Heaven Dou Crown Prince Xue Qinghe

Day had long since broken. Fu Hua and Zhu Zhuqing walked side by side along a country path, both their faces slightly flushed, the atmosphere between them awkward.

Fu Hua was the first to speak, breaking the strange atmosphere.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were..."

Changing clothes.

Fu Hua had been lost in thought at the time and naturally failed to notice the change in presence inside the room. Thus, that very harmonious scene had unfolded before her.

The moment the door opened, a springlike sight rushed at her face—like tender grass newly sprouting in spring, its fragrance intoxicating. Smooth as jade, soft as silk, black and white formed a stark contrast.

The delicate buds had just broken through the earth, wanting to display their form, yet they were neatly confined within their bounds, perfectly centered. Still, they seemed too small, carrying the sense that they could not be contained.

That petite figure possessed enviable assets: curves where there should be curves, rises where there should be rises, along with strong, powerful legs.

Had any normal man been present, his blood would have surged at the sight. Even Fu Hua, in her momentary daze, made a strange move.

She swiftly shut the door.

She was clearly a girl, yet after seeing another girl's body, her first reaction had been to close the door. Fu Hua, had you really been born into the wrong body?

And so, this strange situation came about. Fu Hua's actions seemed to have led Zhu Zhuqing's thoughts astray as well, and neither of them considered the fact that they were both women.

The awkwardness along the way eased once they reached the dining hall. Sitting across from each other in silence, they ate their breakfasts and waited for the class bell. Only after gathering on the training grounds did it completely vanish.

The eight Shrek students, along with every teacher in the academy, gathered on the training grounds. This was probably the liveliest moment Shrek Academy had ever seen.

Among them was a middle-aged man—the Master Fu Hua had seen that morning.

"Alright, everyone is here. I have a few matters to announce," Dean Flanders said first.

"First, let me introduce the academy's teachers to the five new students."

As he spoke, Dean Flanders pointed at the teacher who had been seated by the academy gate during the entrance examination.

"This is Teacher Li Yusong. His martial soul is the Dragon Patterned Stick, and he is a level sixty-three Soul Emperor."

The second was an elderly man who appeared to be around seventy.

"This is Teacher Lu Qibin. His martial soul is Star Luo Chess, and he is a level sixty-six Soul Emperor."

The final teacher was the youngest, about the same age as Dean Flanders.

"This is Teacher Shao Xin. His martial soul is Sugar Bean, and he is a level seventy-one Soul Saint, a Food System Spirit Master. Among all the Food System Spirit Masters I know, Teacher Shao is unquestionably among the top five strongest."

Dean Flanders then walked over to Master's side and patted him on the shoulder. "As for this last one, I must introduce him properly. Through his own research, he established the Ten Great Martial Soul Competitiveness Principles. He is hailed as the foremost authority on martial soul theory and the wisest Spirit Master. He is also Tang San's teacher, Mr. Yu Xiaogang. Of course, he is also an old brother of mine. We have known each other for decades. Perhaps you are not familiar with his name, but I am sure you have all heard of his title. From now on, just call him Master."

Everyone's hearts tightened. They had experienced Master's capabilities through Tang San. A teacher who could train such an outstanding student could hardly be ordinary.

"From today onward, Master will have full responsibility for your training. We will all cooperate with him. You only returned yesterday, so I imagine you are all rather tired. I'll give you a day off today, and classes will resume tomorrow. During this trip to the Star Dou Great Forest, another four of you reached the Soul Elder realm. Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and Zhu Zhuqing, who have yet to break through level thirty, must work harder as well. Strive to catch up with the others as soon as possible. Master, do you have anything to say?"

Dean Flanders looked toward Master.

"There are only eight students in this academy. In my eyes, you are one whole. I have already reviewed your records, and I will formulate targeted training methods for each of you. Other than cooperation, I do not wish to hear any dissenting voices. No matter who it is, I will treat everyone equally. Since you are students of a monster academy, you must be more monstrous than ordinary Spirit Masters. From now on, whenever anyone mentions you, the only word they should think of is 'monster.' Starting now, the eight of you will no longer be divided into junior and senior groups as before. You will undergo completely unified instruction. I have ranked you according to age: Number One, Dai Mubai. Number Two, Oscar. Number Three, Tang San. Number Four, Ma Hongjun. Number Five, Xiao Wu. Number Six, Ning Rongrong. Number Seven, Fu Hua. Number Eight, Zhu Zhuqing."

