In the center of Mingdu, Ye Xinglan, Le Zhengyu, and their group entered a hotel and made their way to a room on the third floor.
"Teacher, we're here."
"Come in."
The group stepped into the room and were surprised to see three people inside.
Besides their teacher for this term, Luo Meng, there were two others.
One was a handsome man in his twenties, wearing the inner academy uniform of Shrek Academy.
The other was a woman of average appearance, also in her twenties, with a smile on her lips that exuded warmth and approachability.
The way they stood close together made it clear they were a couple.
Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi looked at the two with some surprise.
As inner academy students, they recognized these two.
Lan Muzi, the senior brother of the inner academy, a three-word battle armor master!
Tang Yinmeng, the senior sister of the inner academy, a three-word battle armor master!
Becoming three-word battle armor masters in their twenties spoke volumes about their strength.
Among them, Lan Muzi held an exceptional position in the inner academy, and there were even whispers that he was the likely successor to the next Sea God Pavilion Master. Even the elders of the Sea God Pavilion spoke highly of him.
Xu Lizhi asked curiously, "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, why are you here?"
Tang Yinmeng smiled and said, "This isn't Shrek City. Your opponents are from the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, which has a long-standing grudge against our academy. The academy is worried that you might face difficulties in this away match, so they sent us to support you."
"Besides that, there's also the matter of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. We'll be taking some people there... Would you like to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
This entry into the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well was due to an agreement with the Spirit Pagoda two years ago, but since the well was about to be opened, the academy also planned to send suitable candidates.
These two were among them.
The seven students all held their breath, and even Luo Meng, the Shrek teacher, felt a bit surprised.
The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?
These kids might get to go to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?
That was the sacred ground of Shrek Academy, the crucial opportunity that allowed the original Shrek Seven Monsters to ascend to godhood. Could these first-year students really have a chance to enter?
Ye Xinglan took a deep breath and frowned, "Senior Sister, we're just first-years. Is this... possible?"
The opportunity she had longed for was suddenly presented to her, making Ye Xinglan feel it was somewhat unreal.
"This is the academy's decision. Your class is the most outstanding in recent years. Among the future candidates to enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, several of you are the most likely. However, even if you do enter, given your current cultivation levels, gaining the recognition of those immortal herbs won't be easy. So, you don't need to feel any pressure."
Tang Yinmeng smiled faintly, gently interrupting Ye Xinglan. Her gaze swept over her juniors, pausing briefly on four of them.
Le Zhengyu, martial soul: Holy Angel.
Long Chen, martial soul: Radiant Holy Dragon.
(Note: In the original work, Long Chen was a student of the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy, but his situation was special. His original goal was Shrek Academy, but he was lured away by the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy with a hefty price... In this book, the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy doesn't need to do such a thing.)
Ye Xinglan, martial soul: Star God Sword.
Xu Lizhi, martial soul: Steamed Bun.
Duan Hunxiao, martial soul: Heavenly Sound Flute.
He Xiaopeng, martial soul: Eight-Edged Plum Blossom Silver Hammer.
Bai Hanying, martial soul: Cherry Blossom.
These seven were the representatives Shrek had sent for this competition, and four of them had the potential to directly enter the inner academy.
Ye Xinglan and Xu Lizhi's situations were self-explanatory, but the key ones were Le Zhengyu and Long Chen. One with the Holy Angel, the other with the Radiant Holy Dragon, their martial souls alone hinted at their potential to become four-word battle armor masters.
If they could fully integrate into Shrek through the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it would be a good thing.
Tang Yinmeng exchanged a glance with Lan Muzi, who stepped forward and said in a gentle yet firm tone:
"The grudge between the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and our academy has a long history. This exchange match isn't just a test of strength, but also a contest of honor between the two academies."
He looked around, his gaze lingering on each student's face for a moment, then continued:
"In three days, the top three performers among you seven will earn the right to enter the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well with us. I hope you all seize this opportunity."
Lan Muzi's words were like a spark falling onto dry tinder, instantly igniting the fighting spirit of the seven young soul masters.
The air in the room seemed to grow hotter with their rapid breaths.
Le Zhengyu's golden eyes burned with fervor, and he subconsciously clenched his fist, murmuring, "The Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well?"
His mind flashed to the descriptions of that miraculous place in his family's ancient texts, a legendary paradise said to transform one's very being, the key to the Sea God's ascension.
Standing beside him, Long Chen was equally excited. He turned to Le Zhengyu, and their eyes met, both seeing the eagerness to fight in each other's gaze.
"We will definitely win," Long Chen said softly, his voice low but filled with determination.
"Of course," Le Zhengyu replied with a confident smile.
...
In the room, morning light filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft, warm glow over the quiet space.
Huo Yuhao stood in front of the dressing table, his slender fingers gently combing through Snow Empress's silver hair, which cascaded like a river of stars.
"How is it, Xue'er?" he asked.
The woman in the mirror lifted her eyes slightly, and a ripple of emotion stirred in her icy blue eyes. "It's nice," she replied softly.
Huo Yuhao's lips curved into a smile as he continued to gently comb her hair. "Back in the Far North, you used to help me with my hair too."
Snow Empress glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "You were a bit of a mess back then."
"Besides you, Elder Yi, Brother Tianmeng, and Ice Empress, everyone I saw was a soul beast. I didn't really care about my appearance since there was no one to see me."
Huo Yuhao gasped and stepped back. "All done."
The sunlight filters through the window sprinkling tiny spots of light on Snow Empress's silver hair, like the eternal ice and snow of the Far North reflecting the sun.
She tilted her head slightly, her hair swaying gently with the movement, shimmering with a dreamlike radiation in the light.
After glancing at herself in the mirror, Snow Empress stood up with a smile, her dress flowing like water.
"You're going to the Spirit Pagoda today, right? Don't keep Na'er waiting. I'll be here when you get back."
As soon as Huo Yuhao stepped out of the room, he saw Gu Yuena leaning against a pillar in the hallway, her silver-purple hair glowing softly in the morning light. She had her hands behind her back, her toes lightly tapping the ground.
Huo Yuhao naturally reached out his hand. "Let's go. Xiao Yan and the others should already be at the Spirit Pagoda."
"Okay."
Gu Yuena placed her slender fingers in his palm and lifted back at Snow Empress's room, curious about what the two had been doing inside so early in the morning how to ask.
However, Huo Yuhao noticed her curiosity and said softly, "I was combing Xue'er's hair... Later, I'll comb yours too."
Gu Yuena's eyes lit up, and she nodded.