Douluo Continent: I will always be one level above Tang San.

Seeing that she was from out of town and a naive young girl, the vendor, with a menacing expression, said:

"Little girl, this is a detailed map!"

"All the entrances to the surrounding Soul Beast Forests are marked! Ten gold soul coins is already a very reasonable price!"

"Buy it or don't, it's up to you. If you're not buying, leave!"

Zhu Zhuqing bit her lip; she really needed a map to confirm her location.

"Ten gold soul coins? This map is as thin as toilet paper, I'd even consider five copper soul coins too expensive."

A lazy voice broke in.

Lin Chuan walked forward slowly, hands in his pockets.

He casually picked up the map, glanced at it, and scoffed:

"The drawing is crude; it doesn't even depict all the streets of Soto, and the locations of nearby villages aren't clearly marked."

"This is what you call a detailed map? And you dare ask for ten gold coins?"

"Believe it or not, I'll call the patrol team to check your license right now?"

The vendor's expression changed, and he was about to lash out.

But then they saw Lin Chuan's clothes, which were of excellent quality, and his calm and composed demeanor, which clearly indicated that he was not an ordinary person.

He immediately cowered and said with a forced smile:

"Oh, sir, I was just joking, just kidding."

"Here's a silver coin for you!"

Lin Chuan dropped a silver coin and then took two maps.

One for myself.

Another map was handed to Zhu Zhuqing.

"Here, take it."

"When you're out and about, don't flaunt your wealth, or you'll be taken advantage of."

"These days, there are more scammers than spirit beasts."

Zhu Zhuqing took the map in a daze.

She looked up and carefully examined the boy in front of her.

In the sunlight, the boy had an extremely handsome profile.

His composure while bargaining and his actions in protecting strangers.

She was completely different from the men she encountered along the way who had ulterior motives and lewd eyes.

His eyes were languid, yet they gave people a strange sense of peace.

"Th-thank you."

A faint blush appeared on Zhu Zhuqing's usually cold face, and she seemed a little flustered: "Um, how much is it? I'll pay you."

"No need, it's just a silver coin, consider it an invitation to tea."

Lin Chuan waved his hand, turned and left, leaving behind only a dashing silhouette and a single sentence:

"We'll meet again someday, little kitty."

Zhu Zhuqing held the map, looking in the direction Lin Chuan had left.

The string that had been taut in my heart loosened slightly.

"A kitten...? He saw through my martial spirit?"

Zhu Zhuqing touched her slightly flushed cheeks.

"What a strange person! They seem so lazy, yet they're so perceptive."

"But I don't seem to dislike it."

It was already late at night when I returned to my room at the Rose Hotel.

Lin Chuan pushed open the door and entered, where he was greeted by an extremely inspiring scene.

Tang San sat cross-legged on the carpet, his hands moving rapidly.

He was intently implanting gold beads one by one into the dragon whisker needles.

His forehead was covered in sweat, but his eyes sparkled with excitement.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, huddled on the sofa, clutching a cushion, staring resentfully at Tang San's retreating figure.

"Third Brother, it's already past midnight, aren't you asleep yet?" Xiao Wu muttered. "Is that damn needle really that fun?"

Tang San didn't even turn his head:

"Xiao Wu, you go to sleep first. This Dragon Whisker Needle is extremely powerful. With it, we'll have an extra layer of protection on our way to Shrek Academy."

"Besides, my elder brother gave me such precious materials; I can't let him down. I must finish it tonight!"

Xiao Wu sighed and buried her head in the pillow, like a deflated balloon.

Is this what they mean by being destined to be single forever?

Such a great atmosphere, and they're playing with needles!

Lin Chuan watched this scene, couldn't help but shake his head, and chuckled inwardly:

Oh, you mistress, your emotional intelligence is practically nonexistent.

But it's fine, you can take care of rolling it up, and I'll take care of sleeping.

"Alright, stop arguing."

Lin Chuan yawned and pounced onto the soft bed, sprawling out in an extremely comfortable spread-eagled position.

"I'm going to sleep, mistress. Be quiet, don't disturb my dreams."

"Okay, big brother! Don't worry, big brother! I definitely won't make a sound!"

Tang San immediately lowered his voice and became very careful in his movements.

A few minutes later, Lin Chuan's steady breathing could be heard.

Meanwhile, Tang San, lying on the carpet, continued his tireless struggle.

Xiao Wu, sitting on the sofa, looked at Lin Chuan, who was fast asleep.

She glanced at Tang San, who had his back to her.

His resentful gaze seemed to materialize.

She was sleeping like a pig, and she even wondered if Lin Chuan was a pig reincarnated from a hundred thousand years ago!

And there's another one who practices like a block of wood! I can't live like this anymore!

......

the next day.

Following the map, Lin Chuan and his two companions finally arrived at the legendary Shrek Academy.

A dilapidated little village.

A simple, rickety archway made of wood.

The sign above it reads "Shrek Academy," and the paint is even peeling off.

Tang San and Xiao Wu were both stunned.

"Is this the academy the master spoke of, the one only monsters could enter?"

Xiao Wu stared wide-eyed, pointing incredulously at the plaque:

"This is so run-down! Even Notting Academy is a hundred times better than this! Bro, did you buy the wrong map?"

Tang San's lips twitched as well.

He glanced at Lin Chuan, who was yawning beside him:

"Big brother, this..."

Lin Chuan, however, remained calm, and even seemed to want to laugh.

He put his hands behind his head and said slowly:

"As expected, as expected."

"Since we're already here, let's take a look."

At this time, a long queue had already formed at the registration desk at the village entrance.

The person in charge of registration was an old man dressed in plain clothes, holding a long staff; he was Li Yusong, a sixth-ring Soul Emperor.

He sat lazily behind the table, as if he were about to fall asleep at any moment.

"Bone age not up to standard, next."

Li Yusong coldly touched the boy's hand bones and refused outright.

He then casually swept the ten gold soul coins on the table into the drawer.

The boy's father was taken aback and hurriedly asked:

"Teacher, how could I have failed!"

"Why isn't the registration fee refunded if I don't meet the requirements?"

Li Yusong didn't even lift his eyelids:

"Not even a monster, yet you want to get into the academy?"

"As for the registration fee, it is non-refundable once registered."

"You're ripping us off! You're robbers!" the boy's father roared angrily. "Give us our money back, and we won't report you!"

"Want a refund?" A cold glint flashed in Li Yusong's eyes, and his soul power surged.

"Mu Bai, someone is causing trouble."

boom!

A golden light exploded from the side.

With an arrogant snort, Dai Mubai descended from the sky.

"Want a registration fee? Sure."

Dai Mubai's eyes were filled with disdain, and a cruel smile played on his lips:

"Beat me, and I'll refund your money!"

"That's the rule at Shrek Academy."

He was still holding a grudge after Lin Chuan slapped him!

Roar--!

The White Tiger Martial Soul instantly possessed him, and three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—rose up.

The Soul Master unleashed his powerful and domineering aura without reservation.

It was like a mountain pressing down on that ordinary father and son.

The father and son had never seen anything like it before; they were so frightened that their faces turned pale and their legs went weak.

The two of them scrambled away, not daring to look back.

"Hmph, trash."

Dai Mubai put away his martial spirit and straightened his collar with an arrogant expression.

His eyes scanned the crowd with a sinister glint in their eyes.

Until he locked onto Lin Chuan at the rear of the group, a ruthless and resentful glint flashed in his eyes.

He thought to himself: "You managed to ambush me in Soto City yesterday, but today, on my turf, I'll see how you die!"