Shrek City

Tang Ya's words brought the conversation to an abrupt chill.

"What's wrong? Did I say something strange?"

Seeming to sense the change in mood, Tang Ya asked in confusion.

Huo Yuhao recovered himself and shook his head.

"It's nothing! I'm just surprised the Tang Sect still has members. I thought it had disappeared."

Ever since what happened three years ago, Huo Yuhao had been investigating everything about Tang San. He had also asked Xu Jiujiu to look into the Tang Sect.

The Tang Sect had been wiped out a few years ago by a sect in Heaven Dou City called the Iron Blood Sect, hadn't it? He hadn't expected anyone to survive.

He didn't bear the Tang Sect much ill will, though.

According to the information he had gathered, the Tang Sect had begun declining after Tang San's ascension. Set in its ways, it had long since been crushed by the tide of time.

Besides, he had reason to suspect the Tang Sect had never received the Sea God Tang San's complete legacy.

Tang San had kept things to himself!

According to Star Luo Empire's archives, some of the Tang Sect's hidden weapons were in no way inferior to modern high-grade Soul Tools.

If the Tang Sect really had those hidden weapons, it wouldn't have declined for thousands of years.

Seeing that Huo Yuhao seemed interested in the Tang Sect, Tang Ya asked hopefully,

"How about it, little brother Yuhao? Why not join the Tang Sect?"

She even added, "Little brother Yuhao, if you join us, you can choose any of the Tang Sect's secret arts."

"No, thanks, Sister Tang Ya. I already belong to a sect!"

Tang Ya deflated at his answer.

Of course. She couldn't tell how powerful the Snow Empress was, but judging by Beibei's attitude, she had to be someone formidable.

How could a boy with such a powerful person at his side be interested in the Tang Sect as it was now, with only a handful of members?

She wondered which faction Huo Yuhao came from.

"Which sect are you from, little brother Huo?"

Beibei, beside her, asked curiously.

"The Star Crown Sect."

That put an end to Tang Ya's hopes.

The Star Crown Sect had a longer history than the Tang Sect. As far back as the era of Spirit Hall ten thousand years ago, it had already been a major sect on par with the Upper Three Sects.

What was more, the Star Crown Sect was now Star Luo Empire's guardian sect, and its sect master was none other than the reigning emperor.

Perhaps sensing the awkwardness, Beibei quickly changed the subject.

"Little brother Huo, are you on your way to enroll at Shrek Academy?"

His curiosity was understandable. Unlike other sects, the Star Crown Sect did not take in disciples from all walks of life. Like the Heaven Dragon Gate, it was essentially a family organization.

That meant all its disciples were members of the imperial family. Beibei had mistaken Huo Yuhao for a Star Luo Empire royal.

Most royals attended their own country's imperial academy.

Huo Yuhao seemed to understand Beibei's confusion, but he offered no explanation. He merely said,

"Maybe I just admire Shrek Academy."

Hearing that Huo Yuhao planned to apply to Shrek Academy cheered Tang Ya up again.

She hadn't managed to recruit him into the Tang Sect. But if he was going to study at Shrek too,

wouldn't she have another chance to eat his cooking?

"Oh! Then we'll be schoolmates, little brother Yuhao. Want me and Beibei to take you there to register?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head gently.

"No need. Sister Xue'er is taking me. Sorry for the trouble, but you two must have your own plans, right?"

Huo Yuhao glanced at their clothes. They were wearing school uniforms, but the fabric made it clear that Shrek Academy's uniforms were well suited to outdoor activities.

And judging by the direction they were heading, they were probably going to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain a Spirit Ring.

As if she had just remembered something, Tang Ya's smile collapsed.

Right. She still had to get a Spirit Ring. What a shame.

It was hard to tell whether she regretted not being able to escort Huo Yuhao to registration or not being able to eat his cooking along the way.

The group pitched a few tents around the campfire and turned in.

No one arranged a night watch. They were still far from the Star Dou Great Forest, and even if a spirit beast appeared, it would never dare attack under the Snow Empress's oppressive aura.

The night passed quietly. Morning sunlight filtered through the dense canopy and fell on the campfire, where thin wisps of smoke still curled upward.

"Little brother Huo, this is where we part ways. If you run into trouble in the outer academy, you can use my name. It might help."

"Thank you, Brother Beibei."

After packing his tent into his Storage Soul Tool, Huo Yuhao said goodbye to Tang Ya and Beibei. He gathered Auspicious Clouds beneath his feet, channeled his Soul Power, and flew into the sky.

"Brother Beibei, Sister Tang Ya, farewell! See you at Shrek!"

On the ground, Tang Ya and Beibei stared after him, dumbfounded.

Neither had ever seen anyone fly like that. He could fly without wings!

Tang Ya grabbed Beibei's arm and chattered excitedly in the direction Huo Yuhao had disappeared.

"Beibei! Did you see that? The way little brother Yuhao flies is amazing!"

Huo Yuhao and the Snow Empress spent nearly another day and a half flying. At last, on the afternoon of the third day, they saw the towering walls of Shrek City.

"Shrek City really does deserve its reputation as the greatest fortress on the continent!"

Huo Yuhao couldn't help marveling at the walls rising toward the clouds.

Though Shrek City stood within Heaven Dou Empire's borders, it was effectively independent and answered to no empire.

Because it lay near the edge of the Star Dou Great Forest, its walls rose far higher than those of Star Luo City. Soldiers patrolled atop them, and judging by their auras, a large number were soul masters.

After landing and paying the entry fee, the two stepped into Shrek City and were swallowed by its noise and bustle.

"Hundred-year White Wolf meat! Ten Gold Soul Coins a piece!"

"Hundred-year One-Horned Rhinoceros hide! Protection worthy of a Soul Elder! Only a hundred Gold Soul Coins!"

As they strolled through the city, vendors' cries rang out all along the way.

Judging by what the vendors sold, the biggest difference between Shrek City and Star Luo City was clear.

Most merchants in Shrek City sold goods for soul masters or related to them.

"Sister Xue'er."

Huo Yuhao stopped the Snow Empress beside him, took a map from his robes, and handed it to her.

"What's this?"

"Sister Xue'er, I'm going to register at Shrek Academy soon, and I'm afraid you can't come with me. This marks the Empire's base in Shrek City. You can stay there for now. Or if you have things to do, you can leave first. I'll be fine."

Although the Snow Empress could take human form, she was still a spirit beast. She had gone undetected in Star Luo Empire because its strongest soul masters were the Worship Hall's two hall masters, both rank ninety-seven Super Douluo. Their cultivation was below hers, so they could not see her true form.

Shrek Academy was different. It was full of powerful people, and someone there might see through her disguise.

The Snow Empress thought for a moment. Light flashed in her hand, and a pure-white snowflake appeared on her palm.

"Then take this snowflake. It can unleash one attack comparable to a Titled Douluo's. You can also use it to contact me whenever you need to."

With that, the Snow Empress turned and headed for the nearest Star Luo Empire base.