He didn't want to owe too many favors to Shrek, only to be unable to repay them in the end and be forced to tie himself 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 given him anything of real value at all.
Song Mu was already entitled to become an Outer Court core disciple, and even if the Inner Court entrance exam hadn't been canceled, he could have passed it.
As for the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast? In the original story, the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast Yan Shaozhe had promised Huo Yuhao never materialized, not even after Huo Yuhao became a god.
Besides, when Song Mu captured a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast in the future, he had no intention of asking anyone else for help.
Song Mu was speechless inside, but kept a normal expression as he asked Yan Shaozhe, "So, is there anything you need me to do?"
Yan Shaozhe smiled and waved his hand.
"There's nothing you need to give in return. Just attend classes as usual and graduate from Shrek normally."
"Our Shrek Academy is the number one academy on the Douluo Continent. It's our duty to cultivate strong people for the continent."
"Student Song Mu has this kind of talent, so you deserve this kind of treatment."
"If I had to say there was something you needed to give in return, it would be to do your part, to the best of your ability, to protect the academy and the continent."
Song Mu said earnestly, "Thank you for the academy's cultivation. I will live up to the academy's expectations."
Yan Shaozhe's smile grew broader. "Hahaha, excellent."
After leaving Yan Shaozhe's office, Song Mu planned to return to the dormitory.
Song Mu had a very poor impression of Yan Shaozhe after their first meeting.
Luckily, the academy hadn't helped him awaken his Martial Soul. Otherwise, staying at Shrek Academy in the future and spending time with someone like Yan Shaozhe would have been quite a treat.
He summoned his Martial Soul and connected his consciousness to Wang Dong'er. "What do you think of what Yan Shaozhe offered?"
Wang Dong'er thought it over. "I think it's great! You get to become a core disciple right away, and you can enter the Inner Court without taking the exam. They'll also help you capture Soul Beasts in the future, including a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast!"
"Most importantly, you don't have to pay any price. You just have to wait until you're strong enough and help Shrek Academy a little, to the best of your ability."
Song Mu listened quietly as Wang Dong'er explained her thoughts, without interrupting her.
If Song Mu had been just an eleven-year-old boy, welcomed by the dean and promised help capturing a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast,
and if there had been no price to pay, he would have thought the same way Wang Dong'er did.
Huo Yuhao from the original story had been struck by exactly this kind of sugar-coated cannonball and had become utterly devoted to Shrek Academy.
Song Mu asked, "If you were me, and after graduation Shrek asked you to stay at the academy, what would you do?"
Wang Dong'er hesitated. "I'd probably stay here. After all, Shrek Academy is the number one academy on the Douluo Continent."
Song Mu asked, "If the academy asked you to use your Martial Soul to help it capture Soul Beasts, would you do it?"
Wang Dong'er said, "I probably wouldn't refuse."
Song Mu asked, "So, don't you think you'd already be giving a lot to Shrek? Does that still count as paying no price?"
Wang Dong'er fell silent. Only after a long while did she speak. "I think I understand. You mean that even though the academy never openly said what it wanted you to give in return, it had already put a price on everything behind the scenes."
Song Mu praised her. "Not bad. You've got it exactly right."
Wang Dong'er asked, "Since you know all this, why did you agree to Yan Shaozhe's offer?"
Song Mu said, "The resources Yan Shaozhe offered look generous, but in reality, he's giving up very little."
"That way, I don't feel burdened, so there's no harm in agreeing. It'll also make things more comfortable for me at Shrek in the future."
Wang Dong'er asked, "But didn't he promise to help you capture a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast?"
"You said it yourself. Yan Shaozhe only promised that he'd help me capture a Soul Beast. Who can say whether he'll actually do it when the time comes?"
"I'm telling you all this so you'll understand how I think. When I decide to leave Shrek in the future, you and I won't end up at odds."
Wang Dong'er said, "Mm, I understand. Actually, you don't need to consider what I think."
Song Mu said, "We're going to be partners who fight side by side. If our ideals don't match, that'll be a huge problem."
Song Mu stopped at a crossroads.
The road straight ahead led back to the dormitory. The road to the right led to the Beast Fighting Zone.
Song Mu said, "It's still early to go back to the dormitory. Want to go play at the Beast Fighting Zone? You seemed pretty interested in capturing Soul Beasts yesterday."
Wang Dong'er had perked up as soon as she heard the suggestion to go to the Beast Fighting Zone, but when she heard the rest of what Song Mu said, she protested excitedly,
"Why would I be interested in capturing Soul Beasts? You must've seen wrong."
"But capturing Soul Beasts has quite a few benefits for you, so let's go."
The corners of Song Mu's mouth kept rising. "Then I'll have to thank Miss Dong'er properly for thinking of me so much."
Wang Dong'er lifted her chin slightly. "Of course."
Song Mu changed direction and headed toward the Beast Fighting Zone.
Song Mu asked again, "What about tonight? Will you come out? We can have a look around outside the academy."
Wang Dong'er replied at once, "No."
As soon as she said it, Wang Dong'er regretted it. She had been cooped up in her room for so many days without going out once. She had long wanted to leave her room and go have some fun.
But she was also a little afraid of the outside world and couldn't make up her mind to go out.
Song Mu didn't ask again and continued toward the Beast Fighting Zone.
Inside the King Ball, Wang Dong'er sat in a chair, feeling a little glum.
That idiot! Couldn't he be a little more forceful? He could let her out and then refuse to let her go back.
Then he could say, "How can you stay cooped up in your room all the time? You have to come with me to Shrek City today." If he said that, she'd still go with him, even if she had to be dragged along.
Wang Dong'er's gloom didn't last long. Once they reached the Beast Fighting Zone and started capturing Soul Beasts, she became eager and excited—far more so than Song Mu.
Inside the Soul Beast Garden, a lion crouched in front of Song Mu. It was a Flame Lion just over a thousand years old.
Elder Gong wasn't nearby. He was an elder with plenty of work to do, and he couldn't spend all his time accompanying a new student.
Song Mu reached out and gently stroked the Blazing Lion's smooth fur.
"Hey, Song Mu, does it feel nice? I've never touched a lion's fur before. I've never even gotten close to a Soul Beast in my whole life. Riding it to and from classes at Shrek Academy would be so cool!"
Song Mu listened to Wang Dong'er chatter on and replied, "Since you're so curious, why not come out and try petting it yourself?"
Wang Dong'er said, "Hmph, who's curious? Staying in my room is great. I don't like going out."
Song Mu had heard plenty of protestations like this from her over the past few days.
Wang Dong'er could come out whenever she wanted. He wouldn't force her.
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