"What?!" The couple and the parents around them, who had been listening with their ears pricked up, all froze. "Young lady, by your reasoning, as long as this academy can teach students up to level forty, it can earn them a viscount's title?"
"Then how come it still looks so...?"
"The title comes from the empire. It doesn't have much to do with the academy itself." Xiao Wu waved a hand.
"...They can't be scammers, can they? Can an academy like this really teach Soul Ancestors?"
At that moment, Ning Rongrong, who had been following behind and watching the commotion, squeezed her way over.
She stood prettily beside Zhao Linchuan, first winking at him, then turning to the couple and speaking in a clear, bright voice:
"Auntie, uncle, I can't guarantee they can teach Soul Ancestors."
She pointed to their surroundings, her tone openly disdainful. "But I can tell you for certain—this is absolutely a 'diploma mill'!"
"A diploma mill?" Everyone looked puzzled.
"It means it's second-rate, unqualified, and just out to cheat people out of their money!"
Ning Rongrong's explanation was blunt and simple. "Just look at this place. What legitimate academy would open somewhere like this?"
"Would any Soul Master Academy with even a little reputation be built in this backwater?"
"Never mind the quality of the teaching. With this shabby setup, they couldn't possibly have even the most basic Mimicry Training Ground!"
"Without a Mimicry Training Ground, a Soul Master's cultivation speed will be at least thirty percent slower!"
She rattled off one argument after another. "How important is a child's future? Send them somewhere like this, and forget about becoming a viscount—there's no telling if they'll even graduate, or whether they'll ruin their health in the process!"
"Uncle, auntie, keep your eyes open. Don't let some gimmick like 'graduate and become a viscount' fool you and ruin your child's whole life!"
Her words were like cold water poured into boiling oil. The parents who had already been suspicious burst into an uproar!
"So that's what's going on!"
"I knew something was fishy! Nothing this good comes for free!"
"Thank you for warning us, young lady! We almost fell for it!"
"Come on, let's go! We can't stay in this dump!"
The couple with the child thanked her profusely, then took their child and left without looking back.
Seeing that, the other people in line began to waver too. One after another, they left with their children.
In barely ten minutes, more than half of the hundred or so people who had been lined up had left!
Only a handful remained—parents who looked especially poor or had no other options, still hesitating and watching.
Ning Rongrong looked at her "masterpiece" and smugly lifted her little chin. Then she turned around and reached out to Zhao Linchuan with an open, bright smile.
"Hi! Let's properly introduce ourselves. I'm Ning Rongrong."
The instant she finished speaking—
[Key plot character 'Ning Rongrong' has initiated contact. As a core support member of the future Shrek Seven Devils, Ning Rongrong is of great significance to the Child of Fortune (False), Tang San. Her 'Resurrection Divine Light' even gave 'Tang San' a second life.]
[Choice mission triggered:]
[Choice One: 'Persuade' her to come home, then 'discipline' her properly. Though this girl is spoiled, she is good at heart and has enormous potential. She is worth investing in and setting straight.]
[Reward: Divine Second Martial Soul Granting Card—Nine-Colored Glow Sword, System Points *60000]
[Choice Two: The Little Demoness is incurably ill. Leave her to her own devices and let her fend for herself.]
[Reward: Attribute-less Third-Level God Divine Core *1, System Points *60000]
'An attribute-less Third-Level God Divine Core?' Zhao Linchuan skimmed the rewards, unimpressed.
For someone like him, who aspired to reach even greater heights, it was as useful as a chicken rib.
'I choose one. Ning Rongrong... is indeed a promising prospect. The support abilities of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda are valuable too.'
'More importantly, this will cut off one of Tang San's most important arms and escape routes.'
[Choice confirmed. Mission "Successfully 'persuade' Ning Rongrong to come home" accepted...]
[Beep! The host has already had a tangible influence on the target, and the target has shown clear goodwill. Mission completed ahead of schedule!]
[Rewards issued...]
'Huh?!' Zhao Linchuan's thoughts stalled. He was a little surprised. 'It's already done? That easy?'
'Looks like this girl is quite interested in me. Or maybe... the rebellious streak and curiosity of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's young lady are stronger than I thought?'
"Hey! What are you spacing out for?" Ning Rongrong waved her hand in front of him. When he didn't respond, she waved it before his eyes and pouted. "Hello?"
Zhao Linchuan snapped back to his senses, a warm smile on his face. He reached out and gently took Ning Rongrong's fair, soft hand. "I'm Zhao Linchuan."
"Hi, I'm Xiao Wu. Wu, as in 'dance.'" Xiao Wu smiled warmly as she introduced herself.
She had a good first impression of this lively, straightforward girl who didn't seem to have much of a calculating streak.
As the three chatted amiably, Li Yusong, sitting behind the registration desk, suddenly noticed the line in front of him rapidly shrinking as the crowd dispersed. Realizing something was wrong, he hurried to his feet and looked around.
Seeing so many parents leaving with their children, his expression changed. He shouted toward the academy, "Mu Bai! Get out here! Something's wrong—there's trouble!"
"Looks like there's trouble~" Ning Rongrong's ears twitched when she heard the shout. Instead of being scared, her eyes lit up with excitement, and she looked eager to see what would happen.
Zhao Linchuan let go of Ning Rongrong's hand and gazed toward the Shrek Academy's dilapidated gate. His tone was warm, with even a trace of amusement. "Looks like there really is trouble."
He glanced at Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong beside him and suggested:
"Come on. Let's go over... and see if we can help them."
"After all, we've had a little 'something' to do with the academy failing to attract students."
"Sure, sure!" Ning Rongrong immediately clapped in approval, beaming. "If things really turn into a fight, I can support you!"
"Don't let my appearance fool you. I'm a very capable support Soul Master!" She puffed out her little chest, looking like she was begging them to praise her.
"No need." Zhao Linchuan took Xiao Wu's hand and walked toward the entrance of Shrek Academy.
Watching his tall, straight back, Ning Rongrong playfully stuck out her tongue and made a cute face behind him, then hurried after them with a little skip in her step.
She wanted to see what this man—who had taken Dai Mubai down with one move and seemed so interesting to her—would do next.
The three of them walked slowly up to the shabby wooden table. Zhu Zhuqing followed silently, stopping a little farther away.
In front of the table, a father and son stood red-faced, arguing about something.
Li Yusong said without the slightest courtesy, "Once you've registered, there are no refunds."
Before you continue