The Strong of Ming Capital, Shrek's School Motto

"Heh heh, Boss, we haven't seen each other in months, and you're becoming more dashing by the day. What a coincidence that we're on the same train."

The first acquaintance the Primal Body Sect group encountered on the train was Long Chen, a Bright Holy Dragon Soul Master. The moment he saw Feng Zaixing, he called him "Boss." He was seated in the same row as Feng Zaixing and Na'er.

Feng Zaixing returned his smile and said to Long Chen, "You became a Soul Grandmaster at eight years old. They must have offered you quite generous terms after learning you were enrolling."

"They promised me plenty of resources. I suspect they intend to cultivate a batch of geniuses to compete with their old rivals."

Long Chen answered honestly, then laughed. "But when others call me a genius, I can shamelessly accept it. When you say it, Boss, I feel too embarrassed to show my face."

"If you went there, it wouldn't be excessive for the dean to personally come out and welcome you."

As he spoke, he glanced from the corner of his eye at Mu Ye and A Ruheng across the aisle, secretly startled.

The Primal Body Sect had sent out all its elites.

"Quit flattering each other. You're making this senior who's here to welcome you look bad."

Xu Miao, who had enrolled at the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy two years ago and sat in the row ahead of them, turned around in his seat, yawned, and said:

"But Little Chen, you're right. They've been suppressed by that side for ten thousand years and have been holding their breath all along, hoping to nurture some formidable figures in this generation."

"Zaixing, and your appearance, strengthened their resolve."

Long Chen did not mind being called "Little Chen." Instead, he asked curiously, "Senior, what's life like over there?"

"As long as your talent is strong enough, countless people will flock around you. Good food, good drinks, good resources—especially resources related to Soul Guidance Technology. They are unrivaled across the continent in that regard."

Xu Miao pondered for a moment before saying, "I'm sure you've all heard of Mingde Hall. It is a top-tier research institution passed down from the era of the Sun Moon Empire."

"The current master of Mingde Hall is Kong Yao, descendant of Kong Deming, the father of Level 10 Soul Engineers ten thousand years ago, the Silver Moon Douluo. His title is Sun Moon, and we all call him Elder Kong. I once received his guidance."

"Elder Kong is the Federation's chief research authority and serves as the nominal deputy director of the Federation Research Institute. Most remarkably, more than half of today's Red-tier Mech Masters have sought his advice. Yet he himself has no Red-tier Mecha and is instead a Four-word Battle Armor Master."

Beside them, Mu Ye's eyes lit up, and his ears inexplicably perked up.

Feng Zaixing's gaze shifted slightly as he smiled. "Could it be that he's afraid of becoming addicted to mechas?"

"That's right. His black-tier mecha is only one step away from becoming red-tier, but he himself refuses to enter that level."

Xu Miao chuckled. "He says his theoretical knowledge of mechas is the continent's best. He has seen too many geniuses become obsessed with mechas and unable to free themselves, so he doesn't dare become a God-tier Mech Master unless he first becomes a Quasi-God."

"Interesting. His Majesty Sun Moon really is shrewd."

Feng Zaixing could not help laughing. Kong Yao was from the same generation as Yun Ming, an established Demi-God with Twin Martial Souls: the sun and the moon.

If the Yu Family and Yue Family represented military clans, then the Kong Family represented the research world. The chief designers of the three Level 12 Fixed Soul Cannon Shells had been ancestors of the Kong Family.

Moreover, the descendants of this family possessed not only powerful research talent, but also exceptional cultivation talent. Every generation produced top-tier experts.

Mu Ye suddenly interjected, "I'd wager that the Sun Moon Douluo's research into mecha theory also delayed his cultivation. Mechas are simply too captivating..."

"I won't take that bet. You're the authority in this field." Feng Zaixing hurriedly waved him off. He was no fool.

Mu Ye immediately choked on his words, and his good disciple A Ruheng promptly patted his back to help him catch his breath.

"Come to think of it, Teacher Hua's recommendation letters included one for the Sun Moon Douluo. He even told me to visit him and Luan Hongchen first thing..."

His thoughts drifting, Feng Zaixing asked Xu Miao, "We definitely need to pay a visit to the master of Mingde Hall, but what sort of person is Dean Hongchen?"

"Dean Hongchen? He's broad and stout. Apparently, it's a trait passed down through his family line."

Xu Miao stroked his chin and stated, "The Dean is a Level 98 Super Douluo, a Three-word Battle Armor Master, and a God-tier Mech Master. Legend says his Three-legged Golden Toad possesses terrifying explosive power in environments rich in metal elements, though few have ever seen him act."

"He's usually quite amiable and easy to talk to. A year ago, he accepted me as a personal disciple."

