The Chosen One is Taolangke

Taolangke's academy was located south of Sotu City, in a small courtyard that wasn't too far from the slums.

One couldn't tell the academy's actual teaching level just from this, but the location alone made it clear it was a third-rate institution.

It relied entirely on Huoyao's reputation for not taking tuition but only material goods, which could attract some clueless young souls.

Whether it was the old teacher's teaching ability or the resources she could provide, both were severely lacking.

Yet by the time Huoyao and Zhu Zhuqing arrived, over a hundred people were already lined up at Taolangke Academy's main entrance.

Among them, those who could meet Taolangke Academy's admission requirements were few and far between, but since everyone said it was a courtyard in a small slum, the enrollment standards probably wouldn't be too harsh, and they figured they had a chance to get in.

Unfortunately, the students who thought that way were bound to be disappointed.

Zhu Zhuqing looked up at the broken wooden archway above, which bore the five big characters "Taolangke Academy," and felt a pang of disappointment, muttering softly.

"Huoyao, I'm even more convinced now that Taolangke Academy isn't worthy of you."

Actually, ever since she saw Huohuo throw a pair of twin dragon embryos at the tavern yesterday, Zhu Zhuqing had already given up hope. Whether she came to Taolangke or not no longer mattered to her.

Zhu Zhuqing had even thought about suggesting to Huoyao that they head straight to the Martial Soul Hall instead, so she wouldn't be delayed at Taolangke Academy.

It was only because she saw Huoyao write in her diary that she planned to take Xiao Wu and the big guy away too that she let go of that idea.

Otherwise, she might already be on the road to the Martial Soul Hall with Huoyao by now.

But even with that psychological cushion, after seeing Taolangke Academy's true state, Zhu Zhuqing still felt very conflicted.

No wonder Huohuo had been so crazy yesterday.

Back in the Star Luo Empire, with Dai Mubai suppressing him, he was stuck in this so-called Taolangke Academy, and instead became a top dog, spoiled rotten by Huoyao's flattery. Huohuo naturally grew arrogant and cocky.

Faced with Zhu Zhuqing's complaints, Huoyao's expression was surprisingly calm, as if she had long seen through it all, and instead came over to comfort her.

"It doesn't matter. Let's go in and take a look first. If what's inside really doesn't suit us, we can always drop out later."

Zhu Zhuqing was about to say something more when suddenly a burst of noise came from ahead.

She and Huoyao both looked up at the same time and saw a father and son arguing with Taolangke Academy's enrollment teacher.

"Why won't you take my money? I didn't even get inside your academy, you just felt my son's wrist and said his age is over the limit, and now you want to pocket my registration fee?"

"That's ten gold soul coins! You're clearly ripping me off!"

This commotion drew quite a stir, and everyone turned to look ahead, curious to see how Taolangke Academy would handle it.

Huoyao frowned at the scene and directly noted it in her diary.

[Sure enough, it's just like the last life. These people at Taolangke Academy act like they're barely scraping by. The teacher just touched the student's bones, claimed his age was over the limit to refuse him, and then charged a high fee of ten gold soul coins without refunding it.]

[Back in my past life, from the moment I saw this scene, my impression of Taolangke Academy turned very bad. Especially after learning about the teaching style of the teachers and students inside, it only solidified my decision to leave.]

[The school uniform they wear is so shabby, it's obvious they're afraid of causing trouble. In plain terms, isn't it just teaching students how to bully the weak?]

[Willing to bully the weak but not daring to say a word in front of the strong—what kind of qualification is that to be an academy teacher?]

[Unexpectedly, after being reborn, I actually have to endure this kind of stifling atmosphere here.]

[No matter what, once I've subdued Xiao Wu and the big guy, I'll find a chance to take them to a better academy.]

Zhu Zhuqing finally understood why Huoyao had left Taolangke Academy in her past life.

It wasn't that she felt the academy wasn't worthy of her, but that in her eyes, the people at Taolangke Academy walked a different path and were completely incompatible with her.

Even Zhu Zhuqing felt that Taolangke Academy had gone too far.

Ten gold soul coins might not mean much to someone from a big family, but to an ordinary soul, it was a huge fortune.

And yet Taolangke Academy had just swallowed that money alive like that?

The facts were clear: Taolangke really intended to pocket that money.

Faced with the father's indignant questioning, the enrollment teacher said calmly.

"Huohuo, someone wants to cause trouble. Handle it."

Huohuo stepped out from the side, looking extremely dispirited, with none of yesterday's arrogance.

But that listlessness was only temporary. Facing the father who wanted to cause trouble, Huohuo didn't waste words and directly activated his soul power, releasing three soul rings.

"If you want your registration fee back, it's simple. Just beat me, and I'll refund the full amount."

Faced with Huohuo's threat, the father and son dared to be angry but not to speak. After hesitating for a moment, they gave up demanding a refund and quickly left.

Their experience also served as a warning to the people waiting in line behind them. One by one, the students slipped away, and soon only a dozen or so people were left.

Knowing full well that Taolangke Academy was a scam, they still didn't want to lose ten gold soul coins like a meat bun thrown to a dog, never to return.

As the crowd dispersed, Huohuo also spotted Huoyao and Zhu Zhuqing in the back.

When he saw Huoyao looking at him with a half-smile, Huohuo's face instantly turned pale, and he subconsciously took a few steps back, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"Huohuo, what's wrong with you?"

The enrollment teacher asked in confusion.

Huohuo's body stiffened, and he shook his head.

"It's... nothing."

The old man's words were also taken to heart, and he continued to interrogate the next student, leaving Huohuo standing in place.

He had been hit by Huoyao's soul-charging attack yesterday, and even now he still felt a faint, lingering ache in his chest, his stomach churning with a dull, grinding pain.

Especially those three ten-thousand-year soul rings of Huoyao's, which had left Huohuo deeply suspicious of her identity.

After returning to Shrek Academy today, he had gone to ask Chang Feng about it, and Chang Feng's answer to him was that if he felt something was wrong, he should just go see a doctor.

The Soul Venerable wanted three ten-thousand-year soul rings—even if they were fake, they couldn't be faked to such an outrageous degree.

Huohuo didn't bother to say much more about it; in fact, he had already come to his senses. Huoyao's three ten-thousand-year soul rings were definitely fake, most likely related to his soul skills.

If he were to face her in a soul battle again, he definitely wouldn't end up in such a miserable state.

Thinking of this, Huohuo gave Huoyao a deep look, resolved to wait and see just how formidable her combat ability really was.