Eve of Shrek Academy

The small village south of Suotuo City seemed exceptionally peaceful beneath the setting sun. Ning Xiaochuan stood before the stone tablet at the village entrance, staring at the four crookedly carved words, "Shrek Academy," and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily. This legendary monster academy was actually hidden in such an inconspicuous little village?

"Hey, what are you spacing out for?" Ning Rongrong tugged at his sleeve, the glazed-colored hem of her dress swaying gently in the evening breeze. "Are we really going to live in a place like this?" She glanced disdainfully at the dilapidated thatched huts in the distance. "Even the stables of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect are more respectable than this..."

Just as Ning Xiaochuan was about to answer, a hoarse voice suddenly came from behind him. "If you think it's too shabby, you can leave, young miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

The two spun around and saw a middle-aged man in black-rimmed glasses standing behind them, though neither knew when he had appeared. He was tall and thin, with a sly smile on his face, like an owl poised to strike.

"Dean Flender?" Ning Xiaochuan asked tentatively.

The man pushed up his glasses, and a sharp glint flashed across the lenses. "Not bad. You recognize me." He sized Ning Xiaochuan up and down, his gaze lingering on Milk Dragon for a moment. "Dai Mubai said you were coming, but I didn't believe him. Why would the treasured jewel of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect take a liking to a country academy like ours?"

Ning Rongrong snorted. "I came with Xiaochuan. Wherever he goes, I go!"

Flender gave a meaningful "Oh," then suddenly leaned closer to Ning Xiaochuan. "I heard your martial soul is rather special? It can make that brat Ma Hongjun suffer a backlash from his evil fire?"

Milk Dragon immediately raised its scales warily on Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, yet it showed no hostility. Instead, it curiously observed Flender. This dean possessed a special air that left Milk Dragon both cautious and curious.

"It was just a coincidence," Ning Xiaochuan said modestly.

Flender burst out laughing. "A coincidence that can make the martial soul of a level seventy-six Soul Sage react?" He turned and headed into the village. "Come on. I'll show you the real Shrek."

The inside of Shrek Academy was not much better than its exterior. The training ground was packed dirt, the dormitories were crude wooden houses, and the only halfway decent building was a two-story structure in the center—the dean's office.

"Resources are limited, so make do with it." Flender led them around the campus. "But our teaching quality and faculty are absolutely no worse than those of any advanced Soul Master Academy."

Ning Xiaochuan noticed the pride shining in Flender's eyes as he said this. He suddenly recalled the original description of this dean—stingy but loyal, cunning yet upright.

"Your test is scheduled for tomorrow." Flender pushed open the door to a dorm room. "Stay here tonight. Dai Mubai and the others have already returned to the academy. Oscar and Ma Hongjun are next door."

Ning Rongrong looked at the crude double room, her brows furrowing tightly enough to crush a fly. "Only one room?"

Flender spread his hands. "The academy has limited resources. Besides, aren't you two in that kind of relationship?" He deliberately stressed the words, his eyes full of teasing.

Ning Rongrong's face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple, but she stubbornly lifted her chin. "One room is fine!" She grabbed Ning Xiaochuan's arm. "Anyway, we... we..."

Seeing that she was only making things worse, Ning Xiaochuan quickly changed the subject. "Dean, I'd like to ask about the Breathing Technique."

Flender's eyes lit up. "I was just about to ask you. Dai Mubai said your martial soul changes according to some special breathing rhythm?"

Ning Xiaochuan nodded and briefly explained the principles of the modern Abdominal Breathing Technique, naturally leaving out his identity as a transmigrator. Flender listened intently, occasionally interrupting to ask for details.

"Interesting..." The dean stroked his chin. "This Breathing Technique seems capable of bringing out a martial soul's latent potential. During tomorrow's test, I'll have to observe it closely."

Just then, a commotion suddenly erupted outside. Dai Mubai's voice carried over from afar. "Dean! There's an abnormality in the direction of the Star Dou Great Forest!"

Flender's expression changed, and he quickly left the dormitory. Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Rongrong exchanged a glance and followed him.

At the open space by the village entrance, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun had already gathered, their faces grim as they stared into the distance. On the distant horizon, a dark-red pillar of light could vaguely be seen shooting into the sky, staining half the heavens blood-colored.

"What is that?" Ning Rongrong asked in surprise.

Flender frowned deeply. "A beast tide warning. Energy fluctuation of this level means that at least a fifty-thousand-year soul beast has gone berserk."

Even stranger, the moment that red light appeared, Milk Dragon on Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder became unusually restless. It spread its wings and let out a long cry toward the pillar of light, the golden patterns on its scales flickering erratically.

"Your dragon..." Flender sharply noticed the phenomenon. "It seems to be reacting to that energy?"

Ning Xiaochuan's heart jolted. Could that red light be connected to Milk Dragon's origins? Or perhaps... to the source of the Breathing Technique?

