Chapter 22: Chapter 22: Room Fees, I'll Cover It!
**Ding dong!**
"Congratulations! You have completed the first trial of the Chaos God Examination by staying at the Notting City Junior Soul Master Academy for six years. Reward: one divine thousand-year soul ring."
**Ding dong!**
"Congratulations! You have completed the first trial of the Chaos God Examination and received an additional reward: the lifespan of your first soul ring has increased by six hundred seventy-seven years."
---
**Six Years Later**
In the Balak Kingdom, situated at the junction of the Tiandou Empire and the Fasnu Province, it serves as the gateway to the Tiandou Empire.
The Balak Kingdom boasts two significant cities: the capital city of Balak and Suotuo City, known as the granary of Balak.
In Suotuo City, there stands a third-level building of the Spirit Hall—the Spirit Hall Main Hall—indicating the prosperity and importance of the city.
In the sweltering heat of summer, three young people entered through the western city gate of Suotuo City. They appeared to be around eleven or twelve years old: two boys and a girl, none of them carrying much luggage.
The two boys were approximately 1.7 meters tall, one dressed in light blue attire and the other in black. Both were handsome and gave off a friendly vibe.
As for the girl, she was quite distinctive.
With light brown hair styled into a scorpion braid that reached her waist, she wore a pink short dress. Despite her young age, she bounced along as she walked, causing her round little bottom to sway enticingly.
"Tang San, we can only accompany you this far," Mu Chen suddenly said.
"Xiao Wu Jie, Mu Ge, you really won't come with me to Shrek Academy?" Tang San asked.
"Wherever Mu Chen Gege goes, I will follow!" Xiao Wu replied with a smile.
"I'm not going," Mu Chen said firmly.
"Then what do you two plan to do next?" Tang San inquired with concern.
"We're still young; we'll go with the flow. While we're young, I want to take Xiao Wu out to explore," Mu Chen said, glancing at Xiao Wu.
Xiao Wu, as a ten-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit transformed into a soul beast, could go anywhere as long as there weren't any Title Douluo or Soul Douluo present.
As for Shrek Academy, Mu Chen had no interest whatsoever. There was no need for him to attend.
With the system he possessed and the trials from the Chaos God, he was already well-versed in martial spirits, soul rings, and soul skills. There was no need for him to go to any academy to learn from others.
Xiao Wu, being a ten-thousand-year spirit beast, could obtain suitable soul rings without hunting soul beasts, so she had no need to attend the academy either.
When the time was right, Mu Chen planned to take Xiao Wu to the City of Slaughter to gain the God of Slaughter's domain.
As for the Spirit Hall and Bibi Dong's ambitions to establish a Spirit Empire, along with the upheaval of the top three sects, Mu Chen had no interest. A person destined to become a god wouldn't limit their vision to the small Douluo Star!
"Alright, you've made your choice, so I won't push you. Until we meet again, feel free to visit Shrek Academy," Tang San said.
"Mm, okay," Mu Chen nodded.
After Tang San left, Mu Chen reached out and nonchalantly held Xiao Wu's small hand.
Xiao Wu struggled for a second, but seeing that Mu Chen wouldn't let go, she eventually relented.
"Gege, where should we go next?" Xiao Wu asked curiously.
Despite several intermediate soul master academies willing to accept both Xiao Wu and Mu Chen, he had turned them all down. One of those academies was even the Royal Intermediate Soul Master Academy of the Tiandou Empire.
"Xiao Wu, do you really want to go to Shrek Academy?" Mu Chen asked.
"I don't want to! Shrek Academy doesn't even have a proper ranking system. I really don't understand what made San agree to go study at that broken academy. Hmph, the Master must be out of his mind! As a teacher, he actually wants his students to study at a place like that!" Xiao Wu replied.
Hearing this, Mu Chen merely chuckled. He understood the ins and outs of Douluo and knew that Yu Xiaogang was no fool.
Yu Xiaogang was only a level thirty Great Soul Master. In the context of an intermediate soul master academy, that was acceptable. However, when it came to a higher-level soul master academy, he might not even get through the door.
Before Yu Xiaogang's theory about the Ten Great Martial Spirits was proven, he was seen as a joke. Only at Shrek Academy, founded by his old partner Flender, would he be accepted without hesitation.
Yu Xiaogang had nowhere else to go, so he had no choice but to enter Shrek Academy.
"Gege, do you feel guilty about me?" Xiao Wu asked with a smile.
"Uh, I guess so!" Mu Chen replied lightly.
"Then it's simple. I see that Suotuo City seems quite nice; there must be plenty of places to enjoy and eat. If you feel guilty, then let's just spend some time exploring here!" Xiao Wu suggested.
"Sure, no problem," Mu Chen agreed without hesitation. Having a beautiful companion was something he desired!
"I'm tired after walking for a while. Let's find a place to stay!" Xiao Wu proposed.
"Alright," Mu Chen said without any worries.
"How about that one? The Rose Hotel." Xiao Wu pointed at a building primarily decorated in red at the end of the street.
"Huh? You can't be serious!" Mu Chen exclaimed in astonishment.
"Why? Are you backing out so soon? Don't worry; this time, I'll pay," Xiao Wu said generously.
"What? You'll cover the expenses?" Mu Chen was taken aback.
"Yes. Over these six years, I've saved up quite a bit of money. Don't underestimate us girls; we are often better at saving than boys. Let's go!" Xiao Wu said proudly.
Mu Chen: "…"
Mu Chen was bewildered. Xiao Wu was paying for the room, and they were staying at the Rose Hotel. He felt as if he were being treated in a rather peculiar way!
As they entered the hotel, they noticed that most couples were paired together. The hotel layout was primarily red with golden accents, exuding elegance and a touch of nobility.
"What do you think? My choice is great, right?" Xiao Wu beamed with pride, unaware of the hotel's true reputation.
"You're lucky. This hotel only has one room left. If you'd come a bit later, there wouldn't have been any available. Here you go, this is the key to Room 1314!"
After paying, the hotel receptionist smiled as she handed the key to Xiao Wu.
"Wait!"
Before Xiao Wu could take the key, a clear voice rang out behind her.
A tall, blond man entered the hotel, flanked by a pair of identical twins.
The man stood about 1.8 meters tall, with broad shoulders and a handsome face that bore a strong and resolute look. His golden hair cascaded down to his waist, and his deep blue eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.
Mu Chen recognized him instantly; this playful young man was Dai Mubai, the Third Prince of the Star Luo Empire.
**Ding dong!**
"Congratulations! You have encountered Dai Mubai. The system releases the second trial of the Chaos God Examination: Be invited into Shrek Academy!"