Returning to Shrek 2

Jiang Che smiled at Ice Empress's words but said nothing.

When Ice Empress saw him smiling without replying, she picked up her teacup and took another sip, gazing through the window at the distant, gray sky.

Her feelings suddenly grew complicated. The Far North was her home. She had lived there for four hundred thousand years, and every ice cave and every ice peak held her tracks and memories. Then there was Snow Empress—she had no idea how she was doing.

Though she said she didn't care about leaving so suddenly, deep down she couldn't help feeling reluctant.

"When we have time, I'll come back with you for a visit," Jiang Che said softly, as if he had seen through her thoughts.

Ice Empress froze for a moment, then gave a faint snort. "There's no need. Since I chose to leave with you, I won't cling to the past."

Even so, Jiang Che could hear the hint of emotion in her voice.

After chatting for a little longer, Jiang Che stood and prepared to return to his room to rest.

Just before leaving, he suddenly remembered something. Turning back to Ice Empress, he said, "By the way, before we set off tomorrow, suppress your Soul Power aura. Try to keep it at the Seven-Ring Soul Sage level."

Ice Empress raised an eyebrow. "A Soul Sage? I thought I'd have to pretend to be a Soul Emperor."

"A Soul Emperor wouldn't be enough," Jiang Che said, shaking his head. "Shrek Academy is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. The elders on Sea God Island are all sharp as a tack. If you only show the Soul Power fluctuations of a Soul Emperor, that might actually arouse suspicion. The Soul Sage level is just right—not so low that people look down on you, but not so high that you draw attention."

Ice Empress pondered for a moment, then nodded. "All right. I'll do as you say."

After Jiang Che left, Ice Empress sat alone at the table. She closed her eyes and released a thread of pure Ice Jade Soul Power, suppressing its fluctuations to the level of a Seven-Ring Soul Sage. She adjusted it several times and opened her eyes only after confirming that everything was in order.

"Shrek Academy..." she murmured, a hint of anticipation and curiosity flashing in her amber eyes.

It was the number one academy on the continent, a place countless gifted Soul Masters dreamed of attending. Though she had lived for four hundred thousand years and heard of Shrek Academy, she had never set foot in any academy as a human.

Now she was going there as a Soul Spirit. She wondered what sort of people and events she would encounter.

"It shouldn't be too boring, I hope," Ice Empress muttered to herself. Then she stood, walked to the window, pushed it open, and watched as more and more people appeared on the street.

The common folk were busily starting their day: selling vegetables, hammering metal, driving carts, and taking their children out...

Everything was so humble, so real.

She suddenly understood why human Soul Masters, despite having far shorter lifespans than Soul Beasts, could go further along the path of cultivation.

It was because the human world was more colorful than the world of Soul Beasts. Humans didn't cultivate only to survive, but also to protect, to pursue their dreams, and to safeguard those they cared about.

"I hope this human doesn't disappoint me." Ice Empress let out a soft sigh, closed the window, returned to bed, and soon fell asleep.

The next day, just as the sun rose, Jiang Che set off from the small town with Huo Yuhao and Ice Empress, continuing south.

After they crossed the border of the Heaven Dou Empire, the terrain gradually flattened and the woods grew denser. The vast, desolate feeling unique to the Far North disappeared completely, replaced by the broadleaf forests and rolling hills common to central Douluo Continent.

Along the way, they occasionally passed small villages and towns. Whenever they did, Huo Yuhao would look around with wide-eyed curiosity. He had rarely left the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and after arriving at Shrek Academy, he had spent nearly all his time there. He knew little about the world outside.

Seeing his curiosity, Jiang Che would sometimes tell him about the customs and curiosities of the continent. Huo Yuhao listened with rapt attention.

Ice Empress remained taciturn, occasionally offering just a few words, and generally giving off an unapproachable air.

But Huo Yuhao noticed that whenever they passed a body of water, Ice Empress would unconsciously look at it for a little longer. A hint of nostalgia would flash in her amber eyes.

