Chapter 53 – Heaven Dou City

After more than a week of slow, leisurely travel, Lin Jie and Duo'er finally arrived at Heaven Dou City.

At that moment, Lin Jie was heading home. His family lived in the middle district of Heaven Dou City—not as opulent as the noble inner ring, but still a well-off and respectable area.

Duo'er, his ever-present little shadow, followed closely behind. It wasn't long before they reached his house. Lin Jie stood quietly at the front door, gazing at it with a mixture of emotion and anticipation.

"I wonder if Mom and Little Ran are home. It's been nearly a year since I left… I hope they've been doing well."

After a brief moment of hesitation, he opened the door and stepped inside with Duo'er in tow. The house was empty. His mother and younger sister weren't home.

Lin Jie arranged a room for Duo'er, then made his way to the kitchen to prepare a meal. It had been ages since he last cooked himself—this little cat-girl of his was in for a treat.

Just as he was finishing up the dishes, the door opened—his mother had returned, and trailing behind her was his younger sister, Lin Ran.

As soon as Lin Ran saw Lin Jie, she dashed across the room, crying out, "Brother! You're finally back! I missed you so much!" She pounced on him, clinging tightly.

Lin Jie looked toward his mother, his expression softening with affection. "Mom… Little Ran… I missed you both too."

His mother, stunned for a moment by the unexpected reunion, quickly broke into a beaming smile. She grabbed his hands, showering him with questions and concern, her joy unmistakable.

Meanwhile, Duo'er, who had been helping in the kitchen, came out to see what the commotion was about.

When Lin Ran and her mother saw the cat-eared girl emerge, they both turned to Lin Jie with puzzled expressions.

"Jie'er… this girl is…?"

Lin Jie gently brought the shy Duo'er forward. "She's someone I saved on the road. She had no home to return to, so I brought her back with me."

Upon hearing this, Lin Jie's mother gave Duo'er a kind, welcoming smile and immediately began doting on her—asking questions, fussing over her wellbeing—leaving Lin Jie completely sidelined. Luckily, he still had Lin Ran sticking close by his side.

Dinner went by quickly. In the days that followed, Lin Jie gave his mother a Grade Nine Immortal Herb—an herb known to extend life and strengthen the body's foundation. While such herbs were especially effective for Spirit Masters, they still had considerable benefits for ordinary people. And Lin Jie didn't care about refining it for cultivation—he only wanted to ensure his mother lived longer, healthier years.

He also gifted his sister Lin Ran a special Immortal Herb that helped break bottlenecks and stabilize cultivation foundations. As a result, she successfully advanced to Spirit Master rank (Level 20). Lin Jie then took her to a nearby spirit beast habitat, where she successfully hunted and absorbed her second Spirit Ring—a millennium-aged ring, no less.

Lin Ran walked the Support Branch cultivation path. For her to acquire a thousand-year second ring was highly impressive.

While Yu Xiaogang's theories were regarded as authoritative for most Spirit Masters, they were completely ineffective for someone like Lin Jie—whose body had already been reforged and tempered with lightning-type Spirit Power.

Over the next half-month, Lin Jie frequently accompanied his mother, Lin Ran, and of course the cat-girl Duo'er. They went shopping, explored the city, and he even helped out at his mother's shop—now under her management.

With the days passing quickly, Lin Jie finally made up his mind to go look for Zhu Zhuqing and the others. A few days prior, he'd received a letter from her.

After saying his goodbyes to his mother and sister, he headed out alone.

There was one more thing worth mentioning: after learning the truth about Duo'er's past, Lin Jie's mother—perhaps overwhelmed by maternal instinct—insisted on adopting Duo'er as her foster daughter. Lin Jie didn't object. And just like that, he had two younger sisters now.

Over the past half-month, Lin Jie also kept a close eye on news from the Heaven Dou Auction House. He hadn't forgotten his promise to Duo'er: to help find her sister. Every few days, he visited the auction house. Though he hadn't found any trace of her sibling yet, he did acquire several rare and useful items—materials that greatly expanded his Soul Tool research and development.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing and the rest had arrived in Heaven Dou City under the leadership of Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Yu Xiaogang. They were escorted by Qin Ming to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.

