Chapter 221: What a Bustle!

Five days later, at a farm outside Suotuo City.

Looking at the dilapidated farm before them, Li Xuan and the others exchanged glances.

"Bai Shu, are you sure you didn't take the wrong place? This is the Shrek Academy?" Li Xuan asked Bai Chuan in disbelief.

After hearing Li Xuan's words, Bai Chuan glanced at the village ahead, also showing a puzzled expression, and then took out a map to examine it carefully.

"That's right, young master, it's here; the marked spot is exactly here, we haven't taken a wrong turn," Bai Chuan said, pointing at the map, his face full of doubt and disbelief.

"It should be here. I heard the Shrek Academy is a bit rundown, but I didn't expect it to be this old!" Zhu Zhuqing stuck her head out, glanced around, and said seriously to Li Xuan.

"Alright, let's get off and take a look," Li Xuan clapped his hands, then led the two people in the carriage to jump down from the carriage.

The group walked forward along the low wooden fence surrounding the village.

Soon they arrived at the village entrance.

At the village entrance stood a table, behind which sat a man in his sixties; a wooden archway at the entrance bore a slightly tattered plaque engraved with five simple characters: Shrek Academy.

In front of those five characters was a green portrait that looked like the head of a humanoid monster.

The elder behind the desk also wore a similar green circular badge on his chest, presumably the Shrek Academy emblem.

"Young master, that's a Soul Emperor," Bai Chuan whispered as he came to Li Xuan's side.

Li Xuan nodded; he was aware of the strength of several teachers at Shrek Academy, after all he had read many books.

And the elder before them, if Li Xuan guessed correctly, was the Dragon-Pattern Staff, Li Yusong.

Hearing footsteps nearby, Li Yusong slowly opened his eyes, and upon seeing Li Xuan and the others, a smile rose on his face.

Now the meals can be improved again.

"Ah, it's been a long time since anyone came here, long time no see, welcome to Shrek Academy," Li Yusong placed his foot down from the table, put on a smile, and stood to welcome Li Xuan and the others.

It's the off-season now; each person you can coax is a win. In peak season, Li Yusong could never change his expression.

"Hello, teacher, I wish to enroll," Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and said earnestly to Li Yusong.

Li Xuan looked at the neat Zhu Zhuqing, smiled and shook his head, then stepped back two paces to stand beside Bai Chuan.

"Oh? The two youngsters behind you, won't you apply for admission? Shrek Academy is renowned across the continent; it can surely help you break through your limits and become powerful soul masters," Li Yusong said earnestly to Li Xuan and Bangchui, his tone sincere as if not trying to coax anyone.

"Teacher Li, I'm just here to escort a friend this time; I've been busy lately and have no time for school," Li Xuan said, smiling and shaking his head to Li Yusong.

There's no need to force conflicts just to show off; avoiding trouble is better.

"What a pity, little girl, enrollment costs ten gold Soul Coins; just toss them into the box," Li Yusong pointed at the box on the table and said to Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded, then took ten gold Soul Coins from her Soul Guide Device and threw them into the box.

Li Yusong looked at Zhu Zhuqing with satisfaction and nodded.

"You understand the rule: twelve years old, level 29; if the conditions aren't met, no refund," Li Yusong said, relaxed as the Soul Coins entered the pouch.

Zhu Zhuqing nodded and extended her arm.

Li Yusong reached out, pinched Zhu Zhuqing's slender arm, and nodded.

"Bone age nine and a half, still a bit young," Li Yusong muttered, looking up at Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing remained silent, placed her hand on a crystal sphere on the table, and as soul power flowed into it, the sphere emitted a faint purple glow.

At the same time, Zhu Zhuqing's soul power circulated, and two yellow soul rings rose from beneath her feet, hovering behind her back.

"Two-Ring Great Soul Master, soul power level 22? That's a good talent! Welcome to the Shrek Academy family! Rest assured, we will do our utmost to nurture you," Li Yusong promised earnestly to Zhu Zhuqing.

Being able to recruit a student makes Li Yusong very happy!

"Thank you, teacher," Zhu Zhuqing performed a proper bow.

