Before he knew it, Tang San was already picturing everyone's astonished faces, especially Xiao Wu beside him. She would surely say in her soft, sweet voice, "Third Brother, you're amazing."
Hmph, Qin Ye, was it? Let's see how you envy me in a moment. Just as Tang San was indulging in his daydream, the old man's voice suddenly rang out.
"Not bad. Next."
The old man impatiently released Tang San's wrist and turned to test Xiao Wu.
"Huh?" Tang San was stunned. "Senior, my soul power level is twenty-nine!"
The old man knitted his brows as he looked at the anxious Tang San. "Oh. Is there a problem?"
"I, I..." For a moment, Tang San had no idea what to say. Why wasn't this old man following the script?
Qin Ye laughed inwardly at the side. Tang San was making such a fool of himself that it was almost painful to watch. What an idiot. Why would the teacher have any interest in you now? I can beat even Dai Mubai with his three-ring cultivation. Who would pay attention to a two-ring soul master like you?
It wasn't that Tang San wasn't outstanding, only that someone even more outstanding stood right before him. Qin Ye's record of victories had completely eclipsed Tang San's brilliance.
"You're only level twenty-nine, without even three rings, yet you keep babbling on. Are you trying to get us to laugh at you? Huh? Haha." Qin Ye mocked Tang San.
"You! Damn you!" Tang San clenched his fists, wishing he could tear Qin Ye's mouth apart on the spot.
"Third Brother, don't get angry." Xiao Wu hurried forward to stop him. "Don't forget why Grandmaster sent us here, Third Brother. Once we join Shrek Academy, we'll have plenty of chances to teach him a lesson."
"Phew. You're right." Tang San let out a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the fury in his heart. Once I get into Shrek, you'll be in for it. Tang San shot Qin Ye a vicious glare.
"All right. Now that your soul power has been tested, follow me inside." Everyone who remained met Shrek's admission standards, so the old man hoisted Dai Mubai over his shoulder and beckoned everyone into the academy.
"Let's go, Zhu Zhuqing." Qin Ye paid Tang San no attention-or rather, he couldn't be bothered.
He had eyes only for the little rabbit beside Tang San. Once he won Xiao Wu over, he would make Tang San kneel on the ground and beg like a dog, watching with his own eyes as Qin Ye and Xiao Wu whispered sweet nothings to each other.
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing was about to walk ahead alone when Qin Ye suddenly took her small hand. "Huh? What are you doing, Qin Ye? Let go of me."
Zhu Zhuqing instinctively tried to shake off Qin Ye's hand, only for the heart demon that suddenly appeared in her mind to interfere. Zhu Zhuqing, don't you want to return to the Star Luo Empire and take revenge someday?
What?
Have you forgotten the assassination attempts and humiliation you suffered in the Star Luo Empire? The man who can help you take revenge is right before you. If you were a little smarter, you would know what you ought to do.
But I... Zhu Zhuqing protested inwardly. I do want to defeat Zhu Zhuyun, but I can't trade my chastity for my ambitions.
Chastity? What does holding hands have to do with chastity? the heart demon challenged. You're just ordinary friends. It's perfectly normal for friends to hold hands. You're overthinking it, girl.
The heart demon's voice was full of temptation. Zhu Zhuqing's mind gradually grew hazy, and her struggling hand weakened a little.
"Zhu Zhuqing, what's wrong?" Qin Ye's call brought Zhu Zhuqing back to reality, and he offered her a warm smile. "Let's hurry. Everyone else has gone ahead."
"Oh." Zhu Zhuqing answered instinctively, then let Qin Ye lead her through Shrek's gates.
As Qin Ye led her some distance by the hand, the shame in Zhu Zhuqing's heart gradually faded, and she even began to grow accustomed to the feeling.
Qin Ye's palm was like a little warm stove, giving Zhu Zhuqing a warmth she had never known before. If she had had someone like him beside her back in the Star Luo Empire, perhaps her life would have been different.
Zhu Zhuqing's bright eyes began to look the man before her up and down. His bearing was elegant, powerful, and confident without being rude. He was countless times better than Dai Mubai, that wastrel obsessed with women.
Perhaps he's the one I've been looking for, Zhu Zhuqing thought to herself.
Everyone soon arrived at the Assembly Square. Once the old man saw that they were all there, he took a white crystal from his pocket.
"Next, we'll test the precise strength of your soul power. Who wants to go first?"
"I'll go." The lively, spirited Ning Rongrong volunteered.
Everyone's gaze was immediately drawn to this petite, adorable girl, especially Oscar, who was selling sausages in the shadows. From his first glimpse of Ning Rongrong, he couldn't take his eyes off her.
This girl is so beautiful.
Ning Rongrong poured her soul power into the crystal, which instantly radiated a dazzling white light.
Soul power level: 26!
"Mm, excellent. You have talent." The old man nodded in satisfaction. He had already recognized Ning Rongrong earlier. This little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect truly had some ability.
Tang San immediately felt he had been treated unfairly.
Why does she get praised when she's only a level-twenty-six soul master? I'm level twenty-nine, yet all I got was 'not bad'! Is this old man deliberately targeting me?
"Hehe, thank you for the compliment, Teacher. Then can I skip the second and third rounds of testing?" Ning Rongrong asked playfully.
The old man lowered his head and considered it. "The academy does indeed have such a rule. Mm, of course you can."
"Then thank you, Teacher!" Ning Rongrong smiled happily, looking particularly charming.
Oscar felt his heart pounding so hard that he nearly fainted on the spot. What... what an adorable girl. No, I can't take it anymore.
Oscar hurriedly pulled out a mirror. Looking at his full beard, he quickly shook his head. No, I can't let anyone see me like this. I have to tidy myself up.
With that, Oscar quietly left, hoping to give everyone a surprise when he returned.
"Who's next?" the old man urged the students in the square.
"I'll go." Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward confidently and picked up the white crystal. It immediately shone with an even more dazzling light.
Soul power level: 27!
"Oh, another Little Monster." The old man nodded in satisfaction again. "You can skip the second and third rounds of testing too."
"Thank you, Teacher."
Zhu Zhuqing quietly moved to stand beside Ning Rongrong, wearing the expression of an icy beauty, her gaze fixed firmly on Qin Ye.
If Qin Ye's soul power level really was only ten, Zhu Zhuqing wanted to see how he would get through this test.
Qin Ye, will you be the one I've been looking for?
Before you continue