...
One month later, Zeng Yi brought Xu You and Niu Man to the largest and most prosperous city in the Heavenly Dou Empire, the capital of the empire, Heaven Dou City.
To be precise, it was Xu You who brought the two of them here.
Because Zeng Yi promised the two of them to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and he had also heard from Ning Rongrong that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was near Heaven Dou City, so the three of them traveled together.
After entering Heaven Dou City, the three of them walked on the street. Since it was their first time here, they were all attracted by the prosperity of the city, their eyes scanning the surrounding environment.
"Young master, is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect located within this Heaven Dou City?" Xu You couldn't help but ask.
"How is that possible?" Zeng Yi sneered. Although the Heavenly Dou Imperial Family and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were allies, they wouldn't let a tiger reside under their own roof.
"I need to find someone first, and then go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect." Zeng Yi said. In fact, he had no idea where the main headquarters of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was. He had to find Ning Rongrong first in order to find the way to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
According to the progress of the plot, Ning Rongrong should be in Heaven Dou City.
"By the way, do you know where the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy is?" Zeng Yi asked.
Xu You and Niu Man were at a loss and shook their heads. They were just ordinary Spirit masters, and it was their first time in Heaven Dou City, so how would they know where the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was located?
"Then let's ask someone."
The Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was known as the number one Spirit master academy in the Heavenly Dou Empire. Although their strength might not be ranked first, as there were many aristocratic children studying there, most of them were born with silver spoons in their mouths. However, the academy still had a great reputation.
After asking around in Heaven Dou City, they were able to get information about the location of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.
With the information in hand, Zeng Yi realized that the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was not located within Heaven Dou City, but rather outside the city.
Unable to find any other way, Zeng Yi had to hire a carriage with his own money and let someone take him to the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy.
"Meow~"
After Zeng Yi left, a small silver and black striped kitten appeared at his previous location. It caught a familiar scent and showed signs of joy in its expression. However, when it didn't find the person it was looking for, its furry little face turned human-like disappointment.
"Xiao Ju! What's wrong with you?"
A few seconds later, a melodious and pleasant voice of a young girl sounded, and the figure of a young girl appeared behind the kitten. She was dressed in a long black robe, but even the loose clothing couldn't conceal her graceful figure.
The girl had exquisite beauty and a cool and elegant temperament, like a clear spring in a valley. Her smooth black hair was tied into a ponytail reaching her waist, adding a touch of heroism to her temperament, making her even more eye-catching while standing on the street.
Passers-by, especially males, couldn't help but pause their steps and take a glance.
Zhu Zhuqing picked up Xiao Ju and gently rubbed its head, saying softly, "What's wrong with you? It's not good to wander around on the street. Be careful not to be caught by someone to make Spirit rings for them."
"Meow meow meow~" Xiao Ju started to meow anxiously, which confused Zhu Zhuqing. She felt that Xiao Ju wasn't anxious because of her warning, but for some other reason.
"What's wrong?" Zhu Zhuqing asked, although her martial Spirit was also a cat, she was still a human and didn't understand cat language very well, but she could understand some of Xiao Ju's meaning.
She communicated with Xiao Ju for a while, and then her expression became excited.
"Are you saying that he was just here?"
"Meow!"
Although the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was located near Heaven Dou City, it was still quite far away, about twenty kilometers.
By the time they arrived at the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, it was already afternoon.
The three of them got off the carriage and were mesmerized by the scenery before them.
The Heavenly Dou Royal Academy was built on a mountain, or rather, the entire mountain belonged to the academy. There was also a large forest nearby, and a lake at the foot of the mountain.
The environment of this academy was similar to the one Zeng Yi had seen in the Shrek Academy. Both were surrounded by mountains and water, but the buildings of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy were even grander and majestic.
The scenery here was beautiful, especially at this time of the day when the sun was setting. Under the reddish glow of the sunset, whether it was the lake at the foot of the mountain or the kilometer-long mountain covered in various plants, it gave people a feeling of being in a paradise.
The three of them headed towards the entrance of the academy. However, as soon as they entered, they were stopped by the gatekeepers.
"Halt! Who are you? What are you doing here?" The guards scrutinized Zeng Yi and his companions and asked sternly.
