Chapter 26: First Visit to Shrek
Belonging to the Barak Kingdom, the official road near Soto City is lined with vast expanses of farmland, appearing lush and delightful.
Li Tianyi accompanied Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo along the road. Watching the workers toiling in the fields, he couldn't help but feel that an ordinary life might be a wonderful thing.
There was a simple, peaceful atmosphere here.
Li Tianyi liked it here, but honestly, while this ordinary life was wonderful, it wasn't what he sought. He had his own beliefs and a clear understanding of what he truly wanted.
The full moon of the fifteenth day of the lunar month was approaching, and he had to find a way to leave here quickly.
Ning Fengzhi glanced at the map drawn by the sect's spies, and after confirming it, he pointed directly ahead and said with certainty, "That's the village!"
"Oh?" Li Tianyi looked in the direction of Ning Fengzhi's finger with curiosity.
About three or four hundred meters ahead stood a small village. It looked modest, with perhaps fewer than a hundred households. A crude fence surrounded it, likely to protect against wild animals.
The three approached quickly, only to see a tattered plaque hanging from a wooden archway at the village entrance. Inscribed on it were five crooked characters: "Shrek Academy."
Next to the characters was a cute little green monster head.
Li Tianyi was fine, having anticipated this.
Bone Douluo, however, grew anxious and glared fiercely at Ning Fengzhi.
"Hmph! You're sending Rongrong to suffer in a place like this?"
Ning Fengzhi didn't reply, his lips twitching. He hadn't expected Shrek to be so destitute.
"Ahem, a mountain isn't known for its height; it's known for its immortals. We shouldn't judge a person by their appearance," Li Tianyi offered a timely soothing reassurance.
His soothing words had no effect. Both Ning Fengzhi and Bone Douluo's expressions darkened, and they stormed off into the village.
Li Tianyi followed behind, shaking his head helplessly. "
Alas, with the two of you acting so protective of your child, how can Ning Rongrong's character be any better?
It's a good thing she hasn't been spoiled to the point of wanting to reach for the stars."
As they entered the village, the people around them paused their work and cast curious glances at the three strangers. Bone Douluo's muscular build, despite his lack of muscle, was truly striking.
"Uncle Bone," Ning Fengzhi gave Bone Douluo a look.
Bone Douluo then stopped where he was, channeling his spirit power and shouting, "Rongrong, Grandpa Bone is here to see you!"
The echoes reverberated through Shrek Academy.
Li Tianyi, standing nearby, felt a sense of emotion. The Super Douluo's control over his abilities was truly exquisite. His voice was penetrating, yet not jarring.
Soon, a burly figure shot over from a distance.
He wasn't tall, but he was incredibly muscular, his body brimming with muscle, his shoulders as broad as a city wall.
"Zhao Wuji of Shrek Academy greets Sect Master Ning!"
"Hmph!" Bone Douluo snorted.
"It seems this must be His Majesty Bone Douluo," Zhao Wuji said with a humble bow.
Seeing Bone Douluo's silence, Zhao Wuji's face faltered.
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, "Teacher Zhao, since Rongrong is training here, there's no need to be so polite with us."
Zhao Wuji's expression relaxed a little, and he said honestly, "Are you here to see Rongrong?"
Ning Fengzhi didn't answer, but instead asked in confusion, "Teacher Zhao, why is your face swollen?"
Zhao Wuji's face froze, and he said awkwardly, "Ahem, nothing. I just had a minor problem with my Qigong training the other day."
Li Tianyi, who had been observing the legendary Zhao Wuji with curiosity, couldn't help but roll his eyes. "I don't believe you, are you? Can Qigong turn you into a pig's head?
I think you were bullying the kid, and the kid's dad got upset and came to give you a beating.
Zhao Wuji changed the subject, saying, "Rongrong and the others are at the martial arts training ground. I'll take you there now."
As they walked, Ning Fengzhi hesitated, saying, "Teacher Zhao, your academy's conditions seem a bit..."
Zhao Wuji waved his hand and said, "A bit shabby, aren't they? It's hard to describe."
"Many organizations that want to sponsor us have ulterior motives. For the sake of the children's freedom, we teachers have no choice but to decline them."
Bone Douluo's expression brightened slightly upon hearing this.
Ning Fengzhi's expression softened slightly as he looked at Zhao Wuji.
"Teacher Zhao, my Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect can sponsor a certain amount of your expenses every year from now on."
"Oh?" Zhao Wuji didn't immediately show joy. Instead, he looked at Ning Fengzhi with a hint of caution.
Ning Fengzhi smiled gently, saying, "Don't worry, I don't have any special motives. Just consider it a friendship."
Zhao Wuji smiled innocently, rubbing his hands, and said, "Sect Master Ning, this is embarrassing."
Li Tianyi, seeing Ning Fengzhi's smile, knew that this old fox mode was back.
He felt that Ning Fengzhi must have studied Shrek's people thoroughly before coming, and now this move is intended to be a long-term investment.
If Shrek dared to accept it now, it would be like owing Ning Fengzhi a favor. If he really needed help in the future, would you, Shrek, have the nerve to refuse?
Tsk tsk, Li Tianyi felt that Ning Fengzhi's brains were wasting his time in Douluo if he didn't go stir up trouble on Wall Street.
Soon, Zhao Wuji led the three to what he called the "martial arts training ground. "
The so-called training ground was merely an empty, flat expanse of sand, ablaze with light as five people practiced martial arts.
"Pa pa pa," Zhao Wuji clapped his hands. "Alright, kids, let's stop training for a minute."
A beautiful girl with neatly cropped hair and a white training suit was the first to look over. "Dad, Grandpa Bone, why are you here?"
"Huh?" Seeing the girl's excitement, the two men and two women beside her also looked over curiously.
"Rongrong, didn't you hear Grandpa Bone calling you just now?" Bone Douluo said fondly.
"Grandpa Bone, the dean told us to be absolutely focused during training!"
Bone Douluo frowned. "Dean? Is he as powerful as Grandpa?"
Ning Fengzhi smiled wryly and pulled Bone Douluo aside. "Uncle Bone, please stop pampering this girl. I think the dean is quite right."
Bone Douluo ignored him, caressing Ning Rongrong's hair lovingly.
Li Tianyi skipped past Ning Rongrong and looked at the four people behind her.
The young man with long golden hair, a masculine aura, and violet eyes—that must be Dai Mubai, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger.
The dark, silent eyes, a childlike face, and a voluptuous figure—that must be Zhu Zhuqing, the Netherworld Spirit Cat.
The one with silky long hair braided into a scorpion tail, a figure of golden proportions, and pink stockings—that must be Xiao Wu.
And the last one...
Li Tianyi glanced at the young man, who had an ordinary appearance but a unique aura, and who was also studying him.
Their eyes met, and they both spoke simultaneously,
"Tang San?"
"Brother Tian?"
Shrek Academy Monster Selection Contest: Dai Mubai: I was born with purple lightning pupils, I'm the little monster!
Xiao Wu: I'm a hundred-thousand-year-old spirit beast, I'm the little monster! Tang San: I have the twin spirits of Earth Lust, I'm the little monster!
Ning Rongrong: I have a nine-story pagoda! I... (lack of confidence)
Ma Hongjun: I have infinite stamina!! I'm...
Li Tianyi flicked his silver tail, his face expression cold and silent. Hehe! Ahem, to spice things up, I've made some minor character changes.
Read 50+ Advanced Chapters At Pat Reon
p@treon.com/FicToric
(End of chapter)