Starting a Business, Mouse Clerk

"That is possible," Yan Shaozhe pondered for a moment, "What specific location and size are you looking for?"

Lu Ran had always been full of ideas, and since Mu En had instructed that Lu Ran should be allowed to do as he pleased—even if something went wrong, Shrek Academy would be there to back him—he didn't ask for the reasons.

"The shop area should start at one hundred square meters, preferably around two or three hundred," if the space were too small, neither customers nor staff would have room to stand, "As for the location, it needs to be somewhere with high foot traffic, in Shrek City or..."

Lu Ran stated his requirements for the inner city and the academy grounds. Yan Shaozhe understood he wanted to start a business, but what could someone so young possibly do? Still, he nodded, "Fine, I will look into it."

Lu Ran added a final clarification: "There is no rush; if there are no vacant shops right now, two months from now is also fine."

Why did Lu Ran not choose the Soul Bone? The reason was simple: the power provided by a Soul Bone was supplementary. Due to factors like one's Martial Soul, Innate Soul Power, Soul Ring age, and physical constitution, a soul master's cultivation ceiling was fixed. Once they reached a certain limit, they could not break through. Some had a limit of level 60, some level 20, and some level 90; once they hit the top, they could go no further.

If a soul master's limit was level 90, absorbing a Soul Bone early meant they would reach level 90 and stop there. However, if they waited until they reached their level 90 limit before absorbing the Soul Bone, they could use that extra power to break through the ceiling and reach level 91.

In other words, a Soul Bone was like a bonus question with a trap; if you answered it halfway through your studies, you only got half the points. Only by saving it for the end could you get full marks.

For Lu Ran, firstly, a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone was too low in age. By the time he had a pile of Hundred Thousand Year Soul Rings, using a Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone would be far too pathetic. Secondly, this Soul Bone had no great use in the early stages and little use in the later stages, and it could not be replaced easily. It was too much of a burden. It was better to trade the Soul Bone for two shops within Shrek Academy and Shrek City; after all, those two things were equally priceless.

The freshman assessment had completely concluded, and the ten freshman classes were divided into four official classes. Huo Yuhao entered the Soul Guidance Department.

This time, Yan Shaozhe did not stop him, nor was there any dispute in the Sea God Pavilion; or rather, he simply didn't care. The Spirit Eye Martial Soul was a rare Body Martial Soul and an even rarer mental-type, but in front of Lu Ran, it truly didn't amount to much. Furthermore, even if Huo Yuhao were exceptionally outstanding and performed brilliantly, Yan Shaozhe would not stop him from entering the Soul Guidance Department, nor would he dare to.

Xian Lin'er currently hated Yan Shaozhe to the point of grinding her teeth; she wanted to bite him to death whenever she saw him. If he were to block a student like Huo Yuhao, whose Martial Soul was merely rare, it would truly be bullying the Soul Guidance Department on purpose. Not to mention Xian Lin'er fighting him to the death, even Mu En and the elder masters would not stand on his side.

Education Committee Building.

"On what grounds?!"

Inside the office, Zhou Yi nearly shattered the elegant dark wood desk as she roared:

"On what grounds am I not the head homeroom teacher?!"

Her shrill voice pierced through the walls, audible even in the adjacent office.

"Is Zhou Yi causing trouble again?"

A middle-aged female teacher with a round face frowned.

Zhou Yi was notorious, known as one of the teachers with the worst temper in all of Shrek Academy.

Another handsome young male teacher chimed in, "She's been demoted to the freshman class, so she's obviously unhappy,"

"And she's been made the deputy homeroom teacher..."

Inside the office, Du Weilun attempted to pacify Zhou Yi, "Calm down,"

"Teacher Zhou, please calm down..."

His tone was gentle yet left no room for negotiation:

"These are the regulations; they cannot be changed simply because of your personal dissatisfaction."

Shrek Academy had always implemented a dual homeroom teacher system, consisting of a head homeroom teacher and a deputy homeroom teacher.

The head homeroom teacher was responsible for class discipline and student screening; they were the leader and held the final decision-making power.

The deputy homeroom teacher was responsible for teaching duties.

