Entering Shrek Academy

Xiao Wu stormed up to Ma Hongjun, grabbing his ear. "You fatty! How could you cause trouble after just a moment's lapse in attention! Why did you burn down the hotel?" Ma Hongjun winced in pain. "Ouch, Sister Xiao Wu, be gentle! It's not my fault! Those guys were the ones who tried to steal my room first!" Ning Rongrong stood to the side, watching the chaotic scene unfold. She covered her mouth with a light chuckle, her gaze sweeping with interest over Tang San and Zhao Wuji, finally landing on Lin Kun, who was trying to shrink back behind the hotel door. A flicker of surprise and deeper curiosity flashed in her beautiful eyes.

Tang San's attention was entirely captured by Lin Kun. He walked up to Lin Kun, his brow furrowed, his tone laced with obvious confusion and scrutiny. "Lin Kun, you still haven't answered me. Didn't you say you were going home? How did you end up in Soto City? And appearing here so conspicuously?"

Xiao Wu also noticed Lin Kun at this moment. She let go of Ma Hongjun and bounced over, her large eyes blinking. "Huh? Lin Kun? Is that really you! What are you doing here too? Could it be that you're also here to take the entrance exam for that Shrek Academy?" Zhao Wuji crossed his arms and said gruffly, "Kid, you know them?" Ma Hongjun rubbed his ear and looked over curiously as well.

In an instant, all eyes were 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 under a spotlight, but the script had gone completely off the rails!

Cold sweat broke out instantly. What should he do? Tell the truth? Say he was a transmigator who knew the plot and came specifically to latch onto a powerful figure? He'd probably be caught and treated as a lunatic or a spy!

In a flash, a brilliant idea struck Lin Kun. He suddenly remembered his "careless words" to Tang San about Shrek Academy when he left Nuoding Academy.

He immediately put on an expression of "You've seen through me," "I'm embarrassed," with a hint of stubbornness. His eyes darted away for a moment, then he mustered his courage and looked at Tang San, his tone carrying a degree of awkwardness and a strange "firmness." "Alright... Tang San, I admit... I did hear some rumors about Shrek Academy... That's why... that's why I followed you here."

His words were vague, neither confirming nor denying Xiao Wu's guess about him "taking the exam." He emphasized "heard" and "followed," especially the phrase "followed you here." Combined with his expression, it was easy for people to make certain assumptions...

As expected, Tang San was stunned, the suspicion in his eyes turning to bewilderment and a touch of confusion. "You followed me? Why?"

Xiao Wu exclaimed "Oh—" as if she suddenly understood, clapping her hands. "I get it! Lin Kun, do you think Third Brother is incredibly powerful, so you want to take the Shrek exam with him? Just like how Wang Sheng and the others recognized Third Brother as their leader back then?"

The amusement in Ning Rongrong's eyes deepened, and the corner of her mouth curved into a meaningful smile. Ma Hongjun scratched his head. "What's going on? Is this guy Tang San's little brother?" Zhao Wuji also raised an eyebrow and looked at Tang San. "Not bad, kid. You've got followers already?"

Tang San felt a bit embarrassed by their words and quickly said, "Xiao Wu, don't talk nonsense! Lin Kun he..." He wanted to say that Lin Kun was also independent and special at Nuoding Academy, not someone who would follow others, but the current situation seemed to suggest otherwise?

Lin Kun seized the moment, forcing himself to continue the act. He steeled himself, putting on an expression of "admiration" (which he found cheesy himself) and "embarrassment." "Everyone saw Tang San's performance at Nuoding Academy... I think by following you, I might... might see a broader world. So, after finding out you might be coming to Soto City, I... I took the liberty of following you. I didn't expect to run into you here..."

His words were half true and half false. The true part was that Tang San was indeed powerful, and he did want to seize opportunities; the false part was his purpose and motivation. But combined with his "unintentional" revelation of Shrek information earlier, and his current performance as a "shy follower," it surprisingly seemed plausible!

Tang San looked into Lin Kun's "sincere" (acting) eyes and didn't know what to say for a moment. He wasn't naturally enthusiastic, but he didn't dislike this kind of "following" behavior. Especially since Lin Kun had "helped" him at Nuoding Academy before (although he suspected Lin Kun had secrets). In the end, he could only sigh, "You... sigh, forget it. Since you're here, you'll have to look out for yourself. The Shrek Academy assessment isn't that simple."

