Rose Heaven.
A massive pink crystal rose was set into the door, and gilded carvings displayed lavish luxury.
Tang Yin and Xiao Wu pushed the door open hand in hand.
In an instant.
The rich fragrance of roses swept over them.
The entire room was decorated in rose gold and soft pink, warm light spilling through gauzy curtains.
The living room was laid with a velvet carpet, and fresh roses filled every corner.
At the center of the master bedroom stood a huge, heart-shaped bed.
The silk bedding was adorned with rose petals, and layers of gauzy drapes hung from the domed ceiling.
A floor-to-ceiling window on one side overlooked Suotuo City.
The marble bathroom beside it had a double bathtub, accented with rose oil and scented candles.
Everywhere was exquisite and extravagant.
The romantic atmosphere was just right.
Xiao Wu stepped inside with a spring in her step, looked around, and felt quite pleased.
"This place is really nice!"
Tang Yin couldn't help nodding too.
He rarely stayed away from home, and this was the best hotel he'd ever stayed in.
"Why is there only one bed here?"
Xiao Wu plopped down on the enormous heart-shaped bed, then looked at Tang Yin with a troubled expression.
"Anyway, the bed's big enough that the two of us could do somersaults on it without getting in each other's way."
Tang Yin took two steps toward Xiao Wu.
He pounced on her, pinning her to the bed as he caught her fair wrists in his hands.
Their eyes met. Their noses brushed lightly, and their breaths fell against each other's faces.
For a moment.
The atmosphere turned instantly intimate.
"Tang Yin~"
"Do you remember what you said two years ago, when we first came to Suotuo City and were eating at that restaurant?"
Xiao Wu spoke softly, her gaze as gentle as water.
"Xiao Wu, I like you."
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
Tang Yin spoke slowly, then lowered his head and gently kissed her soft lips before quickly pulling back.
Xiao Wu had never resisted him.
After Tang Yin kissed her lips, her pretty face instantly turned bright red.
Especially her earlobes—they were burning hot.
"You little rascal, you actually kissed me~"
"I haven't even agreed to be your girlfriend yet~ You hooligan~"
Xiao Wu pouted slightly and spoke in a low voice.
Tang Yin smiled faintly, gently helped Xiao Wu up from the bed, and drew her into his arms.
"Xiao Wu, will you be my girlfriend?"
"I will~"
Xiao Wu gazed into Tang Yin's deep blue eyes, then suddenly closed hers and kissed him.
For a moment.
Rose Heaven fell quiet.
Before long.
A server brought the hotel's carefully prepared signature couples' meal to their room.
Now officially a couple, Tang Yin and Xiao Wu sat across from each other and ate. Every so often, their eyes met, and they would inexplicably break into laughter.
Xiao Wu had wanted to experience Rose Hotel, and she really had wanted to experience it.
They slept very well that night.
Tang Yin had struggled through the first half of the night, but slept soundly through the second.
Under the covers.
Wearing matching pajamas, the two held each other tightly and drifted into their dreams.
The bright moon shone outside, and the night air was a little cool.
Shrek Academy.
Student dormitory.
It was called a student dormitory, but in truth, it was just a cluster of villagers' houses.
They had also fallen into disrepair over the years.
They looked extremely shabby.
Ning Rongrong stood by the window, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, her heart full of disappointment.
Her disappointment was entirely with Shrek Academy.
She had thought the so-called Monster Academy was an extraordinary academy for geniuses.
She hadn't expected...
There were indeed geniuses, and they certainly deserved to be called "monsters," but...
"Haah!"
Ning Rongrong turned around and looked at the girl in the bed opposite hers.
The girl wore a tight black-and-purple leather battle suit that clung to her entire body, making her already stunning figure look even more alluring.
Her full, shapely bust and slender waist were striking. Her fitted battle skirt was practical and sleek, while long, straight legs and black boots made for a powerful sight. Her skin was cool and fair, a stark contrast to her dark outfit.
Her waterfall of black hair was tied into cat-ear shapes, and her delicate face was cold and beautiful, with sharp phoenix eyes.
Her manner was icy, but her figure was scorching.
Cold beauty and sensuality intertwined.
She was stunningly formidable.
"Zhuqing, why did you want to study at Shrek Academy?"
Ning Rongrong sat down beside her own bed and asked listlessly.
During the tests that day.
She had supported Zhu Zhuqing, who had held out for the length of an incense stick against Dai Mubai.
As a result, the two of them had both been accepted.
They were also the only two to pass the entrance test in more than two years.
Shrek Academy's student body had finally grown from three to five.
"To become stronger."
Zhu Zhuqing's eyes glimmered as she spoke softly.
"To become stronger?"
"I don't think this place can make you stronger. It's practically a scam academy."
"Though I can't say it's a complete scam."
"That Dai Mubai reached level thirty-five at fifteen. He's at least a small-time genius."
Ning Rongrong spoke slowly, her face resting in her hands.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't answer.
It wasn't just because she was cold by nature.
Another reason was that Ning Rongrong was talking about Dai Mubai.
Besides, the afternoon's test had drained her. She was too tired to speak.
"Hopefully Shrek Academy can surprise me tomorrow and stop disappointing me like this. Otherwise, I won't stick around."
Seeing that Zhu Zhuqing wasn't responding and was being so aloof, Ning Rongrong said no more.
She had just started to lie down when she wanted to sleep.
But the hard wooden bed made it difficult to fall asleep.
So she sat up and began meditating to cultivate her Soul Power.
Ning Rongrong eagerly wondered what kind of surprise Shrek Academy would bring her the next day.
Little did she know.
Her father had already laid a trap for her, and had temporarily handed the tripwire to Flender.
At that moment.
Flender's office.
Besides Flender and Yu Xiaogang, the deputy dean, Zhao Wuji, was there too.
"I really didn't expect it."
"The little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect actually came to study at my Shrek Academy."
"Look."
"This is a letter from Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"He asked me to keep Ning Rongrong in line."
Flender took out a letter in Ning Fengzhi's own hand and passed it to Yu Xiaogang.
Only...
He didn't mention the generous sum Ning Fengzhi had given him.
As the saying went, make your fortune quietly!
That was his life motto!
Yu Xiaogang opened the letter as he spoke. "Even so, you need to keep it within reason. Besides, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was pampered from childhood in her sect. She may not listen to you."
Flender smiled disdainfully.
Yu Xiaogang skimmed the letter, then passed it to Zhao Wuji and let out a long sigh. "It's a shame Tang Yin and Xiao Wu aren't here. If they were, my plan could still work."
"If they wanted to come, they'd have been here by now." Flender casually poured himself a cup of tea.
The tea was full of leaves and dregs.
He took a sip, then spat out half of it.
"By the way..."
"Xiaogang, what plan do you have? Why have I never heard you mention it?"
Flender asked curiously.
"In two and a half years, the Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament will be held."
"Unfortunately, it can only remain a dream."
"We don't have enough students, and your academy doesn't even qualify to compete."
Yu Xiaogang shook his head helplessly.
Flender's mouth twitched, and he rolled his eyes.
All he ever did was bring that up... Did he think Flender had no pride?