"You're here to register, right? The registration fee is ten gold coins; just put them in the box!" Seeing Zhu Zhuqing approach, the middle-aged man stretched lazily and pointed to a wooden box nearby.
Zhu Zhuqing's expression was icy cold, showing no emotion whatsoever. She took out the gold coins from her spirit tool and placed them into the dilapidated wooden box.
The middle-aged man frowned slightly and reminded her, "The registration fee is ten gold coins per person!"
Lin Chen chuckled and said, "I'm not here to register. She's my friend; I'm just accompanying her."
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man suddenly understood. He looked at Zhu Zhuqing and said, "Extend your right hand!"
Zhu Zhuqing frowned slightly, and though somewhat reluctant, she still extended her hand.
The middle-aged man pinched Zhu Zhuqing's wrist twice, and his aged eyes deeply scrutinized her before he said, "You're under twelve. Show me your Spirit!"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently. Her Hell Civet instantly possessed her, and two yellow spirit rings gradually rose around her body, emitting a dazzling radiance.
The middle-aged man was slightly taken aback, his sleepy eyes suddenly brightening, and a smile appeared on his wrinkled face.
"Not bad, not bad. You're actually a Spirit Grandmaster, and your spirit rings are optimally configured. Your spirit power fluctuation even exceeds level twenty-five. Little girl, congratulations! You fully meet our Academy's admission qualifications. Since your spirit power has reached level twenty-five, you are exempt from the second and third stage assessments. As for the fourth stage assessment, please wait a moment; someone will come to take you there shortly!"
"Alright!" Zhu Zhuqing softly replied, saying no more, and stood beside Lin Chen.
Due to Lin Chen's appearance, a butterfly effect occurred, and Zhu Zhuqing became the first person to register.
Watching many registering students being eliminated for various reasons without their registration fees being refunded, Zhu Zhuqing's brows furrowed.
The commotion that arose finally subsided after Dai Mubai displayed his Spirit Elder cultivation. Zhu Zhuqing and Lin Chen exchanged glances, a look of disdain flashing in their eyes; they had witnessed the entire process today.
Not only were the facilities of Shrek Academy extremely poor, but they also swindled registration fees from applicants. Could such an Academy truly cultivate outstanding students?
Lin Chen's thoughts were more focused on the two figures not far away, and he struggled to suppress the anger in his heart.
Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing's face showed confusion. She stared blankly at the wooden box where the registration fees were kept, completely unaware of a blond man walking towards her.
"You're the student who just passed the assessment, right? I heard from the teacher that you've passed the first stage, and your spirit power has reached level twenty-five. Wait here; I have two friends over there who are also being assessed. We'll take you directly to the fourth stage assessment together later!" The blond man said softly, a gentle smile appearing on his well-defined face.
From the first moment he saw Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai's Spirit within him stirred. This was the unique Spirit sense of a Spirit capable of a Spirit Fusion Skill.
Zhu Zhuqing's figure and appearance were both outstanding, perfectly matching Dai Mubai's aesthetic. He was determined to win her over.
After showcasing his formidable strength in front of Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai no longer hesitated. The best opportunity had arrived, and he directly went forward to strike up a conversation.
Hearing Dai Mubai's words, Zhu Zhuqing did not reply. She instinctively frowned slightly, and her curvaceous body slowly leaned towards Lin Chen, her slender, delicate hand gently looping through Lin Chen's arm.
Dai Mubai froze for a moment, then properly sized up Lin Chen. Lin Chen was nearly a head taller than Dai Mubai, with sharp, sword-like brows, exquisite features, and long silver hair that reached his waist, gently swaying in the breeze. Dai Mubai admitted that in terms of both height and appearance, he was inferior to the man before him.
But in just a moment, the embarrassed Dai Mubai recovered. He didn't show hostility towards Lin Chen; on the contrary, a brilliant smile spread across his face.
"Hello, my name is Dai Mubai. My Spirit is White Tiger, a level thirty-seven attack system Battle Spirit Elder. From now on, I'll be your senior!" Dai Mubai extended his right hand and said.
Lin Chen smiled slightly, ignoring Dai Mubai's outstretched hand, and glanced at Zhu Zhuqing beside him, saying, "My name is Lin Chen. I'm afraid I'll disappoint you; I haven't registered for Shrek Academy. I'm here to accompany her today!"
Hearing Lin Chen's words, Dai Mubai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and the smile on his face grew even brighter. In his opinion, Lin Chen had been scared stiff by him, unwilling to even reveal his cultivation, and was definitely a mere pretty face.
Such a decorative person was not worthy of his attention. Dai Mubai looked at Zhu Zhuqing and said, "I'm going over there now. If you need anything, just call me; don't be shy with me!"
As Dai Mubai spoke, he turned and walked towards two familiar figures!
Seeing Dai Mubai walk away, Lin Chen withdrew his arm from Zhu Zhuqing's hand. He looked coldly at Zhu Zhuqing and questioned in a low voice, "Are you using me as a shield?"
Lin Chen admitted that he liked beautiful women, sometimes even being unable to move when he saw one.
He also admitted that his methods for pursuing beautiful women were cliché—giving gifts and spending money, much like the old Liu of Hong Kong.
But he disliked being used, and even more so, being used by beautiful women who didn't have him in their hearts.
Lin Chen was willing to give to beautiful women, but only when there was mutual affection between them, a situation of deep love and intimacy.
"I…" Faced with Lin Chen's questioning, Zhu Zhuqing was at a loss for words.
Lin Chen chuckled, his sarcasm evident.
"Take care!" Lin Chen coldly dropped a sentence, then turned and strode away.
The startled Zhu Zhuqing stood rooted to the spot, recalling her recent actions. Indeed, there was a suspicion of using Lin Chen to provoke Dai Mubai, but that wasn't her intention; it was merely an unconscious act!
She hadn't expected Lin Chen to get angry about it, nor had she expected him to abandon her and leave alone!
As she watched Lin Chen's retreating figure, her Spirit suddenly felt a trance, as if something important was drifting away from her.
Lin Chen's figure quickly disappeared from Zhu Zhuqing's sight. Unbeknownst to her, Zhu Zhuqing's eyes became moist. Recalling the experiences of these past few days, Lin Chen's figure kept replaying in her mind, and crystal-clear tears slid from her eyes.
Zhu Zhuqing faintly hoped Lin Chen would come back for her, but after waiting a long time, she still didn't see his figure.
A pang of heartache struck, and Zhu Zhuqing's delicate hand clutched her chest, her face turning pale.
Only then did Zhu Zhuqing truly confront her feelings for Lin Chen. The emotions between them were not merely simple friendship; a hazy love had quietly descended at some unknown point!
"Catch up! Quickly catch up!" A thought spontaneously arose in her heart, but Zhu Zhuqing, who had just taken a step, suddenly stopped.
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