"What do you mean 'you're back'? Haven't you been here the whole time?"Both teachers stared at Shi Yu, puzzled.
"No, it's nothing," Shi Yu laughed dryly, his heart uneasy. He glanced around and pinched himself, making sure he was really back in the same place from before his second time travel. This wasn't a dream.
"What is going on?" Shi Yu was confused, full of doubts with no one to give him answers.Why did he travel ten thousand years into the past after absorbing a spirit ring?Why did he return?Would it happen again?
There were too many questions—questions only he could find answers to.
"Did absorbing the spirit ring mess with his brain?" one of the teachers whispered.
Shi Yu stood up and staggered outside, hunger gnawing at him—he still hadn't eaten since earlier.
Both teachers followed close behind. After all, if a freshman's brain was damaged during soul ring absorption, the academy could be held responsible.
"Take him to the infirmary," one teacher suggested, and the other agreed. Without giving Shi Yu a chance to protest, they escorted him there.
"I'm fine," Shi Yu said, trying to wave them off. But they insisted.
At the infirmary, the school doctor ran a full set of examinations—some using instruments, others using soul power.In this world, there were medical-type Soul Tools that allowed for detailed physical assessments.
"What's this now?" the school doctor said as she pulled up a test result. She even performed an IQ test—because the teachers suspected he might have suffered brain damage.
Shi Yu was speechless but went along with it. He was worried they'd think he was mentally challenged if he resisted.
"He's fine," the doctor finally said. "He's just been hungry too long. Feed him and he'll be back to normal."
"That's a relief." The two teachers let out sighs.
"Alright, kid, go get something to eat. We won't bother you anymore."Having confirmed that his brain was intact, the teachers left.
Shi Yu climbed off the examination bed and was about to leave when the doctor, a middle-aged woman, asked him,"Have you taken any natural treasures recently?"
Shi Yu paused. "Why do you ask?"
"Your cell activity is off the charts—far beyond what it should be for your age and cultivation level. Even more exaggerated than some Title Douluo," she said with amazement.
After a moment of thought, Shi Yu replied honestly, "I accidentally consumed a Nine-Color Begonia."
"Nine-Color Begonia?" The school doctor's eyes lit up with interest. "Describe it for me."
Shi Yu recounted everything he could remember, not hiding anything. He wanted to know what he had taken too.
"Are you sure you're not exaggerating?" she asked, startled by his description.
Shi Yu nodded firmly. "I'm sure."
"If that's true… then you didn't eat just any Nine-Color Begonia. That might've been the Nine-Heart Begonia. You're incredibly lucky."
She explained further, "This Nine-Heart Begonia is unimaginably rare. Encountering a 100,000-year-old soul beast might be more likely than finding one of these. I can't believe you came across one—and actually consumed it."
So it was the Nine-Heart Begonia... Shi Yu had only speculated before, but now it was confirmed.
"What kind of benefits does it bring? Are there any side effects?" he asked cautiously.
"There's basically no harm. The main benefits are enhanced recovery," she said.
"Like I said, your body's cell activity is shockingly high. You'll recover much faster from injuries. Plus, you'll be less likely to get sick, and your lifespan will probably be longer than average."
Shi Yu's eyes lit up. "What about poison resistance?"
"For common poisons, yes, you should have some immunity. But for powerful toxins? Probably not full immunity—but you'd be much harder to kill, even if poisoned."
The school doctor answered every question with enthusiasm. She was very interested in Shi Yu's body and even asked if he'd be willing to let her study him further.
Shi Yu made a random excuse and politely declined. He didn't want to become someone's lab specimen.
When he left the infirmary, his mind was full of thoughts. He needed a quiet place to sort everything out.
"Are you alright?"Just then, Song Lingzhen arrived and asked about his condition.
Her question snapped Shi Yu out of his daze. He shook his head slightly, signaling that he was fine.
"I'm glad you're okay. I'll take you to the dormitory now," she said.
"Thank you for the trouble, teacher," Shi Yu replied respectfully.
On the way, Song Lingzhen introduced the layout and facilities of Shrek Academy. Shi Yu listened quietly, memorizing it all.
As they neared the dormitory area, a thought crossed Shi Yu's mind—the image of the old man Moon lying at the entrance of the dorm building.
"Should I try to improve my impression with him?" Shi Yu considered it. It probably wouldn't hurt to say a friendly hello. Just a simple gesture.
As soon as they entered the dormitory courtyard, he saw the old man again—leaning back lazily in his chair, rocking gently. The creaking of the chair echoed softly.
Shi Yu glanced at him casually, and just at that moment, the old man opened his eyes and saw him.
Shi Yu had originally planned to say something, but now he just gave a smile and a polite nod. It counted as a greeting, at least.
He still felt a little awkward starting a conversation, so he decided to be more casual for now. He could build rapport over time.
Moon didn't respond. But after Shi Yu passed by, the old man looked at him again, a faint glimmer in his cloudy eyes.
"A Space Martial Soul?"Moon's eyes narrowed in interest. He had clearly sensed something.
"Your dorm is Room 118. It's just a bit further ahead," Song Lingzhen said, pointing him in the direction as they reached the first-floor corridor.
"Alright." Shi Yu nodded and headed that way on his own.
Song Lingzhen didn't follow, clearly leaving him to settle in by himself.
As Shi Yu walked down the corridor, he checked each dorm number. When he reached Room 108, he paused.
That was the dorm where Huo Yuhao had stayed when he first entered Shrek Academy—at least, in the original timeline.
Shi Yu looked at the door a little longer. It was closed. He wasn't sure if someone was already living there or not.
Not lingering, he quickly found Room 118. The door was open.
Before entering, he saw two middle-aged men inside—one cleaning, the other making the bed.
Knock, knock, knock.Shi Yu knocked politely, and both turned to look at him.
"I'm a new student assigned to this dorm. May I ask who you are?" Shi Yu asked.
From their age, it was obvious they weren't students. But it wasn't clear whether they were hired by the academy or someone else.
"Our young master lives in this dormitory," one of them explained. "We're helping him clean and make the bed. He's out eating and should be back soon."
The other man didn't speak. He just kept busy, ignoring Shi Yu completely.