Return to the Academy from the Far North

Return to the Academy from the Far North

More than ten days had passed since the Ice Empress survived the Thunder Tribulation. With nothing to do in the Far North, Ye Qingchen used the little Divine Power he had left to construct a Small World within his body.

"Though small, it has everything it needs. The Small World has mountains, rivers, and an ecosystem that's nearly all planned out. I wonder how Bing Er's cultivation has stabilized. I'll put the Small World's development on hold for now. Once I introduce technology in the future, I'll let it enter a technological age..."

Ye Qingchen looked at the Small World he had planned out and felt deeply satisfied. At the very least, it would be easy to use as a refuge. He then left the Small World. When he opened his eyes again and removed the Barrier, the Ice Empress had just finished stabilizing her cultivation.

"Qingchen, my cultivation has stabilized. Are we leaving now?" the Ice Empress asked.

"Yes. It's time to go back. I still have some things to take care of."

Ye Qingchen condensed a small ball of light in his hand and sent it into the Ice Empress's brow. A blue diamond-shaped mark appeared between her eyebrows.

"Qingchen, what is this?" The Ice Empress raised a hand and touched her forehead.

"This is the key to the Small World I created. No matter where you are, you can enter and leave it freely through the mark on your forehead." Ye Qingchen said as he stroked the Ice Empress's hair.

"Oh? Really? Then I'll give it a try, Qingchen."

As soon as she finished speaking, the Ice Empress activated the mark on her brow with Soul Power and vanished in an instant. Ye Qingchen's divine sense followed her into the Small World.

"Welcome to the Azure Wave Realm. How does it feel, Bing Er?" Ye Qingchen's consciousness projection said.

"The Spiritual Qi is even denser than outside. This Small World truly is an excellent place for cultivation," the Ice Empress said after sensing her surroundings.

"Of course. The Azure Wave Realm was constructed from my Divine Power, and its Spiritual Qi is no less abundant than anywhere else. It even contains a trace of Divinity, which is nothing but beneficial for cultivation. And the Time Flow here is ten to one compared to the outside world." Ye Qingchen paused before continuing.

"Not bad, Qingchen. This Emperor will live here." After learning of the Azure Wave Realm's benefits, the Ice Empress decisively chose to remain there and cultivate.

"Bing Er, I'll be leaving first. Just contact me if you need anything," Ye Qingchen said after a while.

"Mhm, mhm. This Emperor is going to cultivate."

Shrek Academy was already flooded with people early in the morning. Aside from returning upperclassmen, the rest were new students enrolling. Some senior students were helping the teachers conduct assessments at the school gates.

Twenty-eight days had passed since the holiday began, and classes would start in another two days. Ye Qingchen himself had returned two weeks ago, but whenever the Ice Empress saw something new along the way, she bought it without restraint. The two had traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping and starting constantly. Even Ye Qingchen had been unable to stop her. In just two weeks, they had spent hundreds of thousands of Gold Soul Coins. If Ye Qingchen had not held her back, the Ice Empress's purchases might have filled the entire Small World.

At least two-thirds of the academy's students had already returned. With the new term approaching, they naturally came back early to ask their teachers about the assessment content and seek their guidance.

Ye Qingchen crossed Shrek Plaza and arrived at the first-year dormitory building.

"Almost didn't make it. I wonder if Wang Dong is back yet."

Ye Qingchen arrived at the dormitory entrance. The old man at the door was still lying in his reclining chair, looking as leisurely as ever.

"Hello, Dormitory Master." With that, Ye Qingchen entered the dormitory building.

"Kids these days have no steadiness at all."

A faintly amused expression appeared on the old man's face, but it quickly returned to normal. His eyes narrowed as he comfortably sank back into a half-asleep state.

Ye Qingchen took out his key and opened the door. The dormitory was quiet, exactly as it had been when they left, without the slightest change. A thin layer of dust had accumulated on the floor and tables.

"Looks like she isn't back yet. Cough—cough! I'm choking to death!" The dust Ye Qingchen stirred up as he entered rushed into his face, making him cough repeatedly.

"Wind, come!"

