Facing the question from the silver-white figure in the lake, Di Tian lowered his head and said softly,
"He was a human from Shrek Academy. He looked young, and to me, he seemed to belong to the Bone Dragon lineage—a giant dragon made entirely of gray bones."
The silver-white figure glanced at Di Tian, then said,
"Was it a Martial Soul? Then let it be for now. We'll talk about it once I've mostly recovered from my injuries."
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao watched Lin Yun nervously as he absorbed the Thousand-year Soul Ring, his fists clenching involuntarily.
Lin Yun was having a hard time too. Intense pain welled up through every inch of his body like rushing water, making him tremble all over.
Huo Yuhao stared at Lin Yun, incredibly anxious but afraid to disturb him. All he could do was watch the absorption process without blinking.
"Easy, easy. The Soul Power from the Thousand-year Soul Ring is causing this kid a lot of pain, but his meridians aren't actually damaged, so there's no need to worry."
Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's voice rang out in Huo Yuhao's Sea of Consciousness, putting him somewhat at ease. Then, Lin Yun began to stir.
The purple Soul Ring shot into the air as though it were about to escape Lin Yun's control, but the Skeletal Bone Dragon Martial Soul behind him instantly forced it down, crushing it firmly around the outside of the Hundred-year Soul Ring.
Even Yan Shaozhe was stunned by this brutally forceful method of absorbing a Soul Ring. He watched as the Thousand-year Soul Ring shrank and settled perfectly around the outside of Lin Yun's First Soul Ring, becoming his Second Soul Ring.
Lin Yun opened his eyes and looked at his hands, murmuring to himself,
"So, I succeeded?"
Yan Shaozhe nodded in satisfaction, then said,
"Since that's the case, this trip to Star Dou has ended perfectly. I'll take you back to Shrek City."
On the way back, Lin Yun flew with one arm around Huo Yuhao's waist, using Yan Shaozhe's Soul Power Field to make the journey easier.
Yan Shaozhe wasn't putting on airs. He was deliberately letting Lin Yun practice flying. For a Soul Master with a Flying Martial Soul, it was important to get plenty of flying practice while under a senior's supervision.
After all, there had been cases of people falling out of the sky after running out of strength mid-flight because they hadn't practiced enough, landing in a heap and ending up crippled—or worse.
He might as well add some extra weight now, so Lin Yun could get a feel for how much Soul Power flying required. And even if Lin Yun ran low on Soul Power, Yan Shaozhe was right there to keep an eye on him. Nothing could go wrong.
As Yan Shaozhe thought this over, Huo Yuhao and Lin Yun had already started chatting.
"Brother Yun, your Martial Soul looks really impressive. I hope we can look out for each other once we get to the academy."
Lin Yun smiled and said,
"Don't worry. I said it before: after what you just said, I've already accepted you as a friend. Come to think of it, we do have something in common. For instance, right now, we're both in the same boat: one mouth to feed, no family to support."
Huo Yuhao gave a bitter smile and sighed.
"One mouth to feed, no family to support? That's certainly an apt way to put it."
Yan Shaozhe looked at Lin Yun and said,
"Your temperament is much more mature than that of the so-called geniuses I've met. I hope you won't forget your original intentions and stray down an evil path."
Lin Yun looked at Yan Shaozhe and replied earnestly,
"It would sound like I was defending myself if I said this, but power itself isn't good or evil. I think judging someone's character by their Martial Soul's attributes is rather unfair. As for what kind of person I am, didn't that senior say it already? You can take your time and observe."
Yan Shaozhe paused, then nodded at Lin Yun. The three of them ended their conversation and flew back in silence toward the outskirts of Shrek City.
After they landed, Yan Shaozhe pointed toward Shrek City and said to Lin Yun,
"See that? That's Shrek City. Just take the note I gave you and register at Shrek Academy in the city center."
Lin Yun nodded and watched Yan Shaozhe disappear. Huo Yuhao was about to head forward when Lin Yun suddenly grabbed his hand.
"What's wrong, Brother Yun?"
Huo Yuhao blinked, then asked Lin Yun in confusion.
Lin Yun narrowed his eyes and said,
"You don't look like someone who could afford a Storage Soul Tool, so I'm guessing you haven't prepared any daily necessities. The academy shop will definitely overcharge you. You can get things much cheaper in the nearby towns."
Lin Yun glanced at Huo Yuhao's small bundle, then explained.,
Seeing how concerned Lin Yun was about him, Huo Yuhao felt a warmth in his heart and nodded.
Lin Yun went shopping with him. Although his original self was dead, the memories he'd formed from roaming the world—and the breadth of experience he'd gained in his previous life—were still there.
After carefully picking out two sets of good-quality, inexpensive necessities, Lin Yun took Huo Yuhao flying out of the nearby city and brought him to the gates of Shrek City.
After entering Shrek City, the two of them followed Yan Shaozhe's instructions and handed the note to the person at the Registration Office. Then they went straight into the Shrek campus.
Looking over the vast grounds of Shrek Academy and breathing in the Soul Power-rich air, Lin Yun couldn't help but let out a long breath.
For all the things people said and all the complaints they made, Shrek Academy, right here in front of him, was still a refreshing sight—if you ignored those brain-dead higher-ups.
After all, it was the culmination of ten thousand years of effort.
If it became my Shrek one day, it'd be even easier on the eyes, Lin Yun thought as he dragged his suitcase toward the Outer Court's Dormitory Building.
As luck would have it, Lin Yun and Huo Yuhao were in neighboring rooms, but not the same one.
Lin Yun opened the dormitory door, and a wave of dusty air immediately hit him. Just then, Electrolux's voice suddenly sounded in Lin Yun's mind.
"Wait a moment. Did someone die in this dormitory?"
Lin Yun narrowed his eyes at that, then said,
"As the number one academy under heaven, Shrek Academy must be a high-pressure environment. It's not surprising if one or two people who couldn't handle it took their own lives."
Electrolux said,
"Ignorant. This wasn't an ordinary death. It was an agonizing, twisted death. I can even feel the resentment it left behind."
Lin Yun narrowed his eyes and muttered, "What a hassle." Then he clenched his right hand, and the Skeletal Bone Dragon Martial Soul possessed him once more. A surge of deathly aura burst from his body, and his voice turned stern.
"Either we leave each other alone, or I'll take you in right now."
As soon as Lin Yun finished speaking, a smear of blood appeared on the white wall before him. It flowed across the wall, slowly forming a single character.
"Fight!"
Lin Yun gave a soft snort and muttered, "I crack open a sunflower seed and out pops a stinkbug. Well, nothing for it. Come on, then."
Electrolux said to Lin Yun,
"Your Martial Soul could disperse her without much trouble, but making a scene at Shrek Academy would likely work against you. Let me handle it."
Lin Yun thought it over for a moment, then released control of his body and agreed with Electrolux's suggestion through their connection in the Sea of Consciousness...
Before you continue