Training Hall, Second Floor.
Du Weilun gestured excitedly in front of Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo, his voice filled with enthusiasm, completely ignoring the fact that Bei Bei was also present.
Yan Shaozhe waved his hand. "Alright, Weilun, we all saw it. This kid is indeed a miracle. Tomorrow, I'll personally talk to him and do my best to ensure he stays at Shrek Academy in the future."
Qian Duoduo's eyes twinkled. "Cough, cough... Didn't they also say his soul tool talent is outstanding...?"
Before he could finish, Yan Shaozhe cut him off. "Forget about trying to recruit Zhou Sicheng. This kid is definitely ours to train. Besides, now that he's an inner court disciple, the academy will invest even more resources into his development."
Qian Duoduo was immediately displeased. "Yan Shaozhe, what kind of attitude is that? Can't you see? This kid's martial soul is highly unique, but it doesn't seem to have any offensive or defensive capabilities on its own. If he were to study soul tools alongside it, that would make him the ultimate soul master!"
Of course, Yan Shaozhe understood this. But there was no way the Martial Soul Department would let him go.
Rather than arguing with Qian Duoduo, he turned to Bei Bei. "Bei Bei, you spent over a month with him. What do you think of him?"
Bei Bei didn't hesitate. "Brother Zhou is a great person, and he even helped Xiao Ya solve her martial soul cultivation problem. After spending a month together, I can confidently say that he's a very reliable person."
Since this didn't involve Zhou Sicheng's secrets, Bei Bei recounted their time together in detail.
After hearing his description, both Yan Shaozhe and Qian Duoduo, as well as Du Weilun, were very satisfied with Zhou Sicheng.
After all, for Bei Bei to call someone younger than him 'Brother Zhou,' that alone was a sign of deep recognition.
After thinking for a moment, Yan Shaozhe said, "Bei Bei, try to stay close to Zhou Sicheng whenever you have free time. If he ends up staying at Shrek, you'll have done a great service."
Yan Shaozhe's suggestion aligned with Bei Bei's own thoughts. "I understand, Dean."
Yan Shaozhe then waved his hand. "You've worked hard today, Bei Bei. Go get some rest."
Bei Bei nodded, bid farewell to Qian Duoduo and Du Weilun, and left the training hall.
He hadn't seen Xiao Ya all day—she was probably missing him by now!
Not long after Bei Bei left, Yan Shaozhe and the others also departed.
He had to inform the Master of this fantastic news!
As Yan Shaozhe walked away, Qian Duoduo continued to chatter beside him. Meanwhile, Du Weilun's excitement gradually settled, though he was still in awe of Zhou Sicheng's talent and strength.
All ten students had successfully crossed Sea God's Lake, but now they were all looking at Zhou Sicheng like he was some kind of monster.
It was one thing for him to be strong in combat, but he was also a master of soul tools?
Among the four newly admitted inner court disciples, one of them had also used a soul tool to cross the lake. But compared to Zhou Sicheng, not only did he lack the same style, but even his speed was miles behind.
Dugu Xianmeng walked up to Zhou Sicheng. "I didn't expect your mastery of soul tools to be this impressive. That must be a Grade 4 Soul Tool, right?"
Zhou Sicheng nodded. This was the first work he had crafted after becoming a Grade 4 Soul Engineer.
However, he didn't bother explaining much and simply smiled. "Senior Sister, you were impressive too. Even though you left last, you still arrived second on Sea God's Island."
Hearing his compliment, Dugu Xianmeng inexplicably felt a small sense of pride. At some point, she had started to regard Zhou Sicheng as an equal rather than a mere junior.
She had initially thought Zhou Sicheng needed his contract soul beasts to cross the lake, but now it was clear—his strength was anything but simple!
No wonder Big Sister kept his portrait...
As per tradition, during the new students' initial period in the inner court, senior students would guide them through the inner court's rules and locations.
The numbers worked out perfectly—each senior would take one new student under their wing.
However, since it was already late, the most important task for the night was assigning dorms; everything else could wait until tomorrow.
The inner court was different from the outer court. There were no large dormitory buildings here. Since the inner court rarely had more than a hundred students, the academy had built individual villas on Sea God's Island instead.
This ensured both privacy and an optimal cultivation environment.
Under the guidance of a senior, each new student began choosing an unoccupied villa.
Naturally, Zhou Sicheng followed Dugu Xianmeng.
Noticing him scanning his surroundings, Dugu Xianmeng smiled. "Looking for something?"
"Just picking a good place to stay. I prefer somewhere quiet. Do you have any recommendations, Senior Sister?"
Dugu Xianmeng gave him a mysterious smile. "Are you sure you're not looking for someone?"
Zhou Sicheng looked at her in surprise. He was looking for someone.
Before arriving, his sister had sent him a letter saying she lived in one of the villas closest to the Golden Tree. She told him to find her once he got to the academy.
Originally, she had also mentioned that she would likely be an examiner this year, but Zhou Sicheng hadn't seen her anywhere...
Observing his expression, Dugu Xianmeng smirked. "I knew it. You're looking for Ye Guyi, aren't you?"
Hearing that name, Zhou Sicheng's eyes filled with shock as he stared at Dugu Xianmeng. Her smirk deepened.
He asked, "Did my sister mention me to you?"
Dugu Xianmeng shook her head. "Not at all. Big Sister is always cold and aloof. I'm probably one of the few people she even speaks to. But she never mentioned you."
Zhou Sicheng was confused. "Then how did you recognize me? You knew who I was from the beginning, didn't you?"
Dugu Xianmeng explained, "I happened to see your portrait before. You look even better in person!"
Hearing this, Zhou Sicheng wasn't even focused on the compliment—his sister kept a portrait of him?
Ye Guyi, you've been secretly plotting something, haven't you?
Seeing the corner of his lips twitch upward, Dugu Xianmeng chuckled. "She actually prepared a place for you a long time ago. Follow me."
Zhou Sicheng was puzzled. "Didn't you say she never mentioned me? How do you know she saved me a place?"
Dugu Xianmeng explained, "Three months ago, Big Sister cleaned out a room in her villa and hasn't let anyone enter since. If it's not for you, then who else?"
"But are you two really biological siblings? Why do you have different surnames? Did you take one parent's surname while she took the other's?"
Zhou Sicheng chuckled. "Take a guess."
Dugu Xianmeng raised an eyebrow. "You really aren't afraid of me, huh? Do you know what people call me in the academy?"
Zhou Sicheng shrugged indifferently. "No idea."
Dugu Xianmeng lifted her fist. "They call me Poison Enchantress. If you annoy me, I might just poison you mute!"
Zhou Sicheng feigned confusion. "Poison Enchantress? That's an awful nickname. Is it because of your martial soul?"
For some reason, Zhou Sicheng was the only person with whom Dugu Xianmeng didn't act cold. Words came out of her mouth without hesitation.
She nodded. "That's right. Jade Phosphor Snake. Haven't you heard of it?"
Zhou Sicheng replied, "Of course I have. It's said that Jade Phosphor Snake soul masters are born cursed by poison—while possessing unparalleled venom, they themselves also suffer from it."
"According to legend, ten thousand years ago, a Titled Douluo with a Jade Phosphor Snake martial soul massacred a million beings. Afterward, that bloodline was cursed—no Jade Phosphor Snake soul master has lived past thirty since."
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