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However, because of the silkworm molt, the three spirit beasts' strength had also increased quite rapidly. Tianmeng couldn't fully absorb all the ten-thousand-year ice marrow it devoured, so a large portion of the molt was actually pure ice marrow energy.
Pure substances like ice marrow are not diminished when consumed; even the flesh of a ten-thousand-year soul beast suffers some energy loss after being eaten.
The Tianmeng-brand power bank was truly reliable.
Su Wen nodded with satisfaction.
As for nurturing his spirit beasts, he knew he couldn't slack off himself either.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he slowly circulated the Golden Core cultivation method. As he breathed and cycled his energy through his meridians, a faint golden light emanated from his body, and his soul power gradually increased.
The room was filled with golden light, yet Ma Xiaotao slept soundly, seemingly accustomed to Su Wen's early morning cultivation.
Two hours later.
Su Wen retracted the Golden Core's light, and the room returned to normal. Seeing that Ma Xiaotao was still fast asleep, he decided not to wake her, quietly getting dressed and leaving.
…
Several days passed in the blink of an eye.
Whenever he had free time from cultivation, Su Wen would stroll around the outer courtyard.
Groups of newly enrolled freshmen were signing up for activities. Occasionally, Ning Tian would call him to wander through Shrek City's commercial street. Wu Feng trailed along like a mistreated sidekick, lugging their large bags, pouting so much her lips could touch the sky. Meanwhile, the relationship between Su Wen and Ning Tian had grown much closer—her hand would naturally hook onto Su Wen's arm, making them look just like a young couple.
They also visited the dueling arena, which was quite lively. The young men and women were full of energy with nowhere to release it, and professional instructors were present to promptly prevent any tragedies. As fighters gained fame, they could even sell tickets to earn some extra money.
For example, yesterday's match between Beibei and Xu Sanshi had the audience fired up, their cheers never ceasing. Although Xu Sanshi ultimately conceded, he glared at Beibei, looking thoroughly unconvinced.
But Su Wen knew what was really going on between them.
They were throwing fights.
The two were very close friends; their wins and losses were nothing more than a way to make money.
He even saw Tang Ya in the crowd, cheering with exceptional enthusiasm.
However, he never saw Huo Yuhao's figure—perhaps he was diligently cultivating in his dormitory…¹
With the three spirit beasts no longer causing a ruckus, the Great Spirit Arena had returned to its usual calm. However, it was said that Elder Gong was getting a headache over this year's second-year assessment. Without Su Wen's spirit beasts to keep order, a few unruly Soul Grandmasters seemed eager to test his millennium spirit beasts. He was powerless to stop them and had tried to borrow Su Wen's beasts, but they happened to be hibernating, so he could only leave helplessly.
The Sea God Pavilion also held a special meeting specifically concerning Su Wen.
It was most likely about his development plan.
At the start, Yan Shaozhe and Xian Lin'er engaged in a heated debate, neither willing to back down. Clearly, the Soul Guidance Department was reluctant to give up on him; after all, Su Wen's talent was terrifying. So what if he wasn't a spiritual-type soul master? Couldn't he just capture a spiritual-type spirit beast? He was a born Soul Engineer!
In the end, it was Mu En who proposed a compromise: the Martial Soul Department was Su Wen's own choice, and that was indisputable. As for whether he should also study in the Soul Guidance Department, they should simply ask Su Wen himself when the time comes.
All other so-called "development plans" were sternly rejected by Elder Mu.
"This child is not a puppet to be manipulated. He has his own ideas. No one will plan his cultivation path for him—he will choose for himself. If anyone tries to meddle with him again, don't blame me for being discourteous."
Only then did the assembly of elders fall silent.
The line between guidance and control was indeed difficult to draw.
…
The day before the semester began.
At the Academic Affairs Office.
Zhou Yi was seething. Facing Du Weilun, she dared not shout, so she could only suppress her fury. "Director, how can my new Class One not have a single Soul Grandmaster? That Mu Jin's new Class Two already has four! Isn't this unfair? To me, and to the teachers of the other freshman classes!"
"That Mu Jin is no famous teacher. On what grounds does she get such a deluxe class? I refuse to accept this!"
"…" Du Weilun took off his glasses and wearily rubbed his eyes.
If it weren't for his respect for Fan Yu, he would not have tolerated such a shrewish display.
He forced himself to remain calm. "This was the choice of the students' parents. The little princess of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect specifically requested Class Two, as did Xie Huanyue's father. Then there's the White Tiger Duke's son, Dai Huabin. He was originally assigned to your class, but ever since the Duchess heard that Little Wen was in Class Two, she did everything in her power to get him transferred…"
"What right do I have to change class assignments arbitrarily?"
"Several parents even went directly to Dean Yan…"
Du Weilun almost wanted to add, Besides, even if they hadn't gone to Class Two, their spot wouldn't have gone to you anyway. Don't you have any self-awareness? Teacher Ling Yi of Class Nine is far better than you.
Hearing this, Zhou Yi's expression darkened.
She desperately wanted to curse them for being blind but held her tongue.
She still hadn't figured out Su Wen's identity. When she asked her husband at night, he only advised her not to provoke Su Wen, which angered her so much she made Fan Yu sleep in the next room for several nights. But even so, Fan Yu wouldn't reveal a thing, which made her realize the matter was likely connected directly to the Sea God Pavilion.
"Well, if it isn't Teacher Zhou?" Mu Jin said, walking over with a triumphant smile.
She glanced disdainfully at Zhou Yi's retreating back.
That woman had such a foul temper that she'd kick a passing dog. Now she'd offended someone she shouldn't have. Meanwhile, she herself had four Soul Grandmasters in her class, one of whom was an almost heaven-defying existence. She still remembered her cry of shock echoing down the hall when she received the student roster for Class Two a few days ago.
Level thirty-nine, eleven years old.
A prodigy of that caliber wasn't just a once-in-a-century genius—he would surely rank among the greatest even looking back across ten thousand years of history.
"Congratulations, Teacher Mu Jin," Du Weilun said with a grin.
"Oh, not at all. It's all thanks to the parents' trust…" Mu Jin replied, her smile like a blooming flower.
…
Early in the morning.
Xie Huanyue did a carp flip out of bed. "Today's the first day of school! Boss, are we…"
He turned around.
He found Su Wen already dressed in a white school uniform, biting into a fresh, steaming meat bun. The Shrek Academy admission notice stated that students could either have their uniforms custom-made or buy them in standard sizes from the academy.
Most students with the means chose the former.
After all, Shrek had existed for ten thousand years, and its uniform style underwent slight changes each year. Tailor shops across the continent would receive the news immediately and update their patterns. One only needed to find a nearby tailor to get a perfectly fitted uniform. In contrast, the ones bought from Shrek were often ill-fitting, as they only came in a few standard sizes.
Ning Tian's and Wu Feng's uniforms, for example, were personally custom-made by the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's own tailor.
Su Wen's uniform, however, had been sewn by his mother, Madam Jiang, over two months, filled with her heartfelt care.
Su Wen tied his shoes, swiped his finger across his soul guidance storage ring, and a large bag of meat buns appeared in his hand, which he then tossed over.
"Hehe."
Xie Huanyue felt a little sheepish. What kind of underling has his boss buy him breakfast? I have to wake up earlier next time, he thought.
He patted his head, wolfed down a few buns, and began tidying his own clothes.
(End of chapter)