95

Ten days later.

On this day, the weather was warm and sunny, with no clouds in sight.

Standing at the entrance of the academy, Flander gazed at the sign that looked a bit worn out, engraved with "Shrek Academy" and featuring the image of a cute and somewhat ugly Shrek Soul Beast. A mixture of emotions surged within him.

Twenty years, how many twenty-year periods does one get in life? The little bits and pieces of memories from this place flowed continuously in Flander's heart, and a bitter feeling formed at the tip of his nose.

"Flander, stop staring, let's go. Your little sister Erlong is waiting for you in Tiandou City!As the saying goes, 'Out with the old, in with the new.' Put in some effort, and maybe you'll have a proper high-level Soul Master Academy soon!"

Zhao Wuji approached and patted Flander on the shoulder with a wink of encouragement.

Zhao Wuji was very supportive of Flander's plan to "eat soft rice."

After all, Shrek Academy had nothing to offer, and Flander had always been reluctant to pay him his wages.But if they went to Blue Tyrant Academy, the salary was guaranteed, and as a Soul Saint, Zhao Wuji couldn't possibly be dismissed easily.

Hearing this, Flander's neck turned red, and he glared at him fiercely, saying, "Old Zhao, I warn you, don't talk nonsense!"

"Nonsense? Hey, guys, where did I say anything wrong?"Zhao Wuji raised his eyebrows and looked at Shao Xin and the others.

Shao Xin chuckled, "Boss Flander, don't be shy. If I, Shao Xin, wanted to eat soft rice, I wouldn't even have a place to do so!"

At this remark, Li Yusong and Lu Qibin nodded seriously.

Flander: "..."

But it seemed like Zhao Wuji wasn't entirely wrong?

If he could win over Erlong and marry her, wouldn't Blue Tyrant Academy become his own Shrek Academy? The thought alone made him a little excited!

"Alright, let's go!"

After collecting his emotions, Flander gave the order to head toward Tiandou City.

As usual, Chu Chengzhou summoned his True Spirit Flag Martial Soul, and his second and third soul rings lit up. With a wave of the flag, he summoned Xiao Bai and Xiao Hong.

Compared to their previous hunt for Soul Beasts, both summoned spirits had reached ten thousand years in age and had grown significantly. Their bodies were larger, allowing them to carry more passengers.

With mounts, the journey was far more comfortable than relying on their own legs, and since they were just traveling, Chu Chengzhou's 36th-level soul power could easily handle it.

Chu Chengzhou and the three girls rode on Xiao Hong. Xiao Bai, with a five-meter-long body, carried Zhao Wuji, the four teachers, as well as Ma Hongjun and Oscar, totaling six people, while Dai Mubai was flying with Flander, a Soul Saint specializing in flight.

Tiandou City, the imperial capital of the Tiandou Empire, was located in the northeastern part of the empire, serving as the political and power center of the entire region. It was one of the two largest cities on the continent, rivaled only by Xingluo City, the capital of the Xingluo Empire.

Soto City was located in the southeastern part of the Barak Kingdom. To reach Tiandou City, the group from Shrek Academy had to first leave Barak Kingdom, cross the entire northern part of the kingdom through the Xirvis Kingdom, then enter the Tiandou Empire's royal circle before heading east to Tiandou City itself, making the journey a long one—about 2,000 miles.

However, the journey, while long, wasn't too difficult for Chu Chengzhou, Flander, and their spirit beasts.

After several stops along the way, by the time the group had traveled almost a thousand miles and entered the Xirvis Kingdom, it was already nightfall, and they settled into a small town.

The town, though referred to as a small town, was more like a large village. The only inn there was simple, but reasonably clean.

Since Shrek Academy had closed down, the accumulated teaching funds weren't insignificant, and Flander wasn't exactly short on money. However, being the miser he was, he used his frugality to full effect, booking four rooms.

Two rooms were for the five teachers and Dai Mubai, one room for the three female students, and one for the remaining three male students.

Since Flander booked four rooms, Chu Chengzhou guessed it was likely because Flander knew that he and Dai Mubai didn't get along well. Otherwise, this miser would have probably only booked three rooms to keep costs down.

Under the night sky, not being able to sleep, Xiao Wu and Chu Chengzhou walked hand in hand down the street in the small town.

Though they had traveled nearly a thousand miles during the day, the flying mounts made the journey comfortable, and since Xiao Hong flew steadily, it felt like sitting in a chair all day, so neither of them felt tired.

"Brother, I miss Grandpa and Grandma. Let's go back and visit them sometime!"

Xiao Wu said to Chu Chengzhou.

"Mm, that's a good idea. We've been out for nearly a year now. After we settle in at Blue Tyrant Academy, we should go back and see them."

Chu Chengzhou nodded.

However, Chu Chengzhou didn't plan to return so simply. His grandparents' cultivation talent wasn't great, so he needed to bring them some special gifts.

