Even her nominal cousin, Tang San, who was the center of everyone's attention, only offered her advice.
"Xiangxiang, Hongjun is a trustworthy person. Don't be too picky."
"..."
They even tried to force her to join, to become the so-called "Shrek Eighth Monster," and to forcibly pair her with that fat guy.
Those strange looks, those whispers behind her back, were like needles, pricking her all over.
Bai Chenxiang bit her lip hard, forcing back the tears that welled up in her eyes.
She sniffed and forced a smile.
"Brother Yichen, don't overthink it. Maybe I put too much salt in today."
"Is it tasty?"
Bai Yichen looked at her stubborn appearance and sighed inwardly.
He didn't ask any further questions.
"tasty."
Upon hearing those two words, Bai Chenxiang finally smiled, her eyes crinkling like a new moon.
"That's good!"
As if remembering something, she took out a spirit herb with emerald green leaves and feather-like petals from her storage soul tool.
"By the way, Brother Yichen, this is a spiritual herb I obtained by chance a few days ago, called 'Wind Chasing Orchid'. It is very beneficial for the cultivation of speed-type soul masters. Please accept it."
Without saying a word, she shoved the spiritual herb into Bai Yichen's hand.
Those big, watery eyes, which had been swollen with emotion, were now looking at him expectantly.
Bai Yichen held the spirit herb that still carried the warmth of the young girl's body, and felt a warmth in his heart.
"Thanks."
"No need to thank me!"
Bai Chenxiang rolled her eyes at him and said reproachfully, "Do we need to say these things between us?"
The girl's coquettish expression carried a charm rarely seen in her daily life.
Their eyes met.
The air in the courtyard seemed to become somewhat thick and ambiguous at this moment.
The distance between the two had unknowingly grown very close.
Bai Yichen could clearly see her long, curled eyelashes and smell her intoxicating fragrance.
As if possessed, he slowly lowered his head.
Bai Chenxiang seemed to be bewitched, closing her eyes slightly, and two beautiful blushes rose on her cheeks.
Just moments before their lips were about to touch.
Bai Chenxiang suddenly woke up, and like a startled fawn, she took a step back.
"I...I need to go cultivate, I'll be going now!"
After she finished speaking incoherently, she turned and ran away without looking back, her back view showing a sense of panicked escape.
As he watched the beautiful figure disappear around the corner, the gentleness on Bai Yichen's face gradually faded, and his eyes became deep and sharp.
He looked down at the Wind Chaser Orchid in his hand.
You can't be wrong.
Xiangxiang must have suffered a tremendous injustice at Shrek Academy.
Shrek Academy...
Ma Hongjun, Dai Mubai, and... Tang San!
Bai Yichen's gaze returned to the Wind Chaser Orchid in his hand.
The next moment, he opened his other hand, palm up.
A pill the size of a longan, perfectly round, radiating a faint golden light, floated quietly in his palm.
Golden Elixir.
This is the essence condensed after the Five-Colored Divine Light absorbed and refined rare and precious materials.
A single golden core is enough to give his soul power a qualitative leap.
He had spent three whole years consuming countless rare herbs in order to condense this golden elixir.
He looked at the Wind Chaser Orchid in his hand without the slightest hesitation.
With a thought, five-colored divine light suddenly shone from his palm!
Red, blue, yellow, white, and black—five colors of light swirled endlessly, forming a dazzling halo that exuded a terrifying aura that could devour and obliterate everything.
The halo slowly rotated, and the Wind Chaser Orchid was instantly enveloped in divine light.
There were no violent energy fluctuations, nor any sound.
The Wind-Chasing Orchid decomposed at a speed visible to the naked eye, transforming into the purest plant spiritual energy, which was completely absorbed by the Five-Colored Divine Light and then continuously injected into the Golden Core.
The light emanating from the golden elixir grew ever brighter, and the energy it contained became ever more immense.
After a long while, the radiance faded away.
The luster on the surface of the golden elixir had become slightly more subdued, but it was still a step away from true success.
Bai Yichen was not discouraged.
He knew very well that the more difficult it was to condense the golden elixir, the more powerful its effects would be once it was successfully formed.
No rush.
He put away the golden core and looked in the direction of Shrek Academy.
The most urgent thing is to get revenge for Xiangxiang.
...
Shrek Academy.
As the top academy on the mainland, it is never short of geniuses, nor is it ever short of topics of discussion.
Bai Yichen strolled slowly along the tree-lined path of the academy, taking in all the chatter of the surrounding students.
"Have you heard? Ma Hongjun, that Phoenix Martial Soul user, has publicly confessed his love to Bai Chenxiang from the Min Clan again!"
"..."
One voice was filled with envy.
"Hey, who doesn't know that? But that Bai Chenxiang is really something, she actually refused again, she doesn't know what's good for her."
Another voice sounded somewhat disdainful.
"Exactly! Senior Ma Hongjun possesses the top-tier beast martial soul, the Evil Fire Phoenix! A future Title Douluo! What right does she, a disciple of a declining clan, have to refuse?"
"I think she's just playing hard to get, trying to raise her own value. I've seen plenty of women like that!"
Various vulgarities, mixed with praise for Ma Hongjun and denigration of Bai Chenxiang, clearly reached Bai Yichen's ears.
He stopped in his tracks.
His expression remained calm and unperturbed.
But the next second, his figure vanished without a trace.
It was as if it had never existed.
He has found Bai Chenxiang's location.
Shrek Academy, a secluded lakeside.
A gentle breeze swept across the lake, creating ripples that also stirred the girl's pale blue skirt.
Bai Chenxiang stood quietly, her back view lonely yet stubborn.
Her long, straight legs were tightly pressed together, forming a beautiful arc, revealing her inner tension and resistance.
The tight-fitting dress perfectly showcased her youthful and charming curves, with a slender waist and a pert bottom. Even just a side profile was enough to make any man's heart race.
Her aloof and elegant demeanor blended perfectly with the surrounding tranquility, but it was shattered by a discordant sound.
"It smells good."
A chubby young man was blocking her way with a big smile on his face.
Ma Hongjun.
His small eyes gleamed with undisguised desire as he greedily scanned Bai Chenxiang's exquisite and shapely body.
"Don't be angry. I know I raised my voice a bit last time."
"I apologize to you, okay?"
Ma Hongjun's tone sounded like he was admitting his mistake, but his greasy expression made it impossible to sense any sincerity.
Bai Chenxiang turned her face away, not even bothering to give him a proper look.
"Get out of the way."
Her voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.
(End of chapter)