Master's stiff face shifted slightly when he saw Fu Hua, though it quickly returned to normal. Still, Fu Hua caught the change in his expression.

Master seemed to... know her.

Fu Hua quietly buried this doubt in her heart.

"Alright, you may disperse now. Gather here at dawn tomorrow. Also, I do not wish to see anyone absent at breakfast. Otherwise, you will receive special training."

After saying this, the teachers dismissed them. The little monsters of Shrek began discussing where they should go.

Naturally, Ma Hongjun was going to the place he wanted to go.

—The brothel.

What people commonly called an ancient pleasure house.

Dai Mubai seemed to know Zhu Zhuqing, but the atmosphere between them was difficult to fathom.

Tang San was also going to Suotuo City, so he went with Ma Hongjun, while Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu played around in the academy.

Fu Hua still needed to train, so she planned to take Devil's Path before heading to Suotuo City. She took a different route from Tang San and the others.

After everyone made their own arrangements for the day off, they set out.

Fu Hua already knew Devil's Path like the back of her hand. Whether it was sheer cliffs or difficult, rugged trails, everything was as flat ground beneath her feet. Ordinary people needed half an hour or even an hour to cross the mountain, but she needed only ten minutes.

It seemed this place had reached its limits as a training ground. If she could not find another solution, she might have to ask Dean Flanders for leave and head into a harsher great forest.

Suotuo City remained as prosperous as ever. Amid the bustling streets, there was one place of tranquility: Suo Tuo Library.

Even passersby were unwilling to spare its deserted entrance a second glance. Its ancient decor carried the weight of history, and its simple plaque bore the words—Suo Tuo Library.

It was still just as Fu Hua remembered it when she had left.

As she stepped into the library, her clear voice echoed through the halls.

"Grandpa Sol, I'm back."

"Oh! Fu Hua is back. Are you tired? Do you want to rest first?"

Fu Hua shook her head.

Her gaze swept across the library, and she unexpectedly spotted someone. She was surprised. Everyone in Suotuo City knew of this library, yet almost no one ever came here.

Other than serving as a place for lovers to meet in secret, it could hardly be called a library.

But today, Fu Hua saw a figure seated beside the wooden tables and chairs, his expression focused as though nothing in the world could disturb him.

His short snow-white hair was neatly groomed. He wore expensive silk brocade, with a white shawl draped from his right shoulder to the left side of his waist, forming another layer like a silk coat.

A fine silk belt circled his waist, set with several gems. Judging by their quality, they were all genuine jewels worth a fortune. He wore soaring-cloud boots, seeming to bear dancing snow dragons, silver with golden trim and brimming with extravagance.

Fu Hua saw at once that he was not a noble from Suotuo City. His face was unfamiliar, and his brocade was exceedingly costly. Even with such plain embroidery, it could not conceal his noble bearing.

An aristocrat from the Heaven Dou Imperial Capital.

Only then did he seem to notice Fu Hua at the door. He raised his eyes to look at her.

His azure eyes, the same color as Fu Hua's, held thoughts she could not discern. With a handsome face and a faint smile at his lips, he slowly closed the book in his hand and rose to stand before her.

Being slightly taller, he looked down into Fu Hua's eyes.

"Hello. You must be Fu Hua, the granddaughter Director Sol mentioned, right?"

The newcomer's voice was clear and cool, like a spring from the deepest abyss, indescribably captivating. Coupled with that handsome face, any woman would have been smitten.

Fu Hua's eyes darkened. Turning to Sol, she said, "Grandpa Sol, I'll rest on the second floor. I'll attend to this distinguished guest."

Sol did not understand, but his years of life experience told him this young man was no ordinary person. He had likely come for Fu Hua. He nodded, then turned and went back to his own business.

