Monster Academy and Sausage Uncle

Beneath the crooked sign at the village entrance, a sparse line of boys and girls about their age had formed, most accompanied by anxious-looking parents. At the front of the line sat a battered wooden desk. An elderly man with messy hair and crystal spectacles was lazily yawning as he collected registration fees, occasionally reaching out to check an applicant's bone age.

The scene, the atmosphere—it looked like nothing more than some shabby scam set up to swindle money. How did this resemble a Soul Master Academy?

"Th-this is really Shrek Academy?" Xiao Wu's eyes widened as she pointed incredulously at the broken sign. "Did Master make a mistake? Can a place like this teach monsters?"

Xiao Xiaoxiao was equally bewildered. She had known Shrek Academy's conditions were difficult, but this... was far too difficult, wasn't it? It could not even compare to Nuoding Academy!

Though Tang San also looked surprised, he quickly regained his composure. He trusted his teacher's judgment. "Since Teacher recommended this place, it must have something special. Let's line up."

The line moved slowly. Parents constantly dragged their children away in indignation, muttering things like "scammers" and "give us our money back." The old man did not stop them, maintaining his lazy demeanor.

At last, it was the turn of a well-dressed youth in front of them. The old man took his money and checked his bone age. "Your age is suitable. Release your Martial Soul."

The youth smiled arrogantly. A white soul ring rose beneath his feet, and his Martial Soul was a longsword. "I'm a Level 12 Soul Master! With talent like mine, I could get into Heaven Dou Royal Academy! This rundown academy of yours—"

Before he could finish, the old man impatiently waved him off. "Unqualified. Next."

The youth and his father both froze. "Why? My son is Level 12! His Martial Soul is a Weapon Spirit!"

The old man could not even be bothered to raise his eyelids. "We only accept students under thirteen. Your son's bone age is over the limit by three months. And his First Spirit Ring is a worthless ten-year one. His talent is mediocre and does not meet our academy's standards. Hurry up and leave. Don't block the way."

The father and son's faces alternated between green and white before they finally left while cursing.

The onlookers erupted in an uproar. Under thirteen, with Soul Power above Level 20? Those requirements were absurdly harsh!

Xiao Wu stuck out her tongue. "Wow, the standards are that high?"

Soon, it was Tang San's turn. He stepped forward and paid the ten Gold Soul Coins registration fee.

The old man felt his arm and nodded. "Your age is suitable." Then he gestured for Tang San to release his Martial Soul.

Tang San extended his right hand, and Blue Silver Grass quietly appeared. A bright yellow soul ring rose beneath his feet.

"Blue Silver Grass? A Hundred-Year Soul Ring?" The old man's lazy gaze finally focused. He sat up straight and examined Tang San carefully. "What's your Soul Power?"

"Level 29," Tang San answered calmly.

"What?!" The old man's voice suddenly rose, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He leaped to his feet, drawing everyone's attention.

"Level 29," Tang San repeated.

The old man grabbed Tang San's hand and carefully sensed him. An expression as though he had seen a ghost appeared on his face. "T-twelve years old? Level 29?! Blue Silver Grass?! Kid, are you messing with me?"

Tang San shook his head. "I wouldn't dare."

The old man stared at him for a long while before suddenly bursting into laughter and forcefully patting Tang San's shoulder. "Good! Good kid! A monster! You really are a monster! Qualified! More than qualified! Go stand over there!" He pointed to an open area behind the desk.

A deathly silence fell over the crowd. Everyone stared at Tang San as if he were a monster. Twelve years old, Level 29? Was he really human?

Xiao Wu proudly lifted her chin, as though she were the one being praised, then bounced forward. "Old man, there's me too!"

The old man was in an excellent mood. He checked her bone age and had her release her Martial Soul. Xiao Wu underwent Soft Bone Rabbit Possession, and a yellow soul ring rose beneath her feet.

"Level 17? Hmm, twelve years old. Not bad. Qualified, qualified. Go stand over there!" The old man smiled.

It was Xiao Xiaoxiao's turn. She walked forward somewhat nervously and paid the fee.

The old man checked her bone age, nodded, and motioned for her to release her Martial Soul.

The Phantom Moon Fox appeared on her shoulder, sitting obediently as a yellow Hundred-Year Soul Ring rose beneath her feet.

"Level 18, and your Martial Soul is... a fox-type Spirit System?" Interest flashed through the old man's eyes. "Release some Spiritual Power and let me see."

Xiao Xiaoxiao focused her mind, and a faint Mental Fluctuation cautiously spread outward.

The old man nodded. "Mm, your Spiritual Power is fairly solid, and your control is passable. Level 18 at twelve years old... barely adequate, but you qualify. Go over there."

Xiao Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to Tang San and Xiao Wu. Though she had been judged as merely "barely adequate," she was already satisfied just to pass.

After that, several more youths stepped forward, but most only had Soul Power in the teens or were over the age limit. The old man rejected them mercilessly.

