Jing Chen Is Being Followed

The conditions the other party offered might have been irresistible temptations that others dreamed of.

But to him, they were far too ordinary, completely devoid of temptation. Besides, he hated empty promises.

If this person had placed a few top-tier soul bones before him right now to show his sincerity, he might actually have considered it.

But mere words were nothing but drawing a pie in the sky and writing a bad check. How could he guarantee they were real?

"Thank you for thinking highly of me, but I truly do not wish to join Shrek Academy. Old sir, you should leave first. My place is rather shabby, so I will not be entertaining you," Jing Chen refused again.

"Do you have some misunderstanding or conflict with Shrek Academy? I see no reason for you to refuse," Yan Shaozhe said, somewhat surprised by Jing Chen's rejection.

He, the dean himself, had personally come to visit and offered terms countless people could only envy, yet the other party still chose to refuse?

Jing Chen found this persistent questioning rather speechless, but he still responded, shaking his head.

"I have no misunderstanding or conflict with Shrek Academy, and I am well aware of your academy's strength."

"But I have my own plans for my life, and joining Shrek Academy was never part of them."

"That is why I have repeatedly declined your academy's invitation. My refusal is solely due to my personal wishes."

"Life plans?" Yan Shaozhe gave Jing Chen a deep look. To have so-called life plans at such a young age was quite rare.

Many soul masters older than him might not even have made plans for themselves. In that regard alone, he surpassed many others.

Beyond his surprise, Yan Shaozhe became even more interested in Jing Chen. Talented and self-disciplined people like this were simply too rare.

"Could you tell me about your life plans? Perhaps I could offer you some useful advice and help."

Yan Shaozhe smiled. He genuinely wanted to hear Jing Chen's plans, while also hoping to use this opportunity to bring him into Shrek Academy.

Jing Chen shook his head. They were practically strangers, yet this man expected him to tell him such things? That was far too inappropriate.

Forget that they were unfamiliar—even if they knew each other well, there was no way he would reveal his life plans. Was that the kind of thing one could casually share?

"You really are a stubborn child," Yan Shaozhe said jokingly, though there was a trace of displeasure in his tone.

He tried persuading him a few more times. When he saw that Jing Chen truly had no intention of speaking, Yan Shaozhe changed the subject.

"Your family should be fairly well-off. Why do you live in such a humble house? Have you been unable to find a better place?"

"If that is the case, I can help. I guarantee I can find you a large house with excellent furnishings."

Yan Shaozhe casually walked into the house. After taking a brief look around, he spoke and gave a fairly objective assessment.

The room really was very plain, with only ordinary decoration and a few simple pieces of furniture. That was all there was to it.

"No need, thank you. I am quite comfortable living here," Jing Chen politely refused, his expression unchanged.

He did not have the slightest favorable impression of the seemingly amiable Yan Shaozhe. The man was far too presumptuous and had no idea what respect meant.

He only needed a temporary place to stay; it was not as though he truly lived here. Why would he need some large house? This place was enough.

Yan Shaozhe was quite talkative and knew how to make conversation. He stubbornly remained there for nearly half an hour.

"Little Jing Chen, we will meet again," Yan Shaozhe said with a smile as he left, patting Jing Chen on the shoulder.

He was extremely satisfied with the genius Jing Chen. Although he still did not know what Jing Chen's martial soul was, he had already made up his mind to recruit him into Shrek Academy.

A monster-level genius like this belonged at Shrek Academy, an academy established for monsters. They were a perfect match!

Jing Chen merely smiled without speaking. Yan Shaozhe had already been placed on his blacklist. If he could avoid meeting this man again, he would.

If they did meet again, and his strength was sufficient, he would properly teach Yan Shaozhe a lesson. Otherwise, it would not make up for the time Yan Shaozhe had wasted.

Looks like I need to find somewhere else to stay. I cannot keep being pestered like this.

After Yan Shaozhe left, Jing Chen gave Ma Ming several instructions and began preparing for his departure.

Shrek City could be considered the commercial center of the Douluo Continent. If his businesses were to develop quickly, it was necessary for them to take root in Shrek City.

He could leave, but his businesses could not. Before departing, he had to make the necessary arrangements.

Otherwise, once he left, both the soul tool shop and the automobile shop would come to a standstill, and all his previous efforts would have been wasted.

Jing Chen trusted Ma Ming reasonably well—at least when it came to business. Other matters were another story.

"Young Master, leave it to me. The reason I, Ma Ming, can live like a human being now is all because of you. Now that you trust me so much, I definitely will not disappoint you."

Ma Ming thumped his chest as he promised, his expression resolute as he declared his determination to Jing Chen.

"Mm." Jing Chen nodded. After saying a few more things to him, he let him leave.

Jing Chen was now alone in the house. He did not enter the Time and Space Divine Tower again, worried that someone might be watching him.

He simply sat in a chair, thinking. After leaving Shrek City, where should he go?

He needed to decide on a destination now so that Yi Yi could grow as much as possible. Otherwise, in a few years, he would no longer have the time.

"The Far North, the Demon Forest, the sea..." Jing Chen murmured. His destination would be one of those three.

After spending more than ten minutes sorting through the benefits and drawbacks of going to each place, Jing Chen finally settled on his destination.

The ocean northeast of the continent. He would first take Yi Yi there to fight and see how effective it was.

If Yi Yi was severely affected by the environment, then they would head to the Far North instead. That place would also benefit his cultivation.

After deciding on his destination, Jing Chen changed into a different set of clothes and left the house. Before he had gone far, he noticed something unusual.

They sent someone to watch me? After noticing someone following behind him, Jing Chen continued walking as if he knew nothing.

He had never been watched or followed before. Yet the moment Shrek Academy took notice of him today, someone appeared. It was obvious who had sent them; there was no need to guess.

Jing Chen did not know why Shrek Academy had sent someone to monitor him, but one thing was certain: it disgusted him greatly.

Even if they bore no ill will and simply did not want him to get lost, it was still equally annoying.

I just hope they do not stop me from leaving the city.

That was what worried him most right now.

If they would not let him leave the city, it would be rather troublesome. It would also mean that Shrek Academy intended to lay its cards on the table and force him to make a choice.

That was the worst possible outcome. It would leave him in an extremely passive position and make future matters difficult to handle.

Jing Chen pretended not to notice anything along the way and walked normally to the South City Gate, intending to leave the city.

The first chapter today. The new book is setting sail—please bookmark it and vote with recommendation tickets.

There will be another chapter tonight, probably around eleven.