PS: Advance chapters visit my https://www.patreon.com/c/NanamiTL
As Jiang Qingtong arrived at Shrek Academy, she ran into Beibei, who had just returned from visiting Tang Ya.
Beibei looked surprised.
"Miss Jiang? What are you doing here?"
Jiang Qingtong also noticed him and replied,
"I've come to enroll in Shrek Academy. Do you know where I need to go?"
"Oh? So Miss Jiang is a junior schoolmate?" Beibei was caught off guard. "The enrollment notice should mention where to report—didn't you see it?"
"I don't have one," Jiang Qingtong said calmly.
"…No enrollment notice?" Beibei paused, but quickly understood what she meant.
"Shrek Academy only accepts a limited number of new students each year. If you weren't confirmed in advance, I'm afraid it'll be very difficult—"
"No worries. Just point me in the right direction," Jiang Qingtong said confidently, waving off his concern.
Seeing how self-assured she was, Beibei set aside his doubts.
"Alright then, follow me. I'll take you there."
Beibei led her to the registration hall, which was bustling with people—it was the height of freshman intake season. Thanks to Beibei's guidance, Jiang Qingtong skipped the long lines and headed straight to the admissions officer.
"She doesn't have an enrollment notice?" the admissions teacher repeated, frowning.
"That won't work. Every student we admit is confirmed well in advance. Shrek Academy never accepts walk-ins!"
"I'm from the Sun-Moon Empire," Jiang Qingtong said. "That's why I don't have a notice. Couldn't you make an exception?"
"It doesn't matter where you're from," the teacher shook his head firmly. "Shrek Academy has rules!"
His raised voice caught the attention of a shabby-looking old man who walked in from outside. His clothes were stained with grease, and he was holding a chicken leg, munching on it.
"Xiao Qiu, what's going on? You don't usually get this worked up," he asked.
"Elder Xuan!"
The teacher's eyes widened in shock, quickly stepping forward to greet him. Beibei also bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Elder Xuan!"
Xuan Zi, known as Elder Xuan, waved his hand casually, telling them to skip the formalities.
The teacher pointed at Jiang Qingtong and said,
"She's not on this year's freshman list, but she insists on enrolling. You know how we are—Shrek Academy isn't a place where just anyone can come and go. I may have spoken a bit harshly…"
Hearing this, Elder Xuan looked over at Jiang Qingtong. His sharp gaze landed on her, brows furrowing slightly. Jiang Qingtong felt a subtle but powerful pressure radiate from him.
As a Level 98 Super Douluo, Elder Xuan's strength was second only to Mu En within the Academy. Jiang Qingtong instantly understood—he had sensed the seven Level 9 soul tools she carried.
"Not ordinary at all… Girl, where are you from?" Elder Xuan asked after a long pause.
"Sun-Moon Empire," Jiang Qingtong answered calmly.
Elder Xuan didn't seem surprised. Only the Sun-Moon Empire had the resources to equip someone with multiple Level 9 soul devices. Not even the strongest soul master families or Shrek itself could match that.
But even in the Sun-Moon Empire, few individuals could carry so many.
Clearly, this girl held a significant position back home.
After a moment of thought, Elder Xuan said,
"Come with me, girl."
"Elder Xuan, are you sure—?" the teacher asked, startled.
Elder Xuan waved his chicken leg.
"It's fine, Xiao Qiu. You carry on."
"Yes, Elder Xuan!" The teacher and Beibei both cupped their hands respectfully and watched them leave.
---
Jiang Qingtong followed Elder Xuan through the inner courtyard, all the way to the shores of Sea God Lake.
"Can you fly?" Elder Xuan asked.
Jiang Qingtong shook her head honestly.
With a wave of his hand, a vast surge of soul power lifted her into the air, and the two of them soared across Sea God Lake toward the island in its center—Sea God Island.
Jiang Qingtong had flown before. Kong Deming had taken her through the skies more than once.
But Elder Xuan's soul power felt vastly more expansive and profound than Kong Deming's—like an ancient ocean compared to a rushing river.
At the center of Sea God Island stood a massive golden tree: the Golden Tree, around which the legendary Sea God Pavilion had been built. Thousands of years ago, it was created by Shrek Academy to unite the original three Douluo nations in resistance against the Sun-Moon Empire.
As they landed, Elder Xuan glanced up at the pavilion and said with some emotion,
"This is the first time anyone from the Sun-Moon Empire has set foot in the Sea God Pavilion. You know what this place is, don't you?"
Jiang Qingtong nodded, expression calm.
She wasn't surprised that Elder Xuan had brought her here. After all, seven Level 9 soul tools were not just immensely valuable—they also represented a potentially enormous threat.
Inside the Pavilion, several of the Pavilion Elders had already been notified by Elder Xuan. Apart from those who were tied up with official duties, nearly all were present.
Thus, an impromptu and unofficial Sea God Pavilion meeting began.
Elder Xuan sat at the head of the table and gestured to Jiang Qingtong.
"Don't be nervous, girl. We just want to ask you a few things."
Jiang Qingtong remained composed and bowed slightly.
"Please go ahead, seniors."
The first to speak was the head of the Soul Tool Department, Xian Lin'er, who eyed Jiang Qingtong and asked,
"Where did you get that full set of Level 9 soul tools?"
"My elders were worried for my safety," Jiang Qingtong replied sincerely. "They gave them to me for protection."
The elders exchanged surprised glances.
For protection?
A full set of Level 9 soul devices? That was protection?
Shrek Academy didn't even have a single one—and this girl claimed her seven were just for self-defense?
Even with the Sun-Moon Empire's wealth and soul tool expertise, such generosity was absurd.
"Who are these elders?" Xian Lin'er pressed.
Jiang Qingtong blinked and replied honestly,
"The Hall Master of Mingde Hall, Jing Hongchen, and several of the Elders from Mingde Hall. They're all my seniors."
The moment she revealed her background, the Pavilion Elders looked even more surprised.
Shrek Academy had collected considerable intelligence on the Sun-Moon Empire. They knew very well what Mingde Hall was and who Jing Hongchen was.
For her to receive seven Level 9 soul tools, her status in Mingde Hall must be extraordinary.
Then Elder Song, eyes sharp, asked coldly:
"In that case, why did you come to Shrek Academy? Are you a spy?"
"No," Jiang Qingtong said firmly, her voice calm but steady.
Sitting up straighter, she met his gaze without flinching.
"I came because Shrek Academy is the greatest sanctum of martial soul cultivation on the continent. I'm not suited for soul engineer training. At Mingde Hall, I had no room to grow. But here, I might."
PS: Advance chapters visit my https://www.patreon.com/c/NanamiTL