Looking up at the moon and the stars, Chu Chengzhou gazed at Xiao Wu beside him, and his steps involuntarily came to a halt.

"What's wrong?"

Xiao Wu blinked, looking at Chu Chengzhou, who had suddenly stopped.

"Xiao Wu~"

"Hmm?"

Without saying anything, Chu Chengzhou pulled Xiao Wu into his arms, gazed at her soft lips, and lowered his head to kiss her.

"Mmm~"

Xiao Wu had been caught off guard once again!

Half a minute later, as the kiss deepened, just as Chu Chengzhou was about to continue, Xiao Wu suddenly pushed him away.

"Brother, admit it honestly. You're so good at kissing, how many times have you bullied Rongrong?"

Xiao Wu pointed at him and questioned loudly, her expression not very pleasant.

"Uh~ Xiao Wu, what are you talking about?"

Chu Chengzhou's face grew a little awkward, but he didn't show it. Instead, he acted surprised and confused.

"Hmph~ I saw it!"

Three days ago, that night when Xiao Wu went to the bathroom and returned to her room, she had caught Rongrong, red-faced, sneaking back to her room from downstairs. That had to be Chu Chengzhou bullying her!

"Three days ago? No way, how could I bully Rongrong?"

Chu Chengzhou immediately shook his head in denial.

Come on, how could he admit to such things? As long as it wasn't caught in the act, it was something to deny.

Actually, even if it was caught in the act, he would deny it, saying he was just teaching her cultivation—Xiao Wu must have misunderstood!

If not me, then who could be bullying Rongrong?

Xiao Wu wouldn't believe a word of it.

"Xiao Wu, you must have misunderstood me. You're my child bride, and I haven't taken advantage of you yet, so how could I go after Rongrong? Besides, we're still young, how could we do such things?!"

Chu Chengzhou said with a serious expression.

Yeah, in reality, that wouldn't happen, but in the illusion world, it could happen—it's just a dream, after all.

But now that Xiao Wu had caught on to a little bit of suspicion, Chu Chengzhou thought it might be time for her to experience the pleasures of the illusion world herself.

At the mention of Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu's expression grew slightly more skeptical.

But Xiao Wu trusted that her friend Rongrong hadn't been "eaten" by Chu Chengzhou—she had checked her body before and confirmed that Rongrong was still pure.

What Xiao Wu didn't know was that although Rongrong's body was still pure, her soul had already been stained with colors by someone.

In these three-story buildings, there are student dormitories, teaching buildings, and some are mimicry training fields.

If Shrek Academy is surrounded by guesthouses from ordinary villages, then this Blue Tyrant Academy is a school surrounded by forests.

Because around the teaching building, all one can see are lush, green trees.

It can be said that this is the largest plant cluster within the entire Heaven Dou City.

Chu Chengzhou couldn't help but suspect that when Liu Erlong first founded Blue Tyrant Academy, her father, Yu Luomian, who was the second-in-command of the Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family, had spent a considerable amount of money.

It is often said that illegitimate children are not valued, but that's not always true.

There are many cases where illegitimate children are more favored than those born to the legitimate wife. Moreover, although Liu Erlong is an illegitimate daughter, her talent for cultivation is not lacking.

At the moment, Liu Erlong is no more than in her forties, yet she has already reached the level of a Seven-Ringed Soul Saint. And this is due to the emotional pain she suffered in the past twenty years; otherwise, she might have had the chance to become an Eight-Ringed Soul Douluo.

With such talent, who cares about the illegitimate daughter of a woman from the streets?

One must know that the entire Blue Electric Tyrannosaurus family has only one patriarch, Yu Yuanzhen, a Title Douluo-level expert. Even the clan's elders, including Yu Luomian, the second-in-command, are all Eight-Ringed Soul Douluos!

On the way, Yin Shu stopped a passing student and, after giving a few instructions, led the group from Shrek to a room on the top floor of the teaching building, which was labeled "Reception Room."

Inside the reception room.

Not long after the Shrek group sat down, two servants without any soul power served tea. The door to the reception room suddenly opened.

Turning around, everyone saw a beautiful woman in her thirties walking briskly into the room.

The beautiful woman was dressed in a simple green cloth skirt, yet her elegance could not be concealed. Her black hair was tied up, and her fair face had delicate features. Her eyebrows were picturesque, and her large black eyes were filled with excitement. Beneath her cloth robe, her mature and full figure was striking, definitely far from what an ordinary young girl could compare to.

Of course, Zhu Zhuqing, with her exceptional elegance, could rival her.

"Second Dragon Sister, it's been a long time! How have you been?"

Upon seeing the beautiful woman, Flender trembled, pushed his glasses, and suppressed his excitement, speaking in a calm tone.

