Drawing the Line

Shrek Academy was opening today. It was run-down and dilapidated, and even its signboard looked like it could fall at any moment.

Yet quite a few people had gathered at the entrance, all lured here by the news Flender had spread.

The people from Shrek Academy had not come out yet, since they had arrived rather early.

"Is this that Shrek Academy?"

Dugu Yan looked at Lan Hong in disbelief, seeking confirmation.

"Yes. Didn't I tell you about Shrek Academy's situation?"

"But you never said Shrek Academy was this shabby! This dump takes in geniuses? They probably can't even afford to feed them! No wonder Grandpa said Teacher Qin Ming had been ruined by his former academy! With that kind of harmful training, no decent food, and no medicinal baths, it would be strange if people didn't end up crippled!"

"Teacher Qin Ming?"

"Oh! He's a teacher at Heaven Dou Royal Academy and also a Shrek Academy graduate. Grandpa said he once had the potential to become a Titled Douluo, but now even becoming a Soul Fighting Douluo is difficult! Shrek Academy's training methods ruined him."

"Qin Ming should be Shrek Academy's most impressive student!"

"Doesn't Shrek Academy have a student who became an elder of Spirit Hall?"

Lan Hong looked at Zhu Zhuqing as though she were an idiot.

"The minimum qualification to become a Spirit Hall elder is Titled Douluo! Shrek Academy was founded by Flender after the Golden Iron Triangle split up. At most, it hasn't existed for more than twenty years. Shrek Academy's admission requirement is to be twelve years old with Soul Power above level twenty, though in reality it's above level twenty-five. Have you ever heard of a Titled Douluo in their thirties? You actually believed such an obvious lie. You really are innocent!"

As they spoke, Shrek Academy's teacher, Li Yusong, came out and began this year's admissions.

The registration fee was ten Gold Soul Coins, with no refunds for those who failed to qualify. Ten Gold Soul Coins were no small sum for ordinary people.

Lan Hong and the others were not in the line. They remained hidden and observed in secret.

"Lan Hong, isn't this scamming people out of money?"

"What else did you think Flender spread those rumors for?"

"Are we just going to let them keep scamming people?"

"This can't really be called a scam. The first person was deceived, but those who came afterward would basically all know the rule. They still chose to register their children. It's a gamble! They're gambling that Shrek Academy is a 'good' academy, gambling that their children are talented enough to get into this 'good' academy! Flender was taking advantage of parents' hopes that their sons would become dragons and their daughters phoenixes. It was morally despicable, but as for whether it was right or wrong, it was hard to say!"

After hearing Lan Hong's explanation, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan thought it over and realized it really was true.

At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing noticed Dai Mubai. He was lying atop a tree with a lazy expression, completely lacking the sorry appearance he had shown after Xiao Wu beat him up yesterday.

"He sure is relaxed!"

"It's him! He was beaten up just yesterday, and today he can already lounge around so leisurely!"

"He probably hired a Healing System Soul Master to treat him! Zhu Zhuqing, are you going to settle things with Dai Mubai?"

"Fine! I'll go!"

"I'll go with you, in case he beats you up."

Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan stepped out from hiding and went straight to Li Yusong.

"If you want to register, get in line at the back!"

"We're not here to register. I'm here to find someone. Dai Mubai, come over here!"

"You're looking for Mubai?"

Li Yusong looked at Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing, startled by their beauty. Were these more romantic debts Dai Mubai had incurred?

Seriously, he didn't even clean up his own mess. If it affected admissions, the dean would definitely settle accounts with him.

"Mubai, take care of your business!"

Dai Mubai jumped down from the tree. The special sensation of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill told him who had come.

"You're Zhu Zhuqing?"

Slap! Zhu Zhuqing answered Dai Mubai with a loud slap. The blow stunned him, and once he recovered, Dai Mubai flew into a rage.

"You actually dared to hit me!"

"You know exactly what you've done, you useless good-for-nothing! From this day onward, I have nothing whatsoever to do with trash like you."

"You want to break off our engagement? Dream on. An engagement arranged by the family isn't something you can cancel just because you want to."

"Then it has nothing to do with you. In any case, from this day onward, I have nothing to do with you at all!"

Zhu Zhuqing turned to leave, but Dai Mubai obviously could not let her go so easily.

"You think you can just leave after hitting me? It won't be that easy! You're my fiancée. You're not going anywhere! Martial Soul Possession!"

Dai Mubai immediately activated Martial Soul Possession. Three Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, purple—appeared around him.

At that moment, Xiao Wu and Tang San arrived and naturally noticed Dai Mubai as well.

"Why is it that lecherous tiger again? Is he a student of this Shrek Academy too? They even accept students like him? This Shrek Academy probably isn't any respectable place. Little San, are you sure you want to study somewhere like this?"

"A place recommended by Teacher can't be wrong. Besides, he probably isn't that bad! I asked around too. His name is Dai Mubai, and he really does have a long-term room booked at the Rose Hotel. Yesterday was just a misunderstanding!"

"What misunderstanding? Why are you defending him? Do you want to have women in both arms too?"

"No! No! Absolutely not!"

Zhu Zhuqing also completed Martial Soul Possession then, two yellow Spirit Rings circling her body.

"If you want to fight, I'll accompany you to the end!"

Dugu Yan stepped between Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Who are you? You'd better stay out of matters between her and me!"

"Hehe! I insist on getting involved! Zhuqing has already said she's cutting all ties with you. If you agree, everything will be fine. If you don't agree, I'll beat you until you do!"

"Arrogant!"

"I have the right to be arrogant! Martial Soul Possession!"

Dugu Yan completed Martial Soul Possession with her Seclusive Dragon martial soul. Four Spirit Rings—yellow, yellow, purple, purple—circled around her.

"A Soul Ancestor! How is that possible?"

"Still want to fight? Let me tell you, my martial soul is the Seclusive Dragon, and I use poison. I can't guarantee I won't poison you to death!"

Li Yusong could no longer keep pretending to be calm. He leaped out and summoned his Dragon Patterned Staff martial soul.

His Spirit Rings were white, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black. He was a level sixty-three Assault System Battle Soul Emperor.

"Mubai is a student of our Shrek Academy. He isn't someone just anyone can bully!"

"Hmph! Your Shrek Academy really is full of scum! Why didn't you step in just now? You only jumped out once you saw he was about to suffer. You really know how to protect your own!"

"Stop talking. Let's go!"

"Fine! It's your business, so you have the final say!"

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing about to leave, Dai Mubai spoke again.

"You're not allowed to leave. You're my fiancée, and you're not allowed to go anywhere! Zhu Zhuqing, don't forget your identity!"

"Identity! Identity! That's the only thing you can use against me! A useless Prince of the Star Luo Empire who only dared to run away and abandon his fiancée—you've really brought glory to the Star Luo Empire's royal family!"

Here's the second chapter. Thank you for your support. Please give it a favorite and vote with recommendation tickets. Please, please!