Watching Director Sol leave, Fu Hua turned her gaze back to the uninvited man and made a sideways gesture of invitation.

"Please."

The man merely smiled without speaking and followed Fu Hua upstairs.

This was a lounge specially set aside for afternoon tea. Those tired from reading could come here to rest, though naturally they had to bring their own tea. If tea were prepared for every man and woman who came here for secret trysts, wouldn't this place truly become a pleasure house?

The two sat facing each other. Once seated, Fu Hua began arranging the tea set on the table. Making tea was also a form of cultivation.

As the water boiled, the fragrance of tea spread freely, gradually filling the entire room. Beneath the open window, even passing pedestrians could catch whiffs of its delicate aroma.

Refreshing to the heart and mind, impossible to forget.

"Miss, your tea-making skills are remarkable. Qinghe is impressed."

"Then may I ask what brings the esteemed Crown Prince of Heaven Dou here?"

"I believe you know very well, Miss Fu Hua. Or perhaps it would be more appropriate to call you Crimson Kite."

Xue Qinghe did not conceal anything. The meaning behind his words was clear: he had come on behalf of the Heaven Dou Empire, naturally seeking talented individuals. And the name Crimson Kite was surely known to everyone in the Great Soul Arena.

Fu Hua's sword-like brows furrowed.

She had no desire to involve herself in conflicts between factions. She only wished to live peacefully, unravel the mystery of how she had come to this world, and then see whether she could find a way back.

Yet the arrival of Heaven Dou's Crown Prince Xue Qinghe had somewhat disrupted her plans. Since the Heaven Dou Empire had already taken notice of her, what about the other factions?

Spirit Hall, the various sects...

It seemed things were becoming troublesome.

"Fu Hua appreciates Crown Prince Xue Qinghe's kind intentions, but I do not like involving myself in struggles between factions."

"Miss Fu Hua is certainly straightforward."

"I don't like beating around the bush."

"Miss Fu Hua—"

"Just call me Fu Hua."

"Very well. Then, what are Fu Hua's plans from here on? Have you considered joining a sect, or perhaps your family elders—"

Fu Hua shook her head.

"Right now, I only want to study properly."

Xue Qinghe thought for a moment.

"I heard that you are currently studying at Shrek Academy. Shrek may be good, but its facilities are still lacking in many respects. Have you considered transferring to an academy with better facilities and superior teaching? After all, Shrek has very little it can offer you."

He was openly trying to poach her. If Flender heard this, he would absolutely drive him away on the spot.

Fortunately, Fu Hua was not someone who fussed over trivial matters. As for physical facilities and the like, nature's environment was far better than anything man-made.

"My apologies."

"I understand. I will be staying in Suotuo City for some time. If you change your mind, you may come find me at any time. Also... thank you for the tea."

Slightly intoxicated by the tea, Fu Hua leaned back in her chair as mist curled before her eyes. From the corner of her vision, she watched the carriage before the library. Only after Xue Qinghe entered it did she withdraw her gaze.

"What a hassle."

After leaving Suo Tuo Library, Xue Qinghe sat in the carriage and pondered. Recruiting Fu Hua would require careful long-term planning. Looking into her eyes, he saw that she had not been tainted by the pursuit of power.

Buying her with money was utterly impossible. She had been willing to give up millions in earnings from the Great Soul Arena for an old man unrelated to her by blood, one who had only raised her for five years. That alone showed how deeply she valued loyalty and affection.

"Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, is something wrong?"

"Nothing. Go to the Great Soul Arena. I imagine that in the next few days, we will be able to see Crimson Kite display her prowess."

"Yes."

"By the way, have any outsiders entered Suotuo City recently?"

"We haven't found anything yet. Your subordinates have kept a close watch the entire time."

"Stay hidden. Don't let Spirit Hall discover my whereabouts."

"Understood."

The conversation inside the carriage faded away. The ordinary carriage soon merged into the crowd, heading straight for the Suotuo Great Soul Arena.

An undercurrent seemed poised to begin stirring.

PS: Hilarious! Hilarious! Hilarious!