Soto City, Heaven Dou Empire!
Today, Soto City seemed far more bustling than usual, with a constant stream of pedestrians and countless carriages arriving from outside the city.
The reason for this was simple: Soto City's only advanced Soul Master academy had begun enrolling students!
Every advanced Soul Master academy was a rare and precious institution, representing not only a place to cultivate outstanding Soul Masters but also the future hope of a nation.
Therefore, when Soto City's advanced Soul Master academy began enrolling, it attracted young Soul Masters and their families from all over to apply.
In this world, becoming a powerful Soul Master was every young person's dream and a source of family glory.
Thus, many families spared no expense to send their children to this academy, hoping they would become outstanding Soul Masters and bring honor to their ancestors.
As time went by, more and more people flocked to the city, making the already bustling streets even more crowded.
Excitement and anticipation radiated from their faces as they discussed various rumors and legends about the Soul Master Advanced Academy.
Some even began to dream about their children's lives at the academy, imagining what they would achieve.
"Shrek Academy is finally recruiting…that's great! I heard their teaching is incredibly strong.
If I get accepted, I'll be set for life!"
" Heh, you…don't even think about it. I heard this academy is weird; they only recruit monsters."
I don't care! I'm a genius! I'll definitely get accepted!"
On the street, energetic teenagers who looked eleven or twelve years old excitedly expressed their longing for Shrek Academy.
Behind them!
On the street, a handsome blond-haired, blue-eyed boy caught the eye.
His blond hair shone brightly, his blue eyes were deep like lakes, and his face was both resolute and gentle.
He wore a simple white shirt and dark blue trousers, clean and tidy.
Hands in pockets, head slightly tilted back, his expression calm and composed.
The faint smile at the corner of his mouth made him stand out like a pearl in the crowd, his reserved temperament setting him apart.
"Shrek Academy?...I didn't expect to end up here."
The young man was none other than Qian Renshang, who had emerged from the Star Dou Great Forest.
At this moment, Qian Renshang appeared remarkably calm and composed.
After leaving the Star Dou Great Forest, Qian Renshang had no specific destination, wandering aimlessly until he unexpectedly arrived in Soto City, the location of Shrek Academy.
Qian Renshang had naturally learned something about this academy through the system, and he actually had a unique perspective on it.
"Gurgle..."
Just then, his stomach suddenly rumbled, and Qian Renshang's face showed a slight embarrassment.
He was hungry again!
"Never mind...I'll eat first!"
Qian Renshang's gaze swept across the street, finally settling on a pancake stall.
The stall owner was a woman dressed in simple clothes, her face dark and her fingers rough, clearly someone who had done a lot of physical labor.
However, he wasn't the only one at the stall.
There was also a boy who looked about eleven or twelve years old, with black hair, a resolute face, and wearing a simple black short robe, which, upon closer inspection, was covered in patches.
"Big brother... what would you like?"
Seeing Qian Renshang approach the stall, the black-haired boy was initially surprised by Qian Renshang's stunning good looks, then paused before speaking.
Qian Renshang replied, "Just a regular pancake!"
"Okay!"
The black-haired boy began making the pancake, kneading the dough, spreading it out, adding meat, and baking it, appearing quite skilled.
The woman beside him coughed slightly, then looked at her child with a face full of satisfaction.
A short while later!
The black-haired boy handed over a golden-brown pancake, looking and smelling delicious.
"Here!"
Qian Renshang's appetite was instantly whetted.
He took a bite, his eyes narrowing; the taste was truly excellent.
And the meat was generous.
He finished the pancake in a few bites, but Qian Renshang still felt it wasn't enough, so he asked the boy to continue baking.
And then... still not enough!
Qian Renshang continued to order pancakes, and the boy continued to fry them... and so on.
Each pancake was practically a matter of a few bites, and Qian Renshang ate over twenty, attracting the attention of passersby.
"Hiss... Is this guy a reincarnated starving ghost?
He can eat so much."
"What a waste of such a handsome face." The crowd grumbled, but Qian Renshang didn't feel embarrassed at all.
He didn't have many hobbies in his life, and eating was one of them!
Because he possessed the bloodline of the Golden Dragon King, he got hungry very easily, and these pancakes were just an appetizer.
Qian Renshang was about to continue eating when the boy said awkwardly,
"Sorry... I'm out of ingredients."
"Ah... okay."
Qian Renshang scratched his head, feeling a little embarrassed, having eaten all of the boy's ingredients.
"How much?"
"Two silver soul coins will do!"
"Okay!"
Qian Renshang rummaged around but only found a dozen or so copper soul coins, which was clearly not enough.
Qian Renshang was a bit overwhelmed.
He had arrived in such a hurry that he hadn't had time to exchange the coins.
These copper soul coins were from a small red envelope that Aunt Mei had given him a long time ago.
The boy noticed Qian Renshang's embarrassment.
He smiled slightly.
"This is enough... I'm packing up anyway, just breaking even is fine."
The boy's mother also smiled and offered to end the conversation for Qian Renshang.
"My child is going to apply to an advanced soul master academy today... It's a joyous occasion, so consider these pancakes a gift."
"How could I accept that?
I'll pay you back later..."
Qian Renshang scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and then introduced himself.
"My name is Qian Renshang!"
"My name is Chen Feng!"
the boy introduced himself with a simple smile. It must be said that Qian Renshang's appearance was quite approachable.
The two exchanged a brief introduction, and Qian Renshang learned that the other was applying to Shrek Academy, which he also found interesting.
So he decided to go with the boy.
After tidying up the stall, the three set off, and the boy, seemingly a chatterbox, talked a lot with Qian Renshang.
Qian Renshang learned that Chen Feng's father had died in an accident several years ago, leaving him and his mother to rely on each other.
Chen Feng's mother was in poor health, and Chen Feng, at such a young age, had to support the family.
However, the boy seemed very strong, never complaining of being tired, and instead displaying great optimism.
Before long, the three arrived at the so-called Shrek Academy's admissions office!
Qian Renshang looked ahead and
saw a dilapidated village with a sign above it that read "Shrek Academy."
An old man sat at a simple table with the words "Admissions Office" written on it.
A long queue had formed in front of the admissions office, the children and their parents filled with anticipation and a touch of nervousness.
The sun beat down fiercely on the ground, and the children's faces were covered in sweat, but their eyes were full of longing.
Some children trembled with nervousness, while others stood confidently with their heads held high.
Parents waited anxiously, encouraging their children from time to time.
The whole scene was filled with an atmosphere of tension and anticipation, as if a fateful test was slowly unfolding.
(End of Chapter)
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