Ye Qingchen used his Soul Power to create several Small Tornadoes and began cleaning the dormitory. In less than a quarter of an hour, the room looked brand new. Looking at the freshly cleaned dormitory, Ye Qingchen lay down on his bed and dozed off.

It was not until evening, when he felt someone poking his face, that Ye Qingchen barely woke up. After opening his eyes and seeing Wang Dong, he finally got out of bed.

"Well, well, Little Dong is back." Ye Qingchen yawned.

"How could I not come back? There are only two days left before school starts. If we're late, Old Woman Zhou will split us in half," Wang Dong said.

"Alright, enough talking. I'm going to catch up on sleep." Ye Qingchen waved a hand.

A trace of fatigue unconsciously appeared on Wang Dong's face as well. That bastard is already sleeping, so why should I cultivate? I'm sleeping too. Pulling over her blanket, Wang Dong lay down directly. She quickly fell into a deep sleep. It was the first time she had slept so sweetly without a care in the world.

At dawn, Ye Qingchen got up early. Looking at Wang Dong's tightly wrapped figure on the neighboring bed, a faint smile appeared on his face. "Is that really necessary? You're guarding against me like I'm some thief."

The sky had only just begun to brighten. He gently pushed open the window without making a sound and whispered, "I've already found Bing Er. Xue Er, wait for me. I'll be there soon."

Ye Qingchen patted Wang Dong through the blanket. "Little Dong, time to get up."

"Stop making noise. Let me sleep a little longer." Wang Dong covered her head with the blanket and refused to get up.

A wicked smile appeared on Ye Qingchen's face. Through a gap in the blanket, he quietly tossed in a chunk of ice. The instant it touched Wang Dong's body—"Aah!"—she practically sprang off the bed. She even kicked the blanket flying, exposing her two long legs.

"I'm freezing to death! You bastard, Ye Qingchen, I'll fight you!" The chill instantly woke her from her sleep. Seeing Ye Qingchen standing there with a mischievous grin, she did not need to ask what had happened. She immediately leaped at him.

"I'm going to wash up. We'll have breakfast together later."

"I'm freezing to death." Wang Dong clutched her clothes and shivered again. Looking toward the open dormitory door, she could not help but burst into laughter.

"Ye Qingchen, just you wait!"

Wang Dong's revenge never came to pass, because before they could even reach the cafeteria for breakfast, Huo Yuhao and Xiao Xiao had both come looking for them. When the group met, it naturally became lively once more.

The Outer Courtyard only had two cafeterias: one for the Martial Soul Department and one for the Soul Tool Department. Ye Qingchen, however, could mooch meals at either one.

Having advanced from first year to second year, Huo Yuhao and the others had to change teaching buildings as well. The four entered the building and headed straight for Class One of the second-year students on the first floor.

As they walked forward, they ran into three people coming from the opposite direction—three familiar faces.

Dai Huabin looked even taller and more imposing than before. Zhu Lu beside him had also grown into a more shapely figure, while the other girl walking with them was naturally Cui Yajie, the Nine-Tailed Fox soul master.

At the sight of Ye Qingchen and the others, Dai Huabin's expression immediately darkened. Because of the class monitor election, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu had caused trouble and been expelled by Zhou Yi.

After a brief burst of anger, Dai Huabin had already regained his composure. He said coldly, "Ye Qingchen, the advancement assessment is about to begin. Do you dare to make a bet?"

Ye Qingchen's interest was piqued. "Bet on what?"

Dai Huabin said in a low voice, "We'll bet on our results in the advancement assessment."

"The stakes?"

Dai Huabin said, "If you lose, I want the reward you won during the New Student Assessment."

"Sure. It's only a Soul Bone. A bet is a bet. If you win, I'll give you a Soul Bone. If I win, you'll kneel and apologize to me," Ye Qingchen said teasingly.

"Fine. It's a deal," Dai Huabin said.

Ye Qingchen raised his hand and exchanged three high-fives with Dai Huabin, sealing the wager. Kneeling and admitting fault would not cripple anyone physically, but there was no doubt that, regardless of who won or lost, they had now become bitter enemies. Dai Huabin and the other two stepped aside, allowing Ye Qingchen's group of four to return to the classroom of Class One, Year Two.