Journey to Suotuo and First Encounter with Evil Eyes

The day they left Nuoding City, the sky was a brilliant blue, perfect weather for a long journey.

Village Chief Old Jack had come especially to see them off. Looking at the three children he had personally sent to the academy, now grown into tall, outstanding young Soul Masters, the old man's eyes brimmed with tears, full of pride and reluctance. He went on and on with his instructions, then finally pressed three money pouches containing dried provisions and a small amount of travel funds into their hands.

Granny Wang was too old to come into the city, but she had asked Old Jack to bring Xiao Xiaoxiao a pair of brand-new cloth shoes, thickly padded and carefully stitched, filled with the old woman's love and concern. Xiao Xiaoxiao hugged the shoes, her eyes reddening again and again.

Master Yu Xiaogang did not come to see them off. The night before, he had separately given Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao a scroll of handwritten notes he had compiled on Soul Master cultivation and martial soul research, along with a letter addressed to an old friend at Shrek Academy.

"Shrek Academy... is rather unusual. Once you arrive, you'll have to rely on yourselves." Master's tone was as stern as ever, but a trace of concern lay hidden deep in his eyes. "This letter may be of some help. Remember, do not be arrogant or impatient. Stay true to yourselves."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao accepted them solemnly. They knew the notes were worth far more than gold or silver.

After bidding farewell to Nuoding City, the three set out for Suotuo City. There was no carriage; they traveled entirely on foot. But for Soul Masters like them, it was not too difficult.

Xiao Wu was like a bird released from its cage, curious about everything. She skipped along the entire way, picking any pretty flowers she saw, collecting strange stones, and occasionally chasing after butterflies. Her endless energy left Xiao Xiaoxiao in awe.

Tang San remained quiet as ever, but he silently adjusted his pace to accommodate the two girls. He was responsible for planning their route, finding water sources and safe campsites, starting fires with his endless little tricks, and setting up simple warning devices.

Xiao Xiaoxiao was in charge of keeping the mood lively. Every now and then, she told some jokes she had "made up"—which were actually modern-day punchlines—or used Spiritual Detection to spot interesting wild fruits and small animals ahead of time for Xiao Wu. Her Storage Soul Tool—a cheapest low-grade Soul Tool she had bought with all her savings plus Tang San's help—was packed with snacks, medicine, and daily necessities, like a tiny moving warehouse.

The journey was safe and smooth, even carrying the leisurely feel of sightseeing.

Several days later, at dusk, the outline of a city far grander and larger than Nuoding City appeared on the horizon. Its towering walls, dense buildings, and faint sounds of bustle all spoke of its prosperity.

"Is that Suotuo City? It's huge!" Xiao Wu pointed ahead excitedly.

Tang San took out the map, studied it, and nodded. "Yes. According to the information Teacher gave us, Shrek Academy is not far outside Suotuo City's south gate. We'll stay in the city tonight and report to the academy tomorrow morning."

Upon entering Suotuo City, the bustling scene left the three visitors from Nuoding City dazzled. Carriages and pedestrians filled the broad streets, shops lined both sides, goods of every kind were on display, and Soul Masters dressed in all sorts of strange outfits could be seen everywhere.

They found an inn that looked clean and ordinary and checked in. Although Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao had both saved some money, they did not know what conditions at Shrek Academy would be like, so they still needed to spend carefully.

After setting down their luggage, Xiao Wu immediately clamored to visit the night market and try Suotuo City's food. Tang San had wanted to cultivate, but Xiao Wu forcibly dragged him out the door.

Suotuo City was even livelier at night than during the day. Lights blazed everywhere, crowds streamed through the streets, and the cries of food vendors rose and fell without end.

Xiao Wu held Tang San's hand in one and Xiao Xiaoxiao's in the other, weaving through the crowd and wanting to taste everything she saw.

"Wow! These grilled soul beast meat skewers smell so good!"

"Xiaoxiao, look! That sugar figurine looks just like a little rabbit!"

"Little Sanzi! I want that pink one!"

Tang San could only let her drag him around helplessly and quietly pay for everything. Xiao Xiaoxiao watched with amusement while vigilantly sensing the area around them with her Spiritual Power, just in case anyone tried to steal their money.

At a stall selling flatbread, Xiao Wu stopped again, staring eagerly at the golden, crispy bread sprinkled with sesame seeds.

"Boss, three of those." Tang San skillfully took out the money.

Just then, a hand suddenly reached over from beside them and pointed at the flatbread as well. "Boss, I'll take all the rest."

It was a young man's voice, lazy yet somewhat magnetic.

The three turned to look.

The speaker was a tall young man who looked about seventeen or eighteen. He had broad shoulders, handsome features, and long golden hair casually draped over his shoulders. Most striking of all were his strange eyes—those wickedly unusual pupils seemed to carry an invisible allure whenever his gaze shifted, while a carefree smirk curved at the corner of his lips.

Beside him stood a black-haired girl with a fiery figure, dressed in leather and wearing a cold expression. Her eyes rested on the golden-haired young man, filled with undisguised admiration and a hint of possessiveness.

The flatbread vendor looked awkwardly from one side to the other. "Uh... young man, these three were here first. There are only five left. How about..."

