The arrival of a peerless genius like Huo Yuhao at Shrek Academy should have been celebrated as a historic event. However, after finally meeting him in person, the hearts of the gathered Elders gradually began to sink. On the surface, Huo Yuhao was remarkably respectful toward them. He spoke with polite grace and maintained perfect etiquette even while standing before several Titled Douluo. Yet, beneath that thin veil of respect, there was a hidden and indescribable sense of cold detachment. It was as if he wanted to ensure there was no real connection between himself and Shrek Academy. To him, this famous academy with its ten thousand year legacy and status as the number one school on the continent seemed like an ordinary, uninteresting place that held no special attraction at all.
Inside the Sea Gods Pavilion, a heavy silence fell over the room once again. The Elders traded silent glances, seeing their own growing anxiety reflected in the eyes of their peers. If a once in a lifetime genius like Huo Yuhao could not be convinced to stay at the academy, it would be a loss more painful than death to them. However, Shrek Academy was ultimately just a school and not a prison; if a student truly had no desire to remain, could they really force a cow's head down to make it drink? Doing so would make the academy look like a total joke to the rest of the world. But the thought of simply letting him walk away made them feel truly bitter and unwilling. For a long moment, the group just stared at one another, completely unsure of how to proceed.
Just then...
The rhythmic creak of the wooden lounge chair suddenly stopped. Everyone turned their heads toward the sound and watched as the old man, who had been resting half-hidden in the shadows by the window, slowly began to stand up. After Mu En had been severely injured years ago, his spine had become permanently curved and deformed, making it impossible for him to stand up straight or walk normally. Now, under the invisible influence of his immense spirit power, his hunched body gradually forced itself upright. He stepped out of the dark shadows, walking with slow, deliberate steps toward the head of the long conference table before sitting down. Those cloudy, aged eyes shifted and fell directly upon Huo Yuhao.
Seeing that Huo Yuhao did not show even a hint of surprise at his appearance here as the Dormitory Manager uncle, Mu En knew his disguise had likely been seen through by the boy a long time ago. He let out a soft sigh, a sound filled with a deep and weary complexity. Mu En spoke in a slow, calm voice: I don't know the exact reason for it, but you seem to have some very strong opinions about Shrek Academy.
Hearing those words, Huo Yuhao felt slightly startled, as he had not expected the old man to have already seen through his hidden feelings so easily. Mu En did not wait for the boy to give him an answer, but simply continued speaking to himself: However, it doesn't really matter. Shrek Academy is, in the end, just an academy and not some hungry Sect power; our only purpose here is passing on the Dao and teaching those who wish to learn. If you decide to come here, we will teach you; if you decide to leave, we will simply see you off. Since you have already chosen to join the academy for now, then stay and see for yourself what this place is truly like. If you ever have any suggestions or complaints, you can go to Yan Shaozhe to report them at any time.
As he reached this point in his speech, his tone became increasingly steady and calm. As for whether you are eventually willing to stay in the academy for the long term... it all depends on your own private thoughts.
Huo Yuhao stood there silently, his gaze fixed on the old man sitting across from him as complex emotions began to rise in his heart. According to the historical records of his past life, this Dragon God Douluo Mu En would eventually become his personal teacher. The history books said Mu En would teach everything he knew to his disciple and treat the boy as if he were his own child. Regardless of how corrupt Shrek Academy was, or how much arrogance and prejudice the institution held, at least this specific old man had been absolutely sincere toward him in the original timeline. So even though he had already decided not to become a disciple this time, facing this earnest elder caused a trace of genuine respect and gratitude to well up in Huo Yuhao's heart. He took a single step forward and bowed deeply to Mu En: I have remembered everything you said, Senior.
Mu En looked at the young man standing before him, and a small trace of a peaceful smile appeared on his aged face. He waved his hand dismissively: Shao Zhe, take him back now.
Yan Shaozhe stood to the side and responded with deep respect: Yes, Teacher! His voice carried a hint of unavoidable regret as his gaze lingered on Huo Yuhao for a moment, but in the end, he chose to say nothing more. He simply turned around and began leading Huo Yuhao back toward the door. The sound of their footsteps gradually faded away, eventually disappearing from everyone's sight.
