Zhu Ziyang, without surprise, became an Inner Courtyard Disciple.
After entering the Inner Courtyard, although there were still grade divisions, there were no class distinctions. All students only needed to remember their grade, and then complete a certain annual task each year, and that was it. The Inner Courtyard, compared to the Outer Courtyard, undoubtedly offered more autonomous time. Aside from a few academy-hosted activities that everyone had to attend, there were no other requirements at any other time; it all depended on the students' self-discipline.
"Teacher!" Zhu Ziyang found Mu En and respectfully called out.
"Hm! Since you've entered the Inner Courtyard, then cultivate with peace of mind." Mu En looked at Zhu Ziyang with a face full of gratification and said, "Use your mornings to cultivate Reign Over The World, and your afternoons are yours to manage. There's no problem with doing whatever you want."
"I understand, Teacher," Zhu Ziyang replied.
"Alright, go tidy up your dorm room," Mu En said.
Zhu Ziyang did not linger and returned directly to his wooden house to start tidying up. His luggage was sparse; besides his bedding, clothes, and shoes, there were only books. Looking at the hundreds of books on the bedside bookshelf, Zhu Ziyang felt a sense of pride. These books were actually used to conceal the Super Library and were all newly published books from the past hundred years that had not been included in the library, serving as a small supplement.
After tidying up his room, Zhu Ziyang walked down the Golden Ancient Tree and found Xingcai, who was leisurely basking in the sun on the grass at the foot of the ancient tree.
"Lord Ziyang, you're back!" Upon seeing Zhu Ziyang, Xingcai immediately stood up happily, quickly ran to Zhu Ziyang's side, and cheered.
"Mm!" Zhu Ziyang smiled, reached out and stroked Xingcai's head, saying, "It seems Sister has taken very good care of you. You've grown taller!"
"Really?" Surprise appeared in Xingcai's eyes as she said, "Mom said that if I grow taller, it means my strength has improved. Hehe, that's great. The light aura here is much richer than in the Star Dou Forest. I really like it here."
"That's good," Zhu Ziyang said. Xingcai had already been here for more than two months and had long since grown accustomed to life here. The aura of the Golden Ancient Tree was also of great help to her. Zhu Ziyang could feel that her cultivation had reached three thousand fifty years. In two months, her cultivation had increased by fifty years, a speed that would definitely make the vast majority of Spirit Beasts feel a tremor.
After playing with Xingcai for a while, it was noon, and Zhu Ziyang went to eat lunch.
"Ziyang!"
As Zhu Ziyang arrived at the entrance of the cafeteria, a shout came from behind him. He turned his head; it was Zhang Lexuan.
"Senior Sister, long time no see!" Zhu Ziyang was a little surprised, a smile appeared on his face as he greeted her. This was the first time he had seen Zhang Lexuan since returning from the Star Dou Forest. Zhang Lexuan's complexion was still a bit poor; damage to the essence of life and the essence of Spirit was not so easy to heal. He couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Senior Sister, has your body not recovered yet?"
"Cough cough, it's nothing serious anymore." Zhang Lexuan walked up to Zhu Ziyang, smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Old Zhuang gave me a bottle of Life Source. After I took it, my life essence has almost recovered. Now I just need to recuperate for a while, and my Spirit essence will also be fine."
"Is that so? That's great," Zhu Ziyang said sincerely upon hearing this. At the same time, he gained a deeper understanding of Shrek Academy's heritage; they actually possessed a rare divine medicine like Life Source, which could bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh on bones. It seemed that Old Zhuang was not as simple as he appeared.
"Let's go, I'll treat you to lunch," Zhang Lexuan said with a smile.
"Really? Then I won't be polite," Zhu Ziyang replied.
The two walked into the cafeteria side by side, and after they entered, a blond young man also walked in. The blond young man looked around at the entrance, and upon seeing Zhang Lexuan, his face lit up, and he then walked straight over.
"Senior Sister, do you still remember me?" The blond young man walked to Zhang Lexuan's side, his face showing an out-of-place shyness, and he asked somewhat awkwardly.
Upon seeing the young man's behavior, Zhu Ziyang was quite surprised. It was hard to connect this somewhat shy and innocent young man with the arrogant White Tiger Spirit King from that morning.
"It's Yueheng. Congratulations on entering the Inner Courtyard!" Zhang Lexuan naturally recognized Dai Yueheng and said with a smile, "Want to eat together?"
