Shrek Seven Monsters (Part 2)

Xie Yue scratched his head. "Oops, I accidentally didn't hold back."

Hu Liena stepped forward and asked with concern, "Teacher Zhao, are you all right?"

Teacher Zhao clutched his arm. "Just a few superficial injuries. I'm fine. But you two little monsters were far too ruthless."

Huo Yuhao explained on their behalf, "There's nothing wrong with going all out in a challenge across ranks, and I stepped in at the right time to stop them. As their elder, surely you won't hold such a thing against them?"

Zhao Wuji gave an awkward laugh. "What a joke! Why would I get angry with two children? Let's leave it at that. All four of you have passed the assessment. You're now members of Shrek Academy."

Watching Zhao Wuji suffer a setback, Dai Mubai suppressed a laugh. "Come with me, everyone. I'll take you to the dormitories."

Thus, under Dai Mubai's arrangements, Hu Liena, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing shared the same dormitory. Xie Yue stayed with Oscar.

Meanwhile, under Zhao Wuji's guidance, Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin arrived at a small house not far from the student dormitories. The two settled down there peacefully.

Tang Wulin frowned slightly. "I see it now. So Shrek Academy's style of bullying the weak with strength, along with its motto that those who dare not cause trouble are mediocrities, was all brought about by this Zhao Wuji."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "Wulin, do you dislike this place? Your father wanted you to understand him, after all."

Tang Wulin curled his lips. "But it really is hard to understand."

Huo Yuhao rubbed Tang Wulin's head. "If you feel upset, how about we go beat up Zhao Wuji now and help you vent?"

Tang Wulin sighed. "Forget it. That wouldn't be right. Let's teach the people of Shrek Academy to change, little by little."

Huo Yuhao smiled. "Our Wulin is truly patient, and kind-hearted too. You're willing to give Shrek Academy and your father a chance."

Tang Wulin narrowed his eyes slightly. "That's only because Brother Yuhao is by my side. Otherwise, no matter what, I wouldn't have agreed to come here and experience Father's life."

Huo Yuhao nodded faintly and closed his eyes, enjoying the tranquil night together with Tang Wulin.

The pale light of dawn spilled across the land, while birds, beasts, and insects chirped and scurried about in search of food.

Tang Wulin gradually woke from his dreams and rubbed his sleepy eyes. When he opened them, he found that the person beside his pillow was already gone.

Just as he was about to get out of bed and leave, Huo Yuhao suddenly pushed open the door and entered.

"Wulin, you're awake? Try this bowl of preserved egg and lean pork congee. I just made it fresh."

Tang Wulin happily took the bowl and spoon, blowing on the porridge as he ate.

Huo Yuhao looked gently at Tang Wulin's blissful expression and said helplessly:

"I was surrounded by people from the village who wanted me to teach them how to cook, so I was delayed for a while. Wulin, you weren't starving, were you?"

Tang Wulin smiled and shook his head. "I only just got up. Brother Yuhao, you came back at exactly the right time. I have to say, no matter where you go, Brother Yuhao, you're always the center of attention."

Huo Yuhao laughed. "How am I a star? The villagers have simply never had food this good before, so they wanted my help."

Tang Wulin understood that Huo Yuhao had gone out early in the morning to cook at someone else's home just so he could have a hot meal.

Tang Wulin suddenly threw himself into Huo Yuhao's arms and hugged him tightly.

Holding a folding fan and fanning Tang Wulin with it, Huo Yuhao continued:

"If you're not full, we can go eat in the city later. For now, we need to gather at the academy square and listen to that profiteering headmaster give his opening ceremony speech."

Tang Wulin immediately understood. "Is it because this counts as the Shrek Seven Monsters gathering?"

Huo Yuhao nodded. "Wulin is getting smarter and smarter."

Tang Wulin puffed out his lips. "I've always been smart, all right?"

Huo Yuhao smiled and took Tang Wulin's hand, walking with him toward the square.

Shrek Academy Square.

Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were already standing there. Before long, Hu Liena and Xie Yue arrived as well. Then Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin stood side by side in a corner near the platform.

Afterward, Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun walked over to Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, Hu Liena, and Xie Yue. Finally, the sleepy, bed-loving Oscar arrived late and greeted the six of them.

Dai Mubai glared at Ma Hongjun, who was growing restless at the sight of beautiful women, and sternly reminded him to keep his emotions in check.

Zhu Zhuqing rolled her eyes at Ma Hongjun's ill intentions.

The next moment, Headmaster Flender strolled toward them at an unhurried pace. He eventually stood on the platform and looked down at the seven students lined up below.

Headmaster Flender told everyone to remember to pay one hundred gold soul coins for tuition, then instructed Dai Mubai to explain the academy's rules to the other students afterward.

Finally, Flender informed them that they would gather that evening to officially begin classes. Then, citing the poor physical condition of auxiliary-system soul masters, he told Ning Rongrong and Oscar to go run laps together immediately.

After dismissing the students, Flender exchanged polite greetings with Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin. He then left the square.

Hu Liena and Xie Yue, who had been waiting for Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin, saw that Flender had finally left and immediately approached them.

Rubbing her stomach, Hu Liena said weakly, "This village is way too shabby. My brother and I still haven't even had breakfast."

Tang Wulin smiled. "We were just about to eat too. Let's go into the city together."

Soto City, Milinlin Buffet Restaurant.

Seeing Tang Wulin wolfing down food, Hu Liena's jaw dropped.

"No, aren't you eating way too much?"

She watched with her own eyes as Tang Wulin devoured an entire pig, along with five servings of lobster, six fried chickens, seven servings of lamb chops, eight servings of pork chops, nine servings of chicken cutlets, ten servings of steak...

What Hu Liena found most unbelievable was that Tang Wulin effortlessly ate fifty steamed buns. The world seemed to spin around her, and she unconsciously pinched her brother's flesh to prove she was not dreaming.

Xie Yue rubbed the spot in pain and stammered, "Well... it's not that I care about the money... I'm just shocked. Can one person's appetite really be this terrifying?"

Huo Yuhao smiled and explained on Tang Wulin's behalf, "Wulin specializes in strength, so having a big appetite is normal. Honestly, this isn't even enough to fill the gaps between his teeth. You'll get used to it."

With egg fried rice still in his mouth, Tang Wulin said, "Why are you all staring at me? Eat your own food. There's so much delicious food here—don't waste it."

Hearing that, Hu Liena and Xie Yue continued eating. Influenced by Tang Wulin, the two of them suddenly found themselves with much better appetites.

Hu Liena ate several more pieces of cake. Xie Yue not only had a bowl of noodles, but also ate several flatbreads. Normally, their hearts were focused solely on cultivation; they had never truly experienced the joy of eating and enjoying delicious food.

Only after encountering the meals Huo Yuhao had cooked, as well as Tang Wulin's enjoyment of food, did they realize that life could be so simple and interesting.

Perhaps meeting Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin was the luckiest thing that had ever happened to them.

And the days they spent with Huo Yuhao and Tang Wulin might very well have been the happiest time of their lives.