Death Canyon

The boy patted the dog on the head and said with exasperation, "You lecherous mutt. Is eating really all you ever think about? Oh, no—there's lust, too."

"Can't you have a more lofty ambition?"

As if that hadn't been enough to vent his frustration, he gave the dog another hard knock.

The girl hurriedly turned aside to shield the puppy in her arms, then glanced back with a charming smile. "Why are you talking about ambition with a dog? Are you feeling feverish?"

The boy couldn't help laughing. "And you say he isn't a lecherous dog. Ever since he got a mistress, he's stopped being affectionate with his master."

"Mistress..." A faint blush spread across the girl's cheeks.

The young man and woman stood out in Spirit City, drawing curious glances from passersby who couldn't help stopping to look.

They were Mu Qian and Zhu Zhuqing, who had left Star Luo City and spent the past year traveling.

Over the course of that year, they had visited many places, passed through the Heaven Dou Empire and several Spirit Beast forests, and finally reached the heart of the continent.

Spirit City was also known as the holy land in the hearts of Spirit Masters across the continent.

Mu Qian had no deep grudges or entanglements with Spirit Hall, so naturally, he didn't view them with prejudice.

On the contrary, having seen the original novel and anime, he actually had quite a favorable impression of Spirit Hall.

He didn't even dislike Dead Chrysanthemum and Old Ghost.

Of course, that didn't include Qian Xunji, who was already dead.

As for Tang San...

They simply stood on different sides. If Mu Qian had been in Spirit Hall's position, he probably would have made the same choice.

To grow stronger, every resource had to be used. Besides, it was Qian Xunji who had pursued Tang San's mother, not all of Spirit Hall.

After a year, both of them had changed noticeably.

The most striking change was their increased strength. Mu Qian had successfully broken through level 40 and obtained his fourth Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring.

He'd certainly wanted to get a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast to offer up a sacrifice for his fourth Soul Ring, but unfortunately, there weren't nearly enough Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beasts on the continent waiting to do that.

As for hunting one himself... Better not.

Mu Qian wanted to live a few more years.

His cultivation had only just reached level 42. That was because he hadn't focused on training for its own sake, instead devoting his energy to understanding the elements.

At eleven years and four months old, he was already a Soul Ancestor. Even with the advantage of Innate Level 20 Spirit Power, his cultivation speed was still terrifying.

Without systematic instruction, Mu Qian was worried that his foundation might be unstable and cause all kinds of problems later on.

Zhu Zhuqing had changed just as dramatically.

She had just turned eleven, yet her cultivation had already reached level 27!

She had gained seven levels in a year, reaching level 27 more than half a year earlier than she had in the original story.

Most importantly, she had obtained a thousand-year Second Soul Ring.

This was certainly connected to the practical combat training Mu Qian had given her over the past year, but above all, it was thanks to the girl's own hard work.

Setting Mu Qian aside, she was already one of the best among her peers. She might even have been cultivating faster than Tang San, the original protagonist of this world.

"Isn't the unified enrollment for the advanced Soul Master academies still half a year away? Did we come too early?" Zhu Zhuqing asked curiously.

The question had been bothering her throughout their journey, and she finally asked it.

Mu Qian smiled. "No. I've already looked into it. Spirit Hall Academy's system is different from the other academies. They usually start enrollment half a year in advance."

"That's because... before the new students enroll, they have to undergo a special trial."

"Only those who pass the trial are allowed to study at Spirit Hall Academy. Those who fail usually meet one of two fates."

"Oh? What are they?" A strange glint passed through Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.

Mu Qian smiled mysteriously. "Elimination... or death."

"Elimination or death?" Zhu Zhuqing repeated, her gaze momentarily stunned.

Her graceful figure and stunning appearance made her the center of attention.

The clothes Zhu Zhuqing wore weren't something Mu Qian had asked her to put on out of some strange whim. She felt that this style would help her in battle, so she had asked a tailor to make them.

"That's right," Mu Qian explained.

"The entrance trial for Spirit Hall Academy isn't complicated. Simply put, they gather all the new students in one place for intensive training. That place is Death Canyon."

"What?" Zhu Zhuqing stopped in her tracks. Even though she had spent most of her life in Star Luo City, she had still heard of Death Canyon's fearsome reputation.

"The reason Death Canyon is so infamous is that a large number of Spirit Beasts live there, and their average age is far greater than that of Spirit Beasts in other habitats."

Mu Qian explained, "But there's no need to worry too much. Spirit Hall will send powerful experts to protect the students in secret. As long as you don't deliberately court death, you generally won't be in any danger."

"But if those hidden protectors have to intervene, that means you've been eliminated."

At this, Mu Qian turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "Don't worry, Zhuqing. With our strength, we'll have no problem passing the trial."

"Besides, I'm here. Don't forget, we still have a trump card..."

Mu Qian had already made up his mind: he would first take a look at Spirit Hall Academy, his top choice. He would also visit Shrek, since he needed to find out what the protagonist of this world was really like.

Hearing the words "trump card," Zhu Zhuqing felt much more at ease, a quiet reassurance washing over her.

That's right. With this bond between us, we'll never have to be apart for the rest of our lives...

Mu Qian couldn't guess what the girl was thinking. As they talked, he didn't forget to keep an eye on their surroundings.

A large number of people in Spirit City hurried along, some accompanied by young boys and girls. They didn't look like locals.

They were either here on business or bringing their children to register.

A fresh, natural aura radiated from Mu Qian, making it as hard as possible for others to notice the two of them.

If people hadn't seen him with their own eyes, they might have thought there was nothing there but an ordinary roadside tree.

After surveying their surroundings, Mu Qian turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, registration doesn't start until tomorrow. Let's find a hotel, get some rest, fill our stomachs, and ask around for information."

"Okay."

Zhu Zhuqing had no objections. Ever since the day she had left Star Luo with Mu Qian a year ago, he had taken meticulous care of her.

He joked around on the surface, but when it mattered, he always stepped up. The concern and affection in his eyes were things she had never experienced before.

She enjoyed having someone to rely on, and not having to worry about anything herself.

The prosperity of Spirit City was unmatched by any other city on the continent, even the capitals of the Two Great Empires.

Patrol guards were everywhere on the streets. Crowds bustled past, some hurrying along while others wandered between the shops lining the road.

Mu Qian and Zhu Zhuqing weren't short of money. Over the past two years, Mu Qian had dealt with countless enemies who had set their sights on them.

Those who coveted Zhu Zhuqing's beauty in particular had met fates that could only be described as having their bones ground to dust and their ashes scattered.

They had earned plenty of Gold Soul Coins from it. Added to Mu Qian's original savings and the money they made selling various Spirit Beast products, they had amassed at least a hundred thousand Gold Soul Coins.

The two of them brought Little Flower to the entrance of a grandly decorated hotel.