Douluo Continent: Tonight, a Fairy Tale Descends

“Go, my dear child. Remember, safety first. If you absolutely cannot obtain your father’s primordial essence, do not force it. We can think of other ways, although the results will be less effective, it is still better than putting you at risk.”

These words deeply moved Lan Fuzi.

She felt that Ursula was genuinely thinking of her and considering her needs in every way.

"Don't worry, Ursula! I have a way!" Lan Fuzi nodded vigorously, his massive body beginning to turn around.

"I'll be back soon!"

Before she finished speaking, she shot out of the fishbone cave like an arrow and disappeared into the dark sea, leaving only a trail of rapidly receding water ripples.

Ursula gazed silently toward the cave entrance. After a long while, a hint of undisguised greed and smugness flashed in her eerie green eyes.

“Foolish little whale…” she murmured to herself, her tentacles slowly retracting and wrapping around the glowing corals at the edge of the altar.

"However, it is precisely this simplicity that makes it easier for me to pave the way for you."

She no longer concealed her emotions, and a calculating smile appeared on her alluring face.

The primordial essence of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King... that is truly priceless.

Even in her long life, she had never come into contact with a treasure of such caliber.

If she could integrate it into her own bloodline, her strength would definitely improve by leaps and bounds, and she might even be able to glimpse a higher realm.

As for that wisp of bloodline power?

Ursula's smile grew even deeper.

That's not just a simple wisp of bloodline power. What she wants is the royal mark within the core of Lan Fuzi's bloodline, representing the inheritance of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King.

Chapter 265 Shrek Academy

Once she obtains this mark, she will be able to explore the unique power of the Deep Sea Demon Whale King clan to some extent.

Of course, these are all for later.

The most important thing right now is to get Lan Fuzi to willingly give up everything so that she can experience life in the human world.

As for whether that wisp of bloodline power will be restored?

Ursula's smile turned somewhat eerie.

Theoretically, of course.

But this requires having enough time.

Ursula didn't care about this; she only needed to make sure she got enough benefits and wouldn't get herself into trouble.

……

More than half a month has passed since Tang San and Cinderella joined Shrek Academy.

Over the past two weeks, the two of them have gradually transitioned from initial shock and doubt to a kind of numb helplessness.

As dawn broke, Tang San sat up from his simple wooden bed.

The so-called dormitories are actually converted from abandoned farmhouses in the village.

The walls were made of rammed earth, with cracks haphazardly filled with straw. The thatched roof rustled in the night wind, and occasionally fine dust fell.

The room contained nothing but two wooden beds and a dilapidated table.

The windows were covered with oiled paper, which had long since turned yellow and was broken. Morning light squeezed in through the cracks, casting dappled shadows on the uneven ground.

A faint sound came from next door: Cinderella getting up.

Tang San pushed open the creaking door and saw his sister standing by the well in the courtyard, drawing water to wash herself. Her long golden hair shone softly in the morning light, and her movements were elegant and composed, completely out of place in this dilapidated environment.

"Good morning, sister." Tang San walked over and took the bucket of water from her hands.

Cinderella looked up at him, a helpless smile flickering in her azure eyes: "Good morning, little mistress. How did you sleep last night?"

"It's alright," Tang San replied simply, pouring the cool well water into the wooden basin.

The two washed up in silence, neither of them mentioning their feelings over the past two weeks.

But that feeling of suffocation was like a damp wad of cotton, stuck in my chest.

The Soul Master Academy that Yu Xiaogang highly praised and only accepted monsters.

It turns out it's like this.

Old, shabby, and indecent.

Over the past two weeks, they have witnessed Shrek Academy's teaching system.

If that can be called a system.

Dean Flander, a lean, middle-aged man, wore crystal glasses and always looked like he was calculating and thrifty.

His lectures were completely unpredictable, ranging from soul power compression techniques to the habits of soul beasts, and then to the situation on the continent and gossip in the soul master world. There was no systematic curriculum; it all depended on his whims.

Teacher Zhao Wuji, the Soul Saint who made them suffer greatly in the entrance test, was in charge of practical training.

But his training method was simple and brutal: sparring.

Either the students sparred with each other, or he personally stepped in to give them pointers.

So-called guidance often degenerates into one-sided crushing.

Tang San and Cinderella managed to hold their own thanks to their excellent teamwork, but the other trainees were in a much worse situation.

