Seeing the three glowing rings around Lan Si, even Xiao Wu and Tang San were taken aback. Tang San had just been promoted to Soul Grandmaster three months ago and had only managed to reach level thirty-two after intense training.
But Lan Si was already at level thirty-three. Did that mean Lan Si had become a Soul Grandmaster even before him and Xiao Wu?
For the first time, Tang San felt a sense of crisis among his peers. However, remembering his teacher Yu Xiaogang's theories and the rare external spirit bone he had received, he felt somewhat reassured. Perhaps Lan Si just hadn't reached his limit yet.
"The fluctuations in your spirit power indeed indicate you've reached level thirty-three," Flender remarked, nodding in approval as he approached Lan Si, instinctively shifting into his persuasive mode. "You're Lan Si, right? You have great potential. I'm Flender, the dean of Shrek Academy. Are you interested in joining us?"
As he spoke, Flender began boasting about Shrek Academy.
The other four, including Lan Si, couldn't help but roll their eyes.
"Dean Flender, let me interrupt," Lan Si raised his hand.
"What, have you decided to join?" Flender smiled widely.
Lan Si shook his head. "Not at all. I came to visit my girlfriend, Zhu Zhuqing, and I'm already enrolled in another academy."
At this, the group redirected their focus to the relationship between Lan Si and Zhu Zhuqing.
"Stinky Ah Si, when did you get together with Zhuqing?" Xiao Wu asked as she walked over.
"Old rabbit, you managed to snag Tang San when you were just six, so why can't I be with Zhuqing?" Lan Si shot a glare at Xiao Wu, thinking to himself that he would one day turn her into a spirit ring or spirit bone.
"Don't call me old rabbit! I'm a cute little white rabbit!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, placing her hands over her head to make a heart shape.
"Xiao Wu, stop it," Tang San quickly intervened as he saw them about to argue. Xiao Wu quieted down but continued to glare at Lan Si.
Upon hearing that Zhu Zhuqing was Lan Si's girlfriend, Flender's expression grew serious. Ignoring the feisty Xiao Wu, he focused on Zhu Zhuqing and asked in a low voice, "Zhuqing, does Dai Mubai know about this?" Flender was well aware of the relationship between Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai.
At that moment, Zhu Zhuqing being with Lan Si was undeniably playing with fire.
"Dean, I have the right to choose my own life. Even if I fail in the end, I won't regret it," Zhu Zhuqing replied firmly.
Her words left Tang San and Xiao Wu confused, and Flender turned his gaze to Lan Si. "And what about you? Do you understand the consequences of this?"
Lan Si smiled and raised the hand holding Zhu Zhuqing's. "If I don't even have the courage to protect the one I love, then what's the point of being a Soul Master? I might as well go home and raise pigs."
"I understand why Zhuqing chose you," Flender said, watching Lan Si's stubborn demeanor. He saw a reflection of himself in the young man.
He too had a beloved, Liu Erlong. He had sacrificed his own happiness to help her find happiness with his best friend, Yu Xiaogang. Although the marriage never happened, he would always support her from behind, silently protecting her.
"Dean Flender, how about we make a deal?" Lan Si pulled out a golden card from his soul guide.
Money?
Flender's eyes lit up, his earlier romantic demeanor gone, and he suppressed the urge to snatch the card from Lan Si. "What's the deal?"
Lan Si said seriously, "This card has a balance of one hundred thousand gold soul coins."
"Wh-what? One hundred thousand?" Flender's breath quickened in shock, and he swallowed hard. He had never seen so much money in his life. "Speak, as long as it doesn't harm Shrek Academy's interests, I can agree."
Xiao Wu was equally shocked and couldn't help but ask, "Lan Si, where did you get so much money?"
Ignoring Xiao Wu, Lan Si smiled reassuringly at Zhu Zhuqing, then turned back to Flender. "I want to entrust Shrek Academy to ensure Zhu Zhuqing's safety while she studies here. No one is allowed to harm her in any way."
"Is it really that simple?" Flender stammered, taking the golden card, unsure if he had heard correctly.
In truth, Lan Si didn't need to say anything. As long as Zhu Zhuqing was a student at Shrek, he would guarantee her safety.
"Yes, it's that simple. When Zhuqing graduates, I'll give another one hundred thousand." Lan Si nodded, implying something, "However, I hope Dean Flender will keep his word. Anyone I mention includes students of Shrek Academy."
"Hmph, what do you mean, Lan Si? Do you think we would harm Zhuqing?" Xiao Wu's temper flared at his request.
Lan Si continued to ignore her, looking at Flender, waiting for a response.
Flender understood that Lan Si was referring to Dai Mubai, but since Lan Si's conditions could alleviate Shrek Academy's financial troubles without violating their principles, it was a win-win situation. After a moment of thought, he agreed, "I understand. Even if you hadn't said anything, I would ensure Zhuqing's safety. As long as she's at Shrek Academy, no one can harm her."
"Then thank you, Dean Flender." With Flender's confirmation, Lan Si felt relieved. With him around, he didn't have to worry about that rascal Dai Mubai harming his little kitty.
"Zhuqing, it's getting late. You should head back and rest. I'll come find you tomorrow."
Zhu Zhuqing took Lan Si's arm, saying, "I'll walk you back."
At that moment, she felt a warmth and a sense of security, knowing that such a man loved her—what more could she ask for?
Lan Si nodded, and they started walking back in the direction they came from. After walking about two hundred meters, Lan Si asked Zhu Zhuqing to stop, then heard Flender call from a distance, "Lan Si, are you really not going to join us at Shrek Academy?"
Lan Si waved his hand, slowly disappearing into the darkness. If Shrek Academy didn't have Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Yu Xiaogang, he wouldn't mind playing alongside the remaining few. Unfortunately, their paths were too different.
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