One year later.
"Mom, Aunt Jiang, we're heading out now."
In front of the house, Huo Yuhao, the last one to board the rented carriage, stood in front of it, waving and smiling at Huo Yun'er and Aunt Jiang behind him.
At eleven years old, Huo Yuhao had reached the age to enter school. Since he was worried that Huo Yun'er would be too lonely while he was away for long periods, after getting her approval, he discussed with Jiang Nannan about having Aunt Jiang move into their home.
Although Gu Yuena had given him the Reverse Scale, ensuring that Huo Yun'er's safety wouldn't be an issue, it was still better to have someone around to look after each other daily.
Since they weren't home most of the time, the house would be vacant, so having Aunt Jiang move in posed no problem. Jiang Nannan, of course, had no reason to refuse.
The two reached an agreement quickly, and after much persuasion, the initially reluctant Aunt Jiang finally gave in.
As for the concern about room space during holidays, Tang Ya was the first to vote in favor, saying, "We can squeeze in!" Ever since that night a year ago, when she and Gu Yuena had sneaked into Huo Yuhao's room, she frequently visited it.
With Jiang Nannan and her mother staying, Tang Ya didn't need to rack her brains for excuses anymore.
When she heard Huo Yuhao's suggestion, she gratefully nodded at Jiang Nannan and enthusiastically expressed her gratitude and welcome to her dear friend.
In the end, to everyone's shock, she righteously volunteered her room.
As for where she would sleep, well, naturally, she would have to share a room with little Yuhao...
"Take care on the road. Come home as soon as you're on break."
Although Huo Yun'er felt a bit reluctant, she didn't show much emotion since Huo Yuhao had left home a few times before. Instead, she found herself wondering if her son was off to bring back another 'cabbage' (slang for girls).
She had already become numb to her son's cabbage-picking efficiency.
Especially after that girl, Zhang Lexuan, from a year ago. It wasn't until Tang Ya mentioned it that she realized the girl who had escorted Huo Yuhao home was actually a Soul Douluo.
Although Zhang Lexuan didn't end up staying at their house, Huo Yun'er had noticed during her visits that her behavior towards Huo Yuhao was far from ordinary.
A Soul Douluo, no less!
She remembered the last time she saw Dai Hao, he had only reached the level of a Soul Sage.
But her son, after a simple trip, had somehow befriended such a young Soul Douluo. And from her appearance, she was clearly younger than Huo Yun'er herself—a true genius far surpassing Dai Hao.
As she pondered, Huo Yun'er couldn't help but sigh. When Huo Yuhao said he would make the Duke's Manor pay, she hadn't expected that after only a few years, he was already close to achieving that goal.
It wasn't until the carriage completely disappeared at the end of the street that Huo Yun'er withdrew her gaze and returned inside with Jiang Wanqun.
Shrek City.
There was still a day left before registration opened at Shrek Academy, but the city gates were already packed with people, all lining up to enter.
The days leading up to the academy's registration were always the favorite time for the merchants in the city.
Many early arrivals wouldn't pass up the chance to explore one of the largest cities on the Douluo Continent, giving the merchants ample opportunity to make some money.
At the North Gate, a seemingly ordinary boy slowly approached the guard at the checkpoint. After glancing at the boy, the guard asked, "Name? What's your business in the city?"
"Tang San," the boy answered truthfully, "I'm here to find a place to stay and register tomorrow."
The guard nodded, then asked, "Do you have any proof?"
"Yes." Tang San took out an envelope with a special seal and handed it over.
Although a city lord's recommendation letter wasn't hard to obtain, it had cost him quite a bit. Luckily, the shady blacksmith shop he had eradicated before had not only a lot of money but also rare metals he could sell.
Otherwise, he might not have been able to get the letter at all.
The guard didn't open it, merely glancing at the wax seal before waving him through.
"Go on in."
Entering the city, Tang San looked at the bustling streets and magnificent buildings, feeling a sense of déjà vu.
This scene was so familiar to his past life.
Back then, he and Xiao Wu had come to Soto City, preparing to enroll in Shrek Academy.
But things were different now. Shrek was no longer the obscure academy it once was; it was now the top academy, gathering the continent's most elite talents.
Even so, Tang San was confident that he would still stand out as the strongest among them.
After all, his strength now far exceeded what it had been at the same point in his previous life. If he had once led Shrek to defeat the evil Spirit Hall, what was there to fear from a few younger peers?
As he walked, Tang San suddenly stopped, turning his gaze to a nearby couple's hotel.
Memories flooded back. It was in a hotel just like this where he first met his reckless, indulgent good brother, Dai Mubai.
Though Xiao Wu had called him a "perverted tiger" for having twin girls in his arms, Tang San had always felt that they would get along.
Looking back now, it must have been that "like attracts like" instinct.
Dai Mubai might have been lecherous and a bully, but to be his brother, didn't one need some extraordinary qualities?
Just look at Ma Hongjun, who practically lived in brothels, and Oscar, who always had a sausage in his mouth—each one was a dragon among men.
After all, how could Tang San's brothers be ordinary people?
That's why they had all ended up at Shrek, the academy for "monsters."
Time had proven his foresight—who would've thought that a quarrel over the last available room would result in such a deep brotherhood?
Time truly flies.
If he were to face Dai Mubai again now, with his current thirty-second rank, he probably wouldn't even need to use hidden weapons to defeat him.
With that thought, a faint, confident smile appeared on Tang San's face as he continued walking into the city.
As time passed and dusk approached, the smile on Tang San's face had long since disappeared.
It seemed there were simply too many early arrivals this year. After trying several inns, he was told they were all fully booked. After wandering around for half the day, Tang San found himself back in front of the couple's hotel he had noticed earlier.
Hesitating for a moment, he finally stepped inside.
"Do you have any rooms left?"
"There's just one."
Tang San breathed a sigh of relief. The receptionist, looking up and seeing he was alone, blinked in surprise.
Couple's hotels were typically more expensive due to the ambiance, so why would this boy come alone? Did he just have money to burn?
"Are you staying by yourself, sir?"
"Yes, all the other hotels are full."
Tang San nodded. He was well aware of the higher cost but had no other choice at this point.
The receptionist finally understood and was about to help him check in when a low voice suddenly echoed from the hotel entrance.
"I'll take that room."
Tang San frowned and turned to see a handsome boy with golden hair and double pupils, surrounded by two middle-aged men, walking in.
(End of Chapter)