Chapter 35: A Woman's Intuition
At this moment, in front of the so called Shrek Academy, around a hundred applicants had gathered. Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong were among them.
It was worth noting that, despite appearing prominently in the future video, neither of them drew much attention.
In reality, people don't always look the same unlike in animated series where characters never change their hairstyles or outfits.
A simple hairstyle change and different clothes were enough to make them unrecognizable unless someone was intimately familiar with them.
Most people watched the video for entertainment and forgot about it afterward.
There was no phenomenon where they became overnight celebrities just because they appeared in the video.
They weren't being mobbed by crowds or recognized everywhere they went.
"Zhuqing, don't you think something feels… off about this Shrek Academy?" Ning Rongrong whispered behind her. "The difference from the rumors is just too big."
"Mm." Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. "This academy… feels like a scam."
Around them, many other applicants and parents murmured their own doubts and complaints.
"Is this really a proper Soul Master academy? Didn't they say graduates would be granted noble titles?"
"The Spirit Hall announced it, so it should be reliable… but this place looks so run down."
"Dad, I don't want to study here! This is humiliating! I'd rather enroll in Soto Intermediate Soul Master Academy. At least I was considered a genius back in my junior academy."
"Son, we're already here. Let's wait and see. Maybe this is some kind of test, and the real academy isn't here."
Similar whispers spread through the waiting crowd.
Many young applicants and their parents looked deeply disappointed.
Zhu Zhuqing's sharp feline ears caught the conversations happening at the registration table.
The old man seated behind it looked lazy.
His clothes were, at best, plain at worst, he looked like a farmer.
A young boy was at the table, registering.
The old man drawled: "Registration fee is ten gold soul coins. Put it in the box."
The boy's father quickly pulled out ten gold coins and dropped them into a makeshift wooden box.
"Show me your hand."
The boy obediently extended his hand.
The old man squeezed it twice, then shook his head. "Your age doesn't qualify. You can leave."
The boy froze.
His father panicked, forcing a smile. "Sir, my son just turned thirteen! Can't you make an exception?"
The old man waved dismissively: "Don't hold up the line. We only accept applicants under thirteen. If you're over thirteen, we don't take you. Leave."
Seeing no room for negotiation, the boy's father reluctantly backed down but then he hesitated.
"What about our registration fee?"
The old man sneered: "Once registered, no refunds."
Hearing this, the boy's father erupted in fury.
"This is a scam! Give our money back, or we're not leaving!"
Ten gold soul coins wasn't a small amount.
For a normal family, it could sustain them for months.
Losing that much for nothing? Of course, he wouldn't let it slide!
The old man barely glanced at him, then called out lazily
"Mubai, someone wants their money back. Take care of it."
At that moment
A figure leaped out.
While stretching his wrist, he cracked his knuckles and smirked.
"Want a refund? Sure. Beat me in a fight, and I'll give you a full refund!"
Then
A tiger's roar echoed.
Three soul rings one white, one yellow, and one purple rose around his body.
It was Dai Mubai.
Since he had been sitting off to the side, Zhu Zhuqing hadn't noticed him earlier.
Now
Watching her fiancé act like a thug, intimidating normal people over ten gold coins
She felt utter disgust.
A proper academy scamming registration fees, then sending their students to beat up applicants?
This was beyond shameless.
If she enrolled here, was she really here to study or just to waste her time?
Her future suddenly looked bleak.
Zhu Zhuqing sighed.
"Well… I'm already here."
She decided to enroll anyway, just to observe for a while.
Maybe just maybe this academy was more than it appeared.
Maybe the rundown exterior was just an illusion, and the true facilities were impressive.
She had to cling to that hope.
Because she had no choice.
Her fate was already tied to Dai Mubai.
If she didn't cooperate with him, she wouldn't survive.
She had no other options.
She was trapped.
Faced with Dai Mubai's intimidation, the boy's father paled.
A three ringed Soul Master was something he couldn't fight.
Grumbling curses, he dragged his son away.
Dai Mubai returned to his seat, sweeping his cold, double pupiled gaze across the remaining applicants wordlessly threatening them.
The waiting line shrank by a third.
No one wanted to waste money.
No one trusted the academy anymore.
Then
A new applicant approached the table.
A young man alone, without parents.
He had deep blue hair, matching blue eyes, and a handsome, gentle expression.
His presence was warm and likable.
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze lingered on him.
For some reason
She felt like she had seen him before.
A strange sense of familiarity stirred inside her.
A woman's intuition was terrifying.
Because this young man
Was actually Tang San.
After awakening his Blue Silver Emperor, his appearance had changed drastically.
He had come to Shrek Academy as planned.
Why?
Because even though he had trained with his father, Tang Hao wasn't a teacher.
Strength didn't mean he knew how to educate others.
Tang San still needed formal training, knowledge, and structured growth.
Thus
He had arrived at Shrek Academy.
Just as the future foretold.
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