Huh? I'm Going to Shrek Too?

Wang Dong'er pushed open the door, her steps carrying a trace of panic she had not even noticed herself. The moment she shut the door behind her, she lightly leaned her back against the cool door panel and let out a long breath.

The wind beneath the corridor carried the crisp chill of the mountains as it blew in, stirring the loose strands of hair before her forehead, yet it could not dispel the tangled mess of thoughts in her heart.

She wanted to get close to Lin Ye, wanted to gain the advantage of proximity, but this path was filled with obstacles at every step.

She could not just go out of her way to approach the son of an Outer City steward for no reason. So many eyes throughout the Haotian Sect were watching her, the young mistress. The slightest unusual movement would be magnified without limit.

Wang Dong'er sat down beside the table. One moment, those strange records in Lin Ye's diary flashed through her mind; the next, she was considering how to naturally strike up a conversation with him without seeming deliberate or exposing the secret that she possessed a Diary Copy. The more she thought about it, the more her head hurt.

Just then, there was a light knock on the door, followed by a steady, gentle voice. "Dong'er."

Wang Dong'er immediately snapped back to her senses and hurried to open the door. A sweet, obedient smile instantly bloomed on her face as she bowed to Niu Tian, who stood at the entrance with his tall frame and calm bearing. "Big Dad."

When Niu Tian saw his precious daughter, the majesty of the Haotian Sect's grand sect master instantly faded from his face, replaced by a gentle smile. He stepped inside, casually shut the door, and took a seat at the table.

He did not beat around the bush. His gaze fell upon Wang Dong'er as he asked directly, "Dong'er, tell Big Dad the truth. Did you go to the Outer City today specifically to find that boy named Lin Ye?"

Wang Dong'er's heart skipped a beat, as though someone had poked at the deepest secret in her heart. A flush instantly rose to her cheeks.

Her gaze drifted away involuntarily. She barely steadied herself, then gave a dry laugh and tried to brush it off. "What are you talking about, Big Dad? I only went to the Outer City to inspect the sect's affairs. Why would I specifically look for anyone...

"Lin Ye? Oh, that son of an Outer City steward? I saw him from afar once. We are not acquainted."

Even she felt guilty saying that, let alone Da Ming, who had lived for more than a hundred thousand years and had long become shrewd beyond measure.

Niu Tian saw her evasive eyes and the way her fingers unconsciously tightened. How could he fail to see that she was deliberately hiding something?

Still, he did not press her. He merely smiled and did not dwell on the matter. Then he changed the subject and directly brought up the real issue. "Alright, Big Dad won't force you.

"You'll be attending Shrek Academy before long. Big Dad and Second Dad are both worried about you going out alone.

"I was thinking of having Lin Ye accompany you. He can look after you on the way. What do you think?"

The moment those words fell, Wang Dong'er froze. Her eyes flew wide open, and it was as though a dazzling firework had exploded in her mind. Overwhelming joy instantly drowned every other thought.

She had been worrying about how to find a legitimate opportunity to get close to Lin Ye, and now one had been delivered straight to her doorstep?

Going to Shrek Academy with Lin Ye, spending every day together—was there any better chance to gain the advantage of proximity?

But the very next second, her cheeks flushed crimson, and even the tips of her ears turned an alluring pink.

She suddenly remembered that she was going to Shrek Academy disguised as a boy.

Everyone in the Haotian Sect knew that its young mistress was a girl. Naturally, Lin Ye knew as well.

When she disguised herself as a boy, what if she and Lin Ye ended up assigned to the same dormitory...

They would be in the same room, facing each other day and night. Changing clothes and sleeping would all happen in the same room.

Just imagining it made Wang Dong'er's heart race as though it would leap out of her throat, while her cheeks burned hot enough to fry an egg.

Niu Tian sat across from her and saw every bit of her reaction clearly. First came the barely concealed ecstasy, followed by a blush all the way to the roots of her neck and wandering eyes—the standard appearance of a lovesick young girl. His heart sank, and his brows unconsciously furrowed.

Well, damn. Had the cabbage he had raised for so many years really been snatched away by that brat Lin Ye?

No, even if his daughter had fallen for someone, was she really going to be won over this quickly? She was falling way too hard!

Niu Tian cleared his throat, interrupting Wang Dong'er's wild thoughts, and asked solemnly, "Ahem, Dong'er, what do you think? Give Big Dad a definite answer."

Wang Dong'er abruptly came back to herself. She hurriedly composed her expression and forcibly suppressed the excitement and shyness in her heart.

After coughing twice, she nodded while pretending to be calm. "Ah... alright, no problem. Since Big Dad has already arranged it, I'll listen to you. Having someone accompany me really would be more reassuring."

After speaking, she seemed to remember something. She frowned and added, "But Big Dad, I looked at Lin Ye's registration information before. His Innate Soul Power is only level 2.5. The minimum requirement for admission to Shrek Outer Court is level 7 Innate Soul Power. With his aptitude, he does not meet the registration requirements at all."

Upon hearing this, Niu Tian casually waved a hand aside. His tone carried the confidence and dominance unique to the Haotian Sect's grand sect master. "What kind of problem is that? Isn't it just an admission qualification? Since he is someone my Dong'er has taken a liking to, he must have something extraordinary about him.

"When registering, just fill in whatever you want for the Innate Soul Power field. Put level 8 or level 9. Even if you put Innate Full Soul Power, no one would dare say a word.

"I'll make arrangements with Shrek Academy in advance. This little matter won't stump your Big Dad."

Wang Dong'er finally put her mind at ease and nodded firmly. "Alright, I understand. Thank you, Big Dad."

Niu Tian gave her a few more reminders to stay safe while away from home and take good care of herself, then rose and left the courtyard.