At that moment, an earthshaking roar came from afar, making the entire ground tremble. The sound contained endless fury and pain, as though some ancient colossal beast was awakening.

Milk Dragon's reaction became even more intense. It broke free from Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder and flew into the air, the golden patterns over its body blazing brightly as it released a Dragon Roar in response to the distant roar. The two waves of sound waves collided in midair, actually stirring up visible ripples!

"It's... communicating?" Oscar gaped in shock.

A sharp light flashed in Flender's eyes. "Ning Xiaochuan, just what is the origin of your martial soul?"

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "I don't know either." That was the truth. Although he suspected Milk Dragon might be connected to the Silver Dragon King, the exact connection remained a mystery.

The red light persisted for about ten minutes before gradually fading. Milk Dragon quieted as well and landed back on Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, but the light in its eyes was brighter than usual, as though some memory had been awakened.

"After tomorrow's test, we need to have a proper talk." Flender spoke meaningfully, then turned to the other students. "Increase the watch tonight. Take turns standing guard."

The group accepted the order and dispersed. Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Rongrong returned to their dormitory, only to discover that the room had been rearranged—a brand-new set of bedding covered the crude wooden bed, fresh fruit sat on the table, and there was even a simple dressing table in the corner.

"This..." Ning Rongrong stared at the changes in surprise.

Oscar's voice came from outside the window. "Don't thank me~ Sausage Specialty Shop is always at your service!" A series of receding footsteps followed.

Ning Xiaochuan chuckled. "Looks like food-type soul masters are pretty good at taking care of people."

Ning Rongrong curled her lips. "At least he knows what's good for him." She suddenly remembered something and took out two bundles from her Soul Tool. "Here. Clothes for you to wear tomorrow."

Ning Xiaochuan opened the bundle. Inside was a finely made set of black fitted clothing, with dark golden dragon patterns embroidered along the collar and cuffs. What left him both amused and helpless was the four tiny embroidered words on the inside: "Rongrong's exclusive." The stitches were delicate and neat, clearly the product of considerable care.

"This is..."

"Couple outfits!" Ning Rongrong declared righteously, displaying her own set at the same time—identical in design, except hers was glazed purple. "Wear them during tomorrow's test, so everyone knows whose man you are!"

Ning Xiaochuan smiled helplessly, though warmth rose in his heart. He carefully put the clothes away, then suddenly thought of something. "Right. You can sleep on the bed tonight. I'll sleep on the floor."

Ning Rongrong's face reddened again. "Wh-who said I wanted you to sleep on the floor? The bed is so big..." Her voice grew softer and softer until it was nearly a mosquito's hum.

Just as the atmosphere became awkward, a strange sound suddenly came from outside the window. Milk Dragon immediately raised its scales alertly, and Ning Xiaochuan instantly went on guard as well.

"Who's there?" he demanded in a low voice.

There was no response, but a letter slowly slid in through the gap beneath the window. Ning Xiaochuan carefully picked it up. There was no signature on the envelope, only a drop of dark-red wax sealing it.

He opened the envelope. Inside were only a few short words: "Tomorrow's test. Be careful of Zhao Wuji."

"What does that mean?" Ning Rongrong leaned over to look. "Is someone warning us?"

Ning Xiaochuan pondered for a moment. "Maybe Dai Mubai? Or another student?"

"No." Ning Rongrong shook her head. "If Dai Mubai wanted to warn us, he could have said it directly. There would be no need to be so sneaky."

The instant she finished speaking, another low beastly roar came from the distance, closer than before. Milk Dragon grew restless once more, flying to the window and releasing a low growl toward the sound.

Ning Xiaochuan went to the window and noticed faint blue light flickering along the edge of the forest in the night—it was Blue Silver Grass! The blades of grass swayed at a peculiar rhythm, as though they were transmitting some sort of message.

"Strange..." he murmured. "Why would Blue Silver Grass appear here? And it seems to be trying to communicate..."

Ning Rongrong noticed the anomaly as well. "Could they be guiding us somewhere?"

Just as the two observed them, Milk Dragon suddenly flew out through the window and headed straight for that patch of glowing Blue Silver Grass. Ning Xiaochuan had no time to stop it and could only watch as Little Dragon disappeared into the night.

"I'm going after it!" He turned to rush outside.

Ning Rongrong grabbed him. "Wait! It isn't safe outside. I'm coming with you!"

Ning Xiaochuan hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. The two quietly left the dormitory and followed the direction Milk Dragon had flown.

The forest outside the village appeared especially mysterious under the moonlight. The faint glow of the Blue Silver Grass was like a trail of lamps, leading them deeper into the woods. After walking for about ten minutes, they came upon a small clearing. Milk Dragon hovered in the middle, surrounded by countless glowing blades of Blue Silver Grass.