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

Xiao Wu happily patted Lin Kun's shoulder. "Not bad, Lin Kun! Good taste! You'll follow Sister Xiao Wu from now on! I guarantee no one will bully you!" Ning Rongrong also chuckled lightly. "It seems classmate Tang San has quite a bit of charm." Ma Hongjun leaned in. "Bro, you've got potential! Let's fight together in the future!" Zhao Wuji grunted, "Alright, alright, it's no big deal. Fatty, hurry up and pay the hotel for the damages! Then get back to the academy and prepare for tomorrow's assessment!"

A crisis was averted by Lin Kun in this almost nonsensical way! He secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his back already drenched in sweat. This "follower" persona was a bit embarrassing, but at least it got him through for now!

After paying for the hotel's damages (Ma Hongjun grudgingly handed over the money), Zhao Wuji led Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Ma Hongjun, and the newly added "unofficial member," Lin Kun, out of Soto City.

Along the way, Xiao Wu chattered incessantly, telling Lin Kun about how "monstrous" Shrek Academy was and how brutal the assessment was. Ning Rongrong occasionally chimed in, her tone carrying the reserve and curiosity of a young lady. Ma Hongjun boasted about how powerful his Evil Sky Phoenix was. Tang San was more silent, occasionally glancing at Lin Kun, lost in his own thoughts.

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

Not long after leaving Soto City, at the end of a stretch of farmland, they saw a dilapidated small village. At the entrance, a wooden archway stood, with a crooked, worn sign hanging from it. On the sign was a drawing of a green monster's head, with five large characters below it—"Shrek Academy."

This environment... it was even more run-down than he imagined! Lin Kun's lips twitched slightly, but remembering the plot from the original work, he felt it was as it should be.

At this moment, a rather long queue had already formed at the village entrance. It consisted of boys and girls around ten years old, along with their accompanying parents, all seemingly there to take the entrance exam.

Zhao Wuji brought Tang San and the others to the end of the line. "Alright, we're here. You guys line up here and take the assessment according to the rules. I'm going back for a nap." With that, he yawned and ambled into the village.

Seeing Zhao Wuji leave, the students and parents in the queue curiously sized up Tang San and his group, especially the exceptionally good-looking Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong.

Lin Kun also curiously observed the front of the queue. He saw a broken table placed at the village entrance, behind which sat an elder in his sixties. This was one of the founders of Shrek Academy, a Soul Emperor level expert—Li Yusong!

The assessment seemed to have already begun. The elder's voice, though low, carried clearly to everyone's ears. "...Our Shrek Academy only accepts monsters, not ordinary people! Anyone over thirteen years old or whose Spirit Power has not reached level twenty-one can leave now!"

As soon as these words were spoken, a commotion erupted in the queue. Many people who were older or clearly lacked sufficient Spirit Power dejectedly left the line, instantly reducing the crowd by more than half.

Lin Kun secretly gasped. Thirteen years old and level twenty-one! These standards were indeed monstrous! Fortunately, he looked younger (and was actually only sixteen), and although his Spirit Power of level eleven was far from enough, he wasn't here for a normal assessment anyway...

Soon, it was the turn of the people in front of them. A young man released two hundred-year Spirit Rings and had level twenty-two Spirit Power, but the elder rejected him on the grounds of "being too old, potential already exhausted," which caused the young man and his parents to react with indignation, though they dared not act out.

Finally, it was Tang San and their turn.

Xiao Wu was the first to bounce forward, saying with a smile, "Grandpa, we're all together!" The elder glanced at her, his gaze sweeping over Tang San, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing behind her, pausing slightly on Lin Kun (seemingly surprised by his weak Spirit Power), and then said indifferently, "State your age, measure your Spirit Power."

Xiao Wu, Tang San, and Ning Rongrong stepped forward one by one and extended their hands. The elder checked their bone age, nodded, and then took out a crystal ball.

If you can't find the book by searching the title, you can try searching for the author. Maybe the name has just been changed!

When the three sequentially poured their Spirit Power into the crystal ball, displaying Spirit Power levels of twenty-nine, twenty-nine, and twenty-six respectively, the entire area fell silent! Everyone's gaze was filled with shock and disbelief!

Twenty-nine level Great Soul Masters around thirteen years old! And one at level twenty-six! What terrifying talent was this!

The elder's cloudy eyes suddenly flashed with brilliance, and a smile appeared on his face. "Good! Good! Good! Truly little monsters! You've passed!"

