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By the Sea God Lake.
After the examination ended, Chen Junting bid farewell to Ning Tian and the others, and was led by Zhang Lexuan along with Di Yao to this place.
Though Di Yao had lost to Chen Junting in the examination, with her talent and strength, she naturally gained admission to the Inner Court as desired.
"Our Shrek Inner Court is located on Sea God Island, so prepare to cross the lake and ascend the island." Zhang Lexuan smiled as she swept her gaze over the two of them. Before they could respond, she soared into the air, gliding over the glittering lake surface straight toward Sea God Island.
By the lakeside, only Chen Junting and Di Yao were left facing each other.
"It seems they want us to cross the lake ourselves."
With a light flick of his sword finger, the purple-glowing Seven Killings Sword lifted Chen Junting up, standing in mid-air. He glanced down at the unmoving Di Yao below. "Can you fly? Do you need me to carry you?"
A soul power longsword appeared beside Di Yao's feet.
"Not necessary."
She merely glanced at it, then took out a flight soul guide device from her storage soul guide device. After strapping it on, as soul power flowed in, the soul guide propeller emitted a series of roars. Two jets of light instantly carried her toward Sea God Island.
"Soul beasts really do keep up with the times now."
Chen Junting wasn't surprised that Di Yao had a soul guide device. After all, with so many people entering the Star Dou Forest daily, the number of dead soul masters and soul guides was naturally not small. It was normal for one or two of them to have flight soul guide devices.
After shaking his head, Chen Junting stood with his hands behind his back. Under the gentle breeze, the sword light cut through the sky above the lake like lightning, leaving a brilliant trail under the water's reflection.
When Chen Junting reached Sea God Island, Zhang Lexuan was already waiting at the island's edge. Not long after, Di Yao also crossed the Sea God Lake, put away her flight soul guide device, and walked to the two of them.
"So rich in natural energy."
She felt like her pores expanded as she absorbed the natural energy. Sensing this natural energy that was no weaker than beside the Life Lake in the Star Dou Forest, Di Yao marveled at the island's environment.
"This is one of the benefits of the Inner Court."
Wanting to completely retain Di Yao at Shrek Academy, Zhang Lexuan smiled as she introduced: "With the Golden Ancient Tree here, the entire Sea God Island is the most top-tier simulated cultivation environment. So Inner Court students cultivate several times faster here than outside..."
Under Zhang Lexuan's explanation, Chen Junting and Di Yao quickly understood the current state of the Inner Court. Compared to the Outer Court, the Inner Court could be said to be much freer. There were no fixed classes, no complicated rules—except for having to complete one Inner Court-issued mission each month and one fixed assessment each year, the rest of the time was left to the students' own arrangements. As for those who didn't complete them...
The results naturally didn't need to be said.
However, if you wanted to graduate smoothly from the Inner Court, besides taking the graduation assessment, you also had to obtain credits. These credits could be obtained not only by participating in Inner Court-issued missions, but also by obtaining them through gambling duels from other Inner Court students.
If you wanted to learn something in the Inner Court, you'd have to use merit points to request guidance from Inner Court teachers. These merit points were the same as credits, with only those two identical ways of obtaining them.
Seeing that Chen Junting and Di Yao roughly understood, Zhang Lexuan continued: "Later I'll take you to handle the Inner Court enrollment procedures. Before that, you can first consider where to live." As she spoke, she pointed to the pavilions and towers on the island.
"The Inner Court doesn't have dormitory buildings—those standing houses are the apartments of Inner Court students. One person per building, no disturbance. After you pick one, once you've registered you can move in."
"Then I want the one closest to that tree!"
Di Yao pointed toward the Golden Ancient Tree from afar, immediately claiming the best location, making both Zhang Lexuan and Chen Junting look at her in surprise.
"If you don't mind living with me, that's not a problem either." Zhang Lexuan wanted to ruffle her hair, but Di Yao dodged with a low waist movement, giving her a "don't touch me" look in return.
Seeing this, Zhang Lexuan didn't mind.
She smiled politely and said, "If you're unwilling, then you can only defeat me first to obtain that house. Remember, in the Shrek Inner Court, strength speaks loudest."
"Then forget it."
Hearing this, Di Yao agreed straightforwardly.
Regarding this senior sister's strength, she had no confidence of winning. At least she'd have to wait until she became a high-level Soul Emperor before she'd have the courage to spar with this senior sister.
"Then alright."
"Since that's the case, I'll pick you a house close to the Sea God Pavilion that hasn't been occupied by Inner Court students yet. If later you take a liking to another one, you can also obtain it through challenges."
Seeing Di Yao nod in understanding, Zhang Lexuan turned to ask Chen Junting, "Junting, do you have any requirements?"
