Suotuo City teemed with people. Street vendors hawked their wares, and Soul Masters chatted among themselves, filling the streets with the lively bustle of everyday life.
Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena, an extraordinary-looking "couple," strolled down the street, drawing frequent glances from passersby. They were already used to it and paid them no mind.
"Have you heard?
Shrek Academy officially started accepting students today!"
"Wasn't the entrance exam supposed to happen a few days ago?
Because of that golden Sky Screen?"
"Yeah!
Once the Sky Screen appeared, who could focus on an exam?
They had to stop it midway.
It's only starting again today!"
"Come on, let's go see the excitement!
I heard quite a few talented Soul Masters came from out of town to sign up this time!"
The excited chatter of several young Soul Masters reached Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena.
Gu Yuena's purple eyes flickered. She turned to Gu Yuan and said softly:
"Shrek Academy... Xiao Yuan, I can sense that little rabbit's presence. She's in that direction."
Gu Yuena gazed toward somewhere beyond the city, a rare trace of worry in her eyes.
"Her identity was exposed by the Sky Screen. Tang Hao's presence means no one dares attack her openly for now, but who knows how many greedy eyes are watching her in secret?
After all, the temptation of a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and Soul Bone is enough to make many people risk everything."
Gu Yuena didn't know what Xiao Wu would do in the original story, so it was only natural for her to worry about Xiao Wu's safety.
Gu Yuan thought it over, then couldn't help smiling.
He chuckled inwardly.
If Na'er knew that, if he hadn't transmigrated into this world, she would one day have to call this little rabbit "Mom," how would she feel?
As for Xiao Wu's safety?
Gu Yuan wasn't especially concerned.
Otherwise, the moment the Sky Screen exposed Xiao Wu, he would have taken Gu Yuena straight to rescue her.
If Xiao Wu had only just left the Star Dou Great Forest, that would be one thing.
Back then, she wouldn't have been like she was now—
entering the human world under the pretext of avenging her mother, only to spend six years playing around in Nuoding City with Tang San.
With Innate Full Soul Power, yet after six years she was only at level 29.
And still going on about avenging her mother.
In Gu Yuan's eyes, if he were the Golden Dragon King on Douluo Planet, he'd have gobbled her up in one bite.
Gu Yuena hesitated, then looked at Gu Yuan, her voice carrying a hint of entreaty:
"Could we... go see how she's doing?
After all, she's one of the Soul Beast Clan."
Gu Yuan sighed inwardly.
Na'er was still too pure and kind.
More precisely, after meeting Gu Yuan, Gu Yuena had chosen from the start to make herself more "affectionate," so she could truly fall in love with him and, one day, bear the Son of the Dragon God, who would possess both the Silver Dragon King and Golden Dragon King Bloodlines.
This was a second personality Gu Yuena had deliberately "brought forth."
But unlike the second personality in Douluo III, this one was, to be more precise, a second personality that overlaid her original one.
At the same time, a meaningful smile tugged at Gu Yuan's lips.
He'd been itching for a chance to "stretch his legs" in the human world, and Shrek Academy was undoubtedly the perfect stage.
Since he was already here, wouldn't it be a waste to leave without making a legend?
The whole protagonist group had gathered at Shrek Academy.
He'd spent six years lying low in the Star Dou Great Forest.
All he had for company were Di Tian and those other fierce, fearsome Ferocious Beasts.
With nothing else to do, he could only ride the Sky Azure Bull Python or tease the Titan Giant Ape.
After a while, that sort of life really gave him nothing to look forward to.
"Sure."
Gu Yuan readily agreed. He tightened his grip on Gu Yuena's hand, golden light swirling in his eyes as an air of arrogant amusement shone through.
"You're right, Na'er. How could we stand by while one of our own is in trouble?
Besides, I'm curious to see what's so special about this so-called Shrek Academy that only accepts monsters."
Gu Yuan kept his laughter to himself.
At the same time, he thought:
Judging by the current timeline, Yu Xiaogang probably hasn't reached Shrek yet, has he? What a shame. This trip would've been even more entertaining if he were there.
Decision made, the two wasted no time. Gu Yuena sensed the spatial coordinates, and silver light silently enveloped them. The next moment, they vanished from the noisy streets of Suotuo City without attracting anyone's attention.
Shrek Academy, at the humble village entrance.
After the shock of the Sky Screen incident, the atmosphere around the academy's entrance exam had turned strange.
Zhao Wuji stood in the middle of the Fourth Trial with his arms crossed and a scowl darker than usual. He looked over the few candidates who remained—
Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu kept her head down. Her usual liveliness had vanished, and she stood silently beside Tang San as if shrouded in an invisible gloom, though she deliberately kept a little distance from him.
Tang San's brows were tightly furrowed, his expression complicated. Pain and confusion over his father's actions mingled with worry about Xiao Wu's condition.
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing looked equally solemn. Evidently, they had yet to recover from the shock the Sky Screen had caused.
Flender pushed up his glasses and said gravely:
"The exam was suspended earlier because of the Sky Screen phenomenon.
Now, the Fourth Trial will continue!
Zhao Wuji, light the incense!"
Zhao Wuji grunted and was about to move.
Suddenly, an indescribable pressure descended without warning!
It wasn't the suppression of Soul Power Levels. It was an absolute authority rooted in the very hierarchy of life, in the essence of the soul.
Everyone present—even Zhao Wuji, a Soul Saint—felt their breath catch and their hearts clench as though gripped by an invisible hand!
"Who's there?!"
Zhao Wuji jerked his head up. Soul Power erupted from him, and seven Soul Rings appeared in an instant as he warily scanned the sky.
Above the academy, space rippled like water. Two figures appeared quietly, then began to descend.
The man had black hair and golden eyes, with a peerlessly handsome face. He looked only twelve or thirteen, but his golden eyes held a depth and majesty at odds with his age, brimming with an imperious presence.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his posture casual, yet he carried the air of a sovereign over all creation.
The woman was even more breathtaking. Silver-haired and violet-eyed, she was so beautiful she seemed otherworldly. A simple silver gown looked more divine and regal on her than an emperor's ceremonial robes.
She merely stood there, and the elements around her leapt with joy and bowed in submission.
They were none other than Gu Yuan and Gu Yuena!
Their appearance instantly drew everyone's attention.
The invisible pressure radiated from them.
"May I ask what brings you two to Shrek Academy? Is there anything you need us to do?"
Flender forced down his unease, stepped forward, and asked in a solemn voice.
They were standing in midair. That meant they were at least Titled Douluo!
He absolutely couldn't afford to offend them.
The silver-haired woman in particular made him feel as insignificant as if he were facing a vast sea of stars.
Gu Yuan's gaze swept over everyone present, lingering briefly on Xiao Wu, who had her head bowed.
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