The east gate of Shrek City was the main entrance to Shrek Academy—and during enrollment season, it was a madhouse.
Parents and guardians packed the plaza, escorting hopeful children to the academy's entrance exam. Returning students also jostled through, rushing to make it back before the term began. But in this chaos, only a fraction of the newcomers would actually earn a place in the academy. Still, from across the former Douluo Three Nations, people kept coming.
Stationed at the gate were upperclassmen—those who had reached Soul Venerable level and met the academy's requirements for advancement. They handled registration and assessments while keeping an eye on the returning students streaming in.
And many returnees were cutting it close. With only two days left before the new term began—and the advancement assessments starting right after—anyone unprepared risked being sent home, just like new applicants who failed.
"Move! Make way!"
A figure weaved swiftly through the crowd, dodging bodies with ease. "Sorry! Sorry! I'm in a hurry!" the boy called out as he ran.
It was Wang Dong.
"I'm late, late, late. Since Yuhao joined the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, he must be back already. Just wait until he sees I made it to Soul Master—I'll surprise him for sure!"
"Hey! Wang Dong!"
A deep voice cut through the noise, making him stop short. His eyes searched, then landed on a familiar figure in dark clothing nearby.
"Senior Xu!"
He darted over, grinning with excitement—until he noticed what Xu Sanshi was doing.
"What are you doing here?"
"Waiting for Nan Nan to get off duty, of course," Xu Sanshi said proudly, puffing out his chest.
Wang Dong gave him a look and glanced toward Jiang Nannan, busy directing some of the incoming students.
Of course. Xu Sanshi wouldn't be on gate duty if it weren't for her.
"Anyway," Wang Dong said, shaking his head, "how long have you been here, Senior Xu?"
"Half the break, give or take," Xu replied.
"Then… have you seen Yuhao?"
Xu thought for a second, then shrugged. "Nope. Not him or anyone from the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect."
He eyed Wang Dong curiously. "Wait, you didn't hear?"
"Hear what?"
Xu leaned in. "Apparently, the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect got their hands on an immortal herb—Qiluo Tulip. It let Ning Tian's martial soul evolve into the Nine Treasures Glazed Tower."
Wang Dong blinked. "You mean the tower from Ning Rongrong's bloodline?"
"Exactly."
"Whoa… Sister Xiaotian's luck is ridiculous."
Still, Wang Dong didn't linger on that. He was more interested in one person.
"But… nothing on Yuhao?"
Xu raised a brow. "You sure your focus is in the right place?"
Before Wang Dong could reply, two soul-powered carriages rolled up through the crowd. Xu's sharp eyes spotted the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect emblem.
"Hey—look over there!"
But Wang Dong was already gone. His wings of light flared out, and in a blur of energy, he shot toward the carriages.
Xu stood frozen. "Was that really necessary?" he muttered. "Like he hasn't seen the guy in years… ugh. Two guys acting like—nope. Not going there."
The carriages stopped, and five figures stepped out. It was Chen Junting and his group.
"Yuhao!"
Huo Yuhao blinked, startled by the familiar voice. He turned just in time to see Wang Dong flying in fast.
"Wang Dong?"
The others—Chen Junting, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Xiao Xiao—watched with varying degrees of amusement. Chen Junting and Ning Tian, who knew what was coming, shared a smirk.
Wang Dong landed and dismissed his martial spirit. He approached, trying to act composed but clearly excited.
"Huo Yuhao! This young master didn't slack off during the break. I broke through to Soul Master! Surprised?"
Yuhao scratched his head. "Huh? You too?"
Then he frowned playfully. "Wait, Wang Dong, you working hard over break? That doesn't sound like you."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"
Wang Dong looked around, flustered, as if Yuhao had embarrassed him in front of everyone. "You calling me lazy or something?"
Then it hit him.
"You said 'too'—wait, you broke through as well?!"
The look on Yuhao's face confirmed it. Wang Dong's jaw dropped.
He grabbed Yuhao by the collar. "You didn't take one of those immortal herbs, did you? Like Ning Tian?"
Though he lowered his voice, it wasn't quiet enough to escape Chen Junting's notice.
His expression darkened.
If Wang Dong knew about the immortal grass… would that knowledge reach Tang San?
His pulse quickened. Tang San might learn about the Yin-Yang Eyes of Ice and Fire through this connection.
That couldn't be allowed.
Without delay, Chen Junting reached into his spiritual sea and called out mentally.
"Electrolux!"
The old man's voice echoed calmly. "What's the rush? Is the sky falling?"
"It might as well be," Chen Junting muttered, uneasy. "If I want to keep this from spiraling, I'll need your help."
"Alright," Electrolux said, amused. "What's the problem?"
"If I seal part of someone's memory… can I do it in a way even a god wouldn't notice?"
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(End of chapter)
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