The Shrek Teachers and Students

At dusk, after finishing a day of calligraphy practice, Qin Yuan rode back to his residence in a carriage.

As he stepped down from the carriage, he caught sight of a luxurious carriage out of the corner of his eye. His expression changed at once, and he immediately scrambled back inside, nearly growling, "Quick! Hurry up and go!"

Li Fu received the order and was about to spur the horses into a gallop.

But it was too late.

"Little Mr. Qin Yuan, you're back."

A corner of the luxurious carriage's curtain lifted, revealing a beautiful, alluring face.

The rich merchant's wife, Liu Hui.

This is the end... Qin Yuan felt utterly hopeless.

With a stiff smile, he lifted the carriage curtain and called across to the rich merchant's wife, Liu Hui, "Haha, yes. What a coincidence."

"Our family would normally be having dinner at this hour, but today is a little different."

Liu Hui's red lips curled up. "Our family received an invitation from the Earl to attend a banquet.

"As you know, my husband is highly valued by the Earl.

"There'll be plenty of distinguished bigwigs at the banquet. You really should have come back earlier. Then we could have used our family's invitation to take you along, so you could meet a Baron or Viscount or two. It would surely benefit you and your family immensely."

"What a shame," Qin Yuan said with a dry laugh.

"Never mind. If you'd like, I can ask my husband to introduce you to some nobles, though they can only be Barons."

Liu Hui spoke with a distinct air of superiority. "My husband has a close relationship with the Earl. Even though we're only merchants, the Barons will still show him respect. You don't need to feel embarrassed."

"No, there's no need, ma'am. Thank you for your kindness," Qin Yuan said with an awkward grin.

"Then how about I introduce you to some noble youths your age?"

A younger, even prettier face pushed in front of the alluring one, staring straight at Qin Yuan as she spoke.

Zhang Xuanxuan, Liu Hui's daughter.

"You know, I go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. It's full of noble youths, and I know lots of people."

The girl grinned. "If you just say the word, I'll take you into Heaven Dou Royal Academy and help you build a network of useful connections."

"No, thank you." Qin Yuan shook his head and began lowering the curtain, ready to end this dreadful conversation.

"Hey, hey, don't close the curtain! Let me look at you a little longer—uh, I mean, I can introduce you to connections even better than an Earl!"

Seeing the handsome young man close the curtain, the girl hurriedly called out, "I met the legitimate daughter of a Duke through some noble friends today!"

The girl played her trump card.

That did surprise Qin Yuan a little. How had a merchant's daughter managed to get a Duke's legitimate daughter to spend time with her?

Zhang Xuanxuan certainly had a knack for socializing... Qin Yuan silently noted.

Seeing him stop lowering the curtain, Zhang Xuanxuan's eyes lit up. She immediately grinned. "Well? Tempted? Just come shopping with me three times, and I'll introduce you. How about it?

"I'm telling you, Miss Song Qingshuang isn't someone just anyone can meet. She's incredibly proud!"

"Song Qingshuang?" Qin Yuan froze, then wore a strange expression.

If Song Qingshuang found out I was the one she'd be introducing, she'd probably cut ties with her at once.

"No, thanks." Qin Yuan refused again, closed the curtain, climbed down from the carriage, and returned to the courtyard.

"Hmph! Don't know a good thing when you see it. You'll regret it one day!"

After having her kindness rejected again and again, the girl huffed and shut the curtain. She folded her arms over her ample chest and puffed out her cheeks without saying another word, looking like a little hamster with its mouth stuffed full of food.

Seeing her daughter's reaction, Liu Hui's beautiful face turned stern. "Xuanxuan, you're going to marry into the nobility one day. Your father and I absolutely won't agree to you getting together with Qin Yuan!"

"Mother, what are you talking about? I'm not..."

Zhang Xuanxuan stopped sulking at once. Her cheeks flushed as she tried to protest, but when she saw her mother's stern expression, her voice grew quieter and quieter.

At last, she protested indignantly, "Why not? He's so handsome."

The girl had fallen in love.

"Be good. Your father and I wouldn't hurt you. We're doing this for your sake. Marrying into the nobility is your best choice. Your father and I are both paving the way for you."

Liu Hui spoke earnestly.

"I don't want to," Zhang Xuanxuan said, puffing out her cheeks.

"You brat, what's so great about that Qin Yuan? He's just handsome. Aside from that pretty face, what else does he have? He can't compare to our family in any way!"

Liu Hui snapped.

"I think he's great," Zhang Xuanxuan said.

"Fine, fine! Then tomorrow I'll make Qin Yuan pack his things and leave, so he can stop seducing you every day!"

Zhang Xuanxuan panicked. "Mother, I won't go looking for him anymore, okay?"

Liu Hui snorted and glanced at her daughter.

That's right. I can handle you just like I handle your father.

More than half a month passed in a flash.

Qin Yuan, who had advanced to the third stage of the Calligraphy Path, didn't go to the Calligraphy Saint Pavilion as usual. Instead, he headed to Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

There were only a little more than six months left until the Soul Master Tournament. It was time for him to prepare.

After all, the tournament's champion would receive three Ten Thousand Year Soul Bones.

He couldn't use them himself and didn't care for them, but he could give them to those around him. Qian Renxue didn't need one, but Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing did.

Qian Renxue had already taken care of everything for him. He quickly completed the enrollment process and became a student at Heaven Dou Royal Academy under the identity of Ling Tian.

Next, he needed to secure a spot in the tournament.

However, he had no time to train, so he went straight to Yu Tianheng to ask for a vice-captain position—one that didn't require him to handle any responsibilities.

Yu Tianheng's team was Heaven Dou Royal Academy's main fighting team.

When Yu Tianheng learned why Ling Tian had come, his eyes instantly lit up.

The other team members were just as thrilled.

With Ling Tian joining their team, their chances of winning the Soul Master Tournament would instantly rise to over seventy percent!

They might even stand a chance against the Spirit Hall Golden Generation!

After all, a year ago, Ling Tian had been able to defeat a forty-ninth-level Soul Ancestor. By now, he could probably take on a Soul King.

"Ling Tian, tell me honestly. What level are you now? I'm at level forty-two," Yu Tianheng asked.

Qin Yuan thought for a moment. "A little higher than you."

"Just as I expected." Yu Tianheng wore an expression that said he'd known it all along.

A year ago, Ling Tian's Soul Power had been two levels below his. Now, he was already one or two levels ahead.

It was enough to drive a man mad, comparing himself to others!

"Ling Tian, let's fight again. I want to see just how big the gap between us is!" Yu Tianheng challenged Qin Yuan eagerly.

"Is that really necessary?" Qin Yuan glanced at his Soul Power Level of sixty-seven.

"Absolutely!" Yu Tianheng was brimming with fighting spirit.

"Fine. If you insist." Qin Yuan shook his head helplessly.

And so Qin Yuan and Yu Tianheng headed to the arena.

Someone spread the news, and soon the whole academy knew that Ling Tian was going to fight Yu Tianheng.

The vast majority of the students hurried over, their faces alight with excitement.

Song Qingshuang and Zhang Xuanxuan were among them.

Even the Three Education Committees had taken an interest, wanting to see just how powerful this mysterious Ling Tian had become.

At the same time, after more than half a month on the road, the teachers and students of Shrek finally arrived at the foot of Heaven Dou Royal Academy.