Strange Reaction

Still, though she was disappointed, Ning Tian didn't feel the slightest regret.

Because to her, whether it was home or Shrek,

as long as she could stay by Ning Huan's side, it didn't really matter where she went.

Besides, the moment she'd heard they needed to study abroad, she'd guessed that the three of them had come to Shrek as a team with a mission.

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

A little discomfort and fewer creature comforts were nothing she couldn't put up with!

"Sigh~ It's only three months, give or take. Let's just say I'm finally fulfilling an immature fantasy from back then."

"You really do love fooling around."

Seeing the girl deliberately pout and put on an adorable, helpless expression,

Ning Huan couldn't help shaking his head with a laugh, his eyes full of affection.

At that moment, he suddenly understood why so many people liked raising someone from childhood.

It really did feel pretty good~

There was just one thing he had to be careful about.

Children's bodies and minds developed so quickly these days that one careless mistake could earn you a life sentence.

Temporarily suppressing the criminal thoughts in his mind, Ning Huan quickly straightened his expression.

He led the two girls toward the most distinctive building among the distant cluster of buildings.

There was no doubt about it: if one building stood out from a whole stretch of "simple" architecture, it had to belong to the leadership. He'd eat his hat otherwise!

"Come on. Let's pay a visit to Senior Yan Shaozhe in the Dean's Office first."

"We've come from far away. As juniors, the three of us can't afford to be discourteous and give people something to gossip about."

"Okay."

In the next moment, Ning Tian instantly wiped the smile from her face and followed silently behind Ning Huan.

Wu Feng, who seemed to be lost in thought, also hurried after them.

For once, she didn't snap at him.

A short while later...

Under the guidance of the staff, Ning Huan and the two girls arrived at the Dean's Office without a hitch and prepared to go inside.

But as soon as the door had opened halfway, the furnishings within left them staring in stunned amazement.

The first thing they saw was a screen of yellow rosewood, adorned with an ink painting of rivers and mountains and clouds woven in golden threads.

Beyond it stood all manner of antique wooden furniture and potted plants.

The layout was ingenious and balanced. Though there was plenty to see, nothing made the room feel cluttered or oppressive.

At the same time, seven-colored mists drifted from a celadon incense burner on the rosewood desk.

Blending with the midday sunlight streaming in through the window, they cast a mysterious veil over the unsmiling middle-aged man.

Ning Huan and Ning Tian exchanged a silent glance. The same thought surfaced in both their minds:

'Any one of the things in this room could probably fetch a sky-high price!'

'Our academy really does fall short!'

Unfortunately, they both knew this clearly wasn't the time to discuss it.

Facing this long-renowned Super Douluo, Ning Huan wouldn't dare show the slightest sign of anything amiss, whether for the sake of his sect or himself.

"Greetings, Dean Yan. I'm Ning Huan, a disciple of the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy."

"Greetings, Dean Yan. We're Ning Tian and Wu Feng, disciples of the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy."

"Mm. Have a seat."

Yan Shaozhe's utterly flat tone gave nothing away, but Ning Huan had a feeling about it.

'This guy is definitely a little unhappy! Come on, is he really that petty?!'

As far as Ning Huan could tell, everything the three of them had done since entering the room had been perfectly proper.

As for their formal greeting, it hadn't even been twenty words in total.

The first half stated who they were, and the second explained why they'd come.

How could that be enough to make someone's face turn sour the moment he heard it?

Could it be...

A flash of inspiration crossed his mind. Ning Huan suddenly felt helpless as he thought he'd figured it out.

'Don't tell me he really thinks we're already in the bag?'

'Tsk, I underestimated him. I acted too rashly...'

Time ticked by, but the room remained silent.

Wary of the situation, Ning Huan didn't dare speak casually. Ning Tian and Wu Feng sat beside him, just as quiet.

Yan Shaozhe, meanwhile, simply went on sorting through the documents before him.

He showed no sign of acknowledging the three of them.

Only after half an hour had passed did his calm, resonant voice sound again.

"You three are visiting Shrek for the first time to study. Why not walk around and have a look? You might come up with a new idea while you're here."

"But I'm an old man. I probably don't have much in common with young people."

"How about this: I'll arrange for an inner court disciple to go with you and show you around."

"I also have to take care of matters concerning the new students, so I can't spend much time with you."

Ning Huan nodded instinctively when he heard this.

Then he came to his senses and looked up at Yan Shaozhe, a hint of confusion and understanding flashing across his eyes.

"Thank you for your consideration, Dean Yan. Then we'll take our leave."

"Tian'er, Wu Feng."

With that, he called to Ning Tian and Wu Feng, who were both at a loss, and slowly backed out of the Dean's Office.

He didn't notice the inscrutable expression on Yan Shaozhe's face in the sunlight.

Click...

The door closed with a quiet thud. At that moment, Yan Shaozhe's doubts finally reached their peak.

"Weilun, what do you think of the three of them?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a concealed door nearby suddenly opened.

A middle-aged man with the aura of a Soul Douluo stepped out and answered with utmost respect.

"Forgive my poor judgment, but I can't see anything special about them."

"I see..."

Yan Shaozhe narrowed his eyes and lightly tapped the desktop with his fingertips.

"Actually, I don't think there's anything particularly outstanding about the three of them either."

"A twelve-year-old Soul Elder and a fifteen-year-old Soul King may be rare on the mainland, but Shrek isn't exactly short on people like that."

"However..."

"I can't shake the feeling that the boy called Ning Huan is no ordinary person."

Thinking again of that report from three years ago, which he'd tossed aside like trash, Yan Shaozhe found himself unsure what to make of it.

If he acted in the academy's best interests, then what he ought to do now was let them stay for the full three months.

Neither mistreat them nor favor them.

As long as their safety was ensured, he should treat them exactly like ordinary students.

But as a level ninety-five Super Douluo, he'd always trusted his instincts.

If his hesitation let a true genius slip through his fingers, he'd probably regret it for a long time.

But if he did that, Shrek Academy would inevitably fall out with the Nine Treasures Glazed Academy.

That was definitely not what his teacher or the many senior elders of the Sea God Pavilion wanted to see.

After weighing the pros and cons, Yan Shaozhe finally had no choice but to resolve to consider the matter at length.

"Weilun, after some time has passed, arrange a few inner court Soul King disciples to take them—"

But before he could finish, he shook his head and stopped himself.

"Sigh, forget it. Those of the same age are weaker than him, and those of the same strength are older. It wouldn't look good for us to bully the young."

"Let Lexuan go instead. As the inner court's senior sister, she's more than qualified, and it won't be an insult to them."

"Dean, you're wise. I'll go at once."

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

Then he respectfully retraced his steps, silently pondering the deeper meaning behind the dean's words.