Chapter 68: Returning to Tiandou City

Inside Tiandou City,

Looking at the five golden, glittering characters on the massive plaque before him, Zhou Yi felt a wave of emotion.

Is this the benefit of having a wealthy patron? Giving people, money, and even an academy; the original Lanba Academy had completely transformed into Shrek Academy.

Seeing the two guards stationed at the main gate, he had no intention of revealing himself, so he used a Mirage to walk right in, bold and unbothered.

Walking along the path, seeing the various youthful and beautiful boys and girls around him even reminded him of his university life in his previous existence.

Shrek really is completely different from its original shabby appearance now; Flender must be grinning from ear to ear every day.

Continuing inward, after arriving at the core area, Zhou Yi finally heard familiar voices; it seemed Zhu Zhuqing and the others were just ahead.

At this moment, inside the Training Ground, the Grandmaster and Zhao Wuji were watching the center seriously, where Tang San and the other five were working together to deal with Zhu Zhuqing, but even with their tacit coordination, they could not easily defeat Zhuqing.

Zhou Yi arrived beside Zhao Wuji and said calmly.

"How is it, Zhao, Zhuqing hasn't changed little over this past year, has she?"

"Indeed... Hmm!?"

Zhao Wuji nodded subconsciously upon hearing the voice, but realized something was wrong immediately, turned his head sharply to look to the side, and his eyes widened in shock when he saw Zhou Yi.

"You... you!"

"Shh." Watching the startled Zhao Wuji, Zhou Yi raised a finger to make a gesture for silence.

"... Xiao Yi, you are still as elusive as ever; I haven't quite gotten used to it after not seeing you for a year."

At this moment, the Grandmaster nearby also noticed the commotion and looked toward Zhou Yi.

"You... are Xiao Yi?"

"Yo, Grandmaster, it's been seven years."

"You've changed so much now; I almost didn't recognize you."

The Grandmaster looked at the gentle, handsome youth before him with some emotion; in his eyes, the figure in front of him was constantly overlapping with his memories.

At this time, Zhao Wuji also began to ask about Zhou Yi's recent plans from the side.

"Xiao Yi, are you leaving again after coming back this time?"

"I don't plan to leave for the time being; I have to stay for at least half a year. Coming back this time is just right for resting and properly organizing the gains from this past year."

"Good, as long as you came back safely." Zhao Wuji patted his shoulder happily after hearing this.

The Grandmaster, however, couldn't help but ask.

"Xiao Yi, do you plan to participate in this Spirit Master Tournament?"

"I'd better not; if I participate, it would be too much of a bully. However, if Xiao San and the others run into opponents they truly can't beat, I can help them out."

Zhou Yi could still hear the subtext in the Grandmaster's words, but he was willing to help with such small favors. In this world, Zhou Yi had rewarded the three people who had taught him knowledge; he had given Ning Fengzhi and Tang Yuehua Divine Abilities, so for the Grandmaster's return gift, he would choose to help him fulfill his dream.

Hearing Zhou Yi's answer, the Grandmaster couldn't help but reveal a happy smile; he understood that for this competition, Shrek was secure.

He had never intuitively experienced Zhou Yi's strength, but listening to the descriptions from Zhao Wuji, Tang San, and the others, Zhou Yi's strength likely exceeded the level of a Spirit Saint.

Taking advantage of the time Zhou Yi spent chatting with the Grandmaster and Zhao Wuji, the battle inside the Training Ground also ended. As expected, they simply could not defeat Zhu Zhuqing; the Heavenly Yao and Yin-Sha effects of the Taiyin Power alone kept her in an invincible position. Her evolved dual-ultimate attribute martial soul was even more superior to everyone present.

After they finished the battle, they turned their heads and saw Zhou Yi's figure; they exclaimed and gathered around him together.

"Holy crap, isn't this Brother Yi!"

"Brother Yi, you're finally back!"

"Brother Yi, Jin Ling, I've missed you both so much!"

Looking at the excited crowd, Zhou Yi greeted them with a smile.

"Long time no see, everyone."

After exchanging pleasantries like this, Zhou Yi was also taken by Zhao Wuji to meet Flender and the other teachers, and he also met Liu Erlong along the way. Liu Erlong had also heard of Zhou Yi, and seeing him now, he was indeed extraordinary. The group decided to go to a hotel together in the evening to have a meal and welcome Zhou Yi back.

A few hours later,

Inside a private room of a certain hotel,

The Grandmaster, Liu Erlong, Flender, Zhao Wuji, and several students sat at the table celebrating together.

Everyone asked Zhou Yi about his encounters over the past year.

Actually, Ning Rongrong had already learned the general idea about Zhou Yi and Zhuqing's experiences over this past month; except for the details of the God Trial, she had heard everything from Zhuqing, including their deeds of protecting the common people on another continent. However, Tang San and the others didn't know much.

Looking at everyone's curious gazes, Zhou Yi didn't intend to hide anything. Except for the previous trip to the Spirit Hall, he briefly talked about his other experiences.

After listening to Zhou Yi's account, the Grandmaster and the others were silent for a while. Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar all felt envious of the miraculous experiences of Zhou Yi and Zhuqing.

"So, the Secret Realm you accidentally entered before was a deity's inheritance? I had heard legends about it before, but I didn't expect it to be true."

"Mm."

On the other side, Zhao Wuji said.

"Isn't the other piece of news even more shocking? I've lived this long and it's the first time I've heard that there is another continent."

Flender also nodded.

"Indeed, this news is equally eye-opening. But Xiao Yi, Zhuqing, you both did a great job. Being able to protect the common people amidst a multi-nation war—even we adults wouldn't dare to do that easily. This kind of kind and righteous quality is truly precious."

"That's right, it's a good thing that the other continent has already been unified, and the common people can finally live in peace." Liu Erlong also felt emotional; as expected of a woman, her thoughts were more sentimental, and her focus was completely different from the Grandmaster and the others.

At this time, Xiao Wu also asked with a bit of confusion.

"Brother Yi, why did the Nine-Colored Deer return to the forest early? She clearly helped so many common people; does this mean that even so, humans will not accept Soul Beasts?"

Looking at her slightly sad eyes, Zhou Yi said.

"The Nine-Colored Deer has already lived for nine hundred and ninety thousand years; she probably understands the contradictions of humans better than we do. Besides, humanity is not a monolith. Just like our Douluo Continent is divided into Three Sects Two Empires One Hall, under the premise that the world rule of Spirit Masters needing Soul Beast Soul Rings to advance remains unchanged, even if some humans are willing to coexist peacefully with Soul Beasts, most other humans will still continue to hunt Soul Beasts for their own strength. Presumably, Yingxue also understood this principle and simply avoided unnecessary trouble."

"But isn't this very unfair? She helped humans without receiving any reward, and furthermore, she had to hide from humans to avoid being hunted. I really feel it's not worth it." As she spoke, she seemed to think of someone important, and her eyes couldn't help but turn a little red.

Seeing Xiao Wu's sad appearance, Tang San couldn't bear it and held her hand tightly.

"Xiao Wu, you must know that helping others does not necessarily bring rewards; on the contrary, one might be betrayed and fall into danger. But precisely because of this, the quality of understanding these truths yet still choosing justice is what is truly precious. When we help others, we do not crave their rewards, nor do we have the right to demand them from others. So you don't need to feel it's unfair; helping others is just us following our own principles."

"Of course, the difference between us and the Nine-Colored Deer and the others is that we possess great strength; even if the people we save were to betray or frame us, we have sufficient means to avoid the risks or resolve the problems."