Inside the Sea Gods Pavilion, a heavy silence fell once again. After a long moment, Song Yunzhi finally could not help herself and spoke up. She looked at Mu En, her tone full of frustration and unwillingness: Elder Mu, are we really just going to let such a massive talent walk away like this?
Mu En glanced at her without saying a word, instead slowly scanning the faces of the people sitting around the long table. Although the others did not speak, the expressions on their faces were clearly identical to Song Yunzhi's. Mu En looked at these old companions who had worked by his side for many years and could not help but let out another sigh.
Sigh!
In that single sigh, there was a sense of helplessness, deep emotion, and an indescribable feeling of melancholy. All of you... have long been blinded by the past glory of Shrek. Mu En's tone then became a bit more serious as he emphasized every single word: Remember, Shrek... is just an academy.
...
In the blink of an eye, a full week had passed since the start of the school year. After spending nearly every hour together during these past few days, Huo Yuhao was becoming more and more familiar with Wang Dong. Overall, he felt that his future wife, although possessing a lot of pride and a bit of a temper, was generally a beautiful and good person. Wang Dong had just returned from outside the room, pushing the door open with a very mysterious expression on his face. After getting used to Huo Yuhao's personality, although he was still shocked by the boy's incredible strength, Wang Dong was no longer as restrained or nervous as he had been before. He looked at Huo Yuhao sitting on the edge of the bed and raised his chin: Come on, I'm going to take you to a really good place.
Huo Yuhao looked up, his gaze falling on the clock hanging on the wall, and asked: It's almost time for dinner, so where exactly are we going?
Wang Dong smiled mysteriously: Just follow me and stop worrying, do you really think I'd let you starve?
Huo Yuhao smiled helplessly, stood up, and followed Wang Dong out of the dormitory building. The two of them walked along the wide main road of the academy. As they walked, Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke up: If we keep going any further this way... we'll be leaving the academy grounds.
Wang Dong nodded, his pace remaining light and energetic: That's right, I'm already getting tired of the bland food in the cafeteria. I heard there are many street stalls at the city gate with great food and things to do. Let's go check it out.
Huo Yuhao didn't ask any further questions, simply following him through the ancient city gate and into the lively, bustling world outside. Outside the East Gate, the wide open space was now packed with colorful stalls. Various delicious aromas in the air wafted toward them, drifting into their noses and making them hungry. Huo Yuhao followed Wang Dong through the crowded rows of stalls. Wang Dong had said he was treating, so naturally, he would be the one to decide what they would eat.
Wow!
Suddenly, Wang Dong stopped in his tracks and pointed. This smells so good!
Huo Yuhao followed his gaze and saw a small barbecue stall set up in front of them. The stall owner was a middle-aged man who was currently very busy working in front of a large grill. The charcoal fire was burning brightly, and many skewers of meat were being flipped over the heat. Fat dripped down onto the glowing charcoal, making a loud sizzling sound and sending up thick clouds of white smoke. That charred aroma mixed with the scent of various spices was indeed exceptionally tempting to anyone walking by.
Let's eat this! Wang Dong clapped his hands together and turned to look at Huo Yuhao: What do you think?
Huo Yuhao nodded his head: Sure.
After Wang Dong ordered dozens of meat skewers, the two of them sat down on small wooden stools nearby, waiting for the food to finish! Watching the owner's busy figure, Huo Yuhao's mind once again thought of the yuhao grilled fish that would become popular throughout the entire continent in ten thousand years. If he hadn't had the lucky opportunity of transmigration to ten thousand years later, not only would his mother have died while he was young, but he would also have been forced to set up a stall at Shrek Academy to grill fish just to earn enough money to survive. With the superior eyesight of his Spirit Eyes Martial Soul, his mastery of heat and his control of flavor in any dish shouldn't be bad at all. So those famous yuhao grilled fish in the future generations were just using his name for profit. Without the Spirit Eyes Martial Soul, a normal person could never hope to grill with his level of flavor.
Oh! Why are you here?
Just as Huo Yuhao was recalling these bitter things, a familiar voice came from the side, interrupting his private thoughts. He turned his head and saw two figures, a man and a woman, standing nearby. Although they had only had a very brief encounter in the Star Dou Great Forest before, Huo Yuhao recognized them both at a single glance. It was precisely Bei Bei and Tang Ya!
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