First Trial

"Maybe he's just all talk?" Hermione said indignantly, still remembering Zhao Xuan's earlier words.

"All talk? Hmm? ...Here they come, watch closely." Zhao Xuan looked at Hermione with amusement. Before he could explain, a powerful aura suddenly emanated from the seemingly ordinary old man.

The old man's body suddenly released a rich crimson light, and at the same time, a martial staff covered in intricate patterns appeared in his right hand. The immense pressure made everyone present tremble involuntarily.

However, there were exceptions. Zhao Xuan stood like a lighthouse in a storm, unmoving.

The old man couldn't help but let out a soft "Hmm?" and glanced at Zhao Xuan a few more times. Then, six Soul Rings emerged from the old man's body.

White, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black.

The six Soul Rings slowly rose from the old man's feet, one after another. Especially the last black Soul Ring, its profound darkness sent shivers down one's spine.

A Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Ring!

"A... Soul Emperor?!" someone stammered, looking at the old man in fear.

Everyone present felt a jolt in their hearts. This old man, who looked like a simple farmer, was actually a Soul Emperor at level sixty-plus?! Such a powerful individual was rare even in the entire Balak Kingdom!

The old man's staff landed on the ground with a low thud that echoed outwards, causing almost everyone to stumble.

"Those who are qualified can continue to register." The next moment, the old man's released power abruptly retracted, and he reverted to his previous drowsy, old farmer appearance.

"He... he's actually a Soul Emperor?!" Hermione stammered, looking at the unassuming old man with disbelief.

"Heh heh, I told you this old man isn't simple! Your old man probably couldn't even be a doorman here with his strength," Zhao Xuan said, his eyes gleaming, but he couldn't resist mocking Hermione.

As far as he knew, a powerful expert like a Soul Emperor could serve as a special-class teacher or even a vice-dean in some advanced Soul Master Academies. Yet, here at this dilapidated Shrek Academy, he was merely an enrollment teacher.

Just how strong was the faculty of Shrek Academy?!

This wasn't just a question for Zhao Xuan and his group, but for everyone present.

However, it was a question that would likely go unanswered. The old man sat there like an ancient pine tree, quietly waiting for more applicants.

A significant portion of the parents sighed and quietly led their children away, their earlier disdain and contempt long forgotten.

As for the remaining parents, their faces lit up with joy. Shrek Academy was clearly hiding its true strength. Despite its run-down appearance, its power was immense. If their children could get in, it would undoubtedly be hugely beneficial for their development. The reason for the academy's dilapidated state was already dismissed from their minds.

Even if the academy was truly as run-down as it seemed, as long as it offered better development, what did a little hardship matter?

After a portion of the crowd left, the previously bustling village entrance became somewhat empty, offering a much clearer view. Dai Mubai, who had been standing by idly, naturally noticed Zhao Xuan's group.

"You guys really came," Dai Mubai walked towards them, his expression one of "I knew it."

"What? Want to fight again?" Zhao Xuan raised an eyebrow and asked calmly.

"There will be opportunities later, but you should register first," Dai Mubai replied noncommittally, gesturing for them to go ahead and register.

By now, nearly ninety percent of the applicants had already registered. While they were talking, a few more completed their registration, leaving only a handful of people.

In front of them was a young girl, and from her back, she exuded a graceful aura.

"She must be a beautiful girl!" Zhao Xuan declared confidently.

Hermione shot him a glare. "How do you know?"

"A feeling!"

"A feeling? You're not Dai Mubai. What good is your 'feeling' when you haven't even held a girl's hand?"

At Nuoding Academy, nothing could be hidden from Miss Hermione.

Zhao Xuan was annoyed. Have you held a boy's hand either, you brat?

But just then, the girl's voice came from ahead.

"Excuse me, have I passed the initial test?" The girl's voice was soft and pleasant, lacking a bit of heroic spirit, but it sounded gentle and soothing, giving people a warm feeling.

Zhao Xuan became even more convinced of his judgment. He turned his head and saw that Dai Mubai, who had returned to the old man's side, had clearly seen the girl's appearance. His evil eyes now held a wolf-like glint.