At that moment, a commotion arose at the back of the line. A tall young man in fitted white clothes, with golden hair and Evil Eyes, walked over with a cold, glamorous girl in black and a striking figure held in his arms, completely ignoring everyone around them. They were the two people they had met at the night market last night!

"Boss Dai! Zhu Qing! You're here too?" Xiao Wu called out before she could stop herself.

Dai Mubai swept his Evil Eyes over them. When he spotted the three of them, a teasing smile curled across his lips. "Oh, it's you three little ones. What, you want to enter Shrek too?"

Zhu Zhuqing coldly glanced at them but said nothing.

When the old man saw Dai Mubai, he seemed to recognize him. "Mubai, did you bring someone to cut in line?"

Dai Mubai smiled. "Teacher Li, how could I? We'll line up at the back." With that, he actually did put his arm around Zhu Zhuqing and stand at the end of the line, though his bearing made him look nothing like an applicant.

Someone who recognized Dai Mubai whispered in alarm, "It's Dai Mubai, the Evil Eyes White Tiger! He's from Star Luo... Why is he here too?"

Dai Mubai's arrival made the already tense atmosphere in the line even stranger.

Soon, it was the turn of a gentle, graceful girl in a pink dress. She released the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul and two yellow soul rings, causing another wave of startled cries.

"Someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?" The old man nodded. "Level 26. Qualified."

Then a handsome youth with wandering Peach Blossom Eyes stepped forward with a grin. Sausage Uncle... ah, no, a youth. He released... two sausages? Along with an obscene incantation that made the crowd burst into laughter. Yet he actually possessed Level 31 Soul Power, barely qualifying.

Finally, it was Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing's turn. Dai Mubai released the Evil Eyes White Tiger Martial Soul, and his two yellow and one purple soul rings shocked the entire crowd! A Level 37 Battle Soul Master! Zhu Zhuqing, meanwhile, was a Level 27 Soul Grandmaster with the Hell Spirit Cat Martial Soul.

With that, the first round of testing ended. Out of thousands upon thousands of applicants, only seven had passed!

Tang San, Level 29 Control System Battle Soul Grandmaster.

Xiao Wu, Level 17 Assault System Battle Soul Master.

Xiao Xiaoxiao, Level 18 Control System Battle Soul Master.

Ning Rongrong, Level 26 Support System Weapon Spirit Grandmaster.

Oscar, Level 31 Food System Weapon Spirit Master.

Dai Mubai, Level 37 Assault System Battle Soul Master.

Zhu Zhuqing, Level 27 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Grandmaster.

The old man looked at the seven of them, especially Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Oscar. His face bloomed with delight, without the slightest trace of his earlier laziness. "Good, good, good! We've really struck it lucky this year! So many little monsters all at once! Mubai, take them inside for the second-round assessment!"

Dai Mubai nodded. His Evil Eyes swept across the seven of them, lingering especially on Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao. "Follow me."

They passed through the village and arrived at an open area behind it, where several more people who looked like teachers were waiting.

The second round tested Soul Power. Those who reached Level 25 or above could skip the remaining assessments. When tested with the Crystal Ball, everyone except Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao exceeded Level 25.

Xiao Wu pouted, and Xiao Xiaoxiao grew nervous as well.

One teacher said, "It's fine. Soul Power Level is only a reference. The two of you will need a combat assessment to test your overall abilities. Which one of you will go first?"

Just as Xiao Wu was about to raise her hand, Dai Mubai suddenly spoke. "Teacher Li, why not let me test these two junior sisters myself? It would also let the teachers see their abilities more clearly."

Teacher Li considered it, then nodded. "That works. Mubai, show some restraint."

Dai Mubai gave a wicked smile and walked forward, his gaze settling on Xiao Wu and Xiao Xiaoxiao. "You two, come at me together."

Xiao Wu had disliked him from the start and immediately hopped out. "Together it is! You think we're afraid of you? Xiaoxiao, let's beat him up!"

But Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart tightened. Dai Mubai was a Level 37 Soul Elder! His strength far surpassed theirs! There was no way his volunteering to assess them was that simple!

But they had no choice now but to face it head-on. She exchanged a glance with Tang San, whose eyes held encouragement as well as a reminder for her to be careful.

Xiao Xiaoxiao took a deep breath, stepped beside Xiao Wu, and summoned the Phantom Moon Fox.

"Oh? Spirit System control?" Dai Mubai's smile deepened. "Interesting. Come on, let me see what you can do."

"Sister Xiao Wu, watch his eyes!" Xiao Xiaoxiao warned quietly. She had not forgotten that strange mental probing from last night.

"Got it!" Before Xiao Wu had even finished speaking, she had already rushed out first. Her Waist Bow erupted with force as her legs swept toward Dai Mubai like whips!

Dai Mubai neither dodged nor evaded. He did not even use Martial Soul Possession, merely raising an arm to block casually.

Bang! Xiao Wu felt as if she had kicked an Iron Plate. The rebounding force sent her flying back, and her blood and energy churned.

