Thoughts on Shrek Academy

He did not want to owe Shrek too many favors, only to find himself unable to pay them back and forced to remain tethered to the academy.

At the same time, he worried that if he refused, the people at Shrek might change their attitude toward him.

As it turned out, there was no need to worry; Yan Shaozhe hadn't actually given him anything of substance.

Being a core disciple of the outer courtyard was something Song Mu could have attained on his own, and he would have passed the inner courtyard assessment even if it hadn't been waived.

As for the hundred-thousand-year soul beast? In the original story, the hundred-thousand-year soul beast Yan Shaozhe promised Huo Yuhao never materialized, even by the time Huo Yuhao became a god.

Furthermore, Song Mu had no intention of letting others help him when he hunted hundred-thousand-year soul beasts in the future.

Song Mu felt speechless inside, though he maintained a neutral expression as he asked Yan Shaozhe, "Then, is there anything you need me to do?"

Yan Shaozhe smiled and waved his hand.

"You don't need to pay anything. You just need to attend classes as usual and graduate from Shrek normally."

"Shrek Academy is the number one academy on the Douluo Continent, so it is our duty to cultivate powerhouses for the continent."

"Since Student Song Mu has such talent, you deserve to receive such treatment."

"If you insist on knowing what you must give in return, then let it be that you contribute whatever strength you can to protect the academy and the continent."

Song Mu said with a serious expression, "Thank you for the academy's cultivation. Song Mu will certainly live up to the academy's expectations."

The smile on Yan Shaozhe's face deepened. "Haha, that is excellent."

After leaving Yan Shaozhe's office, Song Mu planned to return to his dormitory.

From their first meeting, Song Mu had a very poor impression of Yan Shaozhe.

It was fortunate that the academy hadn't been the one to help him awaken his martial soul; otherwise, staying at Shrek Academy and being around someone like Yan Shaozhe would have been unbearable.

Summoning his martial soul, Song Mu connected his consciousness to Wang Dong'er and asked, "What do you think of the things Yan Shaozhe offered?"

Wang Dong'er thought for a moment and said, "I think it's great! You get to be a core disciple immediately, you can enter the inner courtyard without an assessment, and they'll help you hunt soul beasts in the future—even hundred-thousand-year ones!"

"Most importantly, you don't have to pay any price. You just need to help Shrek Academy within your capabilities once you become strong."

Song Mu listened quietly as Wang Dong'er stated her thoughts, not interrupting her.

If Song Mu were merely an eleven-year-old boy, having been received by the dean and promised help in hunting a hundred-thousand-year soul beast, all without any strings attached, he would have felt the same way as Wang Dong'er.

Huo Yuhao in the original story had been hit by just such a sugar-coated shell, becoming utterly devoted to Shrek Academy.

Song Mu asked, "If you were me, and after graduation, Shrek demanded that you stay at the academy, what would you do?"

Wang Dong'er hesitated. "I would probably stay. After all, Shrek Academy is the number one academy on the Douluo Continent."

Song Mu asked, "If the academy told you to use your martial soul to help them hunt soul beasts, would you do it?"

Wang Dong'er replied, "I don't think I would refuse."

Song Mu said, "In that case, don't you think you've already paid a great price for Shrek? Can you still say there was no cost?"

Wang Dong'er fell silent. After a long while, she spoke, "I think I understand. You mean that although the academy didn't explicitly state what I had to pay, everything was secretly marked with a price."

Song Mu praised her, "Not bad, your analysis is spot on."

Wang Dong'er asked, "Since you know all this, why did you agree to Yan Shaozhe?"

Song Mu replied, "The resources Yan Shaozhe offered look generous, but in reality, he is paying very little."

"Since I have no psychological burden, there is no harm in agreeing to him, and it will make my life at Shrek more comfortable for now."

Wang Dong'er asked, "Didn't he promise to help you hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul beast?"

Song Mu said, "As you said, Yan Shaozhe only promised to help; who can say for sure if he will actually do it later?"

"I am telling you this so you understand my perspective. When I eventually decide to leave Shrek, there won't be any conflict between us."

Wang Dong'er said, "Mm, I understand. Actually, you don't need to worry about my thoughts."

Song Mu said, "We are partners who will fight side by side. If our philosophies don't align, that would be a major problem."

Arriving at a crossroads, Song Mu stopped.

Continuing forward led back to the dormitory, while turning right led to the Beast Fighting Zone.

Song Mu said, "It's still early to go back to the dorm. Do you want to go to the Beast Fighting Zone and have some fun? I noticed you were quite interested in soul beast hunting yesterday."

Wang Dong'er had been interested when she first heard the suggestion, but upon hearing Song Mu's words, she exclaimed, "Why would I be interested in hunting soul beasts? You must have seen wrong."

"However, catching soul beasts is quite beneficial for you, so let's go."

The corners of Song Mu's mouth curled upward uncontrollably. "Then I must thank Miss Dong'er for being so thoughtful of me."

Wang Dong'er tilted her head slightly. "That's right."

Changing direction, Song Mu headed toward the Beast Fighting Zone.

Song Mu asked again, "What about tonight? Are you coming out? Let's go for a stroll outside the academy."

Wang Dong'er replied decisively, "No."

No sooner had she said it than Wang Dong'er regretted it. She had been staying in her room for many days without stepping out once; she had long been itching to leave the room and go out to play.

Yet, she felt a certain fear of the outside world and could not bring herself to make the decision to come out.

Song Mu did not ask again and walked toward the Beast Fighting Zone.

Inside the King Ball, Wang Dong'er sat on a chair, feeling a bit sullen.

That idiot, couldn't he have been a little more forceful? He should have let her out and refused to let her go back.

If he had said, "How can you stay in your room all the time? You must come with me to Shrek City today," she still would have reluctantly gone with him.

However, Wang Dong'er's gloom did not last long. By the time they reached the Beast Fighting Zone to capture a soul beast, she had become full of interest, appearing even more excited than Song Mu.

Inside the Soul Beast Garden, a lion crouched before Song Mu; it was a Flame Lion just over a thousand years old.

Elder Gong was not by their side. As an elder, he had a lot of work and could not possibly accompany a freshman at all times.

Song Mu reached out his hand and gently stroked the Blazing Lion's smooth fur.

"Hey, Song Mu, does it feel comfortable to touch? I've never touched a lion's fur before. From the time I was little until now, I've never had close contact with a soul beast. Don't you think it would be so cool to ride it to class around Shrek Academy!"

Listening to Wang Dong'er's endless chatter, Song Mu replied, "Since you're so curious, why don't you just come out and try touching it yourself?"

Wang Dong'er said, "Hmph, who's curious? Staying in the room is fine; I don't like going out."

Song Mu had heard such insincere words many times over the past few days.

Wang Dong'er could come out whenever she was willing; he would not force her.