First Lesson of the Semester, Pay Money!

Flender walked up before the group and stopped. His distinctive hoarse voice, carrying a hint of magnetism, rang out.

"This year is quite good. It is also the year Shrek Academy has accepted the most students. Our academy has gained another five Little Monsters."

"I, Flender, Dean of Shrek Academy, welcome you on behalf of the academy."

"After class, each of you is to pay one hundred Gold Soul Coins to Teacher Li, who handles the finances!"

Tang San nearly broke down when he heard that. Forging Hidden Weapons over the years had cost him quite a bit of money.

He only had a little over a hundred Gold Soul Coins on him now, and he had saved that money to forge a Zhuge Divine Crossbow!

If he handed over those hundred Gold Soul Coins, he would have no way to forge the Zhuge Divine Crossbow. Worse, he would be completely broke for quite some time!

Tang San stood there and muttered in complaint:

"Paying money on the first day! What a scam!"

"Tang San, do you have an objection? You may speak now."

"Uh, Dean Flender, I have no objection!"

"Good. Since no one has any objections, hand over the money later!"

"Mubai!"

Hearing Flender call him, Dai Mubai stepped forward.

"Dean!"

"You will explain the rules of our academy to this year's new Junior Male Students and Junior Female Students!"

"Yes, Dean!"

"Good. Now, today's training begins!"

"Everyone, run twenty laps around Shrek Academy!"

Flender's voice landed in the middle of the Training Ground like a boulder.

The expressions on Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar's faces instantly collapsed.

The corners of their mouths twisted into pained grimaces—they knew all too well what twenty laps meant.

Shrek Academy might not look like much, but one lap was four or five kilometers. Twenty laps meant nearly eighty or ninety kilometers, enough to make their calves cramp up.

Yet none of the three dared make a sound. They knew Flender's temperament well: once he said something, it was final.

Arguing would only earn them harsher torment, so they could only stand obediently and wait for the order.

Flender's gaze slowly Swept across the group before finally settling on Ning Rongrong.

This Little Princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was clearly raised in luxury. There was a trace of pride between her brows, making her the perfect target for establishing his authority.

He calculated that as long as this Young Girl complained, he could use it as an excuse to give her a proper warning and make all the newcomers understand Shrek's rules.

One second, two seconds, three seconds...

A minute passed, yet Ning Rongrong merely frowned slightly. Though surprised, she did not jump out to argue as Flender had expected.

She even quietly moved her ankles, as if preparing herself.

Flender was somewhat surprised. He raised his brows and decided to wait a little longer.

"Dean, may we begin?" Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Dai Mubai took the initiative to break the silence.

"Oh, begin."

Flender withdrew his gaze and waved a hand. "Mubai, lead the way and take them to complete today's Physical Training!"

"Yes!"

Dai Mubai gave a bitter smile, turned, and dashed off first. He was not slow, but he deliberately held back his pace to leave room for those behind him.

Tang San followed closely, his steps steady and his breathing even. He was clearly prepared for this level of intensity.

Xiao Wu followed behind Tang San, Bouncing Around with Light Footsteps like a little deer.

Zhu Qing silently followed behind them, her Ink Black figure like a shadow, neither fast nor slow.

Ma Hongjun ran somewhat impatiently in the middle, panting heavily as he occasionally glanced at the people beside him.

Ning Rongrong bit her lip and struggled to keep up. The Bangs on her forehead were soon soaked with sweat.

Su Yu followed half a step behind Ning Rongrong at an unhurried pace, his eyes occasionally falling on her as though watching her condition.

Naturally, Oscar brought up the rear. He had to catch his breath every few steps, his face full of despair as he muttered under his breath:

"If I'd known, I wouldn't have sold so many sausages yesterday. My legs are already weak..."

In the blink of an eye, two hours had passed. The Red Sun now hung high overhead, and everyone had slowed down.

The hair on the foreheads of Dai Mubai, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Qing was damp with sweat.

The clothes on Ning Rongrong's chest were damp as well, while Su Yu looked as if nothing had happened, still keeping pace with her.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun had fallen to the back of the group, their Upper Body clothing nearly soaked through.

Oscar in particular had the worst stamina. He had already summoned his Big Sausage to help himself recover.

Flender watched the scene from the shadows, somewhat surprised. They had already completed five laps, yet Ning Rongrong was still holding on.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—

Council Hall—

Inside the hall, a carved Golden Silk Nanmu chair stood at the northern end, facing south. A large piece of Green Jade was embedded in its backrest.

A man sat upon it. His face was as fair as jade, his nose straight, his mouth square, and his features refined and gentle. His spotless white robe did not bear a speck of dust.

The Man looked to be around forty years old. His gaze was gentle, and his smooth black hair fell down his back, giving him an air of casual ease.

"Sect Master, Miss Rongrong and Young Master Su Yu have already entered Shrek Academy."

"Shrek Academy? The academy founded by Flender? Those two little fellows actually went there."

"Sect Master, there is something this subordinate is unsure whether he should say."

"Speak."

"Sect Master, Shrek Academy is truly too shabby. Will Miss Rongrong suffer any grievances there?"

"That girl has been spoiled by us. It will do her good to endure a little hardship, lest she cause me some serious trouble later!"

"Besides, Xiao Yu is there. Rongrong will not be wronged. Continue protecting them in secret."

"Yes!"

Shrek Academy—

The sun climbed overhead, its vicious rays scorching Shrek Academy's Training Ground.

The air itself seemed warped by the heat, and even the wind carried waves of searing warmth.

Other than Su Yu, whose breathing remained even and whose clothes were only slightly damp at the edges, everyone else's Upper Body clothing was nearly wet enough to wring out water.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun looked as though they had just been pulled from the water. Their hair stuck to their foreheads, and sweat dripped from their chins onto the scorching ground, evaporating in an instant.

Ning Rongrong finally could not hold on any longer. Her legs gave out, and she stopped.

She braced her hands on her knees and panted heavily. Her chest rose and fell violently, while her cheeks were sunburned red like ripe apples.

Su Yu immediately stopped beside her, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped the sweat from her forehead.

"Rongrong, are you feeling all right?" His voice carried a trace of concern.

"Older brother... Older brother," Ning Rongrong panted, unable to form a complete sentence. It took her a while to recover, and there was a sobbing note in her voice.

"How many laps have we run?"

"Fifteen already."

Su Yu crouched down and gently massaged her sore calves. His tone was warm. "Rongrong, you've done very well. You lasted much longer than I expected."

"But... Older brother, Rongrong's legs are so sore!"

Ning Rongrong pursed her lips in grievance, her eyes reddening slightly. How had this Little Princess, who had always lived in luxury, ever suffered like this?

"They... they don't even feel like my legs anymore."