Chapter 80: A Different Little Witch (Part 3)

Hello! I'm back now! Sorry for not having uploaded a chapter in a while, I've been sick and have only started feeling better a bit ago, so my body is still in recovery mode, chapter updates will be one every two days until monday and back to daily after that. Sorry again.

Before long, Chu Chengzhou's storage soul tool contained an additional 300 pounds of crude Lan Yun Copper ingots.

After leaving the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Chamber of Commerce, the night was still young. Xiao Wu was still in the mood for shopping and planned to continue.

Suddenly, Ning Rongrong paused and said, "I forgot to instruct Manager Wang about something. Wait for me a moment~"

Without waiting for a response from Chu Chengzhou and the others, Ning Rongrong quickly ran back to the Chamber of Commerce.

The three: "???"

Inside the main hall of the Chamber of Commerce, Manager Wang Fugui, who had just seen the young lady off, was secretly relieved when he suddenly saw Ning Rongrong hurrying back again.

His heart tightened immediately, and he quickly stepped forward to greet her.

"Young Miss!"

"Manager Wang, I have something for you to do!" Ning Rongrong said directly.

"Please instruct me, Young Miss."

There happened to be no customers in the hall at the moment. Wang Fugui dismissed the nearby staff and took on a listening posture.

Although he was the head of the Soto City branch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Chamber of Commerce and not a mere errand-runner, he couldn't refuse a direct request from the young lady.

"Send someone to investigate my senior Chu Chengzhou and a senior sister named Xiao Wu. Be thorough, especially regarding their ages.

Oh, and they seem to have come from Notting City under the jurisdiction of Fasno Province."

Ning Rongrong whispered to Wang Fugui.

"Yes, Young Miss!"

Without hesitation, Wang Fugui agreed.

"Alright, that's all. I'll be leaving now."

With a wave of her hand, Ning Rongrong left the Chamber of Commerce.

Although she hadn't interacted much with Chu Chengzhou, she was quite curious about him and even suspicious of his reported age.

In just five months, he had advanced from a Rank 29 Spirit Grandmaster to a Rank 34 Spirit Elder. Given his displayed talent, unless he had refined a spirit bone to enhance his spirit power, this kind of growth was highly abnormal.

Moreover, Chu Chengzhou was not only invincible among his peers but could also challenge opponents a whole level above him. With such a powerful True Spirit Banner Martial Soul and overwhelming combat strength at his level, how could his cultivation talent be inferior to hers?

After all, throughout the vast history of the continent, soul masters who could battle across ranks were all considered top-tier geniuses.

Additionally, during a casual chat with Xiao Wu last night, she learned that Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu had joined Shrek Academy midway last year and were even admitted without an entrance exam.

Ning Rongrong knew Shrek Academy's admission standards well—students had to be 12 years old, have a spirit power of at least Rank 20, and pass multiple rigorous tests.

With Chu Chengzhou's supposed talent—16 years old and Rank 29 just five months ago—he would have been on par with a 12-year-old Rank 21 Grandmaster. Compared to the other students at the academy, his talent seemed quite average. Even Flender, the hawk-nosed, shoehorn-faced headmaster, shouldn't have had any reason to grant him a direct exemption from the exams.

Another thing: soul masters' bodies matured faster than ordinary people's. Yet, her own best friend Xiao Wu, now 17, had only recently had her first period, which was rather unusual.

Ning Rongrong couldn't help but suspect that the two had falsified their ages.

Of course, she had no ill intentions.

If the investigation showed that everything was normal, she would simply invite them to join the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, but she wouldn't push too hard. Maintaining their friendship and sisterly bond would suffice.

However, if the investigation revealed that their talent was monstrously high—so much so that they had to lie about their age—then as the young miss of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she would spare no expense to recruit them.

Soul masters from powerful sects knew better than anyone the value of genius soul masters.

And for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, whose core members were all support-type soul masters, the desire for talented combat soul masters was even greater than that of other major factions.

After all, talented soul masters represented the future and were the greatest guarantee of a sect's continued prosperity.

One week later.

In the morning, inside the dining hall, aside from Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun, who had spent the night out and hadn't returned, Chu Chengzhou and the others were eating breakfast.

Shrek Academy's teaching atmosphere was undeniably lax.

After introducing Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing to the academy's teachers and conducting only three days of lessons, the academy had returned to its usual state—barely holding two classes a week.

With no classes to attend, Dai Mubai, who fancied himself a romantic playboy, and Ma Hongjun, known for his infatuation with brothels, naturally skipped breakfast.

If not for the fact that they still returned to the academy occasionally, Chu Chengzhou might have suspected they were being held hostage at some underground club, working off their debts as male escorts.

Well, Dai Mubai had the looks—his business might be thriving.

