Seizing a Little Opportunity Ahead of Time

It only took a little over two seconds of pausing before Zhou Huan walked past the corridor in front of Room 108.

Pushing open the door to Room 109, what met his eyes was simply two wooden beds. The dorm was barren to the extreme, lacking even any daily living utensils, not even a broom.

He had to admit that this First Academy of Douluo Continent was truly stingy.

He would not be sleeping normally tonight either, because there was not even a bamboo mat, so he could only replace sleep with meditation cultivation.

Zhou Huan felt that was fine, though. He was inherently a cultivation maniac, and his normal sleeping time in the past was also very little, mostly replacing sleep with meditation cultivation.

Otherwise, even with decent natural talent, he could not have cultivated to rank twenty-seven at this age.

During this period, he had not taken any heavenly materials and earth treasures or pills.

It was not that he did not want to; it was mainly because he was poor. He could neither afford nor find pills that did not rely on consuming potential to boost strength.

For instance, the Mysterious Water Pill and Soul Ascension Pill that he knew of—he definitely could not have gotten his hands on those prior to this.

As for now, though, he could plan out how to scam Xu The Simp next.

Taking off his shoes and sitting cross-legged on the bed, Zhou Huan glanced again at the empty dorm, wondering what daily necessities he should go buy tomorrow.

Today was only the second day of registration, and there were still five days until classes officially started. Aside from cultivation, there was nothing else to do during this time.

Zhou Huan actually somewhat regretted signing up so early, because he suddenly remembered that those who registered early were directly assigned to Freshman Class One.

If the wings of his butterfly flapping didn't have that huge an impact, the homeroom teacher for Freshman Class One these three months would be That Oddball Zhou Yi.

Please note that the word "oddball" here was derogatory.

In fact, back when Zhou Huan was reading the original work, he utterly despised that kind of teacher in Zhou Yi.

In his view, Zhou Yi possessed zero teacher's morality to speak of, and was even less fit to be a human educator.

Just ask, what teacher, when facing students for the very first time, would directly expel a student just because of a tiny bit of verbal resistance from them?

You haven't even taught a single thing, yet you expel a student simply upon a first meeting—is this something a teacher ought to do?

A teacher is one who imparts knowledge, teaches professional skills, and resolves doubts.

Yet aside from throwing her weight around and cursing students as trash, Zhou Yi completely lacked the qualities a teacher should have.

Therefore, back when he encountered the character Zhou Yi, Zhou Huan ruthlessly complained, "Are you even worthy of the surname Zhou?!"

The wording was indeed somewhat excessive, but this was also Zhou Huan's true thought at the time.

At this very moment, however, Zhou Huan felt like his brain must have short-circuited. How could he have forgotten such an important matter?

A tactical blunder!

Although the ability he displayed was control system, after passing the freshman assessment he would definitely still be assigned to Class One, and the homeroom teacher would still be Zhou Yi. But he did not want to be Zhou Yi's student for the first three months of his freshman year.

Facing an oddball like Zhou Yi, Zhou Huan naturally thought that the later he became her student, the better.

Only now, alas, a single slip of the foot caused eternal regret.

Earlier, his mind was solely set on coming to Shrek quickly, completely overlooking that there was such a matter as well.

Now the rice was already cooked into raw porridge, and the facts were already established, so he could only face this "tragic" life head-on.

How did that saying go? A true hero should dare to face a dismal life, dare to face blood dripping...

Bah!

He, Zhou Huan, was no hero.

Whoever wanted to be this hero could go be it!

Anyway, he, Zhou Huan, didn't care for it.

"Hoo—"

After taking a deep breath, Zhou Huan relaxed his mind, stopped thinking about those messy things, and began meditation cultivation.

Time was always the fairest thing. Everyone only had twelve double-hours in a day; regardless of whether you were cultivating or sleeping, it always slipped away absentmindedly.

Just as Zhou Huan was immersed in cultivation, his first night at Shrek quietly passed.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight shone into the dorm, Zhou Huan slowly opened his eyes.

He had reached the peak of rank twenty-seven.

He didn't know if it was because of that dinner worth ten gold soul coins last night, or because of the change in his state of mind after arriving at Shrek, but anyway, after cultivating last night he had made a small breakthrough once more.

With a joyful mood, Zhou Huan left the dorm and walked toward the east gate of the academy.

Shrek's early morning was still quite wonderful, quiet and serene, with very fresh air.

After all, because of the existence of soul masters and soul engineers in this world, the development of the coal industry was absent, thereby avoiding most industrial pollution.

The most primitive blue skies, white clouds, green mountains, and clear waters still existed here.

This was the obvious beneficial side.

Of course, the disadvantageous side was also very clear.

Would you dare believe that in a world where people flew everywhere treading on flying soul tools, the primary means of transportation on its streets was still horse-drawn carriages?

Such a discordant scene was a characteristic of Douluo Continent.

Aside from soul lamps, Zhou Huan rarely saw daily-use soul tools; the vast majority of soul engineers researched directions oriented toward military use or soul tools that enhanced personal combat strength.

Walking out of the academy from the east gate and taking a detour, Zhou Huan arrived at Shrek City.

This was what Zhou Huan wanted to complain about the most: clearly the academy was right there in Shrek City, yet the two did not connect directly. One had to make a huge detour to enter the city center. He wondered who had designed the academy's blueprint back then.

The streets weren't quite lively yet. It was only around seven o'clock at this time, and the storefronts open in the greatest numbers were naturally restaurants selling breakfast.

"Boss, give me a portion of preserved egg and lean pork congee and a portion of pork and cabbage dumplings." Zhou Huan casually found a small restaurant and sat down.

"Coming right up, patron, please wait a moment."

Actually, this kind of ordinary breakfast was still very cheap for Zhou Huan; a meal only cost five or six copper soul coins.

