After absorbing all the energy, Gu You decided not to continue and instead pressed the red button on his arm, exiting the Ascension Platform.
As he emerged, surrounded by the completed purple spirit ring, all the staff members around him cast curious gazes his way. The first thing Gu You noticed upon opening his eyes was that Leng Yaozhu was already gone.
"Hello, this was entrusted to me by Her Eminence Heavenly Phoenix to give to you." A staff member handed Gu You a platinum-colored card with both hands.
Gu You took it and examined it curiously. It seemed to be forged from some kind of alloy, with a smooth texture. If there were any forging experts present, they would immediately recognize that this card was made from third-grade spirit-forged Scarlet Spirit Alloy, a rare metal with a high affinity for fire elements. The fact that it had undergone spirit forging made it even more valuable.
Under the envious gazes of the staff, Gu You left calmly. Though he didn't know exactly what the card was for, he had already guessed—it was either loaded with money or functioned as an access pass.
I wonder if Xinya is still here? Time had passed quickly; it was already evening.
Gu You took the elevator down to the first floor of Spirit Pagoda. The lights were still bright, employees were working, and people continued to come and go.
Scanning his surroundings, he was surprised to see Xinya still meditating.
Just as Gu You was about to approach and wake him up, a figure brushed past his shoulder. His eyes widened in shock, and he turned back to look.
It was a girl wearing white trousers and a white dress. She looked about the same age as Gu You, with black hair reaching her neck. Among her peers, she had a well-proportioned figure, slightly above average in height.
"Gu Yue," Gu You muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible. Seeing the Silver Dragon King here didn't surprise him—after all, Leng Yaozhu had another disciple, and it was her.
However, Gu You didn't dwell on it. Instead, he sat down beside Xinya to meditate, waiting until the next morning.
"You bastard! You still remember to come back? Do you know how long I waited for you?! Wait a minute… why do I feel like you've grown taller?" Xinya grumbled beside Gu You.
"Alright, alright, I know. This time, it's my fault. I owe you one. How about we go eat first? I'm starving!" Gu You patted Xinya on the shoulder.
Hearing the word "eat," Xinya's face darkened instantly. The prices in Shrek City were already high, and if they went out for a meal, his savings from five to six months of work might be gone. But he held back—I can endure this. I'll make sure you pay me back for this favor later…
Watching Gu You eat to his heart's content, then glancing at the stack of plates and the restaurant's sign labeled "Bankrupting Noodle Shop," Xinya was utterly devastated. How is he eating even more than before?!
After wiping his mouth, Gu You looked at Xinya and asked, "I'm done eating. Let's talk business. When do I go to Shrek Academy?"
Xinya lowered his head. "You can go now. I'll make a Soul Communicator call, and then someone will inform the higher-ups at Sea God's Pavilion to send someone to pick you up. Once you're inside, you'll train in the inner court."
Gu You nodded, as if recalling something. "And what about you?"
"Me?" Xinya pointed at himself. After paying the bill, he looked up at the blue sky. "I'll go back. I don't have talent like you, and I don't have the opportunity to enter Shrek."
Watching Xinya's despondent back, Gu You felt, for the first time, that having talent wasn't necessarily a good thing. But lacking talent? That was definitely a bad thing.
"Shen Yue… I'll leave Grandma in your care. Consider it another favor I owe you, alright?"
"It's only right. Besides, I should be thanking you. Thanks to you, I got promoted and received a salary raise. If anything, I owe you." Xinya made the call, and after a brief conversation, he hung up.
"Just wait here. Someone will come pick you up. I've transferred your location," Xinya said bitterly.
Gu You reached out, wanting to pat Xinya's shoulder, but an invisible wall appeared between them—intangible and unseen, yet undeniably present.
Not everyone is born with exceptional talent. This was destined to be a tragic story… yet also an unforgettable one.
As the breeze brushed past, a figure shot toward Gu You from the sky at high speed. Gu You immediately tensed up, but the person stopped just before him.
Dressed in white with flowing silver hair, a beautiful woman stood before him—none other than the "White-Haired Witch" of Shrek Academy, Shen Yi.
"You are Gu You?" Shen Yi scrutinized the young boy before her with curiosity.
"Yes." Gu You had a strange feeling—Why do I keep running into people with the surname Shen?
"Then follow me. My teacher wants to see you." Under Gu You's confused gaze, Shen Yi grabbed his hand, spread her battle armor's twin wings, and shot into the sky, flying toward Shrek Academy.
"Wait, I get motion si—"
As Gu You's view blurred, Xinya's figure became smaller and smaller until he disappeared completely.
Inside Shrek Academy's Sea God's Pavilion, Yun Ming was gently combing Yali's hair.
"Still thinking about that child?" Yali asked softly.
"Yes. After all, he was personally entrusted to us by the Federation. I'm curious about him too. Have you made up your mind?" Yun Ming responded gently.
"I'll leave it all to you," Yali replied with a smile, as Yun Ming kissed her cheek.
Meanwhile, Shen Yi was looking at Gu You in disgust as he clutched his stomach, retching.
"You look disgusted? Try eating that much food right before getting on a human-shaped jet plane like this!" Gu You snapped in between gags.
"Hmph! Such a boastful brat. If my teacher hadn't asked for you, I would've thrown you out already. A so-called 'special admission quota'? You're just relying on your background to get into Shrek!" Shen Yi scoffed.
"When did I ever have a background?! Are you out of your mind?!" Gu You was speechless.
"You—!"
"A temperamental child… I like that."
A deep, aged voice interrupted their argument.
Both Gu You and Shen Yi turned to look.
"Teacher." Shen Yi greeted respectfully.
"Hmm, you're still as hot-tempered as ever. But compared to Wu Zhangkong, you're much better," the old man chuckled. Mentioning Wu Zhangkong made a flicker of anger appear in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.
Gu You also bowed—he knew exactly who this person was.
Zhuo Shi. One of the Twin Holy Dragons. Title: Crimson Dragon. Martial Soul: Crimson Armored Dragon.
"Oh? Kid, you recognize me?" Zhuo Shi raised an eyebrow.
Gu You nodded. "Your great reputation precedes you. Even when I was in the orphanage, I heard stories about you."
Zhuo Shi laughed heartily. He was a bold and straightforward man, and he liked how direct Gu You was.
"Good! Show me your martial soul."
Gu You didn't hesitate. He released his Purple Gold Dragon Emperor martial soul, and a thousand-year spirit ring floated around him. His hand became covered in golden-purple scales, and a dragon's roar resounded through the air.
Shen Yi trembled involuntarily, while Zhuo Shi's chest rose and fell rapidly in excitement.
A true dragon! A true dragon martial soul!!
Zhuo Shi could feel his Crimson Armored Dragon trembling—this was the suppression of a superior dragon bloodline.
"Kid, would you like to become my disciple? At last, I have found someone to inherit my Crimson Dragon Nine Forms!" Zhuo Shi's eyes were practically glowing.
Gu You hesitated for a moment before responding, "I appreciate your kindness, Senior, but I already have a master."
Zhuo Shi was stunned. "Who is your teacher?"