Chapter 54: Hu Liena — Is Teacher… Dating Someone?
Spirit City.
Pope's Palace.
Hu Liena walked briskly down the long corridor, her steps light and lively. The crimson battle outfit hugged her graceful figure perfectly, while her golden hair swayed gently with each step.
A confident smile hung on her face.
Today was a big day.
She and her brother, Xie Yue, had trained their Martial Soul Fusion Skill nonstop for three whole months. At last, they had completely mastered it—its power had increased by at least three times compared to before!
She could hardly wait to tell her teacher the good news.
Pushing open the heavy doors of the Pope's Palace, Hu Liena took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Bibi Dong sat atop the lofty Pope's Throne, seemingly lost in thought.
"Teacher!"
Hu Liena dropped to one knee, her voice both respectful and brimming with excitement.
"This disciple has something to report!"
Bibi Dong glanced at her with little enthusiasm.
"Speak."
Her tone was flat, devoid of emotion.
"My brother and I have refined our Martial Soul Fusion Skill—Charm Demon—to perfection!"
Hu Liena's eyes sparkled as she spoke, her words pouring out all at once.
"When we use it now, it can cover the entire arena, and the duration has doubled!"
"In two years, at the Continental Advanced Soul Master Tournament, our Golden Generation will definitely sweep everything aside! We'll bring the championship back to Spirit Hall and win glory for you!"
The more she spoke, the more excited she became, her small face flushing red.
This was the result of months of hard work between her and her brother—she had been waiting eagerly for her teacher to praise her.
But strangely enough, Bibi Dong didn't show her usual approving expression.
From beginning to end, there was a faint smile on her lips—a smile so gentle it felt unreal.
And in her eyes was a trace of something Hu Liena had never seen before…
Sweetness?
It was as if she had recalled something especially beautiful, her entire presence suffused with a soft, warm glow.
Hu Liena froze.
Who was her teacher?
The Pope of Spirit Hall—decisive, ruthless, and so imposing that few dared meet her gaze.
Even when she praised Hu Liena in the past, it was always brief, her smile faint and restrained.
What was going on today? Has the sun risen from the west?
"Teacher…?"
Hu Liena called out carefully, unease creeping into her heart.
Only then did Bibi Dong come back to herself, her gaze returning to Hu Liena.
The gentle smile remained, her voice noticeably softer than usual.
"Mm. You did very well, Nana."
She even nodded lightly, her eyes filled with unmistakable affection.
Hu Liena grew even more confused, though she still answered respectfully.
"Thank you for the praise, Teacher. This disciple will continue to work hard and will absolutely not disappoint your expectations!"
"Good. I understand."
Bibi Dong waved her hand gently.
"You may withdraw for now."
"Yes. This disciple takes her leave."
Hu Liena bowed deeply and turned to exit the Pope's Palace.
The moment she stepped out, she couldn't help but glance back.
'Something is definitely wrong with the teacher today!'
'That smile was so gentle it gave me goosebumps… It looked just like the girls in the academy who are in love.'
'Could it be… she's dating someone? That's impossible. Who in the world could be worthy of a Teacher?'
Shaking her head, Hu Liena forcefully banished these chaotic thoughts and hurried away.
The Pope's Palace fell silent once more.
Bibi Dong sat alone on the throne, her fingers gently rubbing a handkerchief as the curve of her lips deepened.
"Ah Qing…"
She murmured, her voice as light as a feather.
"I've carefully treasured all these 'firsts' you've given me."
She intended to engrave her mark deeply onto that kid's body and soul alike.
As for that little rabbit…
Bibi Dong's eyes darkened, a dangerous glint flashing through them.
She had already taken the lead and claimed many of Ah Qing's firsts.
As for that rabbit—so what?
It didn't matter anymore.
Slowly, she reined in her smile, returning to the dignified, awe-inspiring Pope she usually was.
Only the lingering gentleness deep within her eyes refused to fade.
At the same time.
Shrek Academy — Admissions Area.
This place was… unbelievably shabby.
The wooden shed looked like it was on the verge of collapse. When the wind blew, it creaked loudly, while weeds around it had grown taller than people—clearly no one bothered to maintain the place.
It bore absolutely no resemblance to anything worthy of being called an "academy."
Yet early in the morning, the area was packed with people—teenage boys and girls chattering noisily, creating an uproar.
"What kind of trash academy is this?! The environment is awful, and the assessment is insane!"
A burly, thick-headed boy shouted until his face was red and his neck swollen.
He had just failed the assessment because he was a few months over the age limit.
"I want a refund! Ten gold soul coins! That's enough for my family to live on for a whole year!"
"Yeah! Refund the money!"
"If we didn't pass the test, fine—but if we don't even want to participate anymore, you should at least return the money, right?!"
Several other rejected youths chimed in, and the scene quickly spiraled into chaos.
Li Yusong, the examiner in charge, sat behind a rickety table, his brows knitted tightly enough to kill flies.
The old man wore a washed-out gray robe and looked utterly ordinary.
But as the commotion grew louder, he suddenly stood up, his soul power erupting violently!
"Buzz—!"
White, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black!
Six soul rings rose from beneath his feet in succession. The oppressive aura of a Soul Emperor crashed down like a mountain.
The previously noisy youths instantly went pale, not daring to make another sound.
A few with weak legs collapsed straight onto the ground.
