Tang Ya pulled Yu Beibei toward the dining hall, while Jiang Nannan and Zhu Ziyang headed in the opposite direction—toward Sea God Lake.
A narrow path circled the lake, ideal for running. They had already scouted it during dinner the night before, so they knew exactly where to go.
Sea God Lake was a landmark of Shrek Academy. It wasn't a perfectly round lake, but it covered about one-third of the academy's entire area. At its center was an island—the location of the Inner Court. Around the lake was the lakeside trail, which was about thirty li (15 km) in circumference. Lush vegetation surrounded the path, forming small groves. The air was fresh, and the spot was known as a favorite place for Outer Court students to have romantic dates.
Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan arrived at the lake. The morning fog was thick, visibility low, and very few people were on the path—hardly anyone came this early.
"Alright, let's start here," Zhu Ziyang said. He took out two pairs of metal wristbands from his jade bangle and handed one pair to Jiang Nannan.
These were Gravity Bracelets, both Level 4 soul tools, engraved with a soul skill called Gravity Control. They allowed the wearer to adjust their own body weight for resistance training. There were four levels, increasing body weight by 2x, 3x, 4x, and 5x respectively.
These bracelets had been a gift from City Lord Hong Zhen of Anyang when Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan advanced to Grandmaster level. As rare cultivation-type soul tools, each set was worth at least 100,000 gold soul coins.
It was clear that Hong Zhen held high hopes for the pair.
Zhu Ziyang's physical strength was already capable of withstanding 5x gravity, which was astonishing—even beast-type Soul Elders rarely managed that.
Jiang Nannan could handle 3x gravity, which was also remarkable. Her physical toughness far exceeded that of most soul masters her age. The fact that her second soul ring had a 900-year lifespan was already evidence of that.
The two youths started running around the lake.
—
Two hours later, after completing two full laps, they finished their workout and headed to the dining hall for breakfast.
Afterward, they returned to their dorms, took showers, and then strolled around the academy, getting familiar with their new home—this place where they'd spend the next twelve years or more of their lives.
By the end of the day, they had explored every corner of the academy and had a solid understanding of the campus layout.
Two days later
The admissions period at Shrek Academy officially ended.
This year, the freshman class had seven sections, with a total of 688 new students—the smallest enrollment in nearly thirty years.
Today marked the first day of classes.
After finishing their morning run, Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan returned to their dorms, cleaned up, and changed into their uniforms. They met at the dormitory entrance.
Joining them was Tang Ya, Jiang Nannan's roommate. A moment later, Yu Beibei arrived, and the four of them walked together toward the teaching building.
Over the past three days, Jiang Nannan and Tang Ya had become close friends. Tang Ya was the first friend Jiang Nannan had made aside from Zhu Ziyang.
Though opposite in personality—Tang Ya being outgoing and energetic, while Jiang Nannan was calm and gentle—the two had clicked naturally.
Zhu Ziyang and Yu Beibei, on the other hand, were more reserved. Though they had shared a few conversations, their relationship remained distant and quiet.
Suddenly, Tang Ya turned around and asked Zhu Ziyang,
"Hey, Zhu Ziyang! Do you want to join our Tang Sect?"
"Our Tang Sect is the number one sect on the continent, you know!"
Zhu Ziyang was briefly surprised, then smiled and replied,
"I've heard of it. Founded ten thousand years ago by Tang San—the first of the original Shrek Seven Monsters who became a god, right?"
"Yes! That's right!" Tang Ya's eyes lit up. She hadn't expected Zhu Ziyang to know the history of Tang Sect.
These days, few people even remembered it. She beamed with excitement.
"So, do you want to join us? I can… hmm… make you the second disciple!"
Zhu Ziyang laughed and politely declined,
"Thanks, but I'm not planning to join any sects."
Join a sect that's been in decline for thousands of years? With his talent? What a joke.
"Aww, alright…" Tang Ya looked a little disappointed, but she wasn't too bothered. She had mostly asked on a whim and had already guessed he might refuse.
"Well, if you ever change your mind, be sure to think of us Tang Sect first, okay?"
"I will," Zhu Ziyang replied with a nod and a slight glimmer in his eye.
"Xiao Ya," Jiang Nannan interjected curiously, "why are there only you and Beibei left in Tang Sect?"
As Tang Ya's roommate, Jiang Nannan had also been invited to join. She had said she would consult Zhu Ziyang first—and now that he had declined, she wouldn't be joining either. Still, she was curious.
Tang Ya, who had been smiling the whole time, suddenly looked a bit sorrowful.
"To be honest, Nannan… our Tang Sect has already fallen. It's just Beibei and me now. Even the sect's ancestral grounds were taken away by others…"
Her beautiful face showed a flicker of bitterness and hate.
"Don't worry, Xiao Ya. We'll get it all back," Beibei said, stepping forward and gently taking her hand.
"Yes! We will!" Tang Ya said, reinvigorated.
Seeing something familiar in Tang Ya's spirit, Jiang Nannan offered encouragement too.
"You can do it, Xiao Ya! You're a Shrek Academy student now. I believe you'll restore your sect's glory."
"Thank you, Nannan!" Tang Ya said with heartfelt gratitude.
Then Zhu Ziyang asked curiously,
"Tang Ya, if you're the Tang Sect leader, then your martial soul must be Blue Silver Grass, right?"
"That's right," Tang Ya replied, a little surprised.
"According to our rules, only someone with a Blue Silver Grass martial soul can be the sect leader. But why do you ask?"
"No reason," Zhu Ziyang said with a faint smile. "I'm just genuinely curious. You see, your sect is the only one on the continent with Blue Silver Grass martial souls, and I've always been interested in that martial soul."
"Ah…" Tang Ya didn't know how to respond.
"That's not unusual," Yu Beibei cut in with a chuckle.
"Blue Silver Grass has a legendary background. I'd be curious too, if I were him."
"Exactly," Zhu Ziyang agreed, stroking his chin in thought and falling silent.
Tang Ya didn't dwell on it and resumed chatting with Jiang Nannan.
But Yu Beibei gave Zhu Ziyang a long look before also falling into thought.
—
Soon, the group of four arrived at the Freshman Teaching Building.
It had three floors:
The first and second floors held five classrooms each, with each classroom accommodating up to 100 students.
The third floor was the teacher's office, where the class advisors and instructors worked.
Classrooms Four and Five were next to each other, on the far left of the first floor.
"Beibei, we'll see you after class," Tang Ya said as she waved at him from the door to Class Four.
"Okay! Wait for me after school!" Beibei replied, heading into the Class Five room.
Zhu Ziyang and the girls entered Class Four.
Inside, about 70 to 80 students had already arrived. As soon as Zhu Ziyang, Jiang Nannan, and Tang Ya walked in, all eyes turned toward them.
A handsome boy and two beautiful girls—they instantly became the center of attention.
Zhu Ziyang ignored the looks. He found two empty seats, took Jiang Nannan's hand, and sat down.
Tang Ya immediately pouted.
"Zhu Ziyang, seriously? Couldn't you have picked a spot with three seats? So rude!"
Jiang Nannan looked a little embarrassed and said,
"Sorry, Xiao Ya. You'll have to find another seat…"
"No way—I'm sitting with you!" Tang Ya declared.
Then came a sight that stunned both Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan.
Tang Ya simply grabbed the girl sitting on the other side of Jiang Nannan and moved her aside. She talked a mile a minute, and before they knew it, the girl gave up her seat without a fuss.
The two watched in disbelief.
So this is what it means to be outrageously extroverted…
Impressive! Impressive!