After some consideration, Flender finally decided to accept this troublemaker.
The reason? Ning Fengzhi had simply offered too much!
Keeping a neutral expression, Flender carefully slipped the letter back into its envelope. Inside was a card—the payment, no, the tuition fee for Ning Rongrong's enrollment.
"Ning Rongrong, since your father sent you here to study at Shrek Academy, I, as the dean, will reluctantly allow you to enroll."
Flender clasped his hands behind his back and adopted a stern expression.
The shift in demeanor made him seem like a completely different person.
Ning Rongrong: "…"
Her image of Ning Fengzhi crumbled in her heart. She couldn't believe that her shrewd father had tricked her into attending what she now considered a scam academy.
What could she possibly learn here? The art of deception?
Already in the throes of rebellion, Ning Rongrong felt an urge to storm back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and demand an explanation from her father. But going back now felt like admitting defeat, and she was too proud for that.
"Hmph, I'll stay and see for myself how this so-called academy trains its students!"
Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth, keeping her thoughts to herself.
Reluctantly letting her enroll? She wanted to retort. She was Ning Rongrong, the most talented member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan in a century! Flender's audacity was outrageous.
"This young lady, are you also here to enroll at Shrek Academy?"
Seeing that Ning Rongrong had fallen silent, Flender turned his attention to Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing didn't say much. She merely nodded indifferently.
"Although enrollment is officially closed, I'm willing to give you a chance. As long as your spirit power level is above 20—"
Before Flender could finish, Zhu Zhuqing's cold voice interrupted.
"I'm at Rank 28."
"???"
Flender froze. A girl who looked no older than eleven or twelve had already reached Rank 28?
"How old are you?" Flender asked, astonished.
"Almost twelve, just two months away." Zhu Zhuqing answered truthfully.
Flender nodded in approval. Not even twelve years old and already at Rank 28—this girl was almost guaranteed to break through to the Soul Elder rank by her twelfth birthday!
"Excellent, excellent! You're a little monster!"
The word monster made Flender think of yesterday's encounter. That young man—now he was the true definition of a monster.
A monster among monsters!
Judging by his appearance, the boy looked younger than Dai Mubai, perhaps only twelve or thirteen years old.
At that age, most geniuses would barely reach the Soul Grandmaster level. The truly exceptional might become Soul Elders.
But that boy? He had already reached the Soul King level—and not just any Soul King. His aura was nearly at its peak!
Flender estimated that Li Si's spirit power must be somewhere between Rank 58 and Rank 59.
"Little monster?"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly. She didn't particularly like the term. She knew her own limits and didn't feel worthy of such a title.
"And you, Miss Ning? What's your level?" Flender turned back to Ning Rongrong, looking down at her.
"Rank 27!" Ning Rongrong declared proudly.
Given that this scene took place a month after the original timeline, her spirit power had increased by one level.
Flender was in a good mood. These were two highly talented individuals—little prodigies who could bring glory to Shrek Academy in the future!
However, he planned to humble Ning Rongrong at the earliest opportunity, unaware that his efforts would nearly cause him to lose his composure.
Meanwhile, on Li Si's side.
"Soto City is so boring!" Xiao Wu pouted, her brows furrowing.
Other than the battle arena, there was nothing interesting here.
Even the food wasn't impressive—just slightly better than what they had back in Nuoding City.
Li Si surveyed the so-called delicacies of Soto City and couldn't help but sigh. The Douluo Continent didn't seem to place much emphasis on cuisine.
The local specialties included bread, roasted meat, giant fish eggs, and fruit platters—hardly exciting. Stir-fried dishes were nearly non-existent.
Ordinary civilians fared even worse. Most could only afford one meal a day, and even wealthier civilians typically ate just twice daily.
While nobles enjoyed three meals a day, their so-called "feasts" were nothing special in Li Si's eyes.
"Let's head to Heaven Dou City." Li Si ruffled Xiao Wu's hair.
He was nearing Rank 60, and he was confident he could reach that milestone on the way to Heaven Dou City.
Once his Blue Silver Emperor bloodline was awakened and he obtained his life spirit ring, the vast world would truly open up to him.
"Sure! I've heard that Heaven Dou City, the capital of the Heaven Dou Empire, is the most bustling city in this part of the continent. It'll definitely be fun!"
Xiao Wu perked up instantly, smiling brightly.
"Alright, alright. Once we've taken care of business, I'll make sure you have plenty of fun."
"Business?"
"Let's go. I'll explain on the way." Li Si smiled. He didn't hide his plans from Xiao Wu—she would find out sooner or later anyway.
Besides, staying in Soto City wasn't an option. His earlier display—defeating a Soul Saint with the power of a Soul King—had surely caught the attention of major factions.
While he didn't regret his actions, he knew he couldn't linger. As long as the Spirit Hall didn't target him, he wouldn't face too much danger.
Would Bibi Dong send assassins after him?
Probably not. But it was wise to prepare for the worst.
Time passed.
"What? You're the child of the 100,000-year-old Blue Silver Emperor?"
Xiao Wu was stunned. She never imagined that Li Si, like her, was the descendant of a 100,000-year-old transformed soul beast!
"Chomp!"
Suddenly, Xiao Wu pounced on Li Si, leaving him utterly bewildered.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm tasting to see if you have the flavor of the Blue Silver Emperor!"
Li Si: "…"
A long moment passed before Xiao Wu released him, looking down like a child caught in the act, her face filled with embarrassment.
"My bloodline hasn't been awakened yet. How could I possibly have the flavor of the Blue Silver Emperor?" Li Si sighed, spreading his hands helplessly.
"No wonder… No wonder I felt like eating you the first time I saw you!" Xiao Wu muttered.
Li Si: "…"
So that's why?!
"I remember being so puzzled. There was always this faint aura about you that drew me in."
"You can have me later if you want." Li Si chuckled, ruffling her hair again.
Xiao Wu blinked, then grinned mischievously.
"Li Si, you'd better mean as food!"
"I meant my martial soul—Blue Silver Grass."
"And I meant Blue Silver Grass too!"
"Li Si, you're getting cheeky. How dare you tease me? Let's see how you handle me for real…"
(End of Chapter)