Excuse

Dismissal was dismissal, but Flender still upheld the fine traditions of Shrek Academy—or rather, he was the reason the beam was crooked, causing the rafters to follow suit.

He handed off all other matters, such as explaining the academy rules, to Dai Mubai, while he played the role of the hands-off manager and retreated to his office first.

On the training grounds, Dai Mubai glanced at Ma Hongjun, who was still running laps.

"If you're not in a rush, shall we wait for that fatty to finish his run before we officially begin?"

Although Ma Hongjun was a senior student and didn't need to hear the academy rules, they would all be classmates from now on. Furthermore, Shrek Academy was quite unique; with so few students, it was only right that they get to know one another.

Jiang Jiu and the others didn't mind, so they broke off into small groups to chat.

Zhu Zhuqing stayed within Jiang Jiu's little circle, leaving Dai Mubai with no opening to speak to her, so he could only make small talk with the clean-shaven Oscar.

Oscar was feeling a bit disappointed himself.

In the past, his clean-cut, pretty-boy face—if not exactly invincible—had always been enough to attract quite a few girls, but those new junior schoolmates hadn't reacted to him at all.

Perhaps female soul masters had higher standards, he could only comfort himself.

Once Ma Hongjun finished his twenty laps, a round of self-introductions began.

Dai Mubai set the example first.

Fifteen years old, level thirty-seven, martial soul: White Tiger.

The others followed with similar, simple introductions.

"How much?"

Ma Hongjun stared at Xiao Wu in utter shock.

He had been out fooling around all day yesterday, and now, hearing that twelve-year-old Xiao Wu was already level thirty-four, he was practically stunned senseless.

They were all the same age, so why was the gap so massive?

He had always been smug about his own talent, but how could he even compare to this?

Take Dai Mubai for example: he was three years older than Xiao Wu, yet his Soul Power was only three levels higher. At this rate of cultivation, it was only a matter of time before he was surpassed.

Who would be the future boss of Shrek Academy was anyone's guess.

"Fatty, the Dean is taking us to the Star Dou Forest tomorrow, so don't go sneaking off today."

After explaining some of the academy's rules, Dai Mubai reminded Ma Hongjun, as he hadn't been present when Flender was speaking earlier.

"Going to the Star Dou again? Oh, right."

Having just been startled by Xiao Wu's level, Ma Hongjun finally realized there were two others at level thirty as well.

They seemed to be only twelve years old too—what monsters!

Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were at what should be the normal level, right? Wasn't it fine for everyone to just hang around levels twenty-six or twenty-seven?

"Star Dou Forest?" Xiao Wu froze.

She felt a flicker of excitement, but then, as if she had thought of something, her expression shifted.

"Hiss—"

This was a bit of a headache.

Even until they were truly dismissed, Xiao Wu remained distracted.

Returning to the Star Dou Forest was like going home, so that part was fine.

The problem was Erming and the others.

She had thought about returning to the Star Dou to visit before. With her cultivation, she was confident she could traverse the forest, especially since Daming and Erming could sense her aura and would come to meet her.

If she were alone, it would be fine, but with Jiang Jiu here...

She didn't want to reveal her identity as a soul beast to Jiang Jiu just yet.

At least not until she reached maturity, right? By then, she would truly be a human.

She also wondered if Jiang Jiu could accept having two hundred-thousand-year-old brothers-in-law.

So stressful!

"What's wrong? Not feeling well? You look so troubled," Jiang Jiu asked on the way back to the dorms.

"Ah? Do I?"

Xiao Wu patted her face and broke into a spirited smile once more.

"You do," Ning Rongrong said with certainty. She was heading in the same direction as Jiang Jiu and the others—well, Zhu Zhuqing and Tang San were too.

"It's nothing. If there's something wrong, I'll tell Jiang Jiu."

Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes.

"If you say it's nothing, then it's nothing. So, next topic: do we have any activities today?" Ning Rongrong looked at Jiang Jiu with expectant eyes; she knew that, in reality, Jiang Jiu was the one calling the shots here.

Although Jiang Jiu would likely agree to whatever Xiao Wu suggested, she didn't want to talk to Xiao Wu right now.

"Cultivate, eat, cultivate, sleep, then go hunt for souls," Jiang Jiu said bluntly.

"How boring," Ning Rongrong pouted.

She had no other choice, however, and could only accept it as it was.

"Remember to call me when you go to eat." Leaving behind that single sentence, she returned to her own room.

Boredom was one thing, but when it was time to cultivate, Ning Rongrong would still cultivate.

Once they returned to their room, only Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu remained.

"Speak up, what is it?"

In truth, Jiang Jiu had also been thinking about Xiao Wu running off to the Star Dou Forest.

The main issue was that Flender was leading the team this time, and he was not someone who could be easily fooled.

"Xiao Jiu, I don't want to go on this soul-hunting trip. Is that okay?" Xiao Wu leaned into Jiang Jiu's embrace, making what she considered to be a rather willful request.

"Is that all? Of course it is."

Looking at the tall young girl in his arms who had lost much of her childishness, Jiang Jiu had to admit that Xiao Wu had truly become much smarter.

It wasn't necessarily that her IQ had increased, but rather the traces of contemplation she occasionally revealed.

Whether one thought about things—reflecting on the past, the present, and the future—was an important sign of whether a person had matured.

"Really? You aren't mad at me?" Xiao Wu's voice rose in excitement.

"You didn't call for me when you hunted for your third soul ring."

"In the future, I definitely will!" Xiao Wu gave a flattering smile.

As if feeling that wasn't enough, Xiao Wu leaned forward and planted a heavy kiss on Jiang Jiu's neck.

"Hiss."

"Mm, Xiao Jiu, don't push me away."

"You don't know your own strength." Jiang Jiu touched the spot where the saliva remained, hoping she hadn't left a hickey.

"That just means I didn't kiss you enough, right? Xiao Jiu, you should let me practice on you more." Xiao Wu retorted righteously.

She even added in a low voice, "You should practice more too, Xiao Jiu. I wouldn't mind."

"Alright, alright." Jiang Jiu interrupted Xiao Wu, who was about to continue.

"Telling me you don't want to go to the Star Dou Forest is useless; you need a reason that can convince the Dean."

"Uh, that I'm not feeling well?" Xiao Wu recalled the excuse Jiang Jiu had just mentioned.

Jiang Jiu shook his head.

With Oscar there, and even a food-system Soul Saint, while it was possible Flender might make an exception for Xiao Wu due to her terrifying Soul Power cultivation—after all, geniuses naturally had privileges with teachers—it was still better to be safe.

"It won't work? Then what should I do?"

Looking at Xiao Wu's admiring and trusting gaze, Jiang Jiu felt like a parent trying to come up with a sick-day excuse for their child.

"Soul Power cultivation? Soul Power? Xiao Wu, how long until you reach level thirty-five?" Jiang Jiu had actually come up with one.

Level thirty-five at twelve years old—Flender's mouth would likely stretch from ear to ear with joy. Not going to the Star Dou Forest to train with the others? That was nothing. Was it more important than Xiao Wu reaching level thirty-five?

Xiao Wu's eyes grew brighter and brighter as she understood Jiang Jiu's method.

"Xiao Jiu, you're the best!"

This time, she tackled Jiang Jiu to the ground, pinning him beneath her.