Chapter 63: Xiao Wu Is Touched Again

Chapter 63: Xiao Wu Is Touched Again

The next day, during breakfast, Zhao Ming shared his plan with Bi Ji. Always finding herself bored, Bi Ji was overjoyed by the idea. After all, once Zhao Ming entered a higher-level Soul Master Academy, he wouldn't have as much freedom as he did in the elementary academy. Having something to occupy her time would prevent boredom, and Zhao Ming's task wasn't anything too violent—it even piqued her interest. Yan Lingji was also eager to stay in Soto City to help Bi Ji pick a shop location.

Now that Yan Lingji's life force had reached one hundred, she could act independently.

Though she still needed to "borrow" Zhao Ming's soul power in battle, she could now maintain her life by eating normally. Previously, as a puppet, just keeping her active required Zhao Ming's soul power, which sustained her life functions like a coma patient on life support. But now, she no longer had to worry about that.

Moreover, even if Yan Lingji was a thousand miles away, Zhao Ming could summon her instantly through his soul ring.

After breakfast, Zhao Ming and Xiao Wu set off.

As for Shrek Academy, Zhao Ming didn't think it was particularly prestigious. To be honest, there wasn't much the academy could teach him at this point.

Besides completing his system mission, the only people he cared about in Shrek were Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai, and Ning Rongrong. Others, like Oscar and Ma Hongjun, were of no use to him.

And then there was Tang San, of course.

According to Yu Xiaogang's plans, Tang San would probably still head to Shrek. And with both Yu Xiaogang and Tang San leaving Nuoding Academy, it was possible they'd arrive at Shrek together. It would be the perfect opportunity to settle things with them.

Leaving Soto City, they continued south along the road. Vast fields of farmland stretched out on both sides, living up to Soto City's reputation as the grain capital of the Balak Kingdom.

But aside from the farmland, no buildings resembling an academy were in sight.

"Zhao Ming, where's Shrek Academy? It feels so remote here," Xiao Wu asked, wiping the sweat from her forehead in confusion.

"I'm not entirely sure either, but let's keep heading south. Yesterday, that Dai Mubai was from Shrek Academy, so it shouldn't be too far from here."

"But why are we going to an academy no one's ever heard of?" Xiao Wu asked, still puzzled.

"Because I want to protect you." Zhao Ming pinched her cheek affectionately. "With our strength, there's no need for a mid-level Soul Master Academy. We need to aim for a high-level academy."

"But all the famous academies are in big cities. Places with powerful Soul Masters, even Titled Douluos, are common. If you go there, you might expose your identity as a soul beast. So I looked through all the high-level academies on the continent and found Shrek. It's hidden and low-profile, but still offers useful training." Zhao Ming smiled.

His casual words moved Xiao Wu deeply.

Ever since she started following Zhao Ming, she hadn't worried about such things. And with her carefree personality, she hadn't considered these complexities.

It never occurred to her that Zhao Ming had chosen Shrek Academy for her sake.

Her heart filled with a mixture of warmth and guilt. She felt grateful that Zhao Ming cared so much for her, even considering her safety when selecting an academy.

But at the same time, she was upset, feeling that because of her, Zhao Ming couldn't choose a better academy. With his talent and strength, he could have excelled anywhere, but now…

"Why are you crying?" Zhao Ming gently wiped away the tears from Xiao Wu's eyes.

"I'm just happy," Xiao Wu said softly. "Zhao Ming, I suddenly feel like I've been so selfish."

"Why?"

"When you're with Yan Lingji and Bi Ji, I get so jealous. Even though I say I don't mind, deep down, I wish I could be the only one in your arms. You're so good, you shouldn't belong to just me…"

"Don't overthink it," Zhao Ming said, gently stroking her soft hair and pulling her into his arms. "For you, I'd give up my life—what's all this in comparison?"

"Me too," Xiao Wu murmured, snuggling closer into Zhao Ming's embrace.

"Oh, by the way, last night, I spent a long time picking out a gift for you. I wanted to give it to you when we got back, but Bi Ji and the others were there, so I didn't take it out." Zhao Ming smiled, pulling a small, delicate box from his pocket. It was tied with colorful ribbons, clearly showing the effort he'd put into it.

"Open it and see if you like it."

"Okay," Xiao Wu nodded, opening the gift box.

Instantly, the crystal necklace inside shimmered beautifully under the sunlight.

Xiao Wu took one look and fell in love with the necklace.

"Let me put it on for you," Zhao Ming said with a smile.

"Mm." Xiao Wu nodded, her eyes soft with affection as she lifted her neck for him. The crystal necklace rested against her fair skin, making it appear even more radiant.

"Xiao Wu, you're beautiful."

"Whether I'm beautiful or not, I only belong to you," Xiao Wu whispered, her eyes dreamy as she gazed up at Zhao Ming, rising on her tiptoes to kiss him.

The two walked along, wrapped up in each other, and finally arrived at Shrek Academy.

It was more like a small village, with only a few hundred households.

A crowd of people, mostly twelve- or thirteen-year-old boys and girls accompanied by their parents, had gathered at the village entrance. In the center of the crowd was a table, behind which sat an old man of about sixty.

Above the village gate hung a shabby sign that read "Shrek Academy." Before those words was a green figure that looked like some kind of humanoid monster's head. The old man at the desk wore a similar green badge on his chest—Shrek Academy's emblem.

Seeing the rundown state of the academy, Xiao Wu felt a bit guilty. She could tell that Zhao Ming wasn't bothered by it, but she couldn't help feeling bad.

"Sign in," Zhao Ming muttered as he stood under the academy's sign.

"Ding, sign-in successful."

"Ding, mission reward: Medusa Queen granted."

"Ding, puppet soul ring binding initiated."

Moments later, Zhao Ming's soul power surged wildly.

The surrounding spiritual energy of heaven and earth rushed toward him like a tidal wave.

---

𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼:

• 𝘽𝙤𝙜𝙙𝙖𝙣 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪

• 𝙅𝙘𝟭𝟮𝟬𝟮

• 𝘼𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙝

• 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗼𝗲𝗲

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟴𝟱+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!

👉 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬: 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