Du Weilun lowered his head as he entered the reception room. He then held out the black card in both hands to Tingyun, who had risen to greet him.
"Sorry for the trouble, President Tingyun. I'm here on behalf of Shrek Academy to apologize for the conflict between us. Dean Yan Shaozhe and I were both arrogant and shortsighted, and we offended you. This black card contains one hundred million Gold Soul Coins, as compensation from Shrek. I hope it can resolve our past grievances."
"No problem~ This young lady has always believed that peace is precious. The Fairy Boat isn't an overbearing force, either. But since Director Du is already here, there are two things I'd like to discuss with Shrek Academy~"
Tingyun accepted the black card Du Weilun had handed her and spoke with a soft laugh.
"If you have any requests, President Tingyun, please speak frankly!"
Looking at Du Weilun, Tingyun couldn't help marveling that Shrek could actually be civil.
"It's nothing major. Student Zhang Lexuan and Student Jiang Nannan intend to leave Shrek Academy and join our Minghuo Academy instead."
"What! That... that's no problem. As long as the students agree, the academy will too. President Tingyun, I'll take my leave!"
Du Weilun hurried out. If he'd heard someone dared to leave Shrek Academy before, wouldn't his eyes have gone bloodshot, his breath ragged with fury? But since this involved the Fairy Boat, he'd let it go!
He was leaving only to inform the Sea God Pavilion that the Fairy Boat intended to establish its own academy.
After all, no matter how powerful the Fairy Boat was, it was still a secluded force. According to Mu En's judgment, as long as they offered compensation, they probably wouldn't keep hounding Shrek.
But the Fairy Boat actually wanted to establish an academy and challenge Shrek? How could Du Weilun possibly stay calm?
"Tsk, tsk~ Meeting again under such circumstances, and looking so wretched. What a laughingstock~"
Tingyun fanned herself with her beloved little fan and shook her head.
Once everything was settled, everyone went off to take care of their own business.
Tingyun carried the sleeping Bai Mo to her room, while Wu Qingyao found somewhere to send a message to Sect Master Ning. Snow Empress took Gu Yuena to arrange their rooms.
With some time to relax, Zhang Lexuan and Jiang Nannan decided to go have dinner.
Nan Qiuxiu, all alone, simply accepted the remaining Ice Empress as her big sister. The two of them went off to study the Jade Abacuses Bai Mo had handed out.
As Bai Mo lay on Tingyun's bed, he inadvertently entered the Simulated Universe once more.
Bai Mo yawned as he watched Little Black Tower working on something up ahead, with her two little assistants helping her.
"What are you doing? Did you call me in?"
Wu Feng's eyes lit up when she saw Bai Mo arrive. She charged at him with another headbutt, but Bai Mo had seen it coming. He caught her and pulled her into his arms.
"I did. Just as I expected, life in extraordinary worlds can't be born without the sun and moon."
Herta put down her work, gestured for Ning Tian to take a break too, then turned to speak to Bai Mo.
"As you can see, after you copied the data from that Little Moon, the stability of life data in the True Number World increased by 257.63%. I estimate that once I improve the sun's real data, the True Number World should become a self-sustaining little world."
"Can't help you there. The sun's pretty far away, and I don't feel like making the trip. I'll have a Heavenly General take you to copy it another day."
Bai Mo replied listlessly, casually stroking Wu Feng's rosy cheek as she sat in his arms.
Little Red Hair pouted, her small hands gripping Bai Mo's belly tightly.
"Fine. By the way, let me see the data you copied in Shrek. And that little girl who doesn't seem hostile for now."
"How am I supposed to copy it for you? I was already struggling just hauling that little horse around, and I didn't even have the energy to notice the Silver Dragon King nearby. How could I have copied data on Shrek and the Golden Tree? As for the Silver Dragon King's data, she's still very wary of me. I'm not sure if she can detect my Martial Soul, so let's wait a while."
"Then why didn't you let me use the cornerstone back then?"
Hearing Little Black Tower's question, Bai Mo was at a loss for words.
Could he tell her that, besides wanting to stand up for Tingyun, part of him had wanted to show off?
"Ms. Herta, how far have you gotten with your research on the Jade Abacus?"
Bai Mo changed the subject.
"Not bad. At this little golden-haired girl's suggestion, I installed a face-recognition program—one Jade Abacus per person. I also installed an invisible program that can collect information. It'll help diversify your Scepter's functions."
Stealing information? That was really...
"Oh, right. I added a new game mode to the Simulated Universe. You can go try it out. Little Golden Hair, take him to have a look. Don't bother me while I'm working!"
Little Black Tower was as fickle as ever. Whatever came to mind, she said, and the moment she thought of her new game mode, she sent Ning Tian to take Bai Mo away.
Bai Mo reluctantly took Wu Feng's little hand and followed Ning Tian. The three of them headed for the new game mode Herta had mentioned.
Bai Mo could have learned about it directly through his owner's permissions, but that would have been boring. He might as well go see for himself.
The three of them entered Bai Mo's Crystal Palace. A new room had appeared inside, with "Bai Mo's Martial Soul" written above it.
From the name alone, Bai Mo had a rough idea of Ms. Herta's new invention.
"This is the place. Bai Mo, when I was chatting with Teacher Herta, I said that you didn't have any combat abilities. So Teacher Herta programmed this room."
Hearing Ning Tian address Herta that way, Bai Mo was taken aback. Had she actually taken Ning Tian on as a disciple?
"Darn you, Bai Mo! From now on, the great Wu Feng will never be able to beat you!"
Wu Feng grumbled sulkily.
"Come on, Wu Feng. When have you ever been able to beat me?"
Bai Mo replied with a laugh as he pushed the door open.
"When we were little! Even you and the young master together couldn't beat me!"
Wu Feng proudly puffed out her chest. Watching the two bicker, Ning Tian smiled knowingly.
Once they entered the room, they found nothing inside.
After all, the room was merely a visual representation of the program code.
Bai Mo brought up the source code and saw that he could add new code to the Martial Soul. He tried adding Heavenly Snow Woman, then hit Enter.
In the next instant, a gigantic blue male "Heavenly Snow Man" appeared behind Bai Mo. The Martial Soul's face was identical to his.
"This is amazing! It isn't restricted by the Martial Soul's characteristics, and I can even use it in the real world!"
Bai Mo conjured a mirror and stared in amazement at his white-haired reflection. Now Snow Empress could become Bai Xue, and Bai Mo could become Xue Mo.
"The only drawback is that Teacher Herta said this Martial Soul can only last three hours in the real world. Still, it should give you some ability to protect yourself."
Ning Tian looked at Bai Mo enviously and spoke with some disappointment.
Noticing her disappointment, Bai Mo reached out and twirled a golden strand of her hair around his finger.
"Don't worry about me, Ning Tian. Even without a combat-type Martial Soul, the Light Cone and blessings alone make my physical abilities too strong for Soul Masters of the same level to handle. Besides, don't worry. Once I grow a little stronger, I'll definitely help you permanently evolve into a true Nine Treasure Glazed Pagoda. I'll even help you become a twin, triple, or hundredfold Martial Soul user!"
"Huh? How could I give birth to that many!"
Ning Tian shot Bai Mo a reproachful look, though she was deeply moved.
"What about me? What about me! I want to give birth to a hundred too!"
Before you continue