke through to the Grandmaster level not long ago. Didn't you celebrate?"

Because of Jing Xiaoyu, Jing Ziyuan had experienced a rare surge in her soul power after years of stagnation. Delighted, she had resumed cultivating and successfully broke through to the Grandmaster level six months ago. For someone like Jing Ziyuan, who was nearing fifty, this was an incredible morale boost.

Her breakthrough was largely due to Jing Xiaoyu's Primordial Spirit Elf martial soul. As an embodiment of nature, the Primordial Spirit Elf could subtly enhance plant-type martial souls, which explained Jing Ziyuan's progress.

"Yes, we did celebrate," Jing Xiaoyu replied nonchalantly. He knew exactly why Ouyang Jian had brought this up—to remind him not to forget Eastsea City.

"Good, good," Ouyang Jian said with a chuckle. "Have you thought about bringing your mother with you to Shrek Academy?"

"Not right now," Jing Xiaoyu shook his head. "Maybe when I'm older."

"Fair enough," Ouyang Jian said, finally setting down his documents. He walked around the desk and sat across from Jing Xiaoyu, pouring himself a cup of tea. "Xiaoyu, I have no doubt you'll pass the entrance exams. I just hope you'll come back to Eastsea City from time to time in the future."

Ouyang Jian's straightforward request was delivered without pretense.

"Of course," Jing Xiaoyu replied with a smile. "Eastsea City is my home. I'll definitely come back often. Who doesn't visit home now and then?"

Ouyang Jian's request hadn't surprised him. Given the resources the city had invested in him, it was only natural that they wanted reassurance he wouldn't forget his roots.

"Hahaha, well said! Exactly! You have to come home often!" Ouyang Jian laughed heartily, patting Jing Xiaoyu's shoulder. "Good boy. I didn't misjudge you. Go out there and show those so-called geniuses what an extraordinary talent from Eastsea City looks like!"

"I definitely will!" Jing Xiaoyu replied confidently.

"Alright, I suppose you're off to see Old Ji at the Spirit Pagoda next, aren't you? Let me take you there," Ouyang Jian offered, rising to his feet and giving Jing Xiaoyu another friendly pat on the shoulder.

"Yes," Jing Xiaoyu nodded. His next stop was indeed to visit Ji Changming at the Spirit Pagoda. Over the past few years, Jing Xiaoyu had caused Ji Changming quite a bit of trouble. Now that he was leaving, it felt only right to say goodbye.

In fact, if not for Ji Changming, he might never have been noticed by Leng Yaozhu. It was Ji Changming who had relayed his information to her, leading to her staying in Eastsea City for six or seven years.