Entering Shrek Academy

Xiao Wu stormed up to Ma Hongjun and yanked his ear. "You damn fatty! I only looked away for a moment and you caused trouble! Why did you burn down someone's hotel?" Ma Hongjun bared his teeth in pain. "Ow, Sister Xiao Wu, go easy! It wasn't my fault! Those guys stole my room first!" Ning Rongrong stood to the side, covering her mouth as she chuckled at the chaotic scene. Yet her curious gaze swept over Tang San and Zhao Wuji before finally landing on Lin Kun, who was trying to shrink back behind the hotel door. Surprise and even deeper curiosity flashed through her beautiful eyes.

Tang San's attention was entirely fixed on Lin Kun. He walked over, frowning slightly, his tone filled with obvious confusion and scrutiny. "Lin Kun, you still haven't answered me. Didn't you say you were going home? Why are you in Suotuo City? And why did you happen to show up here?"

Xiao Wu noticed Lin Kun as well. Letting go of Ma Hongjun, she bounced over, blinking her large eyes. "Eh? Lin Kun? It really is you! Why are you here too? Don't tell me you came to apply to that Shrek Academy?"

Zhao Wuji folded his arms and asked gruffly, "Kid, you know them?" Ma Hongjun rubbed his ear and looked over curiously as well.

In an instant, every gaze focused on Lin Kun! Tang San's suspicion, Xiao Wu's curiosity, Ning Rongrong's amusement, Zhao Wuji's scrutiny, Ma Hongjun's bewilderment... Lin Kun felt like a stage actor caught under a spotlight, except the script had completely gone off the rails!

Cold sweat immediately broke out on him. What now? Tell the truth? Say he had transmigrated here, knew the plot, and had deliberately come to cling to powerful people? They would probably think he was insane or a spy and lock him up!

In that flash of insight, Lin Kun suddenly remembered his "offhand remark" about Shrek Academy when he had left Nuoding Academy.

He immediately put on an expression that said, "You saw through me," mixed with embarrassment and a touch of stubbornness. His gaze shifted away for a moment before he gathered his courage and looked at Tang San again. With a few traces of awkwardness and inexplicable "determination" in his voice, he said, "All right... Tang San, I admit it... I did hear some rumors about Shrek Academy... so... so I followed you here."

His words were deliberately vague. He neither confirmed nor denied Xiao Wu's guess that he was here to apply. He emphasized "heard" and "followed you," especially those last three words. Combined with his expression, it was easy for people to draw certain conclusions...

Sure enough, Tang San froze. The suspicion in his eyes turned into astonishment and confusion. "You followed me? Why?"

Xiao Wu let out a drawn-out "Oh!" as if she had suddenly understood, then clapped her hands. "I get it! Lin Kun, do you think Little San is especially amazing, so you wanted to apply to Shrek with him? Like how Wang Sheng and the others acknowledged Little San as their boss back then?"

The amusement in Ning Rongrong's eyes deepened, and a meaningful smile curled across her lips. Ma Hongjun scratched his head. "What's going on? This guy is Tang San's underling?" Zhao Wuji raised an eyebrow and looked at Tang San. "Not bad, kid. You've already got followers?"

Tang San grew a little embarrassed and hurriedly said, "Xiao Wu, don't talk nonsense! Lin Kun..." He wanted to say that Lin Kun had always been independent and unusual at Nuoding Academy, not someone who seemed likely to follow others. But the situation before him seemed to suggest otherwise.

Lin Kun struck while the iron was hot and forced himself to keep acting. He steeled himself, putting a bit of "admiration" on his face—so cheesy it made even him uncomfortable—along with embarrassment. "Everyone saw how you performed at Nuoding Academy, Tang San... I felt that if I followed you, perhaps I could... could see a broader world. So when I found out you might be coming to Suotuo City, I... I took it upon myself to follow you. I didn't expect to run into you here by such a coincidence..."

His words were half true and half false. Tang San really was powerful, and he really did want to ride his coattails into opportunities. The false part was his purpose and motivation. But paired with his previous "accidental" revelation about Shrek and his current act as a "shy follower," it somehow sounded perfectly reasonable!

Tang San looked into Lin Kun's "sincere" eyes—his acting—and for a moment, did not know what to say. He was not naturally warm, but he was not opposed to this sort of "following" either. Especially since Lin Kun had once "helped" him at Nuoding Academy, though Tang San still felt Lin Kun had secrets. In the end, he merely sighed. "You... sigh, forget it. Since you're here, take care of yourself. Shrek Academy's assessment isn't that simple."

