Entering Shrek City

"Join Shrek Academy and use my talent to seek an opportunity to get Shrek Academy involved..." Lu Cheng said softly.

"So you..." Only then did Jiang Nannan come back to her senses, glancing at Lu Cheng with some guilt.

This child had actually kept it hidden for so many years, all for his mother.

Who could have imagined he was only ten?!!

"These years have been hard on you." Jiang Nannan gently stroked Lu Cheng's cheek with her delicate hand, her gaze soft.

A month later.

The Xu family residence.

"Master, the second young madam took that boy with her."

Steward Chen's gaze was suspicious. "Could they have noticed something? Should I..."

It wasn't that he was being paranoid. Over the years, he had repeatedly tried to make trouble for Lu Cheng, yet had never succeeded, so he suspected that the boy was quite shrewd.

"Heh, you think far too highly of them." Xu Jiangliu chuckled, his deep voice ringing out. "Even if they spotted a flaw, so what? As long as Mother Jiang is still here, they can't escape the palm of our Xu family's hand. That boy is indeed rather shrewd. I imagine the Jiang girl took him to Shrek Academy as a manservant, or perhaps he went to Shrek City to find better-paying work to cover Mother Jiang's treatment."

He lightly rolled a jade bead in his broad palm, his gaze unhurried.

"If you act now, you'll tear away all pretense and make everyone unhappy. Why bother?"

"Besides, there is still half a year until Sanshi's optimal awakening period. There is no need to rush like this. Let that boy see the world at Shrek Academy, let him learn just how wide the gap between him and Jiang Nannan is, and give up that idea..."

"You're right, Master..." Chen Nian said, bowing.

Outside Shrek City.

From behind the tall, broad city walls, a clamor gradually reached their ears. It truly deserved its reputation as the continent's foremost city, countless times more prosperous than Black Tortoise City.

They entered through the west gate, passing countless lavish shops along the way.

Soul Bones of all ages, implements made from beast hides, luxurious tailor shops, and even the latest models of Soul Tools-nearly every product associated with Soul Masters could be found here.

But after glancing at his empty pockets, Lu Cheng could only shake his head, however much he coveted them.

After some consideration, the two had ultimately decided to first ask a relatively kind auntie from the neighborhood to help look after Mother Jiang.

As for Lu Cheng, he would cultivate like mad within the next six months, reveal his talent, attract the attention of Shrek's higher-ups, and then seek an opportunity to rescue Mother Jiang.

The two headed east, crossing all of Shrek City before finally reaching the east gate as dusk approached. This area bordered Shrek Academy, so this year's admissions office was located here as well.

Several students in pale yellow uniforms were gathered around a table, laughing and discussing something.

The instant they saw Jiang Nannan, the male students' gazes froze.

"This is my younger brother, Lu Cheng. He's ten, with rank twenty-three Soul Power. He's the one I recommended to Teacher Mu Jin..." Jiang Nannan explained softly, her gaze calm, seemingly long accustomed to this.

"Oh, oh..."

One male student recovered and hurriedly nodded. "His talent definitely qualifies. The most talented applicant this year is only a rank twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster, and Sister Nannan, your name is famous throughout the outer court. Naturally, we trust you on this..."

As he spoke, he turned an ardent gaze toward Lu Cheng. "Here, junior, fill in your basic information. My name is Zhang Lin. I'm in Class Four of the second year. If you run into any trouble, just come find me."

"Thank you."

Lu Cheng found it amusing inwardly, but nodded without exposing him.

Watching the two walk away.

The outer court students exchanged flickering looks. "The outer court's campus belle, its number one beauty, Jiang Nannan, actually has a younger brother? That's big news! How come we've never heard her mention him?"

"She's always been pretty aloof. Apparently, the only person she gets along with is her roommate, Tang Ya. It's perfectly normal that word never got out. Their surnames are different, but judging by their relationship... perhaps they're cousins."

"..."

They entered the campus.

Lu Cheng looked up and saw several statues standing at the entrance.

The Shrek Seven Devils, Grandmaster, Flender, and others.

