Shrek Academy Arrives

Under Guang Ling Douluo's smiling gaze, Ning Yao put away the storage ring.

This truly was something he needed right now, and he held no ill feelings toward Qian Daoliu or the Consecration Hall under his command in the original story.

After all, Qian Daoliu could be considered one of the few normal people in all of Soul Land I.

"I wonder why Guang Ling Douluo summoned me here."

After putting away the storage ring, Ning Yao smiled and asked.

Was it merely to form a good connection?

Hearing this, Guang Ling Douluo did not hide anything. He stepped forward, moved a little closer to Ning Yao, and returned a hearty smile.

"Brother Ning Yao, don't overthink it. I truly came this time just to speak with you. This was our Grand Consecrator's intention."

"After all, your appearance was far too sudden. And since you keep yourself removed from worldly affairs, you probably don't know that the continent hasn't seen a healing-type Titled Douluo in many years—especially one as powerful as you."

"So, naturally, us old fellows had to come make contact. While we were at it, we wanted to ask whether you had any interest in joining a faction."

Guang Ling Douluo spread his arms and patted Ning Yao on the shoulder, speaking frankly without any attempt at concealment.

In his mind, old fellows like them, who had no conflicts of interest with Ning Yao, had no need to hide their intentions. Doing so would only provoke annoyance.

It was better to be open and honest. That had also been Qian Daoliu's instruction before he left.

For a powerhouse like Ning Yao, sincerity was the greatest form of respect.

Ning Yao nodded lightly. He did indeed prefer dealing with people openly.

But still...

"I accept this goodwill. But as for joining a faction, I'm sorry, I currently have no such intention."

Joining a faction was far too distant a matter for him. It could even be said to be impossible.

After all, he was too powerful. So long as he wished it, he could gather a group of followers at any time through his own strength and the blessings of Abundance, then establish his own sect.

The strength of such a faction would absolutely not be weaker than Spirit Hall's.

The withered tree in the Star Dou Great Forest was proof of that. It was also the first follower of Abundance Ning Yao had enlightened in this world.

With a casual blessing, he could turn a dying sapling into an existence stronger than a hundred-thousand-year spirit beast.

If he truly began accepting followers on a large scale, then the entire Douluo Continent could become his possession.

As for Guang Ling Douluo, although he still did not know Ning Yao's exact strength, he was not angered upon hearing Ning Yao's answer.

Because he knew that recruiting a powerhouse was a gradual process.

Especially for a healing-type Titled Douluo like Ning Yao, the only one on the entire continent who possessed both healing and combat abilities.

"It's fine, Ning Yao. If you ever change your mind, you can come to Spirit Hall anytime. The doors of our Consecration Hall will always be open to you!"

Guang Ling Douluo cheerfully patted Ning Yao on the shoulder.

"Certainly."

Without saying much more, Ning Yao nodded.

That matter came to an end, but just then, Guang Ling Douluo seemed to recall something and turned to look at Ning Yao.

"By the way, I heard you ran into some trouble in Soto City a few days ago?"

Changing the subject, Guang Ling Douluo questioned Ning Yao.

The manager of Spirit Hall had told him about it when he first arrived.

A useless prince of the Star Luo Empire actually dared to provoke an honored guest of their Consecration Hall?

Guang Ling Douluo felt that Dai Mubai no longer wished to live.

He was merely a useless prince. Even if Guang Ling Douluo went and killed Dai Mubai right now, the Star Luo Empire would not dare utter a single word.

No one on the entire continent dared question the authority of old fellows like those in the Consecration Hall.

Ning Yao immediately understood what Guang Ling Douluo was referring to.

After all, he had only made a move in public that one time.

"There's no need for that. He is still a prince of the Star Luo Empire, so there's no need to trouble Spirit Hall with it."

Ning Yao smiled as he declined. Forming a connection was one thing, but he did not want to owe too many favors.

Hearing this, Guang Ling Douluo said no more and simply nodded.

"Alright. If you ever need anything, you can come to Spirit Hall at any time."

As he spoke, Guang Ling Douluo took a token from his robes and handed it to Ning Yao.

It was an Elder Token engraved with the symbols of the Seven Great Clans. It seemed Qian Renxue had not told Qian Daoliu and the others that Ning Yao already possessed an Angel Token from the Consecration Hall.

Ning Yao did not refuse something like this. After all, unless they were enemies, nearly every Titled Douluo would receive an Elder Token from Spirit Hall.

It was a symbol of status and proof of strength.

It could even be said that although this token held a lower status within Spirit Hall than the one Qian Renxue had given him, its usefulness in the outside world was beyond question.

With it, he could avoid ninety-nine percent of the trouble while traveling the continent.

When Guang Ling Douluo saw Ning Yao accept the token, his smile grew even broader.

He rose to his feet and waved at Ning Yao.

"Alright, everything that needed to be done has been done. Ning Yao, it's time for me to return and report to the Grand Consecrator."

"It's getting late, so I won't disturb you any longer."

Ning Yao smiled and nodded, watching Guang Ling Douluo leave through the doors.

Guang Ling Douluo would surely settle the matters of Spirit Hall's branch afterward, so Ning Yao did not linger any longer either.

After leaving Spirit Hall's branch with the storage ring containing one hundred thousand gold spirit coins and the Elder Token, Ning Yao strolled leisurely toward the small house he had rented.

Although he had money now, he still had an agreement with Qian Renxue. Guang Ling Douluo had also said that Qian Renxue would visit him again in a few days to repay her debt of gratitude, so Ning Yao had no plans to leave Soto City anytime soon.

Before long, Ning Yao arrived downstairs from his walk.

But there, he encountered several people he had not expected to see.

"??"

As one tall and one short figure emerged from the shadows before him, Ning Yao froze.

More visitors?

He found the two people before him very unfamiliar. He had no recollection of ever seeing them.

The short, skinny one looked shifty-eyed and rat-faced at a glance.

The tall, burly man, meanwhile, was glaring at Ning Yao with a face full of rage.

They clearly had come with ill intent.

"Do you remember Dai Mubai, the one you severely injured at the entrance of Soto City Great Spirit Arena two days ago?"

"He's a student of my academy!"

The skinny figure glared viciously at Ning Yao.

"It was because you injured him that two core members with a martial soul fusion skill were missing from our Shrek Seven Monsters."

"That caused us to lose today's match. I lost so many gold spirit coins today..."

At the mention of this, a trace of sorrow appeared in the man's eyes as the scene stirred his emotions.

But it was quickly replaced by fury.

At that point, Ning Yao completely confirmed their identities.

He briefly recalled the appearances of Shrek Academy's members and quickly remembered who they were.

Flender and Zhao Wuji.