As the carriage nears the bustling gates of Suotuo City, the lively atmosphere outside begins to seep into their compartment. Ning Rongrong suddenly turns to Song Qing, her brow furrowed with curiosity.
"Qing," Rongrong begins, her cyan eyes thoughtful, "what are you going to do about your name? Song Qing is… well, it's quite famous. Even in this remote city, people must have heard of the greatest talent the world has seen in decades, especially from three years ago."
Zhu Zhuqing, who is sitting quietly beside Song Qing, also looks at him with a hint of concern in her dark eyes. "She's right, Qing. Have you thought of using a different name while we're here?"
Song Qing nods, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Of course, I've thought about it. Changing my appearance is one thing, but my name is another. I will change my surname from Song to Su. So, for now, you two should refer to me as Su Qing."
Both girls try out the new name, a slight hesitation in their voices.
"Su Qing," Rongrong repeats, her head tilted slightly. "Hmm… it feels a bit formal, doesn't it?" She wrinkles her nose playfully. "But I suppose I can endure it if it keeps you safe."
Zhu Zhuqing, who is less vocal but equally concerned, also tries the name. "Su Qing," she says, the unfamiliar syllables feeling a little strange on her tongue. 'It doesn't quite feel right,' she thinks, her heart missing a beat at not calling him Qing. But she understands the necessity and will follow his instructions impeccably.
"Once we are inside Shrek Academy and interacting more casually," Song Qing adds, reassuring them, "you can go back to calling me Qing, just like before. But we must be careful not to reveal my full name, Song Qing, to anyone here."
Both girls nod in understanding, their initial reservations fading in the face of his safety.
The carriage finally rumbles to a stop just outside the city gates. They disembark, the lively sounds and smells of Suotuo City washing over them. After a quick, whispered discussion, they decide to follow Rongrong's suggestion and head towards Shrek Academy separately.
Before they part ways, a wave of affection washes over the two girls. Rongrong steps forward first, throwing her arms around Song Qing's neck and planting a quick kiss on his right cheek. "Be careful, Su Qing," she whispers, a hint of her usual playful tone returning.
Then, it is Zhu Zhuqing's turn. She steps forward, her dark eyes filled with a deep tenderness. She hugs him tightly, pressing her mature chest against his, a silent reminder of the intimacy they share. She then kisses his left cheek, her lips lingering for a moment. 'I'm leaving my scent on you, Qing,' she thinks, a possessive warmth spreading through her.
Rongrong, noticing Zhu Zhuqing's deliberate embrace, rolls her eyes playfully but doesn't comment. She steps forward again, hugging Song Qing tightly, her petite and delicate body pressing against him. She also whispers a soft "Be careful," leaving her own unique floral scent clinging to his clothes.
Following their plan, Song Qing is the first to make his way towards the entrance of Shrek Academy. As he walks through the bustling streets of Suotuo City, he notices a sign pointing towards what appears to be a rather dilapidated and unassuming building. 'This must be it,' he thinks, a slight smile playing on his lips. Appearances can certainly be deceiving.
Reaching the entrance, he finds a surprisingly long line of youths waiting to be assessed. As he stands at the back, his gaze scans the crowd. His red eyes, a stark contrast to his current brown hair, quickly pick out a familiar figure. Standing closer to the front of the line is a young man with neatly combed dark blue hair and piercing deep blue eyes. Song Qing's mind instantly recognizes him: Tang San. The son of Tang Hao. 'Perfect,' he thinks, a cold determination settling in his heart. 'He will be a key piece in my revenge.'
Standing beside Tang San is a cute little girl. She has shoulder-length brown hair tied back in a long scorpion braid, and her soft, bright magenta eyes are wide with curiosity as she observes the other applicants. As soon as Song Qing lays his eyes on her, a familiar presence within the Crimson Soul Emperor's Crown stirs violently.
