June in Shrek City.
It was like a giant powder keg set ablaze, its excitement and clamor shooting straight into the sky.
The Outer Court's annual opening ceremony wasn't just a grand occasion for the academy—it was a celebration for the entire city.
Young Soul Masters from the three great empires and even the Sun Moon Empire arrived with their dreams and recommendation letters, surging in like countless rivers flowing into the sea.
The streets teemed with carriages and people, and the inns were packed.
Business was so good that the shopkeepers were grinning from ear to ear.
Even some Soul Tools just beginning to find use in everyday life—
things like lamps and speaking tubes—had become rare sights that drew crowds of curious tourists, breathing a different kind of vitality into this ancient academy city.
Compared with the hustle and bustle outside, the Building Jia Room 301 dormitory where Lin Ciyan lived was a little haven of peace.
As for the dormitory's conditions... let's just say they were very "Shrek."
Two hard beds, two small wardrobes, one desk, and a bathroom balcony with nothing but cold water.
The verdict: think company dormitories from a previous life, where you worked nine-nine-six. The theme was learning to cherish the good by remembering the bad.
Still, Lin Ciyan took it in stride.
He tidied up a little, threw open the window, and let the breeze carrying the dampness of Sea God Lake and the sunlight pour in.
Then he flopped onto the bed by the window, adjusted himself into the most comfortable position, and began his "first lesson at school"—Deep Meditation (sleeping).
The place was a bit shabby, but at least it was quiet.
As long as your heart was in the art of slacking off, anywhere could be a Golden Tree Hammock.
He didn't know how long had passed when the soft sound of the dormitory door opening roused him from that wondrous, half-asleep state.
"Who's there?" Lin Ciyan lazily cracked open one eye.
At the door, Bei Bei stood with his luggage, looking utterly bewildered as he glanced at Lin Ciyan, then down at his key and the number on the door.
"234... No mistake!" Bei Bei scratched his head, then broke into a delighted smile.
"Brother Lin! I can't believe we're so fated—we got assigned to the same dorm!"
Lin Ciyan yawned and slowly sat up. "Fated? Two Inner Court connections get placed in the best dormitory area, and then happen to end up in the same room... Think about it. Think carefully."
Bei Bei paused, then caught on and chuckled. Without saying anything more, he started unpacking.
But his movements were clearly a little distracted.
Every now and then, a suspicious blush and goofy grin crossed his face.
Lin Ciyan's eyelid twitched at the sight. He couldn't help asking, "Hey, Bei Bei, why do you look like you're lovesick? Did you find money on the road or meet the love of your life?"
Bei Bei froze, then looked at Lin Ciyan with some embarrassment. "You... you already know?"
"Obviously. There's a girl right beside you, and I'm not blind." Lin Ciyan rolled his eyes.
"It's Tang Ya, isn't it? Look at you. You spent the whole day helping her, and you're only getting around to unpacking now."
With his feelings laid bare, Bei Bei seemed to loosen up. A dreamy note crept into his voice. "Brother Lin, you don't understand! Xiao Ya... she's really special!"
"I feel like her whole body is glowing. She draws me in every second! She might be the one I'm destined to be with!"
Blegh!
Lin Ciyan fought down the rising stomach acid and kept a plastic smile plastered on his face. "Oh, right, right, right. True love conquers all. I trust your judgment! (As if.)"
He couldn't stand the sour stink of love anymore and decided to make his escape.
"You take your time unpacking your destined love. I'm going to get dinner." Lin Ciyan stood up, dusted off his backside, and headed for the door.
"Huh? Brother Lin, aren't you going to wait for me?" Bei Bei called after him.
"I'll pass. If I listen to you go on any longer, I won't be able to eat dinner." Without looking back, Lin Ciyan waved. He would put aside his urge to help and respect other people's fates!
Watching Lin Ciyan slip away, Bei Bei didn't mind at all. He happily went back to unpacking, already planning to look for Tang Ya later.
The Shrek Outer Court cafeteria was enormous, large enough to seat thousands of people at once.
It used a self-service system, with a wide variety of food, from ordinary ingredients to delicacies rich in Soul Power. Of course, the prices were "lovely" too.
Long tables stood in neat rows throughout the hall, with no individual seats. The students stood as they quickly demolished their meals, embodying the academy's dedication to efficiency above all else.
Lin Ciyan got himself a Soul Beast steak that looked pretty good and a few pieces of fresh fruit.
He'd just found a spot and was about to dig in when he looked up and saw the "sight" he least wanted to see.
Bei Bei and Tang Ya had just gotten their food too. They were chatting as they looked for somewhere to eat.
Bei Bei wore a bright, enthusiastic smile, while Tang Ya kept her head slightly lowered, responding now and then in a gentle, quiet manner.
Great. So much for eating in peace.
Lin Ciyan grumbled inwardly, though his face remained expressionless.
Bei Bei spotted him too and immediately waved excitedly. "Brother Lin! Over here!"
With no choice, Lin Ciyan watched the two of them approach with their trays. The three met up and stood by a window.
"Xiao Ya, this is the best brother I told you about, Lin Ciyan." Bei Bei introduced them enthusiastically.
"Brother Lin, this is Tang Ya."
"Hello." Lin Ciyan nodded to Tang Ya, his tone even—neither overly friendly nor discourteous.
Tang Ya raised her head and glanced quickly at Lin Ciyan. Her voice was softer than a mosquito's buzz. "H-hello, Student Lin." She seemed a little shy, but also curious.
As they ate, Bei Bei naturally became the center of conversation.
He kept telling stories about his and Lin Ciyan's childhood—mostly about how Lin Ciyan had "crushed" him—
as well as Lin Ciyan's absurd "slacker-style cultivation" and formidable strength.
Tang Ya listened quietly, chiming in now and then, but her gaze kept sneaking toward Lin Ciyan. Her curiosity grew by the moment.
Finally, when Bei Bei once again brought up how astonishing Lin Ciyan's talent was, Tang Ya seemed to make up her mind.
She set down her cutlery, took a deep breath, and looked at Lin Ciyan with an inexplicable hopefulness... and a trace of barely concealed urgency.
"St-Student Lin," she began, her voice growing louder, determination shining in her eyes. "You're so powerful. Would you be interested in... joining the Tang Sect?"
"Pfft—cough, cough, cough!" Lin Ciyan nearly spat out his fruit juice. He forced it down and ended up choking, coughing violently.
His eyes widened as he stared at Tang Ya, who was making her "sincere" invitation. In his mind, ten thousand alpacas stampeded past, their thoughts scrolling furiously:
Join the Tang Sect?!
Did I hear that wrong, or has your Tang Sect not finished its bankruptcy proceedings yet?
With you included, aren't you basically a one-woman sect right now?
You're inviting me to join? Am I supposed to be a free high-level bodyguard, or a dog for that God King behind you?
I can't handle this heaven-sent fortune (trouble)!
Bei Bei, do something about your "destined love" and her love-addled brain! This stuff is contagious!
After finally catching his breath, he looked at Tang Ya's hopeful eyes and Bei Bei's expression that clearly said "Come on, brother, say yes—this is a great opportunity," and felt a massive headache coming on.
It seemed life in the Shrek Outer Court was destined to keep him from slacking off in peace.
He'd run into the setup quest for the ultimate dungeon right at the start!