"Are you really going?"
"Yes."
"Can you not go?"
"If I don't go, can you take me back to fight our way through the Star Luo Empire?"
"I..."
At Shrek Academy, as the first rays of morning sun shone down, Dai Mubai blocked Zhu Zhuqing's path. But her one question left him speechless.
Zhu Zhuqing took a deep breath, finally bypassed him, and walked toward the academy's exit.
Dai Mubai clenched his jaw. "I can't take you back, but do you think you'll be able to fight your way back just by going to Taoyuan Academy?"
"I don't know. But that teacher at Taoyuan Academy was able to teach a support-type to the point where she could defeat a power-attack type Spirit Master. At the very least, that gives me hope."
"You've already joined Shrek. Will he even accept you?"
"I don't know that either. But I have to try."
As the dawn light broke, Zhu Zhuqing's figure disappeared from Shrek Academy.
Dai Mubai was left with a storm of conflicting emotions.
"Boss Dai, what exactly is the relationship between you and Zhuqing?"
"Sigh, it's a long story," Dai Mubai sighed.
"Honestly, why the sudden decision to change schools? So fickle," Xiao Wu muttered.
"Alright, Xiao Wu. Zhuqing is probably just acting on impulse. We'll find a chance to talk to her," Tang San said.
At the entrance of Taoyuan Academy.
The gatekeeper and security guard, Wang Sheng, had just finished his morning exercises when he saw Zhu Zhuqing arrive at the academy gate. He went out to meet her.
"You're a student from Shrek Academy across the street, aren't you? What business do you have at our Taoyuan Academy?" he asked.
"I would like to see your Teacher Su Ran. Is that possible?"
"What do you need to see Teacher Su Ran for?"
"I wish to ask for his guidance on some matters," Zhu Zhuqing replied.
"Alright, wait here. But whether or not the teacher will see you depends on your luck."
Wang Sheng currently had a poor impression of the people from Shrek. Their students were either troublemakers or lecherous degenerates, the complete opposite of the principles his teacher taught: "As heaven is ever-moving, a gentleman must be ever-striving. As the earth is all-embracing, a gentleman must be virtuous and tolerant."
With that, Wang Sheng walked to the large, flourishing peach tree in the center of the Taoyuan Academy plaza and shook the peach bell hanging from it.
The bell let out a clear, crisp sound, like the song of a lark—melodious and not at all jarring—which carried into the inner courtyard.
A short while later, Su Ran, wearing his usual mask adorned with immortal dragons and peach blossoms, leisurely walked out.
"What is it?"
"Teacher, this student from Shrek says she has something to discuss with you," Wang Sheng said respectfully.
"Zhu Zhuqing?" Su Ran immediately noticed her standing under the peach tree. She was dressed in a tight-fitting black leather dress, her ample chest threatening to spill out, and her slender waist and long legs were incredibly alluring.
"You know me?"
"I've heard your name. Follow me."
Su Ran glanced at Zhu Zhuqing and led her to a pavilion within the academy. An elegant plaque hung in the pavilion, inscribed with three characters: Taoyuan Pavilion.
Su Ran sat down leisurely, lifted a peach-themed teapot to pour a cup of tea, and took a small sip. "What is it you've come to see me for?"
Zhu Zhuqing looked up at Su Ran, feeling that this young dean of Taoyuan Academy possessed a transcendent, worldly-detached aura. Although he wore a mask, she had a strong feeling that the jawline, eyes, and lips visible beneath it were all exceptionally refined. His looks were likely not bad at all.
Zhu Zhuqing bowed slightly and cupped her hands. "Do you remember, over a month ago, you had Wang Sheng recruit students and ask if we were willing to join Taoyuan Academy?"
"At that time, I was new here and didn't know the depth of Taoyuan Academy, so I chose Shrek Academy, where I had an acquaintance."
"But now, I wish to learn from you. Is that possible?" Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip. She had always been cold and reserved, but at this moment, she could feel her cheeks flush. Making such a request was deeply embarrassing for her.
"Learn from me? Why should I teach you?" Su Ran asked calmly.
"I am willing to take you as my master!"
"And if you wish to become my disciple, must I accept you?"
"Of course, you can refuse. I apologize for bothering you, Teacher." Zhu Zhuqing's expression dimmed with disappointment. She sighed softly and turned to leave. She could only blame herself for not seizing the opportunity when it was first presented.
"Wait."
Just then, Su Ran called out to her again.
Zhu Zhuqing turned back, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Teacher, have you changed your mind?"
"Why do you want to become my disciple?" Su Ran asked.
"Because you are powerful. By studying under you, a Spirit Grandmaster in the twenties can fight a Spirit Elder in the thirties, and a support-type Spirit Master can fight a power-attack type of a similar rank. These are miracles." As she spoke, a sense of reverence for Su Ran grew within her. If she hadn't seen and heard it for herself, she would never have believed these things were possible.
"So, you also want me to teach you how to develop the unique characteristics of your Martial Soul, just like I taught Wang Sheng and Rongrong?"
Su Ran looked at Zhu Zhuqing. Her aptitude was excellent, reaching S-rank just like Rongrong, giving her the potential to become a god. She was also beautiful. Taking her as a disciple wouldn't be a loss. However, her background was different from Rongrong's, so he needed to consider it carefully.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded. "Yes. Teacher, can you teach me?"
"If I accept you as my disciple and teach you, what is the very first thing you want to do after you become strong?" Su Ran inquired.
"I..."
Zhu Zhuqing thought for a moment before answering. "To be honest with you, Teacher, the first thing I want to do when I become strong is to survive. I want to fight my way back to the Star Luo Empire with Dai Mubai and defeat my older sister and Davis."
"Teacher, you may not know this, but I am from the Zhu Clan, one of the four great noble families of the Star Luo Empire. Dai Mubai is a prince of the empire, and we have been engaged since childhood. We are caught in a struggle for the throne. If we cannot defeat Davis and my sister, we will most likely... die. That is why I came to Soto City to join Shrek Academy. I don't want to be a sacrifice..." As Zhu Zhuqing spoke, her emotions began to show.
It seemed like a perfect reason to seek a master. She yearned for power, yearned to change her destiny.
But Su Ran simply shook his head. "I'm sorry. If you hadn't said that, I might have accepted you as my disciple. But now that you have, I will not accept you."
"Why?!" Zhu Zhuqing was taken aback.
"I do not teach students whose vision and thinking are flawed. At the same time, I am also a selfish person," Su Ran stated calmly.
"Is there something wrong with my vision and my thinking? Is it wrong for me to want to survive?" Zhu Zhuqing stood frozen in place.
Su Ran shook his head, finished the last sip of his tea, and stood up. "Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting to survive. When you can figure out the answer to that question, then you can come back and ask to be my disciple."
With that, Su Ran walked deeper into Taoyuan Academy, leaving a bewildered Zhu Zhuqing behind.
What a joke, he thought to himself. You want me to train you to become the number one agility-type Spirit Master in the world, only for you to turn around and join forces with that good-for-nothing Dai Mubai, who's an expert in womanizing, drinking, and gambling?
Who do you take me for? A fool?
(End of Chapter)