'Song Qing! That's her! That's my daughter! Xiao Wu!' A'Rou's mental voice floods his mind, filled with an overwhelming wave of longing and desperation. 'Please, Song Qing, please! Let me meet her! I have to see her! Just for a moment!' Her ethereal form within the crown seems to pulse with an urgent energy.
Song Qing shakes his head almost imperceptibly, his gaze still fixed on Xiao Wu. 'Not now, Madam A'Rou,' he thinks back, his mental voice firm but gentle. 'I promise you will have your time with her. But we need to be careful. Now is not the right moment.'
A'Rou's mental voice is filled with reluctance and a palpable sadness. 'But… but I've waited so long…'
'I know, Madam A'Rou,' Song Qing replies, his heart softening slightly at her distress. 'And you won't have to wait much longer. I promise.'
Hearing his words, A'Rou sighs mentally, a hint of resignation in her thoughts. She knows Song Qing has his reasons and trusts him, even though her maternal instincts are screaming for an immediate reunion.
Meanwhile, Song Qing continues to observe Xiao Wu. The girl who is also a crucial piece in his carefully laid plans for revenge. Her close, almost sibling-like relationship with Tang San will undoubtedly prove useful in the future. He just needs to play his cards right. The pieces are starting to fall into place. His journey at Shrek Academy is about to begin.
~~
The line outside the unassuming Shrek Academy slowly inches forward. Song Qing, now presenting himself as Su Qing, observes the proceedings with a keen eye. The examiner, a middle-aged man with a stern expression and a spirit ring glinting on his hand, asks each applicant to reveal their spirit, soul power, and age.
Tang San is next. With a calm and collected demeanor, he steps forward. A faint blue light emanates from his right hand, and a humble-looking blade of Blue Silver Grass appears.
"Spirit: Blue Silver Grass," Tang San announces, his voice clear and steady.
The examiner raises an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his eyes. Blue Silver Grass is widely considered one of the weakest spirits.
"Soul Power?" the examiner asks, his tone somewhat dismissive.
Tang San focuses his inner energy, and two spirit rings, both a vibrant yellow, appear beneath his feet. A collective murmur ripples through the line. Two yellow spirit rings at such a young age are quite impressive.
"Soul Power: Level 29," Tang San states confidently.
"Age?"
"Twelve years old," Tang San replies.
The examiner's eyes widen slightly. Level 29 at twelve with Blue Silver Grass is indeed remarkable. "Alright," he says, a hint of respect now in his voice. "You pass the first four tests. Proceed to wait for the fifth test."
Tang San nods and steps aside, a quiet satisfaction in his deep blue eyes.
Next to him, the cute little girl with the scorpion braid steps forward, her magenta eyes sparkling with determination.
"Spirit: Soft Boned Rabbit," Xiao Wu announces, and a pair of long, soft rabbit ears pop out from her head.
A few chuckles ripple through the line. Beast spirits are common, but a rabbit is not particularly intimidating.
"Soul Power?" the examiner asks, his expression neutral.
Just like Tang San, two yellow spirit rings appear beneath Xiao Wu's feet. Another wave of impressed murmurs goes through the crowd.
"Soul Power: Level 29," Xiao Wu says, her voice clear and bright.
"Age?"
"Twelve years old!" she replies with a cheerful grin.
The examiner nods, surprised once again. "Very well. You also pass the first four tests. Wait with your friend for the fifth test."
Xiao Wu beams and joins Tang San, their eyes meeting with a shared understanding. They both know they have exceeded expectations.
A few more applicants go through the process, their results varying from disappointing to mildly impressive. Then, it is Song Qing's turn. He steps forward, maintaining his disguised appearance as Su Qing, a young man with brown hair and striking red eyes.
"Name?" the examiner asks, looking him up and down.
"Su Qing," Song Qing replies, his voice calm and even.
"Spirit?"
Song Qing focuses his mind, and from his right hand, vibrant emerald green vines begin to sprout, twisting and coiling, adorned with luminous leaves. The air around them seems to hum with a subtle energy.
"Spirit: Emerald Heart Vine," Song Qing announces, watching the examiner's reaction.