He figured it was probably because the Far North was covered in ice, and Ice Empress had grown used to that kind of environment.

After another five or six days on the road, the three of them finally spotted the outline of Shrek City in the distance at dusk.

The enormous city stood on the Lima Plain, its walls towering and its lights shining brightly. Even from far away, they could sense its bustle and prosperity.

Huo Yuhao's eyes turned faintly red. Though less than a month had passed during their journey to the Far North, it felt to him as if several years had gone by.

"Come on, let's head inside first." Jiang Che patted his shoulder, his voice gentle. "The academy hasn't reopened yet, but the dormitories should still be open. Get some good rest at the academy for a few days, then I'll take you to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a spiritual-type Soul Beast."

Huo Yuhao nodded vigorously. "Thank you, senior!"

Jiang Che smiled and started toward Shrek City. Ice Empress and Huo Yuhao followed close behind.

After leading Ice Empress and Huo Yuhao through the city gate, Jiang Che and Huo Yuhao continued along the road reserved for Shrek Academy, heading toward Sea God Island.

As they walked, Ice Empress looked curiously at the buildings and surroundings, her amber eyes full of wonder.

The architecture of Shrek Academy was completely different from that of the Far North. Pavilions and towers stood in orderly clusters among the shady trees, while little bridges crossed flowing streams. Everything exuded an air of venerable elegance.

Now and then, Inner Court students passed by. Whenever they saw Jiang Che, they would respectfully greet him with, "Good day, Senior Jiang." He nodded in reply to each of them.

Huo Yuhao followed behind, his heart full of pride.

This was Shrek Academy, the number one academy on the continent, and he was a student here.

More importantly, he had been fortunate enough to meet a senior like Jiang Che, who had helped and looked after him.

He would remember this kindness forever and never forget it.

When they were nearing Sea God Island, Jiang Che stopped and turned to Huo Yuhao. "Go back to the Outer Court dormitory first. I'll have someone notify you tomorrow, and then I'll take you to see Teacher Zhou and help you apply for permission to leave the school to hunt for a Soul Ring."

Huo Yuhao nodded, bowed to Jiang Che, and then nodded to Ice Empress. After that, he turned and ran toward the Outer Court.

Only after Huo Yuhao had run off did Jiang Che lead Ice Empress through the private passage onto Sea God Island.

The lights on Sea God Island were sparse. Only a few Soul Tool streetlamps gave off a gentle glow, illuminating the flagstone path in a hazy light. The outlines of buildings appeared and disappeared among the trees, and the air was thick with the energy of heaven and earth.

The moment Ice Empress set foot on the island, her eyebrows lifted slightly.

"The energy of heaven and earth here is even denser than in the core region of the Far North," she said quietly, sounding a little surprised.

"Of course." Jiang Che chuckled. "Sea God Island is the foundation of Shrek Academy. Generations of elders have set up Energy Gathering Arrays on the island. The energy of heaven and earth is several times denser than outside, making cultivation twice as effective."

Ice Empress nodded without speaking and continued following Jiang Che.

After they walked along a gravel path and turned past a bamboo grove, the view suddenly opened up before them.

A sturdy, three-story wooden building stood ahead. It had no ornate decorations, only the solemn authority left by the passage of time. A plaque hung above the entrance, bearing three ancient characters: Sea God Pavilion.

The doors stood open, and the lights were on. Clearly, someone was inside.

"This is Sea God Pavilion?" Ice Empress asked.

"Mm." Jiang Che nodded. "It's where Shrek Academy's highest decision-making body is based. Only Sea God Pavilion Elders and the academy's senior officials are allowed inside. Wait here for me. I'll go see my teacher and arrange your identity while I'm at it."

Ice Empress acknowledged him and stepped aside to stand beneath a willow tree. Folding her arms across her chest, she leaned against the trunk and gazed silently toward Sea God Pavilion with her amber eyes.

Jiang Che took a deep breath and strode into Sea God Pavilion.