Dormitory Renovation

Just then, a raspy voice came from the side. "Good, good, good!"

Everyone turned to see Flender standing at the edge of the grounds, though none knew when he had arrived. He pushed up his crystal glasses and stared intently at Yan Zu, then swept his gaze over Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing. His trademark unscrupulous merchant's smile appeared on his face. "Good, good, good! As expected of geniuses from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Star Luo Zhu Family. And this Qilin Martial Soul... Kid, you're very impressive, especially that recovery domain of yours, and your footwork..."

He stepped forward and spread his arms, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Welcome to Shrek Academy! You should know that Shrek only accepts monsters, not ordinary people. Everyone who studies here will one day be renowned across the continent! Though the academy's facilities are a little modest, with famous teachers like me and Teacher Zhao to guide you, combined with your talent, you can look forward to becoming Titled Douluo!"

He looked at Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes gleaming. "Little Princess Ning, girl from the Zhu Family, choosing Shrek is your good fortune, and Shrek's honor as well! I guarantee you'll receive the finest training here. Neither Spirit Hall Academy nor Heaven Dou Royal Academy can compare to our 'monster' teaching philosophy!"

Yan Zu and the other three exchanged glances, each seeing amusement in the others' eyes. Not only had they passed the test, but they had also grown more in sync with one another, and Yan Zu had gained a clearer understanding of his Martial Soul's strengths and weaknesses.

Afterward, Flender took everyone to the dormitories.

Upon seeing Shrek's dormitories, Ning Rongrong raised an eyebrow. "Dean, aren't these living conditions a bit too poor?"

"Uh..." Flender pushed up his glasses awkwardly, then assumed a serious expression. "Only a harsh environment can temper one's will! But... since Little Princess Ning has special requirements, the academy can be flexible. Well... if you're willing to pay to improve the living conditions yourselves, the academy will support you..."

"Then it's settled!" Ning Rongrong declared, her wealth giving her confidence. "I'll have a new dormitory built next to the academy. I'll cover the cost as a sponsorship for the academy! Construction starts tomorrow!"

Flender's eyes lit up, and his smile grew even brighter. "Oh my, how could I possibly accept... Then it's settled! You can live however you like! Shrek Academy welcomes you!"

That night, the four stayed temporarily in the academy's dilapidated dormitories. Yan Zu had a room to himself, Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong shared one, and Zhu Zhuqing had one. Late at night, when all was quiet, Yan Zu sat cross-legged and sank his consciousness into his spiritual world.

[Ding! Daily check-in successful: obtained Soul-Tempering Incense ×10 (when lit, it calms the mind and focuses the spirit, enhancing Soul Power perception)]

Just as Yan Zu was about to put out the light and rest, Ning Rongrong came tiptoeing over. She climbed onto his bed and tugged at his sleeve, her large, glassy eyes sparkling with anticipation in the moonlight.

"A-Zu," she said very softly, a touch of coquettishness in her voice, afraid of disturbing Xiao Wu, who was almost asleep, "you haven't played for me in so~ long~. Back on the mountain behind Nuoding Academy, you promised you'd play often. Look how lovely the moonlight is tonight, and our new home is so quiet. Play something, please? Just one piece, all right?"

Yan Zu looked at the charming, innocent girl before him, then at the clear moonlight outside the window. His heart was tranquil. Indeed, ever since graduating and making the long journey to Shrek, he had not touched the Flowing Clouds harp for quite some time. Now, in the quiet of the late night, it was just the right time to play.

"All right." He smiled and nodded, taking the harp from his Storage Soul Tool. Its body gleamed white, and a halo of moonlight flowed along its strings.

Ning Rongrong immediately beamed with delight and lay down in Yan Zu's arms. Yan Zu gently placed his fingertips on the strings. Without circulating his Soul Power, he played "Phoenix-Tail Bamboo Under the Moonlight," using nothing but the musical knowledge from his Exquisite Literary Heart talent.

The clear, ethereal notes flowed out silently like a mountain spring, breaking the stillness of the night at Shrek Academy.

The melody was graceful and melodious, carrying a distinctive tenderness and poetry. Simple yet reaching straight into the heart, it painted a tranquil scene of moonlight like water and swaying shadows of phoenix-tail bamboo. So unlike any musical style on Douluo Continent, the melody carried a cultural beauty and tranquil power that transcended worlds.

As the harp music drifted through the air, it first awakened Zhu Zhuqing from her light sleep. Her thoughts had already been unsettled, keeping her from sleeping deeply, and the sudden heavenly music made her beautiful eyes snap open.

She did not get up, but lay quietly in bed and listened. The music was as gentle as a mother's soothing touch, as pure as the first snow in a forest. Every note seemed to strike the taut strings of her heart, allowing her weariness from the day's battle, her worries about the future, and the stirring buried deep in her heart to slowly settle and unwind amid the music.

Through the window lattice, she thought of the boy's silhouette, and her cool gaze gradually softened. He... just how many sides of him remain unknown?

Zhu Zhuqing asked silently, feeling that the boy's figure seemed all the more profound and captivating against the accompaniment of the harp.

In the staff dormitories, Flender, who was still awake, pushed up his crystal glasses and looked in puzzlement toward the source of the music. "Eh? This piece... how peculiar. I've never heard it before, yet it actually makes even my mind feel a little calmer?" Zhao Wuji muttered and rolled over, smacking his lips; his snores actually grew a little softer.

Over in the boys' dormitories, Oscar groggily lifted his head from sleep. "What's that sound... It's beautiful..." Ma Hongjun was dead asleep and did not react at all.

Dai Mubai irritably covered his ears with a pillow, while Tang San opened his eyes in the darkness. His Purple Demon Eye flickered faintly, and he sneered inwardly. Decadent music. Indulging in such trifles saps one's ambition.

But he could not deny that the harp music possessed a unique magic, calming his jumbled thoughts for a moment.

A sweet smile curved the lips of Xiao Wu, who was almost asleep. "Little Brother A-Zu's music..." she murmured as if talking in her sleep, then sank into deeper slumber. Ning Rongrong nestled quietly in Yan Zu's arms, listening in a trance, her eyes full of admiration and contentment.

The piece ended, its lingering notes curling through the air. They seemed to merge with the moonlight, remaining long after.

Yan Zu lifted his fingertips from the strings, pressed them lightly, and looked down at the enraptured Ning Rongrong. "All right, the piece is over. Time to rest."

Only then did Ning Rongrong come back to her senses. She nodded vigorously, her little face flushed with excitement. "Mm! A-Zu, you still play as beautifully as ever! Even my Soul Power feels more obedient!"

She climbed gently off the bed and tiptoed back to her room.

The night fell quiet once more, but that night's music, like a spark of civilization, quietly left a different hue in many hearts.

For the black-haired, coolly beautiful girl in one particular room, this night was destined to be another spent tossing and turning, savoring the symphony of the music and her heart's voice.

(Thanks to book friend 8385 for the monthly ticket support.)