Shrek Academy recruits students, Xiao Wu reveals her talent, Ning Rongrong shows her closeness

With the brief fight over, Tang San straightened his clothes and walked toward Xiao Wu.

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San greeted her politely. "Hello. We meet again."

Zhu Zhuqing replied mechanically, "Hello."

Tang San paid it no mind and turned to Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu, let's go upstairs first. I need to change."

The fight had been brief, but the clashes of Soul Power had been fierce, leaving his sleeves in tatters.

Xiao Wu did not agree, instead looking at Zhu Zhuqing.

As a fellow girl, she could sense that Zhu Zhuqing was in a terrible mood.

It was like when she had lost her mother, when she had felt an urge to die.

Xiao Wu could not help asking with concern, "Zhu Qing, what's wrong?"

Zhu Zhuqing shook her head. "Nothing. I just don't know where to go."

Seeing this, Xiao Wu invited her along. "Xiao San's master gave us some time off. Why don't you come have fun with us until you decide where to go?"

"Clearing your head will help you get past whatever's hurting you."

Zhu Zhuqing's eyes lit up.

She had nearly forgotten. Tang San was so formidable that his master had to be even more heaven-defying!

I have to become his disciple, no matter the cost!!!

Dai Mubai was mud that could never be plastered onto a wall. Death awaited her in the future, and waiting to die was not in her nature.

Even if her attempts to become his disciple kept failing, getting close to Tang San and the others, learning some cultivation insights, and strengthening herself might still give her a chance to survive!

A twelve-year-old, rank-thirty-seven Soul Elder would surely become a Titled Douluo one day. The power behind him might not fear the Star Luo Empire.

As Zhu Zhuqing thought it through, her gaze grew increasingly resolute, and her spirits were completely renewed.

She looked at Xiao Wu and said sincerely, "Xiao Wu, thank you. Sorry for imposing on you in the days ahead."

Xiao Wu waved a hand, then planted both hands on her hips. "We're both girls. Of course we should help each other!"

Her face beamed with the pride of someone who had done a great good deed.

Standing beside Xiao Wu, Tang San frowned slightly.

If he remembered correctly, his master had described the Star Luo Imperial Family's method of choosing an heir as raising venomous creatures in a jar until only one survived.

And every talented member of the imperial family would enter a marriage alliance with the Zhu Family.

Zhu Zhuqing's Martial Soul matched Dai Mubai's, and they had appeared in the same place. They were very likely betrothed.

Now that they had beaten Dai Mubai, why did Zhu Zhuqing want to follow them?

Tang San could not figure it out and silently remained on guard.

Early the next morning, Zhu Zhuqing arrived at the Rose Hotel well ahead of time to wait.

Xiao Wu came out yawning. When she saw Zhu Zhuqing, she exclaimed excitedly, "Zhu Qing, you're up so early!"

"Let's go take a look at Shrek Academy today. When I arrived yesterday, I heard they were recruiting. Their graduates all became Soul Ancestors before twenty, even stronger than Teacher Li."

"Lots of families in Suotuo City are talking about sending their children there."

Hearing the familiar academy name, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze flickered.

If she remembered correctly, Dai Mubai was a student there.

Yet he was hardly strong, and instead of cultivating, he went off to fool around with women.

The comparison made Zhu Zhuqing even more curious about Li Sen's teaching, and her desire to become his disciple grew stronger.

The three ate a simple breakfast, then followed directions from passersby to Shrek Academy.

It stood in a remote corner, its name carved into a battered sign. The roads were all dirt and sand, and its grounds shared space with a small village.

Refusing to believe it, Xiao Wu walked around the place, but could not find a single decent building.

Returning to the registration area, she stared at the hundreds of people queuing before an old man beside the Shrek sign, and her mind went blank.

"This academy is run-down, poor, and out in the middle of nowhere. Are its admission requirements reasonable?"

"I feel like the resources Teacher Li uses on Little San could buy more than a dozen academies like this!"

"With resources like these, how could they make students become Soul Elders before twenty?"

Zhu Zhuqing understood even less.

Dai Mubai was an imperial prince, after all. Why would he cultivate at such a garbage academy?

If he didn't want to work hard, there didn't seem to be anything to enjoy at an academy like this, either.

The corners of all three mouths twitched as they quietly watched others continue signing up.

Suddenly, a dispute broke out at the registration desk, and someone shouted.

"You're swindling us! My son is a Soul Grandmaster at thirteen. He's very talented! How does he not meet your admission requirements?"

The old man handling admissions said calmly, "To become a student at our academy, you must become a Soul Grandmaster before the age of thirteen."

His words immediately sparked public outrage.

"Who would come to this shabby academy if they could become a Soul Grandmaster before thirteen?"

Countless parents cursed angrily, turning to leave with their children.

Many parents who had already registered shouted even more furiously, "Why didn't you explain these rules earlier? We're not enrolling! Give us our money back!!!"

Unmoved by the parents' demands for refunds, the old man stood and revealed his Soul Rings.

White, yellow, purple, purple, black, black.

A terrifying pressure of Soul Power spread outward, and the protests immediately fell silent.

The old man said unhurriedly, "If you've come to register, Shrek Academy welcomes you. If you've come to cause trouble, don't blame me for being harsh."

The next moment, countless parents fled the registration area with their children.

Xiao Wu could not help complaining.

"What kind of garbage academy is this? They don't explain the admission rules until someone asks, and they won't even give refunds!"

People fled so quickly that only a dozen or so remained, leaving Xiao Wu's voice clearly audible.

"Little girl, have you come to register or to pick a fight?"

The old man frowned, looking at Xiao Wu with an unfriendly tone as he released the pressure of his Soul Power.

That was right. He intended to force submission through sheer power!

Seeing someone bully Xiao Wu, Tang San immediately stepped in front of her, ready to act.

Dai Mubai, who had just come to check on the admissions, happened upon the scene and hurriedly called out to stop them.

"Wait... Teacher Li Yusong, calm down! They're geniuses. They should be here to register!"

Li Yusong's brow relaxed a little, and he asked curiously, "Oh? Even Mubai calls them geniuses? How old are they, and how strong?"

Dai Mubai scratched his head. "Xiao Wu is a little weaker than me. That boy is stronger than me, and neither looks older than I am."

Li Yusong immediately grew interested. Looking at Xiao Wu, he asked, "Little girl, how old are you, and how strong?"

Xiao Wu smiled slightly. Feeling everyone's eyes turn toward her, she stood beside Tang San and proudly raised her head.

"I'm twelve, a rank-thirty-three Power Attack System Battle Soul Master. Xiao San is twelve too, and he's rank thirty-seven."