Morning

On the way to the dining hall, a small stream flowed merrily beside the road, its sparkling waters lifting everyone's spirits.

"Senior Dai, why is our academy so run-down?"

Along the path, Hermione voiced the question that had been bothering her for a long time. Not being very familiar with Dai Mubai, she addressed him as "Senior."

"No need to be so formal. We don't have many people in our academy, and we'll be seeing each other often. You can call me Mubai, or... Dai Laoda is fine too. I'm the oldest among us, so Xiao Ao and Hongjun call me that." Dai Mubai smiled gently, without the arrogant demeanor he had when they first met.

"As for the Dean and the others..." Dai Mubai paused, then sighed softly, his gaze distant. His tone shifted to one of admiration.

"The Dean and the others..."

Dai Mubai then proceeded to explain, in detail, the reasons behind the Dean and the other teachers' simple and frugal lives.

After listening, Zhao Xuan and the others were genuinely surprised. The detached demeanor of the teachers they hadn't yet met deeply impressed them. Their attitude of not wanting to be bound and living a carefree life left the newcomers somewhat stunned.

On this continent, Soul Masters were the most respected profession, bar none. The more powerful a Soul Master, the greater the rights and status they enjoyed. Power, status, and the money that came with them were the three things humans found hardest to resist.

That these individuals could resist such "desires" and choose a simple life was something many couldn't do, and it was truly admirable.

Before long, they arrived at the academy's dining hall. Just as Zhao Xuan had guessed, it was located right beside the stream.

Actually, calling it a dining hall wasn't entirely accurate. This place was simply the dining area for the village's elementary school. Adjacent to it, separated only by a wall, was the village's elementary school, where children learned to read and write.

Perhaps due to Suotuo City's prosperity, the surrounding villages also benefited. They were not only well-off but also had a stronger emphasis on education than other places, allowing this elementary school to be maintained.

This building was quite unusual for the Douluo Continent's architectural style, with its blue tiles and white walls, resembling the Hui-style houses found in the Jiangnan water towns.

When they arrived at the elementary school, it was the time for the village children's morning reading. Sounds of childish chanting drifted from within. Though the voices were tender, they were as vibrant and full of life as the rising sun.

The dining area, occupying a corner of the elementary school, was small, with only a few tables and chairs simply arranged inside. The academy had hired a skilled village woman to prepare the three meals a day.

Upon entering, they found several figures already seated. Besides Ma Hongjun, who was engrossed in eating, the others turned their attention to the newcomers.

"Perfect timing, let me introduce you. These are the other teachers at Shrek Academy. Everyone except the Dean and Teacher Zhao is here." Dai Mubai's eyes lit up as he spoke to the group and then hurried ahead.

"This is Teacher Li Yusong. You must have seen him when you registered. He's a Level 66 Assault System Soul Emperor with the Martial Soul Dragon Patterned Staff." Dai Mubai walked up to an elder and introduced him to the group.

The newcomers bowed slightly. Li Yusong nodded with a smile, his gaze sweeping over them before pausing briefly on Zhao Xuan, then quickly moving away.

Next, Dai Mubai went behind a middle-aged man with a cold expression. He had a stern appearance, dressed neatly, and was meticulously eating his porridge.

"Teacher Lu Qibin. Cold on the outside, warm on the inside. His Martial Soul is the Star Compass, a Level 66 Control System Battle Soul Emperor."

Lu Qibin nodded indifferently at them, and they quickly responded.

"Well, I'll introduce myself last. My name is Shao Xin, a Level 71 Food System Support Soul Sage." The last teacher to stand up appeared quite "lively." Before Dai Mubai could introduce him, he stood up and introduced himself, but the content of his introduction made the newcomers' pupils contract.

Another Soul Sage, and a Food System one at that?

"Teacher Shao is a rare Food System Soul Master. His abilities rank among the top ten in the Food System!" Dai Mubai added with a smile.

The newcomers were speechless. Although Shrek Academy only had a few teachers, their caliber was terrifying. Excluding the Dean, whose strength was unknown, there were two Soul Emperors and two Soul Sages present. These two Soul Sages were even well-known figures on the continent.

If Old Jack were here, he'd probably cling to them like a desperate child. Zhao Xuan couldn't help but think. These were living Soul Sages, and Old Jack's idol was someone who had died countless years ago.

"Don't just stand there, hurry up and sit down to eat. If Flander gets back and you haven't, he'll punish you," Shao Xin said, shaking his head and smiling at them.

"Oh, okay, okay."

The group snapped back to reality and quickly went to get their food from the dining hall. The academy was very poor, so their meals consisted only of steamed buns, porridge, and pickles. This made Zhao Xuan sigh once again at Shrek's poverty.

After eating, Dai Mubai grabbed a few steamed buns and ran off, saying he was going to bring them to Zhu Zhuqing.

"As if she'd eat them," Xiao Wu couldn't help but scoff. But it reminded her, so she and Hermione also packed some breakfast for the two of them. She was certain Zhu Zhuqing would never eat the breakfast Dai Mubai brought her.

"Should we bring some for Oscar?" Tang San asked Zhao Xuan, turning his head.

"Get real, does a Food System Soul Master like him lack food?" Zhao Xuan gave Tang San a look, wiped his mouth, and left the dining hall.

Tang San thought about it and felt it made sense, so he followed Zhao Xuan out.

Seeing that almost everyone had left the dining hall, Ma Hongjun quickly finished his food and hurried after them.

They arrived at the training ground around the dormitories, where several girls were standing and chatting. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing were quietly eating the breakfast Xiao Wu had brought them, while Dai Mubai stood nearby, looking somewhat dejected.

"Hiss, are these the girls from this batch? The quality is pretty high."

Ma Hongjun, arriving late, came onto the training ground and almost drooled upon seeing the girls standing together.

Just then, Xiao Wu excitedly said something to the other two. The three of them turned to look at Ma Hongjun. While Xiao Wu grinned, Ning Rongrong looked surprised, and Zhu Zhuqing's usually serene face showed a slight frown.

"Well, that's a bust," Ma Hongjun said, deflated.

The group waited for a short while before two figures arrived, also a bit late.