Heading to Shrek

Carrying the fifth soul ring bestowed by the 11,000-year-old Titan Ice Ape, Lin Yi returned to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect alongside Sword Douluo Chen Xin.

A twelve-year-old Soul King! When Lin Yi slightly released the aura belonging to a level 50 Soul King, along with the heart-palpitating black fifth soul ring hovering over his Snow Lotus martial soul, even Ning Fengzhi, who had been mentally prepared, could not help but stand up from his sect master's throne, his eyes filled with indescribable shock and ecstasy.

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo also exchanged silent glances, both seeing the same raging waves in each other's eyes.

Such talent had already transcended the scope of their understanding; it could be called the aptitude of ghosts and gods.

"Good! Good! Good!" Ning Fengzhi said "good" three times in a row, his excitement overflowing, "Lin Yi, you have truly never let the sect down!"

However, after the ecstasy came deeper contemplation. A tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind.

If a twelve-year-old Soul King were to become known, it would surely cause a sensation throughout the entire soul master world. At that time, whether the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could protect such a prodigy remained to be seen.

Moreover, there was Martial Soul Hall... A trace of hidden worry flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

"Lin Yi's talent must be kept strictly confidential," Ning Fengzhi said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over Chen Xin and Gu Rong. "Before he truly grows up, his real age and cultivation must never be exposed."

Chen Xin and Gu Rong nodded in deep agreement.

Just then, a letter from Suotuo City on the border of the Heaven Dou Empire was delivered to Ning Fengzhi. The letter was written by Ning Rongrong, and between the lines were hints of grievance and complaint. She mentioned that she had passed the assessment and joined a strange academy called "Shrek," but the conditions were harsh, the teachers were strict, and her companions were... seemingly not very easy to get along with.

After reading the letter, Ning Fengzhi frowned slightly, his eyes revealing a father's concern. He pondered for a moment, his gaze falling on Lin Yi, and an idea began to take shape.

"Lin Yi," Ning Fengzhi began, "Rongrong is alone at Shrek Academy, and I am ultimately uneasy. You are betrothed to her and are a future pillar of the sect, so I want to send you there to protect and look after her in secret."

Lin Yi's heart stirred. Shrek Academy? Was he finally going to come into contact with the world's main cast? His expression remained unchanged as he respectfully replied, "Yes, Sect Master."

"However, your appearance and real age are too shocking," Ning Fengzhi continued. "You need to disguise yourself. To the outside world, you are a guard sent by the sect for Rongrong. Your age... twenty-eight. As for your soul power level, let's set it at level 52 Battle Soul King. Your Snow Lotus martial soul has strong support capabilities, which is sufficient for the role of a guard without being overly conspicuous." A twenty-eight-year-old level 52 Soul King was considered a genius, but still within the acceptable range for major powers.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin also looked at Lin Yi and said indifferently, "This trip is also a trial. Remember, unless it is a life-or-death situation, you must not expose your Ice Dragon martial soul, and you must never use your fifth soul skill. Your primary task is to ensure Rongrong's safety and... guide her appropriately. The sect's little demoness needs to suffer a little and learn some sense."

"This disciple understands," Lin Yi nodded. Disguising his identity and infiltrating Shrek... this was actually quite interesting.

With the help of sect soul masters skilled in such arts, Lin Yi underwent a simple disguise.

It was not a change of facial features, but rather through makeup and attire, his slightly mature contours were made more rugged, and a touch of weathering was added between his brows, making him look more like a young man who had experienced the world rather than a twelve-year-old boy.

Everything prepared, Lin Yi bid farewell to Sword Douluo and Ning Fengzhi and set off on the road to Suotuo City.

Several days later, outside a seemingly ordinary, even somewhat dilapidated small village south of Suotuo City, Lin Yi stopped. A crooked sign hung on the wooden archway at the village entrance, inscribed with five simple characters—Shrek Academy.

Looking at this "distinctive" academy gate, the corner of Lin Yi's mouth twitched imperceptibly. It really was... consistent with the original description.

He restrained his aura, suppressing his soul power fluctuations to around level 52, and stepped inside. The interior of the academy looked even more rudimentary than the outside; apart from a few thatched huts and an open space, there was almost nothing. But Lin Yi could feel that beneath this simplicity, several not-so-weak auras were hidden, one of which carried a sharpness that even he had to take seriously.

His gaze swept across the open space and quickly locked onto a familiar, slender figure.

Ning Rongrong.

