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Ten days later.
On this day, the weather was clear and sunny, with not a cloud in the sky.
Standing at the academy gate, Flender gazed at the somewhat dilapidated sign bearing the name "Shrek Academy" and a rather ugly and cute image of the Shrek spirit beast. He felt a mix of emotions.
Twenty years—how many such periods are there in a person's life?
The memories of every moment here flowed through Flender's heart, evoking a bittersweet feeling.
"Flender, stop looking. Let's go; your sister Erlong is waiting for you in Tian Dou City!
As the saying goes, 'Out with the old, in with the new.' Buckle down, and who knows, you might soon have a proper advanced soul master academy!"
Putting his arm around Flender's shoulder, Zhao Wuji winked and comforted him.
Zhao Wuji fully supported Flender's decision to seek assistance.
After all, Shrek Academy had nothing to offer, and Flender, the proverbial iron rooster, hadn't been generous with salaries in the past.
But joining Lan Ba (Blue Tyrant) Academy meant guaranteed wages, and he, Zhao Wuji, being a respected Soul Sage, wouldn't be dismissed so easily.
Hearing this, Flender turned red in the neck and glared fiercely at him, saying, "Old Zhao, I warn you not to talk nonsense!"
"Nonsense? Guys, do you think I'm talking nonsense?"
Zhao Wuji nudged his eyebrows at Shao Xin and the others nearby.
Shao Xin smiled and said, "Big Brother Flender, don't be shy. If I wanted to eat soft rice, I wouldn't even know where to start!"
With these words, Li Yusong and Lu Qibin nodded seriously.
Flender: "..."
However, it seemed that what Zhao Wuji said wasn't wrong?
If he could win over Sister Erlong and marry her, then her Lan Ba Academy would essentially become his Shrek Academy. The thought made him slightly excited!
"Alright, everyone, let's move out!"
Having gathered his thoughts, Flender gave the order to depart for Tian Dou City.
As usual, Chu Chengzhou manifested his True Spirit Flag martial soul, lit up his second and third soul rings, waved the flag, and summoned Little Bai and Little Hong.
Compared to their last hunt, both summoned spirits had now reached ten thousand years of age, grown significantly larger, and could carry more people on their backs.
Having mounts was much better than traveling on foot, and since they were just traveling, his Level 36 soul power could sustain them.
Chu Chengzhou took three girls with him on Little Hong, while Little Bai, five meters long, carried four teachers—Zhao Wuji—and two students, Ma Hongjun and Oscar, totaling six people. Dai Mubai was flown by Flender, the flying-type Soul Sage.
Tian Dou City, the capital of the Tian Dou Empire, located in the northeast center of the empire, was the core of political power and one of the largest cities on the continent, comparable only to Xing Luo City, the capital of the Xing Luo Empire.
Suotuo City was in the southeast of the Balak Kingdom. For the Shrek group to reach Tian Dou City, they needed to leave the Balak Kingdom, traverse the entire Silves Kingdom, located to the north of Balak, enter the Tian Dou Imperial circle, and then head east to Tian Dou City. The journey was long, covering about two thousand miles.
Though the distance was far, for the two ten-thousand-year-old summoned spirits and Flender, the flying-type Soul Sage, it wasn't too long.
Stopping occasionally along the way, by nightfall, after traveling nearly a thousand miles and entering the Silves Kingdom, the Shrek group found a small town to stay in.
Though called a small town, it was essentially a large village. The Shrek group stayed in the only inn in the town, which, though simple, was relatively clean.
Shrek Academy had closed, but the accumulated teaching funds were substantial. Flender had money, but being stingy wasn't just for show. He skillfully allocated resources, opened four rooms with a wave of his hand.
Five teachers and Dai Mubai shared two rooms, the three female students shared one room, and the remaining three male students shared another.
Chu Chengzhou estimated that Flender opened four rooms because he knew about the animosity between him and Dai Mubai. Otherwise, this miser probably would have managed with just three rooms.
