Chapter 117: Back to Shrek Academy, Bebe Stirring Trouble Again

"The human world really is fascinating—way more fun than the extreme north," the Ice Emperor couldn't help but exclaim with delight along the way.

The extreme north was nothing more than a vast, endless expanse of snow. For all these years, the only one by her side had been the Snow Emperor.

But here, the human world was so vibrant. Even ordinary people could enjoy a decent life. It was no wonder humans had progressed so quickly with their creativity.

In contrast, the extreme north had hardly changed over the centuries. Humans had managed to transform even the harshest of environments, which left her both impressed and somewhat deflated.

"Realizing how much of a frog in a well you are now, aren't you?" Qianran teased, holding the Ice Emperor's hand.

From a soul beast's perspective, soul beasts seemed rather pitiful.

In Tang San's era, soul beasts had been far stronger than humans as a whole. Yet, they had helplessly watched humanity rise and turn against them, ruthlessly hunting them down.

And later, they even set up the Spirit Transferring Pagoda for human benefit.

Humans could only live about two hundred years, and bonding as a soul spirit might add a couple of centuries to their lives. But for soul beasts with lifespans counted in hundreds of thousands of years, was that extra time really worth sacrificing their pride?

With how easily they'd let themselves be tamed, it wasn't surprising that soul beasts eventually became rare and endangered.

The Ice Emperor and the Snow Emperor had offered themselves to Huo Yuhao to survive the Heavenly Tribulation, which was understandable. But for other ten-thousand-year soul beasts to submit for a mere couple of centuries was beyond reason.

They were described as fearsome, powerful beasts—yet behaved no better than livestock raised in a pen.

"Hmph! Frog in a well? Just wait. Once I've fully adapted to your ways, I won't fear you humans. And that 'soul tool' thing—I'm going to learn it too." The Ice Emperor snorted proudly.

"Hurry up and tell me, when are you giving me the next volume of the technique?" She poked Qianran's side.

"Fine. Here you go." Qianran handed over the second layer of the technique without hesitation.

"Wait, why are you suddenly being so nice?" Surprised, the Ice Emperor quickly took it and committed its contents to memory.

"It's simple. In the human world, you wouldn't dare transform into a soul beast. If your true nature were exposed, people stronger than you would deal with you in minutes. This isn't the extreme north, so don't try anything reckless," Qianran replied with a smirk.

In the extreme north, he wouldn't dare do this.

Once the Ice Emperor regained her powers, he'd be in trouble. To contend with her there, one would need the strength of an Ultimate Douluo at the very least.

But now they were in Shrek's territory, where the Ice Emperor wouldn't dare act out.

The Ice Emperor knew better than anyone just how formidable Shrek Academy's powerhouses were.

Just to be safe, Qianran gave her a warning.

"So that's why you were so generous, huh? You're still plotting against me. I should bite you to death," the Ice Emperor huffed, kicking Qianran's leg. It irked her to realize she'd been outmaneuvered yet again.

"If you weren't plotting revenge, would I need to guard against you?" Qianran replied, crossing his arms, feigning helplessness.

Despite her harmless look, he knew she was scheming.

Since the time he'd spanked her, she'd been behaving herself.

"Oh, I would never plot revenge against you," the Ice Emperor replied innocently, batting her icy green eyes.

"Acting cute won't work. I don't believe you."

Qianran grabbed her braided scorpion tail, which was her actual scorpion tail braid.

As they entered Shrek Academy, Qianran's sorrow over Qian Renxue's departure began to fade. Thinking of Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan, Wang Dong'er, Xiao Xiao, Wu Feng, Ning Tian, and Xian Lin'er—who he had a secret relationship with—he quickened his pace.

"So, what's your plan now that you're here at Shrek Academy?"

"Planning to go to school?" Qianran teased. With her power, the Ice Emperor could almost qualify as an inner-court disciple.

"Hmph. Absolutely not. Me, the mighty Ice Emperor, going to school?" She glared at Qianran. It was humiliating enough just following him around.

"Well then, I'll bring you some books from the academy library."

"Just bring more books on soul tools. I'll teach myself. I'm a strong one, so I don't need anyone to explain it to me." The Ice Emperor boasted, but Qianran couldn't see a hint of majesty in her demeanor.

Soul beasts over a hundred thousand years old were usually intelligent, especially in study and practice. If the Ice Emperor genuinely wanted to learn about soul tools, she'd likely pick it up quickly.

She might even master it.

A battle-hardened, well-equipped loli…

"Fine, I'll teach you."

The Ice Emperor didn't refuse. She knew Qianran had a talent for soul tools. The photo-taking soul tool he'd made was intricately crafted, capable of capturing any scene perfectly.

A month had passed since Qianran left.

Typically, a trip to the Star Dou Forest would only take a week or so. But Qianran's prolonged absence had worried some people.

Some, like Bebe, however, were pleased.

After Xu Sanshi was turned into a dark soul master through Qianran's discreet means, Bebe grew wary of Qianran's strength. Since then, Bebe had avoided crossing paths with him, and hadn't pursued Tang Ya.

But with Qianran's delay in returning from the Star Dou Forest, Bebe grew restless.

The Star Dou Forest claimed the lives of countless soul masters each year. For Qianran to go there alone, without a teacher, to hunt for a soul ring? It was practically a death wish.

Bebe figured that Qianran's refusal to let Shrek Academy's experts know his secrets was the reason he ventured alone.

Realizing this, Bebe's spirits lifted.

Although he hadn't uncovered Qianran's secrets, it didn't matter anymore. Qianran was likely dead, and all Bebe cared about was Tang Ya.

With Qianran gone, Tang Ya would surely be less distant with him. There was no way a dead man could compete with him.

"Tang Ya, come back to me. If you do, I'll overlook everything that happened," Bebe said, blocking Tang Ya and Jiang Nannan as they walked down the street. Gazing longingly at Tang Ya, Bebe had been aching to win her back since Qianran took her away. Not just out of affection, but because his pride as a man was on the line.

(End of Chapter)