First Meeting with Two Girls

Just as Qin Muchu was growing drowsy, a soft sound of surprise jolted him awake. He looked up to see Li Yusong's fingers resting on a young girl's wrist, his face full of uncertainty.

The girl stood alone, with no parents accompanying her. She wore a teal dress with a bell-shaped skirt and flared sleeves. Slim and graceful, she had the air of a well-behaved daughter from a noble family. Her delicate face tapered to a small chin, her large teal eyes were bright and lively, and her waist-length flaxen hair was threaded with a few thin braids, making her look both elegant and winsome.

That must be Ning Rongrong, Qin Muchu thought. At first glance, she seemed like the sweet girl next door. No wonder everyone in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect doted on her.

"May I pass the initial test?" Ning Rongrong asked sweetly. Her voice was so soft and gentle that it was hard to connect her with the Little Demoness.

The surprise on Li Yusong's face gradually faded. He glanced at Qin Muchu, unable to shake the feeling that the boy had known this girl would come to the academy. Frowning, he asked, "Does your family know you're here?"

Ning Rongrong folded her hands in front of her and said softly, "They say education should be open to all. As long as I meet the academy's requirements, you have no reason to turn me away, do you?"

Li Yusong hesitated and glanced at Qin Muchu again before saying, "Fine. As long as you don't think there's a problem. Muchu, take her inside."

Hearing that, the boy who had been running errands for Qin Muchu started forward, but Qin Muchu waved him off. "All right, your job's done. Go home. I'll handle the rest."

The boy nodded and left happily. He hadn't passed the test, but he had earned ten Gold Soul Coins just by running errands for a while. It was an unexpected windfall.

Ning Rongrong came over to Qin Muchu and studied him curiously. She couldn't shake the feeling that this boy, who looked about her age, was unfathomable.

Qin Muchu nodded in greeting, then said to Li Yusong, "Let's wait. There should be one more." As he spoke, he looked toward the back of the line. A tall girl stood there quietly, her face cool and her figure remarkably mature for her age. She seemed to warn strangers to keep their distance.

That must be Zhu Zhuqing, Qin Muchu thought. She was far too distinctive to mistake. In two lifetimes, he had never seen a twelve-year-old girl so well developed.

There weren't many people left in line after Ning Rongrong's test, so Zhu Zhuqing's turn came quickly. She held out her right hand, and Li Yusong felt her wrist to check her bone age. "Mm, your age is right. Release your Martial Soul and let me see your Soul Power Level."

Without a word, Zhu Zhuqing willed a shadowy figure to appear behind her. It was a black cat, radiating a cold aura, with faint purple patterns in its fur. At the same time, two Yellow Soul Rings circled her.

"Oh? A Hell Spirit Cat. You don't see that Martial Soul often." Li Yusong gave Zhu Zhuqing a surprised look. "Your age and level both qualify. You've passed the first test. Muchu, take them to the remaining tests."

Qin Muchu nodded and said to the two girls, "Come with me." He turned and walked through the academy gates, and Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing hurried after him.

"You two are my juniors. I'm Qin Muchu. What should I call you?"

As he led Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing along a path through Shrek Academy, Qin Muchu put the question to them.

"I'm Ning Rongrong."

"Zhu Zhuqing."

"Nice to meet you, Ning and Zhu. Neither of you looks like an ordinary person, judging by the way you're dressed. What brought you to Shrek Academy?" This time, Qin Muchu was genuinely curious. He couldn't understand why a pampered young lady like Ning Rongrong would come to such a run-down academy.

"To grow stronger."

Zhu Zhuqing was as sparing with words as ever, but Ning Rongrong had plenty to say. "Didn't you claim outside that this academy only takes monsters? You talked yourselves up so much that of course I had to come see for myself. The academy never said it only takes ordinary people, did it? Besides, the fabric of your clothes isn't cheap either. If you can come here, why can't I?"

"Uh, I was just curious." Qin Muchu rubbed his nose and kept walking with them.

Pointing at the crowd lined up ahead, Ning Rongrong asked curiously, "Isn't the second test here? Where are you taking us, Senior Qin?"

Qin Muchu glanced at the long line. "The second test measures your exact Soul Power, but academy rules say that anyone whose Soul Power is above level twenty-five when they enroll can skip the earlier tests and go straight to the last one."

"You can tell what our Soul Power Levels are?" Ning Rongrong asked in surprise. Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, but her slightly parted lips betrayed her astonishment too.

"More or less," Qin Muchu said. "I can tell you're both a little above level twenty-five."

"Really?" Ning Rongrong's large eyes were full of doubt. "What level is your Soul Power, Senior Qin?"

"Mm, a little higher than yours. You'll find out soon." Qin Muchu chuckled. He didn't want to discourage them, but he couldn't help being so outstanding.

"Hmph. Playing mysterious. It can't be that high." Ning Rongrong rolled her eyes dramatically, though her surprise and curiosity hadn't faded in the slightest. At the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she was hailed as a genius rarely seen in a century. With Innate Soul Power at level nine, she had always been the most talented person wherever she went.

Now an academy she had joined on a whim might have someone her age with a higher Soul Power Level. She found that hard to believe, and it stirred her competitive spirit.

Just then, a languid voice called out, "Sausages for sale! Oscar Brand Sausages! Delicious and affordable, fair to young and old alike! Only five Copper Soul Coins! Juniors, eat an Oscar Brand Sausage and you're sure to pass your tests! Come have a look!"

At the sound, Qin Muchu instinctively glanced at Ning Rongrong beside him. Her attention was fixed on him. When she noticed him looking, she panicked, turned away like a guilty thief, and let her gaze dart around. "What?"

"Do you want some grilled sausages? My treat. They're made by a Food-System Soul Master at the academy, and they taste pretty good."

Only then did Ning Rongrong notice the handcart in the distance. Her eyes lit up. "Sure! I've hardly ever eaten food made by a Food-System Soul Master."

With that, she ran ahead toward Oscar's stall. Qin Muchu shook his head helplessly and called for Zhu Zhuqing to follow.