"L-look, see? This pill can cleanse your meridians and marrow," Jiang Siming said, hiccupping. He finally managed to get the words out, then shoved the pill into Dai Mubai's mouth.
Soon, both of them fell asleep, slumped against the bar.
Early the next morning.
Two naked men appeared by a lake outside Suotuo City.
Sunlight fell on Jiang Siming's face. At first, he was dazed. Then he suddenly felt a chill below the waist and realized he'd been stripped completely bare. He hurried to his feet and looked around. Another dark-skinned body lay not far away. When he went over for a closer look, he realized it was Dai Mubai.
Jiang Siming patted Dai Mubai's face. Dai Mubai pushed his hand away and mumbled, "Sweetheart, quit messing around."
Jiang Siming's face darkened. Was he messing with him? If anyone saw them naked here, wouldn't they think he was gay? He immediately slapped Dai Mubai across the face. Only then did Dai Mubai slowly wake up.
Their eyes met. They stared at each other.
Dai Mubai suddenly slapped Jiang Siming across the face. "What the hell? What did you do to me?"
"Bro, have you seriously not realized I got robbed? You're the one who got me drunk last night," Jiang Siming said helplessly.
"Then why am I covered in black grime? And why do I stink?" Dai Mubai asked.
"Come on, don't be ungrateful after getting such a good deal. This is a divine pill, and it was the last one I had. You ate it. Try feeling your body now. Don't you feel stronger than ever?" Jiang Siming said.
"Hey, you're right. Thanks, bro. You know what they say: a thousand cups are never too many between kindred spirits. From now on, we're brothers." Dai Mubai smiled sheepishly at Jiang Siming.
Jiang Siming was at a loss, too. But when he thought about it, they were going to become brothers anyway. Following the main storyline would make him popular wherever he went, and sooner or later he'd join Shrek Academy. Besides, he and Dai Mubai seemed to get along. No loss there.
"Sure, brother. What's mine is yours. So you're covering my food from now on!" Jiang Siming grinned at Dai Mubai.
Dai Mubai spread his hands in resignation, agreeing. The pill was so powerful, and he'd gotten such a huge benefit from it. He'd cover Jiang Siming's food, and wouldn't even mind keeping him.
"Listen, bro, shouldn't we stop worrying about food for now? We're both naked. If you don't have anywhere to stay, come back to Shrek Academy with me. It's right outside the city. Otherwise, people will laugh us to death if they see us like this," Dai Mubai said.
"Guess we have no choice. Let's go!"
"Bro, I didn't get a chance to ask your name last night."
"I'm Jiang Siming. Six and a half."
"Damn, I'm Dai Mubai. I'm nine, turning ten in a few months. Siming, how'd you grow so fast? Impressive, impressive."
"Damn, looks like someone's coming over there. Hide! Move over a bit."
"Damn, you're crushing my little brother."
### New Sign-In: Shrek Academy
"Ding! Sign-in task issued: Reach Shrek Academy and hold out for the time it takes an incense stick to burn against Zhao Wuji, the Immovable Bright King."
Jiang Siming was sneaking through the grass with Dai Mubai when he smiled to himself. It was finally here.
Based on Jiang Siming's theory, there were two main ways to trigger the sign-in system and receive a sign-in task. The first was to break through a major level and hunt for a Soul Ring. The second was to reach a main-story location. When he'd arrived at the Soto Grand Arena, Jiang Siming had thought his theory was wrong. He hadn't expected the task to be saved for Shrek Academy. It seemed his hopes of getting two sign-ins had come to nothing.
"We're finally here. Siming, with your talent, how could an ordinary academy be good enough for you? Why not join me? Shrek Academy is full of hidden talents, I'm telling you. You won't regret it." Dai Mubai draped an arm around Jiang Siming's neck and smiled meaningfully.
"Sure. I don't have any family or friends in Suotuo City, so it'll be nice to have company. Besides, you owe me for food. But can you let go of me first? I don't want people getting the wrong idea. And do you know how bad you smell?" Jiang Siming said with a disgusted look. Dai Mubai hadn't had a chance to wash yet.
Suddenly, a man with a full beard emerged from Shrek Academy. He stared at Dai Mubai and Jiang Siming in disbelief.
"Boss Dai, what are you doing? I never knew you were into that. I share a dorm with you every day!" Oscar said, visibly shaken.
"Xiao Ao, are you asking for a beating? This is my new buddy, Jiang Siming. Anyway, go tell Fatty to get me some hot water. I need a proper bath," Dai Mubai said.
"Siming, this is Oscar. You can call him Xiao Ao. Don't let the beard fool you; he's not much older than you. He has a Food-type Martial Soul and an incredible natural talent," Dai Mubai said with a sigh.
Jiang Siming thought, Heh, I know a lot more than you do. I even know he'll be a strong fighter after reaching level 60.
"Come on, get dressed. Luckily, there are no girls at the academy, or we'd be humiliated." Dai Mubai sounded both relieved and disappointed. Jiang Siming's mouth twitched. How old are you, anyway? And you're thinking about that? Besides, you're so dark right now that anyone who saw you would be horrified.
After they got dressed.
"Siming, I'll take you to meet our dean. Our school is pretty strange. It's been struggling to stay open for years. Including you, we'll have only four students, and there are far more teachers than students. We're running a deficit, and the dean is stubborn and won't accept donations from students. Who knows if the school will still be around in a few years?" Dai Mubai said sadly.
As they walked, Jiang Siming looked around the academy. Many of the buildings were old and in danger of collapsing. Blue Silver Grass grew all along both sides of the road, clearly left uncleared for a long time.
When they reached the dean's office, Dai Mubai knocked. "Dean, are you there?"
"Come in," a stern voice replied from inside.
"Mubai, what happened to you? Why are you covered in so much grime?" Flender asked.
"Dean, I'll explain later. I'd like to introduce someone new who wants to join our academy."
"Oh? Name, age, Martial Soul, level." Flender fixed his gaze on Jiang Siming, as if trying to see through him.
"Jiang Siming. My Martial Soul is the Zhuxian Sword. I'm six years old, level 17," Jiang Siming answered calmly.
"Six years old and level 17? Are you sure you're not joking?" Flender questioned him.
Jiang Siming smiled faintly and released his Martial Soul. A dazzling purple Soul Ring appeared before them.
"A Thousand-Year Soul Ring. Incredible. But how can you be sure we won't pose a threat to you? How dare you reveal your Thousand-Year Soul Ring?" Flender released his pressure toward Jiang Siming.
"Dean, Jiang Siming is my friend. Wait—" Dai Mubai said anxiously.
"Because I'm Grandmaster's disciple, Dean Flender—or should I say, the Flying Horn of the Golden Iron Triangle," Jiang Siming said calmly.