"All right, that's settled. It wouldn't be too much to ask to look around your academy next, would it?"
"???"
Flender's face was a picture of bewilderment. Would three mighty Buddhas like you really take an interest in our shabby little academy?
"Well..."
"Enough hemming and hawing. This is a notice, not a negotiation."
Chen Yang paid no attention to Flender's expression and flew toward the academy with the two girls.
Flender sighed helplessly. Where on earth did these almighty ancestors come from? Why won't they leave my rundown academy alone?
He glanced at Ning Rongrong behind the tree.
"Are you here to enroll?"
"That's right!"
Flender immediately perked up. Even that scene hadn't scared this little girl away. She looked like a promising seedling!
"You're not afraid of those three almighty ancestors?"
Ning Rongrong folded her arms across her chest, her face brimming with pride and arrogance.
"Afraid? I, Ning Rongrong, have never known how to write the word 'afraid.' No matter how strong they are, could they possibly compare to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"
Ning Rongrong? The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Good grief! She's actually the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's little princess?!
Perfect! A hedge against the risk! If I take this little almighty ancestor in, those three should rein themselves in a bit.
If they accidentally offend this little princess, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect definitely won't let it slide. Then... hehehe~
"Ahem. In that case, you're now a member of Shrek Academy. Come with me."
Flender landed and led Ning Rongrong toward Shrek Academy.
Along the way, Ning Rongrong surveyed the shabby, dilapidated surroundings, her brows tightly knitted and her face full of disdain.
This dump doesn't even compare to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's toilets.
If it weren't for those three geniuses, I wouldn't want to spend even a second here.
Despite her resistance, Ning Rongrong could only force down her discomfort and silently bear it.
The two soon reached the inner courtyard's training grounds.
Zhao Wuji was lounging leisurely on a recliner beside the grounds. When he spotted Flender approaching with an unfamiliar girl, he immediately straightened up and sat upright.
"Flender, you only found one today? Are we still doing the combat test?"
"Test, my ass! This is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's little princess. If she gets so much as a bump or scrape, you'll have a bitter pill to swallow!"
Flender turned toward Zhao Wuji and discreetly gave him a look. Its meaning went without saying; he could figure it out himself.
Zhao Wuji scratched the back of his head, disappointment written all over his face.
He'd been idle at Shrek for so long, slacking off and basking in the sun every day, that he was practically bored out of his skull.
He'd thought a new student would finally give him a chance to put someone through their paces, stretch his muscles, and trounce a novice. But from the looks of it, this little girl was someone he couldn't touch at all.
Ning Rongrong caught every little exchange between them. Quietly suppressing her contempt for the academy, she immediately put on a sweet, well-behaved smile.
"You're too kind, Dean."
Her voice was gentle as she spoke with easy poise:
"Since I've joined Shrek, I'm just an ordinary student here. There's no need to give me special treatment, much less change the academy's rules for me."
Then her tone shifted, and she spread her hands in feigned helplessness. "It's just a shame that I'm purely a support-type Soul Master, with no offensive abilities whatsoever. I can't take part in a combat assessment all by myself."
"I can join you."
A somewhat cool voice rang out.
For an instant, Ning Rongrong's expression cracked, but she covered it up almost immediately.
Slightly annoyed, she turned toward the voice, only for her eyes to light up the moment she saw who had spoken.
Isn't this busty cow in black leather, along with the boy and girl beside her, exactly who I'm after?!
She hurried over, reaching out a hand in enthusiastic greeting.
"Hello, my name is Ning Rongrong. My Martial Soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and I'm from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Zhu Zhuqing and the other two each reached out and briefly shook her hand.
"Zhu Zhuqing. My Martial Soul is the Hell Spirit Cat."
"My name is Xiao Wu, with the 'Wu' meaning dance. My Martial Soul is the Soft-Boned Enchanting Rabbit."
"Chen Yang. My Martial Soul is the Master Ball."
Feeling the soft smoothness of Ning Rongrong's little hand, Chen Yang couldn't help marveling at how wonderful it was to be rich. Her skin is as silky as milk. I wonder... ahem...
"Zhu Zhuqing, if I remember correctly, you weren't planning to join the academy, were you? Why do you want to take the combat test with me, then?"
Ning Rongrong blinked her big, innocent eyes, as though she were simply curious.
Zhu Zhuqing said nothing. Challenging Zhao Wuji had been her master's idea. He'd apparently said something about beating Zhao Wuji to farm experience and then raising her soul power level.
Besides that, her master had also imparted two Self-Created Soul Skills to her, Cut and Throat Chop. Zhao Wuji would be perfect for trying them out.
Just as she was about to offer some casual excuse, Chen Yang's voice sounded in her mind.
Just tell her outright. Ning Rongrong will be your junior martial sister, and there's no hiding this anyway.
A flicker of understanding crossed Zhu Zhuqing's eyes.
"I'm taking the combat test to raise my soul power level."
???
Ning Rongrong looked at Zhu Zhuqing dubiously, her expression practically asking, Do you really expect me to believe that?
But if the other girl didn't want to say, she couldn't force her. Winning geniuses over had to be done slowly and steadily.
This busty cow and that woman in pink keep looking at that handsome young guy.
Clearly, that gorgeous guy is the core of this group.
The situation is still unclear. Rashly sticking my neck out would only ruin things. I need to figure out everyone's background and their relationships within the group first.
Her thoughts raced, and Ning Rongrong's eyes shifted slightly. She immediately adopted an affectionate air, stepped forward, and hooked her arm through Zhu Zhuqing's. As she chatted with the girls, every sentence was a roundabout attempt to gather information.
Throughout it all, she completely ignored Flender and Zhao Wuji.
The two exchanged a glance, quietly moved aside, and began talking in low voices.
"Flender, what's the deal with these three? They don't look like new students."
"Don't even get me started. Who knows where these three almighty ancestors came from? See that girl in pink?"
"She beat Old Li so badly he couldn't fight back at all. He's still getting treatment from Shao Xin."
"That boy is even more outrageous. I can't detect his cultivation."
"Hiss...!"
At those words, Zhao Wuji sucked in a sharp breath, shock filling his eyes.
"You mean a Soul Douluo? Or a Titled Douluo?"
Flender nodded helplessly. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been so meek and let them come to the academy.
"Good heavens, how old does he even look? And he's already a Douluo?!"
"Oww! Flender, my stomach's hurting a little. How about you take my place for the test in a bit..."
Clutching his stomach with a pained expression, Zhao Wuji tried to leave.
But before he could finish, Flender grabbed his shoulder and held him in place.
"Quit acting. Just hold back a little, won't you? Besides, you're thick-skinned and can take a beating. Even if you stand there and let them hit you, they won't break through your defenses. What are you afraid of?"
"Tch... You're not the one getting beaten up. Of course you're not afraid."
Zhao Wuji muttered a few complaints under his breath, but abandoned the idea of running away.
Before you continue