Lin Kong stood on a street corner, gazing from afar at the Rose Hotel's conspicuous heart-shaped sign and suggestive pink lights. An almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips.
"Just an address I mentioned offhand," he murmured, turning to merge into the stream of people heading in the opposite direction.
Tang San and Xiao Wu staying at the Rose Hotel meant Tang Hao would be nearby as well. With Ah Yin on him, it was very necessary to keep his distance from Tang Hao.
A property belonging to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was undoubtedly a safer and quieter choice.
"Seven Treasure Hotel." Lin Kong looked up at the magnificent yet elegant building. Above its entrance, the glazed pagoda emblem shimmered with rainbow light beneath the lamps.
The prices were indeed jaw-dropping-a standard room cost as much as eight Gold Soul Coins a night, enough to leave an ordinary Soul Master wincing for a long time. But to Lin Kong, who had just earned money hand over fist at Suotuo City's Great Soul Arena, it was merely a little pocket change.
"I'll just consider it buying some safety!" Lin Kong paid and checked in under an attendant's respectful guidance. The room's luxury went without saying, but even more valuable was the invisible barrier provided by the prestigious name of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Here, he did not have to worry about some inexplicable presence probing him at night or being dragged into unnecessary trouble.
There was a rumor in the Soul Master World that a Soul Douluo had sneaked into the Seven Treasure Grand Hotel and killed someone. While the victim's family was weeping helplessly, not knowing what to do, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had acted, casting a net that covered heaven and earth to capture the Soul Douluo murderer. With firm resolve and ruthless methods, they had upheld the sect's reputation.
Early the next morning, Lin Kong went to the hotel's top-floor restaurant with its panoramic views for breakfast. The surroundings were elegant, and there were few guests. Outside the windows lay the gradually awakening streets of Suotuo City. He took some food and casually chose a seat by the window.
Faint footsteps came from the restaurant entrance.
A young girl walked in.
She wore a simple, fitted black outfit. Her figure was extraordinarily voluptuous, her curves breathtaking, but what drew the most attention was her icy demeanor, which stood in stark contrast to her sultry figure. Her face was exquisitely beautiful, yet seemed covered in a layer of frost that never melted all year round. Her eyes were sharp and composed, carrying an indifference and wariness beyond her years. Her long black hair hung loose down her back, swaying slightly with her steps.
Zhu Zhuqing.
Lin Kong recognized her at a glance.
A flicker of understanding crossed his mind-right, Ning Rongrong was a young lady who had "run away from home," so naturally she would avoid her family's properties. Zhu Zhuqing had fled all the way from the Star Luo Empire, and what had drawn her to the Seven Treasure Hotel was precisely the absolute safety backed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Eight Gold Soul Coins for a peaceful night's sleep that no one dared disturb was indeed well worth it to someone who was constantly in danger.
Accustomed to being alone, she chose a seat in the restaurant's farthest corner, with her back to the wall and a clear view of all the entrances and exits. Her movements were light and agile, like a cat that remained alert at all times.
When her gaze happened to sweep past Lin Kong, their eyes met for the briefest instant.
She's even prettier from the front! Lin Kong could not help marveling inwardly.
"..." Her gaze lingered a moment longer before Zhu Zhuqing looked elsewhere, unconsciously committing that handsome face to memory.
Yes, that was right. After absorbing the Hundred-Thousand-Year Blue Silver Emperor right leg Soul Bone and receiving Ah Yin's sacrifice, especially after obtaining the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline, Lin Kong's appearance had changed again. He had become much more handsome, drawing extra glances from women wherever he went.
Lin Kong did not greet Zhu Zhuqing. With a cat that lacked a sense of security, approaching rashly would only earn him claws, not have her sidling up and meowing.
A few days later, Shrek Academy's enrollment day arrived, and Zhu Zhuqing left.
Only after another day did Lin Kong leave the Seven Treasure Grand Hotel and head toward Shrek Academy outside the city.
The early morning sunlight carried a faint golden hue as it spilled over the somewhat empty clearing in the middle of Shrek Academy, stretching several young figures into long shadows.
Dai Mubai, Oscar, Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing stood in a row, each with a different bearing, all possessing the presence of young geniuses.