As for Ma Hongjun... tsk... maybe some wealthy and lonely noblewoman had a particular taste?

"Oscar, did you find money on the ground?"

While eating, Xiao Wu curiously asked Oscar, who was looking exceptionally pleased, as if he had received some great fortune.

Anyone with working eyes could see that Oscar was practically glowing with excitement.

"Xiao Wu, don't you notice? Oscar has broken through Rank 30. That's way better than finding money."

Chu Chengzhou chuckled.

If he recalled correctly, in the original story, Oscar had also reached this breakthrough around this time, though now it was a few days later.

Hmm, maybe too many nights at the club had delayed his cultivation?

"Haha, Boss Chu, sharp eyes! That's right, my spirit power has reached Rank 30!"

Oscar straightened his back proudly.

Immediately, Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, who were also eating breakfast, looked at Oscar in surprise.

Reaching Rank 30 meant that he only needed a third spirit ring to become a Spirit Elder.

Fourteen-year-old Spirit Elders weren't unheard of, but for a food-type soul master? That was a different story.

Neither Ning Rongrong, who hailed from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, nor Zhu Zhuqing, a scion of the Star Luo Empire's Netherworld Cat Clan, had ever heard of a food-type soul master advancing to Rank 30 at 14 years old.

"A fourteen-year-old food-type Spirit Elder? Now that's impressive! Oscar, among food-type soul masters, I, Chu Chengzhou, declare you the strongest!"

Chu Chengzhou gave a thumbs-up.

"Haha~ Boss Chu, keep it down, keep it down!"

Oscar beamed, obviously enjoying the praise.

"Alright, I propose we toast the future Sausage Douluo—with porridge!"

Chu Chengzhou raised his bowl of steaming meat porridge.

'Sausage Douluo?'

Xiao Wu and the others exchanged strange smiles before raising their own bowls. "Cheers!"

"Boss Chu, can we change the title? 'Sausage' sounds a bit... off."

Hearing the bizarre title, Oscar looked aggrieved.

"Oscar, wake up. A few meat buns, and you're already thinking about a title?"

Chu Chengzhou rolled his eyes.

Dude, you're not even a Spirit Elder yet, and you're already thinking about your future title?

But Oscar's talent was undeniable. A food-type soul master with innate full spirit power had never been recorded in history.

Oscar: "."

Approaching noon, Dai Mubai and a slightly weakened Ma Hongjun returned to the academy.

Noon, Academy Cafeteria.

After lunch, seeing that all the Shrek students were present, Flender scanned the room, then looked at Oscar with a gaze full of approval and said,"Oscar, you are the fourth student in the academy to reach level 30 soul power. On behalf of the academy, congratulations!"

Flender then retracted his approving gaze and continued addressing everyone,"In light of Oscar's breakthrough to level 30, we will begin our next lesson.

Today, you should rest well. Tomorrow morning, we will depart, led by Teacher Zhao Wuji, to the Star Dou Forest to help Oscar obtain his third soul ring.

Oscar is your companion, and adding a soul ring is not just his business—it is also a trial for all of you.

Before encountering soul beasts far beyond your strength, Teacher Zhao will not intervene easily. You must rely on yourselves. Understood?"

"Understood!"Everyone responded in unison.

"Alright, go do whatever you need to."Waving his hand, Flender left the cafeteria.

After Flender left, Oscar turned to Chu Chengzhou."Boss Chu, you always have good ideas. Tomorrow, we're heading to the Star Dou Forest. What kind of soul ring do you think I should get to maximize the support effect of my Sausage Martial Soul?"

To Oscar, Chu Chengzhou had proven his wisdom before—his advice to practice soul power control had solved the embarrassing incantation problem when making sausages. Now, he was likely to have another good suggestion.

"Soul beasts come in countless varieties, and there are plenty of suitable soul rings for you. We'll see what we encounter when the time comes.

But if possible, your third sausage should either enhance all attributes or grant the ability to fly.

Food-type soul skills that boost attributes can stack with other attribute-enhancing soul skills.

As for flight, you already know that before reaching the Title Douluo level—where soul masters can fly freely—flying soul masters hold a huge advantage over ordinary ones."

Chu Chengzhou thought for a moment and then advised.

Oscar had no cheats. Unless he participated in a godly trial in the future, he wouldn't be able to improve his soul ring years. Before obtaining high-year soul rings, many advanced tactics were simply not possible.

Otherwise, even if a soul ring granted certain powerful effects, the effectiveness would be greatly diminished due to its low age.

For example:

Clone Sausage (creates clones),Training Sausage (boosts cultivation speed),Mirror Sausage (copies others' martial souls),Resurrection Sausage (reverses life and death),Fusion Sausage (enables martial soul fusion skills), etc.

"All-attribute enhancement or flight?"Oscar pondered. That seemed like a good suggestion.

