Shrek Academy

Early the next morning, Tang San and Xiao Wu set off for Shrek Academy together with Xiao Tianyang.

The directions were simple. Once they left Suotuo City, they only had to keep heading south.

The scenery along the way was quite nice, with golden rice fields stretching along both sides of the road.

Leaving everything else aside, if someone opened a farm stay here, they would definitely make a fortune.

"Little San, how much longer do we have to walk?"

Growing bored from walking, Xiao Wu reached out and brushed the rice stalks in the fields.

"The teacher said that once we leave the city gate, we just need to keep heading south."

Tang San answered, then looked at Xiao Tianyang. "Brother Tianyang, why do you look like you're in such low spirits?"

"Do I?"

Xiao Wu added from the side, "You're practically one step away from writing 'depressed' on your face."

Xiao Tianyang rubbed his face. "Maybe I didn't sleep well last night."

Tang San and Xiao Wu fell silent. No wonder he had gotten up so early that morning.

But was that really the case?

Of course not.

One look at Bubu snickering beside him was enough to tell them that Xiao Tianyang's hands had gotten itchy again, and he had drawn a pile of junk after the lottery.

But after all these years, Bubu had completely gotten used to it.

Otherwise, why would it have things like a popcorn machine, shaved ice machine, coffee machine...

Sometimes, Bubu felt like it was a junk collector.

Feeling a little stifled, Xiao Wu asked, "Brother Tianyang, why do you think Shrek Academy was built outside the city?"

"Because they're too poor. They can't afford the rent inside the city."

Xiao Tianyang clasped his hands behind his head and tilted his face up to enjoy the sunlight.

Xiao Wu muttered, "No way, right?"

"Then let's wait and see."

Xiao Tianyang merely smiled.

In fact, he only knew about the academy's current situation.

As for what Shrek Academy actually looked like, he did not know either.

Before long, as they followed the path, a small mountain village came into view, with a long line already formed at its entrance.

"This should be the place."

Tang San looked around.

"Brother Tianyang, have you been here before?"

Xiao Wu turned her head and asked, "How is it exactly like you said?"

"Isn't it just a little poor? As long as it can teach people, that's enough."

Xiao Tianyang stepped forward and joined the line.

"Since the teacher told us to come here, he must have had his reasons."

Tang San said from the side, "Xiao Wu, let's line up too."

"Look at that ugly school emblem. It's not even as good as Notting Academy's."

Although Xiao Wu was still complaining, her actions were very honest.

Just then, a commotion broke out ahead, and it was quite a big one.

Following the sound, Xiao Tianyang saw an old man rise to his feet with an impatient expression.

"Shrek itself is a kind of monster. Since our academy bears that name, we only accept monsters! From now on, anyone under twelve whose Soul Power has not reached rank twenty-one, leave on your own! Do Not Waste each other's time!"

As soon as he finished speaking, six Soul Rings appeared around the old man in succession.

White, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black!

He was actually a Soul Emperor!

But the old man had achieved the effect he wanted.

Most of the people were intimidated by the old man's imposing manner and his words, choosing to leave.

After all, the requirements were far too harsh.

Forget ordinary Soul Masters—even those with decent potential would find it extremely difficult to reach rank twenty-one before the age of twelve.

Besides, this was not some major city. Where would they find so many geniuses?

But this had nothing to do with Xiao Tianyang, because he fully met the requirements.

Suddenly, Xiao Tianyang frowned and kicked Bubu beside him. "Behave yourself. If you make trouble here, I'll shave all your fur off when we get back!"

Bubu, which had been ready to spring into action, immediately pulled its head back and did not dare act up again.

Xiao Tianyang was rather speechless. In battle, this fellow was fine—a reliable teammate.

But whenever it had nothing to do, it would start acting like an idiot.

That was a Soul Emperor. If Bubu got taught a lesson by him, it would suffer for it.

Less than a quarter of an hour later, a soft voice came from the front of the line. "Excuse me, does this mean I passed?"

"Brother Tianyang, did you see that girl? She's so pretty!"

Xiao Wu poked Xiao Tianyang in the back and whispered.

"I saw her yesterday."

Xiao Tianyang only glanced at her before looking away.

Xiao Wu was a little curious. "When did that happen? How come I didn't know?"

"Every time I ran into her, you two weren't around."

"There's another one behind her. Don't tell me you know her too?"

Xiao Tianyang turned back for a glance, and the other girl looked over along his line of sight as well.

Their eyes met, and it was the girl who froze first.

Taking the chance, Xiao Tianyang sized up the unfamiliar young lady before him.

Her skin was fairer than snow, her features exquisite, and her figure was beyond reproach. At such a young age, she was already curvy in all the right places, enough to stir anyone's heart.

"That's way too unfair, isn't it?"

Xiao Tianyang could not help swallowing. He was a man, after all, and it was not as though he had no interest in women.

Of course, he was not thinking anything indecent. He was simply appreciating beauty.

Pulling his gaze away, Xiao Tianyang looked at Xiao Wu, lowered his head, sighed, and shook it.

Xiao Wu froze for a moment, then understood. Her pretty face immediately reddened.

She punched Xiao Tianyang and cursed under her breath, "Brother Tianyang, you bastard!"

"Oh? You've gotten bold. You actually dare curse at me now."

Xiao Tianyang turned back with a faint smile.

"S-sorry."

Xiao Wu bowed her head before evil.

"At least you know what's good for you."

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Tianyang said, "Hey, I have a drink recipe that might work pretty well. Do you want it?"

"Brother Tianyang, you're going way too fast! I want to get off!"

"Where did you learn that?"

"You taught me last time!"

"Fine, so you don't want it?"

"...We'll make the deal privately later."

"Do you have money?"

Xiao Tianyang was skeptical.

Xiao Wu was a little embarrassed. Money was the least valuable thing in her hands; she spent it incredibly fast.

"What are you lot still doing over there?"

The old man's voice interrupted Xiao Tianyang and Xiao Wu's conversation, ending their transaction before it could begin.

"You've lost your last chance."

"..."

Registering was more important. Tang San and Xiao Wu stepped forward first and revealed their Martial Souls, their Soul Rings one yellow and one purple—a standard configuration.

Then the old man pinched their hands, checking their bone structure.

"Very good. You must train often to have such a strong physique, right?"

Tang San nodded with a smile. "Teacher, does this mean we passed?"

"Come here, come here."

The old man beckoned into the distance. "Dai Mubai, take these few inside."

Hearing that name, Tang San and Xiao Wu looked over in surprise.

And the one walking over was Dai Mubai, the very person they had clashed with yesterday.

Yet he was looking around from side to side, as though after spotting Tang San, he had begun searching for someone.

More exaggerated still, sweat had appeared on his forehead.

"Hey, what are you doing? Didn't you hear the teacher calling you?"

Xiao Wu put her hands on her hips and pouted. "Sneaking around like that, your head must be full of dirty thoughts. Are you thinking about something weird again?"

Naturally, Dai Mubai could not be bothered to argue with her. After coughing lightly a few times, he asked, "Um... has your friend come?"

"Oh, so you were looking for Brother Tianyang."

Xiao Wu giggled. "Looks like that kick yesterday left quite a shadow on you!"

Dai Mubai's mouth twitched. More than quite a shadow—it was enormous, alright?

His stomach still ached faintly even now!