After returning to the sect master's main hall, Er Ming, whose figure was even more burly and whose aura was fierce and powerful, immediately came over and asked in his rough voice, "Big Brother, how did it go? Did Dong'er agree?"

Niu Tian walked to the main seat and sat down, lightly tapping his fingers on the table.

After pondering for a moment, he slowly nodded. His eyes held a meaningful glint. "She agreed. And judging from Dong'er's reaction, her feelings for that boy Lin Ye are far from ordinary.

"That kid really is somewhat strange. A little fellow with only level 2.5 Innate Soul Power actually managed to make Dong'er care so much."

Er Ming furrowed his thick black brows and seemed about to say something in his deep, muffled voice, but ultimately remained silent.

He trusted his Big Brother's judgment, and he trusted Dong'er's eye for people even more. Still, he could not help feeling a little uncomfortable. How had their precious daughter suddenly taken a liking to some unknown brat?

Niu Tian said nothing more. He raised a hand and summoned a sect elder who was standing guard outside the hall, then instructed in a deep voice, "Go inform Lin Ye, the son of Outer City steward Lin Xiao, to make preparations. He will accompany the young mistress to Shrek Academy. The sect will arrange everything he needs."

Upon hearing this, the elder was utterly dumbfounded. He stood there blankly for quite a while, his mind filled with endless question marks.

Lin Ye? Who was that?

Was there such a person in the Haotian Sect? Was he a Core Disciple of the inner sect? Or the descendant of some elder?

But the true core upper ranks of the sect were all surnamed Tang. Where would an elder surnamed Lin come from?

He had spent so many years in the sect, yet he had never heard that name before.

But this was an order personally issued by the grand sect master. No matter how many doubts he had, he did not dare ask another word. He hurriedly bowed to accept the order, then turned and swiftly left the hall.

A matter personally ordered by the grand sect master could not be delayed in the slightest.

The elder was highly efficient. He immediately went to the sect's disciple registry and began searching for Lin Ye's information.

But when he saw the information in the registry, he was completely stunned. His eyes widened like bronze bells as he checked the name three times, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Lin Ye, son of Outer City steward Lin Xiao. Twelve years old. Innate Soul Power: level 2.5. No Soul Rings.

That was it? A complete good-for-nothing with level 2.5 Innate Soul Power, who was not even a Soul Scholar?

Just the son of an Outer City steward? The grand sect master actually wanted him to accompany the young mistress to Shrek Academy? This was simply absurd!

The elder's mind was full of disbelief, but he did not dare question the grand sect master's decision. He could only hurriedly send people to investigate.

Only then did he learn that the young mistress had personally gone to the Outer City yesterday and had specifically visited the area under Lin Xiao's supervision.

The elder immediately understood. He did not dare think any further and personally led people to Lin Xiao's residence in the Outer City. He solemnly delivered the news and specifically reminded them that Lin Ye had to prepare properly and must not delay the young mistress's journey.

The next day, dawn had only just begun to break.

Lin Ye had just gotten up and finished washing when his door was kicked open with a bang.

His father, Lin Xiao, was flushed with excitement and trembling all over. In his hand, he clutched the notice personally delivered by the sect elder.

Lin Xiao rushed to Lin Ye in two strides, his voice trembling uncontrollably. "Son! Son! Incredible news! Wonderful news!"

Lin Ye was startled by his appearance and looked at him blankly. "Dad? What happened? It's so early. What could make you this happy?"

"The sect! The sect sent a notice!"

Lin Xiao heavily slapped the notice onto the table. He grinned so widely that he could not close his mouth, the wrinkles on his face squeezed together as though he had won the grand prize of eight million Gold Soul Coins.

"The sect has decided that you will accompany our Haotian Sect's young mistress to study at Shrek Academy! The sect will cover every expense! Son, you've made something of yourself! Your father has never been this glorious in his entire life!"

The expression on Lin Ye's face instantly froze. He sat dumbly in his chair as though struck by lightning, his mind completely blank.

What the hell?

Accompany the Haotian Sect's young mistress to Shrek Academy?

Me? A worthless nobody with level 2.5 Innate Soul Power?

It took him more than ten seconds to recover. His first thought was: It's over. My secret has been exposed!

After sending off his flushed father, who seemed twenty years younger, Lin Ye sat expressionlessly in his chair.

His blank face remained for several minutes before he let out a deep sigh and began recording today's diary in his mind.

[This is hopeless. I'm truly helpless. I just woke up and received this earth-shattering bombshell. The Haotian Sect actually wants me to accompany Wang Dong'er to Shrek Academy?!

That inspector only left yesterday, and now they are pulling this today. Aren't they obviously making things clear?

Lin Ye, stop pretending. We know all your secrets. We're all on the same side, so we won't make things difficult for you. Since you're a hidden genius, go to Shrek with our young mistress and shine!]

Lin Ye sat at the table expressionlessly, his diary filled with powerless complaints.

[I knew I couldn't keep hiding forever! But I didn't expect it to happen this fast!

How long has it even been since I transmigrated? I haven't even peacefully written diaries for a few days to collect rewards, and the sect's upper ranks have already noticed me?

No, that's not right. If I had truly been completely exposed, things could not possibly be this peaceful. They wouldn't merely assign me to accompany the young mistress to school, would they?]

[And besides, is Shrek Academy even a place meant for people? But I can't refuse, either. The sect's upper ranks personally gave the order. They didn't investigate my hiding my true abilities and only asked me to accompany the young mistress to Shrek. That is already an enormous privilege.]

[Forget it. Since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it. Isn't it just Shrek? Isn't it just accompanying Wang Dong'er to school? I'll go, alright?]