And then there's Teacher Shao Xin, a Food-type Soul Saint, who's in charge of logistics.

In reality, he just cooks for the students and occasionally talks about the development path of food-type Soul Masters.

Oscar, Shrek Academy's only food-type Soul Master, doesn't seem to be interested in theory classes.

As for students

Including the two of them and Zhu Zhuqing, who also enrolled at the same time, there are only six students in the entire Shrek Academy.

Dai Mubai, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, is a level 39 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Master.

For the past two weeks, he has continued to do as he pleases, frequently skipping classes.

Their attitude towards Tang San and Cinderella warmed up considerably, referring to them as classmates at every turn, as if the previous conflict had never occurred.

Oscar, Sausage Martial Soul, Level 29 Food-type Weapon Soul Master.

This young man, with a full beard but captivating eyes, is always grinning and acting without a care in the world. His greatest hobbies are figuring out his bizarre soul incantation and finding all sorts of ways to promote his sausages.

Ma Hongjun, the Evil Phoenix, is a level 28 Power Attack-type Battle Soul Master.

She had a head of fiery red, messy hair, a chubby figure, and an astonishing appetite.

His martial spirit is flawed; the so-called evil fire can go out of control, requiring him to periodically travel to Soto City to vent it.

This was something Dai Mubai whispered to Tang San in private. Ma Hongjun himself didn't seem to care, spending his days eating and sleeping, or lecherously eyeing Zhu Zhuqing and Cinderella.

Tang San was quite annoyed by this.

There's also Zhu Zhuqing.

The girl in black who passed the test with them was the Netherworld Cat, a level 29 agility-based battle spirit master.

For the past two weeks, Zhu Zhuqing has barely spoken to anyone except Cinderella.

She always kept to herself, giving her all during training, and returning to her room alone after class, her face as cold as ice, devoid of any expression.

Occasionally, she would bump into Dai Mubai at the academy. Her gaze was so cold it could freeze someone, while Dai Mubai would look bewildered and slightly embarrassed.

Six students.

There are more teachers than students.

This is the Shrek Academy that Yu Xiaogang mentioned, the one that can train real monsters.

Tang San wrung out the cloth, looked at his calm reflection in the water, and sighed silently.

He chose to stay purely because of Tang Hao's orders and because he had nowhere else to go for the time being. But that doesn't mean he agreed with the place.

There was no systematic teaching, no adequate facilities, and even a lack of basic cultivation resources.

Flanders complained about being poor all the time, and the college's funds always seemed insufficient.

How can one quickly improve their skills in such an environment?

How can I protect my older sister?

Tang San's gaze swept over Cinderella, who was combing her long hair. His eyes softened for a moment, then became even more determined.

He had to become stronger, no matter what. If Shrek Academy couldn't do it, he'd find a way himself. He couldn't stop making hidden weapons, and he couldn't slack off on practicing the Mysterious Heaven Skill. As for the academy's courses… he'd just listen to the useful ones.

"Little sister, it's time to go to the assembly point," Cinderella reminded softly.

Tang San nodded, and the two of them walked together toward the so-called playground of the academy, which was actually just a slightly flatter open space at the entrance of the village.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and several people were already standing in the open space.

Zhao Wuji stood in the center with his arms crossed, like an iron tower.

Flander, adjusting his glasses, was whispering something to Oscar, who was smiling ingratiatingly.

Ma Hongjun leaned against a tree, yawning, his eyes not yet fully open.

It's quite rare to see Dai Mubai here.

He seemed to be in good spirits today, and was stretching his wrists and ankles. When he saw Tang San and Cinderella coming over, he even grinned.

Zhu Zhuqing stood at the edge of the open space, her black clothes almost blending into the morning mist. With her back to the crowd, she gazed towards the distant city of Soto, her figure tall and lonely.

"Is everyone here?" Flander cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over the six trainees.

"No theory class or practical training today. Teacher Zhao, you can speak."

Chapter 266 Team Formation

Zhao Wuji stepped forward, his gruff voice making the air buzz: "Boys and girls, you've been at Shrek Academy for a while now. No matter how much theoretical knowledge you learn, or how high your soul power level is, it's all just empty talk without ever seeing the real battlefield!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone, lingering especially on Tang San and Cinderella for a moment: "So, starting today, your training ground will be changed."

"Where to?" Cinderella asked curiously.