"Fighting is how people get to know each other."
Dai Mubai looked at Tang San and said, "Let me introduce myself—I'm Dai Mubai."
Tang San was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Dai Mubai to change his attitude so quickly. He didn't mind it; in fact, he thought Dai Mubai seemed like a decent person. "Tang San," he replied.
"Tang San, hmm, I'll remember that," Dai Mubai said with a smile. "I have a feeling we'll meet again."
He guessed that Tang San and Xiao Wu might be heading to Shrek Academy, as it was the only school currently recruiting students.
Tang San and Xiao Wu were new faces—not students from Balack Academy.
Surrounded by three beautiful girls, Dai Mubai left, of course leaving behind some money as compensation for the damage done to the Rose Hotel.
"Brother, why be so polite to a person like that?" Xiao Wu couldn't stand Dai Mubai's attitude.
Tang San smiled lightly. "We don't have any deep grudges with him. It's better to settle conflicts than hold them."
"Let's go—the room is ours now."
"Mm," Xiao Wu smiled.
...
Several days later.
Shrek Academy.
"You actually know how to make a storage spirit device!"
Inside the room, Zhu Zhuqing, holding a beautiful ring, looked at Xu Yunhan in surprise.
The Zhu family also had spirit device craftsmen, but only those who could make storage spirit devices were truly respected. Those who only made everyday spirit devices held lower status.
Making storage spirit devices was difficult; otherwise, they wouldn't be so expensive.
Zhu Zhuqing hadn't expected Xu Yunhan to have this talent—no wonder he was the man she had her eye on.
"It's nothing," Xu Yunhan smiled. "I just happened to find some materials suitable for making storage spirit devices. This storage ring contains several cubic spaces. If you like it, it's yours."
He had made several rings in total, using special gems as materials.
"Thank you." Zhu Zhuqing put the ring on immediately, then examined it closely, clearly very pleased.
"As long as you like it."
Besides the storage spirit device, Xu Yunhan also crafted an attack spirit device and a defense spirit device, placing them inside his ring's storage for emergencies.
Tang San had hidden weapons; Xu Yunhan had even more powerful spirit devices.
As for where Tang San was now, Xu Yunhan had no idea. He could only wait at Shrek Academy—and he had been waiting for over six years.
Now that Shrek's Seven Devils—Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Zhu Zhuqing—had all arrived, Xu Yunhan figured Tang San would be arriving soon too.
Along with Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong.
Ten days passed, and it was once again time for Shrek Academy's annual recruitment.
Xu Yunhan, Zhu Zhuqing, Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun were all assigned to help out.
Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing were stationed at the registration point outside the academy gate, assisting Li Yusong with the tests.
Oscar and Ma Hongjun accompanied Lu Qibin at the second testing area, while Dai Mubai was with Zhao Wuji at the third testing area.
Outside the gate, dozens of people came one after another, mostly accompanied by family and friends.
"Bone age exceeds twelve—disqualified!"
"Only one spirit ring—disqualified!"
"One of the two spirit rings is a white ten-year spirit ring—disqualified!"
...
After a long inspection, not a single qualified candidate was found, much to Li Yusong's disappointment. He thought this year would probably yield no results again.
Shrek Academy's admission standards were harsh: bone age could not exceed twelve years, and candidates had to possess at least two yellow-century spirit rings.
Only geniuses could meet this requirement.
With such talent, which advanced spirit master academy wouldn't accept them?
Therefore, meeting such a candidate was a miracle for Shrek Academy.
In the past, and even now, most students came from chance finds by Flandre and others—like Xu Yunhan, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun.
Others, due to special circumstances, couldn't attend other advanced academies and reluctantly chose Shrek Academy—like Dai Mubai.
Only one or two students came through open recruitment every few years.
"Ning Rongrong, twelve years old, spirit power level 26."
Suddenly, a pleasant female voice announced this, drawing the attention of Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing, who were quietly talking nearby.
Xu Yunhan was surprised because he recognized the name "Ning Rongrong." Zhu Zhuqing was impressed by Ning Rongrong's spirit power level.
They saw Ning Rongrong release two spirit rings—both yellow-century spirit rings.
If her age was correct, she basically qualified; the remaining two tests were just formalities.
"Mm, she really is twelve. Qualified."
Li Yusong examined her carefully. "Yunhan, you take Ning Rongrong to the next testing point."
Xu Yunhan and Zhu Zhuqing came forward.
"I'm Xu Yunhan, and this is Zhu Zhuqing. We're both students at Shrek Academy," Xu Yunhan smiled. "Ning Rongrong, I'll take you to the next testing point."
"Zhuqing, you stay and continue helping Teacher Li."
Zhu Zhuqing nodded, watching as Xu Yunhan led Ning Rongrong away.
On the way, Ning Rongrong curiously asked, "Xu Yunhan, when did you enter Shrek Academy?"
Xu Yunhan answered, "I was rescued and brought back by Teacher Zhao more than six years ago."
This answer surprised Ning Rongrong. "I see. Then, how old are you now? What's your spirit power level?"
Xu Yunhan looked back and smiled. "About a year older than you. As for spirit power, you'll find out after you join Shrek Academy."
"Hmph, keeping it secret." Ning Rongrong was a little displeased but didn't press further. "Besides you and that girl before, how many students are there at Shrek Academy? I heard there are very few teachers and students, and it might close down anytime."
Xu Yunhan led the way and replied, "There are five teachers—three Spirit Saints, two Spirit Emperors. As for students, there are three others."
"Five teachers and five students?" Ning Rongrong said, "That's really not many. The teachers are so-so, but I don't know how talented you students are."
To others, Spirit Saints might seem unreachable, but Ning Rongrong came from the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School, one of the top three sects on Douluo Continent, where Spirit Saints were not uncommon.
Xu Yunhan could tell Ning Rongrong was a bit arrogant, but he understood—she was the cherished daughter of a major sect.
He smiled, "Among the five of us, the talent is pretty good. Two of them have innate full spirit power."
Two with innate full spirit power!
Ning Rongrong was surprised. "Really?"
Innate full spirit power was extremely rare even in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.
Among the five students at Shrek Academy, two had innate full spirit power?
Unbelievable!
Xu Yunhan didn't explain further.
Ning Rongrong thought to herself that maybe all five of them really were geniuses—possibly not inferior to her. After all, she was talented but didn't have innate full spirit power.
She probed, "You're not one of the ones with innate full spirit power, are you?"
"You guess," Xu Yunhan replied without giving a direct answer.
Ning Rongrong stomped her foot in frustration. "You're so annoying."
"Oh? Is that so?" Xu Yunhan didn't care.
Ning Rongrong followed behind, no longer wanting to speak.
However, she had already made up her mind to join Shrek Academy and undergo her training there.
She had secretly slipped away precisely to prove herself—to grow stronger, not just be a sheltered flower of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile School.
Having traveled from Tiandou City to Soto City with nothing but close calls, Ning Rongrong felt quite proud.
What she didn't know was that all along, her father had arranged people to protect her.
Otherwise, the world wasn't nearly that safe.
The experiences of Xu Yunhan, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun all spoke to just how dangerous this world really was.