Shrek

Long Jie had thought it through long ago. Once they reached Shrek Academy, he would find a way to trick... no, lure all the others from Shrek Academy away. Whether they joined another academy or founded one themselves, anything was better than going to Shrek.

If he succeeded, it would be another huge harvest.

Incidentally, Long Jie was already level thirty. He simply had not absorbed a soul ring yet, so he could not continue cultivating.

Before long, the two arrived in the Balak Kingdom and first reached Suotuo City. Shrek Academy was located in a small village outside the city.

"Tomorrow is Shrek Academy's enrollment day. Let's find a hotel to stay in first!" Long Jie smiled at Little Wu. They strolled around and passed countless hotels without stopping until they came to this one...

Rose Hotel. Dai Mubai's usual hotel. Long Jie smiled faintly and led Little Wu inside.

"Waiter, give me your last available room!"

The waiter froze briefly. How did he know there was only one room left? But that did not matter. A guest was a guest.

"Certainly. Please come this way to complete the paperwork!"

Long Jie stepped forward to handle the formalities while watching the entrance, waiting for Dai Mubai to arrive.

He had already decided that if he saw Dai Mubai today, he would protect him and keep him from getting slapped around by Tang San.

That way, during tomorrow's test, he could at least prove Shrek was worthless by beating Dai Mubai up!

Though he did not know whether Tang San would show up, he had to prepare for the worst.

Unfortunately, Dai Mubai never appeared. Long Jie was somewhat disappointed, and in the end, he and Little Wu could only stay in the same room.

They were brother and sister. It was perfectly normal for them to share a room and a bed, right?

Having convinced himself of that, Long Jie spent a happy night!

The next day, Long Jie and Little Wu got up on time and set off for Shrek Academy.

"Brother, did you prepare the money for joining the academy?" Little Wu looked at Long Jie. If he wanted her life, she had one. If he wanted money, she had none.

Long Jie shook his head. He was not Tang San—where was he supposed to get money? The small subsidy Spirit Hall gave them each month was not even enough for the two siblings to spend.

"No money!"

"Huh? Then how are we supposed to join the academy?" Little Wu pulled a long face. Had all those days of travel been for nothing?

"What are you panicking for? Just watch what I do. Besides... who said we were joining Shrek?"

Not joining? Little Wu looked utterly confused. Hadn't they come to join Shrek Academy?

And now they were not joining after all?

Soon, they reached the village where Shrek Academy was located. After following the crowd to the registration area, the two directly hid at the back.

Unfortunately, among all those people around 1.5 meters tall, they stood out far too much. Hiding was practically useless, and Shrek's teacher spotted them at a glance.

Long Jie did not care. His gaze fell on the people from Shrek ahead of him.

The sight gave Long Jie a fright, because among the crowd stood the person he least wanted to see.

Tang San!

Why was he at Shrek Academy? Was he here to join Shrek Academy now, or had he joined long ago?

Long Jie's thoughts raced. He immediately walked up with a broad smile and said warmly, "Tang San? Is that you? Is it really you? That's wonderful! I thought I'd never see you again!"

He enthusiastically stepped forward and hugged Tang San. Anyone who did not know better would think they had been friends for years.

In the eyes of everyone present, the devastatingly handsome Long Jie was embracing an ordinary-looking man with dry skin, presenting the friendship between a handsome man and an ugly man.

Everyone could not help staring.

Tang San was also utterly bewildered. Only after thinking for a long while did he remember who the person before him was.

"You're... Long Jie?"

"That's right, that's right. I'm your Jie Ge!" Long Jie beamed, then said excitedly, "Back then, when Grandmaster Su was hunting you down... mmph mmph..."

"Shh!" Tang San covered Long Jie's mouth and whispered, "Don't talk about that!"

Although Tang Hao had killed everyone who knew about it back then, leaving no one aware of Tang San's identity, the youth before him was the one fish that had slipped through the net!

If he let him speak, Tang San would be in trouble again.

Long Jie smiled and said no more. Looking at Tang San, he asked excitedly, "Little San, what exactly happened back then?"

"Ask nothing, concern yourself with nothing!" Tang San remained composed and refused to say a word!

Long Jie smiled. Even if Tang San would not say it, he knew. That incident back then had been caused by Tang San, and he was the one who had gotten those people from Spirit Hall killed.

"Fine, then we won't talk about it. Look, we're old friends. How about you pay my tuition?"

"Huh?" Tang San froze. How had the topic suddenly turned to tuition?

"No... Jie Ge, I don't..."

"Then Su Yun..."

"Fine, I'll pay for you!" Tang San said helplessly. Hadn't they agreed not to talk about it anymore?

Long Jie smiled, turned around, and led Little Wu out from the crowd by the hand. "This is my younger sister, Little Wu. Her tuition is in your care as well!"

Tang San's eyelids twitched wildly. You really have no shame. Yet when he looked at Little Wu, his heart inexplicably stirred.

It was as though this woman were his Fated Maiden.

What had Long Jie just said? Younger sister? Heh heh, Jie Ge, I'm definitely becoming your brother-in-law!

He smiled at Long Jie and said, "Sure, I'll pay!" Then he turned to Little Wu and extended a hand, inviting a handshake.

"Hello, I'm Tang San!"

Little Wu froze slightly and instinctively looked toward Long Jie. Long Jie frowned. You dare set your sights on my sister? Looks like you don't want your little brother anymore.

He stepped forward on his own, clasped Tang San's hand, and said with a smile, "Then many thanks. Sorry for the trouble!"

Then he led Little Wu away and stood among the crowd.

Tang San cast Little Wu a reluctant glance. He did not dare go too far, hurriedly composed himself, and registered everyone.

Shrek Academy's entry requirements were extremely strict. One had to reach level twenty-one before the age of thirteen.

That standard already qualified one as a genius. Frankly, a genius like that could become successful even if left to cultivate alone.

Shrek Academy was merely a place for geniuses to study on their own. Long Jie did not think it was much better than other academies.

If it could take in trash and still turn them into talents, that would be truly impressive.

Long Jie looked around, searching for the few people from the original story who had joined Shrek Academy.

He searched left and right but saw no sign of them. Long Jie frowned, thinking they were not coming, when someone suddenly patted him!

"Long Jie? Is that you?"

Someone was calling him? Long Jie turned around and saw a graceful young woman standing before him. She wore a pink princess dress. Even though she had grown much taller over the past three years, Long Jie recognized her at a glance.

Ning Rongrong.

Compared to three years ago, Ning Rongrong had grown up somewhat. She was around 167 centimeters tall, with long, silky hair and an incredibly adorable face. Her princess dress, paired with her princess-like appearance, made her look especially lively and cute.

"What, you don't remember me after three years?" The girl pouted, a little unhappy. She had cared deeply about Long Jie back then, yet he had forgotten her?

"How could that be? It's not that I forgot you. You never told me your name at all. I only remember that senior calling you Rong Rong!"