Xiaowu just wanted to escape now, the farther away from here the better.
This place made her feel uneasy.
But how could Tangshan agree?
Not only did he want to stay, but he also wanted to keep a close eye on that man, and even teach him a lesson.
Although Xiaowu refused to say, he was certain something had happened.
That phrase, 'how you choose is up to you,' was like a thorn in his heart, bringing him a sense of crisis.
He softened his tone and earnestly promised Xiaowu, "Don't worry, with me here, I will protect you."
Xiaowu only managed a faint smile in return.
Protection? If he's truly a Titled Douluo, how can you protect me?
On their way back, they saw Zhu Zhuqing again.
She was stopping another girl and saying something.
At this moment, Zhu Zhuqing was talking to Ning Rongrong.
"Your name is Ning Rongrong, right? I have something I want to tell you."
Ning Rongrong had run away from home, wandering aimlessly.
Today, she accidentally heard about an Academy that only accepted 'monsters,' and on a whim, she wanted to see if she counted as one.
Just as she lined up, she was stopped by a black-clad girl with an incredibly stunning figure.
She pointed at herself in surprise, "You know me?"
She couldn't help but mutter inwardly, 'Am I that famous? Even in such a remote place, someone recognizes me?'
Zhu Zhuqing was a little nervous, glancing at the Shrek Academy teacher who was currently recruiting.
Seeing that he wasn't paying attention, she lowered her voice and said, "Can you come with me? Just across the way, it's not far, just a few words."
Ning Rongrong only found this girl inexplicable. She immediately called her by name, implying she was either a friend or an enemy.
She put her hands on her hips, raising her voice, "Hmph, why should I go with you? If you have something to say, say it here!"
She didn't lower her voice, attracting curious glances from several other applicants nearby.
Seeing that they were two exceptionally beautiful girls, those gazes immediately became more direct and fervent.
Even if they didn't pass the assessment, being able to get such a close look at two beauties wasn't a wasted trip.
Being stared at by so many people, Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed slightly.
She hadn't wanted to attract attention, but who knew Ning Rongrong would insist on being loud and showy.
Now she was truly in a difficult situation.
Forget it, she'd just have to tough it out. It was better than seeing her teacher's disappointed eyes later.
"Miss Ning, my teacher wants to see you."
"Who is your teacher? If he wants to see me, I have to go?" Ning Rongrong's tone became even more aggressive, with seven parts petulance and three parts wariness.
This was her usual self-protection.
Zhu Zhuqing immediately felt that this girl was truly difficult to handle. In her haste, she even had the thought of simply dragging her over.
Just then, she looked up and saw Jiang Yunzhou standing quietly at the entrance of the small courtyard across the way, looking at her.
It was still that excessively handsome face and that damned, unplaceable charm.
She herself couldn't resist him, so what about Ning Rongrong?
As if grasping at a last straw, Zhu Zhuqing raised her hand and pointed across the way, saying to Ning Rongrong, "Look, that's my teacher. He's right there. He wants to talk to you."
Ning Rongrong followed the direction Zhu Zhuqing was pointing, and her gaze was instantly fixed.
Jiang Yunzhou's full 99 points of charm were shining brightly at this moment, with outstanding effect.
'This man is totally my type!'
The little person in Ning Rongrong's heart immediately started screaming: 'I, Ning Rongrong, am coming clean, no more pretending, I am a complete and utter beauty fanatic!'
"Ha—"
Her tone suddenly became cheerful, "You should have said that was your teacher earlier! Come on, let's go talk right now!"
She even seemed to be urging Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing was stunned by this sudden change in attitude.
It was done just like that?
Teacher truly was Teacher; he could achieve a precise strike just with his looks.
Zhu Zhuqing watched Ning Rongrong's instantly changed attitude, feeling a wave of speechlessness.
Well, all her efforts for half the day were not as good as her teacher just standing there.
However, neither of them noticed that this commotion had already attracted the attention of Li Yisong, who was in charge of recruitment.
He also followed the direction of Zhu Zhuqing's finger and not only saw that ridiculously handsome young man but also immediately caught sight of the brand-new plaque—Supreme Academy.
A man's excessive charm often attracts women, while other men will only see him as an enemy.
So, he instantly disliked Jiang Yunzhou.
"Hiss—"
Li Yisong gasped, rubbing his eyes. "When did an Academy appear across the street?"
He distinctly remembered it wasn't there yesterday.
If that was an Academy, then this black-clad girl wasn't here to sign up... "Damn it!"
He instantly realized, "This is someone trying to poach!"
This was practically cutting off his livelihood and hindering him from meeting his 'revenue generation' target for the day!
After a morning of hard work, he had only collected a few hundred gold coins, and his KPI was far from met. How could he let someone poach people right in front of him?
A surge of anger rushed to his head. He slammed the table with a dull 'thud,' making his presence known first.
"Hmph! You two little brats, stop right there!"
He roared sternly, then slowly stood up, walking towards the two with the oppressive aura unique to Spirit Masters, his gaze primarily fixed on Zhu Zhuqing:
"Are you from that Academy across the street? How dare you poach people right in front of me? Do you know where this is? Do you understand the rules?!"
Li Yisong, as a Spirit Emperor and having been an examiner for many years, exuded an inherent sense of oppression when he was serious, making Zhu Zhuqing's heart tighten.
But she glanced at the composed Jiang Yunzhou across the way, then mustered her courage and bravely retorted, "So what if I am? I'm taking my friend over to say a few words. Do you have to interfere with that too?"
Ning Rongrong, on the other hand, looked like she was enjoying the show, with no intention of getting involved, her gaze still fixed on Jiang Yunzhou.
"Hmph! Poaching is poaching, why call her a friend? Do you think I'm deaf and didn't hear you?" Li Yisong's voice deepened.
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Jiang Yunzhou across the way, who seemed completely unconcerned, and inwardly stomped her foot in frustration.
Teacher, hurry up and come! I can't handle this mess anymore, sigh, I'm so tired!
After a long pause, she finally squeezed out, "I don't care if you heard or not!"
With that, she bypassed Li Yisong, pulling Ning Rongrong, and tried to rush across the way.
Li Yisong was utterly enraged.
In broad daylight, to be so openly defied and ignored by two young girls, where would he put his face?
He hardened.
His fists hardened!
"Stop right there! If you dare take another step, don't blame this old man for losing face and bullying the young!"
However, Zhu Zhuqing ignored him. As long as she reached her teacher, she would be safe!
Li Yisong hadn't encountered such disrespectful and openly provocative youngsters in a long time.
The dignity of a Spirit Emperor could not be violated. He had to teach them a lesson to save face.
"Hmph! Stubborn fools!"
He let out a low growl, instantly summoning his Spirit: Dragon-Patterned Staff!
Immediately after, one white, one yellow, three purple, and one black—a total of six spirit rings rose consecutively from beneath his feet, and a powerful spirit power fluctuation suddenly spread out!
The strength of a six-ring Spirit Emperor was fully displayed, immediately causing a huge commotion on the scene.
"Wow! This old gentleman is actually a Spirit Emperor!"
"This Academy looks rundown, but the teacher is actually a master!"
"Too bad I didn't qualify, and the registration fee isn't refundable..."
"That black-clad girl is going to be in trouble; she dared to anger a Spirit Emperor!"
Amidst the exclamations and discussions around them, Ning Rongrong showed no concern at all. Her gaze remained glued to Jiang Yunzhou, her heart pounding and face flushing the closer she looked.
This man, she was a fan!