Under the night sky, unable to sleep, Xiao Wu and Chu Chengzhou were walking hand in hand on the streets of the small town.
Though they had traveled nearly a thousand miles during the day, riding flying mounts and with Little Hong flying very steadily, they didn't feel tired at all.
"Brother, I miss Grandpa and Grandma. Let's go back and visit them one day!"
Xiao Wu said to Chu Chengzhou.
"Hmm, alright. We've been away for a year. After settling down at Lan Ba Academy, we should go back to see them."
Chu Chengzhou nodded.
However, Chu Chengzhou didn't plan to return so simply. Their cultivation talent wasn't great, so he intended to bring them special gifts.
Looking up at the bright moon and starry sky, Chu Chengzhou glanced at Xiao Wu beside him, involuntarily stopping his steps.
"What's wrong?"
Blinking, Xiao Wu looked at Chu Chengzhou, who suddenly stopped.
"Xiao Wu~"
"Hmm?"
Without speaking, Chu Chengzhou pulled Xiao Wu's arm, hugged her, carefully examined her rosy lips, then lowered his head and kissed her.
"Mmm~"
Big Sister Xiao Wu got bullied again!
Half a minute later, as the kiss deepened, just when Chu Chengzhou prepared to intensify further, Xiao Wu suddenly pushed him away.
"Brother, confess honestly. Kissing so skillfully, how many times have you bullied Rongrong?"
Xiao Wu pointed accusingly at Chu Chengzhou, her face showing displeasure.
"Uh, Xiao Wu, what are you talking about?"
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but feel guilty, though he didn't show it outwardly, pretending to look confused.
"Hmph, I saw everything!
Three nights ago, when I went to the washroom and returned to my room, I saw Rongrong blushing and sneaking back from downstairs. You definitely bullied her!"
Walking too often at night, one is bound to encounter ghosts. Ning Rongrong frequently visiting Chu Chengzhou's room naturally couldn't escape Xiao Wu's notice.
It was fortunate that although they all lived on the second floor, they weren't in the same room, otherwise, it would have been exposed earlier.
"Three nights ago? No, how could I possibly bully Rongrong?"
Chu Chengzhou hurriedly shook his head in denial.
Joking aside, how could he admit to such a thing? Unless caught red-handed, it was impossible to confess.
No, even if caught, he couldn't admit it. I was merely guiding her cultivation; surely you misunderstood!
"If it wasn't you bullying Rongrong, who else would have bullied her?"
Xiao Wu wouldn't believe Chu Chengzhou's lies.
"Xiao Wu, you must be misunderstanding me. You're my childhood bride, and I haven't even eaten you yet. How could I possibly eat Rongrong? Besides, we're still young. How could we possibly do bad things?!"
Chu Chengzhou spoke with righteous indignation.
Hmm, in reality, I can't eat, but in an illusion, I can. After all, illusions aren't real—it's just like having a very vivid dream.
But since Xiao Wu discovered a little clue, Chu Chengzhou thought it was time, as the future first wife, to find an opportunity to let her experience the joy of the illusion.
Hearing this, Xiao Wu frowned slightly, suspicious.
However, Xiao Wu believed that her younger sister hadn't been "eaten" by Chu Chengzhou, as she had checked her friend's body before and could confirm Ning Rongrong was still a pure flower.
What Xiao Wu didn't know was that while her friend's body was pure, her soul had already been stained with vibrant colors by someone.
"What about Zhuqing? I see you always guiding her cultivation. Are you interested in her?"
Comparing her younger sister Ning Rongrong, Xiao Wu had confidence, but comparing herself to another younger sister, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu's confidence wasn't as strong.
Those big treasures might just steal Chu Chengzhou's soul!
Moreover, Xiao Wu knew that Chu Chengzhou and Dai Mubai didn't get along, and he might develop a perverse interest in taking someone else's nominal fiancée.
