Return to Shrek

Jiang Che smiled after hearing the Ice Empress's words, but he did not speak.

Seeing him just smiling in silence, the Ice Empress picked up her teacup and took another sip, her gaze drifting through the window toward the gray, hazy horizon in the distance.

Her emotions were suddenly somewhat complex; the Far North was her home, where she had lived for four hundred thousand years. Every ice cave and every Ice Peak held her footprints and memories, not to mention the Snow Empress—she wondered how she was faring.

Now that she had left so abruptly, though she claimed not to care, there was inevitably some reluctance in her heart.

"When there is time in the future, I will accompany you back to take a look," Jiang Che said softly, as if he had seen through her thoughts.

The Ice Empress was slightly startled, then gave a soft huff: "No need. Since I have chosen to follow you, I will not linger on the past."

Even so, the touch of emotion in her tone could not escape Jiang Che's ears.

The two chatted for a few more moments before Jiang Che stood up, preparing to return to his room to rest.

Before leaving, he suddenly remembered something and turned to the Ice Empress: "Right, before we set off tomorrow, suppress your Ice Jade Soul Power aura. Try to keep the fluctuations at the level of a Soul Saint."

The Ice Empress raised an eyebrow: "A Soul Saint? I thought I would have to pretend to be a Soul Emperor."

"A Soul Emperor isn't quite enough," Jiang Che shook his head. "Shrek Academy is full of hidden talents, and those elders on Sea God Island are sharper than anyone. If you only display Soul Emperor-level fluctuations, it will actually arouse suspicion. A Soul Saint level is just right—it won't be so low that people look down on you, nor so high that it draws unwanted attention."

The Ice Empress pondered for a moment and nodded: "Fine, I'll listen to you."

After Jiang Che left, the Ice Empress sat alone at the table. She closed her eyes and released a wisp of pure Ice Jade Soul Power, suppressing the fluctuations to the level of a seven-ring Soul Saint. After checking for errors several times and confirming there were no issues, she opened her eyes.

"Shrek Academy..." she whispered the name, a flicker of anticipation and curiosity flashing in her amber eyes.

That was the number one academy on the continent, a place countless genius soul masters dreamed of. Although she had lived for four hundred thousand years and had heard of Shrek Academy, she had never stepped into any academy in human form.

Now, heading there as a Soul Spirit, she wondered what kind of people and events she would encounter.

"It shouldn't be too boring," the Ice Empress muttered to herself. She then stood up, walked to the window, pushed open the wooden shutters, and watched the pedestrians gradually increasing on the street.

Those commoners were busily starting their day—selling vegetables, forging iron, driving carts, taking children out...

Everything was so simple, so real.

She suddenly understood why human soul masters, despite having much shorter lifespans than soul beasts, could go further on the path of cultivation.

It was because the world of humans was far more rich and colorful than the world of soul beasts. They did not cultivate merely for survival, but for protection, for dreams, and for the people they cared about.

"I hope this human will not disappoint me." The Ice Empress sighed softly, closed the window, returned to the bed, and fell asleep.

The next day, just as the sun began to rise, Jiang Che took Huo Yuhao and the Ice Empress out of the small town and continued south.

Once they crossed the border of the Heaven Dou Empire, the terrain gradually leveled out and the forests grew denser. The vast, desolate feeling unique to the Far North vanished completely, replaced by the broad-leaf forests and rolling hills common to the central regions of the Douluo Continent.

Along the way, they occasionally passed small villages or towns. Every time they reached one, Huo Yuhao would look around with curiosity. He had rarely left the White Tiger Duke Mansion, and after arriving at Shrek Academy, he had stayed within the school grounds, so he knew little of the outside world.

Seeing his curiosity, Jiang Che would occasionally tell him about the local customs and strange tales of the continent, which Huo Yuhao listened to with great interest.

The Ice Empress remained reticent, occasionally speaking only a few indifferent words, maintaining an air of "strangers keep away."

