Leaving the Star Dou Great Forest

Meng Yiran grew anxious when she heard that. Why had no one told her anything before deciding to transfer her directly? She said, "Grandpa, if I go to Shrek Academy, what about Beast Academy?"

"Grandpa will handle your withdrawal from Beast Academy, so you needn't worry about it." Meng Shu stroked his beard and said, "Besides, at Beast Academy, no one your age can match you. Shrek Academy is different—there are so many talented students there. Geniuses should stay with other geniuses; that will benefit your growth. And you can also exchange insights with Zilong on throwing flying knives!"

At those words, Meng Yiran's pretty face flushed even redder. She glanced at Zhao Zilong, then shyly lowered her head again. Meng Shu looked at Zhao Zilong with a smile. "Zilong, what do you think? Would you be willing to guide Yiran in flying knives?"

Zhao Zilong clasped his fists and said, "Since you have given the order, Senior, how could this junior refuse?"

Only then did Meng Shu turn to Zhao Wuji. "Brother Zhao, do you think Yiran's talent is enough for her to enter Shrek?"

Zhao Wuji looked at Meng Yiran. Though her talent was somewhat inferior to those little monsters, reaching Rank 30 at fifteen still made her a genuine genius. He clasped his fists and said, "Of course. Shrek Academy's requirement is to reach Rank 21 before turning thirteen. With Meng Yiran's talent, she certainly qualifies. This junior can agree on behalf of our dean."

Dragon Duke Meng Shu asked, "Oh? And who is the dean of your Shrek Academy?"

Zhao Wuji answered honestly, "The dean is Flender, a Rank 78 Soul Saint."

Upon hearing that name, Meng Shu nodded lightly. "Oh, so it's the Horn of Flight, one of the Golden Iron Triangle from back then. Very well. Once I've found Yiran a soul ring, this old man will personally visit Shrek Academy."

"Yes. When the time comes, Boss Flender and I will certainly welcome you, Senior," Zhao Wuji said, clasping his fists again.

Meng Shu nodded, then left with Snake Grandma and Meng Yiran.

As Meng Yiran left, she did not forget to look back at Zhao Zilong several times, while Zhao Zilong waved to her.

Only after they had left did everyone from Shrek finally breathe a sigh of relief. Zhao Wuji looked at Zhao Zilong and asked, "Hey, Zilong, how exactly do you know Senior Dragon Duke? Why does he seem like he can't wait to marry his granddaughter off to you?"

Zhao Zilong began making things up. "Maybe because I'm pretty good at throwing flying knives?"

No one believed him. Zhao Zilong helplessly spread his hands. "Fine. It's because Senior Dragon Duke is acquainted with my teacher."

"So that's how it is." Zhao Wuji nodded. "Alright, now that everyone has been found, let's hurry and help Zilong obtain his Third Soul Ring!"

"There's no need," Zhao Zilong said. "The Dragon Snake Couple already helped me obtain my Third Soul Ring." As he spoke, he revealed his three soul rings—two yellow and one purple.

Zhao Wuji looked at the three soul rings around Zhao Zilong and nodded lightly before turning to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, how did you escape from the Titan Giant Ape?"

Hearing Zhao Wuji's question, Xiao Wu recited the explanation she had prepared long ago. "Well, it caught me and took me away, but halfway through, I suddenly heard a bull's roar. The Titan Giant Ape threw me down, and then I passed out. When I woke up, I had just reached Rank 30. And would you believe it? There were several thousand-year soul beasts nearby that had been knocked unconscious by the Titan Giant Ape. One of them happened to suit me, so I killed it. I'm now a Rank 31 three-ring Soul Elder."

"What ridiculous luck." Oscar and the others could not help rolling their eyes.

Zhao Wuji was also speechless. "Sometimes, luck is a form of strength. Alright, Little Monsters, now that you all have your soul rings, let's prepare to head back!"

As he spoke, Zhao Wuji remembered that Tang San had also been at Rank 29, just like Xiao Wu, some time ago. He looked at Tang San and asked, "Tang San, don't tell me you're about to break through Rank 30 too?"

Tang San felt somewhat awkward at that. Not only had he failed to break through Rank 30, he had even dropped to Rank 28. But he would never say something so embarrassing. "Teacher Zhao, I'll probably still need some time before I can break through. Let's return to the academy first!"

"Mm, alright."

Meanwhile, Dragon Duke Meng Shu looked at the silent Meng Yiran and asked, "Yiran, what are you thinking about?"

"I was just wondering how Zhao Zilong managed to cultivate a useless martial soul like Blue Silver Grass to Rank 30." Meng Yiran was puzzled. Then she said with some dissatisfaction, "And Grandpa, how could you so casually decide to send me to Shrek Academy? You even made it seem like you were giving me away to Zhao Zilong."

"Oh? You don't like him?" Dragon Duke Meng Shu smiled gently.

Meng Yiran gave a delicate snort. "Hmph, I wouldn't say I like or dislike him. We've only just met, and he isn't even handsome."

Meng Shu rebuked her lightly, "Girl, how can you judge people by their appearance? Aren't there often quite a few handsome young men at Beast Academy confessing to you? Didn't you reject every one of them?"

Meng Yiran said disdainfully, "Their talent is so poor. They're nothing but pretty boys—I wouldn't give them a second glance!"

"Exactly." Meng Shu smiled. "Zhao Zilong is exceptionally talented. He became a Soul Elder at only twelve years old, and his future achievements are limitless. Though he isn't especially handsome, he certainly isn't ugly. Isn't he good enough for you?"

Meng Shu continued, "Besides, I think Zhao Zilong seems rather fond of you as well. Grandpa believes that with Yiran's beauty, you will certainly make him fall for you."

Meng Yiran's little face turned even redder. "Grandpa, but he's three years younger than me!"

Meng Shu stroked his beard and laughed. "What does that matter? It's only three years, not thirty. Soul Masters live longer than ordinary people. Living beyond a hundred is no problem at all. If one reaches the level of Titled Douluo, even living two hundred years is no issue. Yiran, you must cherish this opportunity! You want someone talented, and you want someone handsome too—where in the world can you find such a perfect thing? And even if there truly were such a talented and handsome young man, he might not necessarily fancy you!"

Meng Yiran felt somewhat dissatisfied inside, but she said nothing. Meng Shu continued, "Besides, Grandpa has already settled this with Zhao Wuji. Shrek Academy is willing to admit you, and Zhao Zilong has agreed to teach you how to throw flying knives. If you refuse to go, what will people think of Grandpa afterward?"

Meng Yiran said softly and aggrievedly, "I never said I wasn't going."

A smile appeared at the corner of Meng Shu's lips. "Then it's settled."

Seeing Meng Shu make the decision outright, Meng Yiran gave a delicate snort but did not argue any further.