"Classmate, let me see your martial soul so I can register it," Li Yusong returned to the desk, took out an enrollment notice, and began recording Zhu Zhuqing's information.

"Meow!"

Zhu Zhuqing slowly circulated soul power, and purple soul energy gently emanated from her body, causing a pair of fluffy cat ears to appear on her head.

"Netherworld Spirit Cat? You're from the Star Luo Empire?" Li Yusong's eyes widened; he hadn't expected to meet someone from the Star Luo Empire here.

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, only nodded.

"Dai Mubai, take your junior sister to find Lao Zhao for the entrance exam," Li Yusong called behind him.

Moments later, a disheveled teenager with loose hair and rumpled clothes emerged from a nearby house, his face covered in red lipstick marks and his chest bearing scratch marks.

"Whoa, what are you doing!" Li Yusong hadn't expected Dai Mubai to be in this state.

"Teacher Li, when is this? How are people still coming to enroll... huh? Zhu Zhuqing? Why is it you? What are you doing here?" Dai Mubai said while stepping outside and fixing his clothes.

When he saw that it was Zhu Zhuqing who had come to enroll, he was completely stunned, his expression visibly panicked.

"Sorry! I'm dropping out of this school!" Zhu Zhuqing's face turned an instant iron gray; she flicked her hand and turned to leave.

"Zhuqing, Zhuqing, listen to my explanation, listen to my explanation!" Dai Mubai said while fixing his clothes, addressing Zhu Zhuqing.

Li Xuan and Bangchui stared dumbfounded at the disheveled Dai Mubai and the turning-away Zhu Zhuqing, their eyes filled with shock.

They hadn't expected to witness such a scene; Li Xuan and Bangchui both broke into bright smiles.

"Young master, you're back to your senses," Bai Chuan said helplessly to Li Xuan.

"Oh? Oh!" Li Xuan snapped back to his senses, a bit embarrassed, turning his head away from the two who had been chasing each other.

"Their relationship is such a mess," Bangchui scratched his head and said to Li Xuan.

Watching Zhu Zhuqing run away, Li Xuan also regained his composure; he had no interest in Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's affair, after all it wasn't his business.

"Teacher Li, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave," Li Xuan turned, bowed to Li Yusong, and said.

The bustle was gone; staying here held no meaning for Li Xuan, so he thought of leaving.

Zhu Zhuqing was very beautiful, but she still had a marriage contract with Dai Mubai; Li Xuan was young, so he had no other thoughts, focusing on cultivation and territory. "All three, take care!" Li Yusong saw that Li Xuan truly had no intention to enroll, so he didn't try to retain him, and nodded, saying.

Li Yusong couldn't discern Li Xuan and Bai Chuan's cultivation, so he just said, "Then give me a strong idea."

Li Xuan nodded, then led Bangchui back into the carriage, waved, signaling Bai Chuan to drive away.

Bai Chuan looked at Li Xuan, smiled and nodded, then cracked his whip, preparing to leave.

We hadn't gone far before we saw Dai Mubai blocking Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes full of panic, apparently still very concerned about her.

"Zhu Zhuqing, Zhu Zhuqing, listen to my explanation! It's really not the way you think!" Dai Mubai stood in front of Zhu Zhuqing, his face anxious as he explained to her.

"Before you say that, wipe the lipstick off your face, and don't block me!" Zhu Zhuqing snorted at Dai Mubai, then shifted her body, missed him, and sprinted away at high speed.

Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and gave chase.

The two chased each other, and after a short while they vanished from sight.

Li Xuan and Bang Chui piled together, perched on the window to watch the spectacle with relish; Li Xuan even took out a bag of popcorn. When the two left, the excitement would end, so Li Xuan and Bang Chui returned to the carriage.

Soon, Bai Chuan drove the carriage away from the village near Shrek Academy and entered a wilderness.

But at that moment, Bai Chuan slowly halted the carriage.

"That Zhu Family girl, get off the carriage; it's not comfortable up there," Bai Chuan's voice drifted out.

"Bang!"

A purple figure leapt from the carriage roof and slipped straight into the carriage.

"Zhu Zhuqing? Why are you here?" Li Xuan looked at her with a puzzled expression.

