Huo Yuhao: Dai Huabin?!

Tang Ya explained, "Tang Sect gave him this year's exemption quota."

Due to a close relationship with the founding master of the Tang Sect, Shrek Academy annually grants the Tang Sect a quota for admission without examination, which they will accept under any circumstances.

However, the Tang Sect hadn't used this exemption quota in nearly ten years.

Du Weilun's gaze shifted to Huo Yuhao, and he handed him a school badge, "Alright, you're admitted."

Huo Yuhao received the school badge with both hands.

It was shaped like a small green monster, very light, smooth to the touch, and cool. The edges were thoughtfully rounded, exquisitely crafted.

Huo Yuhao's deep blue eyes studied it carefully, and he carefully put it away.

Wearing this badge, regardless of one's identity, would earn envious glances within Shrek City.

It was a symbol of status.

After the registration was complete, and after receiving his uniform and a brief introduction to Shrek Academy, "Little Huo Yuhao, we're leaving now,"

Tang Ya waved to Huo Yuhao.

"Goodbye, Teacher Tang Ya, Senior Brother Bei Bei."

Bei Bei and Tang Ya were in the higher grades and already had many things to do. Moreover, Tang Ya had to prepare for her advancement assessment.

Lu Ran planned to look for dormitories with Jiang Nannan.

Huo Yuhao was short on funds and needed to first collect the soul master subsidies issued by the three great empires.

Yes, even in this continent ten thousand years later, low-level soul masters received subsidies, jointly issued by the Heaven Soul, Dou Ling, and Star Luo Empires.

A first-ring soul master received one Gold Soul Coin per month, and a second-ring soul master received two Gold Soul Coins per month.

It sounded like a lot, especially considering it was a whole Gold Soul Coin.

Surely it was enough for extravagant spending?

Or at least enough for a comfortable and leisurely life?

Quite the opposite.

It only looked like a lot.

One Gold Soul Coin was equivalent to one hundred Copper Soul Coins. Divided over thirty days, that was less than three and a half Copper Soul Coins per day. The cheapest meal at Shrek Academy, a stir-fried vegetable and white rice set, cost two Copper Soul Coins.

Even eating the cheapest set meal, one would spend four Copper Soul Coins a day.

One Gold Soul Coin wouldn't even cover the cost of food.

But it was better than nothing. Huo Yuhao decided to first register as a soul master, collect his subsidy, and then figure out how to earn extra income.

Thinking about what Teacher Tang Ya had said, that there were many scholarship competitions within Shrek Academy, and even ways to earn extra money, his heart filled with hope, and he felt his future was bright.

A tranquil, tree-lined path.

Green leaves occasionally dotted the bluestone pavement, and the sides were lined with meticulously trimmed plants, where a few green caterpillars could be seen.

"Junior... Junior... Junior..."

Jiang Nannan clung to Lu Ran, rubbing against his chest playfully, coaxing him:

"Call me Senior Sister... just call me Senior Sister... just once~"

"Just once... just once~"

Lu Ran pulled her into his embrace. Her delicate body felt as soft as flowing spring water.

He couldn't resist giving her a squeeze.

Jiang Nannan closed her eyes, a blush creeping onto her pretty face.

A stir in Lu Ran's arms, A delicate little nose let out a faint hum, Pouting, As if expressing her dissatisfaction.

Lu Ran brushed through her silky golden hair with one hand, If they were in private, Jiang Nannan would have already begged for mercy, How could she be so arrogant, Sigh, the soft and sweet girl from back then had completely vanished...

He stroked Jiang Nannan's back, unable to help but sigh, And gave it a few casual scratches, Jiang Nannan twisted in his arms again, letting out a nasal sound that seemed full of discontent, Soft and supple, Cicadas suddenly began to chirp on the branches, yet they did not break the tranquil atmosphere.

After lingering in the warmth for a good while, "Let's go,"

Lu Ran took Jiang Nannan's hand and headed toward the dormitory area, Turning left and right, Passing the final corner, The two arrived in front of a dormitory building that had seen better days, with young men and women entering and exiting from time to time; the century-old trees in front of the dorm had intertwined branches, and the sunlight filtered through the emerald leaves, casting dappled spots of light.

