Strange Reaction

Disappointment was disappointment, but Ning Tian felt not a shred of regret.

To her, it mattered little whether it was her family or Shrek.

As long as she could stay by Ning Huan's side, it made no difference where they went.

Moreover, the moment she heard about the need for an exchange program, she had guessed that the three of them were sent to Shrek with a specific mission.

Though she didn't know the exact details, she was more than happy to help if it benefited Ning Huan and the sect.

As for the minor differences in comfort and amenities, she could endure them easily enough!

"Sigh~ It's only three months, after all. I'll just treat it as fulfilling a childish fantasy from the past."

"You really are a handful, always acting the clown."

Seeing the young girl deliberately pout and feign helplessness, Ning Huan couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle, his eyes filled with doting affection.

At that moment, he suddenly understood why so many people enjoyed the "raising" trope.

It really did feel quite nice~

There was just one thing to be careful about.

Children these days developed both physically and mentally too quickly; one careless move and he'd be looking at a life sentence.

Suppressing these thoughts that were little different from a crime, Ning Huan quickly straightened his expression.

He led the two girls straight toward the most distinctive building in the distance.

Without a doubt, anything that stood out from the sea of "minimalist" architecture had to belong to the leadership—if it didn't, he'd eat it!

"Let's go. We'll head to the Dean's Office to pay a visit to Senior Yan Shaozhe first."

"Having traveled from afar, we three juniors cannot afford to be impolite and give others cause for gossip."

"Alright."

The next second, Ning Tian instantly wiped away her smile, following silently behind Ning Huan.

Wu Feng, lost in her own thoughts, also quickened her pace to catch up.

For once, she didn't say a word to provoke the latter.

A moment later...

Guided by the staff, Ning Huan and his companions arrived at the door of the Dean's Office without incident and prepared to enter.

However, as the door opened halfway, they were left dumbstruck by the furnishings inside.

At a glance, they were met with a yellow rosewood screen, adorned with ink-wash landscapes and gold-threaded cloud patterns.

Further in, various antique wooden furniture and lush greenery were arranged with clever, reasonable layouts—abundant, yet never overwhelming.

Meanwhile, from a celadon incense burner on a sandalwood desk, a seven-colored mist drifted lazily.

Combined with the midday sun streaming through the window, it cast a veil of mystery over the stern-looking middle-aged man.

Ning Huan and Ning Tian exchanged silent glances, the same thought rising involuntarily in their hearts:

Any single item in this room could probably fetch a sky-high price!

Our own academy really is lacking in comparison!

Yet they knew clearly that now was not the time to discuss such things.

Facing this long-renowned Super Douluo, whether for the sake of his sect or himself, Ning Huan dared not show even the slightest impropriety.

"Nine Treasures Glazed Academy disciple Ning Huan, greets Dean Yan."

"Nine Treasures Glazed Academy disciples Ning Tian (Wu Feng), greet Dean Yan."

"Mm, sit."

Yan Shaozhe's tone was extremely flat, revealing neither joy nor anger, but Ning Huan felt a sudden intuition.

This guy is definitely a bit unhappy! No way? Is he really that petty?!

He believed that from the moment they stepped through the door, their behavior had been perfectly polite.

As for their greeting, it hadn't even totaled twenty words.

The first half stated their identities, and the second half explained the purpose of their visit.

He couldn't see how that would make anyone pull a long face.

Could it be...

A flash of inspiration crossed his mind, and Ning Huan couldn't help but feel a sense of helplessness as he realized something.

He wouldn't really be treating us like fish in a barrel, would he?

Tsk, I underestimated him; I was too impulsive...

Time ticked by, second by second, and the atmosphere in the room remained heavy with silence.

Ning Huan, harboring reservations, dared not speak easily, while Ning Tian and Wu Feng sat to the side, equally silent.

Yan Shaozhe, on the other hand, busied himself with the files before him.

He showed no intention of acknowledging the three of them at all.

It was not until half an hour had passed that the latter's steady, powerful voice finally resonated once more.

"Since the three of you are here at Shrek Academy for your studies for the first time, you might as well walk around and see more; perhaps you will develop new ideas during your stay."

"However, I am old, and I likely have little in common with young people."

"How about this: I will arrange for some Inner Court disciples to accompany you later to help you find your way around."

"As it happens, I also need to handle matters regarding the enrollment of new students, so I cannot keep you company for long."

Ning Huan nodded subconsciously upon hearing this.

He snapped back to his senses immediately, a flicker of confusion and realization crossing his eyes as he looked up at Yan Shaozhe.

"Many thanks for your care, Dean Yan. We juniors shall take our leave now."

"Tian'er, Wu Feng."

With that, he promptly signaled to the bewildered Ning Tian and Wu Feng, and they slowly retreated from the Dean's Office.

He failed to notice the inexplicable expression on the latter's face under the sunlight.

Thud...

As the sound of the door closing quietly faded, Yan Shaozhe's suspicions finally reached their peak.

"Du Weilun, what do you think of those three?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a hidden door not far away suddenly opened.

A middle-aged man exuding the aura of a Soul Douluo stepped out from within, his attitude one of utmost respect.

"Forgive my poor judgment, but I cannot tell anything."

"I see..."

Yan Shaozhe narrowed his eyes, his fingertips tapping lightly against the desk.

"In truth, I also feel there is nothing particularly outstanding about the three of them."

"A twelve-year-old Soul Elder and a fifteen-year-old Soul King—while rare on the continent, Shrek Academy is not exactly lacking in such talent."

"It is just that..."

"I have a feeling that the boy named Ning Huan is not simple."

Recalling the intelligence report he had discarded like trash three years ago, Yan Shaozhe found himself unable to make a firm decision.

If he were to consider the academy's position, the right course of action would be to let them stay for three months.

Neither mistreat them nor show them favoritism.

Under the premise of ensuring their personal safety, he would treat them exactly like ordinary students.

But as a level 95 Super Douluo, he had always trusted his intuition.

If his hesitation caused a true genius to slip through his fingers, he feared he would regret it for a long time.

Yet, doing so would inevitably lead to hostility between Shrek Academy and Nine Treasures Glazed Academy.

This was certainly not something his teacher or the many Elder of the Sea God Pavilion would want to see.

In the end, after weighing the pros and cons, Yan Shaozhe had no choice but to resolve to plan for the long term.

"Du Weilun, after some time, arrange for a few Soul King disciples from the Inner Court to let them..."

Before he could finish, he shook his head and cut himself off.

"Sigh, forget it. Those of the same age are weaker than him, and those of the same strength are older; it would sound bad to bully the young with the old."

"Let Le Xuan go instead. Her status as the Inner Court's senior sister is sufficient; it won't be a slight to them."

"The Dean is wise; I shall go at once."

After Yan Shaozhe finished speaking, Du Weilun offered a subtle compliment.

He then respectfully retreated the way he came, secretly pondering the deeper meaning behind the Dean's words.