Jiang Qingtong nodded in acknowledgment, though she couldn't help feeling a bit surprised. All she had intended was to attend Shrek Academy—who taught her didn't matter. After all, her "tech tree" was focused on stealing; stealing top-tier martial souls was enough.
But what she hadn't expected was that Shrek Academy would assign both the Dean and Vice Dean of the Martial Soul Department as her personal instructors.
Was that the doing of Dragon God Douluo Mu En?
He must have seen through her high status in Mingde Hall.
What a bold move!
Just then, the dormitory supervisor came jogging up to Cai Meier and Jiang Qingtong.
"Dean Cai, the freshman dorms are full. However, we do have one open spot in the upperclassmen dorms. Would it be alright to place her there?"
"What do you think, Qingtong?" Cai Meier didn't make the decision herself. She turned to Jiang Qingtong and sought her opinion.
She was keeping Mu En's instructions firmly in mind—Jiang Qingtong must experience warmth at Shrek Academy that even Mingde Hall couldn't match. That was the only way to win her loyalty.
"I don't mind," Jiang Qingtong answered easily.
Shrek's outer courtyard dorms were double rooms. Since upperclassmen were still in class, the dorm was quiet and empty when they arrived. Before entering, Jiang Qingtong glanced at the nameplate on the door.
"Jiang Nannan…"
Her new roommate was Jiang Nannan?
"You can rest here for now," Cai Meier said gently. "I'll send over your uniform and ID card later."
Her tone was so kind that it even surprised the dorm supervisor, who now found herself increasingly curious about this silver-haired girl's identity.
After they left, Jiang Qingtong stretched out on her bed with a satisfied sigh.
Jiang Nannan returned to the dorm in the evening. When she saw the door slightly ajar, she frowned and cautiously pushed it open—only to see a silver-haired girl lying on the once-empty bed.
"Who are you?" Jiang Nannan asked warily.
Jiang Qingtong sat up and greeted her with a smile.
"Hello, senior! I'm Jiang Qingtong, a new student. The freshman dorms were full, so they assigned me here to room with you."
Jiang Nannan remained silent for a moment, then finally said,
"Welcome."
Though her words were polite, her expression betrayed her wariness. Past experiences had made Jiang Nannan instinctively keep her distance from everyone.
Jiang Qingtong didn't try to cozy up either, nor did she attempt to imprint her martial soul. After all, Soft Bone Rabbit wasn't considered a particularly powerful martial soul. If Jiang Nannan had made it into Shrek Academy, it was entirely due to her own strength.
---
Meanwhile, in the Sun-Moon Empire's Mingde Hall, Jiang Shengyu tossed his pen aside, stretched, and declared:
"Work's over!"
"You brat, what do you mean work's over?"
The researchers nearby laughed and shouted.
Jiang Shengyu grinned.
"I'm not a formal staff member, remember? Plus, I'm still growing—can't overwork myself! You seniors, on the other hand, are experienced—hard work suits you!"
Just then, Xuan Ziwen walked into the lab and overheard the conversation.
"If you hadn't proposed all those research projects that impressed them, you'd have been smacked long ago."
Over the past few years, Jiang Shengyu had put forth numerous soul tool concepts—both civilian and military. The researchers admired him deeply.
He had become recognized as a young prodigy in soul tool research, guiding many experienced researchers on new paths. If he weren't so brilliant, someone definitely would've put him in his place.
Jiang Shengyu walked over to Xuan Ziwen.
"Looking for me, Senior Brother?"
"Old Hong just returned, and he brought a boy with him," Xuan Ziwen said, pausing slightly before continuing, "He claims… to be your cousin?"
"Oh, that's Yuhao!" Jiang Shengyu laughed. "Yup, he's my cousin."
Xuan Ziwen nodded.
"Alright. Come with me—let's not keep them waiting."
---
Huo Yuhao and Elder Hong were waiting in Mingde Hall's guest hall. Since entering the Sun-Moon Empire, Yuhao had been in a constant state of awe.
Wide highways connected the Empire's major cities, and strange vehicles sped along them—cars that moved without horses!
Upon crossing the border, Elder Hong had switched their carriage for one of these cars, which sped them down what was called a "highway" all the way to Mingdu.
Elder Hong had simply smiled and said,
"All this is thanks to that boy Shengyu. These past six years, he's turned the Empire upside down with his wild ideas."
Arriving in Mingdu, the Empire's capital, Yuhao was shocked all over again—the first city on the continent without city walls!
A city… without walls?
How was it defended?
Huo Yuhao felt like his whole worldview was being rewritten.
Just then, Jiang Shengyu and Xuan Ziwen entered the guest hall. Huo Yuhao immediately recognized him.
How could he not?
Jiang Shengyu looked exactly like Jiang Qingtong, save for gender. That same silver hair and golden eyes…
"C-Cousin?" Yuhao asked tentatively.
Jiang Shengyu waved his hand with a grin.
"No need to be so formal, Yuhao. We're family!"
Hearing that, Yuhao smiled back warmly.
He had no idea what kind of relationship existed between Jiang Qingtong and Jiang Shengyu, but this warm reception only confirmed what she had told him about their mothers' bond.
Elder Hong stood and said,
"I've brought him here safely. It's getting late, so I should report to the Soul Hall now. Shengyu, Ziwen—I'll take my leave."
"Take care, Elder Hong!" Xuan Ziwen bowed in farewell.
"Thanks, Elder Hong! I'll get you a promotion and raise next time!" Jiang Shengyu joked.
Elder Hong just shook his head with a sigh.
"You little rascal…"
Xuan Ziwen looked at Yuhao and said,
"I'll leave you two to catch up. If you need anything, come find me."
"Mm!" Jiang Shengyu nodded.
He sat down across from Yuhao, studying his lean figure. After a long pause, he finally said,
"You've had a rough time, haven't you, cousin? We only just learned what happened to Aunt Huo. If it weren't for the upheaval in our own family, we'd have come sooner…"
"It's not your fault, Brother," Huo Yuhao said quickly.
"All of it… it was the Duchess's doing!"
Jiang Shengyu added,
"And that so-called White Tiger Duke! A Duke who didn't even know he had a son? He doesn't deserve to be a father."
"You're right! That's why I took my mother's surname. I don't acknowledge him as my father!" Yuhao said coldly, his eyes filled with hatred for the Duke's entire family.
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