However, Huo Yuhao noticed that whenever they passed a water source, the Ice Empress would subconsciously take a few extra looks, a trace of nostalgia flashing in her amber eyes.

He thought it was probably because the Far North was covered in ice, and the Ice Empress was accustomed to that environment.

After traveling for another five or six days, at dusk, the three finally saw the silhouette of Shrek City from afar.

That massive city stood upon the Lima Plain, its walls towering and its lights bright. Even from a great distance, one could feel the prosperity and bustle within.

Huo Yuhao's eyes turned slightly red. Although this trip to the Far North had lasted less than a month, it felt like years had passed.

"Let's go, let's get into the city first," Jiang Che patted his shoulder, his tone gentle. "Although the academy hasn't started yet, the dormitories should still be open. Rest well at the academy for a few days, and then I will take you to the Star Dou Great Forest to find a mental-type soul beast."

Huo Yuhao nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Senior!"

Jiang Che smiled and walked toward Shrek City, with the Ice Empress and Huo Yuhao following closely behind.

After Jiang Che led the Ice Empress and Huo Yuhao through the city gate, he and Huo Yuhao walked along the path exclusive to Shrek Academy toward Sea God Island.

Along the way, the Ice Empress curiously examined the surrounding buildings and environment, her amber eyes filled with novelty.

The architectural style of Shrek Academy was completely different from the Far North; pavilions and towers were arranged in a well-ordered manner, shaded by green trees, with small bridges and flowing water, all exuding an ancient and elegant atmosphere.

Occasionally, Inner Court students passed by on the road, and upon seeing Jiang Che, they would respectfully call out, "Hello, Senior Jiang," to which Jiang Che would nod in response.

Huo Yuhao followed behind, his heart filled with pride.

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

More importantly, he was fortunate enough to know a senior like Jiang Che and had received his help and care.

He kept this kindness in his heart and would never forget it.

When they were close to Sea God Island, Jiang Che stopped and turned to Huo Yuhao: "You go back to the Outer Court dormitory first. I will have someone notify you tomorrow, and then I will take you to see Teacher Zhou to help you apply for the procedures to leave the school to hunt for a soul ring."

Huo Yuhao nodded in agreement, bowed to Jiang Che, nodded at the Ice Empress, and then turned and ran toward the Outer Court.

Only after he had run far away did Jiang Che take the Ice Empress through the exclusive passage onto Sea God Island.

The lights on Sea God Island were sparse, with only a few soul-guided street lamps emitting a soft glow, illuminating the bluestone path in a hazy light. Amidst the lush trees, the silhouettes of pavilions were faintly visible, and the air was filled with rich heaven and earth energy.

The moment the Ice Empress stepped onto the island, her brows lifted slightly.

"The concentration of heaven and earth energy here is even higher than in the core area of the Far North," she said in a low voice, her tone carrying a hint of surprise.

"Of course," Jiang Che chuckled. "Sea God Island is the foundation of Shrek Academy. Successive generations of elders have set up Energy Gathering Arrays on the island, making the concentration of heaven and earth energy several times higher than the outside world, allowing for twice the result with half the effort in cultivation."

The Ice Empress nodded, said nothing more, and continued to follow Jiang Che forward.

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

Ahead stood a simple, heavy three-story wooden building. It lacked ornate decorations, possessing only the solemnity and majesty accumulated through the passage of time. Hanging in front of the building was a plaque inscribed with three ancient characters—Sea God Pavilion.

The pavilion doors were wide open and the interior was brightly lit, clearly indicating that someone was inside.

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

"Yes," Jiang Che nodded. "The seat of Shrek Academy's highest decision-making body. Only the Sea God Pavilion Elders and the academy's top brass are permitted to enter. Wait for me outside for a moment; I need to see my teacher and arrange an identity for you while I'm at it."

The Ice Empress gave a soft acknowledgment, retreated to a willow tree nearby, and leaned against the trunk with her arms crossed, her yellow diamond-like eyes quietly watching the direction of the Sea God Pavilion.

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