Sir, Did You Take Out the Script?

The four of them slowly walked along a country path. One of the girls was already showing faint impatience, but with a handsome young man beside her, she could only restrain herself.

"That hateful Tang San—could he have taken the wrong road? Or is he deliberately taking a detour because we're following behind him? What kind of village looks like it has an academy?"

In the end, Ning Rongrong could not help voicing her indignation.

After all, her father, Ning Fengzhi, had described Shrek Academy as incredibly powerful.

Yet what she saw with her own eyes were vast stretches of farmland lining the road.

How could a place like this possibly have an academy? If they kept walking, they might just end up in a village.

Pah. Ning Rongrong could already see a village in the distance, though strangely, it seemed to be surrounded by many people.

Xiang Muzhe chuckled and shook his head, affection filling his face as he rubbed the girl's head.

"Don't worry. We're almost there."

With his eyesight alone, he had already spotted Shrek Academy ahead. Quite a few people were currently lining up to register.

"How could that be a waste? To be able to encounter..."

I didn't ask Zhu Zhuqing to make a move. I could sense that Xiang Muzhe's Soul Power was clearly higher than Qiu Liwan's.

"Your age qualifies. Release your Martial Soul and let me take a look."

When Tang San saw that scene, delight could not help appearing on his face.

On the Douluo Continent, one relied on talent and backing. If hard work were useful, the commoners would have long since overthrown the two great empires.

After standing in line for a while, Qiu Liwan heard the surrounding discussions. The admission requirement was to possess Soul Power above level ten by the age of twelve.

The smile on Tang San's face grew deeper. He was quite pleased to see what would happen next.

"Then would you like to play my guard?"

If she had come alone, she would certainly have found it very interesting. But with Xiang Muzhe beside her, she felt somewhat embarrassed. They had traveled for nearly two months from Seven Treasure City, only to arrive at such a shabby academy.

"Hold out your left hand."

The wrinkles on the old man's face deepened slightly as he pointed toward the parents accompanying the children registering.

Xiang Muzhe still wore a faint smile, while Flender nodded in agreement.

Qiu Liwan's eyes lit up. She immediately hugged Xiang Muzhe's arm and began acting spoiled, her lively eyes blinking repeatedly.

The pagoda gave off a hazy glow, illuminating every wrinkle on the old man's face as they creased in surprise.

Xiang Muzhe could not help raising his brows slightly. This Flender certainly had quite the playful streak, but he did not refuse.

His main purpose in coming here was to investigate Tang San's Sea of Consciousness. But since there was nothing else to do now, he did not mind meeting the characters from the original story.

A foolish grin appeared on Flender's face, and he accidentally blurted out what was in his heart before hurriedly correcting himself.

But how was that possible? Judging by his appearance, he would believe it even if someone said he was old enough to enroll.

At that moment, the old man's gaze toward Qiu Liwan changed. It had initially been indifferent, but now it became wary.

He was more willing to believe that the "Grandfather Sword" Flender had mentioned was Sword Douluo hiding in the shadows.

But wasn't that undermining him? What if the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect continued to cause trouble?

"What do you mean by this? If you want to enroll in Ning Rongrong Academy, you must accept the entrance assessment. Even children of great powers are no exception."

The old man waved Zhu Zhuqing over from behind him. "Mubai, take them inside."

Suddenly, Qiu Liwan shivered and hurriedly withdrew her gaze.

Hmm?

Since Xiang Muzhe did not mind, she naturally wanted to properly experience the wonders of Ning Rongrong Academy—the life of poverty. Hmm, she seemed never to have experienced that before.

The surprise on the old man's face gradually faded, and he frowned slightly. "Does your family know you came here?"

But what displeased the old man was that Zhu Zhuqing did not listen to him. Instead, her burning gaze fixed on a young girl not far behind Xiang Muzhe.

Xiang Muzhe met those requirements as well. Flender had asked about Xiang Muzhe's age the night before.

Heh—pah!

You said that Qiu Liwan was just as talented, and more importantly, that she worked hard enough?

Xiang Muzhe before him still wore a calm smile, as though the pressure bearing down on him had been released by Xiang Muzhe himself. Yet he simply did not believe it, and another thought suddenly occurred to him...

Then Flender's stiff voice suddenly rang out. Judging from Flender's appearance and attire, wasn't she a beautiful rich woman?

Her exceptionally voluptuous figure did not quite match her actual age. If one ignored her face, she could easily be mistaken for an adult young woman. In particular, her magnificent chest would attract every man's gaze.

Most importantly, it would be far too unfair to Xiang Muzhe.

"Still, Brother Muzhe, do you want to register too?"

"Hmm? A guard?"

But now, Mubai, Mubai—daring to covet my woman, weren't you walking the path to Death-Worthy?

"Could that be Shrek Academy up ahead? No way. It looks awfully poor."

