Misunderstanding

The two grown men clasped hands tightly, showing no sign of letting go. They simply stood at the station exit, gazing into each other's reddened eyes, like old friends reunited after a long separation, or comrades who cherished one another.

People streamed past them. Some cast curious glances their way, others hurried past, but no one stopped. In this fast-paced age, few were willing to pause for someone else's story.

Bai Yushan waited a while. Seeing that neither man intended to let go, he finally lost patience.

"Hey, hey, hey! Weren't you bringing me here to enroll? How come you two grown men started getting sentimental first?!"

Bai Yushan's voice was not loud, but it carried with particular clarity through the noisy parking area. With both hands in his pockets, he tilted his head at Chen Qingquan and Yu Zhen, impatience written all over his face.

His words instantly shattered the mood.

Chen Qingquan's three corpse gods erupted in fury, and he aimed a kick at Bai Yushan's backside.

"You just can't keep your mouth shut!"

Bai Yushan darted forward, dodging the kick. He turned around and grinned at Chen Qingquan, his expression so punchable that it made one itch to give him another couple of kicks.

The interruption also made Yu Zhen stop crying. He wiped the corners of his eyes and studied Bai Yushan closely. He stood a meter seventy tall, with an upright posture and handsome features, standing out in the crowd like a crane among chickens. His skin was cool-toned, pale, and clear, his black hair fluffy and slightly tousled. His eyes were lively and carefree, and an untamed wildness suffused his bearing.

What a handsome young lad.

Yu Zhen silently marveled. In all his years as headmaster of Eastsea Academy, he had seen countless students, but few were as striking as Bai Yushan.

"Brother Qingquan, is this the student you mentioned?"

Chen Qingquan took a deep breath and drew back the foot he had kicked out.

"Yes. Bai Yushan, nine years old, innate rank-three Soul Power, currently rank sixteen."

Yu Zhen's eyes widened.

What? Nine years old!

Looking at Bai Yushan, who seemed like a little adult, Yu Zhen had assumed Chen Qingquan had contacted him to ask for an admission slot at the advanced Soul Master Academy. After all that, he was actually here to enroll in the intermediate Soul Master Academy!

In the Sun Moon Federation, both primary and intermediate Soul Master Academies provided free tuition and meals. Only advanced Soul Master Academies required entrance assessments and admission slots.

Honestly, my old superior could have told me sooner. Now I have to give back the slot I freed up.

"Hello, I'm Yu Zhen, headmaster of Eastsea Academy."

Yu Zhen held out his hand, his tone becoming much more formal.

Bai Yushan glanced at him, reached out to shake his hand, then quickly let go.

"Hello, I'm Bai Yushan."

His attitude was neither respectful nor rude, just natural and indifferent. Neither servile nor overbearing, neither arrogant nor impatient, yet he held no one in any regard.

Yu Zhen did not mind. Geniuses being a little proud was only natural. In all his years at Eastsea Academy, what sort of genius had he not seen? There had been some ten times more arrogant than Bai Yushan, and hadn't he brought them all firmly into line in the end?

But...

Yu Zhen looked at Bai Yushan, then at Chen Qingquan. He was also a little unsure what his old superior meant by this. Nine years old, rank-sixteen Soul Power-perhaps, possibly, probably enough to count as a minor genius in Eastsea City, but never mind Eastsea City, the entire East Sea region was a barren desert for Soul Masters!

Chen Qingquan and Yu Zhen had spent time in a megacity like Mingdu. Naturally, they had seen the wider world and understood what it meant for the world's talents to be as plentiful as crucian carp crossing a river!

Cultivating from innate rank-three Soul Power to rank sixteen in three years was indeed impressive, but surely that was not enough to qualify as a true genius?!

"Let's go. The car's outside. I'll take you to the academy to register first."

Yu Zhen did not dwell on it. Would his old superior ever harm him?

He turned and headed toward the parking lot, with Chen Qingquan following behind and Bai Yushan bringing up the rear.

