Refusing to Accept Zhu Zhuqing

"Are you really going?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Can't you not go?"

"If I don't go, can you lead me back to Star Luo?"

"I..."

At Shrek Academy, the first rays of sunlight shone down in the early morning.

Dai Mubai blocked Zhu Zhuqing's path.

But one sentence from Zhu Zhuqing left Dai Mubai speechless.

Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath. In the end, she still walked around him and headed outside Shrek Academy.

Dai Mubai clenched his teeth.

"I can't lead you back there, but do you think you'll be able to fight your way back after going to Peach Blossom Spring Academy?"

"I don't know, but that teacher at Peach Blossom Spring Academy can teach a Support Soul Master to the point where they can defeat an Assault System Soul Master. At least that gives me hope."

"You've already joined Shrek. Will he still accept you?"

"I don't know either, but I have to try."

The morning light brushed past, and Zhu Zhuqing's silhouette disappeared into Shrek Academy.

Dai Mubai's heart was a tangled mess.

"Boss Dai, what exactly is your relationship with Zhuqing?"

"Ah, that's a long story." Dai Mubai sighed.

"Seriously, why did she suddenly decide to change schools again? She's so fickle."

Xiao Wu muttered.

"Alright, Xiao Wu. Zhuqing may have just acted on impulse. We'll find a chance to persuade her."

At the entrance of Peach Blossom Spring Academy.

The gatekeeper, Wang Sheng, had already finished his morning training. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing arrive at the academy entrance so early, he went out to take a look and asked:

"You're a student from Shrek Academy across the way, right? What are you doing at Peach Blossom Spring Academy?"

"I'd like to see your teacher, Su Ran. Is that possible?"

"What do you want to see Teacher Su Ran about?"

"I'd like to ask him about a few things."

Zhu Zhuqing replied.

"Alright, wait here. Whether the teacher agrees to see you will depend on your luck."

Wang Sheng had no good feelings toward the people from Shrek now. Those students were either fond of stirring up trouble or lecherous and debauched, completely contrary to the principles Teacher taught: "Heaven moves with vigor; a gentleman should strive unceasingly for self-improvement. The earth is receptive and yielding; a gentleman should carry the world with virtue."

As he spoke, Wang Sheng walked to the lush Peach Blossom Tree in the center of Peach Blossom Spring Academy's plaza and shook the Peach Bell.

The Peach Bell rang out with a crisp sound, like a skylark's call. It was clear but not piercing, and it carried into the Inner Court.

Before long, as usual, Su Ran emerged leisurely, wearing a mask decorated with the Immortal Dragon Pattern and Peach Blossom Petals.

"What is it?"

"Teacher, this student from Shrek says she has something to discuss with you."

Wang Sheng spoke respectfully.

"Zhu Zhuqing?"

Su Ran spotted Zhu Zhuqing standing beneath the Peach Tree at a glance.

She wore a tight black leather skirt. Two large, full breasts seemed ready to spill out at any moment, while her slender waist and long legs were highly alluring.

"You know me?"

"I've heard your name. Come with me."

Su Ran glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then led her toward the academy's pavilion. A simple, elegant plaque hung in the pavilion, engraved with three words: Peach Blossom Pavilion.

Su Ran leisurely sat inside the pavilion, picked up the peach teapot, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a small sip.

"What did you want to see me about?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at Su Ran. She felt that this young dean of Peach Blossom Spring Academy possessed an aloof, otherworldly air. Although he wore a mask, the jawline visible beneath it, along with his eyes and lips, all seemed exquisitely refined. His appearance should be quite handsome.

Zhu Zhuqing bowed slightly and cupped her hands.

"Do you remember? More than a month ago, you had Wang Sheng recruit students and ask whether we were willing to join Peach Blossom Spring Academy."

"At the time, I had just arrived and didn't know how strong Peach Blossom Spring Academy was, so I chose Shrek Academy because I knew people there."

"But now, I want to study under you. Is that alright?"

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip. She had always been cold and indifferent, but now her cheeks felt slightly hot. Making this request was truly embarrassing.

"Study under me? Why should I teach you?"

Su Ran replied flatly.

"I'm willing to take you as my master!"

"Does the fact that you take me as your master mean I have to accept you?"

"You can refuse, of course. I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Teacher."

Zhu Zhuqing looked somewhat disappointed. Her eyes dimmed as she sighed softly and turned to leave.

If there was anyone to blame, it could only be herself for failing to seize the opportunity back then.

"Wait."

At that moment, Su Ran called out to Zhu Zhuqing again.

Zhu Zhuqing turned around, a glimmer returning to her eyes.

"Teacher, you've changed your mind?"

"Why do you want to take me as your master?" Su Ran asked.

"Because you're powerful. By studying under you, a Soul Grandmaster over Level 20 can fight a Soul Elder over Level 30, and a Support Soul Master of roughly the same level can fight an Assault System Soul Master. Those are all miracles."

As Zhu Zhuqing spoke, she felt even more admiration for Su Ran. If she hadn't seen and heard it with her own eyes and ears, she wouldn't have dared believe that these two things were actually possible.

"So you want to be like Wang Sheng and Rongrong, and have me help you develop the characteristics of your Martial Soul?"

Su Ran glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. Her aptitude was excellent. Like Rongrong, her talent and aptitude had reached S rank, giving her the potential to become a god. She was also beautiful.

Taking her as a disciple wouldn't be a loss. However, her background was different from Rongrong's, so he still needed to think it over.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Yes. Teacher, can you teach me?"

"If I accept you as my disciple and teach you, what is the thing you most want to do after becoming stronger?"

Su Ran asked.

"I..."

Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment before answering:

"To be honest, Teacher, the thing I most want to do after becoming stronger is survive. I want to fight my way back to the Star Luo Empire with Dai Mubai and defeat my older sister and Dai Weisi."

"Teacher, you may not know this, but I'm from the Zhu Family, one of the four great noble families of the Star Luo Empire. Dai Mubai is a prince of Star Luo. We were engaged to each other as children and became entangled in the imperial struggle. If we can't defeat Dai Weisi and my older sister, we'll most likely die... That's also why I came to Suotuo City and joined Shrek Academy. I don't want to become a sacrifice..."

As Zhu Zhuqing spoke, she became increasingly emotional.

It seemed like a perfect reason to seek apprenticeship. She yearned to become stronger and to change her fate.

But Su Ran shook his head.

"Excuse me. If you hadn't said those things, I might have accepted you as my disciple. But after hearing them, I won't accept you."

"Why?!"

Zhu Zhuqing was caught off guard.

"I don't teach students whose judgment and thinking are flawed. At the same time, I'm a selfish person."

Su Ran spoke indifferently.

"Are my judgment and thinking flawed? Is there something wrong with wanting to survive?"

Zhu Zhuqing stood frozen in place.

Su Ran shook his head, finished the last sip of tea, and stood up.

"There's nothing wrong with wanting to survive. When you can figure out this problem, come back and ask to become my disciple."

With that, Su Ran walked toward the depths of Peach Blossom Spring Academy, leaving Zhu Zhuqing alone in disarray.

Are you kidding me?

You want me to train you into the greatest Agility System Soul Master under heaven, only for you to turn around and return to join forces with Dai Mubai, who excels at drinking, eating, whoring, and gambling?

Is it me who's pathetic, or you?