Registration

Tang San took Xiao Wu's hand and walked to the back of the line, where they stood quietly.

There were about a dozen teenagers and a few parents standing to the side, their faces filled with tension and anticipation.

At that moment, a commotion arose from ahead.

A loud voice rang out from the front of the line, tinged with obvious impatience. "I advise you all to do your research on the Shrek Academy before you come. Don't just come here to register without knowing anything; you'll only waste your registration fee!"

Tang San peered ahead and saw Li Yusong stand up, looking at the line behind him with some impatience.

"Shrek is a monster, and a very strange existence among Soul Beasts!" Li Yusong's voice rose several octaves, "So we only recruit monsters! Not just anyone can enter!"

"Ordinary Soul Masters, those with poor aptitude, those under twelve years old who haven't reached level twenty-one, can leave now! Don't waste our time and your money!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur arose from the group.

One of the boy's fathers couldn't help but speak up, his voice tinged with resentment. "What about our registration fee...?"

Li Yusong interrupted bluntly, "Once registered, fees are non-refundable."

Even a clay figure retains some of its earthy spirit. The boy's father couldn't help but angrily shout, "You're clearly ripping us off! Refund our registration fee, or we're not leaving!"

Li Yusong didn't even lift his eyelids, only giving the man a faint glance.

The next second, six Soul Rings rose from beneath Li Yusong's feet. One white, two yellow, two purple, and one black—clearly the mark of a Soul Emperor powerhouse above level sixty.

The Soul Emperor is already considered one of the few powerful figures in Suotuo City.

The father's face turned deathly pale instantly. His lips trembled, but he couldn't utter a single word. Holding his son's hand, he lowered his head and slunk away.

The line fell silent for a moment, then returned to order.

There's no way around it; Douluo Continent is a world where the strong rule, and the law of the jungle is very evident. Might makes right, and having more Soul Rings is the rule.

Tang San stood at the back of the group, watching this scene, but a question arose in his mind.

According to the original story, shouldn't Dai Mubai be the one to calm down the troublesome parents at this point? Could it be that the injury he sustained from being whipped by Tang San the day before yesterday hasn't healed yet? Tang San's lips curled up even more.

The line moved forward little by little, with most of the people walking away dejectedly.

Occasionally, Li Yusong's voice could be heard from ahead: "Unqualified." "Next." "Too old." "Insufficient Soul Power."

Tang San withdrew his gaze and casually glanced at the back of the group.

A cat-eared girl with an extremely voluptuous figure, whose toes were completely hidden when she looked down, stood not far away. She had delicate features and long, black hair that cascaded down her shoulders, the strands of which swayed gently in the breeze.

The girl was dressed in a black bodysuit that perfectly accentuated her curvaceous figure, with a slender waist, exaggerated breasts, and long legs.

She stood silently at the end of the line, her face expressionless, arms crossed, radiating a cold, unapproachable aura.

Tang San's heart skipped a beat. Cat ears, a black bodysuit, a cold demeanor—this person must be Zhu Zhuqing. The Nether Civet Martial Soul, from the Zhu Family of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai's fiancée.

When Tang San read the original novel, he felt very sorry for Zhu Zhuqing. Although Zhu Zhuqing's talent was not top-notch, she cultivated very hard, more diligently than anyone else.

Unfortunately, she was deeply bound by her family's ideology and never had the thought of resistance. She lived in the shadow and under the arrangement of her family, trapped in the cage of fate, and never thought of breaking free from that shackle. In the end, she even accepted that lecherous tiger.

Tang San shook his head, looked away, and didn't want to get involved in this melodramatic situation.

Lost in thought, a clear voice suddenly rang in my ears.

"Cyberpunk? It really is you! I never expected to run into you here."

A figure jumped out from the side and landed directly in front of Tang San.

Who else could it be but Ning Rongrong?

Ning Rongrong wore a light blue dress with a silver ribbon tied around her waist. Her long, black hair reached her waist, and she was just about the tip of Xiao Wu's ear. Her skin was very fair and delicate.

Her big eyes blinked brightly, and her eyelashes were long and curled. A surprised smile graced her face, and she exuded a lively and bright aura.

Tang San was taken aback for a moment, then his face showed just the right amount of surprise. "Ning Rongrong? What are you doing here?"

Tang San's tone was filled with surprise and confusion, as if he really hadn't expected to meet Ning Rongrong here.

Ning Rongrong put her hands on her hips, raised her chin slightly, and said smugly, "If you can come, why can't I?"

Xiao Wu, standing to the side, looked the suddenly appearing girl up and down with a hint of curiosity and scrutiny in her eyes.

Ning Rongrong also noticed Xiao Wu, glanced at Xiao Wu, then at Tang San, a sly glint in her eyes. "Cyberpunk, is this your girlfriend?"

Tang San nodded. "Yes, Xiao Wu."

Ning Rongrong gave a soft "Oh," looked at Xiao Wu, and gave her a sweet smile, "You're quite pretty. Hello, my name is Ning Rongrong."

Xiao Wu smiled and replied, "Thank you. My Xiao Wu, and you are very pretty too."

Ning Rongrong withdrew her gaze and looked at Tang San again, her eyes full of curiosity. "Cyberpunk, where have you been these past few years? I haven't heard from you since I saw you at the Great Soul Arena last time."

Tang San smiled and casually said, "I'm going to the mainland to gain experience. I'll travel around and broaden my horizons."

Ning Rongrong blinked. "Are you here to register for Shrek Academy too?"

"Yes, that's right."

Ning Rongrong seemed to remember something wrong again, and asked doubtfully, "But, weren't you eleven years old four years ago? This place only recruits soul masters under the age of thirteen."

Tang San replied awkwardly, "That's fake. I was actually eight years old back then."

"Huh? You..." Ning Rongrong exclaimed in shock, staring at Tang San as if she had seen some kind of monster.

Tang San made a "shh" gesture, signaling Ning Rongrong to be quiet.

Ning Rongrong calmed herself down and then asked, "So, can we become classmates?"

"Let's get through the registration process first. The registration requirements here are quite strict; age, Soul Power, Martial Soul —each has strict requirements. Are you really that confident you can get through?"

Tang San's tone carried a hint of reminder and a touch of teasing.

Ning Rongrong raised her chin slightly, a hint of arrogance flashing in her eyes. "I think so."

It was soon Ning Rongrong's turn.

Ning Rongrong walked to the table and gave her name, age, and Martial Soul.

When Li Yusong heard "Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda," his eyes widened, and he frowned, asking, "Do your family know you're here?"

Ning Rongrong smiled and said, "They say education should be for all, regardless of background. As long as I meet the academy's requirements, you have no reason not to accept me, right?"

Li Yusong naturally wouldn't refuse.

When it was Tang San and Xiao Wu's turn, Tang San paid their registration fees. Then Li Yusong pinched Tang San's wrists and calves. "Bone age is suitable. Alright, release your Martial Souls."

Tang San and Xiao Wu exchanged a glance, and at the same time released their Martial Souls. Four Soul Rings rose from the soles of their feet, two yellow and two purple.