The three crossed the station square and reached the parking area. Yu Zhen's car was a black soul-guided sedan, its body polished to a brilliant shine that reflected dazzling sunlight. He opened the door and sat in the driver's seat. Chen Qingquan took the passenger seat, while Bai Yushan sat in the back.

The car started and drove out of the parking lot.

Eastsea City's streets were far wider and cleaner than Aolai City's. Neat rows of roadside trees lined both sides, their crowns intertwining overhead into a green dome. Shops stood packed together like fish scales and comb teeth, their signs a riot of colors. Pedestrians bustled to and fro in a scene of prosperity.

Bai Yushan leaned against the car window, watching the streets outside without a word.

He had things on his mind. Shrek Academy, the three-year promise, Na'er and Bi Ji. Where were they now? What were they doing? Did they miss him?

He did not know. He only knew that in three years, he would step through Shrek Academy's gates.

Chen Qingquan glanced at Bai Yushan through the rearview mirror. Seeing that little brat quiet for once, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Yu Zhen chatted with Chen Qingquan as he drove, all about everyday matters. How was his wife's health, how was his child's work, how was the academy's recruitment, how was this year's budget? Chen Qingquan responded intermittently. His attention was not entirely on the conversation; part of it rested on the little brat in the back seat.

Yu Zhen also noticed how much importance Chen Qingquan placed on Bai Yushan, which stirred his curiosity considerably!

After about twenty minutes, the car arrived in front of a magnificent complex of buildings.

Eastsea Academy.

Towering gateposts and a broad entrance, with four large golden characters inlaid above the gates. Beyond them stood an expansive complex containing everything from teaching buildings and dormitories to training halls and a library. On the sports field, some people ran, some trained, and some chatted. Youthful faces and vigorous vitality were everywhere.

Yu Zhen parked the car, and the three got out.

Chen Qingquan stood before Eastsea Academy's gates, gazing up at the four golden characters in silence for a long time.

Bai Yushan stood beside him, his hands in his pockets and his head tilted as he looked at the gates.

"Middle-aged geezer, this academy's way bigger than that shabby Red Mountain of yours."

Chen Qingquan slapped him on the back of the head.

"Shut up."

Bai Yushan bared his teeth and fell silent.

Yu Zhen led them into the academy, across the sports field, and to the administration building. It was a gray-white, three-story building with a simple yet imposing exterior. A brass plaque by the entrance bore the words "Eastsea Academy Administration Center."

Yu Zhen pushed open the main doors and walked inside. The corridor was quiet. Sunlight spilled through the windows, casting patches of light across the floor. Portraits of past headmasters hung on the walls, along with various certificates of honor and trophies.

They went up to the second floor and came to an office. Yu Zhen opened the door and walked in.

The office was small, furnished simply and tastefully. There was a broad desk, a leather swivel chair, a row of bookshelves, and a conference table. A soul-guided communicator and a stack of files sat on the desk.

Yu Zhen sat in the swivel chair and gestured for Chen Qingquan and Bai Yushan to sit on the sofa. He opened a drawer and rummaged through it. He put away the advanced Soul Master Academy admission notice he had originally taken out, found an intermediate Soul Master Academy application form instead, and kindly slid it toward Bai Yushan.

"Here, Xiaoshan. Once you fill in your information, you'll be enrolled."

Yu Zhen wore a gentle smile, his tone like someone coaxing a small child. He handed over a pen and added, "Just fill in the basic information. I'll handle everything else."

Bai Yushan took the pen and was about to begin.

Only then did Chen Qingquan remember that he apparently had not explained things clearly to Yu Zhen. His expression shifted, and he reached out to hold down the pen in Bai Yushan's hand.

"No, no, no! Yu Zhen, you've got it wrong. Xiaoshan is already enrolled. He's here to report in!"

Somewhat bewildered, Yu Zhen frowned slightly, his eyes moving back and forth between Chen Qingquan and Bai Yushan twice.

"Huh?"