Conflict

The next morning.

Shi Yi habitually emerged from meditation. The first thing he did upon waking was neither wash up nor eat, but take a small notebook from his Soul Tool and record his cultivation time. The notebook was densely filled with records of Shi Yi's daily cultivation hours, and each time he advanced a level, he would make a corresponding note.

This had long since become Shi Yi's habit, because these were essential data for analyzing his cultivation speed. Only through this data could he track the curve of his cultivation progress. Based on those changes, he would constantly make new adjustments to his cultivation in the hopes of making that curve rise higher and higher.

After years of conditioning and clearing his meridians, Shi Yi's records showed that his cultivation speed had long reached a stable threshold. If his deduction was correct, this was likely the cultivation threshold of so-called Innate Full Soul Power.

This conclusion also matched reality. Taking Tang San as a sample of someone with Innate Full Soul Power and an advanced Cultivation Method, after years of continuous cultivation, Tang San's Soul Power Level had reached twenty-nine by the time he entered Shrek Academy. Shi Yi's Soul Power Level had also reached twenty-seven, only two levels below Tang San's. Of course, he was two years older than Tang San.

"Looks like my cultivation speed won't improve much further until I open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians," Shi Yi murmured.

Shi Yi then made himself breakfast: simple rice porridge with river shrimp and some basic seasonings. Just as he happily simmered his seafood porridge—

A familiar shoehorn-shaped face appeared before him.

Seeing who it was, Shi Yi feigned surprise. "Senior? Why are you here?"

Flender did not stand on ceremony. He took a stool from his Soul Tool and sat down beside Shi Yi. Rather than answer Shi Yi's question, he asked, "Why didn't you register?"

Shi Yi said in surprise, "Senior, you are?"

Flender's sharp gaze settled on Shi Yi as he eyed him suspiciously. "You brat, you really don't know who I am?"

"I can probably guess now. So you're the old friend Teacher mentioned," Shi Yi said to Flender.

As he spoke, Shi Yi took out a bowl and chopsticks from his Soul Tool, filled the bowl with porridge, and handed it to Flender with a smile. "You probably haven't eaten yet. Want to try some?"

Flender did not refuse. Taking the bowl and chopsticks, he began eating alongside Shi Yi, explaining as he did so, "Your academy's admission requirements are too high. Although I've reached level twenty-seven, I'm already two years over the age limit. Whether I attend school or not isn't much of an issue for me. I know everything Teacher knows, and I know a little about what Teacher doesn't."

Flender took a sip of hot porridge and snorted. "What a boast. Then can you improve—or even solve—the negative effects caused by Martial Soul Mutation?"

"I don't know whether I can solve that problem, but I believe it can't be harder than cultivating from Innate Level 1 Soul Power to where I am today." Shi Yi calmly took a contented sip of hot porridge.

A smile could not help appearing on Flender's shoehorn-shaped face. Then he said softly, "Not bad. When you hear the bell later, come to the academy grounds. You're admitted."

Having said that, Flender drained the bowl of hot porridge before Shi Yi could even agree. He casually set down the bowl and chopsticks, then vanished from sight.

Shi Yi smiled and continued happily drinking his porridge.

After quite some time, the sound of clanging bells suddenly rang out from outside. Shi Yi unhurriedly cleaned up his bowl and chopsticks, then headed in the direction of the bells.

By the time Shi Yi arrived at Shrek's training ground, all seven of the Shrek Seven Devils had assembled.

Shi Yi smiled and stepped forward, greeting Tang San and Xiao Wu. "Morning, Disciple Brother. Morning, Xiao Wu."

Xiao Wu gave a soft snort and ignored Shi Yi. Tang San, on the other hand, honestly returned the greeting. "Morning, Senior Disciple Brother."

The other five immediately focused their gazes on Shi Yi, their eyes filled with curiosity and doubt.

"Senior Disciple Brother, this is...?" Tang San asked hesitantly.

"Junior Disciple Brother, naturally your Senior Disciple Brother is so capable that he got in without taking the test," Shi Yi said with a light laugh.

Tang San nodded in understanding. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, muttered under her breath, "Shameless."