Of course, compared to the beast meat and ingredients in the academy cafeteria, its nutritional value could be said to be roughly equal to zero.

One could only say you get what you pay for.

After leisurely finishing his breakfast, Zhou Huan strolled casually through Shrek City, buying a broom, tissues, a toothbrush, a towel, and various other daily necessities.

It was fortunate that this world possessed things like storage soul tools; otherwise, this kind of shopping spree would truly be a form of torture, and just carrying bags and boxes could annoy you to death.

After browsing for about three hours, basically all the daily necessities he could think of had been bought.

At this moment, Zhou Huan arrived in front of a gorgeous building, on whose plaque were written three large characters: "Treasure Gathering Pavilion".

Zhou Huan knew that the backstage boss of Treasure Gathering Pavilion was actually Shrek Academy, and it should be managed and guarded by a Sea God Pavilion Elder named Lin Huiqun.

The Treasure Appreciation Fair of Treasure Gathering Pavilion was naturally prepared mainly for Shrek's Outer Court Core Disciples and Inner Court Students, but this did not mean Treasure Gathering Pavilion was not open to the public during ordinary times.

And this place was precisely where Huo Gua picked up a bargain on the Ten Thousand Year Whale Jelly.

Presumably, since the ten thousand year whale jelly was being sold as thousand year whale jelly, it shouldn't only appear at next year's appreciation fair.

He just didn't know whether Treasure Gathering Pavilion had acquired the ten thousand year whale jelly at this time.

Slightly revealing his aura as a soul grandmaster, Zhou Huan walked into Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

You had to know that ordinary people walking into Treasure Gathering Pavilion to buy things and soul masters walking into Treasure Gathering Pavilion to buy things were different.

Thus Zhou Huan did not mind exposing his identity as a soul master; after all, the thing he wanted to buy was merely "ordinary and spoiled" "thousand year whale jelly".

Sure enough, just as he stepped into Treasure Gathering Pavilion, a girl dressed in cool clothing walked over: "Lord Soul Master, hello, may I help accompany you and introduce the goods?"

Because Zhou Huan was not wearing Shrek Academy's uniform, the welcoming girl's expression wasn't particularly enthusiastic, merely greeting Zhou Huan in the manner of receiving ordinary soul masters.

"Mhm." Zhou Huan nodded. "Are there any heavenly materials and earth treasures or pills here that improve physique?"

Zhou Huan naturally wouldn't turn down the guide; wasn't displaying his soul master identity precisely for the sake of conveniently and quickly finding the thousand year whale jelly?

Otherwise, in such a large Treasure Gathering Pavilion, he would have had to search bit by bit.

"There are, Lord Soul Master," the guide girl replied. "We have Foundation Cultivation Pills, Thousand Year Ganoderma, Hundred Year Snow Lotus, Thousand Year Whale Jelly..."

Ting!

There really was thousand year whale jelly!

He hoped it was that piece.

"...Deep Sea Dolphin Marrow, Golden Fish Maw. These are all effective for improving physique." The guide girl introduced them endlessly.

"Take me to see them," Zhou Huan said casually.

"Alright, Lord Soul Master, this way please."

Following the guide girl's pace and explanations, Zhou Huan got a taste of Treasure Gathering Pavilion's rich "produce".

Of course, the things that could be displayed in Treasure Gathering Pavilion at this time could only be considered ordinary treasures; they certainly wouldn't feature precious treasures on the level of soul bones found at the appreciation fair.

What a pity—even the "ordinary treasures" of Treasure Gathering Pavilion during regular times were things he, Zhou Huan, could not afford to buy many of right now.

Before long, that piece of "thousand year whale jelly" finally appeared before Zhou Huan's eyes.

"Lord Soul Master, this is thousand year whale jelly. It is a special substance produced within the brain of whale soul beasts, and it is also very effective for improving physique. However, it is black in color. According to the appraisal of our appraiser, this piece of thousand year whale jelly has spoiled somewhat, but its price is very reasonable, and the cost-performance ratio is definitely an exceptional value."

The guide girl had already introduced quite a few treasures, yet the customer before her still showed no change in expression. Nevertheless, from start to finish she explained in a soft voice, without the slightest bit of impatience.

This was her professional conduct.

Naturally, this was also closely tied to her income; only when guests bought items could she obtain a larger commission.

Therefore, the customer was naturally God, politeness could not be lacking, and her attitude had to be stellar. This was the self-cultivation of a young lady guide.

"Just this one. I'm buying it." Zhou Huan's voice still appeared calm and unruffled, and no change in expression could be seen on his face either.

Yet in reality, Zhou Huan's heart was already going wild with joy!

This motherfucker was that piece of ten thousand year whale jelly!

He had made a killing this time!

Sure enough, walking the protagonist's path left the protagonist nowhere to... bah bah bah! Such reckless thoughts were unacceptable!

The protagonist's path should still be walked by the protagonist.

He, Zhou Huan, would just act as an obscure NPC.

At most, he would just snatch a tiny little opportunity from Huo Gua ahead of time.

As everyone knew, the Son of Destiny was terrifyingly formidable; what was a mere ten thousand year whale jelly?

Besides, if it weren't for the fact that Zhou Huan was not a spirit-attribute soul master, he would even dare to snatch Sky Dream Ice Silkworm and Electrolux... cough, cough, he was being reckless again.

Next, without any accidents, stably and securely handing over six thousand gold soul coins, Zhou Huan took the ten thousand year whale jelly and quietly left Treasure Gathering Pavilion.

After stepping out of Treasure Gathering Pavilion, the soul master aura on Zhou Huan instantly vanished, turning him back into that ordinary, unremarkable youth.

New book setting sail; seeking collections and recommendations.