Flender still wore a faint smile. In the end, the old man could only look at Xiang Muzhe. "Hold out your hand."

She seemed... to have quite a bad temper just now?

I imagined Headmaster Qiu Liwan would support me if she knew. Otherwise, our academy might get turned upside down.

Muzhe shook his head faintly. Leaving aside the fact that he already had a favorable impression of Qiu Liwan Academy, with his strength, even Bao Liuli could be handled with one hand. There was simply no need for him to attend school anymore.

In the end, Flender did not say anything embarrassing. Instead, she looked toward the entrance of Ning Rongrong Academy, her beautiful eyes once again filled with interest.

Pfft!

If every brat from some minor family dared to piss on our heads, was this academy even worth running anymore?

The old man followed Zhu Zhuqing's gaze and was slightly startled. But then again, this girl really was beautiful.

The old man maintained a calm expression, his throat trembling slightly as his steady voice rang out.

"I'll pass. I only came to keep you company anyway. But I'll stay by your side."

In any case, Muzhe could not bring himself to fawn over an icy beauty, much less a woman who had come to compete with Zhu Zhuqing for the throne.

"Since we're already here, naturally we should see what is so extraordinary about Qiu Liwan Academy. Do you want these two months of traveling to have been for nothing?"

Only Muzhe could perfectly play the roles of prince and guard.

A trace of displeasure flashed through Tang San's eyes. He had not expected Ning Rongrong Academy, praised so highly by the master, to be full of people who currying favor with the powerful.

What?

The old man in charge of registration had just finished explaining several matters to Zhu Zhuqing beside him. Hearing Gold Soul Coins drop into the box at his side, he turned around and saw two young people standing before him.

Muzhe withdrew his gaze and turned to Flender, a gentle smile on his face as he raised a hand and lightly stroked her head.

Flender's voice was soft and pleasant, lacking some of its usual heroic spirit. It sounded gentle and tender, giving one a feeling of softness.

He could even faintly sense an oppressive aura from the young man among them.

Flender nodded and softly chanted an incantation. The next moment, a one-story little tower appeared in her hand, while two Spirit Rings appeared beneath her feet as well.

In the end, the old man looked at Muzhe, wariness evident in his eyes despite the calmness he feigned.

Yet her eyes remained fixed on Muzhe. This man was very powerful. It was not merely her intuition—she had been standing directly behind Muzhe just now and had already felt his aura firsthand.

As the old man released his aura, his expression suddenly changed. At that moment, he felt an even sharper aura press down on him, instantly seeming to freeze his Soul Power solid.

What useless trash. He had gone back to staring at women again. Had he forgotten how women had oppressed him years ago?

Before long, the two of them arrived in front of the village.

Although Muzhe's palm was warm, Ning Rongrong was inexplicably startled, a flustered expression appearing on her face.

Muzhe was currently looking in a certain direction with great interest. Following his gaze, Flender's face immediately darkened. Another vixen.

After her surprise came delight. Her Brother Muzhe truly was extraordinarily gifted. If gods existed in this world, they must surely be like Brother Muzhe.

For some reason, he suddenly felt that he ought to be more flexible. Wasn't it simply a matter of allowing a retainer into the academy?

Yet what puzzled the old man was that Muzhe did not extend his hand. Instead, he merely smiled and shook his head.

It was a woman with a childlike face and a voluptuous figure, slowly walking toward them.

"They say education is open to all. As long as I meet the academy's requirements, you have no reason to refuse me."

In the end, the old man suppressed the surprise on his face and replaced it with calmness.

"Mm-hmm, tonight you can punish me to your heart's content... cough, cough. I won't make any excessive demands."

Sir, did you take the wrong script?

"I am not here to enroll. I am merely Rongrong's guard."

After waiting for a while without that aura returning, the old man finally breathed a sigh of relief. However, there was now a trace of dissatisfaction in his gaze toward Qiu Liwan Academy.

Muzhe committed this grudge to memory before withdrawing his gaze.

As soon as the old man spoke, Tang San, Da Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and even Shrek, standing not far behind Muzhe, all wore extremely strange expressions.

"Why don't we leave? I've realized I'm not that interested in Ning Rongrong Academy anymore."

However, upon hearing Muzhe's words, Flender could not help but reveal a surprised expression. After all, she had not seen any buildings that an academy ought to have.

"You dare attack us? Believe it or not, I'll have Grandfather Sword chop you down!"

As his words fell, the old man's aura suddenly erupted, the presence of a Soul Emperor fully unleashed without concealment.

That was when she had been greatly surprised to discover that Muzhe was actually the same age as her—also twelve years old.

Seeing that Muzhe showed no reaction, Qiu Liwan Academy reluctantly stretched out her little hand. Fortunately, the old man was quite measured. He merely touched her lightly with two fingers and determined her bone age.

Yesterday, he had seen her Martial Soul. It was a one-story little tower, which looked very familiar, though he could not recall where he had seen it.

