Shrek Academy Registration Site

As they drew closer, they realized that most of those who had come to register were youths around their age, many accompanied by their parents.

Ning Tianchen looked ahead.

A table stood at the village entrance, with a white-haired Old Man seated behind it.

Ning Tianchen could not help muttering, "Why does this person seem somewhat familiar?"

Ning Rongrong and the other two stood rooted to the spot, too stunned to notice what he had said.

They had imagined Shrek Academy's grand appearance countless times, yet the plaque above the wooden archway before them was already battered and worn. What academy on the continent could possibly be this shabby?

Even Notting Academy, where Tang San and Xiao Wu had studied before, was far better than Shrek Academy.

"Third Brother, did we come to the wrong place? Is this the Shrek Academy Master mentioned?" Xiao Wu was speechless.

Tang San spread his hands, looking helpless. "We're already here. Let's see what's going on first."

The four of them had arrived rather early. There were only around twenty applicants ahead of them, and most wore frowns. Clearly, they shared Xiao Wu's thoughts.

"Are you here to register too?" A parent standing in front of them struck up a conversation.

"Uncle, do you know anything about Shrek Academy?" Tang San asked with cupped hands.

The parent could not help sighing. "I heard from people at Spirit Hall that anyone who graduates from Shrek Academy is qualified to become an imperial viscount."

One had to know that an imperial viscount and a kingdom viscount carried vastly different weight.

The Heaven Dou Empire had been founded long ago and had enjoyed peace for many years. Under such circumstances, earning an imperial title was extraordinarily difficult.

The parents who had brought their children here to register had likely all come because of this rumor.

Never mind whether the rumor was true or false—those who could survive to graduate from Shrek Academy were all geniuses among geniuses.

After all, Shrek Academy's teachers would not help students hunt spirit beasts. Over the years, Shrek had enrolled a total of forty-two students, and very few had made it to graduation alive.

The most famous among them was Qin Ming, who taught at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Given his talent, he might well be granted the title of viscount in the future.

For a moment, Ning Rongrong and the other two wore complicated expressions.

If Shrek Academy was so formidable, why was its campus so rundown?

Ning Tianchen paid no attention to their conversation and suddenly remembered. "So it's him."

Li Yusong, the teacher in charge of registration, was the stall owner who had sold Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul.

The line ahead of the four gradually shortened. Many students whose talent failed to meet the requirements left the registration site with dejected faces. Two of them, however, met the registration requirements and were assigned to the later tests.

What was outrageous was that the following tests required payments of twenty and fifty Gold Soul Coins respectively. Whether they passed or failed, the testing fees would not be refunded.

Before long, it was a chubby boy's turn to step forward and have his talent tested.

With just one glance, Li Yusong declared that he was already over thirteen years old.

The boy's father pleaded bitterly, but no exception was made. When the father demanded the registration fee back, the classic scene unfolded.

Dai Mubai revealed the strength of a Three-Ringed Soul Grandmaster and said arrogantly, "Beat me, and you'll get the registration fee back in full."

There was no fluctuation of Soul Power from the father. He was merely an ordinary man—how could he possibly be Dai Mubai's match?

Among soul masters, the number of spirit rings was always the strongest authority.

Though the chubby boy was a Soul Grandmaster, the gap between him and a Soul Grandmaster with a top-tier White Tiger Martial Soul was anything but small.

Watching this, Ning Rongrong could not help complaining, "Isn't Shrek Academy being far too overbearing?"

She did not understand what ten Gold Soul Coins meant to an ordinary family. Still, she felt that Shrek Academy's conduct was no different from banditry.

Although this father and son were not particularly strong, there were quite a few parents in the crowd with the strength of Soul Ancestors and Spirit Kings.

Seeing Shrek Academy's behavior, they rubbed their fists one after another, preparing to teach Dai Mubai a lesson.

Worried that the situation would continue escalating, Li Yusong simply stepped away from the table.

A powerful wave of Soul Power burst from his body, and a long staff covered in countless fine patterns appeared in his right hand.

White, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black—six spirit rings emerged beneath his feet.

"A Soul Emperor! He's actually a Soul Emperor! My god, Shrek Academy's faculty really is terrifying," many parents cried out in alarm.

Tang San suddenly smiled. "I think Shrek Academy is doing the right thing. If they didn't keep the registration fees, the academy's threshold would be trampled flat. Those children who had already been eliminated after testing would come back again and again to test their talent."

"That would only waste time and energy. Keeping the registration fee is precisely a way to screen applicants. Those weak, foolish people will be kept outside."

"Third Brother, that's ten Gold Soul Coins." Xiao Wu scratched her head, feeling sorry for the parents who had lost their registration fees.

Ning Tianchen found it amusing.

Tang San's way of thinking really was peculiar.

If his registration fee had been kept, who knew what he would think then?

Soon, it was Ning Tianchen and the other three's turn.

"Hehe, I told you two months ago that we would meet again." Li Yusong wore a kindly smile as he studied Ning Tianchen.

The parents behind them could not help being startled.

Li Yusong had worn a stern face the entire time before this, yet now he had actually taken the initiative to show someone favor. Did that not mean they would be accepted directly?

"You know each other?" Tang San could not help asking.

"We've met once before. But the tests still have to be taken. We can't break the rules just because we know each other," Ning Tianchen said calmly.

Li Yusong nodded and gave him an approving look before continuing, "Which of you will go first?"

"I will." Ning Rongrong stepped forward and voluntarily held out her right hand.

"Your age is suitable. Show me your Martial Soul." Li Yusong smiled as he stroked his beard.

Upon seeing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Spirit, his gaze turned to Ning Tianchen again. "Do your families not object to you coming here?"

Ning Rongrong quickly answered, "We came out to gain experience. Of course our families don't object."

"Then wait to the side for now and see whether anyone else passes the test."

Tang San and Xiao Wu went next. Both possessed twenty-ninth-level Soul Power.

Although Tang San's Blue Silver Grass Spirit was terrible, Li Yusong had never seen a Blue Silver Grass Spirit cultivated to level twenty-nine by the age of twelve. He made an exception and allowed Tang San to pass the test.

One had to know that Shrek Academy's admissions did not only look at talent, but also at the quality of one's Martial Soul.

"Your turn." Li Yusong smiled at Ning Tianchen.

After Ning Tianchen held out his right hand, Li Yusong quickly learned his age. "Twelve years old. Very good."

"You four have all passed the test. Mubai, take them inside."