Bathed in sunlight, they looked utterly sacred.

"Nannan?"

A voice rang out.

Tang Ya, a pretty, playful-looking black-haired girl with a ponytail, came skipping over and linked arms with Jiang Nannan, her eyes full of teasing. "Aren't you going to introduce this handsome little fellow to us?"

"My younger brother..." Jiang Nannan said coyly, her pretty face flushing.

"A brother by blood, or a little lover?" Tang Ya asked with a mischievous grin.

As her roommate, she naturally knew of Lu Cheng's existence.

She knew the two were not related by blood.

"You..." Jiang Nannan's beautiful eyes widened, and she grew even more embarrassed and annoyed.

"All right, Xiao Ya, stop teasing." A handsome blond boy, about a hundred and seventy-eight centimeters tall, appeared behind her, looking at Tang Ya with a hint of indulgence.

"..."

Jiang Nannan glanced at Bei Bei. Remembering that he was on good terms with Xu Sanshi, her gaze gradually cooled.

"I still have something to do. I'll leave you to it..."

With that, she took Lu Cheng by the hand and headed toward the academic affairs office.

"Huh, Nannan's acting strange today." Tang Ya looked somewhat bewildered.

"Stop prying into her family affairs," Bei Bei said helplessly, brushing the girl's pert nose. "See through it, but don't say it. Her relationship with that boy clearly isn't ordinary."

"Oh, right! I forgot to ask whether he wanted to join our Tang Sect!" Tang Ya thumped her head in frustration.

"There's plenty of time. Ask him next time we meet." The corner of Bei Bei's mouth twitched as he gently comforted her.

"..."

"That guy just now is Xu Sanshi's sworn buddy. His name is Bei Bei, and he's no good either. Stay away from him... Hmph." Jiang Nannan's pink eyes turned cold as she gave a soft snort.

Tang Ya often begged her not to return to the dormitory at night. She knew the reason perfectly well: naturally, it was to have a secret rendezvous with Bei Bei. For Tang Ya's sake, she could only helplessly agree.

Hmph, men.

"Okay."

Lu Cheng nodded.

He didn't particularly dislike Bei Bei, but Bei Bei and Xu Sanshi were brothers close enough to wear the same pair of trousers. He hoped Bei Bei wouldn't stir up any trouble; otherwise, he couldn't blame Lu Cheng for showing no mercy.

"We're here..."

Outside the office door.

Jiang Nannan gently straightened Lu Cheng's collar and softly reminded him of a few things about enrolling, afraid that this younger brother of hers wouldn't be able to find his bearings. Only after pressing another fifty Gold Soul Coins on him did she reluctantly leave.

Knock, knock, knock~

Lu Cheng knocked on the door.

"Come in." A deep, resonant voice rang out.

"You're... Lu Cheng?"

Du Weilun pushed up his glasses and studied the boy who entered with interest. Mu Jin had personally come to tell him earlier that Jiang Nannan, a student in his class, wanted to recommend a younger brother: ten years old, rank twenty-three, and from an impoverished family. That meant he had reached this level without many resources.

If all the information in the recommendation was true.

Then that was remarkable indeed.

Rank twenty-three at ten, before he had even reached the optimal enrollment age. By eleven next year, he might well reach rank twenty-seven or twenty-eight. Advancing to Soul Elder before twelve was possible too.

"Show me your Martial Soul."

Du Weilun's slightly chubby fingers were exceptionally nimble, making a fountain pen dance in his hand. He played with it in interest while studying Lu Cheng.

As for things like crystal balls used to test Soul Power, there was no need.

Hum...

Lu Cheng's expression remained unchanged as flames wreathed his body.

A powerful presence slowly rose.

It came from the Golden Crow, and from the Sun-Shooting Bow as well.

This was an extremely precious treasure he had gained in the simulator... the thorough exploration of his Martial Soul.

In other words, what he was revealing now was not the Golden Crow from his early days in the simulator, but the true Golden Crow he had comprehended after attaining complete understanding and reaching Super Douluo.