The qualification to enter the inner academy is determined by the final exam scores each semester.
Since the first semester's assessment was marked as zero, Ning Yue and Yu Longheng would need to put in multiple times the effort to close the gap with others and earn the qualification to enter the inner academy...
After some thought, Shen Yi didn't say anything and simply led the two toward the soul train station in East Sea City.
It was at this moment that she spotted a familiar figure.
It was a man with a lean build, sharp eyes, a high nose bridge, and thin lips. His entire demeanor was upright and imposing.
His lake-blue hair reached down to his waist, and as the breeze brushed past, his hair swayed gently, exuding a unique charm.
Was this… Senior Brother Wu Zhangkong?
"Senior Brother!"
Wu Zhangkong, who was walking toward the Spirit Pagoda, heard a somewhat familiar voice calling from behind. He turned in surprise to see Shen Yi.
"Shen Yi?"
He and Shen Yi were fellow disciples, both students of the Scarlet Dragon Douluo from Shrek Academy.
"It really is you. I heard you were in East Sea City and wanted to look for you, but I've been tied up with assessment tasks, so I didn't get the chance."
Shen Yi walked over, looking Wu Zhangkong up and down, and smiled. "It's been a while."
"Hmm." Wu Zhangkong nodded lightly, then glanced at Ning Yue and Yu Longheng not far away. "Are they the ones who were caught by the Spirit Pagoda during the assessment?"
"...You're still as blunt as ever," Shen Yi sighed helplessly. "Yes, they're the students who were caught by the Spirit Pagoda for attacking passersby on the street."
Wu Zhangkong retracted his gaze, hesitated for a moment, and then reminded her, "The academy's assessments need to be revised."
"I'll bring it up," Shen Yi said, then asked curiously, "By the way, how did you know about this?"
Only a handful of people knew about this incident. Could it be…?
Wu Zhangkong replied expressionlessly, "They're students of East Sea Academy. I'm their teacher. Recently, Xie Xie has been telling everyone in class about the rudeness of Shrek's students."
Well, there was no way to refute that. It left him feeling quite conflicted.
From another perspective, Shrek's assessments… were somewhat detestable.
"They're your students?" Shen Yi's eyes lit up. "Do they have any intention of joining Shrek?"
"They're from the Spirit Pagoda. They're my students, not my disciples."
Wu Zhangkong shook his head straightforwardly, causing the light in Shen Yi's eyes to dim. She sighed.
"That's a shame. With their talent, if they joined the academy, they would undoubtedly become figures who could stir up the world in the future."
Wu Zhangkong knew who she was referring to but didn't respond. Instead, he asked, "Now that you've picked them up, when are you planning to leave?"
"I've received news that the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition is being prepared. This time, they plan to invite Shrek students to participate in an exhibition match. The academy has asked me to stay here for a while to discuss the details."
Shen Yi explained, then asked in return, "Are you still not planning to return to the academy?"
"No."
Wu Zhangkong looked in a certain direction and shook his head lightly.
"I see… Alright then." Shen Yi sighed helplessly. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly thought of something. "Will they be participating in the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition?"
Wu Zhangkong nodded. "This year's students are the strongest in history. East Sea Academy won't miss this opportunity to make a name for themselves. And as young geniuses, they need a stage to showcase their talents. In East Sea, the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition is a good choice."
Not far away, Yu Longheng, who had been silent all this time, suddenly looked at Wu Zhangkong, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, yet he felt no pain.
Would that guy be participating too?
"Longheng, what's wrong?" Ning Yue, who was beside him, noticed his unusual behavior.
Yu Longheng didn't answer, his mind constantly replaying the scene from that day.
The pain of being suppressed by bloodline, he would repay it with strength, absolutely!
…In the Spirit Pagoda's main hall, Gu Yuena took out her soul communicator, hesitating whether to make a call.
Today was the 81st day since Yuhao had been gone. Should she ask again?
Gu Yuena tapped on the soul communicator but ultimately put it down.
Yuhao had said it would be soon. She would wait a little longer.
Xu Xiaoyan bounced into the hall assigned to their Zero Class by the Spirit Pagoda and noticed Gu Yuena. "Nana, what are you looking at?"
"Nothing."
Gu Yuena calmly put away her soul communicator and walked toward the window.
Xu Xiaoyan followed, her curiosity piqued. "Why hasn't Yuhao come back yet? Dean Yu has been asking about him several times. He seems really anxious."
As she asked, Xu Xiaoyan subtly observed Gu Yuena's expression.
But the latter maintained her usual cool demeanor and replied, "He's with his teacher. It might take a little longer…"
Gu Yuena stopped mid-sentence and looked in the direction of a spot hundreds of meters away from the Spirit Pagoda. A faint smile appeared on her lips, and she said no more.
Xu Xiaoyan noticed this and followed her gaze, spotting a familiar figure.
Yuhao's back… How does it feel like Nana and Yuhao have some kind of connection?
He just returned, and she noticed right away…
…On the first floor of the Spirit Pagoda, Huo Yuhao spoke with the staff for a moment, arranging a place for the Deep Sea Demon Whale to stay.
The Deep Sea Demon Whale had followed him all the way back to the East Sea coast. If he didn't find a place for it, it might be hunted for its soul ring.
As he turned to leave, Huo Yuhao felt a familiar presence approaching and paused.
"Yuhao!" A clear, bell-like voice called from the direction of the elevator. Huo Yuhao turned and saw Gu Yuena walking toward him. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, her dark eyes like water, and her white dress accentuated her perfect figure as she walked with calm, measured steps.
But Xu Xiaoyan, who was panting behind her, knew the truth.
"Nana, wait for me!"
Xu Xiaoyan, with her short legs, followed behind, muttering softly, "You were in such a hurry coming down, and now you're acting all composed…"
Gu Yuena's ears twitched slightly, clearly hearing Xu Xiaoyan's complaint, but she chose to ignore it, her gaze fixed on Huo Yuhao.
"You're back." Gu Yuena stopped in front of Huo Yuhao, looking him up and down. Her heart skipped a beat.
Yuhao seemed to have changed a lot…
Xu Xiaoyan caught up and also noticed something was different. "Yuhao, you seem… a lot more handsome."
The young man standing before them was tall and well-built, his simple white outfit highlighting his balanced proportions.
His shoulders were broader than before, yet his waist remained slim and strong. But the most striking feature was his face, his once ordinary features were now sharp and defined, his nose high and straight, his jawline as if carved by a knife. His brows carried both the freshness of youth and the maturity of restraint.
However, the most captivating part was still his eyes. His pupils had become deeper and clearer, like a blue sky filled with stars.
Did Yuhao go for a makeover these past few days? The results are amazing!
Xu Xiaoyan blinked, feeling a bit confused.
Where did he go? Could she try it too?