Bonus Chapter. Enjoy!
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Everyone followed the direction of Jin Li's finger, their eyes sweeping through the crowd like searchlights.
The dozen or so people there were clearly just background characters and were automatically ignored by everyone.
Ultimately, everyone's gaze landed on that man.
Huo Yuhao, a legend of the academy and the strongest Student in the history of Shrek Academy. His reputation had long since spread throughout Shrek Academy; there was no one who didn't know of him.
Clearly, everyone judged in an instant that the "him" Jin Li spoke of was Huo Yuhao.
However, for a newcomer like Jin Li to easily point out Huo Yuhao in a crowd—could it be they already knew each other?
Or was this simply the mutual attraction between geniuses?
Wang Dong, standing beside Huo Yuhao, looked at him, a flicker of wariness flashing in her large pinkish-blue eyes. Her lips pursed slightly; she felt there was definitely something going on between the two of them.
Zhang Lexuan glanced at Huo Yuhao, then looked at Jin Li and said, "He is a sixth-year Student in the Outer Court."
Given Huo Yuhao's talent and strength, he normally should have entered the Inner Court, but he hadn't.
Zhang Lexuan didn't know the reason; she only knew it was Huo Yuhao's own proposal, as he seemingly didn't want to enter the Inner Court.
Hearing Zhang Lexuan say this, Jin Li tossed her golden-red hair and said, "Then I want to go to the Outer Court's sixth year as well."
For such a Genius, Zhang Lexuan would naturally try her best to satisfy any request, especially since this wasn't a demanding condition.
She immediately said, "Very well, from now on you are a sixth-year Student of the Outer Court. Come with me to complete the formalities."
"Mm!" Jin Li nodded and followed behind Zhang Lexuan, walking toward the interior of the academy.
When passing by Huo Yuhao's side, Jin Li took a deliberate look at him. She winked at Huo Yuhao, a mischievous glint flickering in her golden eyes.
Wang Dong looked at the solemn-faced Huo Yuhao beside her and asked, "Do you two know each other?"
Huo Yuhao hesitated for a moment before saying, "We've met once."
A trace of suspicion flashed in Wang Dong's eyes; she felt that their relationship was definitely not as simple as having met once.
...
The next day, Shrek Academy's Class 1 of the sixth year gained a new Student—none other than Jin Li.
Her posture was upright and her temperament ethereal; the moment she appeared at the classroom door, she drew everyone's gaze.
After the teacher finished the introduction, she walked over naturally and sat down in the empty seat next to Huo Yuhao.
Her gaze swept over the curious, envious, and jealous looks around her, the corners of her mouth curling into a faint smile.
By the sixth year, Students were at least at the Spirit Ancestor level of cultivation, and they had basically already learned the core curriculum.
Therefore, the sixth year only had one class in the morning; the teacher was currently standing on the podium, answering Students' doubts regarding their cultivation process.
Huo Yuhao, however, frowned and sent a voice transmission: "Why did you transform? And why come to Shrek Academy?"
His tone was full of confusion; he didn't understand why she would do this.
Hadn't her fate already been changed?
Shouldn't she be staying in the Star Dou Great Forest, quietly being her Auspicious Beast?
Jin Li didn't answer directly, but instead sent a joyful transmission: "I knew you'd be able to recognize me."
Hearing this, several black lines appeared on Huo Yuhao's forehead, and he felt utterly speechless.
He really wanted to retort, "You didn't even change your name. If I couldn't recognize you, wouldn't I be an idiot?"
But he held back and transmitted in a serious tone: "You are a transformed Spirit Beast, and there are many powerful people in the academy. What if you're discovered? Do you want to become someone's spirit ring?"
In the knowledge Huo Yuhao possessed, before a transformed Spirit Beast grew to the level of a Titled Douluo, it was very likely to have its true form seen through by a Titled Douluo.
Once Jin Li's identity was exposed, what awaited her would be hunting and death.
Faced with the danger Huo Yuhao emphasized, Jin Li seemed completely unconcerned.
A faint smile still hung on her face as she asked, "Are you concerned about me?"
Huo Yuhao was speechless again; was now the time to discuss such things?
He always felt that the thought process of an Auspicious Beast was just different from that of a human.
Before Huo Yuhao could speak again, Jin Li's voice came through once more.
Her voice was crisp and lighthearted: "Don't worry, even a Limit Douluo cannot see through my identity as a Spirit Beast."
