First Encounter

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

Her soul power surged slightly, and the formidable aura belonging to a Soul Saint gradually spread, adding a touch of solemnity to the late night.

"Heh, quite the imposing aura; you certainly know how to seize the initiative."

"It was you who trespassed on my territory first~"

Following the voice, she saw a handsome youth appearing on the second-floor platform at some unknown moment.

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

The gaze he tilted toward Zhang Lexuan held a hint of scrutiny and playfulness.

"Nice to meet you, I am Ning Huan; I presume you should know my name."

"Shrek, Zhang Lexuan."

Perhaps due to the lingering wariness in her heart, the girl's cold and indifferent tone remained somewhat stiff.

This caused the atmosphere to fall into an awkward state once again.

However, Ning Huan was actually quite pleased with this.

After all, Zhang Lexuan appearing here right now was completely beyond his expectations.

So much so that he hadn't figured out how to more effectively turn this poor soul to his side.

Sigh, the butterfly effect is truly caught off guard sometimes...

But since things had reached this point, no matter how ill-timed it was, he absolutely could not give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Thus, Ning Huan lowered his head slightly, feigning depth, with his bangs covering his eyes.

In his mind, he was frantically thinking about the advantages he could utilize in this library.

Immediately after, as if remembering something, his gaze precisely focused on the bookshelf at the corner of the stairs in an instant.

What was stored there...

Were the imperial history books of the continent from the last four thousand years!

In terms of completeness alone, they were no worse than those kept by the royal family or Shrek!

If I remember correctly, there should be a hand-copied general record inside, which happens to have a section on the Sun Moon Empire...

It seems very suitable for the current situation.

Thinking of this, a plan sprouted in Ning Huan's mind.

He immediately spoke up to break the awkwardness between the two.

"Tell me, are you very rich?"

"Ah..."

The sudden, inexplicable question startled Zhang Lexuan.

But upon sensing that the youth before her was dissatisfied yet held no malice, she had to ask coldly:

"I'm doing alright, why do you ask?"

"Uh..."

Ning Huan glanced at her and then said irritably:

"Haven't you noticed that the rows of bookshelves beside you are about to be collapsed by your aura?"

"Those are exquisite works handcrafted by a master woodworker using dozens of high-grade timbers."

"Furthermore, although hand-copied books aren't considered very valuable, all of them added together would still cost tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coin."

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

This time, the dissatisfaction in Ning Huan's tone was not faked.

Because he had participated in the entire process of the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy library, from design to construction and decoration.

Even the classification and placement of the books were arranged by personnel under his direction.

In just one month, he didn't know how much of his hard work had been poured into it.

If it were really ruined by this silly big sister...

Say no more, take my Summon Ancestor first!

On the other hand, after noticing the teetering bookshelves beside her, a few blushes rapidly dyed Zhang Lexuan's pretty and gentle cheeks.

She immediately retracted her aura, fearing that she might accidentally destroy this hall.

"So... sorry, I didn't mean to."

"Considering you are an honored guest, I will let you off this time."

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

Despite weighing one hundred and fifty jin, his landing was exceptionally light, without making a single sound.

Such skilled soul power control; it's a cut above even the inner court prodigies!

Zhang Lexuan's pupils constricted at the sight, and as she looked up at the youth, her gaze was filled with solemnity and an invitation.

"You..."

"If you intend to invite me to join Shrek Academy, please save your breath."

"We..."

"No matter how good the benefits are, I won't go. One must not forget their roots."

"..."

I haven't even finished a single sentence!

Watching Ning Huan's stubborn, impervious expression, Zhang Lexuan felt a sense of exasperation.

If not for the need to maintain her image and preserve the relationship between the academy and the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, she would have long since taught this little brat a lesson.

Did he really think she was some pushover?

This brat, how dare he look down on Shrek Academy!

Hoo... he's just a child, don't lower yourself to his level!

Having finally suppressed her anger, Zhang Lexuan kept comforting herself, though her already cold expression grew even more indifferent.

"The sect and the academy are not mutually exclusive. Even if you go to Shrek to study, it won't hinder you from returning to the sect after graduation."

Ning Huan's eye twitched at these words, and the speechlessness in his eyes could no longer be contained.

"Tell me, is there any possibility that I am about to become a student of the [Nine Treasures Glazed Academy]... hmm?"

As soon as these words left his lips, Zhang Lexuan, who had been seething with anger, was instantly silenced.

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

As the dignified successor to the Sea God Pavilion designated by Mu En, when had she ever suffered such 'humiliation'?

Yet, the source was a child, making it impossible for her to bring herself to bully the young!

However, out of responsibility and duty to the academy, even though Zhang Lexuan was indignant, she still wanted to make one final effort.

Unfortunately, Ning Huan, sensing this, was determined not to give her the chance.

A barrage of rhetorical questions tumbled out of his mouth.

"Will Shrek Academy arrange for one Super Douluo and two Title Douluos to be my sparring partners at any time?"

"Can Shrek Academy invest half of its resources into me alone?"

"Or is Shrek Academy willing to betroth its next successor to me?"

Of course, the last sentence was just Ning Huan spouting nonsense.

No matter how anxious Ning Hao was, he wouldn't force his daughter's marriage arrangements.

For now, he was mostly letting things take their natural course.

If they developed a relationship on their own, great; if not, they could talk about it when they were older.

However, Zhang Lexuan, unaware of the truth, completely abandoned the idea of recruiting Ning Huan after hearing this soul-searching interrogation.

There was no other reason; the conditions offered by the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect were too generous, and Shrek truly couldn't match them.

Never mind a Super Douluo; even the Title Douluos in the Sea God Pavilion were too lazy to move.

They certainly wouldn't collectively come out of seclusion to teach a Soul Ancestor.

As for resources, that was even more impossible.

In an academy that gathered thousands of genius soul masters, if they gave him half, there wouldn't be enough left for the others.

As for betrothing the successor...

Zhang Lexuan subconsciously sized up Ning Huan.

Hmm...

His physique was robust, looking very healthy.

While his appearance didn't match the pretty boys of the Inner Court, he possessed a masculine confidence that gave one an inexplicable sense of security.

No, no, how could I betray my vows!

The young woman, whose train of thought had been led astray, quickly corrected her posture and instantly regained her usual indifference.

"Since you are unwilling, then so be it."

"Quite carefree, aren't you..."

Ning Huan muttered under his breath, then turned and walked toward the bookshelf.

"I need to reorganize these. Do you want to come and help?"

However, although his tone was mostly an inquiry, he knew very well that given Zhang Lexuan's personality, she would certainly not refuse, knowing she was in the wrong.

Sure enough, a reply tinged with faint guilt followed.

"Fine, I'm coming."