Junior Royal Soul Master Academy

"How is it? Doesn't it have a charm all its own compared to the dense jungle?" Mu Qian asked with a smile.

Jinyu nodded repeatedly. "Yeah. I never imagined that one day I'd get to see a sight like this..."

Though he couldn't see her expression, Mu Qian knew Jinyu was wearing the look of a curious child.

Everything she saw amazed her.

It had to be said: having someone by your side to talk to was a blessing at times.

Only those who had experienced loneliness could understand how precious that was.

Mu Qian had come to gather information and didn't have a specific destination in mind.

When he passed a shop selling Spirit Beast products, he took the opportunity to sell the various Spirit Beast materials he'd collected over the past few months.

Breathing the air of human civilization and not having to stay on guard every moment for dangers lurking in the shadows made him feel completely at ease.

When he reached the city center, not far from Spirit Hall, Mu Qian's gaze paused, and he stopped in his tracks.

Across the street stood a magnificent building. As far as the eye could see, it seemed to have no end, even without using Spiritual Power.

It was an academy complex. Its towering gates were carved from white marble, and neat rows of white paving stones lined the road leading to the grand Teaching Building within.

Lights of every color shone upon the marble walls, bathing them in a splendid glow.

The stone steps were covered with murals of all kinds of figures, crafted with such exquisite skill that no ordinary artisan could have made them.

Mu Qian gazed at the plaque above the academy gate, a thoughtful look on his face. "Star Luo Empire Junior Royal Soul Master Academy..."

"An elementary academy, yet it has such grandeur. The Star Luo Empire must be incredibly wealthy."

Mu Qian couldn't help clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Come to think of it, should I join an academy?" For the first time, Mu Qian considered the question.

He had once believed that with his talent, he could stand at the pinnacle of the world without needing anyone to teach him.

But after months of training, Mu Qian had come to understand one thing.

His knowledge of Soul Masters was woefully lacking. Snow Maiden was an excellent teacher, but as a Spirit Beast, she knew very little about how human Soul Masters trained.

If he wanted to avoid taking unnecessary detours in the future, he would have to build up his basic knowledge at an academy.

In truth, there was no need to think about it. If he planned to compete in the future All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Soul Fighting Tournament, joining an academy was a given.

The only question was which academy to choose.

Shrek?

Or Spirit Hall?

Mu Qian couldn't make up his mind.

"Woof~"

Little Flower's bark interrupted Mu Qian's thoughts. Following its gaze, he spotted a bustling restaurant on the street not far away.

"Leave it to you, Brother Flower. You're the only one who can spot things!" Mu Qian grumbled as he tapped Little Flower on the head.

"Woof~" Little Flower looked up at its master aggrievedly, as if to say, You're the one who promised.

"So you did remember what I said earlier." Mu Qian shook his head helplessly and headed toward the restaurant.

He decided to visit Spirit City first and make his decision afterward.

The restaurant was packed with guests. Young people in elegant clothes or school uniforms gathered in groups, discussing what they'd seen during the day.

Nearly everyone dining here was a student at the Star Luo Empire Junior Royal Soul Master Academy. After finishing their classes for the day, they were kicking off their nightlife.

Fortunately, Mu Qian wasn't the sort who enjoyed showing off and humiliating others. After leaving the Spirit Hall Branch, he'd stopped by a clothing store and picked up a few outfits, so he didn't look out of place.

Holding Little Flower, Mu Qian took a seat in a corner. He didn't want to show off or attract too much attention.

"Student, what would you like to eat?"

Before long, a young server in a maid outfit came over and asked respectfully.

Mu Qian nodded to himself. The service was certainly impeccable. Though he found her only moderately attractive, the maids were still beauties by any standard.

He had no doubt that as long as he could afford the price, he could take any maid he fancied home with him that night.

No wonder the place was doing such brisk business.

"Just bring me a few of your signature dishes," Mu Qian said. He wasn't picky. In fact, the food in this world was nowhere near as good as the cuisine of Huaxia in his previous life.

As far as flavor went, it was merely average in his opinion, though ingredients from some Spirit Beasts were slightly more nutritious.

After sending the server away, Mu Qian quietly released his Spiritual Power and listened in on everyone's conversations.

He hadn't forgotten why he'd come to Star Luo City.

After fusing with the Mental Attribute, his control over Spiritual Power had improved so dramatically that it was like being reborn.

Jinyu was an extraordinary Spirit Beast with a cultivation of two hundred thousand years and the Mental Attribute. The boost she gave him was equally immeasurable.

At that moment, every sound in the restaurant's first-floor hall reached his ears. Nothing escaped his detection.

The students discussed all sorts of things. Before long, he heard the information he'd been looking for.

"Have you heard? After graduating from our junior academy, the Third Prince didn't go on to Star Luo Royal Academy."

"How could anyone not have heard something so important? They say His Highness the Third Prince has already left the Empire and gone to Heaven Dou."

"Wait... He left the Empire? Doesn't that mean he ran away from home?"

"Right. I heard he couldn't take the pressure and didn't dare challenge His Highness the Eldest Prince for the throne, so he was driven away..."

"He actually ran off? What's the difference between that and a stray dog?"

"Shh, keep it down. The royal family's business isn't something we can discuss."

"Exactly. Still, His Highness the Third Prince really is a disgrace..."

"Looks like I came to the right place. Thanks to you, Brother Flower."

Hearing that, Mu Qian rewarded Little Flower with another chicken leg.

Little Flower looked up at him, its confused expression seeming to ask, What nonsense are you talking about now, Master?

With the information he wanted in hand, Mu Qian felt a little more at ease.

Dai Mubai had only just left Star Luo, which meant there were still two years before the Shrek storyline began.

He was ten years old, which meant he was about the same age as Tang San and the others.

Mu Qian breathed a sigh of relief. He had been worried he might have arrived in an unfamiliar era.

He could still have lived an exciting life, of course, but it would have felt like something was missing.

"Tang San, you should still be in Nuoding City right now. What are you really like in person?"

Mu Qian wouldn't tolerate a child of destiny developing in peace in this era, when everyone was contending with Heaven and Earth for its favor.

After all, it remained to be seen whether they would end up on opposite sides in the future. To him, Tang San was a threat.

He just hadn't figured out what to do about him yet.

"Never mind. There's no harm in meeting him when the time comes. I'll decide after I see him in person."

"As for Yu Xiaogang..." Mu Qian furrowed his brows slightly.