However, due to the Golden Class of the academy refusing to admit commoners—and a conflict erupting between Dai Mubai and Xue Beng—they were ultimately expelled.

Flender wore a gloomy expression. Without access to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, they were not eligible to participate in the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament.

Just as they were all feeling helpless, Liu Erlong appeared. After reuniting with Flender and catching up, she learned of their predicament and immediately invited the entire group to her own academy—Blue Tyrant Academy. After some discussion, they decided to officially rename it as the new Shrek Academy.

During the Spirit Arena battle in Soto City against the Royal Fighting Team, it wasn't Tang San who turned the tide—but Lin Jie and Zhu Zhuqing. Thus, the storyline where Tang San cured Dugu Yan's snake venom didn't happen in this version. And without relying on hidden weapons, Zhu Zhuqing had now become the strongest among the current seven Shrek students—excluding Lin Jie.

She had reached Spirit Power level 37, and already possessed two Spirit Bones. Dai Mubai was no longer a match for her. Zhu Zhuqing now showed him no affection at all—she was Lin Jie's woman now, and her feelings for Lin Jie had only grown deeper, not weaker, despite their separation over the past two months.

As agreed, Zhu Zhuqing had sent a letter to Lin Jie's home once she arrived in Heaven Dou City, just in case he hadn't reached out yet.

Now, Lin Jie was making his way toward Blue Tyrant Academy—now Shrek Academy.

When he arrived at the academy's entrance, he saw Zhu Zhuqing already waiting for him.

Two months apart, and Zhu Zhuqing seemed more mature. She still wore her signature tight black bodysuit, clinging to her body like a second skin and outlining her perfect figure. Her long, radiant eyes shimmered with clarity and quiet grace. Her delicate melon-shaped face and refined features seemed like a gift from the heavens—dazzling, breathtaking. Her jet-black hair flowed behind her like a silk waterfall, revealing a slender neck as graceful as a swan's. Her shoulders were sharp and sculpted, her waist slender and supple, and her chest—full and firm. Every inch of her figure was breathtakingly alluring, a portrait of elegance and strength combined.

Standing beside Zhu Zhuqing was a tall, graceful young woman with long legs and captivating curves. Her eyebrows arched gently, and her eyes gleamed with brilliance and softness. Her face was refined, her features delicate, and her long hair was tied into a striking scorpion braid that fell elegantly behind her back. From the side, Lin Jie could see the smooth lines of her pale, swan-like neck. Her slender figure was wrapped in a form-fitting pink dress that clung to her body like silk, outlining every graceful curve. She was beautiful—pure, feminine, and brimming with life.

It was Xiao Wu.

Next to Xiao Wu stood a woman whose presence struck Lin Jie with a jolt of familiarity. Her expression was serene, her demeanor gentle, but there was a mature, captivating allure in the way she moved—elegant yet fiery beneath the surface. She wore a simple white robe, but even that couldn't hide her ravishing figure. Her waist was slim and resilient, her posture poised, her skin smooth as jade. Her graceful back and subtle curves radiated a feminine softness and strength.

It was Liu Erlong.

As Lin Jie approached, all three women turned to greet him.

"Lin Jie, you're back!"

"Hey! Where the hell have you been these past few months? Not a single word!"

"Xiao Jie… it's really you."

That last voice, warm and touched with joy, belonged to Liu Erlong.

Seeing her, Lin Jie smiled and walked forward, gently wrapping an arm around her slender waist. Looking into her serene, tender face, he said softly, "Sister Erlong… long time no see."

"...Sister Erlong?"

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu blinked in surprise at how casually Lin Jie addressed Liu Erlong.

Liu Erlong didn't seem the least bit offended. In fact, she looked rather pleased. Who liked being called old, after all?

She gently cupped Lin Jie's face with both hands and tilted it left and right like a doting elder sister. "You little rascal… gone for more than a year and not even a single letter. Do you know how much I missed you?" She sighed. "Still just as handsome as ever."

"Uh… Sister Erlong, why don't we continue this conversation inside?"

"Right, right! Look at me, I'm so happy I forgot we're still outside." Liu Erlong chuckled, then looked to Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu. "Come on, you two—let's all head in."

Together, the four of them stepped into the newly named Shrek Academy, the next chapter of their journey about to begin.