Under the sun, an old man in grey cloth robes, his face covered in wrinkles and looking as if he were at death's door, lay half-reclined on a chair, his eyes half-closed.

The arrival of Lu Ran and Jiang Nannan drew the attention of the surrounding students, Instantly becoming the focus of the entire scene, Jiang Nannan affectionately hugged Lu Ran's arm, Pressing tightly against him, Declaring her sovereignty, The meaning could not have been clearer.

She felt Lu Ran gently pat her hand, and she looked at him with curiosity, Seeing his expression turn serious, She immediately and obediently let go, She did not know why Lu Ran wanted her to let go, But she did as he asked, She would always listen to Lu Ran's words.

Lu Ran led Jiang Nannan to Mu En's side and said respectfully:

"Elder Mu."

Mu En slowly opened his eyes, a kind smile appearing on his aged face, Compared to five years ago, he seemed even more frail now, "Little Ran..."

Mu En's withered palm handed over a key, "Room 110, the eighth door on the right on the first floor..."

"The fourth floor and above are the girls' dorms, so don't go wandering around..."

He looked at Jiang Nannan with a smile, And slowly closed his eyes.

Am I that kind of person?

Lu Ran took the key with a straight face, I am very law-abiding; I would never go wandering around for no reason...

After bowing with Jiang Nannan, The two went upstairs.

Walking to the dormitory door, Jiang Nannan couldn't help but look back at Mu En, She had seen this unremarkable old man when she first enrolled, But she had never thought much of it.

Yet, Lu Ran was actually being respectful toward him now.

His status must be far from simple.

Elder Mu? Elder Mu? Or Elder Mu? A title never heard before; what exactly was his identity?

In an instant, all sorts of conjectures surfaced in her mind.

Arriving before the dormitory, he inserted the key and pushed the door open.

A faint scent of dust rushed into their nostrils.

A familiar feeling came flooding back.

The room was somewhat dusty, with an extremely simple layout.

Directly opposite was a closed window.

Two beds, one table, two cabinets, and a light overhead.

That was all.

Lu Ran stepped inside, surveying this room of only ten square meters.

Although it was different from the six-person room he once knew, he still felt a touch of sentimentality.

Outside the window lay a neatly arranged forest.

He pushed the window open, and the air immediately turned fresh.

Jiang Nannan extended a slender finger and gently wiped the windowsill; her fair, delicate fingertip was instantly coated in a layer of gray.

She revealed a smile that showed she had already expected this.

With a flick of her hand, a gray towel suddenly appeared.

It looked like it had seen better days.

A wooden basin filled with water also appeared on the floor.

The storage Soul Tool was a gift from Lu Ran.

"Impressive, right? I guessed there would be dust."

Jiang Nannan proudly wiped the dust from her finger, her eyes bright as she looked at Lu Ran.

"Which bed do you want?"

She prepared to start cleaning.

Lu Ran didn't answer, a faint smile playing on his lips.

He raised his hand, and a powerful gust of wind swept through the dormitory, whirling the dust out the window.

It didn't spare a single corner of the room.

Jiang Nannan's eyes lit up.

It could be done this way?

"Lu Ran, aren't you of the earth and water attributes?"

How could he also summon wind?

"I already told you I can manipulate Soul Beasts; don't wind-attribute Soul Beasts count as Soul Beasts?"

Lu Ran casually placed a bamboo tube on the bed, marking it as his chosen spot.

"Let's go, let's head out and look around."

Shrek City was extremely prosperous, situated at the intersection of the three great empires, and boasted a vast array of delicacies.

However, perhaps due to her Martial Soul, Jiang Nannan clearly preferred vegetarian food over meat.

Lu Ran had secretly asked Tang Ya, confirming it wasn't just her being reserved in front of him;

she truly loved eating greens.

The two walked down the street holding hands, Jiang Nannan snacking on a Black Tea Fruit.

Lu Ran couldn't help but hallucinate rabbit ears atop her head.

It seemed to be hopping about.

Hmm... I want to touch those rabbit ears.

In the afternoon, Lu Ran returned to his dormitory and found the door ajar.

Someone is here?

He walked inside to take a look.

Sitting by the bed was a youth with delicate features and fair skin, his large, powder-blue eyes particularly eye-catching...