Successful Enrollment

After finishing the introduction, they happened to reach a fork in the road. Bei Bei continued, "The Martial Soul Branch is to the left, and the Soul Guidance Branch is to the right. We'll first go to the Martial Soul Hall Branch to register, and bring Xixi along for the admissions assessment."

Taking two steps forward, Huo Yuhao discovered a sparkling lake behind the statue. "Senior Apprentice Bei Bei, was this lake artificially built?"

"That's right. Legend has it that Tang San, the ancestor of our Tang Sect, inherited the Sea God's divine position. Sea God Lake was built in his memory. Shrek Academy's Inner Sect is located on Lake Center Island." Tang Ya spoke proudly.

Huo Yuxi stared blankly at the fish in the lake. Such plump fish would definitely be delicious grilled...

Halfway there, Huo Yuhao realized his sister had not followed them. When he turned around, he saw her hugging her spider plushie and drooling at the fish.

He pulled her along to catch up with Tang Ya and Bei Bei, whispering, "Let's register first. When we have time, I'll grill fish for you again."

"Okay." Huo Yuxi was instantly motivated. Ever since she had tasted her brother's grilled fish, she would crave it terribly if she went too long without eating it.

When they arrived at Shrek Plaza, many people were testing their bone age and Soul Power Level, as well as undergoing combat assessments. Once they passed, they could pay their tuition and register at the academy. "Xiaoya, stay here with Xixi and line up for the bone-age test. I'll take Yuhao to register first."

"Okay, you two go ahead."

The registration area was on the other side. After the two left, Huo Yuxi looked at the long line ahead and boredly observed the surrounding buildings.

Behind the plaza stood rows upon rows of teaching buildings, colored white, yellow, purple, and black. Tang Ya explained, "These colors are mainly used to distinguish the grades. The white buildings are for first-years, the yellow ones are for second- and third-years, the purple ones are for fourth- and fifth-years, and the black ones are for sixth-years."

Huo Yuxi nodded to show that she understood.

Soon, just as it was nearly Huo Yuxi's turn, Huo Yuhao and the others returned. "Xixi, Teacher Tang Ya, we're back."

"How did it go? Which class were you assigned to? Who's your homeroom teacher?" Tang Ya hurried over and asked excitedly.

Huo Yuxi quickly pricked up her ears. Even the Soul Devouring Spider in her arms could not resist putting on a gossiping look.

"We got there fairly early, so we were assigned to Class One. Our homeroom teacher is Teacher Zhou Yi," Huo Yuhao answered honestly.

"Ah, why did it have to be Zhou Yi, that Abbess Extinction?" Tang Ya wore a strange expression, her gaze toward Huo Yuhao full of sympathy.

Her look made Huo Yuhao's heart skip a beat. Just as he was about to say something, it was Huo Yuxi's turn.

"Name, age, Soul Power Level."

The old man seated in front held a palm-leaf fan in one hand and a pen in the other, recording things absentmindedly. Seeing Huo Yuxi's malnourished appearance, he did not think much of her.

He had tested so many people, yet very few had qualified. This little girl before him was in such poor health that even if her bone age was suitable, her Soul Power certainly would not meet the requirement.

"My name is Huo Yuxi. I just turned eleven, and my Soul Power is level twenty-nine." Huo Yuxi stared at the notebook on the table, not daring to look him in the eye. Though the old man looked rather grimy, his presence was overwhelming. Everyone else seemed intimidated by him, and she was especially shy around strangers.

"What?"

The instant Huo Yuxi finished speaking, the old man sprang up from his chair, startling her badly. She instinctively searched for Huo Yuhao and hid behind him.

Huo Yuhao immediately straightened up as well, taking a protective stance.

Perhaps realizing that he had frightened the little girl, he sat back down, took a crystal ball from beside him, and said gently, "Huo Yuxi, right? Don't be afraid. Come over and test your Soul Power."

Huo Yuhao reassuringly patted her hand. Huo Yuxi stepped forward, hugging the plushie with her right arm while extending her left hand and pouring her Soul Power into the crystal ball. In an instant, light flashed brightly. Soul Power, level twenty-nine.

Now, it was not only the old man who was shocked. Even the people waiting in line behind them noticed, each craning their necks to look.

"My god, she looks like she's only eight or nine, yet her Soul Power is already level twenty-nine?"

"No, I think I heard she was eleven just now. She probably only looks younger than she is."

"That's still shocking. She's only eleven and already level twenty-nine. I'll be twelve in two months, and I've only just reached level fifteen."

The subject of everyone's discussion stood in the middle, holding the crystal ball in her hands, unsure whether to put it down or not. The reason was simple: the old man had been so shocked that he had not told her to let go, and she did not dare move without permission.

Unable to bear seeing his sister hold it up any longer, Huo Yuhao stepped forward. "Grandpa, did she pass the test?"

"Hm?" The old man came back to his senses. "Oh, oh, oh, she passed, she passed. There's no need to test the rest."

The old man's eyes gleamed. Lowering his voice like a wicked old wolf trying to lure Little Red Riding Hood, he said, "Xixi, right? Do you have a teacher? How about becoming my disciple? I can directly let you enter the Inner Sect to cultivate."

Huo Yuxi shook her head. "Thank you, Grandpa, but I want to stay with my brother."

"Your brother? This kid is your brother? That's easy. Just have him become my disciple too." The old man did not consider such a minor issue a problem at all.

But when he saw that Huo Yuhao's Soul Power Level was ten, his eyes nearly fell out of their sockets.

Weren't these siblings twins? How could their talent differ so greatly? Well, their physiques were quite different too. Although the older brother also looked skinny and small, he seemed much more normal compared to his beloved disciple. He must have stolen all the nutrition from her while they were in the womb.

But the thought that all the talent had gone to his beloved disciple comforted him.

It never occurred to him that the two would refuse him. After all, no normal person would choose to reject an opportunity to study in Shrek Academy's Inner Sect.

"I'm very sorry, but I refuse. I know my talent is poor, but I'll rely on my own efforts to enter the Inner Sect," Huo Yuhao said firmly.

"Hey, you brat, you just won't listen. With your talent, even if you enter the academy, you'll definitely be eliminated and expelled during the freshman assessment three months from now. Such a good opportunity is right in front of you, and you're still stomping all over it?"

"Then I want to stay with my brother too. Thank you for your kindness. In the future, I'll enter the Inner Sect through my own strength."

Seeing the determination on the little girl's face, the old man's heart instantly softened. Who could refuse the request of such an adorable and beautiful little girl?

"Entering the Inner Sect now would still be relying on your own strength. But if you don't want to go now, that's fine. It's also good to cultivate in the Outer Court for a few years."

That was what he said, but he was unwilling to give up on such a genius disciple. Still, good things took time. Letting her make her own way in the Outer Court first would not be bad.

"All right, go register directly, then pay the tuition."

"Okay, thank you."

Huo Yuxi was exempted from the combat assessment, so she arrived earlier and successfully entered Class One together with Huo Yuhao.

Their tuition was ten Gold Soul Coins each. Huo Yuhao had no money on him, so Bei Bei paid for both of them.

"Senior Apprentice Bei Bei, thank you! I'll pay you back once I have money," Huo Yuhao said sincerely. After all, as the saying went, a good friend might not lend you money, but one who would lend you money was definitely a good friend.

Bei Bei did not refuse. Refusing over something like this would only make things awkward. "No need to thank me, and there's no rush. We're friends."

"Mm." Huo Yuhao nodded heavily.