Chapter 53: Little Schemes with Qian Renxue

Nian Yun's words left Xue Beng somewhat baffled. What did he mean by saying someone had yet to arrive?

Before long, the clanging sound of armor and weapons echoed through the street.

Following the sound, Xue Beng and his companions looked over to see dozens of fully equipped guards rushing out from the end of the street, with Xue Xing, a member of the Heaven Dou imperial family, riding a horse right in the middle of them.

Under their puzzled gazes, the troops stopped in front of the restaurant, and Xue Xing quickly dismounted, striding aggressively toward the restaurant.

The restaurant's waiter and manager were momentarily stunned before rushing forward to open the door and welcome him.

As soon as he stepped inside, Xue Xing walked straight to Xue Beng's table with a clear target.

"Uncle, why is it you?" Seeing Xue Xing, Xue Beng's initial wave of anxiety subsided significantly.

"What do you mean why? Hurry up and come back with me." Xue Xing said to Xue Beng with a stern face, then turned his gaze to Nian Yun. "Kid, if you want to make a move against Xue Beng, you should first figure out your own worth. Don't end up being someone else's cannon fodder."

"Prince Xue Xing must be having some misunderstanding. I merely wanted to apologize to Fourth Prince Xue Beng. This humble commoner truly does not understand the Prince's meaning." Nian Yun smiled and bowed to Xue Xing.

"Uncle, are you misunderstanding something?" Sensing that Xue Xing had gotten the wrong idea, Xue Beng hurriedly spoke up.

Xue Xing cast a look of utter disappointment at Xue Beng and snapped, "Hurry up and come with me."

Helpless, Xue Beng had no choice but to follow Xue Xing out of the restaurant, leaving his few lackeys standing frozen in place.

"Your boss is gone. What are you still lingering here for? Want to get electrocuted?" Nian Yun swept a smiling glance over the three of them.

Startled by Nian Yun's threat, the men fled without even daring to turn back and glare at him.

Once the commotion on the street had faded, Nian Yun called over a waiter. "Waiter, menu, time to order."

After waiting for a moment, the waiter failed to appear, replaced instead by the restaurant manager. "Sir, we are deeply honored by your presence, but we must kindly ask if you would consider another establishment. Our restaurant is more than willing to cover the bill for the time you've wasted."

Faced with this polite eviction notice, Nian Yun was not angered at all. Instead, he spoke to the empty seat opposite him, "What should we do? They won't let us order. How about we change places?"

Beads of cold sweat broke out on the manager's forehead, soon followed by an even thicker mist of tension.

*Jingle—* The welcoming chime at the entrance rang out as a luxuriously dressed, extraordinarily handsome man walked in.

"Why wouldn't you be able to order?" A soft, melodious voice echoed through the dining hall.

As the patrons kept glancing over, one after another realized something was amiss and hurriedly fled out the door.

The manager was also drawn by the voice. The instant his eyes focused on the newcomer, his legs nearly gave out, save for Nian Yun, who reached out and steadied him in time. "Alright, hurry up and bring the menu."

With his heart pounding wildly, the manager first bowed deeply to the newcomer several times before scurrying off to fetch the menu, then bent over to listen carefully to the dish names.

"This, this, and this. By the way, would you like to order something?" Nian Yun's casual remark made the manager's legs tremble continuously.

"You order."

"Very well, make it two servings. That will be all."

Taking the menu, the manager clutched it like a drowning man grasping a straw, turned on his heel, and dashed toward the kitchen.

"A Titled Douro has appeared. How do you plan to clean up this mess?"

"I don't have the capability to summon a Titled Douro. What mess is there to clean up?"

"I heard she will be holding the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament soon. If we stir up such a huge commotion for her, won't it—"

"What? She already gave you the Pontiff's Token, and you're still worried about a commotion?"

"Fine, fine. When do we strike?"

"Go make friends with Xue Beng first and wait slowly. Rest assured, it won't delay your next step. Once things are settled here, I'll help make things easier for you over there."

*Tap, tap...*

"Sirs, I hope I didn't interrupt you. The dishes are ready." The manager approached cautiously and asked.

"Bring them out."

Nian Yun could not wait to taste whatever gold was mixed into the dishes of these wealthy people.

***

Imperial Palace

"Nephew Beng, why are you still so careless? Yun Yun is Xue Qinghe's man. If I hadn't shown up today, have you ever thought about the consequences?" The more Xue Xing thought about it, the more lingering fear he felt, and his tone grew increasingly heavy.

"Uncle, he doesn't look like someone under Xue Qinghe's control to me."

Xue Beng's lack of insight almost made Xue Xing vomit blood with rage. "Yun Yun suddenly arrived at the academy, and in this short time, his status there has already become extraordinary. Right now, not just the teachers, but even the students are practically under Xue Qinghe's thumb. You must understand the gravity of this issue!"

"Uncle, this nephew knows his mistake."

"You must exercise the utmost caution in the future. I will also send people to keep a closer eye on that Yun Yun. This throne—we must fight for it!"

***

Shrek Academy

Because they had been traveling continuously, none of them noticed Ning Rongrong's soaring soul power, which was the best possible outcome for both Ning Rongrong and Nian Yun.

Before sunset, the group successfully arrived at the gates of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Academy (Blueba Academy), where students and teachers were undergoing separate evaluations.

The Shrek Seven Devils entered the evaluation room one by one.

Because of his performance in the soul duel arena, Nian Yun naturally walked into the room first.

Evaluator: "Please display your martial soul."

Nian Yun slowly raised his left hand, and the 'Clock Rock' appeared, accompanied by three rising soul rings.

"Martial soul: Stone. Soul Elder. Soul power is qualified. Next."

Hearing those words, Nian Yun walked closer. "My martial soul is called 'Clock Rock', no-t 'stone'."

Faced with Nian Yun approaching, the evaluator felt slighted and stepped forward. "Hey, hey, hey! Please mind your behavior. Disrespecting the examiner—do you have any idea—"

Before he could finish, Nian Yun was already stepping forward to argue his case. At that moment, Ning Rongrong, hearing the call for the next candidate and wondering why Nian Yun hadn't come out yet, pushed the door open out of curiosity, only to find Nian Yun looking ready to throw punches with the evaluator.

"Nian Yun, Nian Yun."

Ning Rongrong hurriedly stepped forward to pull the two apart.

The evaluator had no intention of letting Nian Yun off the hook. "Just a bit of talent and you act so arrogant. Blueba Academy will not recruit students like you."

"Ah?" Ning Rongrong looked at Nian Yun in confusion. "What on earth just happened, Nian Yun?"

Nian Yun did not reply to Ning Rongrong, instead saying nonchalantly, "You should be clear on the consequences of making this decision right now."

"I am perfectly clear. Now, you may leave. Next."

The more Ning Rongrong heard, the angrier she became. "Next what? There is no next! Let's go, Nian Yun."

With that, Ning Rongrong shot a glare at the evaluator and pulled Nian Yun toward the exit.

Just as they reached the door, a bespectacled woman in a uniform walked up and said to the evaluator, "The dean has already decided to admit all eight members of Shrek. No evaluation is needed. Make the arrangements as soon as possible."

Those words reached the evaluator's ears, and despair flashed in his eyes. He breathed heavily as he looked at Nian Yun, but Nian Yun merely turned his back and walked out of the room without a response.

Afterward, unsurprisingly, because of this incident, the evaluator was demoted and personally disciplined by the dean.

The next day

"Who is called Nian Yun? Step outside." A deep, booming voice echoed through the doorway.

The students in the classroom turned to look at the entrance, only to see a humanoid ape resembling a gorilla stride inside.