"No, no, Xiao Wu, you must trust the pure relationship between Zhuqing and me. I just thought Zhuqing wasn't strong enough and wanted to guide her a bit."
Chu Chengzhou quickly patted his chest in assurance.
"Is that so... Mmm~"
Xiao Wu still harbored some doubts, but Chu Chengzhou didn't intend to let her continue. His mouth descended once more.
What to do when your girlfriend is jealous? Distract her attention—kiss her! Still jealous? Keep kissing!
By the time her lips were swollen, she wouldn't ask anymore.
Two days later, in the morning.
Several miles away, Chu Chengzhou had already seen the fluttering banners atop the city walls.
As one of the largest and most prosperous cities on the continent, Tian Dou City's walls were a hundred meters high, all built from hard granite.
Patrolling soldiers above and below the city wore full armor and held spears. The sternness exuding from them revealed their prowess.
The towering gates of Tian Dou City were ten meters high and wide, allowing six riders to pass abreast. There were two side gates, each five meters high and wide, but the main central gate was currently closed. Pedestrians wanting to enter or exit Tian Dou City could only use the side gates.
"How tall are the walls!"
Seeing the towering walls of Tian Dou City, Ma Hongjun couldn't help but exclaim.
Instantly realizing something was amiss, Chu Chengzhou quickly pulled Xiao Wu a few steps to the side, creating some distance between them and Ma Hongjun ahead.
Sure enough, the crowd nearby who were entering the city immediately looked over.
Perhaps due to being residents of the capital, the crowd maintained decorum and didn't openly mock them, but the disdain in their eyes spoke volumes.
As if saying, where did these country bumpkins come from?
"Fatty, can you not embarrass our principal anymore?"
Facing the disdainful gazes of the surrounding crowd, Oscar irritably punched Ma Hongjun.
At this moment, Ma Hongjun realized he had become a country bumpkin and sheepishly shrank his neck.
"Alright, let's enter the city and follow!"
Flender paid no heed to the disdainful looks from the surrounding crowd, waved his hand, and entered Tian Dou City.
Since they were newcomers, no one recognized him. If unrecognized, why care?
"Principal, do you know where Lan Ba Academy is?"
Ma Hongjun quickly stepped forward and asked Flender.
"Don't worry. Your Principal Erlong has already detailed the route and address in her reply letter."
Waving his hand, Flender led the group towards Lan Ba Academy.
Inside Tian Dou City, it was extremely bustling. All streets were paved with blue bricks, each street as wide as the main roads of Suotuo City. The scale of the entire city could only be described as magnificent.
Not long after, weaving through streets and alleys, the group quickly arrived at their destination.
As a formal advanced soul master academy, Lan Ba Academy far surpassed the dilapidated Shrek Academy.
The academy's gate looked almost as large as Tian Dou City's main gate, though it appeared thinner. However, the entrance was indeed ten meters high.
The gate, carved from white marble, though not particularly ornate, exuded grandeur. Above the gate were eight golden characters: "Lan Ba Advanced Soul Master Academy."
After examining it, Flender led the group towards the guard post at the academy entrance.
"Hello, this is Lan Ba Academy. May I ask who you are?"
Before the group approached, two middle-aged soul masters, one tall and one short, aged about forty to fifty, walked out of the guard post. The taller one stepped forward and asked solemnly.
The polite tone of the tall middle-aged man carried a hint of vigilance, as Flender's shoe-horn face didn't look trustworthy.
"I'm Flender from Shrek Academy, here to see your Principal Liu Erlong."
Adjusting his glasses, Flender directly stated.
"You are Principal Flender? We've been waiting for you. Please, come in! Principal Flender, my name is Yin Shu. Our principal has already instructed us. Please follow me!"
Upon hearing Flender's words, Yin Shu's serious expression immediately turned into a smile, exuding warmth.
