"Wait, what? This Shrek guy is so condescending, he's even smoking a cigar. He's completely disregarding us!"
"Yeah! If there weren't so many people here, I'd really like to just fire a cannon at them."
The students of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy watched Huo Yuhao constantly puffing out clouds of smoke, each of them gritting their teeth in frustration.
Xiao Hongchen listened to the voices of the students behind him, and then looked at his love-struck younger sister who was staring intently at Huo Yuhao with stars twinkling in her eyes. It was clear she was about to fall into a trap.
Xiao Hongchen frowned and said coldly to the person behind him, "Mind your manners. Don't forget why we're here!"
Upon hearing Xiao Hongchen's words, the students of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy immediately shut their mouths.
After all, given Xiao Hongchen's status, anyone with a modicum of sense wouldn't dare to contradict him at this time.
They really should be mindful of the occasion. If they offend that big shot, these low-level thugs will certainly suffer the consequences.
Seeing that everyone had fallen silent, Xiao Hongchen smiled and rubbed his forehead. He couldn't help but think of Wang Dong'er from Shrek, the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
This was arguably the first time he had ever felt a spark of attraction, so at this moment, the scales in his heart were actually tipped in favor of Shrek.
Even Xiao Hongchen himself didn't realize this.
On the other side, Jing Hongchen, who was exchanging pleasantries with Xian Lin'er, nodded in satisfaction upon seeing his grandson's performance.
Jing Hongchen glanced at Huo Yuhao across from him but didn't say anything.
He immediately recognized that the cigar was a kind of Soul Skill; the student probably needed to replenish his energy, which was why he did that.
"However, your academy certainly has impressive methods. In some areas, I still have a lot to learn from the Shrek Academy members regarding strategy."
"Also, I wonder if Xuan Zi is alright? That battle was so fierce and chaotic back then, I had no way of knowing if Xuan Zi was injured?" Jing Hongchen said with a forced smile.
It's clearly an allusion to Shrek harboring resentment over being used as a pawn.
Xian Lin'er naturally understood the implication and laughed mercilessly, saying, "Hey, Dean Hongchen, don't worry, Xuan Zi is enjoying his wine and meat every day, living a very fulfilling life."
"He still often mentions that he didn't invite Dean Hongchen to Shrek Academy last time, and he's been brooding about it for quite some time now."
Jing Hongchen's facial muscles twitched visibly; the previous experience was far too vivid in his memory. A Level 9 Soul Tool! And it had fallen into the hands of the Shrek Academy just like that.
Furthermore, Shrek Academy also acquired those precious rare metals and high-level Soul Tool.
The losses were devastating. Xian Lin'er was clearly reopening old wounds.
"I heard that Mu En of your esteemed academy has passed away? Dean Xian, please accept my condolences! Alas, it's such a pity we never got to meet him. To single-handedly hold back that Shadow and protect the Sea God Pavilion, Mu En was indeed the most powerful and the most respectable."
Xian Lin'er's face also turned cold, her fists clenched, and she almost made a move, but in the end she had to suppress her anger and blood to prevent it from escalating.
Jing Hongchen was clearly rubbing salt in the wound, so I dropped my pretense and said calmly, " Dean Hongchen, let's not waste time with this nonsense. Since we've already agreed, let's exchange students. On behalf of the Shrek Academy's Martial Soul Department, I welcome your students to study here."
Hearing Xian Lin'er's blunt words, Jing Hongchen's face darkened, and he said with a forced smile, "Fine."
I didn't expect Dean Xian to be such a straightforward person. I'll have to ask Dean Yan to take good care of our students."
Xian Lin'er smiled calmly and said, "At least I can guarantee that they will learn something truly valuable during their studies at Shrek. The gates of Shrek Inner Court will be open to them. I hope that Hall Master Hongchen will also demonstrate sufficient sincerity during this exchange activity."
Jing Hongchen laughed and said, "Of course, the elites from the Shrek Academy will definitely receive the best education at the Illustrious Virtue Hall."
Without further ado, the teachers leading both teams immediately led their students to switch places.
On Shrek's side, Meng Hongchen stayed where she was, looking at Huo Yuhao with reluctance, and even wanted to go back to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy with him.
Jing Hongchen saw through her granddaughter's little scheme and glared at her.
Meng Hongchen immediately seemed to sense something, and like a wilted eggplant, she quietly remained in place.
Watching Huo Yuhao slowly walk to the other side, her reluctance to part reached its peak.
As Huo Yuhao and Xiao Hongchen brushed past each other, he clearly heard Xiao Hongchen whisper, "Kid, some things you should let go of. If you insist on going your own way, think of a way to die, and I'll grant your wish."
Xiao Hongchen's words had two meanings. First, he wanted Huo Yuhao to stay away from his sister, because no one was good enough for her. Second, he wanted him to leave Wang Dong'er Wang Dong'er, because he had taken a liking to her.
Huo Yuhao feigned a frightened and pleading expression, saying, "Ah... please don't kill me, I'm so scared..."
However, Huo Yuhao's expression at this moment looked completely different in Xiao Hongchen's eyes.
That kind of person who knows exactly what they're saying but pretends not to understand, while still smiling and begging for pity.
They simply didn't take their own words to heart; the most deadly form of mockery is the unspoken sarcasm!
"Hmph!... You just wait!"
Xiao Hongchen sneered, turned and left, departing from there under Xian Lin'er's guidance.
Jing Hongchen did not rush to leave, but watched Xian Lin'er lead the students of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy until they disappeared, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Just from the faint aura that Xian Lin'er had just revealed, Jing Hongchen felt a strong sense of crisis.
At that close distance, he could sense that if Xian Lin'er had gone all out, he might have perished on the spot before he could even create distance.
Even though Shrek suffered heavy casualties among its high-level combatants, its millennia-old foundation was still unmatched by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.
Jing Hongchen turned around with a smile, looked at the group of the Shrek Academy students, and said, "Everyone, let's go. I am Jing Hongchen, the Illustrious Virtue Hall, and on behalf of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, I welcome you all."
After saying this, Jing Hongchen also leaped up, and two thin golden lights suddenly unfolded behind him, slowly raising his body.
Huo Yuhao carefully observed the Flying Soul Tool he was using. It actually looked like a pair of wings, thin and soft, without any metallic feel. A pale golden light flowed on it, and no Soul Power was emitted. It simply unfolded gently and carried Jing Hongchen into the air.
These technologies look very familiar; it seems like these are some of the technologies that 'Si' brought back.
However, it didn't matter. Huo Yuhao casually took out the Flying Soul Tool that Shrek had brought and followed.