At that moment, Dai Mubai slowly stepped forward. "Kid, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say anything you want. The Dean said that he would rather have none than accept the unqualified. No matter what, even if Shrek Academy closes down, it will never accept trash. Only monsters. You're already over the age limit at fourteen."

Ma Hongjun also stepped out. A flash of jealousy passed through his eyes as he looked at Shi Yi's face. "That's right. In all the years Teacher has run Shrek, no one has ever gotten in through the back door under his watch. Whose pants weren't tied tight enough to let you slip out, kid?"

The peach-eyed youth and the richly dressed girl both looked at Shi Yi with playful expressions in their eyes. The cold-looking girl standing some distance away merely remained indifferent, as though none of this concerned her.

After hearing the two of them, Xiao Wu also looked at Shi Yi suspiciously, seemingly wanting to chime in. However, Tang San pulled her back. Others might not understand Shi Yi, but Tang San knew that with his Senior Disciple Brother's attainments in theoretical research and depth of knowledge, he had no need to attend any so-called academy.

"We'll know once the Dean gets here," Tang San said at the right moment.

Tang San's words calmed Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun. They still found it impossible to believe, but what if?

"Fatty, let's give Xiao San some face," Dai Mubai said arrogantly.

Shi Yi wore a helpless expression. He felt certain that Flender, that profiteer, was watching from somewhere nearby.

As they spoke, Flender walked over from the other side of the training ground.

Xiao Wu said in surprise, "Isn't that the shop owner?"

Oscar introduced him to everyone. "What shop owner? This is our Dean, the founder of Shrek Academy, the Four-Eyed Owl Flender. A level seventy-eight Soul Saint. He's even stronger than Teacher Zhao. And he possesses a flying Beast Martial Soul, which is quite rare even among Battle Soul Masters. Fatty is also his Direct Disciple."

Flender came to a stop before the seven students. His uniquely hoarse yet somewhat magnetic voice rang out as he slowly said, "This year is quite good. We've gained another five little monsters. I, Flender, Dean of Shrek Academy, welcome you on behalf of the academy. Later, each of you is to pay one hundred Gold Coin to Teacher Li, who handles finances. Mubai."

At this moment, both Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun looked utterly incredulous. Dai Mubai did not even notice that Flender had called his name.

Flender cleared his throat and repeated, "Mubai?"

Dai Mubai snapped slightly out of it, though disbelief still covered his face. Pointing at Shi Yi, he said, "Dean, why does he get to enter without the test? He's already over the age limit."

"Does someone who cultivated to level twenty-seven by the age of fourteen with Innate Level 1 Soul Power not meet Shrek's admission standards? Does such a person not deserve to be called a monster?" Flender asked Dai Mubai calmly.

Everyone looked at Shi Yi in disbelief, then turned their gazes toward Tang San.

"I can testify to that. Senior Disciple Brother's Innate Soul Power truly was Innate Level 1," Tang San said flatly.

"Dean, I don't believe it! A Soul Master with Innate Level 1 Soul Power might not even be able to cultivate to Soul Elder in their entire life. Him?" Dai Mubai said agitatedly as he stared at Shi Yi.

Shi Yi smiled faintly. "A slave to fate. How tragic."

Shi Yi's words seemed to strike a sore spot. A sinister gleam flashed in Dai Mubai's eyes as he abruptly raised his right fist and charged forward, driving it straight at Shi Yi's chest.

In an instant, Flender appeared in front of Shi Yi and swiftly, precisely seized Dai Mubai's fist.

"Mubai, are you questioning me?" Flender asked calmly as he held Dai Mubai's fist. That sharp gaze instantly snapped Dai Mubai out of his anger.

Dai Mubai glanced at Shi Yi in the distance, a trace of unwillingness flashing through his eyes. "I wouldn't dare, Dean."

Flender slowly released Dai Mubai's hand. Dai Mubai also gave Flender a slight bow.

Seeing this, Flender sighed softly. To be honest, if Shi Yi had not been his old friend's disciple, even he would have found Shi Yi's achievements hard to believe.

"Alright. We have five more junior brothers and sisters now. Go back and rest. Restore yourselves to your best condition as much as possible. Today's first class will begin tonight. Oscar and Ning Rongrong, you two are exceptions. Come with me."