"Judging by your attire, you're not from the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy. Leave quickly, or we'll consider you suspicious and take you down."
Seeing that the guards were about to act, Xu You and Niu Man couldn't help but step in front of Zeng Yi. Although Zeng Yi hadn't agreed to let them follow him, they already treated him as their master.
Even if they joined the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, they would still stand by Zeng Yi's side without hesitation, as their sect was also part of the so-called factional disputes.
Seeing them ready to fight, Zeng Yi hurriedly said, "We're just here to find someone, we mean no harm. Let's talk things out!"
As the guards scrutinized Zeng Yi, he also observed them. Although their numbers were small, only ten people, the imposing aura they exuded couldn't be underestimated. Even he could sense a strong oppressive force.
The strength of these people was stronger than Xu You and Niu Man, all of them were experts at the Spirit King level, and there was even a Spirit Emperor among them.
Their temperament was different from other Spirit masters, carrying a sense of killing intent, like soldiers who had been on the battlefield.
With this level of Spirit masters, just one of them would be enough to challenge Xu You and Niu Man.
Zeng Yi couldn't help but doubt the strength of the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy. Were even the gatekeepers this powerful? Spirit Kings everywhere?
"Looking for someone? Who are you looking for?" the apparent leader of the guards asked.
"Shrek, an organization. They should be inside this academy."
"Shrek? I've never heard of it. Leave quickly, or we'll use force."
Shrek wasn't here? Zeng Yi was stunned. When he left Shrek Academy, wasn't Qin Ming inviting them to join the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy? Fran also agreed to it. According to reason, Fran should be comfortably living in this academy now. How could he not be here? Did something happen along the way?
Inside the Heavenly Dou Royal Academy, a silver-haired handsome young man accompanied by a lively and energetic beauty walked towards the gates. At that moment, they heard some commotion, which caught their attention.
"Brother, it seems that your guards are having a dispute with someone." The girl linked her arm with the young man and spoke with a gentle smile.
The young man followed the sound and saw his guards surrounding three individuals, seemingly preparing to take action.
It's him!
A trace of surprise and astonishment flashed in the young man's eyes. He didn't expect to encounter him in such a way.
Interesting!
As he looked at the familiar figure, a faint smile appeared on the corner of the young man's mouth.
"Hey, I don't think it's necessary to be so aggressive. Since Shrek is not here, we can just leave. Why do you have to act so hostile?" Zeng Yi moved the sharp silver spear away from his face with his hand.
"We are not criminals, can you show a little more courtesy?"
Upon hearing this, Zeng Yi noticed that an unfamiliar young man and a girl appeared behind the group of guards. "What's going on?"
"Your Highness! These suspicious individuals appeared here. I'm afraid they have ulterior motives, and we were about to apprehend them." The leader of the guards bowed and said.
The young man couldn't help but laugh, "Who would have ulterior motives against me? Don't be so suspicious all the time. You can leave."
"Your Highness—"
"I said leave!" Seeing that his guards hesitated, the young man uttered a cold snort, displaying an overbearing aura of a superior.
"Yes!" Seeing that their master was displeased, the guards put away their weapons and stepped aside, keeping an eye on Zeng Yi and the others.
The young man stepped forward, standing in front of Zeng Yi with a gentle smile on his face. With a slightly apologetic expression, he extended his right hand.
"May I ask how to address you? I am Xue Qinghe."
The young man took a step forward, wearing a warm smile on his face. He appeared somewhat apologetic as he said, "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding caused by my guards. They were just overly concerned about my safety, which startled you."
Zeng Yi was momentarily speechless at his apology. From the clothing he wore and how the guards treated him, Zeng Yi could guess that this person was of noble status. Normally, such a person would be proud and arrogant, but he didn't expect him to apologize proactively.
Zeng Yi smiled and said, "It's alright, we understand. After all, you have a Noble status."
"You..."
Zeng Yi's words were unintentional, as he wasn't good at talking, but the young girl interpreted it as sarcastic.
Just as she was about to scold the seemingly handsome and elegant young man, her older brother held her back.
"May I know how to address you? I am Xue Qinghe, by the way."