With his hands behind his back, Flender narrowed his eyes and looked from one end of the line to the other, then back again. He could not suppress the upward curve of his lips.
"Excellent! Excellent!" The more he looked, the more satisfied he became. Inside, his heart was practically blooming with joy.
Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, contenders for the Star Luo Empire's throne, with the potential for a Martial Soul Fusion Skill; Tang San, the son of His Excellency Haotian, with Innate Full Soul Power; Xiao Wu, likewise possessing Innate Full Soul Power; Ning Rongrong, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's precious darling, with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul; Ma Hongjun, whose Evil Fire Phoenix was troublesome but had unquestionable potential; Oscar, the first food-type Soul Master in history with Innate Full Soul Power!
This lineup was so lavish that, in all his years running the academy, even he, Flender, would never have dared dream of it!
Shrek was truly going to soar this time!
Right, there's still one missing... That brat promised he would definitely arrive this morning. Why is there still no sign of him?
Flender unconsciously stroked his chin, his gaze drifting toward the path at the village entrance as he muttered to himself, "Still not here..."
Dai Mubai heard him and assumed the dean was counting heads. Glancing at his companions, he answered loudly, "Dean, everyone is here."
Flender had been immersed in beautiful visions of the future and was quite annoyed at being interrupted. He shot him an irritated glare. "This has nothing to do with you!"
Dai Mubai silently shut his mouth, inwardly wishing he could slap himself. Why had he opened his mouth?
Relying on his position as Flender's disciple, Ma Hongjun lowered his voice, though everyone could clearly still hear him, and asked, "Teacher, what do you mean, 'still not here'? Are we missing someone?"
Flender cleared his throat. His gaze swept across the seven young, puzzled faces before him, and he decided to stop keeping them in suspense.
"All right, since you've asked, I'll tell you something ahead of time." He deliberately paused, waiting until he had drawn their attention before continuing, "You seven aren't Shrek Academy's only students."
"Not just seven?"
"An eighth person?"
"Where are they? We didn't see them at yesterday's assessment!"
"Could they have been admitted in advance? Who has that much pull?"
The seven exchanged looks and began discussing it in low voices.
Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, each seeing curiosity in the other's eyes. Ning Rongrong blinked her large, beautiful eyes thoughtfully. Zhu Zhuqing remained expressionless, but her gaze shifted slightly.
Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun looked surprised. The eighth person was a newcomer, yet had not taken yesterday's entrance assessment, having gotten in through a prearranged admission.
Flender was very pleased with their reaction. He looked up at the sky. The morning sun had fully risen above the horizon; it was almost the appointed time.
Just then, a clear voice came from nearby at precisely the right moment. It carried the breathlessness of someone who had run a long way that morning, yet remained clear and steady:
"Dean, I'm not late, am I?"
Everyone's gaze turned toward the voice in unison.
A young man stood beside the academy's crude wooden fence gate. He was about the same age as the others, with a tall, well-proportioned build, and wore neat, dark casual clothes. He was travel-worn but not disheveled, his face handsome, his lips carrying a smile that was just enough to inspire goodwill. His eyes were bright and gentle.
The morning light fell directly upon him, gilding him with a faint golden outline.
It was Lin Kong, who had timed his arrival to the minute.
Seeing Lin Kong, Flender finally wore a relieved expression that said, "You're finally here." He laughed. "You brat, right on time! Any later, and I would've marked you absent!"
Lin Kong smiled and walked calmly into the clearing. Under seven gazes that were curious, appraising, or calm, he approached Flender, then turned naturally to face his new classmates.
Zhu Zhuqing's mouth fell slightly open in surprise. She had never expected the person she had happened to see that day to become her classmate now.
Dai Mubai caught this scene. He had only been curious about Lin Kong, but the next instant, hostility appeared.
At that moment, Tang San's and Xiao Wu's eyes widened, filled with disbelief.
Xiao Wu moved a little closer and spoke very quietly. "Third Brother, is it him?"
The two of them recognized Lin Kong. He bore roughly thirty or forty percent resemblance to his former appearance, and his distinctive brows, eyes, nose, and lips could not lie. Their intuition told them that the person before them was Lin Kong.
But... why him?
Tang San's eyes were filled with wariness as he replied quietly, "Don't rush. Let's watch first."