It was Zhu Zhuqing's turn. Although she was only level twenty-seven, she was younger, and also passed with ease.

Ma Hongjun also stepped up, displaying his level twenty-eight Spirit Power and two yellow Spirit Rings, and he passed as well.

Finally, all eyes fell on Lin Kun.

Tang San and the others also looked at him, their expressions complex. They knew Lin Kun's Spirit Power level...

Lin Kun stepped forward, bracing himself, and respectfully said to the elder, "Senior, my name is Lin Kun, I am sixteen years old, and my Spirit Power is... level eleven."

As soon as he said this, a burst of laughter erupted from the surroundings.

"Level eleven and you dare to come?" "Did you get in through the back door?" "He must be trying to sneak in with those geniuses..."

The elder frowned, looking at Lin Kun. "Level eleven? Child, didn't you hear our academy's rules?"

Lin Kun took a deep breath. He knew the crucial moment had arrived. He raised his head, his gaze calm as he looked at the elder, and said loudly, "Senior, since your academy only accepts monsters, is the definition of a monster solely limited to Spirit Power levels?"

A hint of interest flashed in the elder's eyes. "Oh? Then what do you think qualifies as a monster?"

Lin Kun's mind raced, and he decided to take a gamble! He summoned his Book Spirit. That ancient book materialized in his palm, its cover faintly glowing. Simultaneously, the extremely rare white-gold Spirit Ring beneath his feet slowly rose!

"Whoa—!"

The moment the white-gold Spirit Ring appeared, the entire crowd erupted in gasps! Even the well-traveled elder Li Yusong's pupils contracted sharply!

"What... what kind of Spirit Ring is this?!" "White? No! It's white-gold! And it has light spots!" "Never seen anything like it!"

Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others looked on in shock once more. Although they had seen it at Nuoding Academy, the visual impact of this white-gold Spirit Ring on the Shrek Academy's assessment field was still immense!

Under everyone's gaze, Lin Kun said in a deep voice, "My Martial Soul is special, and I was fortunate enough to obtain this Spirit Ring. Although my Spirit Power is low, I believe that in terms of information perception and analytical reasoning, perhaps I possess a little... something unusual. Does this count as another kind of 'monster'?"

He threw the question back to the elder.

Elder Li Yusong stared intently at Lin Kun's white-gold Spirit Ring and that strange book, remaining silent for a long time. The field was silent, and everyone awaited the elder's decision.

Just then, a hoarse yet somewhat magnetic laugh echoed from within the village:

"Hahaha! Well said, another kind of monster! I like that way of putting it!"

A robust, sloppily dressed middle-aged man with a full beard, holding a gourd of wine, emerged, walking with a swagger that suggested utter disregard for anyone. It was Flander, the Four-eyed Owl!

As he approached, his sharp eyes, like those of a hawk, swept over Lin Kun, lingering particularly on his Martial Soul and white-gold Spirit Ring. A look of intense interest crossed his face. "Kid, your Spirit Ring is quite interesting! How did you get it?"

Lin Kun's heart stirred, knowing the final decision rested with this Dean. He quickly repeated the previous explanation about it being formed after a "peculiar plant withered."

After listening, Flander stroked his chin, squinting as he sized up Lin Kun. "Information perception? Analytical reasoning? Talk is cheap without action. How about this, I'll give you a chance."

He casually pointed to a stout merchant nearby, who was complaining about his son not being selected. "You, right now, use your method to analyze that person and see what you can say. If you're right, I'll make an exception and give you a chance to participate in the subsequent assessment. If you're wrong, or if what you say is uninteresting, then you can go back where you came from."

All eyes instantly focused on Lin Kun.

This was Flander's impromptu test! It determined whether he could stay!

Lin Kun took a deep breath, knowing he had to show his true capabilities! A faint silvery-blue light flashed in his eyes as his [Insight Skill] and Book Spirit worked at full capacity, and he looked towards the stout merchant!

[Target: Male, approximately 40 years old, low Spirit Power (around level 10), Martial Soul: Abacus (?). Condition: Anxious, disappointed, worried about money (registration fee?), gastrointestinal discomfort (recent greasy meals), small amount of green powder on the inner side of his left sleeve cuff (suspected residue of some low-level herb)...]

Information flooded in and was analyzed at lightning speed! Lin Kun's brain worked furiously, combining the overheard complaints with his observations to formulate his words.

A few seconds later, he looked up at Flander and the merchant and slowly began to speak