Bei Bei pulled Tang Ya over to sit on the other side, giving them time to process everything.
Huo Yuhao held Huo Yuxi without saying anything, but Huo Yuxi knew that meant he accepted it.
Her eyes darted around as she changed the subject. "Brother, after that bear captured me yesterday, it wanted to eat me. Then I don't know where Zhuzhu found so many helpers, but they took it down."
"And Zhuzhu devoured its energy too, which is why my soul ring changed color." Huo Yuxi paused before explaining, "But Zhuzhu said it was its special ability, not what Mom said about Evil Soul Masters."
Huo Yuhao composed himself. Hearing that, he patted her head. "I know. Xixi is such a good girl—how could she possibly be an Evil Soul Master?"
After chatting for a while, the two walked over to Tang Ya and Bei Bei. "I'm sorry, Teacher Tang Ya, Senior Apprentice Bei Bei. I got a little emotional."
"It's all right. We understand. Let me introduce the academy to you now."
Bei Bei sat down. "Shrek is actually the name of a kind of monster. As the name suggests, it is a monster academy. It was founded more than ten thousand years ago, and its first headmaster, Flender, established the motto: cultivate only monsters, never ordinary people."
"So without exception, every student at Shrek Academy is a genius among geniuses. The academy's first batch of students numbered only seven, including the legendary Tang San."
"Legend had it that he and his six companions defeated Spirit Hall's Golden Generation at the height of its power, creating Shrek's first century-defining glory. Since then, the tale of the Shrek Seven Devils has continued to spread across the continent."
"Four thousand years ago, when Sun Moon Continent collided with Douluo Continent due to tectonic shifts, a great war broke out. That generation's Shrek headmaster led more than fifty Titled Douluo into battle and emerged victorious, ultimately unifying the continent under the name Douluo Continent."
"From then on, Shrek Academy became independent of the empires and attained an exceptionally high status."
"Shrek Academy's Shrek City lies southeast of the Heaven Dou Empire. To its northwest is the Star Dou Great Forest, to the east is the Dou Ling Empire, and to the south is the Star Luo Empire. It stands at the core of the borderlands between the three great empires and the Star Dou Great Forest, with convenient transportation and a flourishing economy."
Tang Ya added, "At the beginning of the war, the armies clashed with the Sun Moon Empire while carrying our Tang Sect hidden weapons. We never expected the Sun Moon Empire to develop Soul Tools powered by Soul Power that surpassed ours in every aspect. From then on, the Tang Sect declined."
"By my generation, only my parents and I remained in the Tang Sect. Then, during a hunt for soul beasts, my parents left me as well. Since then, I have been the Tang Sect's sole survivor."
As she spoke, tears rolled down her cheeks, and her hands involuntarily clenched the corners of her clothes.
Bei Bei embraced her. "All right, don't cry. You aren't alone anymore. Look, aren't there already four of us now? We'll work hard together and restore the Tang Sect's glory."
Huo Yuhao watched the two with curiosity. A handsome man and a beautiful woman—Teacher Tang Ya and Senior Apprentice Bei Bei really were pleasing to the eye together. Huo Yuxi's eyes had widened as well, and she stared at them curiously.
Tang Ya felt embarrassed under their gazes. She slapped Bei Bei's hand away and said, "Sorry, I lost my composure a little. But Yuhao, Shrek Academy is divided into the Outer Court and the Inner Sect. The Inner Sect is for core disciples, so you and Xixi will be assigned to the Outer Court when you first enter."
"The Outer Court is divided into many different departments. I think the control system would suit you better, and your Spirit Eyes are also well suited for learning Soul Tool crafting, so you could study in the Soul Tool Department as well. What do you think?"
Before Huo Yuhao could answer, Huo Yuxi spoke first. "Then what about me, Sister Xiaoya?"
"Of course I haven't forgotten you, Xixi. A corporeal martial soul is much rarer than a body martial soul. I suggest asking the academy's teachers when the time comes."
Huo Yuxi nodded.
After they finished talking, the group continued on their journey.
Several hours later, Huo Yuxi and Huo Yuhao were awestruck as they looked at the large words, Shrek City.
As one of the largest cities on Douluo Continent, it had excellent security and convenient transportation, with an endless stream of people coming and going.
Shrek City extended in all directions, with the academy located in its eastern district. The east gate belonged exclusively to the academy, and Bei Bei and Tang Ya led the two of them to the eastern city gate.
Huo Yuhao had not expected so many people even at the city gate. Vendors of all sizes shouted loudly from their stalls, trying to draw in customers.
"It just so happens that the academy is recruiting new students. These vendors would never miss such a good opportunity to make money, so they've all rushed over here."
"That's right." Bei Bei stepped in as well. "I already have the recommendation letters. We can go straight in later."
"Thank you, Senior Apprentice Bei Bei." Huo Yuhao thanked him solemnly.
Huo Yuxi copied him. "Thank you, Brother Bei Bei."
"No need to be so polite."
Tang Ya took Huo Yuxi's hand and walked ahead. As Huo Yuhao wove through the crowd behind them, he marveled at Shrek City's prosperity while his anticipation for Shrek Academy grew.
When they reached the city gate, more than a dozen students about Tang Ya's age stood guard there. Their gazes were resolute, and their postures were upright.
When they saw Bei Bei, one of them stepped forward, saluted, and said, "Senior Apprentice Bei, you're back?"
"Yes, I'm back," Bei Bei answered with a smile.
After turning to greet each student, he took out two sheets of paper from his Storage Soul Tool and handed them to the young man who had stepped forward. He said something else, occasionally glancing in their direction.
At last, the young man nodded. "Have them come over and register, then they can go in."
After walking through those gates, the first thing they saw was the clean and beautiful surroundings. All kinds of plants grew in the flower beds nearby, and they appeared to be thriving.
As they continued forward, Huo Yuhao saw the statues ahead. He counted them and found there were ten in total. Each was over ten meters tall and exquisitely detailed, so lifelike that they seemed almost alive.
"These are the Shrek Seven Devils of Shrek Academy's first generation, along with three teachers." Bei Bei pointed at the statue wearing glasses. "This is Flender, the founder of Shrek Academy."
"This is my mother's direct ancestor, Yu Xiaogang. He left behind many famous works on cultivation and was known to the world as the Grandmaster. The one beside him is also an ancestor, Liu Erlong. The two of them, together with Headmaster Flender, were known as the Golden Iron Triangle."
"The ones behind them are the legendary Shrek Seven Devils. First is White Tiger Douluo, Dai Mubai. Second is Sausage Douluo, Oscar, a rare food-system soul master with Innate Full Soul Power. Third is our Tang Sect's ancestor, Thousand Hands Asura, Tang San."
Huo Yuxi looked at the statues of Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing, her eyes practically brimming with hearts. "What about these ones, Brother Bei Bei?"
"The fourth is Evil Phoenix Douluo, Ma Hongjun."
"No, no, Brother Bei Bei. I mean these three." Huo Yuxi pointed earnestly at the three indescribably beautiful statues.
"Xixi, don't be rude."
"It's fine." Bei Bei pointed at the statue with two rabbit ears atop her head and continued, "This is Soft Bone Douluo, Xiao Wu. According to legend, she was a hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit that cultivated into human form, though we can't be certain. After all, more than ten thousand years have passed."
"This is Nine Treasures Douluo, Ning Rongrong. Her martial soul was the continent's strongest auxiliary tool martial soul, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
"The last one is Netherworld Douluo, Zhu Zhuqing. She was an exceptionally powerful Agility-Attack Soul Master."
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