After entering the carriage, Zhu Zhuqing curled up in a corner, keeping her head down and saying nothing, giving no response to Li Xuan's question.

Bang Chui sensed Zhu Zhuqing's emotional shift, extended a hand, and a green soul power flowed into her body to prevent her from becoming too sad, then edged closer to Li Xuan, somewhat fearful of Zhu Zhuqing in this state.

Bai Chuan shouted from outside, then brandished the whip and drove the carriage onward.

Li Xuan, seeing Zhu Zhuqing in this condition, was momentarily bewildered!

This isn't even a required question! I don't know how!

So Li Xuan could only huddle with Bang Chui in the corner.

Hiding…

……

As the sunset fell, Bai Chuan found a spot in the wilderness, stopped, and began setting up a tent.

Meanwhile, Li Xuan and Bang Chui built a campfire and prepared dinner.

Zhu Zhuqing still curled up in the carriage, silent.

"Bai Shu, what should we do?" Li Xuan asked Bai Chuan with a helpless expression.

"Young master, take this and ask her what's going on," Bai Chuan picked up a skewer of meat, thrust it into Li Xuan's hand, and pointed at the carriage.

"Will that work?" Li Xuan raised an eyebrow, looking at Bai Chuan in surprise.

"Just go," Bai Chuan said irritably, while draping an arm over Bang Chui's shoulder, leaving Li Xuan to go into the carriage alone.

Li Xuan, unsure what to say, returned to the carriage with the skewer.

"Bai Shu, do you think my brother would be suitable? Sister Zhu is quite nice, and would make a good sister-in-law," Bang Chui asked Bai Chuan, furrowing his brow confidently.

"Zhu Zhuqing's character is pretty good, it's just that her affairs are a bit messy, but it's not a big problem; our Ladi Canyon isn't weak either…" Bai Chuan frowned, shaking his head slightly.

Bai Chuan had previously lived in the Star Luo Empire, so he also knew the relationship between the Star Luo Royal Family and the Netherworld Spirit Cat Zhu Family.

When Bai Chuan saw Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing, he understood what the situation really was.

However, Bai Chuan believed his family's young master had far more potential than that Dai Mubai, and was much stronger! After Li Xuan returned to the carriage, he placed the skewer in front of Zhu Zhuqing.

"Hmm, crying might help a bit," Li Xuan said gently to Zhu Zhuqing.

Hearing Li Xuan's words, Zhu Zhuqing began to sob softly.

"You should know about me and Dai Mubai, right?" Zhu Zhuqing's hoarse voice drifted over.

"I know. It's not your fault; Dai Mubai's conduct was indeed a bit lacking," Li Xuan nodded, openly admitting.

"For the sake of the family, for my parents, I can accept him, but… how could he do this!" Zhu Zhuqing sobbed while speaking to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan was momentarily at a loss on how to counsel Zhu Zhuqing.

As a lady of a prominent clan, love and marriage could hardly be smooth; for the family's benefit and her parents' gratitude, Zhu Zhuqing could only accept the playboy Dai Mubai.

Having just prepared herself mentally, Zhu Zhuqing collapsed at the sight of Dai Mubai; no one could accept her fiancé emerging from the room with lipstick marks and disheveled clothes.

Li Xuan gently patted Zhu Zhuqing's back with one hand while holding the skewer with the other.

Zhu Zhuqing narrated and sobbed until midnight, then collapsed from exhaustion, eventually ending up in Li Xuan's arms.

"Sigh, such a hard fate," Li Xuan sighed helplessly, then placed Zhu Zhuqing on the carriage's cushion and covered her with a small blanket.

Li Xuan stepped out of the carriage.

"Young master, you're hungry, have some," Bai Chuan smiled at Li Xuan, nodded, and handed over a few skewers.

It looks like they were just heated.

"Thank you, Bai Shu. Rest early, I'll keep watch first," Li Xuan said to Bai Chuan with a smile, then sat by the campfire and began eating.

Bai Chuan shook his head at Li Xuan, then returned to the tent to rest.

Matters of romance are something a teacher can't teach; everything should just go with the flow.

(End of Chapter)