That attitude was essentially an acknowledgment of Lin Kun's explanation.

Xiao Wu grinned and patted Lin Kun on the shoulder. "Not bad, Lin Kun! You've got good taste! From now on, stick with Sister Xiao Wu! I guarantee no one will bully you!" Ning Rongrong chuckled as well. "It seems Tang San has quite the charm." Ma Hongjun leaned over. "Brother, you've got potential! We can fight together in the future!" Zhao Wuji snorted. "Enough, enough. Such a tiny matter. Fatty, hurry up and settle the compensation with the hotel! Then get your ass back to the academy and prepare for tomorrow's assessment!"

A crisis had actually been muddled through by Lin Kun in such an absurd way! He secretly let out a sigh of relief, his back already drenched in sweat. This "follower" persona was a little humiliating, but at least he had passed this hurdle for now!

After compensating the hotel for its losses—Ma Hongjun reluctantly pulled out the money—Zhao Wuji led Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and the newly added "unofficial member," Lin Kun, out of Suotuo City.

Along the way, Xiao Wu chattered nonstop, telling Lin Kun all about how "monstrous" Shrek Academy was and how brutal its assessments were. Ning Rongrong occasionally added a few words, her tone carrying the poise and curiosity of a young lady from a noble family. Ma Hongjun bragged about how powerful his Evil Fire Phoenix was. Tang San remained mostly silent, occasionally glancing at Lin Kun, though no one knew what he was thinking.

Lin Kun listened quietly, but his heart churned with emotion. He was finally going to see the legendary Shrek Academy with his own eyes!

Not long after leaving Suotuo City, they saw a run-down little village at the end of a stretch of farmland. A wooden arch stood at the village entrance, with a crooked, battered sign hanging from it. It bore the image of a green monster's head, with five large words below it—"Shrek Academy."

This place... was even more shabby than he had imagined! Lin Kun's mouth twitched slightly, but when he thought of the original story, he felt it was only to be expected.

By then, a fairly long line had already formed at the village entrance. It was filled with boys and girls around ten years old, along with the parents accompanying them. They all appeared to be here to apply.

Zhao Wuji brought Tang San and the others to the back of the line. "All right, we're here. Line up here and take the assessment according to the rules. I'm going back to catch up on some sleep." With that, he yawned and swaggered into the village.

Once Zhao Wuji left, the applicants and parents in line curiously examined Tang San's group, especially the strikingly beautiful Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.

Lin Kun also curiously observed the front of the line. A battered table had been placed by the village entrance, behind which sat an old man in his sixties. He was one of Shrek Academy's founders, a Soul Emperor-level powerhouse—Li Yusong!

The assessment seemed to have already begun. The old man's voice was low but clear as it reached everyone's ears. "...Shrek Academy only accepts monsters, not ordinary people! Anyone over thirteen years old or whose Soul Power has not reached level twenty-one may leave now!"

As soon as those words were spoken, the line immediately stirred. Many people who were too old or obviously lacked sufficient Soul Power left with their heads lowered, and more than half the line vanished in an instant.

Lin Kun secretly clicked his tongue. Level twenty-one at thirteen! This standard really was insane! Fortunately, he looked young—his actual age was only twelve—and although his Soul Power was only level eleven, far below the requirement, he had not come here for a normal assessment anyway...

Soon, it was the turn of the people ahead of them. A youth released two hundred-year Spirit Rings and displayed level twenty-two Soul Power, yet the old man rejected him on the grounds that he was too old and had exhausted his potential. The youth and his parents were furious, but they did not dare make a scene.

Finally, it was Tang San and the others' turn.

Xiao Wu was the first to hop forward, smiling brightly. "Grandpa, we're together!" The old man raised his eyes and looked at her. His gaze swept past Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing behind her, lingering briefly on Lin Kun—apparently surprised by his weak Soul Power—before he said flatly, "State your ages. Test your Soul Power."

Xiao Wu, Tang San, and Ning Rongrong stepped forward in turn and held out their hands. The old man checked their bone ages, nodded, and then took out a crystal ball.

When the three of them injected their Soul Power into the crystal ball one after another, revealing levels twenty-nine, twenty-nine, and twenty-six, the entire grounds fell silent! Every gaze was filled with shock and disbelief!

Great Soul Masters around thirteen years old at level twenty-nine! And another at level twenty-six! What terrifying talent!

A sharp glint burst from the old man's cloudy eyes, and a smile appeared on his face. "Good! Good! Good! True little monsters! You've passed!"