Even more surprisingly, a figure sat in the center of the clearing—it was Zhao Wuji! This level seventy-six Soul Sage had his eyes tightly closed, seemingly deep in meditation. The phantom of his Great Strength Vajra Bear martial soul flickered behind him, radiating immense pressure.

The moment Milk Dragon saw Ning Xiaochuan, it immediately flew back and anxiously circled him, occasionally pointing toward Zhao Wuji as if warning him.

"Is he cultivating?" Ning Rongrong asked quietly.

Ning Xiaochuan shook his head. "Something's wrong." He noticed the unusual pain on Zhao Wuji's face, cold sweat covering his forehead, while the martial soul phantom behind him twisted continuously. "He seems to be... trapped in some kind of state."

At that moment, Zhao Wuji abruptly opened his eyes, and his pupils were blood red! He let out an inhuman roar, and his martial soul phantom instantly solidified as a berserk aura swept through the entire clearing.

"Run!" Ning Xiaochuan grabbed Ning Rongrong and turned to flee.

But it was too late. Zhao Wuji had already locked onto them, and a massive bear paw came slamming down with a howling gust of wind! At the critical moment, Milk Dragon's body suddenly expanded, and it blocked the attack in front of them.

Bang!

Milk Dragon was sent flying several meters, yet astonishingly, it flew back without a scratch. Only the golden patterns on its scales had dimmed somewhat. Zhao Wuji seemed even angrier, and one soul ring after another lit up around him.

"Seven Treasures have names: first, Strength! Second, Speed!" Ning Rongrong reacted instantly, and the light of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda immediately enveloped Milk Dragon.

With the amplification, Milk Dragon's aura surged. The Dragon Breath it released was no longer simply ice and fire elemental energy, but carried seven-colored streams of light—the Divine Dragon Amplification state formed through resonance with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!

Zhao Wuji was forced back several steps by the Dragon Breath, but he quickly charged forward again. His attacks had no pattern at all, entirely driven by beastlike instinct, yet the power of a level seventy-six Soul Sage remained terrifying beyond measure.

"He's being controlled!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted. "Look at his eyes!"

Indeed, Zhao Wuji's eyes held no trace of reason, only frenzied killing intent. Even stranger, a black spider-shaped mark could faintly be seen on his neck—identical to the mark on the controlled traitor they had encountered in the Sunset Forest.

"Spirit Hall's doing?" Ning Rongrong cried out.

Ning Xiaochuan had no time to answer, because Zhao Wuji had already activated his fourth soul skill—Target Lock! No matter how they dodged, the enormous bear paw followed them like a shadow.

At the moment of crisis, Milk Dragon suddenly released a thunderous Dragon Roar. This roar contained a special power, and the surrounding Blue Silver Grass responded, growing wildly and intertwining to form a thick barrier between the three of them.

Zhao Wuji's assault was temporarily blocked. Ning Xiaochuan seized the opportunity and circulated the Breathing Technique with all his strength. The golden patterns on Milk Dragon's body shone at their brightest, and an illusory dragon shadow separated from its body—this was the third level ability of the Breathing Technique, external projection!

The projected dragon shadow and the main body released Dragon Breath at the same time. The two forces converged in the air, forming a pillar of interwoven gold and blue light. The moment it struck Zhao Wuji, the spider mark on his neck suddenly emitted black smoke and made a sizzling corrosive sound.

"Ah!" Zhao Wuji let out a pained howl, clutching his head as he fell to his knees. A moment later, when he raised his head again, the blood-red color in his eyes had faded, replaced by clarity.

"What was I..." He looked around blankly. "What happened?"

Before Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Rongrong could explain, Flender's anxious shout came from afar. "Old Zhao! Where are you?"

Within a few breaths, Flender and Dai Mubai's group arrived at the clearing. Seeing the scene before them, everyone froze.

"What did you do to Teacher Zhao?" Dai Mubai demanded sternly.

Ning Xiaochuan was about to explain, but Zhao Wuji waved a hand. "It wasn't their fault." He touched his neck, where scorched traces from the spider mark remained. "I think... someone set me up."

Flender examined Zhao Wuji's injuries, and his expression became exceptionally grave. "It was a mental-control soul skill. To control a level seventy-six Soul Sage without him noticing, it must be a method at least at the level of a Titled Douluo."

Everyone's gaze involuntarily fell upon the spider mark that had yet to completely fade—it was clearly the emblem of a Spirit Hall elder!

"Tomorrow's test..." Flender pondered for a moment before suddenly announcing, "The standard procedure is canceled. It will be replaced with a special assessment." He looked at Ning Xiaochuan and Ning Rongrong. "Are you ready to face a true 'monster academy'?"

Milk Dragon gave a resolute low growl from Ning Xiaochuan's shoulder, while Ning Rongrong tightened her grip on the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. The two exchanged a glance and nodded at the same time.

Under the moonlight, the Blue Silver Grass swayed gently, as though witnessing the beginning of a new legend.