Shrek Seven Devils! Aren't You Moved? Don't You Understand Gratitude Academy?

"You know what, this place is actually quite impressive!"

Xie Xie stood by the car window, gazing at the street scene flashing by, and casually remarked.

Star Luo City is indeed vast in area; upon entering the city, one can see its tall and thick city walls.

The city walls were equipped with various soul-guided weapons, resembling a military fortress ready to respond to war at any time.

The streets are wide and clean, lined with shops on both sides, and pedestrians come and go constantly.

Compared to Star Luo City in the Douluo Continent, the style here is more ancient, as if it has preserved the charm of an earlier era.

The Star Luo Empire originated from the Star Luo Imperial Family of the Douluo Continent, but its development was not as rapid as that of the Sun Moon Federation, and it still retains its ancient style.

The convoy came to a stop in front of a building with a predominantly gold and white color scheme.

The Star Luo Hotel, the accommodation arranged by the Empire.

The group walked up the steps and entered, where the interior decoration was even more exquisite.

Everything in sight was resplendent in gold and jade, extravagant to the extreme.

Zhuo Shi gathered everyone together, his gaze settling on several young faces in turn:

"Before you go back to your rooms to rest, let me explain your arrangements."

He paused for a moment, as if to make sure everyone was listening:

"You beat out many of your peers and senior students to secure this exchange opportunity."

"Many people never get to visit the Star Luo Continent in their entire lives. This is a rare opportunity, so I hope you will make the most of it."

He then changed the subject.

"Do you remember what I said?"

"I suggest you sign up for as many as you can; participation is the most important thing."

"Experience firsthand the combat power of the Star Luo Empire Soul Master and grow stronger through repeated trials."

He paused, lowering his voice slightly:

"Furthermore, the Sea God Pavilion attaches great importance to this exchange with the Star Luo Continent."

"As you should know, the name of the Shrek Seven Devils has been vacant for a long time, and the elders intend to select a new generation of Shrek Seven Devils."

"All seven of you are under consideration."

Shrek Academy only looks at ability, not background.

"If you are willing to stay in the academy in the future, there is a high chance that you will be awarded the honor of being the Shrek Seven Devils."

Upon hearing this, several pairs of eyes lit up simultaneously.

Tang Wulin and Xu Lizhi's pupils seemed to burn with flames, eager to immediately step onto the stage of the competition and prove themselves.

Yue Zhengyu scratched his brow, his expression less enthusiastic than theirs, but not exactly indifferent either.

He was going back to the Holy Angel Family to become their heir, but as for the Shrek Seven Devils spot, he wasn't nearly as eager as the other two.

But they still felt a sense of honor, after all, they had all grown up listening to the legends of the Shrek Seven Devils.

If they could become the person they dream of being, it would be an incredible opportunity for them.

Ye Xinglan's gaze was unusually complex.

In the past, she would probably have been just as overjoyed as they were, but at this moment, she felt that it was just a title.

Her attention, however, became more scattered, as if she were pondering something more specific.

After all, these titles are meaningless; true strength is what lasts.

She wants to catch up with Bai Yuan and reach the top of the continent.

Xu Lizhi glanced at her, his eyes carrying a meaning he couldn't quite articulate.

Wherever Xinglan goes, I will go too.

I had long since grown accustomed to living by her side.

Yuanen Yehui stood at the edge of the crowd, silently making comparisons in her mind.

The Titan Giant Ape Family was nothing more than a cage she wanted to escape from.

The conditions offered by the Spirit Pagoda were much more generous than those offered by Shrek, and Bai Yuan was also there.

I can take my relationship with him to the next level.

"Ptooey! Ptooey! Ptooey!"

"What are you thinking about!"

She only wanted to work for him. She secretly glanced at Bai Yuan and found that his face was expressionless.

Bai Yuan stood quietly, his gaze fixed straight ahead, his expression calm.

They seemed completely indifferent to the title "Shrek Seven Devils".

Gu Yuena stood beside him, her expression even more indifferent than Bai Yuan's, appearing completely detached.

For them, graduation will come directly after the Star Luo Empire Journey ends.

Returning to the Spirit Pagoda, the so-called glory of the Shrek Seven Devils is nothing more than the name of another power.