She stood at the edge of the clearing in a simple white dress, yet she could not hide her elegant and refined temperament. However, at this moment, her delicate little face was full of grievance and resentment, and her jewel-like eyes were slightly red, as if she had just had an argument with someone.

Surrounding her, standing or sitting, were several other boys and girls.

A boy in blue sportswear, whose appearance was not particularly handsome but gave a steady and reliable feeling, was frowning slightly as he looked at Ning Rongrong. Beside him stood a pretty girl with a scorpion braid, a slim and moving figure, and large eyes. She was currently standing with her hands on her hips, saying something indignantly to Ning Rongrong.

Not far away, a handsome boy with blonde hair and heterochromatic eyes leaned against a tree, a wicked smile on his face, looking like he was watching a good show. Beside him was a cold, stunning girl with a hot figure wearing leather, who remained expressionless.

There was also a fat boy in a red tight-fitting suit with red hair, who was sneakily peeking at the cold girl and Ning Rongrong, his mouth almost drooling.

Finally, there was a boy wearing glasses who looked somewhat honest, standing at a loss as he watched the scene before him.

Clearly, this was the lineup of the first generation of Shrek Seven Devils. And looking at the situation, Ning Rongrong seemed to be at the center of being "isolated," or at least in the middle of a conflict.

"...Did I say something wrong?" the girl with the scorpion braid, Xiao Wu, said angrily. "We are all from the same academy; we should help each other and work hard to cultivate together. But you? You have a spoiled princess temper, you slack off in training, and you talk bad about Dean Flender!"

Ning Rongrong bit her lower lip, stubbornly retorting, "What did I say wrong? He is just a stingy Soul Grand Master! And besides, you don't need to worry about my cultivation method!"

"You!" Xiao Wu stomped her feet in anger and looked at the blue-clad boy beside her. "Tang San, look at her!"

Tang San, the blue-clad boy, sighed and said, "Rongrong, Xiao Wu has no ill intentions. Although Dean Flender is... a bit strict, it is for our own good. The conditions here are indeed harsh, but since we have chosen to stay, we should follow the academy's rules, work hard to cultivate, and integrate into the group."

"Rules? What rules? You want me, an auxiliary system soul master, to run laps with you and do that meaningless physical training?" Ning Rongrong's voice was choked with sobs. She had been pampered since childhood; when had she ever suffered such grievances? "You don't understand anything at all!"

Dai Mubai (the boy with blonde hair and heterochromatic eyes) sneered, "The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, truly living up to her reputation. Unfortunately, this is not your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda; no one will always pamper you."

Zhu Zhuqing (the cold, stunning girl) glanced coldly at Ning Rongrong without speaking, but the coldness and alienation in her eyes were more hurtful than words.

Ma Hongjun (the fat boy) chuckled, "Sister Rongrong, don't be angry. How about Brother Fatty keeps you company and chats?"

Oscar (the boy with glasses) hurriedly pulled Ma Hongjun and advised Ning Rongrong, "Rongrong, let's all say a little less; we are all classmates..."

"Who is your classmate!" Ning Rongrong finally couldn't hold it back, tears welling up in her eyes. She felt incredibly lonely and sad. These guys were all targeting her! She had only spoken the truth!

Just as the atmosphere was at its stiffest and Ning Rongrong's tears were about to overflow, a gentle and clear voice sounded not far away:

"Miss."

Everyone followed the sound and saw a young man wearing the standard cyan robe of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect walking over slowly. The young man looked to be twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. His face was not particularly handsome, but his features were distinct, carrying a steady and capable temperament. His eyes were as calm as water, and his steps were steady.

Seeing the newcomer's attire, the Shrek group was stunned. Someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?

Ning Rongrong was also stunned, looking at the strange young man who had walked up to her, somewhat bewildered: "You... who are you?"

Lin Yi bowed slightly, performing a standard guard's salute, his tone respectful yet neither servile nor overbearing: "Subordinate Lin Yi, acting under the Sect Master's orders to come and guard you, Miss. The Sect Master heard that you were studying here and was concerned, so he specifically sent me to await your instructions."

As he spoke, his gaze calmly swept over the Shrek Seven Devils present. Although his soul power aura was restrained to level 52, the gaze honed by countless actual battles and the pressure of Sword Douluo still carried an invisible sense of oppression, making Dai Mubai, Tang San, and the others feel a chill in their hearts.

An expert! This was their instant judgment.

