With Me Around, You Won't Be So Sure

Golden Triangle Bay,

With a distinctive feature like the Star Luo Empire's imperial family's, Zhu Zhuqing couldn't possibly fail to recognize it.

But what she hadn't expected was that after escaping her clan, she would find someone who shared her hatred of the imperial family's cruel, inhuman rules. At that moment, she was carrying a new life.

And Dai Mubai was also a prince who had run away from home!

What had he done at the tavern?

Anyone could have guessed.

Zhu Zhuqing felt both grateful and angry. She wanted to know what he had been doing all these years since leaving her behind.

In the end, though, she had no choice but to leave.

What did all that have to do with her, anyway?

She slipped away from the group and headed off alone. She didn't even notice that the martial soul on Dai Mubai's body had stirred.

"Huh? It seems like there's a faint trace of resentment."

The Sky Eye's divine sense swept through the entire area. There was, indeed, a trace of resentment.

Luo Mo clicked his tongue. "Let's hurry up and find her. I hope she can get out of this. Though I don't know if tomorrow she'll end up being eaten by Dai Mubai."

"You sent a letter of introduction to the academy just now, didn't you? You can tell them what happened," the Sky Eye suggested.

"That's true."

Luo Mo nodded. "Maybe you should say a little more."

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing walked faster and faster, weaving through the streets. She seemed like a passing stranger, her eyes filled with cold grief.

If Dai Mubai couldn't be relied on, then she would have to rely on herself.

Just then, a card suddenly appeared out of thin air in front of Zhu Zhuqing. She looked left and right, but no one else seemed to notice it. It seemed that she was the only one who could see it.

She studied the card carefully. A line of words appeared on it—

"Dear Zhu Zhuqing: You need not be troubled by worldly concerns. You have great potential. I can offer you any kind of guidance you wish."

The Azure Emperor? Could this be a Soul Skill?

Zhu Zhuqing was puzzled. Suddenly, she remembered the Azure Turtle that had saved her from the sea. Are you that Azure Turtle?

But what she'd been thinking appeared on the card—

"Zhu Zhuqing: Are you that Azure Turtle?"

Surprised by this strange sight, she pondered for a moment, then found an inn, ordered some simple food, and waited for a reply.

Before long, new words appeared on the card.

"Dear Zhu Zhuqing: Tang San is the old man's disciple."

That confirmed the connection between them. She hurriedly wrote back.

"Zhu Zhuqing: I am grateful to the Azure Emperor for saving me and to the Azure Turtle for rescuing me. If you ever need anything, I will do everything I can."

She spoke sincerely.

After all, if the Azure Turtle hadn't rescued her, she might have been eaten by a soul beast. And the Azure Emperor had brought her close to Dai Mubai, letting her see clearly what kind of person he was.

Still, she couldn't help but feel a little suspicious.

Perhaps the Azure Emperor hadn't brought her near the tavern by chance. Perhaps he had figured out where she was going and deliberately sent her there.

Even so, what did the Azure Emperor want?

"Dear Zhu Zhuqing: It's nothing. A small matter. You have unusual bones and a clear spirit. Would you be willing to become the old man's disciple?"

Seeing that the Azure Emperor was being so polite—and that he clearly wanted to take her as a disciple—Zhu Zhuqing felt a warmth spread through her heart.

So he really did want to take her on as a disciple.

And right now, she needed a master.

"Zhu Zhuqing: I'm willing."

"Dear Zhu Zhuqing: Good, good! The old man can't get away for the time being. Go through the apprenticeship process in the letter."

"Zhu Zhuqing: Yes. Your disciple, Zhu Zhuqing, pays her respects to Master."

"Dear Zhu Zhuqing: Good, good. I'll give you an entrance examination when you join the academy. It'll count as your historical record."

Huh?

Zhu Zhuqing paused. An entrance examination at the academy?

She knew Dai Mubai was a student at Shrek Academy. She had planned to enter Shrek herself, but after seeing Dai Mubai's true nature, she'd changed her mind.

And now her new master was sending her to Shrek Academy.

"Zhu Zhuqing: Master, may I ask why I need to go to Shrek Academy?"

"Dear Zhu Zhuqing: The old man has some influence at Shrek Academy and needs your help with something. Perhaps you could even become one of your classmates' companions."

"Zhu Zhuqing: All right. I'll go."

"Dear Zhu Zhuqing: Once you're in the academy, I'll teach you a set of cultivation techniques."

"Zhu Zhuqing: Thank you, Master."

At the Rose Hotel, Luo Mo heard Xiao Wu say that he could go out to eat, and that Zhu Zhuqing had sent a few replies. He then put his letter away.

"Perfect!" Luo Mo answered, suddenly enlightened.

Had he become the academy's director of student affairs?

Goodness!

He was a hobbyist who liked collecting dead rabbits or whatever else caught his fancy.

After the three of them ate, they wandered around the streets.

Soto City was indeed a major city, bustling with people. Its many different shops were dazzling to behold. Xiao Wu had already walked through several clothing stores.

All kinds of pretty clothes, pink outerwear, pink dresses, pink accessories, little pink leather boots, a silk shirt, a silk pillow—

Luo Mo couldn't help feeling a little dizzy.

At least he didn't have to spend money. Everything they'd bought went into Xiao Wu's storage bracelet.

Along the way, he also walked past Fu De's shop.

But the three of them didn't go in.

Luo Mo suddenly remembered the great wisdom he'd shown six years ago at Tang San's father's shop. It was a pity he hadn't had the chance to use it again.

Still, it was fine. As long as he didn't make Tang San's life difficult, he felt quite content.

The following morning,

Luo Mo and the others left the Rose Hotel. They exited the city from the south and headed toward Shrek Academy.

After leaving Soto City, they continued south. Vast fields stretched along the road, with golden rice plants rippling in the breeze.

The three of them walked for a long time before they saw the academy.

"Where is Shrek Academy, Tang San?" Xiao Wu hurriedly asked.

Tang San replied, "I'm not sure either. Master said that once we leave Soto City through the south gate, we'll reach it soon. We just need to keep going in this direction."

The three of them walked for a while longer before they came across a village.

As they drew closer, they saw a crowd gathered at the village entrance. Most of them were teenagers around their age.

Some of the teenagers had their parents with them.

A table stood at the village entrance. An elderly man in his sixties sat behind it, and a wooden fence formed a simple gate behind him.

A worn-out sign was propped up beside the gate. Five words were carved into it—

Shrek Academy.

In front of the five words was a green emblem. It looked like some sort of humanoid creature, with a greasy, shiny appearance. Some parts looked rather cute, while others seemed unpleasant.

"It can't be," Xiao Wu said nervously.

"Ah, this..." Tang San also looked troubled.

Master, Master, what kind of joke were you playing?

Was this Shrek Academy really worse than those ordinary academies?

Could this even be called an academy?

"Um, should we go and ask about another academy?" Xiao Wu asked, her expression troubled.

But Luo Mo wasn't someone who gave up easily. "I told you I'd share every hardship with Xiao San."

Tang San was moved. "Mo, you..."

Luo Mo fell silent for a moment, then said coolly, "Don't call me by name so affectionately. It makes me uncomfortable."

Tang San: "..."

Me too!

Luo Mo: "With me here, you won't be so sure."