At the Edge of the Star Forest
"So you're telling me... last night, the Titan Giant Ape and the Azure Bull Python were fighting, and you took that chance to escape? On the way, you conveniently obtained your third spirit ring, your martial spirit evolved again from the stimulation, and you even rescued a lost little girl—who you now want to bring back to Shrek Academy?"
Flander took a deep breath of the chilly morning air, the dew still fresh. His gaze fell on the red-haired boy in front of him—whose temperament, appearance, and even height had changed once more—and then moved to the two girls standing beside him. His eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
"Hongjun, do you think I'm getting old and senile?"
What kind of absurd, storybook plot is this?
The earlier parts were barely believable, but the part about the "lost little girl" was simply too ridiculous.
Flander swore—throughout all his travels across the continent, he had never seen a girl with such otherworldly beauty and aura.
Yes—otherworldly.
As much as he hated to admit it, his goddess Liu Erlong was considered a top-tier beauty. But standing next to this girl named Gu Yuena, she was like a firefly compared to the bright moon.
"Well… teacher, it's all true."
The red-haired boy scratched his nose awkwardly, casting a glance at the stunning girl beside him who wore a calm and detached expression.
Her long silver hair flowed all the way down to her ankles, smooth and glimmering like silver crystal. No description could do justice to her beauty. Her porcelain skin was fair with a hint of paleness, and even the simplest clothing couldn't hide the noble and ethereal temperament she exuded. She didn't seem human at all—more like a celestial being who had descended from the heavens.
She was Gu Yuena, the Silver Dragon King.
Looking back, the boy slightly regretted his decision. But in that moment, there had been no better option.
He couldn't honestly remain there and become the leader of the soul beasts, could he?
Besides, bringing Gu Yuena out wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Gu Yuena's strength was nearly unmatched. Even if she couldn't freely act, her mere presence was enough to turn the tide if needed.
And being near him allowed her power of creation to activate, helping her injuries recover faster. At the same time, he could gradually adapt to the divine power that once belonged to him and prepare to use it fully.
After careful consideration, he had brought her with him.
As for the spirit ring, it had been prepared with help from the powerful soul beasts—chosen specifically to suit Ma Hongjun's attributes and level.
After all, for a ferocious beast, hunting a thousand-year soul beast was like using a cannon to kill a mosquito—so naturally, they picked the best.
"But you… you…"
Flander stared at the red-haired boy, now taller and more striking—almost as tall as Dai Mubai—and found himself at a loss for words.
Honestly, claiming you kidnapped a 100,000-year transformed soul beast would be more believable than this nonsense!
"Well, no need to make it so formal! Hahaha…"
The boy rubbed the back of his head, giving an awkward laugh before quickly pulling Gu Yuena forward. Pointing at Flander, he said, "Gu Yuena, this is my teacher and also our dean—Flander. Go ahead, say hello."
Greet a human?
The silver-haired girl frowned ever so slightly.
But seeing the hope in the red-haired boy's eyes, she sighed inwardly.
If it's your request...
Maybe, this was necessary to blend into human society.
"Hello, Dean Flander."
With that, she bowed slightly and greeted him softly.
"This…"
The moment she bowed, Flander felt his scalp go numb—as though countless terrifying eyes were staring directly at him.
He resisted the urge to step back, forcing a smile onto his face. "No need to be so polite. Since you're here, we're all family."
"This is Teacher Zhao."
Ma Hongjun gestured toward Zhao Wuji.
"Hello, Teacher Zhao."
The girl bowed again.
"Ah!!"
Zhao Wuji jumped slightly. He quickly swallowed a mouthful of saliva and responded with a forced smile, "N-no need to be polite."
Even he could feel the invisible pressure—like a needle pressing into his back.
Who the hell is this girl?
For the first time in his life, the notoriously fearless brute of the spirit world felt his scalp prickle with fear.
"As for the others…"
The red-haired boy looked at the rest of the students who were watching him intently and said with a smile, "Let's get to know each other once we return."
"Alright."
Gu Yuena nodded and returned to his side, resuming her serene and aloof expression, as if nothing in the world could faze her.
"Forget it. Since you made it back safely, that's all that matters," Flander said, waving the students away with a sigh.
"Any questions you have, save them for when we're out of the forest."
The students reluctantly backed off.
Even though they had countless questions, it was clear that this wasn't the time or place to ask them.
When they finally exited the Star Forest and stepped into the golden morning sunlight, both teachers and students let out a long sigh of relief.
Looking back at the dense woods behind them, they felt as if they had just left another world.
This trip to the Star Dou Great Forest would be one they'd never forget.
Even Ma Hongjun couldn't help but feel emotional.
So much had happened in just a single day.
Only Gu Yuena's amethyst eyes held the faintest flicker of emotion.
Once they were far enough from the Star Dou Great Forest, the students could no longer contain themselves.
"Fatty, you—"
Dai Mubai and Oscar had been scratching their heads for a while. Finally, they couldn't hold it in any longer and rushed over to ask. But the moment Gu Yuena's cool, amethyst eyes swept over them, they immediately fell silent, obediently retreating and sending Ma Hongjun pleading looks.
Hongjun!
Fatty!
Brother Fat!
Please, give us an explanation! How the hell did you pull this off!?
It was one thing to grow taller, stronger, and better looking—but how did you manage to bring back such a divine-level beauty!?
Compared to them, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were much more composed.
Though they, too, had a flood of questions, their attention turned toward Xiao Wu.
Because when it came to Gu Yuena—not even Ning Rongrong, proud and confident as she was—could find the courage to compete.
"Xiao Wu, be honest. What's going on?"
Ning Rongrong pulled Xiao Wu aside, her eyes full of curiosity. "What happened out there? And who exactly is that girl?!"
She stole a glance at the silver-haired Gu Yuena and lowered her voice.
The girl's appearance, figure, and presence were so striking—even as another girl, she had to admit she was stunned.
Ning Rongrong was sure that even if she were a royal princess or the heiress of a top sect, she still wouldn't be able to compare to Gu Yuena.
A lost girl in the wilderness?
Even dogs wouldn't believe that!