Chapter 36: The Shameless Thoughts of Dai Mubai

"Finally, we've arrived," Xu Ran sighed as he looked at the small village ahead. He had traveled from Start Luo City to Nuoding City, and then to Suotuo City. Even though he spent most of his time in a carriage, he couldn't help but feel mentally drained.

After delivering Xiao Wu to Suotuo City, he would need to return to Start Luo City to meet Zhuqing.

Ah, being a man is exhausting. It's not just tiring at moments like this; it's often strenuous. Who can blame men for carrying such heavy burdens? Most of the time, men are the ones taking action while women get to rest. How could one not feel tired?

"Here? Brother Xu Ran, you can't be joking," Xiao Wu, perched on Xu Ran's back, lifted her head to look in the direction he pointed. All she saw was a tiny village.

The village appeared to be home to only around a hundred households, hardly a large settlement. Could it really contain a prestigious soul master academy?

"Shrek Academy may look run-down, but the teachers there are incredibly skilled. Even the weakest among them has the strength of a Soul Emperor. Additionally, there are three Soul Saints," Xu Ran explained to Xiao Wu.

"That strong? Then why would they establish the academy in such a remote place?" Xiao Wu asked, puzzled. Any reasonable person would think twice about enrolling in an academy located in such an isolated area. She certainly would never consider it if not for Xu Ran.

"The admission criteria for Shrek Academy are quite strict. Even if the academy were situated in a bustling city, it wouldn't make much difference. To become a student, one must be under thirteen years old and possess a soul level above twenty. Not many people meet those conditions," Xu Ran answered.

"That strict? Are they trying to nurture monsters or something? Even if there are such talented individuals, they would probably choose to develop their skills at the Spirit Hall," Xiao Wu couldn't help but say. She had to admit that the Spirit Hall was a powerhouse, far surpassing all other soul master sects and academies. It was the true sanctuary for soul masters. Although she had a grudge against Spirit Hall, she couldn't deny this fact.

"Shrek Academy operates under one motto: 'Better a shortage than an excess.' The founders and teachers of Shrek Academy originally aimed to make it a training ground for exceptional individuals," Xu Ran said as he walked towards the village. It was the busy farming season, and the village was quiet.

Both Xu Ran and Xiao Wu were elegantly dressed. Xu Ran, with his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, held a three-foot-long sword and looked extraordinary. Xiao Wu had a delicately beautiful face and wore a sky-blue embroidered gown, looking as pretty as a flower. Their appearance attracted quite a bit of attention.

Some of the farmers shook their heads as they looked at them. Another two naïve youngsters duped into coming to this no-name academy, they thought. But they didn't voice their opinions, as the living arrangements and food for Shrek Academy's students and teachers were provided by them. The more students there were, the better their earnings.

"Huh? What a beauty!" A surprised voice sounded from behind them.

Two young men appeared behind Xu Ran and Xiao Wu.

The young man on the left was chubby, looking robust. With short hair and small eyes, his chubby cheeks bulged, and he sported a faint trace of a mustache, as if it had just started growing, making it look like whiskers.

The young man on the right had long golden hair. His eyes were quite unusual, each having a double pupil. He was staring intently at Xiao Wu, as if he were looking at prey.

Xiao Wu was already quite beautiful, and after being carefully dressed by Xu Ran, her natural beauty was even more evident.

Her silky black hair was neatly styled into a scorpion braid that hung past her calves. She wore a sky-blue gown with a pink waistband that tightly embraced her developing figure. Although her chest wasn't fully developed yet, her incredibly slender waist could make many women envious.

Her long, toned legs were wrapped in silver-white leggings, perfectly proportioned. One couldn't help but admire her legs.

These two young men were Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai, who had just returned from participating in the Great Spirit Arena in Suotuo City.

"Hello, beautiful lady. I assume you're here to enroll in Shrek Academy. I'm a senior student there, Dai Mubai," said Dai Mubai, captivated by Xiao Wu's beauty.

Although the girl in front of him was not yet fully matured, Dai Mubai, an experienced man, knew well that such a woman would be delightful. Especially captivating was her lively and adorable demeanor.

Her beauty was probably on par with his fiancée Zhu Zhuqing in the Star Luo Empire.

Speaking of which, while Zhu Zhuqing was beautiful, she always seemed to act as if he owed her something.

Dai Mubai naturally felt that he deserved Zhu Zhuqing. A fiancée should understand the importance of respecting her future husband; if she didn't even know how to follow and serve him, then her attitude was unjustified.

Dai Mubai couldn't help but feel a little resentful in his heart. Of course, if Zhu Zhuqing were here, he would never dare to express these thoughts. After all, Zhu Zhuqing was stunningly beautiful with a great figure; he didn't want to sour their relationship. Ultimately, no matter how much she disapproved of him, she was still his fiancée. Zhu Zhuqing wouldn't likely break off their engagement. Sooner or later, she would willingly be in his arms, accepting her role as his woman.

Dai Mubai couldn't help but feel a bit discontented. Zhu Zhuqing was so perfect in every way; how wonderful it would be if she were willing to be with him. Then he wouldn't even need to look at other women. Sure, the twin beauties were attractive, but they were just a temporary amusement for him. They couldn't compare to someone as stunning as Zhu Zhuqing.

But that day wouldn't be far off. As Zhu Zhuqing's fiancé, she would inevitably become his woman.

"Oh," Xiao Wu coldly looked at Dai Mubai, her eyes flashing with a tinge of iciness as she suppressed her displeasure and gave a slight nod.

"Let me take you to the academy now. Although today isn't the official recruitment day for Shrek Academy, with us around, you can still get in as long as you meet the requirements," Dai Mubai said, reaching out to grab Xiao Wu's hand, a sly smile appearing on his face.

How easy did she think it was to get into Shrek Academy?

While the academy's motto of only accepting "monsters" might turn off many, it also attracted rebellious young men and women from prominent families each year. However, most of them would not pass the tests. Dai Mubai suspected that this beautiful girl before him would also fail.

He had already planned how to win her over. First, he would use his influence to help her enroll, then after sharing a few dinners together, she would be his. These naive young people were always the easiest to manipulate.

As for the likelihood that she might fail the entrance exam, that would be even better. After all, there was something to be said for the concept of "less is more." If she enjoyed his company for a short while and then they peacefully parted ways, wouldn't that be best? If she actually passed the tests, wouldn't he have to take responsibility?