18 Sister Ma Xiaotao, Growing Hard
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Sorry, I messed up the order of events. I have already revised the previous chapter, but I want to reaffirm that Yuhao DOES NOT go to the Extreme North at this point in the story. This is when he enters Wuhun Group and trains with them for 8 months. Only then does he become Level 20 and go to the Extreme North. This chapter begins with this implication, so understand that this happens within the roughly 9-month time skip.
I will try not to make the same mistake in future chapters, however, I have several tabs open while doing this so please understand. After all, I write for comments and not payment. Take this chapter as my apology though.
Also just hit 100k views as of writing this ^_^.
That is all and enjoy.
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Nine months later...
[Shrek Academy, Ma Xiaotao's courtyard ]
A tall, red-haired beauty could be seen hugging a smaller figure. At first sight, it would appear as if this smaller figure was a beautiful girl, however, that was incorrect. It was Xin Qing, who had grown a bit taller and his features more defined, as he had a gentle smiling always playing on his lips. He had reached the Third Eclipse of his Body Art, making his Yin stronger and his body tougher, able to acquire three 15,000+ spirit rings on his excursions with Xuan Zi.
Furthermore, upon finding out, the elders at Shrek considered him a priceless treasure and invested many resources into him, bringing him to Level 41 and adding another spirit ring over 60,000+ years. Finding out his body could still handle it, they then planned to acquire a 100,000+ year ring for his Level 50 slot after locating one.
The man himself, however, was stuck in a beautiful girl's embrace, speaking ruefully, "I say, Sister Ma, I understand your happiness but please take it out on someone else."
Indeed, the red-haired beauty was the rebounded cultivator Xin Qing had saved nine months ago, Ma Xiaotao. After the tournament ended, she immediately sought his help in further resolving her issues with the evil flames. Xuan Zi, knowing her well as the Captain of the current Shrek's Seven Devils, did not wish to turn her down and asked Xin Qing if he was willing.
Xin Qing was initially uninterested, however, upon the urging of Xuan Zi, the enticement of various rewards issued by the school as payment, and the privilege of being occasionally exempt from classes, he reluctantly agreed. It was only after learning about Ma Xiaotao's story that he became close enough to her to wear this gentle smile, uncharacteristic of him.
This was because he had learned that, much his like his past self, Xiaotao also carried the burdens of a great talent accompanied by an even greater curse. In addition to her own character and strength, both of which he found appealing, the usually distant Xin Qing did not reject her attempts to bring them closer. However, he also did not reach out for her, which left Xiaotao both confused and... disappointed?
Ignoring this weird sensation in her heart, Xiaotao instead focused on the blossoming joy as she told Xin Qing, "Want me to let go? Nope." Even though she said this, she had retracted her hands after a short while, not wanting to push Xin Qing's limits. It wasn't as though she was scared of his power but more to the point that she did not want Xin Qing to revert to his previously callous demeanor which had even scared her. She had only recently felt like she acquired a friend who understood her.
After a brief goodbye, the two parted ways as Xin Qing left her courtyard. At this time, Xin Qing looked out at nothingness, reflecting on his own changes. 'I wonder if I have grown soft.' It was spoken more like a statement than a question.
As he looked in the direction of the place where the official students would take their advancement test, he had a familiarly mischievous look. 'Heavenly Dao commands soft is yin and hard is yang. It seems that the solution... is to practice hard.' As a leaf slowly fell to the ground, Xin Qing's figure was already gone.
