"The Star Luo Dai family? No need to worry! As long as he remains loyal, he's just another student at Shrek Academy—we treat everyone equally."
Upon learning about Dai Mubai's background, Flender remained unfazed. "Remember, this is the Heaven Dou Empire. The Dai family wouldn't dare cause trouble here! Besides, recruiting another prodigy is excellent news. With four geniuses now, Shrek Academy might just make history!"
The continent was divided between two rival nations—the Heaven Dou Empire in the north and the Star Luo Empire in the south—with the increasingly powerful Spirit Hall looming over both.
Dai Mubai had fled to Heaven Dou precisely to exploit this enmity.
"A blessing, truly," Li Yusong agreed. "But our funds are stretched thin. More students might push us over the edge."
Lu Qibin suggested, "Should we pause admissions until these four graduate?"
Poverty plagued Shrek Academy.
"No," Flender refused. "Annual enrollment isn't just for recruitment—it's our lifeline for visibility. Stop it, and we'll fade into obscurity. Leave the finances to me. Besides, finding qualified students is near-impossible anyway."
Zhao Wuji chuckled. "Frankly, Dai Mubai offered financial support if needed."
The runaway prince had arrived well-funded.
Flender winced at taking a student's money. "We'll manage. I've got this."
Meanwhile, Dai Mubai was busy corrupting Ma Hongjun.
"Hongjun, my treat—let's visit Suotuo City's finest establishments."
Having spent weeks at Shrek, Dai Mubai had identified Hongjun's... predicament. The boy's mutated phoenix martial soul came with side effects—raging hormones that demanded regular... ventilation.
So far, Hongjun's attempts at romance with village girls had ended in tearful escapes.
Dai Mubai's proposal was tempting. "Is... is that appropriate?"
"Since when do we care about appropriate? Let's go!"
Arm in arm, they slipped away.
Occasional outings were permitted—these were young soul masters, after all.
Xu Yunhan and Oscar remained oblivious. Had they known, Oscar would've eagerly joined.
Xu Yunhan? Uninterested.
A former emperor in his past life, he'd had his fill of indulgences. Now, only vengeance against Tang San mattered.
(Though stealing Tang San's women? That he'd make time for.)
Months later, Oscar succumbed to peer pressure.
The trio became regulars at Suotuo's pleasure quarters.
Flender merely warned them to practice moderation—such pursuits were commonplace in this feudal society, especially among privileged soul masters.
Years slipped by unnoticed.
Xu Yunhan, now thirteen, had reached 42nd-rank—far surpassing his peers:
Dai Mubai (15): 38th-rank
Oscar (12): 31st-rank
Ma Hongjun (11): 29th-rank
His presence had lit a fire under them, accelerating their growth beyond original trajectories.
But what truly stunned everyone was Xu Yunhan's spirit rings:
1st: ~600 years (Yellow)
3rd: ~10,000 (Purple)
Self-offering rings—each seeking him out for absorption.
(Attempting a 10,000-year ring at third rank had failed—apparently, there were limits even to this cheat.)
Today, the quartet visited Suotuo City—Dai Mubai's crew for debauchery, Xu Yunhan for rare materials to craft soul tools.
While they indulged, Xu Yunhan wandered the markets alone.
"Miss, you're new here, aren't you?"
"We're from Balak Academy—Soul Grandmasters. Join us for some fun?"
"With your talent, we could... fast-track your enrollment. For a small favor
A group of Balak students surrounded a girl.
Locals scattered—Balak's reputation for bullying preceded them.
The girl wore black leather pants, cat-ear accessories, and sported an eye-catching silhouette.
No wonder they'd targeted her.
But she wasn't defenseless. Without a word, she activated her martial soul—a Netherworld Spirit Cat!
A yellow ring flashed as she struck first.
The bullies ate pavement.
By the time they scrambled up, she'd vanished down an alley.
Xu Yunhan witnessed it all.
That outfit... Netherworld Spirit Cat... Could it be?
Memories of statues surfaced—Zhu Zhuqing, one of the future Shrek Seven Devils.
Her distinctive attire and... assets were unforgettable.
A smirk curled his lips as he shadowed the pursuit.
Hero saves beauty? An excellent first impression.
And certainly preferable to letting Dai Mubai claim her.