Beast Academy

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

Suotuo City lay within the Balak Kingdom, over a thousand li 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, including 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—just a few thatched huts, without even a proper teaching building.

The food was even worse; they ate steamed buns every day. How could Zhang Fei, who had grown accustomed to the Crown Prince's Residence's delicacies, 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—the people there—were all frequent visitors to brothels.

With his current lack of restraint, combined 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... Ah, 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 Grandmother Chao Tianxiang. I had some dealings with the couple in my early years. I heard they now run a Beast Academy in Balak City of the Balak Kingdom, specializing in training beast martial soul 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 win them over, their strength will be more than enough to protect Little Fei. Besides, Little Fei is currently focused on a beast martial soul, so Beast Academy is a perfect fit. It has plenty of teaching experience regarding beast martial souls, as well as mimetic cultivation environments. Little Fei could receive excellent guidance there, no worse than at Spirit Hall Academy!"

Zhang Fei's eyes lit up at those words.

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

He also remembered Beast Academy. Dragon Duke Meng Shu was a Soul Douluo, while Serpent Grandmother Chao Tianxiang was a Soul Emperor. Their Martial Soul Fusion Skill could indeed directly contend with a Titled Douluo. With them protecting him, his safety would be assured.

Besides, no matter what, Beast Academy was better than that shabby village Shrek! At the very least, it was a legitimate high-level Soul Master Academy recognized by the authorities!

"Beast Academy..." Xue Qinghe pondered for a moment before slowly nodding. "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 win over Dragon Duke and Serpent Grandmother, 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 Little Fei there. Make sure to win over Dragon Duke Meng Shu. If necessary, you may use my name to promise them certain terms."

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

Xue Qinghe nodded and waved a hand. "You two should go make preparations first. I need to speak with Little 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 rose, walked around the desk, and came before Zhang Fei.

"Little Fei, you should know this is for your safety. We have no choice. You won't blame us, will you?"

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

Joy welled up in Xue Qinghe's heart, as though something had lightly struck it, leaving it sweet and warm.

Yet she still maintained the crown prince's composure on the surface. "Cultivate well. 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 brightened, his curiosity piqued.

"It isn't time to tell you yet. You'll find out when the time comes." Xue Qinghe smiled mysteriously, her gaze rippling.

"Fine." Zhang Fei scratched his head, then seemed to recall something. He leaned closer with a mischievous 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 warm atmosphere Xue Qinghe had just painstakingly created was scattered by that single remark. She could not help rolling her eyes and raised her hand as if to hit him. "Do I need you to tell me that?"

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

"Your Highness, take care."

"Mm. Go on."

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

Time was of the essence, so She Long immediately led Zhang Fei out of the Crown Prince's Residence in secret.

The two left through Heaven Dou City's southern gate. Only after there was no one in sight did She Long grip Zhang Fei around the waist and soar into the air, transforming into a streak of bluish-purple light as he sped southwest.

"Grandpa, don't hurry to Balak City just 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 at She Long's sleeve.

She Long paused in midair, one brow lifting. "What are we going there for?"

A sharp glint flashed through Zhang Fei's eyes. "I'm planning to consume an immortal herb and raise my strength a little further. Once I reach Beast Academy, the higher my Soul Power is, the more confidence I'll have."

She Long pondered for a moment and found it reasonable. "Very well. 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 boundless sea of trees appeared in their sight once more. The two made their way straight into the depths of the forest, passed through the poisonous miasma, and descended into that inverted cone-shaped ravine where red and blue intertwined.

More than two years had passed, but the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well had not changed much.

The yang spring was scorching, while the yin spring was freezing. The two streams met distinctly within the well. The air was filled with natural essence so dense it was almost viscous; one deep breath left the entire body feeling refreshed.

After Zhang Fei's last harvest, fresh shoots had emerged from the immortal herbs at the bottom of the valley. Nourished by the ice and fire energies, they grew slowly and radiated vigorous vitality.

There were no traces of anyone else nearby. Dugu Bo must have kept his promise and never set foot here again after his poison had been cured.

Zhang Fei took a Soul Bone from his storage ring.

It was a forty-thousand-year power-type right arm bone, its entire surface glowing with a heavy earthen-yellow radiance. It was precisely the Soul Bone Xue Qinghe had rewarded him with back then.

"Grandpa, this Soul Bone is for you." Zhang Fei held it out to She Long.

She Long was stunned and did not accept it. "What are you doing? How can I take your Soul Bone? The Young Master rewarded it to you back then. Keep it and absorb it yourself!"

Zhang Fei pushed it toward him with a bright smile. "This Soul Bone's age is too low for me. I have two martial souls, so I'll have plenty of chances 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 the explosive force of your right arm."

He paused, then added, "Besides, if you become stronger, you'll be able to protect me better in the future."

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

This brat... I haven't cared for him for nothing. No, that's not right—I haven't trained him for nothing.