After Liu Erlong replied to Flender's letter, she had instructed the duty teachers at the academy gate to prepare for reception.
"Thank you!"
Flender smiled and nodded.
It seemed his sister Erlong hadn't forgotten him. Bringing the Shrek Academy group to seek refuge, his sister Erlong had already arranged everything.
"Wang, stay here and watch. I'll take Principal Flender and the others to see the principal."
Yin Shu turned to the shorter man and led the Shrek group into the academy.
Entering Lan Ba Academy, the scenery that met the eye gave off an extremely grand impression.
A spacious path led straight inside, flanked by clusters of trees. At the end, a large playground with a diameter exceeding two hundred meters could be seen. Surrounding the playground was a circle of three-story buildings.
Among these three-story buildings were student dormitories, teaching buildings, and some simulated training grounds.
If Shrek Academy was surrounded by ordinary village guesthouses, then this Lan Ba Academy was an academy surrounded by forests.
Around the teaching buildings, everywhere you looked, lush trees abounded.
One could say that this was the largest cluster of vegetation within Tian Dou City.
Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but suspect that when Liu Erlong founded Lan Ba Academy, her father Yu Luomian, the second-in-command of the Blue Lightning Dragon King family, must have spent quite a bit.
They say illegitimate children aren't valued, but this isn't necessarily true.
There are plenty of cases where illegitimate children are favored more than those from the official marriage. Moreover, although Liu Erlong was an illegitimate child, her cultivation talent was remarkable.
Currently around forty years old, she was already a seven-ring Soul Sage. This was despite suffering emotional setbacks over the past twenty years. Without those setbacks, she might have had a chance to achieve the eighth ring, becoming a Soul Douluo.
With such talent, does it matter if she was a private daughter born to a courtesan?
After all, the entire Blue Lightning Dragon King family only had one Title Douluo, the clan leader Yu Yuanzhen, and the various elders within the clan, including Yu Luomian, were still Soul Douluos!
Midway, Yin Shu stopped a passing student, gave a few instructions, and then led the Shrek group to a meeting room on the top floor of the teaching building.
Inside the meeting room.
Not long after the Shrek group sat down and two servants without any soul power served tea, the door to the meeting room was pushed open.
Turning their heads, everyone saw a beautiful woman in her thirties walking briskly in.
The woman wore a simple blue cloth dress, but it did nothing to hide her grace. A cloth wrapped her black hair, and her fair face featured delicate, striking features. Her expressive eyes were currently filled with excitement, and beneath her robe lay evident curves, a mature charm that no ordinary girl could match.
Of course, Zhu Zhuqing, with her ample bosom, could perhaps rival her.
"Erlong, it's been a long time. Are you well?"
Seeing the woman, Flender's body trembled. He adjusted his glasses, suppressing his inner excitement, and calmly said.
However, the trembling left hand betraying his habitual adjustment of his glasses revealed Flender's current excitement.
"Well, how could I not be? But Flender, after all these years, you haven't changed a bit."
Flender was excited, and so was Liu Erlong.
After all, twenty years ago, she and Flender were close sworn siblings. Twenty years apart, their excitement upon seeing each other was understandable.
However, upon seeing Flender, Liu Erlong couldn't help but think of Yu Xiaogang.
The legendary Golden Iron Triangle of yore was missing one member.
"Sigh, I've grown old, but you remain as graceful as ever!
Come, Erlong, let me introduce you. These are the teachers and students of my Shrek Academy. We've come to seek refuge; please don't dislike us."
Flender sighed bitterly, introducing Zhao Wuji and others to Liu Erlong. Finally, he told everyone, "This is my sworn sister Liu Erlong. Back when my other brother and I roamed the world of soul masters, we were the famous Golden Iron Triangle!"
As he spoke, Flender couldn't help but puff out his chest, a bit proud.
"The Golden Iron Triangle?"
Suddenly, Ning Rongrong seemed to recall something, her expression turning pale with surprise.
