[Li Yuan: Group members who want to hear some huge gossip tomorrow, type 1 to sign up!]
[Ice and Snow Smart: 1.]
[Big Cat in the Dark Night: Curious +1.]
[Loves Eating Carrots: Curious +2.]
[Big Sister with a Vicious Heart: +3! This gossip sounds like it's going to be juicy!]
[Heaven Dou's Richest Little Rich Girl: +4! I have to hear this!]
[The Single Married Woman Who Runs the Academy: +5! I want to see just how melodramatic this can get!]
Li Yuan looked at the screen full of orderly "+1"s, and his heart bloomed with joy.
Found it, the secret to wealth!
Oh no, it's the secret to igniting the "Chat Fire"!
If the group activity could be this high every day, would the days of the group Rank soaring and rewards flooding in be far off?
Wait, the number of people seems wrong!
He counted; excluding himself and Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue, and Hu Liena, who obviously wouldn't type 1, there were exactly six people who did.
But including him, there were eleven people in the group. Where was the last one?
[Li Yuan: @Little Dot in the Forest, if you want some gossip, come out and give a shout.]
Seeing this, everyone in the group realized belatedly.
There was actually someone in the group who hadn't spoken a single word since joining.
Holy crap, how can they hold it in like that? What a lurker!
[Little Dot in the Forest: Awooo—! (Baby dragon roar audio version)]
[Li Yuan: I said give a shout, I didn't mean literally!]
[Little Dot in the Forest: Awooo! Awooo! Awooo! (A few more urgent cries, as if in protest)]
Li Yuan frowned. Had a Spirit Beast without intelligence joined?
That shouldn't be right. Or did the chat group glitch?
Forget it, don't worry about it for now.
[Li Yuan: Fine, fine. Nothing for you here, go play somewhere else.]
[Li Yuan: Everyone, see you tomorrow. Goodnight!]
At the same time.
In a space within the Star Dou Great Forest surrounded by countless Vicious Beasts.
A little thing covered in golden fur, with a third eye on its head and resembling a small lion, was baring its undeveloped milk teeth at a glowing "Brick" in front of it, barking with adorable ferocity.
Nearby, several massive and obscure consciousnesses were quietly communicating.
"Do any of you know what the Auspicious Beast is saying?"
"No idea, but it sounds like it's saying some pretty nasty things."
The little one howled a few more times at the "Brick," then noticed there was no more movement from the other side.
Feeling a bit bored, it reached out a small paw and pawed at the "Brick," then carefully nudged it next to a pile of sparkling gems. It curled up its body and soon began to emit faint snoring sounds.
Tomorrow... it seems there's a story to hear?
With a hint of innocent curiosity, it drifted off to sleep... The next day.
Just after finishing breakfast, Li Yuan was summoned to the office by Chen Gang, the principal of Nuoding Academy.
"Principal, you wanted to see me?"
Li Yuan pushed the door open and entered. As soon as he finished speaking, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
In the office, besides the kindly Principal Chen Gang, there was a figure he extremely disliked seeing.
Yu Xiaogang.
Seeing Li Yuan enter, Yu Xiaogang immediately straightened his back and lifted his chin slightly, trying to strike a reserved and arrogant pose, as if waiting for the other party to greet him first.
Li Yuan rolled his eyes at him, not humoring him at all.
Who are you putting on an act for?
He suppressed the urge to turn around and leave.
After all, Principal Chen Gang had looked after him quite a bit over the past few years, so he had to show him some respect.
He wanted to see what kind of play Yu Xiaogang was trying to put on today.
"Humph!"
Seeing Li Yuan completely ignore him, Yu Xiaogang let out a heavy snort through his nose, his expression turning sour.
Chen Gang, standing nearby, thought his throat was bothering him and gave him a concerned look. Without thinking much of it, he warmly greeted Li Yuan: "Xiao Yuan is here! Come, sit, sit. Don't just stand there."
He even poured a cup of hot tea for Li Yuan.
"Xiao Yuan, I called you here because I have some good news."
Chen Gang said with a chuckle, "You're about to graduate soon. You probably haven't looked for a new Spirit Master academy yet, right? But don't worry, Xiaogang has recommended a very good academy for you."
He patted Yu Xiaogang's shoulder and continued, "Xiaogang said that Shrek Academy only accepts one or two students a year. Their requirements are extremely strict, and their faculty is very strong."
"I'm not clear on the specifics, but Xiaogang said the principal is a powerhouse at the Spirit Saint Rank! So I figured it must be an excellent Advanced Spirit Master Academy."
"Xiaogang went to a lot of trouble. Out of respect for him, the principal there made an exception to accept a few more students. So he wants you, Tang San, and Xiao Wu to go together so you can look out for each other."
"So, I'm here to ask for your opinion."
Li Yuan finally understood.
To summarize: the principal was being used as a tool by Yu Xiaogang. Without even investigating the basic situation of the academy, and relying solely on his trust in his "old friend," he was recommending it to one of the most promising students in his own academy.
This move was simply beyond ridiculous.
What did Shrek Academy have?
No money, no facilities, not even the Mimicry Cultivation Environment that is standard for advanced Spirit Master academies!
Sending a student with his talent there—wasn't that just purely ruining his future?
Of course, Li Yuan knew Principal Chen Gang meant well; he was just being kept in the dark.
He just felt sad for this good-natured man.
They had been friends for decades. Back when Yu Xiaogang was being cursed by the whole world, it was Chen Gang who took him in and gave him a place to stay.
The principal probably never dreamed that his "dear friend" would screw him over like this right before leaving.
Before Li Yuan could respond, Yu Xiaogang couldn't hold back anymore. He stood up with his arms crossed and said in a condescending tone, as if he were granting a favor:
"Li Yuan, although it's a pity that you didn't choose to take me as your master back then..."
"...as a Grandmaster of theory, I truly cannot bear to see children with good talent like you ruin your bright futures by choosing the wrong academy."
"Therefore, I made an exception and used my personal connections to talk to my friend, securing this opportunity for you to enter Shrek Academy. You must cherish it."
Talked to a friend?
Li Yuan sneered inwardly.
This lie was told with a straight Face.
How could he not see through Yu Xiaogang's little scheme? He could see it as clear as day.
It was nothing more than Tang San needing teammates for the future Spirit Master Competition.
And the highly talented Li Yuan and Xiao Wu were the perfect, ready-made "supporting leaves" that he could control.
As long as they entered his "old friend" Flender's academy...
...wouldn't they be at his mercy? He would call it "team composition" in name, but in reality, they would just be foils for Tang San.
"Heh..."
Li Yuan gave a scornful laugh, his lips curling into an undisguised sneer. "Grandmaster, you've certainly got it all figured out, haven't you?"
Yu Xiaogang didn't catch the irony in his words. Thinking Li Yuan was marveling at his connections and foresight, he became even more smug.
"That is natural. Li Yuan, don't worry. Although you didn't take me as your master, as long as you enter Shrek, I guarantee the principal will treat you all equally."
"I can even... provide you with some extra guidance regarding your future spirit ring choices and development direction."