Zhu Zhuqing's Determination

Dai Mubai's situation had finally come to an end.

At the gates of Shrek Academy, Zhu Zhuqing was saying farewell to the others.

"Zhuqing, are you really planning to stay here?" Zong asked with some concern.

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "Xiaozong, as much as I want to be with you, I've thought about it. I can't just be a vase by your side forever. I need to grow stronger through my own efforts too."

"I'm just worried..." Zong started to reply.

At that moment, Flender appeared out of nowhere, laughing heartily and cutting Zong off. "Don't worry! I'm not the kind of person who can't protect my students. Although that brat Mubai has his issues, he still listens to me."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded at Zong in agreement.

Zong sighed. When it came to student safety, Flender's words held some weight. Since Zhuqing wanted to stay and continue her studies, there was no reason to stop her.

Next, Zong pulled a gold card from his pocket and handed it to Flender. "Dean Flender, this has ten thousand gold coins on it. Use it to improve the academy's meals. I don't want Zhuqing looking sickly the next time I see her."

Flender's eyes lit up. "Absolutely! I'll inform the kitchen to improve the food tomorrow."

Flender, who had been struggling with the academy's finances, quickly snatched the gold card, examining it like a precious treasure. Heaven knows how he had survived these past few years; there were times when the academy barely had enough to keep going.

Zong gave Flender an annoyed look, thinking of how greedy he was, but he let it slide. Consider the money a repayment with interest.

Then Zong pulled out a black wooden box and handed it to Zhu Zhuqing. His gaze flicked toward Flender, who was still obsessed with the gold, before he activated his Sharingan and locked eyes with Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing was momentarily stunned, but quickly understood. She was touched. Taking the black box from Zong, she leaned into his chest and whispered, "I'll miss you."

Zong gently stroked her head and held her waist, speaking softly, "I'll come visit you as soon as I can."

"Okay." Zhu Zhuqing nodded, her small face resting against his firm chest.

Zong was momentarily surprised, thinking, "Aren't couples supposed to get emotional and share a kiss when they part? Did my words not move her enough?"

Just as Zong pondered this, Flender's untimely voice interrupted, "Ahem... you two should tone it down a bit. This is a public place. Besides, we go to the Great Spirit Arena every day, so at the latest, you'll see each other again tonight. It's not like you're parting forever."

Zhu Zhuqing's face turned red with embarrassment, even her neck flushing pink. She immediately pulled away from Zong and ran back into the academy, holding the black box.

Zong gave an awkward laugh and cupped his hands toward Flender. "I'll leave Zhuqing in your care, Dean Flender."

"Don't worry," Flender replied with a nod.

As Zong turned to leave, Flender called out again, "Hey, are you sure you don't want to join Shrek Academy?"

Zong waved it off in response.

Once Zong, Xiao Wu, and Ye Lingling had left the village where Shrek Academy was located, Xiao Wu, who had been holding back, finally burst out.

She stopped in her tracks, squatted down, and complained in a tone full of grievance, "I'm tired, I don't want to walk anymore."

Her little face was puffed up in frustration, and her watery eyes stared straight at Zong, as if she was about to cry if she didn't get her way.

Zong smiled helplessly. He had indeed neglected her a bit while dealing with Zhuqing's matters. He crouched down and motioned for Xiao Wu to hop onto his back. Usually, whenever Xiao Wu was angry, Zong could calm her down by giving her a piggyback ride and taking her out for a nice meal.

But this time, to his surprise, the piggyback offer didn't work.

Zong walked over to her and gently helped her up, asking softly, "What's wrong, Xiao Wu?"

"What did you give Zhuqing just now?" Xiao Wu pouted in dissatisfaction, barely holding back from saying, "I want one too!"

Zong felt a bit awkward, realizing she was jealous. The black wooden box he gave Zhu Zhuqing contained a Type 54 pistol and a few loaded magazines, something he had recently acquired. He gave it to Zhuqing for her protection. As for how to use it, Zong had already taught her with his Sharingan.

Thinking about this, Zong pulled out another Type 54 pistol. "It's this. I call it a gun, and it's for self-defense."

As he spoke, Zong demonstrated how to use it in front of Xiao Wu and Ye Lingling.

Bang! A tree in the distance was pierced through.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Zong still felt uneasy about giving it to her right away, so he warned her, "This thing might not be very useful against large soul beasts, but for ordinary soul masters, it's incredibly effective. Be careful when you use it, and always remember: never point it at an ally, okay?"

"Got it!" Xiao Wu snatched the gun from him, making a playful face and happily started fiddling with it.

Zong then looked over at Ye Lingling, thinking that it wouldn't be fair to leave her out, especially since she had accompanied him on this trip. Unfortunately, he only had two pistols. So, with some reluctance, he handed her a Thompson submachine gun instead.

Ye Lingling, though delicate-looking, was still a soul master with strength far surpassing that of ordinary people. She easily took the submachine gun and asked, puzzled, "What's this?"

Zong explained, "It's an upgraded version of what Xiao Wu has. You can call it a submachine gun. It should help with your lack of offensive power. With this and the martial arts I've taught you, ordinary soul masters won't stand a chance against you."

"Thank you," Ye Lingling said. Just like when Zong had taught her martial arts, she didn't refuse. They were companions after all, so there was no need to be overly formal.

Xiao Wu exclaimed, "Wow, Zong! You even have a bigger one. Lingling, let's go try it out in the woods!"

Seeing Xiao Wu's playful nature return, Zong smiled. She really was a simple bunny. Could it be that in 100,000 years, her intelligence still hadn't improved?

As night fell, they arrived at the Great Spirit Arena in Suotuo City.

Inside the private room of the Royal Fighting Team, everyone, including Zong and Xiao Wu, was sitting on the sofas.

"What? You went to Shrek Academy today?" Qin Ming exclaimed in surprise.

Zong's mouth twitched slightly, shooting Xiao Wu a look. Did she really have to spill everything? According to the original story, the Royal Fighting Team wouldn't encounter Shrek for another three months. Zong hadn't planned on changing the timeline, especially since he didn't want to spoil the surprise when he eventually faced off against them.

"Well, now there will be no surprise," Zong thought.

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