The examiner's eyes widen in surprise. He has never seen a plant spirit quite like this before. The sheer vitality radiating from the vines is palpable.
"Soul Power?" the examiner asks, his curiosity piqued.
Song Qing allows three spirit rings to appear beneath his feet: two yellow and one purple. A collective gasp goes through the line. A purple spirit ring at such a young age is incredibly rare.
"Soul Power: Level 31," Song Qing states confidently, subtly emphasizing his realm as a Soul Elder.
"Age?"
"Twelve years old," Song Qing replies.
The examiner stares at him, his initial sternness completely gone, replaced by astonishment. "Level 31… a Soul Elder… at twelve years old? And with such a unique spirit… You have also passed the first four tests with flying colors. Please wait with the others for the fifth test."
Song Qing nods, a slight smile playing on his lips. His performance has caused quite a stir, exactly as he intended. He moves to stand a short distance away from Tang San and Xiao Wu, observing them from the corner of his eye.
Not long after, Zhu Zhuqing arrives, her lithe figure moving with a quiet grace. She steps forward to face the examiner.
"Name?"
"Zhu Zhuqing," she replies, her voice cool and composed.
"Spirit?"
A powerful aura erupts from Zhu Zhuqing's body, and a sleek, black panther-like creature with glowing purple eyes materializes behind her. The Abyssal Phantom Lion exudes an aura of deadly grace and power, causing a ripple of fear and awe through the line.
"Spirit: Abyssal Phantom Lion," Zhu Zhuqing announces, her dark eyes gleaming with a hint of pride.
The examiner's jaw almost drops. A top-tier assault-type beast spirit!
"Soul Power?" he manages to stammer.
Three spirit rings, two yellow and one purple, appear beneath Zhu Zhuqing's feet, their glow intense.
"Soul Power: Level 39," she states, her voice unwavering.
Another collective gasp echoes through the crowd, even louder than before. Level 39 at twelve years old is practically unheard of!
"Age?"
"Twelve years old," Zhu Zhuqing replies, her gaze steady.
The examiner stares at her, completely stunned. "Y-you… you have also passed all four tests. Please wait for the fifth."
Zhu Zhuqing nods curtly and moves to stand near Song Qing, her eyes briefly meeting his with a silent understanding.
Finally, Ning Rongrong arrives, her vibrant purple dress a stark contrast to the somewhat drab surroundings. She approaches the examiner with an air of confidence.
"Name?"
"Ning Rongrong," she replies, her voice carrying a hint of her noble upbringing.
"Spirit?"
A dazzling array of multicolored light erupts from Ning Rongrong's body, coalescing into a magnificent, nine-storied pagoda held aloft in her hand. The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda radiates an aura of immense spiritual power, its appearance causing gasps of utter shock and disbelief throughout the entire line. The examiner's eyes nearly pop out of his head.
"Spirit: Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda," Rongrong announces, her voice clear and proud. The sheer rarity and legendary status of her spirit send waves of astonishment through everyone present.
"S-soul… Soul Power?" the examiner stutters, completely overwhelmed.
Three spirit rings, two yellow and one purple, appear beneath Ning Rongrong's feet, their brilliance almost blinding.
"Soul Power: Level 39," Rongrong states, a triumphant glint in her cyan eyes.
The examiner can barely speak. "A… a Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda… Soul Power of 39… at what age?"
"Twelve years old," Rongrong replies, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
The examiner simply stares, speechless. He has never witnessed such talent in his entire life. "Y-you… you have obviously passed all the preliminary tests. Please wait with the others."
Ning Rongrong joins Song Qing and Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes sparkling with amusement at the stunned expressions around them.
Throughout this display of extraordinary talent, Tang San and Xiao Wu have been observing Song Qing and the two girls with growing curiosity. Their own soul power of 29 at twelve years old had seemed impressive, but the arrival of Su Qing at level 31 and then Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong, both at level 39, all claiming to be the same age, has certainly caught their attention.