Li Yusong led the group deeper into the academy.
As they walked, he introduced Shrek Academy along the way.
"We're poor—you've already seen that."
"The dorms are that two-story wooden building up ahead."
He pointed toward an old-looking wooden structure not far away.
The staircase was built outside, creaking with every step. Boys stayed on the first floor, girls on the second. Fortunately, everyone had their own room.
At that moment, a chubby boy shuffled out from around the corner.
He had fiery red hair and a rather sly look. The moment he spotted Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Xiao Wu, his eyes lit up.
"Whoa! Teacher Li, where did you find so many pretty junior sisters?"
As he spoke, he rubbed his hands together, practically drooling.
Right after him, another young man who looked slightly more normal followed along. He had a blade of grass in his mouth and a small mirror in hand, constantly adjusting his little mustache.
The moment he saw Ning Rongrong, he froze.
That noble and elegant aura made his heart start racing.
Li Yusong shot the chubby boy with an annoyed glare.
"Ma Hongjun, wipe that stupid look off your face."
"And you too, Oscar."
Li Yusong then introduced them to Su Bai's group:
"This is Ma Hongjun, martial soul Evil Fire Phoenix. This is Oscar, martial soul Sausage."
"Hello, junior sisters! I'm Ma Hongjun—my martial soul is a phoenix!"
The fat boy grinned shamelessly as he stepped forward.
Oscar flicked his hair and struck what he thought was a handsome pose.
"Hello, beauties. I'm Oscar. You can call me the Sausage Specialist."
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing both frowned, instinctively stepping back with clear disdain.
"Phoenix? Looks more like a grass chicken."
Li Yusong coughed, steering things back on track.
"This is Su Bai—twelve years old, Level 35 Soul Elder. He just defeated Mubai."
Ma Hongjun and Oscar's smiles instantly froze.
"What? He beat Boss Dai?" Ma Hongjun blurted, unable to believe it.
Dai Mubai was, in their eyes, the unquestioned leader of the academy.
"Yes. One move," Li Yusong added.
The way they looked at Su Bai immediately changed.
Like they were staring at a monster.
Li Yusong then pointed at Tang San and Xiao Wu.
"These two are injured. Oscar, give them some sausages to recover."
Oscar snapped back to attention, especially eager to show off in front of Ning Rongrong.
He cleared his throat and recited in a theatrical tone:
"I have a big sausage!"
A steaming sausage appeared in his hand.
"Here, eat my recovery sausage—guaranteed to restore your stamina and soul power!"
Tang San's face was dark, but he still prepared to try it.
Xiao Wu waved her hands frantically, her face full of disgust.
"No, no, that's too gross!"
Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also looked repulsed. It was their first time seeing such a… questionable soul skill.
Oscar's enthusiasm was instantly crushed. He stood there awkwardly.
Thankfully, Tang San ate it.
After the rooms were assigned, everyone prepared to head back.
But Xiao Wu didn't move.
She hesitated for a moment, then quickly walked up to Su Bai.
"Su Bai-gege…"
Her voice was soft, tinged with uncertainty.
"Tonight…"
Su Bai looked at her with a faint smile.
Before she could finish, he cut in:
"Don't forget to come find me tonight."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was just enough for the nearby people to hear clearly.
Tang San's body trembled violently.
He wanted to rush forward, to pull Xiao Wu away, to question Su Bai.
But his whole body ached, the sting on his face hadn't faded—and more importantly, he had no right.
At that moment, Dai Mubai also walked over.
He ignored Su Bai and went straight to Zhu Zhuqing, his voice suppressing anger.
"Zhuqing, I need to talk to you."
Zhu Zhuqing's expression didn't change at all.
"Aren't you going to find those twin sisters instead, Young Master Dai?"
Dai Mubai's face instantly darkened.
After saying that, Zhu Zhuqing didn't look at him again. Instead, she turned and walked toward Su Bai.
She lowered her head slightly, her voice softer than usual.
"Th… thank you."
Su Bai looked her up and down.
"For a beauty like you, anyone would be tempted to help."
A faint blush appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's face. She didn't say anything more and quickly turned to head upstairs.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists, glaring at Su Bai.
"Su Bai, she's my woman!"
Su Bai glanced at him indifferently.
"You say she is, and that makes it true?"
That single sentence left Dai Mubai speechless.
He had lost—he had no standing to argue.
As soon as Zhu Zhuqing left, Ning Rongrong walked over with a smile.
She introduced herself gracefully:
"I'm Ning Rongrong, from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Thanks for today—otherwise I'd have been in trouble."
Su Bai looked at her.
"I don't have many hobbies. I just happen to like beautiful girls."
Ning Rongrong's cheeks flushed. She blinked her big eyes and asked:
"Then… am I a beauty?"
"Of course," Su Bai replied.
…
Meanwhile, in the dean's office.
A bespectacled, shrewd-looking middle-aged man was counting gold soul coins.
He was Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy.
Zhao Wuji pushed the door open.
"Old Flender, stop counting. We got a real monster this time."
Flender didn't even look up.
"How monstrous could he be?"
"Twelve years old. Level 35 Soul Elder. Martial soul—Qilin. Soul rings: yellow, purple, purple. He tore through my test and even beat Mubai."
Zhao Wuji said it all in one breath.
Flender's hands stopped.
He abruptly looked up, adjusting his glasses.
"What did you say?"
Zhao Wuji repeated everything that happened at the training ground.
After hearing it, a sharp gleam flashed behind Flender's lenses.
"Yellow, purple, purple… Qilin martial soul… good, good!"
He stood up and paced around the room.
"With talent like that, once we bring him to the Great Soul Arena in Suotuo City… the gold coins will come pouring in!"
Zhao Wuji looked at him speechlessly.
This dean only ever thought about money.
But he understood—Shrek Academy really was poor.
Night fell. A bright moon hung in the sky.
The dormitory building grew quiet.
Tang San lay on his bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
Xiao Wu was upstairs. Su Bai was right next door.
Su Bai's words—"Don't forget to come find me tonight"—kept echoing in his mind.
He pricked up his ears, listening for any movement.
Suddenly—
a faint sound of footsteps came from upstairs…