Shrek Academy

The two days passed rather quickly.

Early in the morning, after checking out of her room, Qian Yuling followed the map toward the Shrek Academy Qin Ming had mentioned.

Before long, Qian Yuling spotted a small village. Quite a few people had gathered at its entrance, and she had no idea what was going on.

Curious, Qian Yuling walked over. Once she got closer, she realized something was off. Although Qin Ming had said the academy did not look very impressive from the outside, seeing it for herself still left her stunned.

A table had been set up at the village entrance, with an old man in his sixties seated behind it. What stunned Qian Yuling was the battered-looking wooden plaque hanging over the wooden archway, bearing five words: Shrek Academy. Qian Yuling had not arrived early; many people in the line had already registered, yet only a handful had passed.

After marveling at it for a moment, Qian Yuling quietly joined the queue. Ahead of her stood a girl with an icy expression. Judging by her looks, she was around twelve years old, but her figure was nothing like that of a twelve-year-old. Qian Yuling only gave her a brief look before turning her attention ahead.

In front of the girl ahead of Qian Yuling were Tang San and Xiao Wu. Neither of them noticed her, and she did not go over to greet them either. They were not that familiar, after all.

At that moment, the old man's soft exclamation drew Qian Yuling's attention.

The old man in charge of registration wore an uncertain expression of shock. Before him stood a young girl who had just withdrawn the hand she had extended.

The girl was alone, without her parents accompanying her. Her simple white dress gave her a clean, fresh appearance, while her neat ear-length hair made her somewhat similar to Qian Yuling. Her skin was also exceptionally fair and tender.

"Excuse me, have I passed the preliminary test?" Her voice was soft and sweet, making people feel weak in the knees.

Qian Yuling noticed the old man's assistant, Dai Mubai. His eyes were gleaming, not with simple appreciation, but with the look of a wolf. Recalling what had happened at the Rose Hotel, Qian Yuling had already gained a rough understanding of what kind of person Dai Mubai was.

The surprise on the old man's face gradually faded. Frowning, he asked, "Do your family members know you came here?"

The girl did not answer directly. She merely smiled. "They say education should know no class distinctions. As long as I meet the academy's requirements, there is no reason for you not to accept me, is there?"

The old man hesitated for a moment before waving at Dai Mubai. "Take her inside."

The wolfish gleam in Dai Mubai's eyes quickly vanished, returning to his previous cold expression as he led the girl toward the academy.

At this point, the other unregistered students in the line who had come with their parents were being encouraged by them.

Qian Yuling naturally saw this. Seeing so many people in the line accompanied by their parents, she thought of Qian Xunjie, the person who had loved and spoiled her when she was very young. Her nose stung.

The girl in front of Qian Yuling seemed to notice. Looking at the beautiful purple-haired girl before her, whose eyes were slightly moist, she extended a hand. "Hello, I'm Zhu Zhuqing."

Hearing that, Qian Yuling wiped the corner of her eye and reached out her hand. "Hello, I'm Yu Ling."

Zhu Zhuqing let her icy expression fade. "Did you come here alone too?"

Qian Yuling nodded. Remembering Qian Xunjie had made her mood heavy, but it also strengthened her resolve to become stronger.

Zhu Zhuqing asked, "Yu Ling, why did you come to Shrek Academy?"

Qian Yuling replied, "I want to become stronger."

Those few words seemed to strike a chord in Zhu Zhuqing's heart. She had come here to become stronger as well.

Because of those few brief exchanges, Zhu Zhuqing and Qian Yuling grew much closer. They talked for a while, and time quietly passed.

It was Tang San and Xiao Wu's turn. By then, after escorting several students to the next testing area, the old man's assistant, Dai Mubai, had returned to the old man's side.

Just as Tang San stepped forward to register, he suddenly noticed that Dai Mubai's gaze had changed. He was staring straight past Tang San as though he had seen something unbelievable.

Tang San instinctively turned around. Though he did not lose his composure like Dai Mubai, his heart still jolted.

Behind Tang San and Xiao Wu, only two students remained to register. The girl at the front looked younger than both him and Xiao Wu. Her long black hair draped over her shoulders, and she was about as tall as the girl in the white dress from before. However, her figure was exceptionally voluptuous, while her expression remained icy.

Looking farther back, he saw Qian Yuling, whom he had met a few days ago. Her expression barely changed; it was not quite as cold, but close enough. When she noticed Tang San looking at her, she nodded at him as well.

"Are you registering or not? If you're not, don't stand in the way." The old man's voice pulled Tang San from his thoughts. His hand suddenly hurt, and when he turned his head, he found Xiao Wu glaring at him fiercely.

"We're registering together." Tang San began registering himself and Xiao Wu.

As Tang San turned his attention back to the old man, Qian Yuling tugged lightly on Zhu Zhuqing's clothes.

"Zhuqing, Dai Mubai is still looking at you," Qian Yuling whispered.

"Ignore him. He's disgusting," Zhu Zhuqing replied.

After their brief conversation, Qian Yuling and Zhu Zhuqing had become much closer. Hearing Zhu Zhuqing say that and recalling her own impression of Dai Mubai, Qian Yuling nodded slightly.

"How do you know Dai Mubai?" Zhu Zhuqing asked in surprise.

Qian Yuling briefly told Zhu Zhuqing about what had happened at the Rose Hotel.

After hearing it, Zhu Zhuqing's expression turned even colder.

During the time Qian Yuling and Zhu Zhuqing had been talking, Tang San and Xiao Wu smoothly passed the preliminary test. Dai Mubai led them inside as well.

Only Zhu Zhuqing and Qian Yuling remained in the line.

The old man said out of habit, "Put ten Gold Soul Coins into this box to register."

Zhu Zhuqing did as instructed.

"Hold out one hand." The old man's voice rang out again.

Zhu Zhuqing extended her hand before him. The old man felt her hand and said, "Your age meets the requirements. Come, release your Martial Soul."

At his words, Zhu Zhuqing circulated her Soul Power. Her nails lengthened slightly, transforming into sharp cat claws. Her eyes changed color as well, her left eye dark green and her right eye deep blue. At the same time, two yellow rings rose beneath her feet.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's soul rings, Qian Yuling thought that Zhu Zhuqing's talent was about the same as Ning Keke's. During their earlier conversation, neither of them had mentioned their Martial Souls or Soul Power.

At that moment, Dai Mubai returned to the old man's side. Looking at Zhu Zhuqing after she released her Martial Soul, a strange gleam appeared in his eyes again.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's soul rings, the old man nodded in satisfaction. "You've passed. Girl in the back, come over. Once you finish your test, registration for today will be over."

Qian Yuling stepped forward at his words. It was her turn to register.

Zhu Zhuqing was also somewhat curious about Qian Yuling's talent and strength.

As for Dai Mubai, his gaze remained fixed on Zhu Zhuqing.