"All done."
"From this moment on, young friend Chu Ge, you are an inner court teacher. Keep these little things safe, my friend."
Yan Shaozhe handed him a gift box containing an identification badge and a designated Soul Tool, a smile on his face.
At Shrek Academy, arrangements for teachers were handled by Du Weilun, even for inner court teachers.
The man before him, however, was a Titled Douluo.
If they still had a Soul Douluo handle the formalities for him, Shrek would lose every last scrap of face!
Du Weilun, the Martial Soul Department's director, was already standing behind him, trembling. Yan Shaozhe would have to attend to this man personally.
"Thank you, Elder Yan."
With a calm expression, Chu Ge put everything into his storage space.
Just then, the system's mechanical chime suddenly rang out, and its messages appeared in his mind.
[Novice host] [Congratulations. After working hard to demonstrate your abilities, you have finally earned the recognition of an ordinary teacher, who has taken the unprecedented step of giving you a recommendation, allowing you to successfully join Shrek.] [Although this is only a small step on your journey through life, it is likewise not a particularly big stride.] [We hope you will keep up your efforts and strive to avoid finding yourself unable to obtain even a Recommendation Letter in the future.]
"This system is still the same as ever."
Chu Ge did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Working hard to demonstrate his abilities meant merely releasing his Soul Rings;
And an ordinary teacher apparently meant Yan Shaozhe, the dean of Shrek Academy, Mu En's disciple, and the son of Ye Xishui and Long Xiaoyao.
After that, he had no intention of lingering. Coming back to his senses, he said goodbye to Yan Shaozhe and prepared to wander around outside on his own.
"Little Du, Little Du, tell me exactly what happened earlier."
Yan Shaozhe turned his gaze toward Du Weilun behind him, his formerly amiable expression instantly turning cold. Zhou Yi-the name of the person responsible was hardly unfamiliar.
Not long ago, Du Weilun had just demoted her to teaching first-years, and now she was stirring up trouble again?
"Elder Yan, this is what happened..."
"Outrageous!"
Yan Shaozhe tightened his grip slightly, and the teacup in his hand shattered at once, his face filled with anger.
"Relying on her connections with the Soul Tool Department, this Zhou Yi has utterly forgotten the rules. I understand now."
"Little Du, you must give our young friend Chu Ge a satisfactory resolution to this matter. Otherwise, neither you nor I need remain in our posts."
Yan Shaozhe's face was livid.
Such blatant reliance on connections. How arrogant.
And for a Soul Emperor to provoke a Titled Douluo was outrageously absurd even by the standards of the entire continent.
"Keep a close eye on things over the next few days. Within a month, forget Zhou Yi-even that department director husband of hers will be removed."
"A wolf and a jackal working hand in glove."
Yan Shaozhe looked at the man before him and spoke slowly.
"Yes, Elder Yan."
Du Weilun acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Yan Shaozhe remained seated, lost in thought about the fact that Chu Ge and Xiaotao were both twenty.
That was the key point, one he mentally circled.
"But before that..."
"I'll go have a word with that old man Qian Duoduo first. He's always saying my Martial Soul Department has no talent. Even if we had no one, we'd still be stronger than a Soul Tool Department with only three Level 8 Soul Engineers."
Yan Shaozhe snorted.
Before long, Chu Ge arrived at the outer court dormitory building.
[Novice host] [Before you is one of the continent's three great Peerless Douluos, Dragon God Douluo Mu En, who is also Shrek Academy's true foremost figure. Winning his favor will bring you tremendous benefits.] [Be sure to use every trick in your arsenal to earn this figure's recognition. It will be of immense help to you.] [Mission reward: Hundred Thousand Year Light Wisdom Skull]
Looking at the data panel that appeared in his mind, Chu Ge turned his gaze toward a spot not far away.
Under the sunlight, an aged figure lay sleeping in a reclining chair.
The old man's vitality seemed extremely weak, as though his oil had run dry and his lamp was about to go out. Yet the aura emanating from him made even Chu Ge, with his current strength, wary.
This was one of the continent's three great Peerless Douluos, Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion Master, Dragon God Douluo Mu En.
"The reward is actually a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Bone. The system really is generous..."
Marveling at the benefit the system offered him, Chu Ge immediately approached the old man. There was clearly no reason to turn down this reward.
Yet before he could even greet him, the old man, who had plainly been resting with his eyes narrowed, suddenly rose and moved close to him, his face filled with shock.
[Novice host] [Congratulations. Through exceptionally good luck, you have managed to earn Mu En's recognition despite your meager strength. Your reward has been issued.]
Chu Ge: "..."
He merely smiled without saying a word.
Still, it was not entirely wrong. Being young and already possessing the strength of a Titled Douluo was enough to make Mu En's eyes light up.
"Elder Mu."
The next moment, he looked at the old man before him and spoke with a respectful smile.
"You are clearly so young..."
"And yet you are a Titled Douluo!"
