Shrek Academy was located in the southeastern region of the Heaven Soul Empire, while Maple Leaf City lay on the empire's southwestern frontier. They did not reach their destination until the afternoon.
Maple Leaf City was a major frontier city, serving as an important supply hub for the Heaven Soul Empire's western border forces as well as a key border trade city.
After entering the city, Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er led the students to find a hotel and settle in, reminding them to rest well.
Shrek Academy and the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy were to exchange students the following morning. Early that day, all the students had finished preparing and, led by the two deans, arrived at Maple Leaf Square in the center of Maple Leaf City.
Ye Qingchen quickly spotted some familiar faces. After two years apart, Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen had both clearly grown quite a bit.
What surprised them was that Jing Hongchen, the master of Mingde Hall, had actually come in person. The teacher leading the group was the same one who had led the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy in the previous tournament.
The two sides met in the center of Maple Leaf Square. Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen immediately found Ye Qingchen standing at the back of the group. When Xiao Hongchen saw the Sixth-Level Soul Tool Master Badge on Ye Qingchen's chest, his face changed drastically.
Jing Hongchen gave the two of them a smile that did not reach his eyes. "It seems your academy places great importance on this exchange program. You even sent two deans."
"Hall Master Hongchen, didn't you come personally as well? That time you were pinned down in the Sea God Pavilion—did you enjoy it?" Yan Shaozhe looked at Jing Hongchen mockingly.
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