When it was Zhu Zhuqing's turn, although she was only level twenty-seven, she was younger, so she passed just as easily.

Ma Hongjun also stepped forward and displayed his level twenty-eight Soul Power and two yellow Spirit Rings. He passed as well.

Finally, everyone's eyes fell on Lin Kun.

Tang San and the others looked at him too, their expressions complicated. They knew Lin Kun's Soul Power level...

Lin Kun forced himself to step forward and respectfully said to the old man, "Senior, my name is Lin Kun. I'm twelve years old, and my Soul Power is... level eleven."

As soon as he said that, mocking laughter erupted all around him.

"Level eleven and he still dares come here?"

"Trying to sneak in through the back door, huh?"

"He definitely wants to ride along with those geniuses..."

The old man frowned and looked at Lin Kun. "Level eleven? Child, didn't you hear our academy's rules?"

Lin Kun took a deep breath. He knew the critical moment had arrived. Raising his head, he calmly met the old man's gaze and said loudly, "Senior, since your academy only accepts monsters, is the definition of a monster really limited to Soul Power level alone?"

Interest flashed in the old man's eyes. "Oh? Then what do you think counts as a monster?"

Lin Kun's thoughts raced as he decided to take a gamble! He summoned his Book Spirit. An ancient-looking book appeared in his palm, faint light shimmering from its cover. At the same time, the extremely rare platinum-white Spirit Ring beneath his feet slowly rose!

"Whoa—!"

The instant the platinum-white Spirit Ring appeared, the entire crowd erupted! Even Li Yusong, an old man who had seen much of the world, had his pupils suddenly constrict!

"What... what kind of Spirit Ring is that?!"

"White? No! It's platinum-white! And there are specks of light!"

"I've never seen anything like it!"

Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others revealed shocked expressions once more. Although they had seen it at Nuoding Academy, the visual impact of that platinum-white Spirit Ring was still overwhelming here at Shrek's assessment grounds!

Under everyone's gaze, Lin Kun said in a deep voice, "My martial spirit is unusual, and I was fortunate enough to obtain this Spirit Ring. Although my Soul Power is low, I believe that in information gathering, analysis, and deduction, I may possess a little... something different from others. Does this count as another kind of 'monster'?"

He threw the question back to the old man.

Li Yusong stared fixedly at Lin Kun's platinum-white Spirit Ring and strange book, silent for a long while. The grounds were completely quiet as everyone waited for his decision.

Just then, a hoarse yet magnetic laugh came from within the village.

"Ha ha ha! What a fine 'another kind of monster'! I like that way of putting it!"

A burly middle-aged man in shabby clothes strode out, his face covered in a thick beard and a wine gourd in hand. He walked with an utterly arrogant swagger. It was none other than Four-eyed Owl Flander!

He walked closer, his sharp eyes sweeping over Lin Kun like an eagle's, lingering especially long on his martial spirit and platinum-white Spirit Ring. Intense interest filled his face. "Kid, that Spirit Ring of yours is interesting! How did you get it?"

Lin Kun's heart stirred. He knew the final decision rested with this headmaster, so he hurriedly repeated his earlier explanation about it being formed after a strange plant had withered.

After hearing him out, Flander rubbed his chin and squinted at Lin Kun. "Information gathering? Analysis and deduction? Talking without action is worthless. Fine, I'll give you a chance."

He casually pointed at a fat merchant nearby who was complaining that his son had not been selected. "Right now, use your method to analyze that man and see what you can tell me. If you're right, I'll make an exception and let you take the later assessments. If you're wrong, or if what you say isn't interesting, then go back where you came from."

Everyone's attention instantly focused on Lin Kun.

This was Flander's impromptu test! It would determine whether Lin Kun could stay!

Lin Kun drew a deep breath, knowing he had to show his true ability! A faint silver light flickered in his eyes as Insight Skill and his Book Spirit operated at full force, focusing on the fat merchant!

Target: Male, approximately forty years old, low Soul Power (around level 10), martial spirit: abacus (?).

Status: Anxious, disappointed, pained at spending money (application fee?), gastrointestinal discomfort (recent greasy diet), small traces of green powder on the inside of his left cuff (suspected residue from some low-grade herb)...

Information poured in at high speed, then was analyzed! Lin Kun's mind raced as he combined the complaints he had heard earlier with the details he had observed, organizing his words.

A few seconds later, he raised his head and looked at Flander and the merchant, slowly opening his mouth...