"They'll be here in a bit..."
Thinking of the two who were most likely still soaring high above the clouds, Su Qing's lips curved into a handsome smile. A mischievous idea suddenly came to him...
"Ah!!!"
Bei Bei, who had been soaring alongside Huo Yuhao, suddenly felt the wings on his back tug at him. Before he could even react, the two of them plunged toward the ground at breakneck speed, backs first. Horrified at the thought of hitting the ground from such a height and ending up in pieces, yet powerless to do anything, they let out ear-splitting screams.
The two had already shut their eyes in despair, but even after the sensation of falling stopped, they felt no pain at all. Confused, they opened their eyes and saw Su Qing struggling to hold back laughter while Tang Ya covered her mouth, afraid she might laugh aloud.
"You little punk!"
After that, Bei Bei would certainly remember Su Qing, that little devil. Huo Yuhao, meanwhile, was still completely lost in the terror of the fall. Only when Su Qing patted him did he come back to his senses. To be honest, in that instant, he had even thought up his last words.
"Ahem, sorry. I pulled the wings back too quickly while controlling them and scared you."
Seeing how badly the two had been frightened, Su Qing realized he'd gone a little too far. He turned to them with an apologetic look.
"N-no... it's fine."
The two exchanged a glance and answered, trembling.
At that, Su Qing smiled brightly and said, "Since you're fine, let's get moving."
Su Qing had originally suggested using Wind-Gathering Wing-Weaving to carry everyone, but Bei Bei and Huo Yuhao had developed a bit of a psychological shadow from what had just happened. The moment he made the suggestion, it was voted down unanimously. Seeing this, Tang Ya and Su Qing couldn't insist, so they decided to walk out of the Star Dou Great Forest.
Along the way, Tang Ya recruited Huo Yuhao into the Tang Sect and arranged for him to enroll at Shrek through a special admission slot. Huo Yuhao was deeply moved. After swearing to help Tang Ya revive the Tang Sect, he began affectionately calling Bei Bei his eldest senior brother.
Tang Ya never asked Su Qing to join the Tang Sect, though. In her heart, whether or not he joined, Su Qing was still her little brother. With her there, if the Tang Sect ran into trouble, Su Qing would surely lend a hand. So what difference did it make whether he joined or not?
Since Bei Bei also had to teach Huo Yuhao some Tang Sect Secret Arts along the way, it took them a full two weeks to leave the forest. Fortunately, Huo Yuhao had set out early; otherwise, he would definitely have missed the new-student registration period.
As for the Mandala Snake from the original story, perhaps because the group had changed their route, they never ran into it before leaving the forest.
"Ahem, Bei Bei, take Yuhao to register. I'll take Su Qing to buy him some decent clothes."
Once they reached Shrek City, Tang Ya led Su Qing away from the two. Since new-student registration wouldn't close for another three days, she figured she might as well show Su Qing around the city first.
Besides, the clothes Su Qing was wearing were ones Tang Ya had bought him in Heaven Dou City a few years ago. Back then, she'd bought him one in every size, thinking they'd last until he enrolled. She hadn't expected him to grow so much after awakening his Martial Soul. Even the biggest outfit had been worn to tatters.
"Oh, our Su Qing is so handsome. I wonder which little girl will be lucky enough to get him."
Su Qing had already been quite striking in his previous life, but he still hadn't been a match for Gu Yuena. Now, with a face that looked ninety percent like hers, he would probably become a heartthrob at Shrek. The more Tang Ya looked at her little brother's peerless face, the more pleased she became.
"Stop, stop, stop. Don't even start. I'm only eleven, Xiaoya-jie."
Facing Tang Ya, who was talking nonsense, Su Qing felt a little awkward. But she was just as lively as ever, which meant she still had plenty of close friends at Shrek. At least she hadn't become gloomy from thinking about revenge every waking moment. Thinking of that, Su Qing was sincerely happy for her.
He had always held to one belief: cherish everyone who has no blood ties to you, yet still cares about you.
After showing Su Qing all around Shrek City, Tang Ya had to return to report in. Considering he might not have any money, she made sure to give him some loose Silver Soul Coins and Copper Soul Coins before leaving, so he wouldn't go hungry in Shrek City.
As for the ten Gold Soul Coins in tuition, she wasn't worried. Bei Bei had told her that recommendations from Inner Court students took precedence over recommendations from the city lord or special admissions from sects. He wouldn't have to pay tuition.
After watching Tang Ya leave, Su Qing rubbed his cheek, which Tang Ya had pinched until it was a little sore. He put away his old, tattered clothes, then turned and headed for the registration office.
On the way, his white hair and violet eyes, so different from everyone around him, along with his handsome looks, drew plenty of attention. Some even took him for a girl and made teasing remarks, but he ignored them all. He simply revealed the three Soul Rings beneath his feet, silencing them.
Among those who showed three Soul Rings at new-student registration, only upper-year students from the Outer Court, sect prodigies, and exceptionally talented students fit the bill. The others weren't foolish enough to pick a fight with someone like that. With the three Soul Rings beneath his feet, Su Qing made his way straight to the senior student at the admissions office without any trouble.
"This little guy is already the fourth Soul Elder with three rings this year. Looks like this year's class is full of Little Monsters."
They had noticed Su Qing while he was still in the crowd. Among all those yellow Soul Rings, that streak of purple stood out especially. They had been waiting for the little fellow to come over and register.
"Hello. Please show me your recommendation letter."
The senior student at the admissions office smiled politely. When Su Qing took out the letter from his Storage Ring, his expression shifted. Why was this person's recommendation letter a different color from the others? Could it be fake?
But when he saw the conspicuous signature, the words Zhang Lexuan made his eyes widen. Few Outer Court students had even heard the names of Inner Court students, but as sixth-year Outer Court students, how could they not know Zhang Lexuan, the captain of the previous generation's Shrek Seven Devils?
After a brief moment of astonishment, he hurriedly called to the senior student standing beside him:
"Hey, this student was recommended by an Inner Court senior. Show him around the academy, and make sure you treat him well."
As soon as the other senior student heard that an Inner Court student had recommended him, his casual attitude immediately turned respectful. Over the years, those recommended to Shrek by Inner Court students had usually come from the same family as their sponsors, and had been their direct relatives.
"Student Su Qing, I'll show you around the academy."
Seeing how enthusiastic he was, Su Qing was just about to agree when a cool yet gentle voice reached his ears.
"No need to trouble yourself. I'll take him."