The golden-haired young man raised an Evil Eye, his gaze casually sweeping over Tang San's group. When he saw Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao, a flicker of amazement passed through his eyes, but he quickly returned to his lazy appearance and smiled. "First come, first served? Fine." Though he said fine, he made no move to leave. Instead, he folded his arms and watched the vendor pack the flatbread with composed leisure. His attitude clearly showed that he did not take Tang San's group seriously.

Xiao Wu was immediately displeased. Planting her hands on her hips, she said, "Hey! What are you staring at? Haven't you heard of waiting in line?"

The golden-haired young man was not angry at all. Instead, he found it amusing. His Evil Eyes settled on Xiao Wu's puffed-up face, and his smile deepened. "Little girl, you've got quite the temper. Which academy are you from? Since when did Suotuo City get such fresh, lovely faces?"

The black-haired girl beside him snorted coldly, her gaze toward Xiao Wu turning rather unfriendly.

Tang San frowned slightly and stepped forward, shielding both Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao behind him. He looked calmly at the golden-haired young man. "Are our flatbreads ready?" He completely ignored the other man's attempt at conversation.

The golden-haired young man seemed not to have expected this boy, several years younger than himself, to remain so calm and dare ignore him. A flicker of surprise passed through his Evil Eyes before turning into amusement. "Kid, you've got some nerve. Playing the protector?"

At that moment, Xiao Xiaoxiao suddenly sensed an extremely faint yet highly invasive Mental Fluctuation attempting to probe Tang San! She instantly went on alert and instinctively mobilized her Spiritual Power, erecting a faint Spirit Barrier in front of Tang San!

"Hm?" The golden-haired young man gave a soft sound of surprise. His Evil Eyes finally turned properly toward Xiao Xiaoxiao, surprise and amusement flashing through them. "Oh? There's even a little cat from the Spirit System? Interesting."

He could actually detect her Spirit Barrier? Xiao Xiaoxiao was startled. This man's Spiritual Power was powerful too! And he gave off an extremely dangerous feeling.

Tang San also sensed that brief invisible clash. His eyes instantly turned cold as Mysterious Jade Hand quietly began to circulate.

The atmosphere immediately became tense.

The flatbread vendor was so frightened that his hands shook. He hurriedly shoved the three packed flatbreads at Tang San. "R-Ready! Your flatbreads!"

Tang San took the bread and paid. He gave the golden-haired young man a cold look, said nothing further, and turned away with Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao.

The golden-haired young man did not stop them. He simply stood with his arms folded, watching the three figures leave—especially Tang San's straight, steady back and Xiao Xiaoxiao's wary glance over her shoulder. A more intrigued curve rose on his wicked lips.

"Boss Dai, did you take a liking to that little hot pepper?" the black-haired girl beside him asked sourly.

Boss Dai chuckled, withdrew his gaze, and pinched the girl's chin. "Jealous? Don't worry, Zhu Qing. I'm not interested in unripe little fruits. I just think... those two youngsters are rather interesting. Especially that boy, and that little cat from the Spirit System... We may meet again very soon."

He took the flatbread the vendor handed over and bit into it. His gaze turned once more toward the direction where the three had vanished, and a hunter-like gleam flickered in his wicked pupils.

After leaving the night market, Xiao Wu continued grumbling angrily about that "stinky, smug blond." Tang San walked in silence, seeming to be deep in thought.

Xiao Xiaoxiao, meanwhile, still felt lingering fear. That golden-haired young man's gaze had made her deeply uncomfortable, as though some dangerous soul beast had fixed its eyes on her. And his strength definitely far surpassed theirs!

"Tang San," she said quietly, "that person just now... seemed very strong."

"Yes." Tang San nodded, his tone grave. "His Soul Power fluctuations were at least at the Soul Elder level, and... they were very unusual. Suotuo City truly has hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

He looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Thank you, just now."

Xiao Xiaoxiao froze for a moment before realizing he meant her using Spiritual Power to block the probe. Her heart sweetened, and she shook her head. "It was nothing."

Though they had run into a minor incident, it did not affect their mood too much. Back at the inn, Xiao Wu quickly forgot her displeasure and happily began eating the flatbread.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, the three got up, asked for directions, left through Suotuo City's south gate, and followed Master's map in search of the legendary Shrek Academy.

The farther they went, the more remote the surroundings became. The road grew narrower, and the fields and villages around them gradually thinned out.

"Did Master give us the wrong address?" Xiao Wu muttered as she looked at the desolate landscape. "What part of this looks like there'd be an academy here?"

Tang San checked the map again, his brows knitting slightly as well.

After walking for another quarter of an hour, a small village appeared ahead. It looked even more rundown than Holy Spirit Village. At the entrance stood a crooked wooden archway, with a shabby signboard hanging from it bearing five large characters:

Shrek Academy.

Beside the sign was the head of a green monster, ugly in an almost cute way.

The three stared at the dilapidated village and the utterly shabby signboard, all of them frozen in place with their mouths agape.

The carrot in Xiao Wu's hand fell to the ground with a plop.

"This... this is... Shrek Academy, the academy that only accepts monsters?!"