However, anyone could tell from the way his left hand trembled as he adjusted his glasses that Flender was very excited inside.

"I'm well, how could I not be? But Flender, it's been so many years, and you're still the same."

Flender was excited, and so was Liu Erlong.

After all, twenty years ago, she and Flender were close sworn siblings, and with twenty years of separation, the excitement in her heart was understandable.

However, upon seeing Flender, Liu Erlong couldn't help but think of Yu Xiaogang.

The former Golden Iron Triangle, after all, was missing one person.

"Sigh~ I'm old, you're still as elegant as ever!

Come, Second Dragon Sister, let me introduce you to everyone. These are all teachers and students from my Shrek Academy. We came to you for a bit of livelihood, so please don't mind us."

Flender smiled wryly and introduced Zhao Wujie and the others to Liu Erlong before turning to the group and saying, "This is my sworn sister, Liu Erlong. Back in the day, we, along with another brother of mine, were famous in the Soul Master world as the Golden Iron Triangle!"

As he spoke, Flender puffed out his chest a bit, feeling a little proud.

"Golden Iron Triangle?"

Suddenly, Ning Rongrong seemed to remember something and exclaimed in shock.

"Oh? I didn't expect you, little girl, to have heard of it?"

Flender asked with a smile.

"Yes! My father once mentioned the Golden Iron Triangle and the Golden Sacred Dragon fusion skill to me. It's a fusion skill of three martial souls, unique in the continent!"

Ning Rongrong nodded, looking at Flender and Liu Erlong with some admiration.

The more soul masters involved in a fusion skill, the greater the boost in strength when it is activated.

If a two-person fusion skill allows soul masters to fight against opponents who are a rank higher, a three-person fusion skill can usually match opponents who are two ranks above.

That's why when Flender and the others had lower soul power back then, if they had the current seven-ringed Soul Saint level, even if they couldn't defeat a Title Douluo, they would still be able to surpass an ordinary Eight-Ringed Soul Douluo.

"Ha~ That's all in the past. Welcome to Blue Tyrant Academy!"

Liu Erlong smiled and greeted everyone.

"By the way, Flender, your Shrek Academy is doing so well. Why would you come to my Blue Tyrant Academy?"

Liu Erlong looked at Flender in confusion.

Flender shook his head and sighed, saying, "Second Dragon Sister, you don't know the hardship I've been through. It's all because these little monsters are too outstanding!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Erlong was stunned.

The students were too excellent, so you, as the dean, closed the academy?

There are soul master academies that have closed before, but such a bizarre reason for closing the academy, this was her first time hearing it!

Before Liu Erlong could ask further, Flender continued, "You might not know, but one of my academy's graduates was the captain of the Imperial Battle Team at the Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Just a few days before I wrote to you, he visited us, and the Imperial Battle Team came along as well.

As you know, young people are competitive, and the Imperial Battle Team ended up having a duel with these little monsters.

Guess what happened? The Imperial Battle Team, the strongest from the empire's top academy, was completely defeated by these little monsters, and it was a crushing defeat.

These little monsters are so outstanding, but Shrek Academy is lacking in resources, so what could I do? As the dean, how could I delay these little monsters' progress?"

Flender jokingly mentioned, "Are you thinking I came to eat soft food from Second Dragon Sister? No, no, no! I, Flender, will eat this soft food hard!"

As long as Chu Chengzhou and the others are strong, no one will say that Flender is eating soft food.

Listening to Flender's words, Liu Erlong fell silent.

If possible, she wanted to rush up, grab Flender by the collar, and punch his four eyes hard.

However, soon, Liu Erlong's face lit up with great joy.

She understood why Flender had come to find her.

It was nothing more than the students being too outstanding, and Shrek Academy didn't have the qualifications to participate in the Soul Master Competition. With the academy's limited conditions, it couldn't meet the daily training needs of the students, and Flender didn't want to delay them, so he swallowed his pride and came to her.

This... was really great!

The Soul Master Competition is crucial for all high-level soul master academies on the continent, and it's a must for them to form a team and participate.

Because if they perform well in the Soul Master Competition, they can gain fame and attract more talented soul masters to join their academy.

The more talented students, the better the results in the Soul Master Competition. Once a positive cycle is formed, the academy's strength will grow stronger.

As for the Heaven Dou Royal Academy, which is an official academy of the empire, why does Five Elements Academy usually take all five qualifying spots in the Soul Master Competition?

It's because Five Elements Academy has already formed a positive cycle: their reputation is huge, their strength is immense, and all talented soul masters in the empire choose Five Elements Academy as their first choice.

Since she had chosen to establish Blue Tyrant Academy, Liu Erlong naturally hoped that one day her Blue Tyrant Academy could become as renowned as Five Elements Academy.

And the best way to achieve this goal was to find several exceptionally strong genius students, perform well in the Soul Master Competition, and even win the championship.