After handing Jiang Shengyu and his companions over to Xuanzi and the others, Kong Deming left Shrek Academy.
He came and went swiftly, not sparing the people of Shrek Academy a single glance. This made the elders of the Sea God's Pavilion feel a humiliation they had never before experienced! When had anyone ever dared treat them, the venerable elders of the Sea God's Pavilion, with such disregard?
Watching Kong Deming's departing figure, Xuanzi wanted to say something, but in the end, for Jiang Shengyu and the others' sake, he held back. Instead, he instructed Cai Meier to escort Jiang Shengyu's group away from the Pavilion first.
Only after the four had left did Xuanzi let out a long breath.
"Silvermoon Douluo, Kong Deming… he is without doubt a tenth-rank soul engineer of the Sun Moon Empire!"
"With such a person in the Sun Moon Empire, isn't that a grave threat to the three former kingdoms of the Douluo Continent, and even to us, Shrek Academy?" Elder Song's brows furrowed tightly. She had only ever heard rumors of Kong Deming's existence before, but now, having seen him with her own eyes, she finally understood how terrifying his strength truly was!
Although Kong Deming's soul power cultivation was only at the ninety-fourth rank, appearing just slightly higher than Jing Hongchen's, if it truly came to a fight—even Elder Song, proud as she was, had to admit that she would not last even a single move against him!
The haughty front she maintained just now was nothing more than her unwillingness to bow her head before someone from the Sun Moon Empire.
"Soul tools… truly formidable."
Xian Lin'er gazed in the direction Kong Deming had left, murmuring, "If only our Shrek Academy could one day produce a tenth-rank soul engineer as well! Then we would certainly surpass the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy!"
"Qingtong just now was willing to speak on our behalf. That proves our approach is working. Once she matures, she will become a bridge for peace between the Sun Moon Empire and the three former kingdoms of the Douluo Continent," Xuanzi sighed, trying to reassure the others.
Yan Shaozhe then asked, "Should we inform the other three kingdoms about Kong Deming's existence? That way they can adjust their strategies against the Sun Moon Empire early, rather than be caught off guard when something happens."
Xuanzi nodded. "Shaozhe, I'll leave this matter to you."
Yan Shaozhe did not refuse. Running errands between the three former kingdoms of the Douluo Continent was already a routine matter for him.
Cai Meier escorted the four back to their dormitory area and said, "After you leave, I'll have people clean your dormitory every day, ensuring it's always spotless! For now, take a rest. I still have things to attend to, so I'll be going."
"Goodbye, Dean."
After bidding Cai Meier farewell and watching her leave, Xiao Hongchen stretched lazily and grinned at the others. "Hey, did you see how those elders of Shrek looked in front of His Excellency Silvermoon? Like children caught doing something wrong! And that Elder Song—I've never seen her show such a nervous expression before!"
"Teacher is the one closest to becoming a tenth-rank soul engineer. Even an Ultimate Douluo would gain nothing facing him, let alone them." Jiang Shengyu was unsurprised by Shrek's reaction.
Putting on airs in front of them juniors was one thing, but doing so before Kong Deming? That was courting death.
Forget Shrek Academy as it was now—even if Xuanzi summoned the forces of all three former kingdoms of the Douluo Continent at once, they still would not be able to defeat Kong Deming. Just a few ninth-rank soul tools casually deployed would be enough to give them headaches.
Even Meng Hongchen, for once, couldn't help but sigh. "This so-called Shrek Academy, claiming to be the continent's number one academy… really does not live up to its name."
"History carries immense inertia. To topple a millennium-old academy with such glory is not something that can be accomplished overnight." Jiang Shengyu shook his head as he spoke to the others.
After putting their luggage away, they decided to stroll around the academy. After all, they had flown the entire way under Kong Deming's escort and weren't the least bit tired.
It happened to be Shrek Academy's enrollment period, and there were many unfamiliar faces coming and going across the campus.
Those who came were all talented youths from the three former kingdoms of the Douluo Continent, though of course, there were also plenty of unqualified hopefuls just trying their luck.
These people were mercilessly turned away by Shrek's admissions office—but none dared to make trouble on Shrek's grounds.
The four happened to witness a minor noble from the Star Luo Empire leaving dejectedly after being rejected.
As they were remarking on Shrek's reputation still being as strong as ever, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly rang out nearby:
"Qingtong!!"
Hearing this call, the four froze, turning toward the sound. There stood a girl resembling Wang Dong'er in appearance, but even more mature and beautiful. She ran toward them with delight written all over her face.
Then, under the gaze of Jiang Shengyu, Xiao Hongchen, and Meng Hongchen, the girl rushed straight into Jiang Qingtong's arms, hugging her tightly, even leaning in to take in the faint fragrance of her hair. Overjoyed, she exclaimed:
"Found you at last, Qingtong!"
"Uh…"
Jiang Qingtong blinked, recognizing the girl's identity.
"You two know each other? Qingtong, this is…?" Meng Hongchen asked in confusion, watching the girl cling to Qingtong so intimately—it was closer than she herself had ever dared to be!
Jiang Qingtong patted the girl's arm helplessly, protesting, "Let… let go! I can't breathe!"
"Ah! Qingtong, sorry, I didn't mean to! Are you okay?"
At that, she hurriedly released her, and only then did Jiang Qingtong gasp for air. Jiang Shengyu pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a sigh.
That was close—almost one soul, two lives.
"You…" Jiang Qingtong blinked at the girl, silently asking her name with her eyes.
Catching the signal, the girl quickly responded, "My name is Jiang Feixin (OC) (Scarlet Heart)!"
Then, leaning closer, she whispered to Jiang Qingtong, "I asked Bi Ji to help me choose this name. What do you think—does it sound nice?"
"Nice, of course it's nice!" Jiang Qingtong nodded quickly. Scarlet Heart… isn't that just another way of saying Red Heart? And the surname Jiang… well, better not comment on that. Anyone can tell whose name she took it after.
With that thought, she introduced her to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen. "This is Jiang Feixin, a friend I made when I was at Shrek Academy. Feixin, these are Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, my childhood companions and dearest friends!"
Childhood companions? Dearest friends?
Jiang Feixin's gaze shifted to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Hello, I'm Jiang Feixin," she said, greeting them nonetheless—but compared to how she treated Jiang Qingtong, her attitude toward the two was distinctly colder.
"Hello." Meng Hongchen smiled and nodded back, though inwardly she felt puzzled.
Jiang?
Could she be related to Jiang Shengyu and Jiang Qingtong…?
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