Capítulo 61: Ma Hongjun's Third Spirit Ring (1)

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, Ma Hongjun's voice cut through the dimming light. "I want to go get my Third Spirit Ring," he declared, his tone tinged with determination as he stared at the ominous figure with a sinister aura before him.

Frank stared at Ma Hongjun, a bit troubled. He was part of the protection team permanently stationed at the Shrek Academy and the surrounding area of Suotuo City. His duty was to safeguard the students and protect the parents of his savior, a responsibility he felt deeply honored to fulfill.

However, not long ago, Frank had received troubling news: Sheng Jun had gone missing after taking a hit from the Titan Giant Ape. Despite his unwavering belief in Sheng Jun's invincibility, he couldn't help but feel anxious. Most of the teams in the company had been dispatched to the Great Star Dou Forest to search for Sheng Jun, but due to his position, Frank and many others from the protection team were stationed here, unable to join the search. This left him feeling even more restless. Now, with Ma Hongjun's request, it seemed there might be a chance to change that.

"Wait a moment," Frank said flatly, though excitement bubbled within him. He took out his Dalu Link and called his team leader. Not long after, a tired male voice answered, "What is it?"

"Team Leader, Frank here. Sir, Ma Hongjun wants to go look for his Third Spirit Ring. What should we do?" Frank asked directly, knowing that Saixi preferred people to get straight to the point.

"This…" Saixi hesitated for a moment on the other side of the Dalu Link. If they found Sheng Jun and he learned they had delayed Ma Hongjun's Third Spirit Ring quest for the search, he wouldn't be pleased. The longer Ma Hongjun's advancement was postponed, the more he would suffer in the future.

"Alright, escort him here and assist him in finding that Fire Spark Phoenix. I will call the others to keep an eye out as well," Saixi finally decided after a prolonged silence. Despite the potential danger of the Titan Giant Ape, Saixi didn't believe it would reappear in the Outer Area. Even if it did, the Sheng Company would intercept it and delay it until Ma Hongjun was safely out even if it cost their lives. With that said he hung up and went back to the search.

After the call, Frank immediately instructed part of his team stationed nearby to prepare for Ma Hongjun's escort to the Great Star Dou Forest. Turning back to Ma Hongjun, he said, "We'll leave tomorrow morning. Get some rest for now."

With a nod, Ma Hongjun walked away, his fist clenched in determination, heading toward the Mimicry training ground. Arriving at his usual spot on the snowy mountain, he sat down next to Bai Chenxiang, who was already meditating.

After a long silence, he finally spoke. "I'm going to go look for my Third Spirit Ring tomorrow," he said quietly. Bai Chenxiang slowly opened her eyes and smiled. "That's great! Let me prepare first!" she said excitedly. She checked her space ring, making a list of the supplies they needed to restock before setting off.

The ring was a precious gift from Sheng Jun to everyone. Usually, space rings were rare artifacts found only in ancient ruins and dungeons from previous eras. However, with the help of Oscar and Grandmaster, Sheng Jun managed to replicate the runes needed to produce such rings, making them a unique selling point for the Sheng Company.

Looking at Bai Chenxiang's excited expression before him, Ma Hongjun remained silent, his thoughts troubled. Sensing his unease, Bai Chenxiang frowned with concern. "Hongjun, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry. She had expected Ma Hongjun to be thrilled by the prospect of finally obtaining his Spirit Ring and continuing his cultivation. Moreover, they could use this opportunity to search for Sheng Jun together. His reluctance confused her deeply.

After a moment of hesitation, Ma Hongjun gathered his courage and spoke weakly. "Chenxiang...can you not go?" he requested quietly.

"What?" Bai Chenxiang was taken aback, her expression registering disbelief. They had always been inseparable since her arrival at the academy. It was the first time Ma Hongjun had asked her not to accompany him on something important.

"Please… I'm afraid... I'm afraid of losing you too. What if the Titan Giant Ape appears again? What if you go missing or die?" Ma Hongjun's voice trembled, his eyes glistening with tears as he looked at the shocked Bai Chenxiang. He knew it was unlikely for the beast to reappear, but the fear still gripped him.

"What do you mean?" Bai Chenxiang's voice wavered as she frowned, anger starting to rise. "So what if it appears?! Didn't you say that we should live and die together?!" She tried to meet his eyes, but he avoided her gaze.

"Please…" Ma Hongjun begged, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tears welled up in Bai Chenxiang's eyes too. She understood his fear, but that didn't mean she approved of his decision. "Last time…" she started slowly, her voice breaking, "This will be the first time and the last time…" With those words, she stormed out of the Mimicry training ground, planning to sleep in their dormitory for the first time in a long time.

Ma Hongjun watched her fading figure, torn by guilt and determination. He knew he was being selfish, prioritizing his fears and feelings over hers. She was just as scared of losing him. Despite going against his principles, he thought he made the right decision. With a heavy sigh, he sat down, attempting to focus on cultivating.

…

As the early morning sun cascaded from the horizon, Ma Hongjun stood ready to depart with Frank and several others from the protection team tasked with escorting him. He glanced at his fellow students, his brothers and sisters from Shrek Academy, who had gathered to bid him a safe journey, his eyes searching for someone in particular. 'She's not here… I guess I really made her upset this time. I'm sorry Chenxiang' he thought bitterly.

"Wait!" A voice called out, breaking the silence. A figure flew down from the sky and landed in front of him, causing his eyes to light up slightly and a small smile to form on his lips.

"What are you smiling for?" Bai Chenxiang frowned, unable to hide her expression of concern. She thrust a large basket into Ma Hongjun's arms. "Eat these during your trip," she insisted, her voice firm. "Remember what I said yesterday and you better call me every day."

Ma Hongjun opened his mouth to respond, but Bai Chenxiang had already turned away, heading back toward the academy without looking back. He watched her retreating figure with a mix of emotions, grateful for her support yet regretful for causing her such distress. With a nod of appreciation, he turned to Frank and the others, boarding the carriage as they set off towards the Great Star Dou Forest.

As the carriage faded into the distance, Bai Chenxiang gazed down from the sky, her blue wing flapping gently against the wind, her eyes softening. She whispered something softly to herself, a mixture of hope and worry lingering in her heart.