First Lesson: Tang San Runs

Staring at Zhu Zhuqing as she walked away, Dai Mubai immediately grew a little angry.

Xiao Xian could explain it, but when I talked, you would not even listen?

Tang San and Xiao Wu glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then turned back to look thoughtfully at Dai Mubai.

This scene had already happened yesterday.

Dai Mubai could only take a few deep breaths and force himself to calm down.

Helplessly, he withdrew his attention from Zhu Zhuqing and slowly began explaining some of Shrek Academy's circumstances.

Basically, the academy would tailor each person's courses according to their individual situation.

He also spoke about Flender's theories on "combat and psychological games."

Xiao Xian had no particular opinion on that. For Spirit Masters, perhaps it was not wrong.

The students Shrek trained this way might not become utterly vile villains, but they definitely would not be good people either.

Still, this kind of training could make them a little safer when facing other Spirit Masters.

Spirit Masters were a violent group to begin with.

Most Spirit Masters would start a fight at the slightest disagreement. Seeing blood was nothing unusual.

As they chatted,

a series of clangs rang out from outside.

Xiao Xian rose leisurely. "Let's go. To the training ground. The Dean is calling us."

Dai Mubai hurriedly stood as well. "Xiao Xian, I'll leave them to you. I'm going to get Zhuqing!"

Ma Hongjun quickly followed Xiao Xian and muttered in a low voice, "Brother Xian, have you noticed Boss Dai seems different? I've never seen him care this much about a woman. Especially before you came, he used to juggle three dates a day..."

Ning Rongrong listened silently. Seemingly thinking of something, she could not help but snicker.

"Who cares? Let's go. I don't mind if we're late, but you'll be in trouble."

Xiao Xian walked out as though taking a leisurely stroll, yet he moved incredibly fast, covering several meters with every step.

Ma Hongjun promptly shut up and jogged after him.

At the same time, he gave Xiao Xian a somewhat helpless look and muttered inwardly, If it weren't for you, how would the Dean and Teacher Zhao have...

Tang San and Xiao Wu immediately followed as well. It was their first time meeting the Dean since enrolling, and they did not want to be late.

By the time they reached the training ground,

Oscar was already there. He still wore a full beard and looked half-asleep, with a sausage in hand that he was eating. He looked like a middle-aged man mixed in among a group of teenage boys and girls.

"Brother Xian, want one?" He glanced at Ning Rongrong behind Xiao Xian and asked weakly in a limp voice.

"No. I'm not hungry."

Not long after, Dai Mubai arrived with Zhu Zhuqing, his expression ugly.

Seeing this, Oscar immediately felt a little smug. I never had a chance, but it looks like you don't either!

Dai Mubai walked between Xiao Xian and Oscar. He forcibly returned his expression to normal, then, while waiting for the Dean, deliberately chatted as if nothing had happened. "Xiao Ao, weren't you going to shave yesterday? Then go pursue...?"

Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up as he looked curiously at Oscar.

Oscar muttered dejectedly, "I'm in the Support System... That leaves only two in total. Um... Brother Xian is here, and so is Tang San, so those are definitely impossible. Are you telling me to pursue Zhu Zhuqing?"

"Oscar! How dare you!" Dai Mubai's tone instantly turned icy.

Ma Hongjun immediately looked at Oscar like he was a warrior. You really are brave.

Xiao Xian helplessly glanced at Oscar, then patted Dai Mubai's shoulder to calm him down.

The Dean arrived just then.

Tang San and Xiao Wu silently breathed a sigh of relief. They had thought a fight was about to break out.

But when they looked at Flender, they were immediately startled again. They had actually met him before—the owner of that Soul Tool shop!

Flender walked before them and looked at them with satisfaction. "I'm very pleased that we have gained another four little monsters. I am Flender, Dean of Shrek Academy, and on behalf of the academy, I welcome you."

"Later, each of you is to hand one hundred Gold Soul Coins to Teacher Li."

Flender paused, looked at Xiao Xian, and added, "Xiao Xian, Xiao Jue's food expenses are increasing to ninety Gold Soul Coins per month."

Xiao Xian nodded. Flender had let him keep two months' worth of Soul Elder Subsidy before raising the food expenses. He was already quite surprised. Of course, perhaps it was because Flender could not find him during the latter month...

However, he had just glanced into the kitchen. What Xiao Jue was being fed today was actually a Sub-dragon spirit beast close to nine thousand years old.

His little Spirit Master Subsidy was probably enough to buy two toenails.

"Mu Bai."

Flender looked at Dai Mubai.

"Dean." Dai Mubai stepped forward. His expression had returned to normal, and he clearly respected Flender greatly, even admired him.

Flender said, "Tell the new junior students the academy rules, then have them prepare themselves properly. Today's first lesson will begin tonight. Tang San, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong, you three are exceptions. Come with me."

Oscar's face fell. Tang San and Ning Rongrong were somewhat confused, but they still obediently walked before Flender.

"The rest of you can go rest. Don't blame me for not warning you—this academy's teaching differs from everywhere else. You may even face danger."

Flender waved his hand.

"Dean, Xiao San, I'm off!" Xiao Xian waved. Xiao Jue happened to emerge from the cafeteria after finishing its meal, and Xiao Xian leaped onto its back, patting its head.

Xiao Jue immediately understood. Riding a gale, it took a few light steps and jumped onto a familiar rooftop—it was Flender's residence.

Flender's mouth twitched at the sight, and he roared irritably, "Be gentler from now on! No wonder I woke up covered in dust this morning!"

Upon hearing that, Tang San subconsciously touched his nose, clearly a little embarrassed. When he had jumped up there that morning, his foot had slipped, and he had used a little too much force.

Of the others, Zhu Zhuqing turned and left without the slightest hesitation.

Dai Mubai's expression darkened again, but this time, he did not chase after her.

Ma Hongjun was the same. He quickly slipped away, though no one knew where he was going. Judging by his direction, it seemed to be the other side of the village.

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San, then at Xiao Xian, hesitating for a moment.

Tang San glanced at her, smiled softly, and waved for her to go ahead on her own.

Only then did Xiao Wu stick out her tongue and skip away like a rabbit, full of liveliness.

Flender's gaze fell on Tang San and Ning Rongrong. "Martial souls come in countless varieties, and everyone cultivates differently. What the academy teaches you is destined not to be how to cultivate your martial souls, but how to better use them."

Tang San and Ning Rongrong nodded, deeply agreeing.

Oscar lowered his head without saying a word. He had clearly heard this speech too many times.

Next, Flender gave another grand speech, explaining what was most important for Support System Spirit Masters. Naturally—it was running away.

The more Oscar listened, the more miserable his expression became.

Tang San and Ning Rongrong were left completely stunned.

Flender offered another round of justification before saying, "Therefore, your lesson today is endurance training. Starting now, run twenty laps around the entire village at top speed. You may use your martial souls to assist yourselves, but if you do not return before noon, you can forget about eating. Oscar, lead the way."

"Yes!" Ning Rongrong ran off without hesitation.

Tang San glanced at Oscar and ran off as well.

Oscar looked resentfully at the two of them before helplessly following.

Flender's so-called entire village included the farmland. One lap was at least three kilometers, and they had to run twenty laps... and finish before noon...

It looked like he could only eat sausages again today.