And now, Wang Yan was the head, while she was the deputy.

"On what grounds?!!"

"I am the one who should be the head homeroom teacher! What right does Wang Yan have to replace me?!"

Zhou Yi's voice spiraled completely out of control, becoming sharp and hoarse, as high-pitched as a pig being slaughtered for the New Year.

It annoyed Du Weilun to the point of frowning, "Enough!"

His expression displeased, his voice low: "If you hadn't been reported by students multiple times, you wouldn't even be teaching a freshman class,"

"Have you still not realized your own mistakes?"

Zhou Yi's teaching style was overly tyrannical and aggressive, completely disregarding the students' physical limits.

She had been reported multiple times.

The academy, considering her status as a veteran teacher and the fact that her husband, Fan Yu, might take over the Soul Guidance Department in the future—not to mention wanting to avoid the Soul Guidance Department misinterpreting this as the Martial Soul Department intentionally making things difficult for them, given their marriage—

the Academic Affairs Committee had decided to give her one more chance, letting her lead a freshman class to reflect on her actions.

Unexpectedly, she hadn't changed at all; she still dared to expel and exploit students at will.

They had no choice but to place her under Wang Yan's authority, so she could no longer act so recklessly.

"What did I do wrong?!!"

"Tell me!"

Zhou Yi's entire face twisted into a grimace, her wrinkles trembling like spider legs; she looked exactly like a gray-haired red demon.

"My class's grades are always the best!"

"The student advancement rate is always the highest!"

"I am the most capable teacher in the academy! On what grounds are you suppressing me?!"

"Why are you all suppressing me?!!"

Logically, as the Dean of Education, Du Weilun shouldn't show his dissatisfaction, but he frowned nonetheless.

He really wanted to say that the only reason Zhou Yi's advancement rate was high was because she expelled so many people.

The classes she led eliminated nearly half the students every single year.

Out of a hundred students, less than ten remain after four or five years.

If this ratio isn't high enough, then you, Zhou Yi, should just pack your bags.

But bound by his status, and by Fan Yu's capabilities and position, he forcibly swallowed his words.

"This is the academy's opportunity for you..."

Du Weilun said with a cold face:

"Don't think that just because your husband is Fan Yu, the Education Committee won't dare to touch you."

Zhou Yi's gaze flickered, A momentary shock appeared in her angry eyes.

She knew very well that everyone knew, The reason for her arrogance, besides her outstanding teaching ability, was also inseparable from Fan Yu's connections.

However, outstanding teaching ability was something she believed herself, She wouldn't admit anyone else's opinion on it.

But in the past, they always spoke of an unsuitable teaching style or students being unwell; this was the first time it was stated so directly.

"Hoo... hoo..."

Zhou Yi stared intently at Du Weilun, while Du Weilun's gaze was stern, devoid of any personal emotion.

Her breathing was extremely heavy, Blood vessels bulged on her neck, visible thick veins, But her face showed no change.

She didn't believe she was wrong, but when it involved Fan Yu, she understood that the Education Committee was serious this time.

Forced to retreat, "Crunch, crunch..."

The muscles in her aged face bulged as she clenched her jaw, a chilling grinding sound faintly echoing in the office.

Good... good Shrek...

I worked hard for so many years... and this is how you treat me...

"Hoo..."

Zhou Yi felt a chill, as if all her hard work over the years had been fed to the dogs...

"Good... good..."

She gritted her teeth: "Very good..."

Du Weilun's patience was almost exhausted, But he merely watched her coldly.

A silent conflict erupted in the office, the atmosphere reaching an extreme of oppression.

Finally, Zhou Yi, unable to hold on, shifted her resentful gaze away.

Her expression turned icy.

"Bang!"

The mahogany door of the office exploded outwards, slamming into the gray walls on either side, debris flying everywhere, Startling teachers in other offices to come out and investigate.

Zhou Yi turned around, And stepped on the shattered pieces of the mahogany door beneath her feet, Leaving the office.

"If I receive any more student complaints..."

Du Weilun's voice sounded from behind her, with undisguised warning:

"You'll have to take a year off."