A Brief Separation

Buying supplies did not take long.

After simply purchasing some bedding, they arrived at the gates of Shrek Academy.

They looked around, examining Shrek Academy's registration entrance.

"Over there."

Tang Ya spoke in a voice only the few of them could hear.

Jiang Mu and Jiang Nannan looked over as well, observing the surroundings.

Registration was about to end, and the crowd had clearly dwindled. The registration area was deserted.

Jiang Mu stepped closer, looked at the admissions teacher ahead, and curiously asked Tang Ya beside him.

"By the way, is there only one recommendation slot for entering the academy?"

Tang Ya nodded. "That's right. The Tang Sect was only given one slot. You two will probably have to discuss it."

"Mm, if it doesn't work, then Xiao Mu should go. After all, you're the future leader of our faction. If we really can't enter together, you should go in. That would be fine too."

Jiang Nannan voiced her thoughts from beside him.

Besides, there was honestly little point in her entering. Her age was right there—she was nearly ready to graduate. What would she even go in for? Waste money buying a recommendation letter, or embarrass herself?

Jiang Nannan naturally did not want to do something completely unnecessary.

It would be better to let her little brother go in and see what it was like.

"Alright."

With that, Jiang Mu stopped hesitating and followed Tang Ya to the admissions teacher.

"Recommendation letter, name, martial soul rank."

The moment Jiang Mu arrived, the admissions teacher did not even look up. He merely glanced through the book in his hands and spoke casually.

Jiang Mu took out the Tang Sect's exam-exempt admission slot and placed it on the table.

Hearing the sound, the admissions teacher shifted his gaze and peered over with one eye. When he saw the Tang Sect emblem, he froze for a moment.

"An exam-exempt admission slot from the Tang Sect?"

"That's right."

"Fine. Tell me your name."

"Jiang Mu."

"Mm, you're registered. Here's your dormitory."

He caught the dormitory key the other man tossed over and inspected it in his hand.

Tap, tap!

Before Jiang Nannan could speak after stepping forward, the admissions teacher raised his head and narrowed his eyes as he assessed her.

"At this age, this soul power isn't bad. You may not be a monster, but you can still be called a genius. Still, isn't it a little late to come to Shrek Academy at your age...?"

Jiang Nannan simply took Jiang Mu's hand and said with a deeply concerned expression, "Uh, then forget it if I can't get in. I came to see my little brother off."

"Fine. Your little brother can enroll."

After casually glancing at her, the admissions teacher withdrew his gaze and ignored them. He had already completed the registration and handed over the key, so there was naturally nothing more for him to say.

"Come on, Xiao Mu. I'll take you there."

Tang Ya, standing nearby, felt a faint flutter of excitement when she saw this.

She could be considered half a senior student, after all. Could she get the advantage of being close to him first?

Thinking of how he had seen everything that morning, shouldn't he give her some sort of explanation?

While she was still thinking, Nannan suddenly spoke.

"Um, Xiao Ya, wait here for a moment. There's something I need to say to Xiao Mu."

Before Tang Ya could reply, she had only just looked up when she saw Jiang Mu being dragged away, wearing an apologetic expression as if asking for her understanding.

Helpless, she merely muttered at his retreating back.

"Fine, then?"

In an unoccupied corner.

Jiang Nannan had pulled Jiang Mu here. It was very quiet.

Before he could figure out why she had brought him here or ask about it, Jiang Nannan said:

"Since I can't get in, I can go back and let Mother know we're safe."

Hearing that, Jiang Mu paused. Too many things had happened after awakening his cheat, and he had actually forgotten that Mother Jiang was still waiting for them at home.

Six days had already passed just from traveling to Shrek Academy. Not to mention the time they had spent wandering around the outskirts of Star Dou Forest.

If they did not go back and report their safety soon, Mother Jiang would start worrying that they had encountered some life-threatening danger.

"Should I go back too?"

Between strangers he had not even met and the person who had saved him, Jiang Mu naturally chose Mother Jiang without hesitation.

Jiang Nannan immediately grabbed Jiang Mu's hand.

"No. You already used the exam-exempt slot to enter the academy. What would it look like if you left now? It's the same if I tell her myself. Besides, I can bring Mother here. It's closer this way."

"Alright."

After being inseparable for so many years, Jiang Mu truly felt a little reluctant to part with her.

"Nannan, this is a cultivation technique I picked up along the way. It has detailed explanations and usage notes that I wrote down. These are some offensive methods."

Jiang Mu secretly handed the cultivation technique and explanations he had originally prepared for Tang Ya to Jiang Nannan first.

He also transferred some essence blood to her, which could save her life at a critical moment.

Although the Heavenly Secrets Stone helped conceal things, it was better to be safe than sorry.

There was nothing wrong with being cautious.

Looking at the cultivation technique handed to her, Jiang Nannan's eyes were filled with curiosity, yet she did not ask any questions.

"Alright, then I'll take it. Let's see whether the technique you gave me, Xiao Mu, is actually useful."

It was not a bad thing for her always-close little brother to have a secret. She was only afraid that the secret had something to do with another woman.

Thus, although Jiang Nannan did not ask, she casually glanced at Tang Ya.

Tang Ya, who had been watching from afar, tilted her head in confusion when she saw this.

"When I'm not around, you must have your own ideas. Don't listen to everything other people say."

"Women outside are the best at deceiving people. Only your sister truly cares about you."

A smile rose onto Jiang Mu's face. Looking at her jealous expression, he found it truly lovely. He raised a hand and pinched Jiang Nannan's cheek. "Don't be jealous. Even if I really have other women, you'll still be the first."

He did not hide anything. He said whatever needed to be said. Now that he had a trump card, he could protect the others.

"Hmph, who wants to be in your harem?"

Jiang Nannan crossed her arms, clearly refusing to accept that explanation. She directly raised her arm and leaned back, avoiding his touch.

Jiang Mu did not mind. "Whoever likes me can be."

"Tch. Even if I like you, I won't satisfy your every wish. Don't even think about it."

"Alright, alright. The cultivation technique and those bottles and jars contain some essence blood. You can use them to attack. Don't ask about the details."

Jiang Mu spread his hands. He knew it was still a little too early for her to accept it. He had to take things step by step.

There was no need to rush.

More importantly, she needed to stay alive first, so he took out the cultivation technique he had prepared. Beside it were several bottles and jars of blood.

Tang San's essence blood was of too high a rank. It could only be used after becoming a god.

Therefore, the essence blood he gave her was all at the Soul Elder level.

"Alright?"

The cultivation technique's name had been hidden, and its color changed. It looked like an ordinary book, completely red and rather conspicuous.

"Hmph, at least you still care about me. I'll accept it."

"..."

After a moment of silence, Jiang Nannan spoke.

"I'm leaving first. I need to let them know we're safe; I can't delay something like that. Go in on your own. Tang Ya is with you anyway."

"Mm. Have a safe journey."