Four days later, Jiang Ming and the driver each rode a powerful horse along a wide, open road, gazing at the distant outline of Shrek Academy.
"Master Jiang, we've arrived! Up ahead is Shrek City. Just follow this road for a few more dozen kilometers, and you'll reach Shrek Academy!"
The driver's expression was strange—like he wanted to cry but couldn't, like he wanted to laugh but couldn't. His whole face looked conflicted.
"Yeah, I see it… it's magnificent!"
Jiang Ming looked at the grand building in the distance, breathing in the fresh oxygen released by the surrounding plants through photosynthesis. His eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Shrek Academy… truly seeing it is far better than hearing about it a hundred times!
"Well… Master Jiang, now that we've reached Shrek Academy, I'll take my leave."
The driver glanced cautiously at Jiang Ming and spoke softly.
Over the past four days, Jiang Ming had shifted in his mind several times—from gentle and approachable, to a prodigious talent, then a little wild, and now back to calm and composed.
Sigh… words can't really capture it.
"Huh? You're just leaving? Not coming with me to Shrek City?"
Jiang Ming looked at the driver in surprise. They had gotten along quite well over the past few days, and he thought the driver might want to explore Shrek City together.
"No, no, I have matters to attend to. I need to return quickly," the driver said, waving his hands nervously with a forced smile.
"Alright then. You go ahead; I'll make my way to Shrek Academy myself."
Jiang Ming swung off his horse and handed the reins to the driver. The journey was only a few dozen kilometers—he could cover it in a little over an hour on foot.
The driver accepted the reins, feeling honored, and urged his horse forward before turning away.
"Oh, and I'm sorry for accidentally blowing up your carriage earlier."
Jiang Ming's voice called out with genuine apology. The driver glanced back instinctively.
Jiang Ming was already sprinting toward Shrek Academy, and a small pouch flew gracefully through the air, landing squarely in the driver's hands.
The driver opened it to find several gold soul coins neatly inside.
He put the pouch away, watching Jiang Ming racing toward Shrek Academy, his expression complicated.
They had arrived by carriage, but just yesterday, Jiang Ming's experiments with a Soul Device had caused yet another minor incident.
While carving a core formation for a fourth-level Soul Device, a mishap occurred. Jiang Ming hadn't had time to throw it away, so he leapt from the carriage, dragging the driver with him.
It had been the core formation of a fourth-level Soul Device! The explosion obliterated their carriage in an instant.
An unforgettable experience—at least for the driver!
And because their carriage was destroyed, from yesterday to today, the two of them had traveled here riding the only two horses that remained.
"Good luck."
The driver silently wished Jiang Ming well before walking away without looking back. Even with compensation, he didn't want to be near Jiang Ming anymore—who knew if the next explosion might take him out too?
Outside Shrek City, Jiang Ming ran along the road, leaving shallow footprints on the solid ground.
Huff… ha… huff… ha…
His breathing was calm and rhythmic despite the intensity. The spacing between each footprint was perfectly even, as if measured with precision.
The distance wasn't long, but for a twelve-year-old, it was still a challenge.
Yet for Jiang Ming, it posed no difficulty at all.
His martial soul specialized in enhancing his physical abilities. Being raised in Qingshui City, a frontier town, he had been trained rigorously by Nie Heng for self-defense since childhood.
Even wearing heavy armor, running like this would be effortless for him.
"Wow, so many people are here to register at Shrek!"
Jiang Ming ran along the roadside, keeping pace with the passing carriages effortlessly.
Passengers peeked out their windows in surprise, noticing a young boy about their age dashing by.
One luxurious carriage decorated with icy patterns passed, and a porcelain-like girl leaned out, her eyes full of curiosity as she looked at Jiang Ming.
Feeling her gaze, Jiang Ming tilted his head slightly and smiled—a warm, sunny smile.
The girl, Ling Luochen, froze for a moment. A blush spread across her fair, delicate face. She shrank back into the carriage, her mind still filled with the memory of his smile.
She had seen handsome boys before, but never like Jiang Ming. And for some reason, seeing him made her heart race uncontrollably.
The distance wasn't far, and Jiang Ming soon arrived at the East Gate of Shrek City.
Nie Heng had already instructed him: enter through the East Gate, go to Shrek Academy, and register at the freshman teaching building.
The process was simple, much like signing up at a school in his previous life.
Guided by academy students, Jiang Ming entered Shrek Academy.
He headed straight for the Soul Device Department.
On the way, several core formations in his fourth-level Soul Device had been acting up, and even now, the problem wasn't solved.
As the continent's top academy, Shrek Academy should have teachers or senior students who could easily answer his questions about fourth-level Soul Devices.
Eager to learn, Jiang Ming walked toward the gray teaching building of the Soul Device Department.
Only a few people were at the freshman registration desk—several tables, a few chairs, and four students, two boys and two girls, handling registration, dorm keys, and uniforms.
Jiang Ming smiled as he approached, drawing a gold soul coin from his storage ring.
"Hello."
"Little brother, here to register? Come on, fill out this form. Jasmine, bring him a uniform!"
A senior in yellow uniform smiled brightly, holding out a registration form.
"I'm not here to register," Jiang Ming explained. "I'm headed for the Martial Soul Department, but I wanted to ask some questions about Soul Devices. These problems have been troubling me for days."
Subtly, he placed the gold coin in the senior's hand.
"Ah?"
The four third-year seniors were stunned. Someone registering for Martial Soul but asking questions at the Soul Device Department?
Although students officially choose Martial Soul or Soul Device specialization in the third year, it was possible to start early. Before the third year, students could freely explore either path.
The senior who received Jiang Ming's coin was even more stunned, lips twitching in disbelief.
He looked at Jiang Ming, expression strange.
"Little brother… coming for Martial Soul but asking questions at Soul Device? You've got a wild approach!"