Her voice paused before she continued, "Haven't you noticed how I'm different from other Spirit Beasts that transform into humans?"
At Jin Li's reminder, Huo Yuhao actually did notice something unusual.
Normally, Spirit Beasts only have one chance to choose to transform into humans when their cultivation reaches a hundred-thousand-years. After transforming, they appear in the form of a six-year-old human and need to cultivation and grow bit by bit thereafter.
However, Jin Li's transformation completely defied this rule.
The current Jin Li had transformed directly into the appearance of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old human, and she even possessed the cultivation of a Spirit Emperor?
All of this was indeed a huge departure from the information Huo Yuhao knew.
Seeing the confusion on Huo Yuhao's face, Jin Li didn't keep him in suspense.
Her voice was full of pride: "I am the Emperor Auspicious Beast, carrying the Luck of the entire Star Dou Great Forest; naturally, I am extraordinary."
"Therefore, humans can absolutely never tell that I am a transformed Spirit Beast."
Huo Yuhao's eyes were on the teacher explaining combat techniques on the podium, but his mind was not there at all as he pondered Jin Li's explanation. He didn't know if it was true or false, but he couldn't find any flaws and felt it was a reasonable explanation.
Moreover, he felt that Jin Li wouldn't joke with her own life. Since she dared to transform, enter the human World, and come to Shrek Academy, she must have her own assurances.
Since there were no issues regarding safety, Huo Yuhao returned to his initial question.
He transmitted: "You have Vicious Beasts protecting you in the Star Dou Great Forest and were doing perfectly fine. Why transform and enter the human World?"
This time, Jin Li did not refuse to answer.
She transmitted: "I was just curious; I wanted to see what the human World is like."
She paused, a hint of anticipation flashing in her golden eyes: "And, there are so many delicious things in the human World that I want to taste."
As she spoke, a trace of "resentment" flashed in Jin Li's eyes: "After eating those delicious things you gave me before, I can't even stomach the brains of light-attribute Spirit Beasts anymore."
Huo Yuhao's mouth hung open; he truly hadn't expected this to be the reason.
An Auspicious Beast transformed and entered the human World just for gourmet food?!
This reason was so simple it left one speechless and so pure it made one not know whether to laugh or cry.
But calculating it this way, the culprit behind all this was himself!
If he hadn't given her those human foods, she wouldn't have developed an interest in gourmet food, and she wouldn't have become curious about the human World.
Huo Yuhao truly regretted it now; he should have listened to Di Tian back then and not given the Auspicious Beast those things!
He thought it was just a single meal, but he hadn't expected this meal to change the fate of an Auspicious Beast, leading her to step onto this dangerous "trajectory of fate" once again.
But it was too late to say anything now. Huo Yuhao sighed, his Spirit Eyes full of helplessness.
He pulled back his scattered thoughts and asked again: "Di Tian agreed to let you out?"
He knew the importance of the Emperor Auspicious Beast to the Star Dou Great Forest; normally, it should have been impossible for Di Tian to let her out.
Jin Li huffed at his words, her voice full of pride: "Di Tian dotes on me the most, though it did take a lot of effort to convince him."
"It's only because Shrek Academy isn't far from Star Dou; otherwise, he probably wouldn't have agreed."
"But Di Tian is also very worried about my safety; he might even be watching from somewhere right now."
Huo Yuhao's heart skipped a beat at those words.
He involuntarily raised his head and spread out his powerful mental force, instantly enveloping the entire Shrek Academy. His mental force traversed the campus; he didn't find anything unusual, but he couldn't be certain if Di Tian was truly watching him from somewhere.
After all, Di Tian was far more powerful than him. It wasn't just mental force; the other's mastery and application of spatial abilities were things he couldn't even hope to reach yet. If Di Tian wanted to hide, he simply wouldn't be able to find him.
Seeing Huo Yuhao's wary look, Jin Li giggled: "So, even if someone really sees through my identity as a Spirit Beast, there's no need to worry. At Shrek Academy, I can summon Di Tian at any time!"
Hearing this, Huo Yuhao turned and glanced at Jin Li.
Only then did he confirm that she hadn't made the decision on a whim, but had truly chosen to come only after ensuring her safety.
Huo Yuhao let out a breath, dispelling the worry in his heart.
This way, he could feel slightly more at ease.
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
2 Reviews = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.