Chapter 119 – Farewells and Vacation!

Leaving behind the Golden Ancient Tree, Zhu Ziyang made his way to the inner court dining hall.

Inside a private room sat a group of eight or nine people, both men and women, chatting and laughing. When Zhu Ziyang entered, their faces lit up with delight.

"Ziyang's here!"

Wu Ming called out cheerfully, her pretty face breaking into a bright smile.

The others greeted him with warm nods and waves.

"Senior brothers, senior sisters—long time no see!"

Zhu Ziyang beamed as he stepped in, exchanging pleasantries with the group.

Seated inside were Han Ruoruo, Zhang Weiwei, and other inner court disciples. Everyone was there—except for Zhang Lexuan. Physically, at least, they had all recovered.

"Ziyang, sit here."

Ma Xiaotao patted the chair beside her.

"Alright."

He smiled and sat down, then glanced at her radiant face and, remembering what Yan Shaozhe had said earlier, asked instinctively,

"Sister Xiaotao, how are you feeling?"

"I'm doing great!" Ma Xiaotao replied with a charming laugh. "Thanks to my fifth soul ring, I can now manage some of the milder flare-ups of my condition."

"That's wonderful news!"

Zhu Ziyang smiled sincerely.

"Hey! Ziyang, are you only going to talk to Xiaotao?" Wu Ming huffed playfully. "Aren't we beautiful too?"

"Uh…"

Zhu Ziyang froze, unsure how to respond.

"Giggle~ Be nice, Ming'er," Han Ruoruo came to his rescue, her soft laughter as gentle as spring blossoms. "He's still just a boy."

"Hehe~ Fine, I'll let him off this time." Wu Ming grinned.

"Hmm? I don't see Senior Sister Lexuan or Senior Brother Zhu Lie," Zhu Ziyang asked curiously.

"Lexuan hasn't recovered yet, so she didn't come," Su Meng explained. "As for Brother Zhu, he's in the kitchen. He insisted on cooking for us himself."

"Oh? In that case, we're in for a treat!"

Zhu Ziyang's eyes lit up.

Zhang Lexuan had suffered damage to both her life force and martial soul origin, leaving her body weak. A month was nowhere near enough for a full recovery. She would need at least six months to restore her life essence—and far longer for her martial soul. But once she recovered, her strength would surely double. With a 100,000-year soul ring and soul bone, her combat power could rival even some Titled Douluo.

About fifteen minutes later, Zhu Lie entered with several kitchen staff, carrying more than a dozen dishes.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

He beamed. "Today, you'll finally get to taste my cooking!"

"Woohoo!"

Everyone cheered, their eyes lighting up at the steaming, fragrant dishes.

"No need to be shy—dig in!"

Zhu Lie said, leading by example as he picked up his chopsticks.

The rest followed eagerly, each going for their favorite dishes. Between bites and banter, the room was filled with warmth and laughter. Time slipped by unnoticed. Before long, the table was empty, their bellies full, and the mood cheerful as ever.

Then, Zhu Lie spoke up.

"Everyone… this might be the last time we dine together at the academy."

He smiled, but his voice carried a quiet melancholy. "I've applied for graduation. The academy approved it. I'll be heading back to my hometown."

Silence fell.

His words cast a shadow over the lighthearted atmosphere. The others looked at him with mixed expressions.

"Cheng Hui, Wanwan, and I had planned to leave together after the soul ring expedition…"

Zhu Lie's smile trembled slightly. "But now, I'm the only one left."

"I'll be leaving the academy too," Shen Xu suddenly said. His face was stoic, but his eyes betrayed a trace of sorrow.

"Safe travels to both of you."

Han Ruoruo smiled gently, though her voice wavered slightly. "Even if you leave, you'll always be part of Shrek."

"We won't forget," Zhu Lie and Shen Xu replied in unison.

The joyful gathering ended with the bittersweet taste of farewell.

As everyone stood to leave, Zhu Lie stopped Zhu Ziyang.

"Ziyang… I owe you my life. If you ever need anything, I'll be there."

"No need for that, Senior Brother."

Zhu Ziyang smiled and waved it off, knowing he was referring to the Hundred Recovery Pill.

"My family's in Taining City, in the Heavenly Soul Empire," Zhu Lie added. "If you ever pass through—don't forget to visit. We have some standing there."

"I will."

Zhu Ziyang nodded.

A few days later.

The end of the term approached, and Shrek Academy's holiday was about to begin.

In the Year One, Class One classroom, Xia Yu announced the vacation plans:

"Today marks the end of the academic year. Starting tomorrow, you are on break. Once you return, you'll begin preparations for the Year Two Advancement Examination," she said, her face expressionless. "I've said everything that needed saying. Pack up and go."

The students immediately grew excited, chatting as they packed up and began leaving in small groups.

"Ziyang, Nan Nan, are you going home?" Tang Ya asked.

"Of course. I haven't seen my mother in a year," Jiang Nannan replied with a pout.

"Waaah~ You're all leaving… I'll be all alone!" Tang Ya cried dramatically.

"Oh please," Jiang Nannan snorted. "Don't think I don't know Bei Bei is staying too. You two'll be having your romantic little world all to yourselves."

"Ehehe~ I just didn't want you to leave!" Tang Ya giggled, not even trying to deny it.

"You're hopeless." Jiang Nannan shook her head, smiling.

The next morning.

At the gates of Shrek Academy, students gathered to bid each other farewell.

Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan said their goodbyes to Tang Ya and Bei Bei. There wasn't much to say—after all, they'd see each other again in a month.

"We're off!"

Zhu Ziyang waved, taking Jiang Nannan's hand as they headed toward Soto City in the Sun Province.

But before they had walked a hundred meters, two figures appeared in front of them—it was Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er.

"Senior Sister. Teacher Cai."

"Elder Sister. Sister Mei'er."

Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan greeted them respectfully.

"Mm. Let's go," Xian Lin'er smiled. "Mei'er, I'll take Nan Nan—you take Little Brother Ziyang. Sound good?"

"No problem," Cai Mei'er nodded.

Then, without another word, the two women each grabbed one of the students and soared into the sky, heading north across the continent.

With two Super Douluo escorting them, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan made it back to Heaven Dou City in just a single day.

Upon returning to the ancient city, Zhu Ziyang couldn't help but feel different. The sense of insignificance and detachment he'd felt on his first visit had faded.

His thoughts, however, drifted elsewhere—to the Sunset Forest outside the city.

The dense poisonous miasma that hung over it was so intense, even the two Super Douluo didn't dare fly directly overhead. That alone confirmed how dangerous the area truly was.

After resting in Heaven Dou City for a night, the next morning they continued their journey. This time, however, Zhu Ziyang stopped the two women from flying at full speed. He wanted to take the slow route.

Both Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er were puzzled.

"I made a promise a year ago," Zhu Ziyang explained. "And I intend to keep it."

He then told them about his visit to Zhangyang Village the year before.

They listened in silence, and after a moment, both nodded solemnly.

Thus, the tiny mountain village of Zhangyang, after many years, would once again receive a Martial Soul Awakening Ceremony.

It was this decision—seemingly small—that would one day give rise to a new legend.

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Nota

"I had some issues, so I'm back with the daily chapters. Here are the chapters that weren't uploaded these past few days."