Flender waved his hand. "The rest of you may go rest. Remember, get yourselves into peak condition before nightfall. Don't blame me for not warning you. This academy's teaching is unlike anywhere else. You may even face danger."

Zhu Zhuqing slowly left, but before she did, she glanced at Shi Yi and Dai Mubai. Dai Mubai glared at Shi Yi, as though trying to find a flaw and expose Shi Yi's "lie." Ma Hongjun slipped away soon afterward. Though he still did not believe Shi Yi could have cultivated to this level with Innate Level 1 Soul Power, the words had come from his own teacher, so they were most likely true.

Tang San was in no hurry to leave. He wanted to see how this Dean before him taught. Oscar and Ning Rongrong both had support-type Martial Souls, which was likely why they would not be attending the evening class. What Tang San found strange was why teaching had to take place at night.

Since Tang San did not leave, Xiao Wu naturally was not in a hurry to leave either. She stood quietly beside Tang San and watched.

With nothing better to do, Shi Yi was in no rush to leave either. He had no interest in Flender's methods for disciplining a young girl, but he was interested in Ning Rongrong.

Whether it was the wealth of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind Ning Rongrong or the absurd ability of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Soul Masters to identify Special Metal, both were extremely important to his research into Soul Tools.

Sure enough, after a long speech, Flender assigned Oscar and Ning Rongrong their task.

"Your lesson today is physical training. Starting now, run twenty laps around the entire village. If you aren't back before lunch, you won't be eating lunch. You may use your Martial Souls to assist yourselves. Now go. Oscar will lead the way."

"Yes." Ning Rongrong answered and immediately ran off without hesitation. Oscar gave Tang San and the others standing nearby a resentful look before following her.

Watching Oscar and Ning Rongrong run off, Flender looked at Tang San and Shi Yi helplessly. "You two, come with me."

Tang San nodded, waving behind his back at Xiao Wu, who wanted to follow, before following Shi Yi and Flender into the academy.

Flender's office was also his residence. It was located not far from where Tang San and Zhao Wuji had fought yesterday. The room was simply furnished, containing only the necessities.

Flender sat down behind his desk. Looking at the two of them, a complicated light suddenly appeared in his eyes. "Is your teacher well?"

Tang San said nothing, instead turning his gaze toward Shi Yi.

Shi Yi nodded and smiled. "Teacher is doing well. He eats well and sleeps well."

Flender nodded at the two of them, then turned his gaze to Shi Yi. "You really know how to stab someone where it hurts, kid. You should have figured out where Mubai comes from, right?"

Shi Yi smiled and nodded.

"Don't say I didn't warn you. Mubai is fifteen this year and a level thirty-seven Battle Soul Elder. Though your accomplishments are impressive, they truly are hard to believe. You shouldn't provoke him," Flender said softly to Shi Yi.

"If you hadn't stepped in just now, with him being careless enough not to possess his Martial Soul or use a Soul Skill, I might have chopped off his hand," Shi Yi said with a light laugh.

Tang San also nodded slightly. In Dai Mubai's state just now, even with three Soul Rings, he was still flesh and blood. With Shi Yi's sword empowered by Soul Power, even Iron Essence would still be cut as easily as mud.

Flender's expression darkened. Thinking of Shi Yi yesterday, surprise flickered through his eyes. "A Soul Tool?"

"That's right. Thanks to you, I've made a little progress in Soul Tool research," Shi Yi said with a smile.

Flender nodded. "Fine. Shrek encourages combat, but it absolutely does not permit maiming others. And your Soul Tools are not to be used casually against other students."

"I'm not someone who causes trouble. I've always made weapons for self-defense," Shi Yi said with an ingratiating smile.

Flender found Shi Yi rather troublesome. Clearly, Shi Yi was a thorny one. He looked like he did not cause trouble, but once someone touched him, he would most likely bristle.

At that moment, Flender suddenly found the quiet and taciturn Tang San much more pleasing to the eye.

Remembering that he still needed to make friends with Ning Rongrong, Shi Yi said to Flender, "Dean, I have something to do, so I'll get going. Xiao San has a letter from Teacher for you."

Flender nodded and let Shi Yi leave. Tang San then took a letter from his Storage Bracelet and handed it to Flender.