Shrek Academy, outside the front gate.
Yi Chen stood with his hands behind his back, looking up as he studied the unremarkable academy before him.
Its walls were dull gray, its gate simple, and it didn't even have a proper signboard. The five characters "Shrek Academy" had merely been crookedly carved above the gate.
If he hadn't known in advance that this was Shrek Academy, he might have thought he'd come to the wrong place.
"Just what you'd expect from an academy that 'only accepts monsters.' Even its front gate has so much personality." Yi Chen chuckled and strode inside.
The moment he stepped through the gate, a figure burst out of the gatehouse and blocked his way.
"Stop! Who are you? What are you doing at our academy?" The boy was round as a ball, with a shock of bright red hair. He was none other than Ma Hongjun, the Evil Fire Phoenix. With his hands on his hips, he looked Yi Chen up and down, wariness and curiosity in his eyes.
Yi Chen glanced at him and said calmly, "I'm here to see Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing."
Ma Hongjun froze. "You're looking for those three? Who are you?"
"Their master."
"Master?" Ma Hongjun's eyes widened. "How come I've never heard that they took a master?"
Yi Chen couldn't be bothered to explain further and simply released a trace of his aura.
The aura was exceedingly faint, yet when it fell upon Ma Hongjun, it felt as though a mountain were pressing down on him. His legs gave way, and he nearly fell to his knees on the spot.
"Can you go report to them now?" Yi Chen withdrew his aura, his tone still calm.
Ma Hongjun's face had gone deathly pale. He nodded repeatedly. "I'll go! I'll go right now!"
With that, he darted into the depths of the academy, moving even faster than when he usually skipped class.
Before long, three graceful figures came racing out of the academy.
"Mr. Yi Chen!" Ning Rongrong ran at the front, her pretty face flushed with excitement. "You really came!"
Xiao Wu followed close behind, her big eyes sparkling as she curiously studied Yi Chen.
Zhu Zhuqing came last. Her expression remained cool, but a hint of anticipation lingered in her eyes.
Yi Chen looked at the three spirited young women, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "What, you don't welcome me?"
"Welcome, welcome! Of course we welcome you!" Ning Rongrong nodded again and again, then suddenly remembered something and rubbed her hands together, a little embarrassed.
"Um... Sir, my father wrote in his letter that you were going to take us as your disciples. Is that true?"
"What? You don't want to?"
"We do! Of course we do!" the three girls replied in unison. They exchanged glances, then couldn't help laughing.
Seeing how perfectly in sync they were, Yi Chen felt a little more at ease. He nodded. "In that case, let's hold a simple apprenticeship ceremony here. We can make up a formal ceremony when we have the chance."
At his words, the girls immediately sobered. They lined up solemnly before Yi Chen, knelt together, and bowed their heads three times in respect.
"Your disciple, Ning Rongrong."
"Your disciple, Xiao Wu."
"Your disciple, Zhu Zhuqing."
"Greetings, Master!"
Yi Chen accepted their bows, then raised a hand to help them up. "Rise."
The three girls stood, unable to hide their joy.
Ning Rongrong, especially, had eyes curved like crescent moons, her smile impossible to conceal.
Looking at them, Yi Chen took three jade boxes from his Storage Soul Tool and handed one to each of them. "Now that you've become my disciples, your master naturally has to prepare a gift for you. Open them and have a look."
The three girls took the boxes, exchanged glances, then carefully lifted their lids.
Inside Ning Rongrong's box lay a flower of golden hue, its layered petals resembling a pagoda. It gave off a gentle, warm glow, and a refreshing fragrance wafted from it.
"This is the Aromatic Silk Beauty," Yi Chen explained. "After you consume it, it can purify your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul and evolve it into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Your support abilities will then improve greatly, allowing you to support even a Titled Douluo beyond your rank."
Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up at once. Holding the box in both hands, she was so excited she couldn't speak.
Xiao Wu's box held a flower of deep crimson, its petals bright as blood. A faint red halo surrounded it, and it gave off an air of sorrowful, aching beauty.
"This is Lovesick Heartbreak Red." Yi Chen looked at Xiao Wu, a hint of meaning in his gaze. "This Immortal Herb means a great deal to you. After you consume it, it can strengthen your foundation and purify your constitution, making your path of cultivation smoother in the years to come."
(P.S. The protagonist took this Immortal Herb directly, and removed the restriction from the original work, so it can be consumed like a normal Immortal Herb.)
Xiao Wu cradled the Lovesick Heartbreak Red, her eyes turning faintly red. She could feel the power contained within it resonating with something inside her. She looked up at Yi Chen, gratitude filling her eyes. "Thank you, Master!"
Last was Zhu Zhuqing. In her jade box lay a pure white orchid, its leaves translucent as jade and dotted with silver patterns like tiny stars. It gave off a cool, noble aura.
"This is the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone," Yi Chen said. "After you consume it, it can temper your constitution and take your speed and flexibility to new heights. It can also nourish your Martial Soul, allowing your Hell Spirit Cat to evolve into an even more powerful existence."
Zhu Zhuqing held the box without a word, but a rare warmth flickered in her cool eyes. She bowed slightly to Yi Chen, expressing her gratitude through her actions.
Seeing that all three of his disciples were pleased with their gifts, Yi Chen felt quite satisfied. He waved a hand. "All right, you've received your gifts. Now it's time to talk business."
At that, the three girls composed themselves and listened intently.
"You've all played Teamfight Tactics before, haven't you?" Yi Chen asked.
"We have!" Ning Rongrong answered eagerly. "It's so much fun! Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, and I play together all the time!"
"Good." Yi Chen nodded. "Starting tomorrow, I'll stay at Shrek Academy for a while and personally teach you advanced Teamfight Tactics techniques. I'll also pass on some insights into cultivation."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the three girls. "But let me make one thing clear: my training won't be easy. If anyone slacks off or fails to meet my standards, don't blame your master for being unsympathetic."
The three girls exchanged glances and answered in unison, "We will obey your instructions, Master!"
Yi Chen nodded in satisfaction, a smile appearing at the corners of his mouth.
"Good. Now, consume your Immortal Herbs first. I'll personally protect you while you do."