"I've given you the opportunity and saved you a spot. As for what comes next, that depends on your attitude."
Bai Mu ate at an unhurried pace, his tone casual.
After all, he was only level 40 right now. He did not even know whether he could defeat a Spirit Saint.
Once he became strong enough, he would have plenty of chances to find out whether a forcibly twisted melon was sweet and how much juice it had.
"----"
Zhu Zhuqing neither agreed nor disagreed, merely casting Bai Mu a speechless glance.
What kind of decent person wanted to become someone else's master every day?
What exactly was in this man's head?
"Eat up. Once we're done, we'll go check out that Shrek Academy. My Martial Soul is already starving for action!"
With that, Bai Mu lowered his head and focused on eating.
He had no interest in joining Shrek Academy and turning the original Seven Monsters into Eight Monsters.
What was so exciting about a lousy academy that only had people run around with weights all day? Wouldn't it be far more thrilling to venture out on his own and plan for the future?
However, there were some other things that interested him.
For example—Zhao Wuji!
"A free Spirit Saint sparring partner. He's perfect for testing my current strength."
Battle intent burned in Bai Mu's heart.
He urgently needed a high-intensity real battle to prove his strength!
A Spirit Saint like Zhao Wuji, with powerful defense, fierce attacks, and abundant experience, was practically the perfect sparring partner!
As for exposing some of his abilities?
Aside from key trump cards that needed to remain hidden, such as Dual Cores, the Time-Diamond Eye, the Blue Silver Emperor Spirit Bone, Z-Snake form, and invisibility, it did not matter if the rest were exposed.
He did not give a damn.
After finishing lunch, the two left Suotuo City and headed toward the Shrek Academy they had asked around about.
Before long, a small village appeared ahead.
A battered plaque hung over the wooden archway at the village entrance, bearing the name "Shrek Academy."
Nearby, quite a few teenagers and their parents were lined up to register with an old man.
The moment he approached, Bai Mu spotted two familiar figures.
He walked over with a smile and greeted them naturally. "Xiao San, Xiao Wu, you got here so quickly!"
"Bai Mu?"
Tang San turned around, looking somewhat surprised. "Why are you so late? I thought you weren't coming."
An academy that only recruited Monsters? Of course he had to come and see it for himself.
Seeing that Tang San was still fairly friendly toward him, Bai Mu felt rather complicated.
Sorry, Xiao San. I originally wanted to raise your mother to the 100,000-year level before harvesting another Spirit Bone and Spirit Ring from her.
But your mother was too stubborn. I couldn't out-stubborn her, so I could only let her offer up the last of her value.
"Little Mu, this is—"
Xiao Wu curiously looked at Zhu Zhuqing beside Bai Mu.
"My newly adopted stray cat. Not bad, right?"
Bai Mu casually placed a hand on Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder as he introduced her with a grin.
"..."
Zhu Zhuqing tried to dodge, but failed. She could only shoot Bai Mu a cold glance and give up on the meaningless struggle.
"Adopted?"
"A stray cat?"
Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged looks.
"Just like in those classic stories, she was being chased by a pack of wolves at the time. I saw that she was all alone and pitiful, so I helped chase off the wolves and took her in while I was at it."
Bai Mu spoke with complete seriousness. "You know me. I'm kind-hearted. I can't stand seeing beautiful Beast-Ear Girls wandering around outside."
After saying that, he deliberately glanced at Xiao Wu, the Rabbit Spirit.
"Eek~"
Xiao Wu instinctively shuddered and hid behind Tang San, staring at Bai Mu as though he were a pervert. "That look in your eyes is disgusting. Don't look at me! I belong to Brother!"
"Damn it, incest is unacceptable!"
Bai Mu gave her a disdainful look. "Relax. I'm not interested in Rabbit Girls. I'm more interested in Spicy Rabbit Head!"
Setting everything else aside, Xiao Wu was indeed outstanding in both looks and figure, and she suited Bai Mu's tastes.
But if her true identity and personality were factored in—
He found a cold 100,000-Year Spirit Ring and Spirit Bone much more appealing!
"Spicy Rabbit Head? Rabbits are so cute! How can you eat rabbits? That's too cruel!"
Xiao Wu flew into a rage, puffing out her cheeks.
"Indeed. Sounds delicious!"
Bai Mu swallowed.
Xiao Wu bristled. "You!"
"Alright, alright, let's not talk about this for now. Let's go register first!"
Tang San hurriedly changed the subject, then softly comforted Xiao Wu.
Just then, a commotion broke out ahead.
A teenager had paid the ten Gold Soul Coin registration fee, but after having his bone age tested, he was found to be over thirteen and was rejected.
The teenager's father was unconvinced and wanted the registration fee back.
The old man in charge of registration did not even raise his eyelids. "Registration fees are nonrefundable."
"This is fraud!" the teenager's father said angrily.
The old man said, "Mubai, deal with this."
Dai Mubai stepped out. Three Spirit Rings rose beneath his feet, and he spoke arrogantly. "Beat me, and you'll get your money back."
The teenager's father's face turned ashen, while everyone around them fell silent.
Only then did the old man slowly speak. "At Shrek Academy, we only accept Monsters, not ordinary people. If you are over thirteen or your Soul Power has not reached level 21, don't waste your time and money here."
As his words fell, six Spirit Rings rose around him in sequence: one white, one yellow, three purple, and one black!
The crowd erupted in shock.
A teacher handling registration was actually a Spirit Emperor?!
"This academy looks pretty interesting!"
Xiao Wu's eyes lit up. "Especially that line about only accepting Monsters and not ordinary people. That's so cool!"
Tang San nodded as well. "It is indeed interesting. It seems Teacher was right!"
Although Zhu Zhuqing did not speak, interest showed in her eyes as well.
The students here were all monster-level geniuses, and the teachers were Spirit Emperors or above. Even without considering that troublesome Dai Mubai, this should be an excellent place to cultivate.
"What's so interesting about that? Talented Spirit Masters can shine anywhere."
Bai Mu poured cold water on their excitement. "A truly impressive academy should be able to train ordinary people until they are no weaker than geniuses, rather than merely training Monsters who are destined to succeed as long as they cultivate step by step and do not die early."
"That does seem to make sense."
Tang San froze for a moment. After thinking it over carefully, that was indeed true.
"So what? Being surrounded by geniuses is still better than being surrounded by ordinary people."
Xiao Wu did not think too deeply about it. She simply felt that choosing a more special academy was far better than attending an ordinary one.
The line continued moving forward.
Soon, a young girl in a blue dress appeared ahead. Her brown hair fell to her waist, and she possessed an ethereal temperament.
"Name, age, level."
The old man went through the routine, then his gaze sharpened as he recognized her identity.
"Ning Rongrong—Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—"
Interest flashed through Bai Mu's eyes. "I wonder just how strong the number one support Martial Soul really is. Can it enhance my Zygarde?"
Zygarde could already strengthen itself repeatedly through Dragon Dance. If it were paired with the percentage-based boosts of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, its combat power would be unimaginable.
Unfortunately—
"I've always been wild and free."
By now, unless it was necessary or he was in the mood, he could not be bothered to curry favor with others.
Meanwhile, when Dai Mubai first saw Ning Rongrong, a wolfish gleam flashed in his eyes. But after guessing her identity, he quickly restrained himself. He had no desire to provoke someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
What he did not know was that Zhu Zhuqing had seen all of it, making her gaze toward him grow even colder.
Before you continue