The next morning.
Yunchuan left the hotel and decided to explore every inch of Soto City, hoping lightning might strike twice after the incredible fortune of that golden plate crystal. If he managed to discover anything else like that—he'd hit a goldmine.
But luck wasn't on his side today. He scoured every shop, every street stall, even the back alleys—nothing. There were plenty of minerals and crystals for sale, but none resonated with the rune at his brow. Not one sent even the faintest signal.
It was disappointing, but not unexpected. After all, if such things were easily found, he wouldn't have spent six years stalled back in Spirit Hall. Still, it was worth a try.
Abandoning his treasure hunt, Yunchuan turned to the other reason he'd come here—to finally meet the famous faces from the source material, starting with a very particular one… Tang San.
Why did he feel an urge to "teach Tang San a lesson"? Simple. Every time he thought about what Tang San did to Xue-jie and his mother in the original, Yunchuan's fists itched. If he didn't vent his frustration, he'd never relax.
After some digging, he confirmed there were still three days until Shrek Academy started enrollment. Perfect. Plenty of room to maneuver.
A plan formed in Yunchuan's mind—one that would let him "legitimately" give Tang San the beating he deserved.
The idea was simple: take the alias "Tang Chuan" and join Shrek Academy… as a teacher.
When Tang San appeared for his entrance exam, Yunchuan could, as a "proctor," give him a thrashing under the banner of education. If Tang Hao, the notorious father, tried to intervene—so be it. Yunchuan was curious just how big the gap really was between himself and a Titled Douluo.
If push came to shove, and Tang Hao discovered his identity and tried to kill him, Yunchuan wasn't worried. At the critical moment, he could "accidentally" reveal who he really was.
'Would that drunken old man really kill the lost son who was taken from him as a child?'
Yunchuan didn't think so. If anything, he was betting on shock and hesitation saving his skin.
With his mind made up, Yunchuan immediately set off for Shrek Academy, where he happened to bump into Flender—a man who'd just spent a fortune at the healer's clinic and now wore a look of deep regret.
After a "friendly discussion" (involving a few more bruises for Flender), Yunchuan became the most sought-after instructor at Shrek Academy. Flender, with two shiny new panda eyes, begged him to join—even if only in name.
Mischief satisfied, Yunchuan dropped 100,000 gold coins on the table as a "personal donation for the growth of Shrek Academy." Flender survived the day's pain with a little more comfort.
As promised, he introduced "Tang Chuan" to the other teachers—a dazzling talent said to be twenty-five years old (Yunchuan had lied)—a Soul Saint prodigy, just a pity about the baby face.
The staff couldn't help but marvel at the new addition.
After brief introductions, Yunchuan settled in to "wait for the rabbit"—his plan set to spring when Tang San arrived. Yet after just one night, he was fed up—the teacher accommodations were barely above squalor, and the food… just steamed buns and salted vegetables.
After growing up in luxury at Spirit Hall, Yunchuan couldn't take it. He swiftly decided to return to Soto City and waited for opening day to roll back.
…
Rose Hotel, welcome hall.
At the front desk stood a pair of teenagers, boy and girl, both around fourteen. The boy was plain-looking, standing about 1.7 meters tall, dressed in simple blue clothes and wearing a belt set with twenty-four jade stones. His features weren't striking, but he radiated a gentle, approachable air.
If the boy was ordinary, his companion was anything but. A braid of glossy black hair hung nearly to her calves; she was even a little taller than the boy. Her pink top hugged a blossoming figure—her modest chest balanced by a wasp-thin waist any girl would envy. Long, shapely legs filled out white pants in a perfect hourglass, her round little hips already hinting at curves. Her young face was still childishly sweet, but her confident stance was unmistakable.
There was no mistaking these two—Tang San and Xiao Wu.
At that moment, Tang San was speaking to the attendant. "Please open two rooms."
The clerk looked the pair up and down, eyes flickering with envy, and asked, "Sir, are you sure you want two rooms?"
Tang San nodded. "Why wouldn't I?"
A sly, meaningful look flashed in the clerk's eyes. "Sorry, we only have one left."
Tang San frowned. He'd lived two lives now; as children he'd shared a bed with Xiao Wu, but they were both growing up. The old "men and women shouldn't share a room" adage had stuck in his mind.
The clerk insisted, "Yes, just one left. But don't worry, the rooms are big and fully equipped—plenty of space for two." As he spoke, he shot Tang San a knowing wink.
Of course, Tang San missed the meaning.
Xiao Wu cheerfully said, "One room's fine! Didn't we always share a dorm at Nuoding? No big deal—plus it saves us money for cute clothes!"
Tang San shook his head, resigned. He wasn't inflexible; worst case, he'd sleep on the floor.
"Alright, give us the room." Just as the clerk prepared to hand over the key, a sharp voice cut through the lobby.
"I believe that room is mine."
Tang San and Xiao Wu turned together to see three people approaching—the front desk in their sights.
One man and two women. The girls were tall, vibrant, and so alike they could only be twins. But Tang San's gaze wasn't on the girls—it locked instantly on the boy between them.
He was about 1.8 meters tall, half a head taller than Tang San, seemingly younger than the girls at his sides, but with broad shoulders and an angular jaw. Gold hair swept nearly to his waist, straight and smooth, not a hint of curl.
Most striking were his eyes—each was blue, cold and luminous, but in both irises sparkled a pair of pupils, giving them an uncanny, chilling aura. The moment his gaze landed on you, it felt as if blades were slicing through your soul.
Handsomeness and menace, all wrapped in a single glance.
He was strong.
That was Tang San's first and only thought.