Such strength!

At that moment, Xiao Xiaoxiao's interference arrived!

Mental Interference! Its target was Dai Mubai's eyes!

A faint glimmer flashed through Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes. His movements seemed to pause for the tiniest instant, but he immediately returned to normal and smiled. "Not strong enough, junior sister."

Before his words had faded, his figure blurred. In an instant, he appeared before Xiao Xiaoxiao, his clawed hand shooting out!

Fast! Too fast!

Xiao Xiaoxiao had no time to react at all!

"First Spirit Skill, Entangling!" Tang San's calm voice rang out!

Several stalks of Blue Silver Grass burst from beneath Dai Mubai's feet and coiled around his legs!

Dai Mubai gave a soft exclamation, seemingly not expecting Tang San to intervene. His movements stalled slightly, and the claw reaching for Xiao Xiaoxiao slowed by a fraction.

That fraction was enough! Xiao Xiaoxiao leaped backward and narrowly escaped!

Xiao Wu attacked again, using her Soft Skill to wrap around Dai Mubai's arm.

Interest grew stronger in Dai Mubai's Evil Eyes. He shook his arm, and Soul Power burst forth, easily knocking away both Xiao Wu's hold and the Blue Silver Grass bindings.

"Your coordination is decent. Your strength is just a little lacking," he commented. He still showed no intention of using his Martial Soul as he swayed forward and closed in again.

The pressure was overwhelming!

Xiao Xiaoxiao clenched her teeth and focused her Spiritual Power to the limit. Rather than using broad interference, she condensed all her power into needles and repeatedly stabbed at Dai Mubai's mind! Though she could not inflict any real damage, she could always cause a few tenths of a second of hesitation and irritation at critical moments when he exerted force or changed direction!

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu relied on her nimble footwork and flexible physical techniques to constantly harass him at close range. Though she was easily knocked away every time, she stubbornly persisted.

Tang San stood at the edge of the field without intervening again, but his gaze remained fixed on the battle, several pebbles faintly visible between his fingers.

Dai Mubai seemed to have had enough playing around. His speed suddenly increased as he slapped toward Xiao Wu's shoulder. Xiao Wu could not dodge in time and was about to be hit!

"Interfere with his right leg!" Tang San's command suddenly entered Xiao Xiaoxiao's ears!

Without even thinking, Xiao Xiaoxiao sent her condensed Mental Spike fiercely into the point where Dai Mubai's right leg exerted force!

Dai Mubai's advancing right leg suddenly stiffened, and the force behind the palm heading for Xiao Wu weakened by three parts.

Xiao Wu seized the chance, twisting her waist and narrowly avoiding the palm. At the same time, she kicked the opening Dai Mubai had exposed due to his stiffness!

Smack! It did not deal much damage, but the kick landed solidly!

Dai Mubai stopped moving. He looked down at the footprint on his pant leg, then raised his head to look at the faintly panting Xiao Xiaoxiao and the smug-faced Xiao Wu. Genuine surprise flashed through his Evil Eyes.

That interference just now—the timing and location had been terrifyingly precise! It was completely unlike something a Soul Master in the teens could accomplish! Was it a coincidence? Or...

His gaze passed over the two girls and landed on the expressionless Tang San at the side of the field.

That kid? Was he the one directing them?

Dai Mubai suddenly laughed, putting away his playful attitude as he patted his pants. "Not bad, not bad. Your reactions, coordination, and that little bit of cleverness are all decent. You pass."

He looked toward the nearby teachers. "Teacher Li, I think they're fine."

The teachers nodded in satisfaction as well. To hold out under Dai Mubai for so long and even occasionally counterattack, the girls' actual combat ability clearly far exceeded their Soul Power Levels.

Xiao Wu cheered and ran back to Tang San's side. Xiao Xiaoxiao also relaxed. She felt as though her Soul Power was nearly exhausted, and cold sweat covered her back.

Dai Mubai walked over to Tang San, his Evil Eyes filled with scrutiny and intense interest. "Kid, just now... were you the one behind that?"

Tang San met his gaze calmly. "What is Senior talking about? I don't understand."

Dai Mubai stared at him for several seconds before suddenly breaking into laughter and forcefully patting Tang San's shoulder. "Good! Interesting! Academy life won't be boring anymore!"

Then he looked at Xiao Xiaoxiao, amusement in his eyes. "The Spirit System little cat isn't bad either. Train hard. There'll be plenty of fights in the future."

Xiao Xiaoxiao got a little creeped out by his gaze and unconsciously edged closer to Tang San.

Dai Mubai did not mind. Smiling, he waved to the seven who had passed. "Let's go, little monsters. I'll take you to meet the Headmaster. There's still one final trial waiting for you!"

Shrek Academy's entrance examination seemed more interesting—and more... difficult—than they had imagined.

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked at Dai Mubai's tall back ahead, then at the steady Tang San and lively Xiao Wu beside her. Her heart was filled with both anticipation and unease.

Life at the true monster academy was about to begin.