First Meeting Little Cat

Following the room number on the key, Ning Chuan found his room and began his usual cultivation.

Even when Xiao Wu called him to dinner midway through, he ignored her.

It was not until the following morning that he went out, but only by himself. After lying to that profiteer Flender that he had been recommended by Yu Xiaogang and obtaining the Board Crystal capable of producing Dragon Beard Needles for free, he returned to continue cultivating.

To Ning Chuan, anything useful to Tang San could not be given to Tang San, even if Ning Chuan had no use for it himself.

Early on the third morning, Xiao Wu knocked on Ning Chuan's door again.

The day to head to Shrek Academy and register had arrived.

The three left the Rose Hotel, where they had stayed for two days, exited Suotuo City through the South City Gate, and headed for their destination.

"Honestly, you've both been cooped up in your rooms cultivating for two days straight. Don't you ever get tired or bored?"

After leaving Suotuo City, Xiao Wu could not stop complaining. She had thought Ning Chuan had finally gotten the hint, but who knew he was still a blockhead.

Tang San was no different. Neither of them would play with her.

"If you put even a little more effort into cultivation, you'd have become a Soul Elder long ago."

Ning Chuan said this out of the blue.

For once, Tang San shared Ning Chuan's view. "Exactly. With the way you cultivate one day and slack off the next, it's already a waste of your talent that you've managed to reach level twenty-nine."

Tang San had regained his confidence by now, but he still had not broken through level thirty. This gave him an urgent feeling, so over the past two days, he had followed Ning Chuan's lead and refused Xiao Wu's requests to go out with her. Naturally, he missed out on that Board Crystal. Of course, even if he had not missed it, he would not have been able to get it.

Because Ning Chuan had already snatched it first.

"Then do you know where Shrek Academy is?"

Though she was asking both of them, Xiao Wu looked at Ning Chuan.

"Just follow this road straight ahead. But don't get your hopes up too high."

Thinking back to how dilapidated Shrek Academy had been in the original story, Ning Chuan could not help shaking his head. If not for the Eight Spider Lances and Little Cat, not even a dog would come here.

Tang San looked at him in surprise. "You've been to Shrek Academy?"

"No, but I've heard about it." Ning Chuan replied expressionlessly.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry over." As Xiao Wu spoke, she tried to climb onto Ning Chuan's back, but he dodged her again.

"Walk yourself." Although Ning Chuan no longer harbored as much hostility toward Xiao Wu as he had at first and no longer desperately wanted her Soul Ring, that was all. When he truly needed a Soul Ring, he would not show the slightest mercy.

And aside from seizing the Eight Spider Lances, he had come this time to lure Little Cat away.

He could not let this rabbit delay his grand plan.

"How could you..."

Xiao Wu had missed him completely and wore a gloomy expression. Tang San wanted to go over and carry her on his back, but when he thought of his current appearance, he opened his mouth yet never spoke.

Because he knew that even if he offered, Xiao Wu would not agree.

Still, Ning Chuan's repeated refusals of Xiao Wu left him with mixed feelings.

He was glad that this guy seemed uninterested in Xiao Wu, but worried that Xiao Wu seemed far too close to Ning Chuan.

At that thought, Tang San could not help growing ever more resentful of Ning Chuan.

Why had things turned out like this?

After living two lives, he had finally gained a father and a girl he cherished. Two happy things had come together, and those two sources of happiness had brought him even more joy. What he should have received was a blissful time like a dream... but why had things turned out like this?

First, his father had left without saying goodbye, leaving behind only a letter. Then the girl he cherished had gone to grow close to a man he hated.

I was the one who came first. I was clearly the one who came first! Whether it was bringing Xiao Wu home, promising to protect her, becoming her brother, or liking her, I was clearly the one who came first!

Tang San screamed inwardly.

Shrek Academy was less a Soul Master academy than a village, and a particularly run-down one at that.

It was even more rundown than Emperor Soul Village before Ning Chuan's "new countryside construction." It was merely a village of around a hundred households. At the Village Entrance stood a wooden archway, with a somewhat shabby signboard hanging from it. The words "Shrek Academy" were carved upon it, along with a green emblem resembling a humanoid monster.

This was Shrek Academy's School Gate.

At that moment, a table had been set up before the gate, with an elderly man in his sixties seated behind it.

By the time Ning Chuan's group arrived, around a hundred applicants had already gathered outside Shrek Academy's gate. Many were accompanied by their parents.

"This is Shrek Academy?"

At the sight, Xiao Wu was utterly dumbfounded. Only then did she finally understand why Ning Chuan had told them to prepare themselves mentally.

Even Tang San's mouth twitched hard.

Shrek Academy was simply too shabby, too painful to look at.

If he did not trust that his teacher would not deceive him, he would have thought it was some shady academy.

"What else would it be?" Ning Chuan did not show the slightest surprise.

At that moment, his gaze was casually sweeping around. With just one glance, he spotted Dai Mubai standing at the very front of the line.

He had already summoned his Martial Soul and was intimidating the parent of an applicant who was trying to get back the registration fee.

Noticing Ning Chuan's gaze, he looked over as well, gave a slight nod, and revealed a friendly smile.

Ning Chuan smiled indifferently. All of this was only temporary. The moment Ning Chuan tried to make contact with Little Cat, Dai Mubai would immediately turn hostile.

And all of it had long since been destined.

As his gaze shifted forward, a brown-haired girl caught his attention.

She looked about the same age as Xiao Wu. Dressed in a simple tea-green long dress, she gave off a very clean impression. She was somewhat taller than Tang San, around one meter sixty-five. Her skin was as fair and tender as a peeled egg. Even though Ning Chuan could not see her full face, her profile alone made it easy to tell that she was a natural beauty.

"This should be Ning Rongrong."

Ning Chuan quickly guessed her identity.

Just as he turned around to search for Little Cat, he saw that Xiao Wu was already staring at him with a warning look.

Ning Chuan pretended not to notice and continued scanning behind him. Before long, he found Little Cat.

Her black hair draped over her shoulders, her skin was snow-white, and not a single flaw could be found on her beautiful face. Her body had perfect lines, with proportions worthy of the world stage. Her shining eyes carried a hint of shadow, and most importantly, there was that proud pair that seemed as though it had come from a mythological world.

P.S. First update. Please vote with your monthly tickets.