Chapter 44: Lesson One, Tang San Runs

Staring at the departing Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai suddenly became angry.

Xiao Xian (nickname) says it's fine, but you never listen to me?

Tang San and Xiao Wu glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, then turned their heads, thoughtfully watching Dai Mubai.

This scene had already occurred yesterday.

Dai Mubai could only take a few deep breaths and force himself to calm down.

He reluctantly pulled his thoughts away from Zhu Zhuqing and began slowly explaining some aspects of Slake.

Basically, the academy adjusts each person's curriculum according to their individual circumstances.

He also talked about Fulangde's theory on Combat and Psychological Game Theory.

Xiao Xian (nickname) had no comment on this; for the Soul Master profession, it might be correct.

The students cultivated by Slake may not be outright villains, but they certainly cannot be good people.

However, after this training, they can be a bit safer when facing other Soul Masters.

Soul Masters are inherently a violent group.

Most Soul Masters are quick to fight over the slightest disagreement; seeing blood is child's play.

They were in the middle of the conversation.

Outside, a clanging sound rang out.

Xiao Xian (nickname) leisurely stood up, "Let's go to the field; the Dean called us."

Dai Mubai quickly stood up, "Xiao Xian (nickname), they're leaving it to you; I'll go fetch Zhu Zhuqing!"

Ma Hongjun hurried after Xiao Xian (nickname), muttering low, "Brother Xiao, have you noticed that Dai Laoda seems different? I've never seen him care so much about a woman, especially before you arrived; back then he had to rush three venues a day..."

Ning Rongrong listened silently, seemed to recall something, and couldn't help but let out a snort of laughter.

"Never mind him, let's go. If we're late, I don't care; you'd be the one in trouble."

Xiao Xian (nickname) strolled outward at a leisurely pace, yet his steps covered several meters each.

Ma Hongjun quickly fell silent and jogged after him.

At the same time, he gave Xiao Xian (nickname) a slightly helpless look, murmuring in his mind, "If it weren't for you, how would the Dean and Teacher Zhao..."

Tang San and Xiao Wu immediately followed, not wanting to be late for their first meeting with the Dean of the new term.

They waited until a few of them reached the field.

Oscar had already arrived, still sporting a big beard, sleepy eyes, chewing on a sausage in his hand, looking like a middle-aged man mingling among the group of youths.

"Brother Xiao, want one?" he glanced at Ning Rongrong behind Xiao Xian (nickname) and said in a soft, feeble voice.

"No, I'm not hungry."

Soon after, Dai Mubai arrived with Zhu Zhuqing, his complexion looking terrible.

Seeing this, Oscar couldn't help but feel a grim sort of glee—"I had no hope, but you don't look any better either!"

Dai Mubai positioned himself between Xiao Xian (nickname) and Oscar, forcing his complexion back to normal while waiting for the Dean, and deliberately made idle small talk as if nothing mattered, "Xiao Ao, didn't you say you were going to shave yesterday? Then go after…?"

Ma Hongjun's eyes lit up, and he curiously looked at Oscar.

Oscar muttered dejectedly, "I'm Support Type… that leaves only two in total, that… Xiao Xian (nickname) is here, plus Tang San, so it's impossible. Are you asking me to chase Zhu Zhuqing?"

"Oscar! How dare you!" Dai Mubai said instantly, his tone icy.

Ma Hongjun instantly stared at Oscar with a warrior-like gaze—"You truly are brave."

Xiao Xian (nickname) helplessly glanced at Oscar, patted Dai Mubai's shoulder, and urged him to calm down.

The Dean arrived at that moment.

Tang San and Xiao Wu silently exhaled in relief; they had thought a fight was about to break out.

But when they looked at Fulangde, they were startled again—they had actually seen the owner of that Soul Device Shop before!

Fulangde stepped in front of them, looking pleased, "I'm glad we have four more little monsters. I, Fulangde, Dean of Shrek Academy, on behalf of the academy, welcome you."

"Later, each of you should hand over one hundred Gold Soul Coins to Teacher Li."

Fulangde paused, looked at Xiao Xian (nickname), and added, "Xiao Xian (nickname), Xiao Jue's meal allowance has risen to ninety Gold Soul Coins per month."

Xiao Xian (nickname) nodded; Fulangde had given him two months of Soul Lord Subsidy, and only now raised the meal allowance—he was already surprised, though perhaps it was because he couldn't find anyone the following month...

However, he glanced toward the back kitchen earlier; today feeding Xiao Jue was a Soul Beast nearly nine thousand years old—a Abyssal Dragon Soul Beast.

His Soul Master Subsidy was enough perhaps to buy two toenails.

"Mu Bai."

Fulangde looked at Dai Mubai.

"Dean." Dai Mubai stepped forward; his expression had returned to normal, and he clearly respected, even idolized, Fulangde.

Fulangde said, "Tell the new juniors the academy's rules and have them prepare properly; today's first lesson will start tonight. Tang San, Oscar, and Ning Rongrong, you three are exceptions—follow me."

Oscar's face fell; Tang San and Ning Rongrong looked a bit puzzled, yet they obediently walked up to Fulangde.

"The others should go rest; don't blame me for not warning you. Our academy's teaching differs from elsewhere; you may even face danger."

Fulangde waved his hand.

"Dean, Xiao San, I'm off then!" Xiao Xian (nickname) waved, and as Xiao Jue just finished eating at the Shi Tang, he leapt up, patting Xiao Jue's head.

Xiao Jue instantly understood, stepped on the Gale, took a few light steps, and leapt onto a familiar rooftop—the very residence of Fulangde.

Fulangde, seeing this, twitched his mouth and shouted irrationally, "Take it easy next time! I said why did you come back covered in ash this morning!"

Tang San, hearing that, instinctively touched his nose, clearly a bit embarrassed; when he leapt up that morning, his foot slipped a bit, and he exerted some force.

The others stayed, while Zhu Zhuqing turned and left without hesitation.

Dai Mubai saw this, his complexion turned sour again, but this time he didn't chase after her.

Ma Hongjun did the same, slipping away quickly, disappearing somewhere—looking in the direction of the other side of the village.

Xiao Wu glanced at Tang San, then at Xiao Xian (nickname), and hesitated.

Tang San glanced at her, gave a light smile, waved his hand toward her, and let her go first.

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue, hopped away like a rabbit, very lively.

Fulangde's gaze fell on Tang San and Ning Rongrong, and he said, "Martial souls are myriad and strange; everyone's cultivation method differs. What the academy will teach you is destined not to be how to cultivate your martial soul, but only how to better use your martial soul."

Tang San and Ning Rongrong nodded, deeply agreeing.

Oscar lowered his head, silent, clearly fed up with listening.

Next, Fulangde delivered another pompous speech, instructing the three as Support Type Soul Masters, and the most important thing, of course—running away.

Oscar's expression grew more miserable as he listened.

Tang San and Ning Rongrong were stunned by what they heard.

Fulangde made another argument, then said, "Therefore, today's lesson is Physical Training. Starting now, sprint around the entire Cunzi twenty times. You may use your martial soul for assistance, but if you don't finish before noon, you won't have to eat. Oscar, you lead."

"Yes!" Ning Rongrong shouted without hesitation and ran out.

Tang San glanced at Oscar and also ran out.

Oscar looked at the two with lingering resentment, helplessly followed them.

Fulangde's so‑called entire Cunzi, including the Gengdi, is at least three kilometers per lap, twenty laps… and must be completed before noon.

Looks like today we can only eat sausage again.