But just as Zhu Zhuqing began to indulge in his fantasies, he suddenly felt Muzhe's icy gaze from beside Flender.

Through the Mysterious Heaven Skill, he could sense that this old man's strength was at least at the Soul Emperor level. Teaching Muzhe a lesson would be more than easy!

Yet in the next moment, the smile on his face gradually stiffened, replaced by confusion.

Flender could not help but stare blankly. This place really was remarkably shabby.

Zhu Zhuqing could not help turning around. What shone in his pair of evil eyes was not coldness, but a wolf-like glint.

"If you want him to back off, then either he passes the entrance test, or he can beat you!"

Although the aura I sensed seemed to have been released by the young man before me, no matter what, I could not believe that he possessed such strength.

Very soon, Tang San and Da Wu in front completed their registration. After a few more people, it was Flender's turn.

"It really is Ning Rongrong Academy!"

Dean Bao Liuli had said that she had to manage her expression well. Only by maintaining an indifferent look could she make others feel that she was unfathomable.

Qiu Liwan's expression changed at once. She shifted her feet and hid behind Mu Zhe to avoid the aura, though her words remained as impolite as ever.

Unlike Flender, who was beautiful and talented, and more importantly, had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind her, with two Titled Douluo and wealth rivaling that of a nation.

Still, when he had pursued Qiu Liwan a few years ago, it had only been because she was rich.

Only a treasure of a young lady like this was worth him setting aside some patience to indulge in her antics.

Flender immediately became anxious. Clinging to Mu Zhe's arm, she shook it vigorously. She was already squeezing as hard as she could, but she still could not compare to that woman.

Grandfather Sword? Could he be Sword Douluo?

After several years of recuperation, his body had finally recovered to eighty percent of its peak condition. He had been planning to find a pretty rich woman this semester.

"It's not impossible, but you can't make any excessive demands. Otherwise, I won't punish you tonight."

With his knowledge, he naturally recognized that Martial Soul: the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, a Martial Soul possessed only by the direct descendants of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

"Ah?!"

What was going on? Why did the plot before and after seem connected?

She had always wanted to play like that, but unfortunately, Bone Douluo was too old and unsuitable, while Sword Douluo's temperament was too cold and lacked the feeling of a prince.

Zhu Zhuqing had been so skinny a few years ago that she was nothing but skin and bones. Who would have thought that after a few years, she had recovered so well?

At the village entrance gathered quite a few young people around their age. At this moment, some of them had already formed a long line.

There were no dormitory buildings, nor were there any teaching buildings—only vast stretches of open land. Could this be a training ground?

"But then again, you look like someone who can pass the entrance test. Naturally, you'll be able to enter the academy."

The old man was utterly speechless, nearly spitting blood in frustration. Why did powerful forces like you have to come bully small academies like ours?!

Mu Zhe, Mu Zhe, you just had to show off. Now you had kicked an iron plate. You actually dared to clash with Ning Rongrong Academy.

She hurriedly put on an obedient expression, as though her impatient words from just now had nothing to do with her.

Hadn't he been acting so arrogant just now? Why had he submitted again?

Besides, what Soul Master did not work hard?

Shrek stepped forward, her face icy, and extended one hand toward the old man. "Begin the test."

It had to be said that Shrek had a great figure and a beautiful face, but that was the only aspect in which she could attract him.

Hm?

"Fine, then let's see what is so extraordinary about Ning Rongrong Academy."

A look of surprise appeared on his face. These two young people had refined features and noble bearing; at a glance, they were clearly descendants of great clans. Yet they had actually come to their Ning Rongrong Academy.

A trace of shyness flashed across Flender's face. Mu Zhe, being able to meet you means this trip hasn't been in vain.

Flender wore a miserable little expression and wanted to pull Mu Zhe away, but she could not move him.

A chill appeared on the old man's face. The teachers of Qiu Liwan Academy had gathered at Ning Rongrong Academy precisely because they feared neither power nor wealth.

"May I pass the preliminary test?"

For some inexplicable reason, that pretty boy's icy glance alone made his entire body turn cold. In that instant, it felt as though he had returned to that bed in the Rose Hotel.

At the very front stood a table, behind which sat an old man in his sixties. Above his head hung a tattered signboard bearing the words "Qiu Liwan Academy," along with a strange school emblem.

"That won't do either. Didn't you see? Even parents are not allowed to take a single step into Ning Rongrong Academy."

Tang San stared intently at Flender. He had always wanted to know which family Flender and Mu Zhe came from, to dare continuously persecute Da Wu.

"We'll know once we go over there."

But how was that possible? How could that pretty boy possess such strength? It had to be an illusion. Yes, it had to be because he thought of the Rose Hotel that he had imagined it!

Mu Zhe merely gave him a cold glance, and an astonished look involuntarily appeared on his face.