"Did Father send you?" Ning Rongrong blinked her tear-rimmed eyes, initially feeling a spark of surprise—finally, one of "her own" had arrived! But that surprise was immediately replaced by a sense of grievance and a flicker of irritation. What was Father thinking? Was he sending someone to monitor her? Or did he think she was being mistreated here and needed protection?

She looked at the guard who called himself Lin Yi, then glanced at the companions who had just been "besieging" her, a complex and indescribable emotion welling up in her heart. She wanted someone to back her up, yet she didn't want to be looked down upon—especially not by these people.

Xiao Wu curiously sized up Lin Yi, leaning over to whisper in Tang San's ear, "San, this person looks like he's quite formidable."

Tang San nodded slightly, his Purple Demon Eye quietly activating, but he discovered that he couldn't quite gauge the depth of this young man. He could only vaguely sense a vast amount of Soul Power contained within the other's body, far exceeding his own. A five-ring Soul King? And likely not one who had just reached the level.

The disdain in Dai Mubai's eyes receded, replaced by a measure of scrutiny. Zhu Qing's gaze also lingered on Lin Yi for a brief moment. Ma Hongjun shrank his neck, sensing that this man was not someone to be trifled with. Oscar, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief; with someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect here, the atmosphere might finally ease up, right?

"Who needs your protection!" Ning Rongrong suddenly said to Lin Yi in a fit of pique. She lifted her chin, attempting to maintain her final shred of pride. "I am doing just fine here! You go back and tell Father that I don't need a guard!"

Lin Yi's expression remained unchanged, maintaining his respectful posture. "I dare not disobey the Sect Master's orders. I shall reside in the vicinity and will not disturb your cultivation, Miss. Should you have any needs or encounter any difficulties, you may summon me at any time."

His attitude was neither cold nor hot, simultaneously stating his position while granting Ning Rongrong sufficient space. This left Ning Rongrong, who had intended to use the opportunity to vent, momentarily at a loss for words.

Tang San stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Lin Yi. "Brother, I am Tang San. Rongrong is our classmate; there may be some misunderstandings between us, but we bear no malice. Since you were sent by Sect Master Ning, we at Shrek Academy will naturally treat you with courtesy."

Lin Yi looked at Tang San, the Son of Destiny of this world. He could sense the Mysterious Heaven Skill internal energy hidden within the other's body, that faint trace of Blue Silver Grass aura, and... the hammer-shaped imprint deep within. He smiled slightly and returned the gesture. "Brother Tang San is too kind. The young miss is still young and straightforward; if there has been any offense, I hope you all will be magnanimous. The Sect Master is merely concerned for his daughter; there is no other intent."

His words were airtight, simultaneously clarifying Ning Rongrong's identity and temperament, expressing Ning Fengzhi's concern, and avoiding any accusation toward the Shrek group.

Dai Mubai also walked over, his evil eyes flashing with light. "May I ask how to address you, brother? And what is your Soul Power Level?"

"This Humble One is Lin Yi," Lin Yi replied calmly. With a thought, the jade pendant at his waist shimmered, simulating a Soul Power fluctuation of a level 52 Soul King. Simultaneously, five soul rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple, and black—rose slowly from beneath his feet, pulsing around his body. That deep, black fifth soul ring instantly captured everyone's attention!

"A Soul King!"

"A ten-thousand-year soul ring!"

Exclamations erupted from several of them at once. Tang San, Dai Mubai, and the others saw their pupils contract, their faces filled with shock. While a twenty-eight-year-old Soul King was rare, it wasn't unheard of, but for the fifth soul ring to be of the ten-thousand-year level was truly terrifying! This meant the quality of his Martial Soul and his physical constitution far exceeded his peers!

Ning Rongrong was also stunned. She hadn't expected this guard sent by her father to be a Soul King with a ten-thousand-year soul ring! In her memory, even those within the sect at this age weren't necessarily capable of possessing a ten-thousand-year soul ring! This guy... he actually seemed quite formidable?

Feeling the shocked gazes of the group, Lin Yi remained as calm as a stagnant well. He slowly retracted his soul rings, his tone remaining indifferent. "It is merely a stroke of fortune. My duty is to guard the young miss; I will not interfere with academy affairs, so you need not worry."

The scene fell silent for a moment. Lin Yi's appearance and the strength he displayed were like a stone cast into a lake, shattering the subtle and tense atmosphere that had existed among the Shrek Seven Devils. Ning Rongrong looked at Lin Yi standing before her, then at her companions with their varied expressions, and the grievance in her heart seemed to fade, replaced by a complex feeling that was difficult to put into words.