Upon hearing that, Feng Zaixing had the urge to hold his forehead and shake his head. Teacher Mu, Teacher Mu, why couldn't you learn from him?

Seemingly noticing the odd look on Feng Zaixing's face, Xu Miao lowered his voice.

"The Dean's martial soul is special. It can devour metal energy to raise his cultivation, so even though he's obsessed with mechas, he still cultivated to Level 98. He just can't break through the final barrier."

"Borrowing external power? I'll study it when I have time."

Feng Zaixing recalled that the first entries in the senior experts' records were Xiao Hongchen's Complete Guide to Soul Tool Knowledge and Kong Deming's Natal Soul Tool System. He felt that these two items had found those fated for them.

There were also the Eight Extraordinary Meridians he had been researching lately. Opening them would greatly benefit the body. Perhaps they might even save Mu Ye.

"The Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has a vast sea of materials. Whatever you want to find, you can find it there. You'll have plenty to research."

Xu Miao smiled. "I told the Dean a little about you. He was overjoyed when he learned of it, believing you could break the Young Genius Ranking's record and charge into the Continental Rankings. But I know you aren't particularly interested in those things."

Feng Zaixing gently shook his head. "The Young Genius Ranking isn't worth paying attention to. The Continental Rankings are worth studying, though. Everyone on them is a top expert worth learning from."

"Boss is right."

Long Chen took out paper and pen and scribbled it down. Whatever Boss said had to make sense.

"At such a young age, you dare claim that the Young Genius Ranking is useless. Aren't you being far too arrogant?"

At This Moment, a cold male voice came from ahead.

Feng Zaixing raised his eyes and saw a Blue-clad Youth with a grave bearing striding toward them. Beside him was a Yellow-skirted Girl with a polished temperament. Their clothing was luxurious, clearly marking them as people of extraordinary background. They looked around thirteen or fourteen years old.

At this moment, both wore displeased expressions.

"The aura of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon?"

In an instant, Feng Zaixing recognized the other party's completely undisguised hegemonic will of a martial soul. After examining him a few more times, a guess formed in his heart.

"Such a temper. Are you someone on the rankings?" he deliberately asked.

"That's right, you frog at the bottom of a well."

The Blue-clad Youth gave a cold snort. His haughty eyes revealed undisguised contempt as he and the Yellow-skirted Girl took seats directly across from the three of them.

Summer insects could not be told of ice. There were far too many frogs at the bottom of wells in this world. They did not even know what true geniuses were like, yet they dared to act so arrogantly.

"Hmph, who do you think you are? My cousin Long Zhen is ranked seventh, while you, Yu Minglong, are only fifteenth."

Long Chen knew that Feng Zaixing had always disdained wasting words on idiots like these, but as his subordinate, he naturally had to curse them on his boss's behalf.

Moreover, Yu Minglong's attitude greatly displeased him. A mere Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon dared act so arrogantly before his Bright Holy Dragon? Had he forgotten who the true ancestor was?

Hearing this, Yu Minglong's expression immediately changed. "The Bright Dragon Family?"

"That's right. You ordinary Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, stop spouting nonsense in front of us! You wouldn't last three moves against my brother. Even my brother doesn't dare say my boss is arrogant. Who do you think you are?"

"If you don't have the ability, keep your mouth shut. No one will think you're mute if you say less!"

Long Chen's relentless verbal barrage made Yu Minglong's face turn green. Just as he was about to retort, Xu Miao turned around in his seat. His face was frosty as he said indifferently:

"I'm ranked fifth, and I also think this ranking means nothing. What right do you have to spout nonsense before us? You think you can use your seniority to suppress us? How about I spar with you?"

"Xuanwu Xu Miao, ranked fifth? You're students of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy?"

Yu Minglong swallowed and silently recalled his sharp, flamboyant martial soul aura.

"Not yet, but we soon will be. Since you're Shrek students, you'd better remember not to be too arrogant when you go out. Otherwise, if you kick an iron plate, you'll only have yourselves to blame."

Feng Zaixing's voice turned cold, no longer carrying its usual gentleness. His pupils resembled two icy springs, glinting with cold light.

"We were blind this time. Sorry. But Shrek Academy's school motto is, 'Those Who Dare Not Cause Trouble Are Mediocrities.' The spirit of Dean Flender and all the sages before us will forever be engraved in the hearts of Shrek people."

Yu Minglong's voice was excited even as he admitted defeat. After throwing out that threat, he swiftly turned his seat away and never looked at Feng Zaixing's group again.

He secretly thought, My luck was bad this time. Even if we joined forces, we couldn't defeat Xu Miao. When I get the chance, I'll bring my classmates along. We'll definitely show you how formidable we are, you bullies who prey on the young.

"We'll wait and see."

Feng Zaixing responded blandly, unconcerned with the other party's thoughts.

Shrek people truly remembered their school motto well.