"I'll take the same as her."
Coming to the Inner Court was for cultivation.
Since that was the case, he definitely wanted to choose a good location.
"Then let's go. I'll take you to handle the procedures."
About half an hour later, all enrollment procedures were completed. However, regarding Zhang Lexuan's offer to show them around Sea God Island, unlike Di Yao's agreement, Chen Junting expressed refusal. After all, he had been here more than once, understanding both important and unimportant matters generally, so there was no need to waste time.
After bidding farewell to the two, Chen Junting followed the instructions given during registration to find his apartment's location.
Just as he was about to open the door... "Oh! A newcomer?"
Chen Junting turned at the sound, seeing a woman's head suddenly appear from a window not far from him.
Though this woman wasn't as breathtakingly beautiful as some peerless beauties, she was still quite lovely. But the first feeling she gave Chen Junting was that she was the same type as Wu Feng and Ma Xiaotao.
Out of courtesy, Chen Junting clasped his hands in a fist.
"Senior sister."
"My name is Wu Ming."
Hearing this, Chen Junting immediately realized.
Oh!
So she's the Golden Crow Holy Maiden.
One of the two 'active volcanoes' of the Inner Court.
As she spoke, Wu Ming had already placed her hand on the window sill, then flipped over, actually jumping down from the third-floor window directly.
Her figure swept over, arriving before Chen Junting.
Curiously examining him for a few moments, "You seem to know me?"
Chen Junting nodded, neither humble nor arrogant.
"I heard about you from senior brother Chen Zifeng and the others."
"You know them." Wu Ming's interest grew even more. After a moment, as if remembering something, she suddenly clapped her hands. "Ah! That's why this newcomer is so young—you're Chen Junting from the previous tournament's reserve team, right?"
As she spoke, a playful smile appeared on her face.
"I've heard that in just a few months, you've dug four of the Inner Court's top students into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. In recent centuries, this could be said to be absolutely unprecedented."
"You really have some skills, you kid!"
"Senior sister is joking."
Chen Junting took out his key and opened the door. "It was just my Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's sincere invitation. Senior brother Chen Zifeng and the others were moved by our sect's sincerity, so they were willing to contribute their talents to the sect."
Seeing Chen Junting speaking formally, Wu Ming couldn't help but blurt out, "You kid, are you trying to fool ghosts with these words?"
"Creak—"
Pushing the door open, Chen Junting made a "please" gesture.
"I don't think this is fooling ghosts."
"Senior sister, would you like to come in for some tea, and see the sincerity of our Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect? See if you have any intention of joining our sect."
"Pass." Wu Ming pursed her lips. "I plan to stay at the academy for life. If you really trick me into joining the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, Dean Cai will definitely come find you to settle accounts."
As she spoke, she stepped back. "Since you've joined the Inner Court, you should also let everyone get familiar with you, to have more tacit understanding when executing missions later. Of course, if there are other newcomers besides you, bring them along too, come to the martial arts field for a good fight with me. Coincidentally, I also want to see your soul spirit."
By the end, her words were filled with excitement.
Soul spirit?
Chen Junting's heart stirred, feeling somewhat helpless.
Wasn't this supposed to be kept secret for research?
Is this how the academy keeps secrets?
Noticing Chen Junting's expression, Wu Ming roughly guessed her words had caused his misunderstanding, so she hurriedly explained.
"Don't misunderstand. When I say 'everyone,' I mean students with clean backgrounds who are trustworthy. Including me, we're all about to reach the stage where we need to obtain soul rings."
"Like me, I just broke through to Level 79."
Hearing this, Chen Junting immediately understood.
So the people Wu Ming mentioned were all "guinea pigs."
In that case, getting familiar was fake—peace of mind was real.
So taking advantage of Wu Ming not paying attention, he suddenly spoke.
"Did Dean Yan send you?"
"No, it was Dean Cai's suggestion."
Wu Ming subconsciously answered, but after realizing what she said, her beautiful eyes widened in anger. "You tricked me!"
Chen Junting spread his hands, chuckling lightly.
"Tit for tat."
Hearing this, Wu Ming's expression changed like a chameleon. The volcano that seemed about to erupt instantly calmed down. Straightforward as she was, she no longer beat around the bush, unable to resist asking: "Are you agreeing?"
Chen Junting nodded. "Of course."
The soul spirit matter was extremely important to him.
The faster it progressed, the greater the benefits he would receive.
"That's great then."
With Wu Ming's personality, she could no longer contain herself.
Golden Crow wings instantly emerged from her back. With a spread of her wings and a burst of flame, she disappeared before Chen Junting's eyes, leaving only a sentence behind, "I'll go notify Ruoruo..."
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