Now I'm completely certain, Zhao Xuan thought to himself.

After the girl completed the first test, the old man had Dai Mubai escort her to the second round. It was then Zhao Xuan's group's turn.

"Ten Gold Soul Coins, my heart aches." Zhao Xuan placed the Gold Soul Coins into the wooden box with a pained expression.

"Why are you so upset? Hurry up and extend your hand." The old man sitting at the table had been watching Zhao Xuan for a while. He had noticed Zhao Xuan's composure under pressure earlier.

Seeing Zhao Xuan hesitate, he couldn't help but widen his eyes and gesture for Zhao Xuan to quickly extend his hand.

Zhao Xuan extended his hand, and the old man began to check his bone age as usual. However, as he was feeling it, the old man's expression changed. Suddenly, he looked up at Zhao Xuan with a look of shock.

"What's wrong?" Zhao Xuan asked him, bewildered. The old man's mouth was so wide with surprise that an egg could have fit inside.

The old man stammered, "Your bone age is suitable. As for the Soul Rings, you all can release them together later."

Then he called the next person, Hermione, who was behind Zhao Xuan. Strangely, the old man's gaze remained fixed on Zhao Xuan.

No one could have guessed the turmoil in the old man's mind: This kid's physical strength is probably comparable to a level seventy Strength-type Beast Soul's full power! How strange! How peculiar! A little monster has truly come this year!

Hermione and Xiao Wu finished their tests in succession. When it was Tang San's turn, the old man seemed to finally snap back to reality. He asked with some surprise, "Have you cultivated any Soul Skills on your hand?"

Tang San nodded. He had never given up practicing the Mysterious Jade Hand.

"Then lift your lower leg."

After feeling Tang San's calf, the old man nodded. "Your bone age is suitable. Next, you all release your Martial Souls together."

The group nodded, and one by one, they released their Martial Souls. Except for Zhao Xuan, the others all had two yellow Soul Rings rise up. Zhao Xuan, however, slowly had three rise from beneath his feet.

Yellow, yellow, purple!

"Soul Elder? How is that possible?" The youths who hadn't registered yet couldn't help but exclaim when they saw this, then fell into a daze.

How could this be?! They were all the same age, so how could a Soul Elder appear? He wouldn't even consider the thought that the elder might have misjudged their bone age, as the elder was a Soul Emperor-level expert.

The elder was also surprised. Recalling his shock when he had tested their bone age earlier, and then looking at the young men and women before him, the elder actually smiled.

He stroked his white beard and said, "It seems the academy will be taking in quite a few little monsters this year."

"It looks like you've all finished testing, so then..." Just as the group finished their tests, Dai Mubai emerged from deeper within the academy.

He wasn't surprised at all to see them pass the tests. However, suddenly, Dai Mubai froze, his gaze fixed on something behind the group.

The group turned around in surprise, only to be stunned by the sight.

Behind them stood a girl in black, who looked even younger than them. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, her face slightly lowered. She was about the same height as the girl in the white dress earlier, and her skin was similarly fair. But this girl gave off a completely different aura.

Contrary to her fiery figure, the girl's expression was very cold, a deep, pure coldness that came from within. Her black eyes seemed devoid of any life, a stark contrast to her otherwise very beautiful face.

Her limbs were well-proportioned and slender, her hands hanging naturally at her sides. The deathly, icy aura she exuded made it hard to adapt to.

"Beautiful," Zhao Xuan couldn't help but sigh.

But in the next moment, two gazes suddenly swept over to Zhao Xuan.

"Scum." This was Hermione.

"Pervert." This was Xiao Wu.

Zhao Xuan's mouth twitched. What was going on? Was one not even allowed to admire beautiful women in this world?!

"Hurry up and leave after you register, don't block the way. There are still people behind you! And you, Mubai! Your eyes are practically popping out! Hurry and take them to the next stage."

At this moment, the elder in charge of registration became impatient and barked fiercely at the group.

Dai Mubai snapped back to reality and led the group inside, but he kept looking back at the girl behind them, glancing back repeatedly.