Tang San, who was sitting beside Xiao Wu with his head lowered as he ate a steamed bun, looked up with helplessness in his eyes and said:
"The blow Master suffered two years ago was simply too severe. Although Spirit Hall deliberately suppressed most of the news and kept the outside world from learning what had happened, Master was still badly wounded. After returning to Nuoding City, he remained deeply despondent. Only after coming to the academy did he regain a little confidence..."
Xiao Wu, sitting nearby with her scorpion braid, also spoke up:
"It feels like Master changed a lot after that. Sometimes, he doesn't even want to talk to Tang San..."
Zhu Zhuqing, beside them, took bite after bite of the still fairly soft steamed bun without saying anything.
Ning Rongrong sighed softly and said:
"Forget it. This can't go on forever. I feel like I've gotten a lot thinner lately. I'll write home every day and ask my father to send some Gold Soul Coins over to support the academy's expenses..."
Everyone looked at one another, but no one spoke up to refuse. They simply fell silent.
After a long while, Dai Mubai continued:
"All right, everyone, don't be so downcast. This is only temporary. As long as we all work hard together, in just a few years, Shrek Academy will definitely make a name for itself across the continent..."
"Finish eating quickly. We still have to go to the Great Soul Arena tomorrow to take part in Soul Battles. If you don't eat enough, it might affect your stamina tomorrow. After all, whether we'll even be able to fill our stomachs at breakfast is still a question..."
As they ate their steamed buns and drank rice porridge, everyone nodded.
Before they could even settle down and