Ye Wen gently shook his head, and a breeze-like surge of soul power lifted Huo Yu'er to her feet.
"Stand up. What have you done wrong?"
"But..." Huo Yu'er was now a graceful young woman, her eyes reddened as she gazed at Little Xue Nu nestled in Ye Wen's arms.
From the very beginning, Huo Yu'er hadn't wanted to waste time dealing with Dai Huabin during this period. But that despicable wretch had used Little Xue Nu—a cute and innocent little loli—to threaten her.
Though Huo Yu'er knew Ye Wen must have left safeguards for Little Xue Nu, ever since meeting Ye Wen, she had always felt indebted to him. Despite her own perceived worthlessness, he had always been tolerant and supportive of her.
The strong-willed Huo Yu'er truly didn't want to trouble Ye Wen over such a minor matter.
At this moment, Ye Wen used his free hand to gently pat Huo Yu'er's head.
"What are you thinking about, little Yu'er? We're family—don't be afraid to lean on me. Since I'm your master, you should see me as a father figure. As long as you don't violate the rules I've set, do whatever you wish. With me as your support, you don't need to worry too much."
Ye Wen was always so forgiving toward Huo Yu'er. But it was precisely this unbearable gentleness that made Huo Yu'er—who had endured countless hardships since she became aware—unable to hold back her tears.
Huo Yu'er stepped forward lightly, clutching Ye Wen's clothes. She didn't want him to see her weakness and disarray.
Ye Wen patted her soft, delightful little head twice more. "Grow stronger as quickly as you can. Leave this grudge for you to settle in the future. Let everyone who has bullied you know that you, Huo Yu'er, are not worthless—you are someone they cannot hope to reach."
"Mm," Huo Yu'er nodded firmly.
Children's sleep is always light. At this moment, Little Xue Nu woke up groggily from Ye Wen's embrace.
"Hmm? Why is Big Sister crying? Silly~"
Huo Yuer seemed to notice her own awkward state and playfully teased Little Xue Nu.
Ye Wen watched this scene with affection. These were all his beloved little daughters~
Gently placing Little Xue Nu down, Ye Wen's body began to gradually dissipate, returning to Little Xue Nu's body.
"Pack up. My main body will return tomorrow."
---
The Next Day—
As the holy land of soul masters across the Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy had enjoyed unparalleled glory for ten thousand years and attracted immense attention.
News of the incident on the commercial street last night spread like wildfire across the continent almost immediately.
However, the cause of this event was so abrupt and inconclusive that even now, none of the major powers had obtained detailed intelligence. Why had the battle erupted? Who were the combatants?
The current leader of the Body Sect, Du Bu Si, laughed until tears nearly streamed down his face as he read the report in his hands. Due to his brother's death, he held no respect for Shrek Academy and was thoroughly enjoying their misfortune.
The royal families of the original three nations of the Douluo Continent furrowed their brows as they studied the report.
Though the three royal families resented Shrek's interference in their internal affairs, they couldn't deny that it was precisely because of Shrek that the Sun Moon Empire hadn't dared to launch large-scale wars.
If it had been an ordinary attack, Shrek would have already released the attacker's information to the entire continent. But they hadn't. It was as if Shrek had swallowed a bitter pill.
And when an invincible existence suffers defeat, its aura of invincibility vanishes. At this moment, storm clouds gathered over the Douluo Continent.
The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect and the Hao Tian Sect, which had persisted for ten thousand years, merely skimmed through the report and dismissed it with indifference.
After all, the former was a neutral force. No matter who ruled, business would continue as usual. The Sun Moon Empire couldn't possibly exterminate all the soul masters of the Douluo Continent. In the end, the only outcome would be a change in rulers.
Moreover, while some nations on the Douluo Continent had endured, the continent had come to understand one truth: there are no eternal nations, but there can be eternal families.
Let the great powers fight if they wish. The Nine Treasures Glazed Pagoda Sect is merely here to do business.
As for the Hao Tian Sect...
It was now a completely secluded sect. The number of Titled Douluo within the sect remained unknown to outsiders.
Furthermore, the Hao Tian Sect was no longer led by the Tang family but by two "beasts."
Weakness and ignorance are not obstacles to survival—arrogance is.
The two hundred-thousand-year soul beasts, now divine officials, paid no heed to these minor disputes on the Douluo Continent. They were merely babysitters for Tang Wulin.
Upon receiving the news, the Sun Moon Empire remained as calm as ever. Since suffering a major defeat at the hands of Shrek in the previous war, the Sun Moon Empire had been biding its time, preparing resources steadily without being swayed by this minor fluctuation.
But compared to the three royal families, the most troubled individual was Duke Dai Hao, stationed at the frontlines of the Star Luo Empire's war efforts.
In hopes of one day restoring the prestige of the White Tiger Royal Family, Dai Hao had sacrificed much and had been meticulously plotting something over the years.
When he learned yesterday that his youngest son had committed a grave mistake at Shrek, his forehead veins bulged, but he didn't fly into a rage.
However, as he stared at the report in his hands, Dai Hao couldn't shake an ominous feeling. After all, his son had just caused trouble yesterday, and now another incident had occurred—it was hard not to suspect.
"Surely Huabin didn't do something again... did he?"
Meanwhile, Ye Wen was leading five girls on their journey to the Heavenly Soul Empire.
Though Ye Wen could teleport instantly, Huo Yu'er and the others were still young. They needed to experience more of the world rather than become mindless cultivators.
Only by truly understanding the hardships of the Douluo Continent could they blossom into figures capable of fostering greater peace and brilliance.
Among the six travelers, however, one person kept glancing back frequently.
That person was Tang Ya.
After finding a place to rest and beginning lunch, Ye Wen smiled and asked,
"What's wrong? Can't forget about your little boyfriend?"
Tang Ya's face flushed red. She opened her mouth to speak but didn't refute anything.
After all, he was a boy who had eyes only for her.
But when Tang Ya recalled the hatred she carried and the humiliation she had endured days ago, her face quickly turned pale, and she regained her composure.
Shaking her head lightly, Tang Ya said, "No, I was just wondering why Master took me as a disciple. After all, Master knows my aptitude is truly terrible."
Indeed, Ye Wen had taken Tang Ya under his wing, making her his fourth disciple after Xiao Xiao.
Ye Wen chuckled and didn't rush to explain, leaving only one sentence.
"Just tell me—do you want revenge or not?"
When recruiting disciples, Ye Wen had used similar words.
"If you want revenge, then take me as your master."
Yes, revenge—it was Tang Ya's top priority, even surpassing her desire to revive the Tang Sect. She had simply buried it deep within her heart.
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