Chapter 24: The Surname Dugu

"New student in Class Nine,Teacher: Mu Jin."

After paying the tuition, receiving the dormitory key, two sets of school uniforms, and a white badge, Chen Junting led the group toward the bulletin board to check their class assignments.

"The student lists haven't been arranged yet."

His gaze swept over the names listed under the eight freshman classes, scanning them one by one. When he reached the list for Class One, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Huh!?"

Chen Junting frowned. Wang Dong's name was absent from the freshman roster. Was this an oversight? Or...

"Brother Junting, what are you looking at?" Ning Tian's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Nothing. I just heard our homeroom teacher, Zhou Yi, has a... peculiar reputation, so I was curious." Not lingering on the topic, he turned to Wu Feng and Huo Yuhao, who were still reviewing other class lists. "Let's head to the dormitory first."

Little did they know that shortly after they left, a handsome youth with delicate features, fair skin, and pink-blue hair arrived at the registration desk. His paperwork was processed immediately after Huo Yuhao's.

Muttering to himself, he grumbled, "It's all Big Dad and Second Dad's fault. They called me back after I had already left, saying they missed me and wanted to see me for a few more days. But then they rushed me to Shrek Academy right away!" His voice carried a tinge of exasperation. "Almost made me miss freshman registration."

After receiving his student materials, he made his way toward the freshman dormitory.

---

Shrek Academy's dormitory building was expansive despite being a single structure. It was divided into four color-coded sections—white, yellow, purple, and black—corresponding to the different grade levels, spanning six floors.

The first three floors were designated for boys, while the upper three housed the female students.

"Shrek Academy is so stingy!"

Wu Feng couldn't help but complain upon learning that students of all six age groups, male and female, shared the same building. She spoke loudly, completely disregarding the elderly man lounging under a tree near the dormitory entrance.

"Sister Feng!" Ning Tian tapped Wu Feng's forehead in admonishment. "Can you not speak without thinking?"

"Uh... Sorry, Ning Tian, I was wrong."

Standing nearby, Chen Junting fixed his eyes on the elderly figure beneath the tree, recognizing him instantly.

'That's Dragon God Douluo, Mu En. His frail appearance conceals a terrifying presence.'

"Brother Junting, what's with that old man?" Huo Yuhao hesitated, noticing Chen Junting's focused stare.

"Nothing. I was just worried that Wu Feng might get scolded for badmouthing Shrek in front of the dorm manager." His tone was calm, masking his true thoughts.

"Then I should apologize on Wu Feng's behalf!" Huo Yuhao took a step forward, always mindful of proper etiquette.

At that moment, the old man stirred, his eyelids lifting slightly as he cast an indifferent glance at them.

"Let the little one be."

His casual words made Huo Yuhao freeze mid-step.

"Brother Junting, he heard everything..." Ning Tian's expression turned serious. Without hesitation, she grabbed Wu Feng and hurriedly approached the old man. After all, in a place like Shrek Academy, even the elderly could be powerful beyond comprehension. Perhaps this man was a Titled Douluo.

However, before they could voice an apology, the old man closed his eyes again, dismissing the matter. Seeing this, Chen Junting lightly smacked Wu Feng on the back of her head, prompting a cry of pain. He then cupped his hands respectfully toward the elder.

Ning Tian followed suit, bowing slightly. "Grandpa, please forgive Sister Feng's ignorance."

Since the old man remained silent, they took it as tacit acceptance and entered the dormitory building.

Mu En reopened his eyes slightly, observing the group with a thoughtful expression. "Another one from the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? That child has a keen eye and an upright nature. I recall Bo Wen being similar..."

---

Upon reaching the third floor, Chen Junting turned to Ning Tian and Wu Feng. "Go settle in first. We'll meet downstairs after unpacking."

As they split up, Chen Junting glanced at his dorm key. "Huh? Why are our dorm numbers so different?"

His eyes then fell upon Dormitory 171's tightly shut door.

"Looks like your roommate hasn't arrived yet," he noted as Huo Yuhao opened the door, releasing a rush of stale air. Chen Junting waved his hand to clear it. "Need help?"

"No, no, I've got it."

Seeing Huo Yuhao's determination, Chen Junting didn't insist. "If anything comes up, come find me in Dormitory 161." With that, he left.

Reaching his own dorm, he immediately noticed something odd. A faintly pungent scent lingered despite the use of perfume. His expression turned thoughtful.

"Snake venom?"

Activating his soul power instinctively, he confirmed that while it was indeed venom, it wasn't actively harmful.

His gaze landed on the dormitory's other occupant—a young man sitting cross-legged in meditation. He had green hair, green eyes, and even green nails. His very presence exuded poison.

Sensing movement, the green-haired youth opened his eyes, momentarily surprised before a hint of joy flickered across his features. Standing up, he extended his hand with a smile.

"Hello, I'm Dugu Xin."

Chen Junting nodded politely and shook his hand. "Dugu? Are you a descendant of Dugu Bo from ten thousand years ago?"

Dugu Xin's smile stiffened, then turned self-deprecating as he ran a hand through his green hair. "So, you come from an influential family. You seem to know everything."

He sighed. "Yes, I'm from the Dugu clan—the cursed bloodline whose poison is now worthless. My martial soul is the Green Phosphorus Snake, an inheritance that brings nothing but trouble. If you want to switch rooms, I won't stop you."

He sat back down, disheartened.

Chen Junting immediately grasped the situation. It was likely that past roommates had avoided Dugu Xin due to his poison-affiliated martial soul.

He simply walked to his bed, retrieved white jade swan goose down bedding from his storage soul guidance, and began making his bed. Seeing this, Dugu Xin hesitated.

"You're not leaving? Aren't you afraid of being poisoned?"

Chen Junting replied casually, "Why should I be? Your poison isn't active unless you will it. Besides, switching rooms is too much of a hassle."

Extending his hand once more, he smiled. "Let's try again. My name is Chen Junting."

A rare warmth filled Dugu Xin's heart as he grasped the offered hand.

That night, as their roommates cleaned their own rooms, the two stayed up talking. Dugu Xin revealed that he had come to Shrek Academy searching for a way to counteract the defects of his Green Phosphorus Snake martial soul. If he couldn't find a solution within a year, he would be forced to leave.

Hearing this, Chen Junting's mind raced. Had Tang San's method from ten thousand years ago become ineffective? Was the soul core unable to store poison anymore?

More importantly, did the Dugu family have knowledge of the Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire? If so, it could be invaluables

---

(End of chapter)

---