"Shrek Academy only accepts monsters—not trash!"
Li Yusong's voice was icy cold, each word striking fear into their hearts.
"Failing the assessment means you're not qualified. Want a refund? Not a chance!"
His gaze swept across the stunned crowd, his tone turning even harsher.
"Either get lost obediently, or wait for the next round of assessments. Cause trouble again, and don't blame me for being ruthless!"
A Soul Emperor's intimidation was no joke.
The crowd that had just been causing an uproar immediately fell silent, everyone shrinking back, barely daring to breathe.
But within the crowd, Xiao Wu pouted.
She tugged on Lin Qingmo's sleeve and whispered her complaint, "Ah Qing, isn't this wrong? I can understand not letting people in if they fail the assessment…"
"But if they don't want to participate anymore, why won't they refund the money? Isn't this forced buying and selling?"
All these years, Lin Qingmo had taught her to act reasonably and fairly. She really couldn't stand this kind of bullying behavior.
Her voice wasn't loud—but in the sudden, terrifying silence, it sounded especially clear.
"Hmm?"
Li Yusong's gaze instantly locked onto her.
His brows furrowed, displeasure flashing in his eyes.
A little girl daring to question him?
"Little girl, what do you mean by that?"
His voice sank as his aura surged once more, pressing straight toward Xiao Wu.
"Are you saying I'm being unreasonable?"
The oppressive force of a Soul Emperor came crashing down like a mountain!
"!!!"
Several nearby youths were caught in the aftermath, their legs going weak.
Lin Qingmo stepped forward calmly, positioning himself firmly in front of Xiao Wu—
And he was completely unaffected by the pressure.
Joking aside.
All these years, he had been "tempered" daily under the aura of his master, a Titled Douluo. He was already unshakable.
Compared to that, a mere Soul Emperor's pressure didn't even count as scratching an itch.
"Hm?"
Why was this boy unaffected by his aura at all?
Li Yusong's face showed clear surprise.
He had used three-tenths of his pressure just now. Even ordinary Soul Elders would've turned pale—but this blue-haired brat looked completely fine, even wearing an expression that practically said "That's it?"
"If this academy really operates so tyrannically and without reason, then Xiao Wu and I won't be joining."
Lin Qingmo spoke calmly, his gaze distant and indifferent.
After speaking, he took Xiao Wu's hand and turned to leave.
Decisive and clean—without the slightest hesitation.
"Well said!"
At the same time, a crisp female voice rang out from the crowd.
Ning Rongrong hopped out cheerfully, first flashing Lin Qingmo and Xiao Wu a sweet smile.
"Hehe, we meet again~."
Then she turned around and directly revealed her martial soul.
A small, exquisite Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, radiant and dazzling, floated above her palm.
"If Shrek Academy is this overbearing, then I won't bother joining the fun either."
She huffed proudly and turned to follow them.
But the moment Li Yusong saw that pagoda, his face changed instantly!
"Se—Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?!"
He blurted out in shock.
He never would've imagined encountering someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in a dump like this!
Looking closer at Ning Rongrong's appearance—
Tsk!
It was that little ancestor!
The precious daughter of Ning Fengzhi, sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect—the famous little princess of the entire continent… no, the little witch!
If he offended her, it wouldn't just be his problem—even the entire Shrek Academy wouldn't be able to bear the consequences!
Moreover… if the academy could recruit a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda soul master, that would be an enormous boon.
Li Yusong hurriedly withdrew all his aura and forced a stiff smile onto his face.
"Wait! Miss, please stay—let's talk this through!"
Ning Rongrong stopped and turned around.
A mischievous smile appeared on her face, though her tone sounded innocently curious.
"Oh? Is there something else, teacher?"
"Y–Your martial soul… it really is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
Li Yusong asked carefully, eyes filled with anticipation and tension.
"Yes~"
Ning Rongrong nodded, looking utterly harmless.
"My name is Ning Rongrong, from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. I came out to… gain experience. I heard Shrek Academy only accepts monsters, so I came to take a look."
"I thought it'd be a fun academy, but now it seems it's not very suitable for me."
Li Yusong's heart sank.
It really was that little ancestor!
If he let her leave, Dean Flender would skin him alive.
His expression shifted repeatedly.
Finally, he let out a helpless sigh, withdrew his aura, and plopped back into his broken chair.
"Fine…"
He shook his head bitterly. "I'll refund the money to those who failed the assessment."
"Then, anyone over twelve years old or without two hundred-year soul rings—leave on your own."
The moment he said this, the entire crowd exploded in shock!
No one had expected that just because of one girl's question and Ning Rongrong revealing her martial soul, this Soul Emperor-level teacher would actually compromise!
The refunds were processed quickly.
Most people took their money, glared once at the Shrek Academy signboard, and left.
In the end, only five people remained in front of the ramshackle admissions area.
Lin Qingmo stood on the left, holding Xiao Wu's hand.
Ning Rongrong stood in the middle with her arms crossed, wearing an expression that screamed, "Aren't I amazing?"
Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly on the right, dressed in black from head to toe, silent as a shadow.
And in the far corner stood Tang San, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water.
He stared fixedly at the hands clasped together between Lin Qingmo and Xiao Wu, his eyes filled with resentment.
The flames of jealousy and rage burned fiercely in his chest, scorching his very organs.
—
End of Chapter