"No discord, no concord."
Dai Mubai looked at Tang San and said, "Let's get acquainted. I'm Dai Mubai."
Tang San was slightly surprised by Dai Mubai's sudden change in attitude. He didn't dislike it—in fact, he found the man rather decent. "Tang San," he replied.
"Tang San, huh? I'll remember that." Dai Mubai smiled. "I have a feeling we'll meet again."
He guessed that Tang San and Xiao Wu were likely heading to Shrek Academy, as it was the only institution currently enrolling students.
Besides, Tang San and Xiao Wu were new faces—clearly not students of Balak Academy.
Surrounded by three beauties, Dai Mubai left, though not before leaving behind compensation for the damages to the Rose Hotel.
"Brother, why be polite to someone like him?" Xiao Wu had no patience for Dai Mubai.
Tang San chuckled. "We don't have any deep-seated grudge against him. Better to make peace than enemies. Come on, the room is ours now."
"Mm." Xiao Wu finally smiled.
Several days later.
Shrek Academy.
"You can actually make storage soul tools?!"
Inside a room, Zhu Zhuqing stared at Xu Yunhan in astonishment, holding a beautifully crafted ring in her hand.
The Zhu family had soul tool artisans of their own, but only those capable of crafting storage soul tools were truly valued—those who could only make everyday soul tools were far less esteemed.
Storage soul tools were notoriously difficult to produce, which was precisely why they were so expensive.
Zhu Zhuqing never expected Xu Yunhan to possess such a skill. No wonder he's the man I've set my heart on.
"Just a little hobby," Xu Yunhan said with a smile. "I happened to find some materials suitable for making storage soul tools. This ring has a few cubic meters of space inside. If you like it, it's yours."
He had crafted several rings using special gemstones as the base material.
"Thank you." Zhu Zhuqing slipped it onto her finger immediately, admiring it with visible delight.
"As long as you like it."
Aside from storage soul tools, Xu Yunhan had also forged one offensive and one defensive soul tool, both stored in his ring for emergencies.
Tang San had his hidden weapons, but Xu Yunhan had something even better—soul tools.
As for Tang San's current whereabouts, Xu Yunhan had no idea. He could only wait at Shrek Academy, and that wait had already stretched over six years.
Now, most of Shrek's Seven Monsters had arrived—Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Zhu Zhuqing. Xu Yunhan figured Tang San couldn't be far behind.
Along with Xiao Wu… and Ning Rongrong.
Ten days passed, and Shrek Academy's annual enrollment period began once again.
Xu Yunhan, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun were all assigned to assist.
Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing were stationed at the admission checkpoint outside the academy gates, helping Li Yusong oversee the initial screening.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun were assigned to the second checkpoint under Lu Qibin, while Dai Mubai assisted Zhao Wuji at the third.
Dozens of applicants streamed through the gates, most accompanied by family or friends.
"Bone age exceeds twelve years—disqualified!"
"Only one soul ring—disqualified!"
"One of the two soul rings is a white ten-year ring—disqualified!"
After half a day of screening, not a single candidate had passed. Li Yusong sighed in disappointment, already predicting another barren year.
Shrek Academy's admission standards were notoriously strict—applicants had to be no older than twelve in bone age and possess at least two yellow hundred-year soul rings.
Those who met these conditions were undeniably geniuses.
And geniuses like that could easily gain entry into any prestigious advanced soul master academy.
So, for Shrek Academy to encounter even one such candidate was nothing short of a miracle.
In the past, as well as now, most of Shrek's students had either been picked up by chance—like Xu Yunhan, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun—or had no other choice, like Dai Mubai, who had circumstances preventing him from attending other academies.
Only a handful had ever been admitted through open enrollment, and it had been years since the last successful candidate.
"Ning Rongrong, twelve years old, soul power level 26."
A pleasant female voice suddenly rang out, drawing the attention of Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing, who had been whispering to each other.
Xu Yunhan recognized the name "Ning Rongrong," while Zhu Zhuqing was startled by the girl's soul power level.
They watched as Ning Rongrong summoned two soul rings—both yellow hundred-year rings.
If her age was accurate, she had essentially passed. The remaining two tests would be mere formalities.
"Indeed twelve years old. You pass."
After a thorough examination, Li Yusong nodded. "Yunhan, escort Ning Rongrong to the next checkpoint."
Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing approached.
"I'm Xu Yunhan. This is Zhu Zhuqing. We're both students of Shrek Academy." Xu Yunhan smiled. "Ning Rongrong, I'll take you to the next checkpoint. Zhuqing, stay here and assist Teacher Li."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, watching as Xu Yunhan led Ning Rongrong away.
On the way, Ning Rongrong asked curiously, "Xu Yunhan, when did you enroll in Shrek Academy?"
"I was rescued by Teacher Zhao and brought here," Xu Yunhan replied. "That was over six years ago."
The answer surprised her. "Oh? I see. Then… how old are you now? And what's your soul power level?"
Xu Yunhan glanced back with a faint smile. "About a year older than you. As for my soul power… you'll find out once you officially join Shrek Academy."
"Hmph, keeping secrets." Ning Rongrong pouted but didn't press further. "Aside from you and that girl earlier, how many students does Shrek Academy have? I heard there are barely any teachers or students—that the academy might shut down any day."
"Five teachers—three Soul Sages, two Soul Emperors," Xu Yunhan replied as he guided her. "As for students, there are three others besides us."
"Five teachers and five students?" Ning Rongrong remarked. "That really is few. The teachers are passable, but I wonder how talented you students are."
To most, Soul Sages might seem unattainable, but Ning Rongrong came from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, one of the top three sects on the Douluo Continent, where Soul Sages were hardly rare.
Xu Yunhan could sense her arrogance but understood—she was the treasured daughter of a major power, after all.
He chuckled. "As for the five of us… our talent isn't bad. Two of us even have innate full soul power."
"Two innate full soul power?!"
Ning Rongrong's eyes widened. "Really?"
Innate full soul power was exceptionally rare, even in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Yet Shrek Academy's five students included two such prodigies?
Unbelievable!
Xu Yunhan didn't elaborate.
Ning Rongrong mused silently. Perhaps Xu Yunhan and the others truly were geniuses—possibly even on par with her. Though she was undeniably talented, she wasn't innate full soul power.
She probed further, "You wouldn't happen to be one of them, would you?"
"Guess." Xu Yunhan dodged the question.
Ning Rongrong stamped her foot in frustration. "You're really annoying."
"Oh? Am I?" He didn't seem bothered.
Ning Rongrong trailed behind him, refusing to speak further.
Still, she had already made up her mind to enroll in Shrek Academy. This was where she would train and prove herself.
She had run away from home precisely to grow stronger—to show she wasn't just a sheltered flower of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan.
Making it all the way from Heaven Dou City to Suotuo City without major incident had filled her with pride.
What she didn't know was that her father had secretly arranged for protectors to shadow her the entire journey.
The world was far from safe.
The experiences of Xu Yunhan, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun were proof enough of that.
Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 30 on my patreon, go check it out.
Give me all your power stones