"What? A Treasure Appreciation Convention?"
Lin Yun stared blankly at Ning Tian and the fiery-red invitation on the table before him. The invitation was adorned with gilded patterns and three bold characters:
Treasure Appreciation Convention.
"Yes. Last night, we couldn't find you anywhere, so Teacher Mu gave the invitation to me to pass on to you." Ning Tian smiled gently as she spoke.
A similar invitation also lay in front of Xiao Xiao.
"Yun-ge, should we go take a look?" Xiao Xiao turned to Lin Yun.
After a moment of thought, Lin Yun nodded.
The Treasure Appreciation Convention was a commercial event under Shrek Academy's umbrella. Its current overseer was one of the Sea God Pavilion's Title Douluo elders—someone named Lin Huiqun, if he remembered correctly.
Of course, according to the original story's description, the convention was supposedly a joint venture by multiple merchant groups in Shrek City.
But anyone with half a brain knew better.
What kind of merchant group would offer rare treasures and credit lines just to "recruit" Shrek's talented students?
As if Shrek would allow outsiders to poach their geniuses.
Only an idiot would believe that rumor.
In truth, the convention was just another one of Shrek's schemes to bind talented but resource-poor commoner students to the academy.
Take our treasures now, owe us later.
And if you couldn't pay it back?
Congratulations, you're now a lifelong tool for Shrek.
The convention was even divided into inner court and outer court tiers. The brainwashed inner court disciples got first pick, while the outer court core disciples had to settle for leftovers.
Still, it couldn't be denied that the convention did have some good stuff—if you could afford it.
Like that 10,000-year Whale Glue from the original story. It'd be perfect for Xiao Xiao right now.
Come to think of it, Lin Yun had never actually tried whale glue before.
First, because the Great Star Dou Forest had no shortage of cultivation resources.
Second, because whale glue was mainly found in coastal and deep-sea regions.
Obviously, you wouldn't find whales in a forest.
Besides, as the inheritor of the Golden Dragon King martial soul, Lin Yun's physical prowess was already monstrous. He had no need for whale glue.
But still…
What kind of transmigrator would pass up the chance to experience the thrill of snagging a hidden treasure?
Better to let Xiao Xiao use it than let Huo Yuhao get his hands on it.
"Let's check it out. We don't have plans tonight anyway. Might as well see if there's anything worth buying!" Lin Yun grinned.
"Then let's go together. Xiao Feng and I were planning to attend as well." Ning Tian's voice was soft and refined. "Though our Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is also commerce-oriented, Shrek's connections surpass ours. Some items at the convention are even tempting to me."
Her words carried a dual meaning.
Three parts genuine interest in shopping.
Seven parts wanting to stick close to Lin Yun.
After all, everyone knew:
One defining trait of reclusive sects was their isolation—which usually meant limited income streams and tight finances.
And as luck would have it, the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had more money than they knew what to do with.
If Lin Yun happened to spot something he wanted but couldn't afford, Ning Tian—the walking money vault—could swoop in and save the day.
She wasn't trying to make him owe her.
She just wanted to get closer to him.
A small price to pay.
Soon, the first day of their second year came to an end. After freshening up in his dorm, Lin Yun waited downstairs for Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng.
As he rested his eyes, footsteps approached.
When he opened them, a burly figure stood reflected in his golden pupils.
"Yun-ge!" Huo Yuhao waved cheerfully.
"Oh, it's you." Lin Yun nodded.
Huo Yuhao stepped closer, curious. "Waiting for someone?"
"Isn't it obvious? If I weren't, I wouldn't be standing here like a pole." Lin Yun smirked.
"Fair enough." Huo Yuhao scratched his head sheepishly, then pulled out a familiar red-and-gold invitation—his own pass to the convention.
During the advancement exam, Huo Yuhao had chosen a thousand-year soul beast and revealed his second martial soul—the Titan Snow Demon—utterly crushing his opponent and scoring 145 points.
His "core disciple trial card" had officially been upgraded to a permanent membership.
Naturally, he'd received an invitation too.
"You're going to the convention as well?" Huo Yuhao waved his invitation.
"Yeah. Me, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng. Just waiting for them now." Lin Yun pulled out his own invite.
"Mind if I tag along?"
"Sure, why not?"
So Huo Yuhao took up position beside Lin Yun, looking like nothing so much as a bodyguard for a young master.
"You've seemed a bit down lately. Weren't you in a good mood when the term started? Did something happen?" With company to chat with, Lin Yun abandoned his meditative stance.
At the mention of this, Huo Yuhao's cheerful demeanor dimmed, his expression stiffening.
He didn't really want to talk about it—but Lin Yun was the only person in Shrek he got along with.
"Ah, Yun-ge, you have no idea." Huo Yuhao sighed. "Remember my roommate?"
"Wang Dong? The one you fought on the first day? I watched that, you know." Lin Yun nodded.
"Yeah, him." Huo Yuhao's face twisted in frustration. "A weirdo with a rich young master's temper. After the freshman exam, we actually got along okay. But ever since I awakened my second martial soul and my appearance changed, he's been treating me like garbage."
Lin Yun crossed his arms, intrigued. "Go on."
"And then? We had a huge fight, nearly came to blows again. That same day, he moved out. Said sharing a dorm with me was 'disgusting'..." Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, a fierce glint in his eyes.
Wang Dong was the first person to openly mock his appearance.
And that made Huo Yuhao furious.
Mocking my looks? Wang Dong has chosen death!
Meanwhile, Lin Yun's amused expression froze.
Holy shit?!
Tang Princess actually ran away?!
(End of Chapter)
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