Beast Academy

The first place Zhang Fei thought of was Shrek Academy, which in the original story was located in Suotuo City.

Suotuo City lay within the Balak Kingdom, over a thousand miles from Heaven Dou City and close to the border with the Star Luo Empire. It was indeed far from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's sphere of influence. The academy also had several Soul Saint-level experts, such as Flender and Zhao Wuji, so safety should not have been an issue.

But...

Zhang Fei frantically shook his head inwardly.

He truly did not dare praise Shrek Academy's educational philosophy.

The academy had nothing. There were only a few thatched huts, not even a proper teaching building.

Its food was even worse—steamed buns every day. How could Zhang Fei, who was used to the Crown Prince's Residence's fine cuisine, endure that?

He had heard that students often died in the jaws of soul beasts while hunting soul rings. The academy could not even guarantee its students' safety.

More importantly, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were all frequent visitors to brothels.

With his current lack of restraint, coupled with the dragon martial soul's intense urges in certain respects, what if those people led him astray and he started visiting brothels every day? How would he face Xue Qinghe in the future... no, how would he face the little angel?

No, no, absolutely not. Zhang Fei quickly rejected the idea.

A moment later, She Long slapped his thigh, breaking the silence.

"I have a good idea! I once knew Dragon Duke Meng Shu and Serpent Granny Chao Tianxiang. I had some dealings with the couple in my younger days. I heard they now run a Beast Academy in Balak City of the Balak Kingdom, specializing in training beast martial soul masters. Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill, Dragon-Snake Combined Strike, is powerful enough to rival a Titled Douluo!"

The more he spoke, the more excited he became. "If we recruit them, their strength will be more than enough to protect Xiao Fei. Besides, Xiao Fei currently focuses on beast martial souls, so Beast Academy is a perfect fit. They have considerable teaching experience regarding beast martial souls and simulated cultivation environments. Xiao Fei would receive excellent guidance there, no worse than at Spirit Hall Academy!"

Zhang Fei's eyes lit up at this.

Balak City was the second-largest city in the Balak Kingdom, while Suotuo City was the largest. The two cities were very close, both important border cities.

He also remembered Beast Academy. Dragon Duke Meng Shu was a Soul Douluo, while Serpent Granny Chao Tianxiang was a Soul Emperor. Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill truly could stand against a Titled Douluo head-on. With them protecting him, there would be no safety concerns.

And no matter what, Beast Academy was better than that shabby village called Shrek Academy! At the very least, it was a legitimate advanced soul master academy recognized by the authorities!

"Beast Academy..." Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "It is indeed a good choice. It is far from Heaven Dou City and outside the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's sphere of influence. If we can truly recruit Dragon Duke and Serpent Granny, it would be an excellent option."

She raised her head and looked at She Long solemnly. "Then I'll have to trouble Uncle She to take Xiao Fei there. Make sure to recruit Dragon Duke Meng Shu. If necessary, you may promise certain conditions in my name."

She Long grinned. "Rest assured, Young Master. I am highly confident."

Xue Qinghe nodded and waved her hand. "You two should go make preparations first. I have some things to tell Xiao Fei."

She Long and Ci Xue exchanged a glance, rose to their feet, and withdrew from the study, gently closing the door behind them.

Only the two of them remained in the study.

Xue Qinghe stood up, walked around the desk, and came before Zhang Fei.

"Xiao Fei, you should know this is also for your safety. It is a necessary measure. You do not blame us, do you?"

Zhang Fei smiled. "Of course not. I'm happy that you all care so much about me. How could I blame you? It's just that I suddenly have to leave the place where I've lived for six years—and leave you too. I really can't bear to."

Joy surged in Xue Qinghe's heart, as if something had lightly bumped against it, leaving behind a sweet warmth.

Yet she still maintained the Crown Prince's composure on the surface. "Cultivate properly. Once you have enough strength to protect yourself, you can return. At that time... I can give you a surprise."

"What surprise?" Zhang Fei's eyes lit up, his curiosity piqued.

"It isn't time to tell you yet. You'll know when the time comes." Xue Qinghe smiled mysteriously, her eyes shimmering.

"Fine." Zhang Fei scratched his head, then seemed to remember something and leaned closer with a cheeky grin. "But you need to hurry up with the matter of finding a Crown Princess. Don't let me come back only to find you still all alone."

The tender atmosphere Xue Qinghe had just built up was utterly shattered by his words. She could not help rolling her eyes and raised a hand as if to hit him. "As if you need to tell me!"

Zhang Fei laughed heartily, nimbly dodged, and retreated to the door. He looked back at her.

"Your Highness, take care."

"Mm. Go."

Xue Qinghe stood beside the desk and watched Zhang Fei leave.

Time was of the essence. She Long immediately took Zhang Fei and secretly departed from the Crown Prince's Residence.

The two left Heaven Dou City through the southern gate. Only after there was no one around did She Long grab Zhang Fei by the waist and leap into the air, turning into a streak of bluish-purple light as he sped toward the southwest.

"Grandpa, don't rush to Balak City yet. We'll be passing Sunset Forest anyway, so let's make a trip to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well first." Midair, Zhang Fei suddenly tugged on She Long's sleeve.

She Long halted, raising an eyebrow. "What are we going there for?"

A glint flashed through Zhang Fei's eyes. "I plan to consume an immortal herb and raise my strength a little more. The higher my Soul Power is when I arrive at Beast Academy, the more confidence I'll have."

She Long considered it for a moment and found it reasonable. "Fine. Every bit stronger you become is another bit of strength to protect yourself. Let's go!"

The two changed direction and flew at full speed toward Sunset Forest.

Half an hour later, the familiar endless sea of forest appeared in their sight once more. The two made their way directly into the depths of the forest, passed through the poisonous miasma, and descended into that inverted cone-shaped valley where red and blue intertwined.

More than two years had passed, yet the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had not changed at all.

The Yang Spring was scorching hot, while the Yin Spring was bitterly cold. The two springs met at the spring eye, distinctly divided from one another. The air was filled with heaven and earth energy so dense it was nearly viscous. One deep breath made the entire body feel refreshed.

After Zhang Fei had harvested the immortal herbs in the valley last time, new tender shoots had emerged. Nourished by the ice and fire aura, they slowly grew, radiating vigorous vitality.

There were no traces of anyone else nearby. Dugu Bo had presumably honored their agreement and never returned after his poison was cured.

Zhang Fei took a soul bone out of his storage ring.

It was a forty-thousand-year power-type right arm bone, its entire surface glowing with a heavy earthy-yellow light. It was precisely the soul bone Xue Qinghe had bestowed upon him back then.

"Grandpa, this soul bone is for you." Zhang Fei held it out before She Long.

She Long froze and did not accept it. "What are you doing? How could I take your soul bone? The Young Master rewarded you with this back then. Keep it and absorb it yourself!"

Zhang Fei pushed it forward again, his smile bright. "This soul bone's age is too low for me. I have two martial souls, so I'll have plenty of opportunities to obtain better soul bones in the future. Grandpa, your path is sharp and fierce. This power-type right arm bone can just happen to strengthen your right arm's explosive force."

He paused, then added, "Besides, only if you become stronger can you protect me better in the future."

She Long was stunned by his words. Looking into Zhang Fei's sincere eyes, a warm current rose in his heart.

This brat... I didn't dote on him for nothing. No, that's not right—I didn't train him for nothing.