First Encounter

The sudden sound of footsteps in the silence made Zhang Lexuan instinctively go on guard.

Soul Power stirred faintly around her, and the formidable aura of a Soul Saint gradually spread, adding a solemn air to the dead of night.

"Heh, quite an imposing aura. You're good at turning the tables, aren't you?"

"You're the one who barged into my territory~"

Following the sound, she saw a handsome young man who had appeared on the second-floor landing without her noticing.

He was leaning against a pillar, arms crossed over his chest.

He tilted his head, regarding Zhang Lexuan with a hint of scrutiny and amusement.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ning Huan. I assume you know my name."

"Shrek. Zhang Lexuan."

Perhaps because she was still on guard, the young woman's cool, indifferent tone remained somewhat stiff.

The atmosphere once again fell into an awkward silence.

Ning Huan, on the other hand, was perfectly happy with that.

After all, Zhang Lexuan's appearance here was completely unexpected.

He hadn't even had time to think of the best way to win this poor soul over.

Alas, sometimes the butterfly effect really did catch you off guard...

But what was done was done. No matter how ill-timed it was, he absolutely couldn't let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away.

So Ning Huan lowered his head slightly, putting on a thoughtful air as his bangs fell over his eyes.

Meanwhile, his mind raced, searching for some advantage he could use in this library.

Then, as if something had just occurred to him, his gaze snapped to the bookshelf at the corner of the staircase.

What was kept there...

Were the empire histories of the continent over the past four thousand years!

In terms of completeness, they were every bit as good as the records kept by the royal family and Shrek!

If I remember right, there should be a handwritten general chronicle in there, with a section on the Sun Moon Empire...

It seems perfect for this situation.

With that thought, Ning Huan came up with a plan.

He promptly broke the awkward silence between them.

"By the way, are you rich?"

"Ah..."

The question came out of nowhere to anyone listening, and it startled Zhang Lexuan.

But after realizing that the young man before her was displeased, yet meant no harm, she could only ask coldly,

"I suppose so. Why do you ask?"

"Er..."

Ning Huan shot her a glance, then said irritably,

"Have you really not noticed that the rows of bookshelves around you are about to collapse from your aura?"

"Those are exquisite pieces, handcrafted by a master woodworker from dozens of high-grade timbers."

"Besides, while handwritten books aren't worth much, all together they still cost tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins."

"Are you planning to make me renovate this place as soon as it's built?"

This time, there was no mistaking the displeasure in Ning Huan's voice.

After all, he had been involved from start to finish in the design, construction, and decoration of the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy's library.

He had even arranged for people to sort and shelve every book and tome.

A month of work had taken more of his effort than he could count.

If that silly big sister really wrecked it...

No need to say another word. First, she could take this move from me: Summon Ancestor!

Meanwhile, when Zhang Lexuan noticed the bookshelves swaying precariously beside her, a few streaks of red quickly spread across her once-lovely, gentle face.

She hurriedly withdrew her aura, afraid she might accidentally destroy the hall.

"S-sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Since you're an honored guest, I'll let you off this time."

As he spoke, Ning Huan leaped down from the second floor.

Though he weighed a hundred and fifty jin, he landed with extraordinary lightness, making not a sound.

His Soul Power control is so practiced—he's even a cut above the inner court's prodigies!

Zhang Lexuan's pupils contracted at the sight. She looked up at the boy with a solemn expression, as if ready to invite him to join.

"You..."

"If you're planning to invite me to join Shrek Academy, don't bother."

"We..."

"No matter how good the terms are, I'm not going. You can't forget your roots."

"..."

I haven't even said a word yet!

Watching Ning Huan's adamant refusal to be swayed, Zhang Lexuan was about ready to lose it.

If she hadn't been trying to maintain her image and preserve the relationship between the academy and the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, she would have already taught this little brat a good lesson.

Did he really think she was some pushover?

That brat actually dares to look down on Shrek Academy!

Phew... He's still just a kid. I won't stoop to his level!

Zhang Lexuan struggled to calm her anger, over and over.

Her already-cool expression grew even more detached.

"The sect and the academy are two separate things. Even if you go to Shrek to study, that won't stop you from returning to your sect after graduation."

Ning Huan's eye twitched at that. He couldn't keep the exasperation in his eyes from showing.

"Have you ever considered that I might be about to become a student at the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy?"

The moment he said that, Zhang Lexuan's anger vanished, leaving her speechless.

In its place was a sense of frustration she hadn't felt in over a decade.

She was the heir to the Sea God Pavilion, personally chosen by Mu En. When had she ever suffered such "humiliation"?

And yet the source of it was a child, which made it impossible for her to bring herself to bully him.

But out of a sense of duty and responsibility toward the academy, Zhang Lexuan still wanted to make one last effort, despite her indignation.

Unfortunately, Ning Huan had noticed. He was never going to give her the chance.

The questions came tumbling out of his mouth.

"Would Shrek Academy arrange a Super Douluo and two Titled Douluos to be my sparring partners whenever I wanted?"

"Could Shrek Academy devote half its resources to me alone?"

"Or would Shrek Academy be willing to promise me its next heir's hand in marriage?"

Of course, that last part was something Ning Huan had made up.

No matter how anxious Ning Hao was, he would never force his own daughter's marriage on her.

For now, he was mostly leaving things to fate.

If they could get together on their own, that would be ideal. Otherwise, they could wait until they were older.

Zhang Lexuan, unaware of the truth, gave up on trying to recruit Ning Huan after hearing that barrage of soul-searching questions.

There was no other way. The terms the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect offered were too generous; Shrek simply couldn't match them.

Forget Super Douluos—even the Titled Douluos in the Sea God Pavilion were lazy to the bone.

They certainly wouldn't all come out to teach a single Soul Ancestor.

And as for resources, that was even less likely.

The academy had over a thousand talented Soul Masters. Give him half, and there wouldn't be enough left for everyone else.

As for marrying him to the next heir...

Zhang Lexuan instinctively sized Ning Huan up.

Well...

He was sturdily built and looked healthy.

He wasn't as handsome as the inner court's pretty boys, but he had a manly confidence that gave people a strange sense of reassurance.

No, no! How can I betray my oath?

The young woman hurriedly corrected her wandering thoughts and promptly returned to her usual composure.

"If you're not willing, then forget it."

"You're taking that pretty well..." Ning Huan muttered under his breath, then turned and walked toward the bookshelves.

"I need to put these back in order. Want to help?"

Most of his tone sounded like a question.

But he knew Zhang Lexuan well enough to be sure she wouldn't refuse when she knew she was in the wrong.

Sure enough, a reply tinged with guilt soon followed.

"Okay, I'm coming."