Breakthrough and Devastating News

(REPOST. THIS CHAPTER WAS KNOWN AS "Bad News (3)". IF YOU HAVE READ IT BEFORE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ IT AGAIN. Apart from slight modification, the general plot remains the same as the old Bad News (3). Special Training chapter might be ready by tomorrow. Three new chapters have been posted before this one in case you missed them..)

A mighty and majestic roar echoed through the mimicry training ground, causing it to tremble slightly. "Hahaha!" Dai Mubai laughed loudly, standing up from his meditation and clenching his fists tightly. Excitement was evident in his voice as he exclaimed, "Finally, I have broken through!"

The air around him seemed to crackle with newfound energy as he took a couple of deep breaths, relishing the moment. Deciding to head to the cafeteria to eat something before delivering the news, he began his descent down the mountain. Dark clouds gathered overhead, casting a somber shadow over the landscape. "It's going to rain today, huh?" he mused aloud, glancing skyward.

It had been two weeks since Tang San and Xiao Wu had returned. During these past weeks, everyone, including Dai Mubai, had been on edge about Sheng Jun's whereabouts. At least now, they finally had some good news.

Entering the cafeteria, Dai Mubai immediately felt a chill in the air that made him shudder. Looking around, he saw Bai Chenxiang, her face was filled with a frown, eating a pile of semi-frozen foods with Oscar, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, who also shivered as they ate. Frowning lightly, he approached them. "Second Brother is not back yet?" he asked, taking some food to his tray and sitting down beside Oscar.

"I talked to him...three days ago. I don't know when he will return" Bai Chenxiang answered, taking a hard bite of her food, cold air escaping with her breath. It had been a while since Ma Hongjun had left to seek his Third Spirit Ring, and it's been three days since he last called her. This made her both angry and worried. Despite knowing the dangers due to the Titan Giant Ape, he had insisted on going after learning that both Tang San and Xiao Wu had obtained their Third Spirit Rings before coming back.

Usually, Ma Hongjun would have taken Bai Chenxiang with him due to their relationship and her condition, but Dai Mubai and the others figured he had some kind of fear or trauma from their trip to the Great Star Dou Forest. So, he begged Bai Chenxiang to stay behind in case something unexpected happened.

Understanding Bai Chenxiang's feelings, they all remained silent, the unspoken agreement not to bring up the subject. Dai Mubai focused on the meal in front of him, hoping that Ma Hongjun would return soon, or else they might be eating frozen foods tomorrow.

Breaking the uneasy silence, Dai Mubai smiled before announcing, "I have reached Level 40" A proud smile adorned his face as he spoke.

A brief silence fell over the cafeteria before it was broken by an excited exclamation. "Congratulations, Sixth Brother! Haha, although you can already graduate, you better wait for me first" Oscar said, hooking his arm around Dai Mubai's neck and laughing heartily.

"Congratulations, Sixth Brother" Ning Rongrong and Bai Chenxiang echoed with equal enthusiasm. Despite her previous behavior, Ning Rongrong had proven herself during their trip and, after experiencing life-and-death situations together, had earned her place as their Ninth Sister at Shrek Academy.

Dai Mubai smiled proudly at the congratulations, glancing towards Zhu Zhuqing. Who gave him a rare smile and nodded, murmuring something quietly. Dai Mubai froze for a moment due to her rare smile before a brilliant smile spread across his face, causing Zhu Zhuqing to turn away, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Everyone, gather at the square!" An authoritative voice boomed throughout the academy, startling Dai Mubai and the others. "That's Dean Flender's voice! They are back!" Dai Mubai exclaimed, rushing out of the cafeteria with everyone in tow.

They arrived at the square just as the first drops of rain began to fall. They saw the teachers, including Tang San and Xiao Wu, gathered around a solemn group of five: Dean Flender, Liu Erlong, Zhao Wuji, Yu Xiaogang, and a surprisingly haggard Ma Hongjun. His eyes were red and swollen, with dark bags under them, indicating he hadn't slept for days.

Dai Mubai and the others rushed to the group, their concern evident. "Dean Flender! What happened?" Oscar asked, his voice filled with worry after noticing the haggard Ma Hongjun and the person they expected to see being missing in their group. A bad premonition started to grow in his heart.

"I have something important to announce," Flender said weakly, his normally stern face marred by pain.

The students fell silent, sensing the gravity of the moment. Flender took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over everyone before resting on the pale Ma Hongjun beside him, who seemed to struggle with his emotions. At first, he had wanted to share this news with everyone together so they could support each other, but they had unexpectedly met Ma Hongjun at the town outside of the Great Star Dou Forest. He had successfully just found his Third Spirit Ring and was being accompanied by a team from the Sheng Company back toward the Shrek Academy.

Initially, Flender had wanted to scold Ma Hongjun for being there, but he remembered that Ma Hongjun hadn't yet received his Third Spirit Ring. Left with no other choice due to Ma Hongjun's inquiry, he had decided to announce Sheng Jun's death to him beforehand during their trip back to the academy, which had left Ma Hongjun in his current state for a couple of days now.

Turning his attention back to everyone, Flender slowly said, "Sheng Jun…is dead"

Dai Mubai and the others turned pale instantly, not wanting to believe what Flender had just announced. Now they understood why Ma Hongjun's face was like that. After a long silence, as if waiting for Flender to burst out laughing and say he was joking, they finally had to accept it…Sheng Jun was really dead.

A killing intent slowly appeared in Dai Mubai as he muttered, "I will kill that damn Ape" his eyes turning red from fury and grief.

Tang San clenched his fists tightly, his body trembling with reddened eyes as his killing intent leaked out uncontrollably. Xiao Wu, standing beside him with a ghastly face, also trembled in fear, it was the first time she had seen Tang San like this.