Mu En gazed at Chu Ge, his aged but spirited eyes widening as he could not help murmuring.
Within Shrek Academy, the slight connection he had established with the Golden Ancient Tree allowed him to see through everything within its range.
He might not be able to penetrate certain deliberately concealed secrets, but anything not intentionally hidden had nowhere to hide.
The man before him was actually a Titled Douluo!
As a renowned powerhouse on the continent, and one of its three great peerless experts, he had naturally seen countless geniuses. Besides, he himself was unquestionably a genius.
He had begun cultivating at six, become a Soul Grandmaster at eight, reached Soul Saint at eighteen, and become a Soul Douluo at twenty-three. He himself was a brilliant stroke in the history of Soul Masters, and the pinnacle of strength, aptitude, and experience among Shrek Academy's successive deans.
Yet even so, compared with someone who became a Titled Douluo in his twenties, he fell almost a hundred and eight thousand miles short.
To achieve that in one's twenties was simply inconceivable.
"It was merely good luck."
"I have long heard of your illustrious reputation, Elder Mu. Meeting you today, I can see that you truly live up to it."
Chu Ge shook his head and smiled at the old man before him.
Yet when it came to Mu En's deeds, he truly could not muster the slightest admiration.
When Shrek's people absorbed Soul Beasts to cultivate, it was the conduct of the righteous.
When others absorbed Soul Beasts to cultivate, they deserved execution.
"You are too modest, young friend."
Hearing this, Mu En could not help taking a few more looks at him. As expected of someone who had reached such a realm at so young an age, his temperament was truly exceptional.
Soon, through his connection with the Golden Ancient Tree, he sensed an aura from the young man that invited the tree's affection, and doubt immediately arose in his heart.
The Golden Ancient Tree felt drawn to him?
"Young friend, do you possess a life-type martial soul?"
He could not help asking.
"I do."
Chu Ge did not conceal it. A blooming Blue Silver Emperor appeared in his hand, leaving Mu En's heart anything but calm.
"A supreme life attribute..."
"This is the Blue Silver Emperor."
Mu En sighed in wonder, his face filled with astonishment.
He had once encountered a Blue Silver Emperor Soul Beast while traveling the continent. How could he fail to recognize it?
A Titled Douluo with the Blue Silver Emperor Martial Soul-his worth was still rising!
"A prodigy. Truly a prodigy."
A look of wonder on his face, Mu En could not help murmuring.
"I still need to find my disciple, so I will not keep talking with you here, Elder."
Chu Ge withdrew his Blue Silver Emperor, turned his gaze toward the outer court dormitory building before him, and spoke frankly with a slight smile.
What was there to talk about with Mu En? Better to make himself scarce sooner.
"Go ahead."
"There will be plenty of opportunities for us to have a proper chat later."
Hearing this, Mu En nodded in agreement.
After all, they were standing by the outer court dormitory building, where there were plenty of people and prying eyes. Continuing their conversation like this would not be ideal. Besides, with the young man's disciple attending the academy, they would have no shortage of future contact.
"A Titled Douluo this young is certain to reach the ultimate limit in the future. Such a promising seedling."
"He will surely raise our Shrek Academy to a new level..."
Light shone in Mu En's eyes, and he felt as though he had become ten years younger.
If this young man could become Shrek's mainstay, he would gladly trade ten years of his youth for it!
For Shrek's glory...
This young man had to be bound tightly to Shrek!
Meanwhile, in dorm room 205.
"It's so much tidier after a good cleaning."
Huo Yudie looked at the room before her, now completely transformed from its previous state, happiness on her face.
Just then, a figure suddenly entered the range of her perception near the dormitory door.
"Hmm? My roommate is here."
Huo Yudie immediately stopped cleaning and turned her gaze over, curiosity on her face.
The person who appeared before her was a blue-haired girl with a pink hair clip, looking at her with a smile.
The girl had an extraordinary bearing and was exceptionally beautiful. Even Huo Yudie, who was a girl herself, could not help staring in a daze.
"Excuse me..."
"Is there something on my face?"
Looking at Huo Yudie, who was staring at her in a trance, the girl froze for a moment and asked rather dubiously.
"No, no."
"You're just so pretty. So beautiful."
Huo Yudie shook her head and murmured earnestly.
"Oh..."
"You really know how to flatter someone. You're very pretty too."
The girl clearly had not expected her roommate to say that. After a brief pause, a smile appeared on her face, and she replied with a cheerful laugh.
"I wasn't..."
"By the way, my name is Tang Wutong. From now on, the two of us will be living together."
Huo Yudie hurriedly waved her hands.
Just then, however, the other girl looked at her with a smile.
"And you, my roommate?"
With a gentle expression, Tang Wutong extended her hand and asked softly.
"My name is Huo Yudie..."
"It's nice to meet you."
Huo Yudie shyly extended her own hand and spoke in a quiet voice.
(End of chapter)
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