Besides, they're practically the personal son and daughter of the Spirit Pagoda, so why would they come here to be Shrek Academy's lackeys?

Zhuo Shi took in everyone's reactions, his gaze lingering on Bai Yuan and Gu Yuena's faces for a moment before shifting away.

He sighed softly to himself.

As expected, these two people ultimately felt no sense of belonging to Shrek.

He didn't voice his regret, but simply looked away.

"Come on, tell me your thoughts."

"We respect everyone's decision!"

"Individual combat."

After Bai Yuan finished speaking, the surroundings were quiet for a moment.

That pause caused Zhuo Shi's gaze to shift from him back to the others.

Tang Wulin was the first to break the silence:

"I've signed up for the individual competition, and Xie Xie!"

Others followed suit, some signing up for the individual competition, others adding a preliminary round.

Zhuo Shi listened to those voices, nodded, and a hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes.

Although things didn't go smoothly on Bai Yuan's side, at least there were other people taking this exchange seriously.

He glanced in Tang Wulin's direction, then looked away:

"Can."

The voice carried a hint of confirmation.

Bai Yuan stood at the edge of the crowd.

Zhuo Shi's gaze turned and lingered on Bai Yuan for a moment:

"You're so talented, aren't you planning to apply for other programs?"

Bai Yuan's voice was calm and steady, revealing no emotion.

"No, my abilities are limited, I won't go and embarrass myself."

Zhuo Shi didn't press the matter further, but he sighed silently in his heart.

Well.

I know it myself.

I've been trying to tame it for so long, but it still won't tame.

The academy's original plan was for him to participate in all four competitions to undermine Monster Academy's confidence, but now it seems that this plan is destined to fail.

But at least he signed up for the individual competition.

This is the most popular and widely publicized competition in the Star Luo Continent, so this result is barely acceptable.

"Go back and rest, then prepare well for the match."

Bai Yuan turned to leave.

Everyone else had left, leaving only Zhuo Shi and himself standing in the corridor.

A silence, not yet fully settled, lingered between them.

"You stay."

The voices of this Zhuo Shi are not loud.

Bai Yuan stopped and turned to look at him, not asking questions immediately, but quietly waiting for him to continue.

Zhuo Shi looked at him, his gaze carrying a layer of patience that was settling in:

"The Sea God Pavilion hopes you can participate in all the matches."

Bai Yuan did not avoid that gaze:

"I declined; I don't have the energy to deal with it."

A barely perceptible ripple flickered in the eyes of Zhuo Shi:

"Shrek Seven Devils, aren't you tempted either?"

Bai Yuan smiled, as if he had heard something he had already anticipated:

"You know the true value of the pie you drew yourself, so there's no need to bring it up again."

The smile was faint, like a ripple on the surface of water that lingers briefly before disappearing.

Zhuo Shi remained silent; he could feel his face growing slightly hot.

He knew in his heart how much of what he said was true.

There are other conditions behind the Shrek Seven Devils' spots; they can't possibly be obtained as easily as he just said.

Even he himself might not be able to fully explain what price he would have to pay to actually push that door open.

He was silent for a moment, then changed direction:

"Don't you have any gratitude towards Shrek?"

"Isn't it only right that we do something for the college?"

Bai Yuan looked at him, his smile fading.

"Dean Zhuo, have you forgotten?"

"I'm here for an exchange program, not as a student of your esteemed institution."

"I am a member of the Spirit Pagoda."

"It's all an equal exchange, so why should I feel grateful?"

"You!!!"

Zhuo Shi stood there, his temper just about to flare up.

Out of the corner of their eye, they could see Mu Ye standing a few steps away, quietly watching them.

Zhuo Shi paused in his throat, suppressing the lingering echoes that had reached the edge of his throat.

He ultimately didn't speak, but simply stood there in silence.

Bai Yuan nodded:

"If there's nothing else, I'll head back to my room."

He turned and walked towards the other end of the corridor, his footsteps fading into the distance in the empty passageway.

Zhuo Shi stood there watching the figure disappear at the end of the corridor, and only after a long while did he look away.

He took out his Soul Guidance Communicator and dialed a number.

"Elder Long,"

His voice was a few decibels lower than before.

"He refuses to work for Shrek."

"Whether?"

"Need to handle this?"