Excluding Xiao Wu, everyone besides Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, who hadn't been there for long, reacted similarly to Dai Mubai and Tang San. Although Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong felt sad and angry at the news, their reactions were not as extreme as those who had spent years with Sheng Jun.

Flender sighed heavily before continuing, putting on a strong facade. "These types of situations are, unfortunately, normal occurrences everywhere in this world. People are dying every second as we speak. This world is a dangerous place, more so for Spirit Masters who need to fight Spirit Beasts for their advancement" he explained slowly, the pain clear in his voice despite his efforts to conceal it.

"If you don't want such things to occur in the future, then become stronger. Become so strong that nothing can threaten the lives of the ones you care about…" He let his words sink in before concluding, "Go and rest for three days. We will begin special training then" With that, he dismissed everyone except Bai Chenxiang who remained still looking sadly and worriedly at a certain someone, there's no way she could remain angry after she saw the pain on his face.

Turning his attention back to Ma Hongjun Flender said softly "Hongjun, I will be waiting in front of the Sheng family mansion tomorrow" he said, patting him on the shoulder before walking away with a heavy heart along with the other teachers.

Flender's pat on his shoulder jolted Ma Hongjun out of his daze. He watched his teacher's departing figure, then turned his attention to Bai Chenxiang, whose worried and pale face mirrored his own inner turmoil. The weight of reality crashed down on him like a tidal wave.

"I'm fine, Chenxiang. I'm sorry for not contacting you earlier, for always making you worry-" he spoke slowly with a trembling voice, locking eyes with her.

Before he could finish his sentence, Bai Chenxiang's gentle touch on his cheek silenced him. "Hongjun... it's fine... it's fine. I'm here for you" she reassured him, tears streaming down her cheeks as she pulled him into a tight embrace. Seeing her beloved in pain yet trying to remain strong tore at her heart, in that moment, all she wanted was for him to lean on her and let his emotions flow.

After a moment of shock due to her sudden action, tears welled up in Ma Hongjun's eyes, and he began to weep openly in the rain. They stood together, wrapped in each other's embrace, for what felt like an eternity. "I'm sorry for always relying on you... I will become stronger in the future so you can rely on me instead... whatever it takes" he whispered softly, still holding her close.

Bai Chenxiang shook her head gently, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hongjun, I'm older than you. Besides, I'm also your lover. You can always rely on me. So... let's rely on each other in the future, okay?" she murmured, tightening her embrace even more.

"Hmm" Ma Hongjun murmured in agreement, closing his eyes as he savored the warmth of their embrace. In that moment, the fire of determination and vengeance burned fiercely within him. No more losses. He refused to let anyone else he cared about slip away. Whatever the cost, whatever it took, he vowed silently to himself before exhaustion overtook him, both physically and mentally, and he drifted into sleep.

…

The next day, a white-haired woman was sprawled on the ground, her body wracked with uncontrollable sobs. A brown-haired man, tears streaking down his face, held her tightly in his embrace, while a red-haired youth stood beside them, offering silent support as they drew strength from one another.

Flender observed the scene in silence, his features twisted with pain, guilt, and shame, before he turned away slowly. The message had been conveyed; now they needed time alone to grieve.

"Mom, Dad..." Ma Hongjun began, his voice heavy with determination, as he broke away from the embrace. "I will avenge him... I will kill that ape" he declared firmly, his resolve unshakeable as he rose to his feet. But before he could continue, a hand clutched at his clothes, and he turned to see Sheng Yu looking up at him with reddened eyes.

"No... don't go... let's... let's live together like a normal family. We have enough wealth... there's no need to be... a damned Spirit Master" she pleaded, her voice choked with tears as she stared into Ma Hongjun's eyes, her gaze unwavering.

Looking at his mother, Ma Hongjun couldn't say anything for a while. He glanced at his father, who stood silently, offering his support for whatever decision Ma Hongjun would make. As a father, he longed to seek revenge himself, but his own weaknesses held him back. He knew he wouldn't be able to accomplish it in his lifetime. But Ma Hongjun, he believed, had the potential and determination to do what he couldn't.

Shaking his head slowly, Ma Hongjun finally spoke, his voice steady yet heavy with emotion. "Mom, I need to become stronger, and the only way to do that is by continuing in being a Spirit Master. Only then can I avenge Brother Jun and protect everyone I hold dear" he explained softly, taking hold of her hands before releasing them gently. "I need to go cultivate. I'll come back to see you later" he added as he began to walk away.

"NO!!" Sheng Yu's cry pierced the air, but Ma Hongjun's resolve was unyielding. With determined strides, he pressed forward without looking back. Sheng Yu, realizing that Ma Hongjun had no intention of turning back, turned to her husband in desperation. "Sheng Fu!! You have to stop him! We can't lose another son!" she pleaded, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded her husband to intervene.

Sheng Fu remained silent, his anguish evident on his face. He, too, grappled with conflicting emotions, torn between protecting his remaining son and seeking revenge. But he knew that Ma Hongjun's decision was final, and he would support him wholeheartedly. As Sheng Yu continued to plead hysterically, Sheng Fu held her close, his own tears falling silently.

Finally, exhausted and heartbroken, Sheng Yu's pleas faded into quiet sobs. She collapsed against her husband, her body shaking with grief.

As Ma Hongjun walked away, his heart heavy with grief and determination, he knew that his path was set. Grief, anger, and determination fueled his every step. He would honor Sheng Jun's memory by becoming the strongest Spirit Master he could be. He would protect his loved ones and ensure that no one else suffered as his brother had. And when the time came, he would face the Titan Giant Ape and avenge his brother's death.

For now, there was only the path ahead, and Ma Hongjun embraced it with unwavering resolve, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.