Graduation, The Promise

Chapter 60 Graduation, The Promise

Xue Qinghe was organizing the Knights and participating academies to regroup and, incidentally, win over hearts and minds. He had given an early warning, which prevented the academies from suffering heavy losses due to being caught off guard. Although strictly speaking, this was Chi Ping's doing, since Chi Ping didn't step forward, the favor naturally fell on Xue Qinghe.

Back at Shrek Academy, Ning Fengzhi stared in the direction Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo had left, muttering to himself, "I didn't expect it really to be them..."

"Uncle Ning, what are you looking at? Are you worried that those two Title Douluos might return?" Chi Ping asked, puzzled.

Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "With Uncle Jian around, they wouldn't do something so foolish. I'm worried about you. Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo are..."

Chi Ping frowned. "Are you worried they'll come after us after the finals?"

As for why it's after the finals, it's because the Spirit Hall wouldn't ruin its reputation during the finals.

Ning Fengzhi nodded. "What you can't have, destroy. You are all geniuses, and the Spirit Hall will definitely try to recruit you. If you refuse, you will face the Spirit Hall's terrifying pursuit. Soul Saint, Soul Douluo, even Title Douluo!"

Chi Ping watched the Shrek Academy students helping to clean up the battlefield and fell into deep thought.

—Last time it was Shi Nian, this time it's two Title Douluos, what will it be next time? The Pope!

—The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind—how barbaric! If everyone were like this, how could this damned era possibly develop!

—I thought I would be pressured by all sides because of the academy's philosophy, but I didn't expect it would be because of my talent.

—After the finals, Mu Bai and Zhu Qing should have defeated their older siblings and are at least out of danger. The Star Luo Royal Family shouldn't let them wander outside; they will definitely bring them back to receive royal training.

—If Xiao Ao and Rongrong get together, they will definitely become members of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School in the end. Xiao Ao is not a very ambitious person. He is not very interested in things like establishing a family. Rongrong doesn't even need to mention it; he will probably happily become a live-in son-in-law.

—It seems Xiao San and Xiao Wu can't stay at the academy any longer. Xiao Wu's identity is too special; it's impossible to hide it from truly powerful individuals. They can't let her play too much in the finals. If they're hunted down afterward, it could easily escalate into a continent-wide frenzy! Xiao Wu is better off staying with that Titan Ape. Xiao San should—no, definitely will—stay with Xiao Wu.

—Hong Jun's martial soul problem has been resolved, and the academy can only offer him so much help now. Besides, he should go out and see the world; perhaps the dean should accompany him.

—Grandmaster and Senior Erlong will not be the main targets of the Spirit Hall. Moreover, with the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Clan as their backing, the Spirit Hall should not go too far. Furthermore, Senior Erlong's cultivation level is sufficient to protect Grandmaster.

Teacher Zhao, Teacher Lu, Teacher Shao, and Teacher Li—they can live a comfortable life wherever they go.

—The Spirit Hall's main targets will likely be us younger generation, and I'll probably be the one they're most interested in... Perhaps we should prepare for the worst...

Time passed by unnoticed, little by little.

The sun sets in the west while the moon rises in the east.

After a major battle, Xue Qinghe arranged for his troops to set up camp and rest for the night.

"Boss Dai, how long has Brother Ping been like this?"

By the campfire, Ma Hongjun ate a roasted wild rabbit and whispered to Dai Mubai, "What do you mean?"

"It's been three hours. It hasn't moved an inch," Dai Mubai said.

On the carriage seat, Chi Ping held the Shrek Academy school badge motionless, his gaze fixed on it.

Dai Mubai thought for a moment, then took out some seasonings from his storage soul tool and made a barbecue seasoning.

Fifteen minutes later, he walked over to Chi Ping with two large meat skewers in his hand.

"I think you're probably hungry by now. Try this; I grilled it myself."

Chi Ping snapped out of his daze, looked at Dai Mubai, and took the meat skewer with his right hand.

Dai Mubai sat down next to Chi Ping. "What are you thinking about? You seem so engrossed."

"I'm thinking about the future of Shrek Academy, and the future of us brothers."

"So, have you come up with any results yet?"

Chi Ping nodded. "Wait until I finish eating. Mu Bai, call Hong Jun and the others to the car, including the Dean."

"OK."

……

Half an hour later, in the Shrek Academy carriage, nine people sat together.

Dean, Mu Bai, Xiao Ao, Hong Jun, Xiao San, Xiao Wu, Rong Rong, Zhu Qing.

Ikehira looked at everyone's face from left to right.

