Shrek Academy

When Youquan heard that Ning Rongrong wanted to form a team and participate in this year's All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Grand Tournament, she could not help but become interested. A probing thought rose in her mind.

"Can I call you Rongrong?" Youquan asked, warmly expressing her goodwill.

"Of course." Ning Rongrong said with a smile.

"You said you were looking for a suitable academy? Judging by how you're dressed, I'd boldly guess you come from some sect or family. How could you not have an academy to attend?" Youquan asked curiously.

"My father wants me to go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, but I don't like the atmosphere there. Those noble students either bully others with their status or suck up to the powerful. In short, they're incredibly annoying. I don't want to keep relying on my father's name, so I ran away." Ning Rongrong explained, frowning with her lovely brows.

Ning Rongrong looked at Youquan and asked curiously, "Sister Youquan, which academy do you attend?"

"I haven't joined any academy yet. I'm currently traveling to gain experience." Youquan cautiously probed, "But my goal is to attend Spirit Hall Academy. What about you, Rongrong?"

Ning Rongrong sighed regretfully and spread her hands helplessly. "Spirit Hall Academy is pretty good, but my father probably won't agree to let me join it."

Hearing Ning Rongrong say that, Youquan grew curious, but she did not know whether she should ask.

Noticing Youquan's curious expression, Ning Rongrong gave a mischievous laugh before explaining, "My martial soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I come from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Upper Three Sects. That's why I won't be attending Spirit Hall Academy."

"The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—the one known as the strongest support martial soul on the entire continent?" Youquan was even more surprised. Dou Qi Continent did not have the concept of a Support System. The only Support System Spirit Master she knew was Ye Lingling of the Nine Heart Begonia, but Ye Lingling's martial soul was purely for healing.

The Worship Hall's worshippers were all combat-type Spirit Masters as well. This was Youquan's first time encountering a Support System Spirit Master in person—and the strongest support at that.

"When I read about it in books, I became very curious about the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. I never expected to actually meet a direct disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect today." Youquan sighed.

"Then what is Sister Youquan's martial soul?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.

"My martial soul is flame." Youquan extended her right hand, and a ball of fire appeared in her palm.

"Sister, are you a Strong Attack System Spirit Master?" Ning Rongrong asked.

"I plan to follow the Control System."

Remembering that Ning Rongrong seemed to be traveling with a purpose, Youquan asked, "Rongrong, have you already decided which academy you want to attend?"

"I heard that Suotuo City in the Balak Kingdom has a Shrek Academy that claims to admit only monsters. Students who graduate from there can be granted noble titles by the empire, and some of its outstanding graduates have even become elders of Spirit Hall." Ning Rongrong's tone was full of curiosity and longing for the legendary Shrek Academy.

"Graduates can receive noble titles from the empire? Outstanding graduates have even become elders of Spirit Hall?" Youquan's eyes were full of astonishment. Why had Crown Prince Brother and Elder Grandfather never mentioned such an incredible academy to her?

"Rongrong, is this academy really that impressive?" Youquan swallowed the latter half of her sentence: You haven't been tricked, have you?

Ning Rongrong shrugged indifferently. "I don't know either, but I'm curious about such an impressive academy, so I want to take a look. If it really doesn't work out, I'll obediently go back. With my talent, I can enter any academy I want anyway."

Youquan nodded in understanding. She, too, was filled with curiosity toward the Shrek Academy Ning Rongrong had mentioned and planned to find a chance to visit it.

Remembering that Youquan had said she had never enrolled in any academy, Ning Rongrong immediately suggested, "Sister Youquan, why don't we go register at Shrek Academy together? You can treat it as part of your training."

"Sure. I happen to be very curious about Shrek Academy too." Youquan immediately agreed. She had been worrying over how to find an excuse to go with her.

"Wonderful! Then I'll have to trouble Sister to protect this weak little Support System Spirit Master along the way." Ning Rongrong smiled slyly.

Youquan froze for a moment, then shook her head and smiled helplessly. She truly was a young lady raised in pampered luxury, carefree and without a worry in the world.

Youquan hesitated. All of her companions were commoners, especially Baishuang and Zhuang Yanyan, who were both orphans. If she rashly recruited Ning Rongrong into her team because of her martial soul, it would not be worth it if she did not get along with Baishuang and the others later.

With that in mind, Youquan temporarily dismissed the thought of recruiting Ning Rongrong into her team.

After several days of travel, the two of them finally arrived at the Balak Kingdom.

The Balak Kingdom was located in the southern part of the Heaven Dou Empire and bordered Fasinuo Province. It was not very large, only three-quarters the size of Fasinuo Province. It was subordinate to the Heaven Dou Empire, and farther south lay another empire—the Star Luo Empire.

Because the Balak Kingdom bordered the Star Luo Empire, it possessed the strongest military force among the Heaven Dou Empire's subsidiary kingdoms. It could also be considered a gateway to the Heaven Dou Empire.

Youquan and Ning Rongrong's destination was Suotuo City, known as the granary of the Balak Kingdom.

Suotuo City was quite a large city. Even Spirit Hall had stationed a third-rank main hall here.

"It's getting dark. Let's enter the city early and find somewhere to rest." Youquan said to Ning Rongrong, who had become listless after traveling for too long.

"Alright. We have to find a luxurious hotel to rest in. Riding in a carriage these past few days has been far too painful." Ning Rongrong rubbed her aching waist and said with a miserable expression.

Just as they were about to enter the city, the carriage came to a stop.

The driver nervously said to Youquan and Ning Rongrong inside the carriage, "Misses, we've been stopped."

"Are they guards from Suotuo City?" Ning Rongrong was already uncomfortable, and her mood grew even more irritated.

"No. We're still some distance from the city gate. Judging by how they're dressed, they seem to be ill-intentioned thugs. What should we do?" the driver asked nervously.

"Rongrong, rest first. I'll go down and take a look." Youquan took the initiative to stand.

"She really is a beauty." When the men blocking the road saw Youquan step out, their eyes went straight as they leered at her from head to toe.

"With that little girl too, us brothers are in for a treat today." Another wretched-looking man in the distance whistled and let out a disgusting, lewd laugh.

Youquan looked in the wretched man's direction and saw a petite girl standing opposite him. The girl was surrounded by two wretched men, yet there was not the slightest hint of fear on her face.