The Next Morning, Training Grounds.

After breakfast, the students gathered on the field. Zhao Wuji was already waiting.

Looking at Zhao Wuji—short but muscular, built like a tank—Chu Chengzhou thought, He should really thank me.

After all, if Chu Chengzhou hadn't driven Tang Hao and Tang San out of Saint Soul Village years ago, causing Tang San not to enroll in Shrek Academy, then—according to the original story—on the night of the academy entrance exams, Zhao Wuji would have been beaten up by Tang Hao.

Skipping a brutal beating? He ought to be grateful.

"Since everyone's here, let's go! Mubai, lead the way!"Seeing the group assembled, Zhao Wuji waved his hand, habitually appointing Dai Mubai to lead.

Dai Mubai nodded, glanced at Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu—both clearly hostile toward him—and at Zhu Zhuqing, who looked indifferent, as if he were a stranger, then said,"The Star Dou Forest is extremely dangerous, filled with many powerful and aggressive soul beasts that dislike humans.

Xiao Wu, you're the strongest, so you take the front.Oscar, Ning Rongrong, stay behind her.Fatty, Zhu Zhuqing, cover the sides.Chu Chengzhou and I will take the rear."

As he spoke, Dai Mubai trailed off.

Because at that moment, Chu Chengzhou summoned his True Spirit Banner martial soul. His second and third soul rings glowed, and suddenly, the Bright Lion Spirit Summon Xiaobai and the Fire Phoenix Spirit Summon Xiaohong materialized.

'I just asked you to lead the way—why are you rambling so much?'Of course, Chu Chengzhou didn't say this out loud; he merely gave Dai Mubai a look of disdain.

Jumping onto the Fire Phoenix's back, he turned to the others,"Xiao Wu, you three ride Xiaobai. Fatty, Xiao Ao, you're with me. We'll follow Dai Mubai's formation once we reach the forest."

Xiaobai, over three meters long (not counting its tail), had more than enough space for three people—especially since Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were all petite.

Meanwhile, Xiaohong, with a wingspan of 1.5 meters, had a broad back, easily accommodating Chu Chengzhou, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar.

Of course, using spirit summons as mounts was only for travel. Once inside the Star Dou Forest, that wouldn't be wise—quick reflexes were crucial in emergencies.

"Dai Mubai, why are you still standing there? Didn't Teacher Zhao tell you to lead the way?"Chu Chengzhou frowned at Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai: "..."Zhao Wuji: "..."

Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong quietly spoke to Xiao Wu."Xiao Wu, your brother is so mean~"

Xiao Wu chuckled but said nothing.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward, but Zhao Wuji chose not to intervene in the students' minor conflicts. He simply whistled as he walked ahead.

Dai Mubai's face darkened. He stood in silence for three seconds before snorting coldly and running towards the academy gates.

At Shrek Academy, A Visitor Arrives.

Shortly after Chu Chengzhou's group left for the Star Dou Forest, a portly middle-aged man arrived at the academy.

"I'm Flender. Who are you?"Spotting the stranger, Flender immediately appeared, eyeing the man warily.

"Greetings, Dean Flender. I am Wang Fugui, the manager of the Seven Treasure Business Association in this city. I wish to see my young lady."

Wang Fugui asked respectfully.

As a businessman dealing with major powers, Wang Fugui knew the local figures well. He understood that despite its run-down appearance, Shrek Academy was run by Flender, a Seven-Ring Soul Sage—far stronger than his own Six-Ring Soul Emperor self.

"Ning Rongrong? You're a bit late—she's gone hunting for a soul ring with the other students."

Adjusting his glasses, Flender replied.

"The young lady went soul hunting? Then I won't disturb you. Dean Flender, please inform her that I came by once she returns."

"Got it."Flender nodded.

With that, Wang Fugui departed.

His reason for visiting was to report the findings on Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu.

Back to Chu Chengzhou's Group.

Riding their summoned beasts, they traveled quickly. Or rather, Dai Mubai ran quickly—before nightfall, they reached the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest and stopped at Soul Hunting Town.

Though it was still early, traveling into the forest at night was unwise, so they decided to rest in town.

As they explored the town, Ning Rongrong complained to Zhu Zhuqing."Zhuqing, I was almost squashed by you earlier!"

In the flight, Ning Rongrong had been sandwiched between Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu. Unlike Chu Chengzhou, who would have enjoyed such a situation, Ning Rongrong had no such preferences.

"Rongrong, shut up!"Zhu Zhuqing blushed and glared at her.

"Tsk~ Zhuqing, I wonder who your big treasures will end up benefiting in the future—mmph!"Ning Rongrong glanced at her own chest, then at Zhu Zhuqing's, looking envious.

Before she could finish, Zhu Zhuqing covered her mouth, silencing her.