"Okay, okay!" Dai Yueheng's face reddened slightly, and he agreed.
"Ziyang, this is Dai Yueheng." Zhang Lexuan introduced Dai Yueheng to Zhu Ziyang, her tone normal, which caused a hint of disappointment to surge in Dai Yueheng's heart, but immediately a surge of fighting Spirit also arose.
"I know him, Senior Sister," Zhu Ziyang said with a smile, "We both participated in the assessment today."
"Hello, Junior Brother Zhu," Dai Yueheng also noticed Zhu Ziyang. He greatly admired this talented student who entered the Inner Courtyard at only twelve years old, even though the other party was younger than him and not as strong.
"Hello, Senior Brother Dai," Zhu Ziyang responded.
The three ate and chatted; in reality, Dai Yueheng was talking to Zhang Lexuan, while Zhu Ziyang watched like a spectator. He truly hadn't expected that a proud boy like Dai Yueheng would be so dull and nervous when facing the person he liked. Truly, one cannot judge a book by its cover!
— —
Afternoon.
Outside the classroom of Class One, Second Grade, Outer Courtyard of Shrek Academy.
Zhu Ziyang's sudden appearance caused a commotion among all the students. Everyone surrounded Zhu Ziyang, asking him all sorts of questions, mostly about the Inner Courtyard. Zhu Ziyang could only smile without speaking, not revealing any information.
When the students of Class One learned that Zhu Ziyang had entered the Inner Courtyard, everyone was shocked, but also felt it was a matter of course. After all, Zhu Ziyang had reached the Spirit Ancestor realm at only twelve years old. If such talent couldn't enter the Inner Courtyard, then what were they all working so hard for? They might as well go home early.
After Zhu Ziyang sent away the students who were surrounding him, he took Jiang Nannan's hand and left the teaching building.
"Hey, Zhu Ziyang, you're too awesome!" Tang Ya and Bei Bei also followed them out. Tang Ya patted Zhu Ziyang's shoulder, her tone filled with praise and admiration, and said, "Can you tell us what the Inner Courtyard assessment entails? Just so we can be mentally prepared!"
"Combat, what else do you think it could be besides combat?" Zhu Ziyang said with a smile.
"See, I told you it was combat, Xiaoya, you still didn't believe me." Bei Bei immediately said after hearing Zhu Ziyang's answer, his face showing a helpless expression, as if he had suffered a great injustice.
"Uh-haha ~" Tang Ya gave an awkward laugh and said, "Alright, alright, it's my fault."
"Brother, are we going to Shrek City?" Jiang Nannan noticed that Zhu Ziyang was leading them towards the outside of the academy and asked curiously.
"That's right. I learned from Sister Lexuan that there's a large auction in Shrek City today. We're going to broaden our horizons and gain some experience and insight," Zhu Ziyang replied.
"Auction?"
"Sister Lexuan?"
Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya's points of focus were very different. Jiang Nannan's attention was on the auction, while Tang Ya precisely caught the words "Sister Lexuan."
"That's right, an auction. It's a large-scale auction jointly held by Jubao Pavilion and the Five Great Merchants. It's said that the highlight item is a hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bone!" Zhu Ziyang explained.
"Zhu Ziyang, the Sister Lexuan you mentioned, she wouldn't happen to be Bei Bei's Sister Lexuan, would she?" Tang Ya's mind wasn't on the auction at all, and she asked with a strange expression.
Upon hearing Tang Ya's words, Bei Bei also became a little uneasy. He didn't know why, but he always felt that Tang Ya was hostile towards Sister Lexuan, yet they had only met once. The young man felt his brain was about to explode from this feeling.
"Yes!" Zhu Ziyang answered subconsciously, and then he noticed Bei Bei's expression, which reminded him of a question. Bei Bei and Zhang Lexuan were siblings, and Zhang Lexuan and Mu En had an unusual relationship; they were said to be master and disciple, but more like grandfather and granddaughter. So, could there be a relationship between Bei Bei and Mu En as well?
His curiosity piqued, he decided to ask Mu En when he had time.
The auction jointly organized by Jubao Pavilion and the Five Great Merchant Guilds proceeded as scheduled. After the four of them, Zhu Ziyang, entered, their mouths never closed. They truly broadened their horizons. The forces participating in the auction were incredibly generous with their bids, often increasing prices by tens of thousands or even millions. They truly didn't treat money as money!