Memories flashed before my eyes...

Then, he took a deep breath, as if making a decision.

"Everyone, I'm afraid we have to say goodbye sooner rather than later. No, I should say congratulations on graduating early."

The expressions on everyone's faces varied: some were puzzled, some suddenly realized, and some were angry.

"Brother Ping, what do you mean by this!" Ma Hongjun gritted his teeth and said, barely suppressing his anger.

What does it mean to graduate early? What does it mean to say goodbye?

When did he ever say he was leaving Shrek Academy?

Dai Mubai pressed Ma Hongjun down, "Fatty, Pingzi is right. We probably really have to say goodbye."

Even you, boss!

"Hongjun, let me finish speaking first." Chi Ping pulled Ma Hongjun back. "Mubai, there's no need to hide your relationship with Zhuqing anymore."

Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged glances, then nodded and said, "We come from the Star Luo Royal Family..."

These bullshit rules are about to change our destiny.

"My brother and Zhu Qing's sister are members of the Star Luo Royal Academy team. After we defeat them, we will be taken back by our family to be trained as heirs."

It's no wonder that royal children, who are destined to inherit the throne, have to say goodbye.

Ma Hongjun suddenly realized.

Chi Ping continued, "And Xiao Wu, she can't stay any longer either."

"Why is that?" Tang San asked, puzzled.

"Her family wrote me a letter, wanting to take her back."

Xiao Wu's eyes were blank.

—Where did I get my family from?

Chi Ping glanced at him.

"Ping-ge is right."

Seeing Xiao Wu cooperate, Chi Ping continued, "Xiao Ao, Zhu Qing, you felt the killing intent of those two Title Douluos today, right?"

Oscar, Zhu Zhuqing seemed to be thinking, and nodded after a moment.

Ma Hongjun was puzzled.

"What does this have to do with us?"

Oscar said, "Their killing intent is directed at us."

Tang San's pupils dilated slightly. "The Spirit Hall is going to attack us!"

Chi Ping shook his head and sighed, "It should be said that the forces represented by the Spirit Hall are like this. It's better to destroy what you can't have than to let the enemy get it. The tallest tree in the forest will be felled by the wind. Wild geniuses without a backer will always find it difficult to be accepted if they don't want to join any force."

"Moreover, we are eight peerless geniuses who are expected to be titled Douluo. The threat we pose when we are together is much greater than that of each of us alone."

"This is so unreasonable!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed angrily.

Dai Mubai, Tang San, and Ning Rongrong, these three from major sects, had somewhat unfocused eyes.

"That's the rule. Before you have enough strength, you have to be bound by the rules." Chi Ping said self-deprecatingly, "Before, we were just playing around in the mountains, and no one paid any attention. But now that we're about to stand on the most dazzling stage in the Soul Master world, we can't keep a low profile anymore."

"With winds blowing from all directions, I'm afraid we won't be able to stay in one place any longer."

Flander blamed himself, saying, "It's my fault as the dean; I'm incompetent and couldn't protect you."

"Dean, if you look at it from a different angle, the fact that we're being targeted by a force of the Spirit Hall's caliber just proves we're truly monsters! You've achieved your original goal in founding Shrek Academy!"

"Besides, it's not like there's no solution!"

Then, Ikehira explained the plan he had come up with earlier.

Mu Bai and Zhu Qing returned to Xingluo, Xiao Ao and Rong Rong went to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School (Oscar looked shy but did not object), Xiao San and Xiao Wu went to Xiao Wu's house, and Hong Jun and the Dean went on a trip.

Divide the group into five parts, reduce its size, and buy time to develop. Once it has enough strength to protect itself, then it can stir up trouble on the mainland.

"And what about you, Ping-ge?"

"Me? I'm going to fulfill my deal with Xue Qinghe."

Chi Ping handed the soul bone that had been unearthed that year to Ning Rongrong. His attitude was firm, giving Ning Rongrong no chance to refuse.

"Rongrong, this soul bone is for you. Consider it a betrothal gift from the academy to Xiao Ao. I also hope that while we're both gone, your father can help look after Shrek Academy. Just continue developing according to the current model; even if it's a little slow, it's okay."

Chi Ping looked around. "No matter what you do, strength is fundamental. Five years. In five years, I will return to Shrek Academy. Then, I will make the name Shrek resound throughout the entire continent!"

"Everyone has already embarked on their own path, and I hope that each of us strides confidently toward our ideals! When we meet again in five years, don't let me leave you too far behind! At my cultivation speed, I should have seven spirit rings by then."

(End of this chapter)