Morning.
The sky was slightly overcast, and a heavy mist lingered in the air, damp and cold.
At the gates of Shrek Academy, more than a dozen figures were gathered.
Each wore the academy's uniform. Most were fourteen or fifteen years old, students of the Outer Court's third and fourth years.
It wasn't that their families lacked the strength to help them hunt soul beasts, but Shrek Academy's credibility made its students feel far more secure. Every winter break, many would line up for this rare opportunity—to obtain their soul rings under the leadership of senior students from the Inner Court.
"Senior Sister Xiao Tao… are you sure Senior Neuvillette will be leading this group?"
At the head of the crowd, a lanky seventeen- or eighteen-year-old Inner Court student asked cautiously, his gaze darting nervously to the fiery figure beside him.
"He will. He's never gone back on his word. And besides—" Ma Xiaotao's voice was cool and crisp, "—it's not even time yet."
She stood in her crimson Inner Court uniform, her full, striking figure like a ripe peach that drew every eye. Even so, her beautiful gaze flicked, almost unconsciously, toward the academy gates.
The mist lay heavy, reducing visibility to less than a hundred meters. The entire academy seemed swallowed in a hazy white veil.
"I wasn't questioning Senior Neuvillette's character," the tall youth said with a bitter smile. "It's just… I heard that this time, he personally went to invite Elder Xuan to accompany the team. But in the end, Elder Xuan is the one who showed up… If Senior Neuvillette isn't here to keep things under control—"
"Enough, Wang Lang." Ma Xiaotao's narrow eyes glimmered as her red lips curved into a faint smile. "For all you know, Elder Xuan is already here."
Elder Xuan's unreliability was no secret.
Years ago, he had led one of the academy's most promising Inner Court groups into the wilderness, only to vanish midway and leave the unseasoned students to fend for themselves against a hundred-thousand-year soul beast.
Without the timely aid of Senior Neuvillette and Senior Sister, the team would likely have faced total annihilation.
Thus, over the years, whenever Elder Xuan took charge of a team, issues—whether minor or major—were almost inevitable.
But with time, the Inner Court students had discovered the one solution: have Senior Neuvillette accompany him.
The difference was night and day. With Neuvillette present, he was like the academy's stabilizing pillar—an unshakable mountain in human form.
Even Elder Xuan, usually unpredictable and whimsical, would become almost… reliable.
Two words summed it up: trustworthy.
"Ugh…" Wang Lang shrank back. Senior Neuvillette could speak bluntly to Elder Xuan, but that didn't mean he dared to.
A Rank 98 Super Douluo could toss him into the sky for an "extreme bungee jump" or trip him up on a whim. That was not something his small frame could survive.
The assembled group consisted of both boys and girls—fourteen people in total, including two Inner Court seniors and one teacher.
At the mention of Neuvillette's name, many eyes lit up with anticipation.
Though his name had long been legendary in the Inner Court, his role as an Outer Court teacher—stirring up storms with his every move—had made him known to everyone.
Coupled with his near otherworldly looks, terrifying strength, and the shocking feats whispered about within the Inner Court, he had amassed a legion of admirers.
Among the students, a tall, slender girl stirred.
Ning Tian listened quietly to the seniors' conversation, admiration flickering in her eyes. She rose onto her toes, straining to see through the mist toward the academy gates. Her neat white socks pressed snugly against her shoes, her foot arch forming a graceful curve as the straps drew taut.
"Less than a minute, Young Master…"
Wufeng raised her wrist and stared intently at her watch. The ruby-red gleam of her eyes betrayed both tension and excitement.
Neuvillette's presence had always suffocated her with pressure. As her "rival in love," she had no chance of winning against him.
But if, by fate, Neuvillette failed to show up today, this would be her chance!
Her heart pounded wildly as the second hand ticked closer to its final mark.
Then—
The mist stirred.
A tall, elegant figure emerged, parting the fog with his presence alone.
Behind him, two smaller figures followed closely.
Wang Dong'er was still dressed in her boyish disguise. After a day's rest and some comfort from Huo Yutong, she looked much better.
As for Huo Yutong herself, she stood gracefully behind Neuvillette, dressed in a pale blue gown, her face free of makeup yet glowing with a radiant smile.
"Where's Elder Xuan?" Ma Xiaotao's frosty expression softened into warmth at the sight of Neuvillette. Her long legs carried her toward him without hesitation.
"Behind me," Neuvillette said lightly.
And sure enough, the mist parted once more. Out shuffled Elder Xuan, greasy chicken leg in hand, his shabby appearance in stark contrast to his lofty status. He showed no sign of speaking, leaving all authority in Neuvillette's hands.
"Alright. Is everyone ready?"
Neuvillette's calm gaze swept across the group. In an instant, the noisy crowd fell silent. Eyes filled with excitement, reverence, and admiration turned to him.
"Everything's set. We were only waiting for you." Ma Xiaotao stepped in smoothly.
This mission was her academy assignment—but with Neuvillette's towering strength at her side, it was destined to go far more smoothly.
"Good. Then let me introduce myself."
Neuvillette's voice was steady, without a ripple.
"I am Neuvillette. Eight-ring Soul Douluo, Martial Soul: Water Dragon. I will be leading you to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain your soul rings."
"Most of you are from the third and fourth years. Discipline is not something I need to remind you of."
His calm declaration sent waves through the gathered students.
"Eight-ring Soul Douluo? But… isn't he only seventeen? No wonder the Inner Court calls him a monster…"
"Monster is putting it lightly. My elder sister, the pride of our family, always mentions him with admiration. She's rejected countless proposals from princes and nobles alike… and yet still admires only him."
"Hah, as if you ever had a chance. Once word spreads that he's reached Soul Douluo, we're all done for."
"You were done for from the start."
These were no ordinary students. Most came from powerful backgrounds and had seen plenty of talent before.
But the more they had seen, the more clearly they understood how terrifying Neuvillette's talent was.
Ning Tian covered her lips in astonishment, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
As the heir of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she knew better than anyone: this level of power was not just rare for Shrek Academy—it was unmatched across the entire continent.
Except for those few seniors who had ascended to the God Realm ten thousand years ago, there was no equal.
Her heart quickened. She admired him more than ever.
Wufeng, on the other hand, nearly buried her face in her hands.
It was over. Completely over.
Who needed boys, anyway? Wouldn't it be better to just stick with girls—soft, fragrant, and close?
(End of Chapter)