Tang San's sparring match with Dai Mubai ended without any suspense.
With a spirit power level of 37, Dai Mubai completely overwhelmed Tang San, who had just come out into the world and was only at level 29.
In the end, Dai Mubai generously gave up the room to Tang San, then swaggered out of the hotel with his arms wrapped around the slender waists of the twin sisters.
"He's really that kind-hearted?" Ning Rongrong asked in a low voice.
Ning Tianchen chuckled, "Maybe he thought of a more... entertaining alternative."
Before he could finish, Dai Mubai, still holding the twins close, walked directly toward them.
"You two—I remember seeing you earlier. My name is Dai Mubai. You're also here to apply to Shrek Academy, aren't you?"
Ning Rongrong looked at him with obvious distaste and didn't respond.
Dai Mubai's gaze shifted to Ning Tianchen, and to his surprise, he sensed a faint trace of danger coming from him.
Especially those eyes—they were unusually sharp and piercing.
If this man were to join Shrek Academy, he might just be a worthy sparring partner.
Ning Tianchen replied casually, "I've heard Shrek Academy has very strict entrance requirements. There's no guarantee we'll get in."
Dai Mubai laughed and said, "If even you can't get in, then I doubt there are many people on this continent who could. Haha! Once you arrive at Shrek Academy, remember the name of the Evil-Eyed White Tiger—Dai Mubai."
With that, he walked away with the twin sisters.
The reason he came over to speak with Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong was mostly because of the praise Ning Rongrong had given him earlier.
That kind of flattery worked well on Young Master Dai—he didn't mind making a few more friends.
"Tianchen-ge, we are not hanging out with him. And you better not learn any of his bad habits," Ning Rongrong said, arms crossed and face full of caution.
Ning Tianchen chuckled and nodded, then began walking toward the hotel.
Tang San and Xiao Wu had just received their room keys and were about to go upstairs when they heard Ning Rongrong's voice.
"You're also here to apply for Shrek Academy?"
Since she already had a favorable impression of Tang San, she decided to take the opportunity to get acquainted.
Tang San had sharp eyesight. During the earlier fight with Dai Mubai, he had already caught sight of Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong standing outside.
The straightforward and outspoken Xiao Wu immediately responded, "You are too?"
Ning Rongrong stepped forward and said, "My name is Ning Rongrong, and this is Ning Tianchen. Since we're all going to Shrek Academy to apply, why not head there together tomorrow? We happen to be staying here too."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Tang San, and this is Xiao Wu, my sister," Tang San said, taking the initiative to reach out and shake hands with Ning Tianchen.
His powers of observation were incredibly sharp. Just from Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong's attire, Tang San could tell they were from a prominent clan.
Ning Tianchen wore a gentle smile on his face, but the sharpness in his eyes couldn't be concealed.
"Hello," Ning Tianchen said as he shook Tang San's hand.
Although he didn't particularly like Tang San, this was their first meeting, and he had no reason to be impolite.
"That Evil-Eyed White Tiger was so infuriating just now. We clearly reserved the room first, yet he insisted on taking it," Xiao Wu said angrily.
Ning Rongrong echoed her feelings, adding, "That's not even the worst of it. You two don't know this, but earlier this morning, that Evil-Eyed Lust Tiger came here with one young woman. And now, this afternoon, he's brought a pair of twin sisters! Who knows—he might go looking for someone else tonight."
The two girls, as if discovering a shared grievance, began criticizing Dai Mubai passionately.
Seeing this, Tang San could only smile helplessly, his gaze slowly drifting over to Ning Tianchen.
"Someone like him, a young master from a powerful clan, probably doesn't like talking to someone like me," he thought inwardly, deciding not to continue the conversation with him.
Ning Tianchen had no idea what was going through Tang San's mind. Since it was their first meeting, it wouldn't be good to come off too familiar.
…
Later, Tang San and Xiao Wu rested in their room for a while before deciding to take a stroll through the city.
Although they managed to find Flender's small shop, they didn't obtain anything useful.
As they left the store, Tang San couldn't help feeling a bit conflicted inside.
"San-ge, are you okay?" Xiao Wu asked with concern in her voice as she looked up at him.
Tang San shook his head, feeling somewhat inexplicable. "I don't know why, but I have this feeling that I've lost something important."
Xiao Wu looked around playfully and said, "San-ge, I'm still by your side. You haven't lost me."
Her teasing brought Tang San back to his senses immediately. "That's true. You are my most important family."
…
The next morning.
Ning Tianchen and Ning Rongrong met up with Tang San and Xiao Wu in front of the hotel.
"We heard that Shrek Academy is outside the city. Have you gotten any news about it?" Xiao Wu blinked her eyes and looked toward Ning Rongrong.
"It is indeed outside the city. But I think their campus probably isn't in one of the villages outside the city. It's possible that such a simple environment is just a test for us," Ning Rongrong shared her opinion.
Tang San stroked his chin. "My teacher said Shrek Academy is an extraordinary school. Perhaps, just as Rongrong said, the plain exterior is indeed a test for us."
"Your teacher must be a wise person, right?" Ning Tianchen said casually.
Tang San seemed not to catch the implied meaning and smiled in response. "Yes, my teacher is very smart. The training plans for Xiao Wu and me were all made by him."
Xiao Wu had no special feelings toward Yu Xiaogang.
Her true form was a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast, so she had some understanding of the Soul Master world's knowledge.
Xiao Wu had no particular impression of Yu Xiaogang.
Her true form was a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast, so she had a certain understanding of the Soul Master world's knowledge.
Many of Yu Xiaogang's theories were proposed by scholars from ten thousand years ago.
It was only out of respect for Tang San that Xiao Wu didn't expose this.
"No time to waste, let's hurry and go," Ning Rongrong waved toward another direction, and the coachman brought a carriage over to them.
"Let's take the carriage. We can get off when we get closer to the academy," Ning Rongrong suggested with a smile.
Of course, Xiao Wu didn't want to walk, and just as she was about to get on, Tang San stopped her.
"This isn't really appropriate, is it? We—"
Ning Rongrong said confidently, "We're all friends, there's nothing wrong with it."
With that, she took Xiao Wu's hand and helped her onto the carriage.
Ning Tianchen glanced at Tang San and said, "Let's go. We don't want to delay the registration."
Tang San thanked them and got on the carriage as well.
As a blacksmith's son (at least he thought so), this was his first time riding in such a luxurious carriage.
Not knowing what he was thinking, Ning Tianchen noticed his fists clenched tightly.
...
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn,
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong lifted the curtains on the sides of the carriage. Not far ahead, a village came into view.
Seeing the long queue at the village entrance, Xiao Wu said, "The registration office for Shrek Academy must be right there, right?"
The coachman smiled and replied, "Dear guests, right up ahead is Shrek Academy. Where would you like to get off?"
"Just stop here."
Ning Tianchen lifted the curtain and jumped down from the carriage in one leap.
Tang San was not to be outdone and followed closely behind.
"Hey hey hey, can't you guys get off properly?" Ning Rongrong complained, gracefully stepping down from the carriage.
Xiao Wu was less particular; agile as she was, she simply jumped off the carriage.