Shrek City occupied the heart of the Lima Plain, outside the jurisdiction of any empire, and possessed its own laws and taxation rights.
From afar, Shrek's city walls stretched on and on, carrying a considerable sense of history's weight.
Streams of people thronged the city, and not merely because these few days were enrollment time. As a city steeped in legend, it drew plenty of travelers from across the continent.
The three threaded their way through the crowd together. Tang Ya was brimming with enthusiasm, introducing Huo Yuhao to the various places in Shrek City without pause.
"We've arrived at the world's greatest city, Shrek. So beautiful, Shrek. Oh, isn't that Nan Nan?"
As soon as she finished speaking, her gaze suddenly flicked toward Jiang Nannan among the crowd beside the street.
Jiang Nannan and her mother had moved to Shrek City not long ago. Since school was about to start, she had planned to buy a few more things for her mother to keep on hand.
As a belle of the outer court, Jiang Nannan's exquisitely lovely appearance made her stand out like a crane among chickens in the crowd, drawing particular attention.
Even passing pedestrians and students coming to enroll could not help slowing down to admire her.
Seemingly hearing Tang Ya's call, Jiang Nannan looked toward the sound and spotted one of her few friends in the outer court waving to her in greeting.
Jiang Nannan glanced beside Tang Ya. Yes, Bei Bei was there with her, just as expected. Those two really were inseparable as a body and its shadow.
Wait, isn't that little boy beside them Huo Yuhao?
Jiang Nannan's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Some of the ease she had felt while shopping dissolved, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the bag in her hand.
I never thought I'd run into Yuhao here without warning when I only came out to buy a few things.
It's only been such a short time, but Yuhao seems even better-looking. Where did the white at the ends of his hair come from?
And why is little Yuhao with Tang Ya? Did she lure him away?
Before Jiang Nannan could finish thinking, Tang Ya pulled Bei Bei along and brought Huo Yuhao swiftly through the crowd, coming up in front of her.
She opened her arms and gave Jiang Nannan a perfectly natural hug.
"Nan Nan, long time no see! I've missed you to death!"
"Xiao Ya, long time no see."
"Oh, right, right, this person beside me is-"
Just as Tang Ya was about to introduce her capable grilled-fish ace, Jiang Nannan spoke first. "Little Yuhao, long time no see."
Huo Yuhao looked at Jiang Nannan, a smile rippling through his eyes as well, and answered softly, "Sister Nan Nan."
"..."
Hearing this, Tang Ya looked back and forth between them in disbelief, her mind racing as though she were trying to figure out how they could know each other.
"You two already knew each other?"
"Yuhao stayed near my home for a little while before. After a few encounters, we got to know each other."
Jiang Nannan did not say much, only offering a casual outline.
"So that's how it is!"
Realization dawned on Tang Ya. Then her eyes lit up, her appraising gaze instantly turning nosy. "Could little Yuhao have come to Shrek just for Nan Nan? You've got good taste~"
"Xiao Ya, stop teasing."
At those words, Jiang Nannan's fair cheeks flushed scarlet, and she instinctively turned her head away.
Huo Yuhao was also briefly taken aback and hurried to explain, "No, I'd already planned to apply to Shrek."
Watching Jiang Nannan suddenly become flustered, Bei Bei smiled and smoothed things over. "All right, Teacher Xiao Ya, stop making wild guesses. Since Jiang Nannan knows Yuhao, let's have her help him enroll."
"Huh? Why? Don't we still have-"
"You've only just finished absorbing your soul ring, and there are still Tang Sect matters to handle afterward. There'll be other things to do once school starts, too."
"Uh, true. Then Nan Nan, let's talk next time!"
With that, Tang Ya left with Bei Bei.
Shrek Academy's registration point was at Shrek City's East Gate. With enrollment season underway, the place was already a sea of people.
Jiang Nannan and Huo Yuhao walked together. With their combined good looks, they naturally attracted quite a few gazes along the way.
"Next!"
"Coming."
The registration attendant naturally recognized Jiang Nannan as well, and could not help growing curious about Huo Yuhao beside her.
This kid actually has Jiang Nannan accompanying him to enroll. What luck.
Suddenly, an absurd thought surfaced in his mind. Judging by their ages, what if this is an old cow grazing on tender grass?
Forget it. How could that be possible?
"All right, please display your soul rings, then place your hand on the crystal ball."
"Okay."
Huo Yuhao answered, and two rich, deep-purple soul rings leaped out beside him, instantly setting the people around him talking.
"Two thousand-year rings? Has there ever been a configuration like that in history?"
"Shrek really is a gathering place for monsters!"
Looking at the crystal ball, which could not have shone any brighter, the attendant also sucked in a cold breath.
This child is terrifying indeed!
Huo Yuhao looked at the attendant, who was staring blankly, and smiled. "Hello, did I pass?"
The attendant abruptly came back to his senses and hurriedly reined in his shock. "Um, your recommendation letter?"
It was only a formality at this point. He would accept such a gifted child with or without a recommendation letter.
The man began his sales pitch. "By the way, junior, we've opened a new experimental class this year. Although it also focuses on martial soul education, it includes some additional study of soul tools compared with the other classes, if you'd like to sign up."
Looking at Huo Yuhao, he did not really think someone with his talent would sign up for it.
Nearly all the students who came to Shrek aimed to improve their martial souls. As for soul tools, scarcely any had been willing to learn about them so far, yet the academy insisted on making him promote them. What a nuisance.
"Could you tell me about it, senior?"
"I see... Huh?"
Jiang Nannan looked at the enrollment certificate in Huo Yuhao's hand, delight showing in her eyes. "Congratulations on getting in, Yuhao. From now on, you're my junior."
"Yes, and it's also thanks to the help you gave me back then, Sister Nan Nan."
"Oh, stop it. You kept your mountains hidden and your waters concealed before, too. Those two thousand-year soul rings of yours really gave me a shock this time."
"Haha."
Huo Yuhao naturally would not reveal anything about Sister Tian Meng and the others, so he simply laughed a few times to smooth things over.
After collecting his uniform and dormitory key, the two walked out of the teaching building side by side and looked into the distance. By then, the sun was nearly sinking behind the western hills.
Looking at the dormitory key in Huo Yuhao's hand, Jiang Nannan considered for a moment, then invited him. "Yuhao, it'll be dark soon. The new students' dormitories only opened today, and getting everything tidied up will be a hassle."
"Just stay at my place tonight. Mom and I can welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey, too. Mom's been talking about you for ages."
Huo Yuhao raised his head and met the girl's sincere gaze. "But the beds..."
"It's fine. Come have a look at my place. Our new house is pretty big."
Huo Yuhao could hardly refuse, so he accepted Jiang Nannan's kindness and agreed.
"Then sorry for the trouble, Sister Nan Nan."
Before you continue