"Oh? I didn't expect such a young girl to have heard of it?"
Flender smiled and asked.
"Yes, yes! When my father talked about spirit fusion techniques, he specifically mentioned the Golden Iron Triangle. The Golden Holy Dragon, a three-person spirit fusion technique, is the only one of its kind on the continent!"
Ning Rongrong nodded, looking admiringly at Flender and Liu Erlong.
The more soul masters involved in a spirit fusion technique, the greater the strength boost when activated.
If a two-person spirit fusion technique allows soul masters to fight against those one major level higher, then a three-person spirit fusion technique likely enables them to compete with those two major levels higher.
Though Flender and his companions' soul power levels weren't high back then, if they were replaced with present-day seven-ring Soul Sages, they might not defeat a titled warrior, but they could exceed the range of ordinary eight-ring Soul Douluos.
"Alas, that was all in the past. Welcome everyone to join Lan Ba Academy!"
Liu Erlong smiled, greeting everyone.
"By the way, Flender, your Shrek Academy was doing fine. Why did you decide to come to my Lan Ba Academy?"
Liu Erlong looked puzzled at Flender.
Flender sighed and said, "Erlong, you don't know my troubles. It's all because these little monsters are too excellent!"
Hearing this, Liu Erlong paused.
Too excellent students, and you closed the academy?
There were academies that closed on the continent, but such a bizarre reason for closing, she was hearing for the first time!
Before Liu Erlong could inquire further, Flender continued, "Erlong, you may not know. One of our graduates used to lead the Imperial Battle Team at Tian Dou Imperial Academy.
Just before I wrote to you, he came to visit us old folks, along with the Imperial Battle Team.
You know how competitive young people are. The Imperial Battle Team had a soul battle with these little monsters.
Guess what? The renowned Imperial Battle Team from the strongest imperial academy was completely crushed by these little monsters, utterly overwhelmed.
These little monsters are so talented, but Shrek Academy has nothing to offer. What could I do? As the principal, how could I bear to delay these little monsters?"
Seeking assistance from Sister Erlong? No, no, I, Flender, will eat this soft rice hard!
As long as Chu Chengzhou and the others strive hard, no one will say that I, Flender, am eating soft rice.
Listening to Flender's boastful remarks, Liu Erlong fell silent.
If possible, she wanted to rush forward, grab Flender by the collar, and give him a few punches on his four eyes. (T/N: In Chinese it's common to call someone wearing glasses 'Four-Eyed' in a sort of playful banter way, usually not meant in a derogatory manner.)
However, she immediately showed a delighted expression.
She finally understood why Flender had come to her.
It was simply that the students were too talented, and Shrek Academy lacked the qualifications to participate in the Soul Master Tournament. Additionally, the academy's conditions were limited, unable to meet the daily cultivation needs of the students. Flender, unwilling to delay these students, had put aside his pride to seek refuge with her.
This… was truly excellent!
The Soul Master Tournament was crucial for all advanced soul master academies on the continent and must be participated in by forming teams.
Achieving good results in the tournament would enhance the academy's reputation, attracting more talented soul masters to join.
More talents meant better results in the tournament. Once a virtuous cycle formed, the academy's strength would increasingly grow stronger.
Setting aside the official academy, Tian Dou Imperial Academy, why did the Five Elements Academies consistently secure the five qualifying spots in the preliminary rounds of each Soul Master Tournament?
It was simply that the Five Elements Academies had long formed a virtuous cycle, with great fame and strength. Talented soul masters within the empire wanting to join a soul master academy would consider the Five Elements Academies as their top choice.
Since she chose to establish Lan Ba Academy, Liu Erlong naturally hoped that one day her Lan Ba Academy would become a well-known advanced soul master academy like the Five Elements Academies.
The best way to achieve this wish was to find a few exceptionally talented students, achieve good results in the Soul Master Tournament, and even win the championship.
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