Headmaster Flender and the Final Test

Dai Mubai led the seven who had passed the assessment through the even more dilapidated village paths to an open area. There was only a crude wooden house here, with several stone stools worn smooth and gleaming placed in front of it.

In the clearing stood a middle-aged man with glasses, a hawk nose, and a somewhat harsh-looking face, his hands clasped behind his back as though waiting for them. His clothes were old but washed pale, and his sharp gaze seemed capable of seeing straight into people's hearts.

"Headmaster, I've brought them," Dai Mubai said, putting away his usual carefree demeanor. There was a hint of respect in his voice.

This is the headmaster of Shrek Academy? He looks... like someone you don't want to mess with. Xiao Xiaoxiao muttered inwardly.

Headmaster Flender adjusted his glasses, his piercing gaze sweeping over the seven of them like a searchlight. It lingered especially long on Tang San, Oscar, and Dai Mubai.

"Hm, quite a few decent ones came this year." His voice was somewhat hoarse, but it carried unquestionable authority. "I am Flender, headmaster of Shrek Academy. First of all, congratulations on passing the first two rounds of assessment."

He paused, then changed his tone. "But don't celebrate too soon. Shrek only accepts monsters among monsters. The earlier tests merely weeded out useless trash that wasn't even worth calling garbage. And now comes the final test that will determine whether you are truly qualified to stay."

The final test? Everyone held their breath.

Flender's gaze passed over Tang San, Xiao Wu, Xiao Xiaoxiao, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing. "The five of you all have Soul Power above rank twenty-five, so your talent is fairly good. But!" His voice abruptly turned stern. "Soul Power does not represent everything! Temperament, perseverance, and Combat Ability—none can be lacking!"

His gaze finally landed on Oscar. "As for you, Food System, rank thirty-one, Innate Full Soul Power? That is quite rare. But Food System Soul Masters have poorer survivability on the battlefield, so your test will only be harsher!"

The playful grin vanished from Oscar's face, replaced by a rare look of seriousness.

"Dai Mubai!" Flender barked.

"Present, Headmaster!"

"You will be their opponent. One incense stick's worth of time. The rules are simple: endure my pressure for one incense stick without falling, or..." A sly glint flashed through Flender's eyes. "Touch even the corner of Dai Mubai's clothes, and you pass!"

What?! Endure a Soul Saint's pressure for one incense stick, and touch the clothes of Dai Mubai, a rank thirty-seven Soul Elder? How was that possible?!

Apart from Tang San, whose expression remained calm, everyone else revealed looks of shock and disbelief. Even Dai Mubai froze for a moment, as though he thought the test was too harsh.

Flender gave them no time to question it. With a cold snort, a terrifying pressure descended upon them like a mountain!

Boom!

Other than Dai Mubai, the remaining six suddenly felt their bodies sink, as though an invisible Giant Stone were pressing down on them. The circulation of their Soul Power instantly became sluggish and difficult, and even their breathing turned rapid! Was this the pressure of a Soul Saint? It was terrifying!

Xiao Xiaoxiao let out a muffled groan, her legs going weak as she nearly dropped to her knees. She hurriedly circulated her Soul Power and resisted with all her strength, barely managing to remain standing, though her little face had already gone pale.

Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing were in much the same state, barely holding on. Oscar directly released his Sausage Spirit, seemingly hoping to use his Martial Soul to withstand some of the pressure.

Only Tang San, though his body had also sunk slightly and fine sweat had seeped from his temples, still stood with his back straight. His sharp gaze was fixed on Dai Mubai, as though he were rapidly calculating something.

At Flender's signal, Dai Mubai gave an evil smile. Martial Soul Possession! White fur covered his body, the character for king appeared on his forehead, and three Soul Rings—two yellow and one purple—circled around him. His powerful aura mixed with Flender's pressure, making it even harder to breathe. He leisurely paced within the range of the pressure, as though admiring his prey's final struggle.

"One incense stick. Begin." Flender's cold voice announced the start of the test.

The pressure abruptly intensified!

Ning Rongrong was the first to be unable to endure it. The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda shone brightly. "Seven Treasures Turn Out Glazed Light, first: Strength! Second: Speed!" Two streams of colored light fell upon herself and Zhu Zhuqing, who was closest to her.

With the boost, Zhu Zhuqing's pressure eased slightly. The Hell Spirit Cat possessed her body, and her figure flickered like Gui Mei as she tried to approach Dai Mubai! Yet under the double pressure, her speed had slowed by far more than half!

Dai Mubai could not even be bothered to dodge. With a casual wave of his hand, the gust it created forced Zhu Zhuqing back. She staggered several steps and nearly collapsed under the pressure.

Xiao Wu gritted her teeth and tried to use Waist Bow, only to discover that even jumping was incomparably difficult.

Oscar hurriedly made Recovery Big Sausages. "I've got a big sausage!" He tossed them to Ning Rongrong and Xiao Wu, who were in the worst condition.

Xiao Xiaoxiao felt even her Spiritual Power trembling beneath the terrifying pressure. Forget interfering with Dai Mubai—simply remaining conscious was difficult. She saw Tang San give her a meaningful look, his eyes swiftly glancing toward Dai Mubai's lower body.

She understood at once! Tang San wanted her to interfere with Dai Mubai's balance! Under the headmaster's pressure, Dai Mubai's movements would surely be affected as well. As long as she could make him lose his balance for even an instant...

But... my interference barely works on a Soul Elder. Under the headmaster's pressure, it'll be even harder...

Forget it! I'm going all in!

Xiao Xiaoxiao bit the tip of her tongue. The intense pain jolted her mind awake, and she crazily poured all her remaining Soul Power into the Phantom Moon Fox!

"Mental Interference! Condense!" Rather than disrupting a whole area, she gathered all her power into an invisible spike and fiercely stabbed it toward the spot where Dai Mubai's right foot was about to land!

Dai Mubai had been strolling leisurely when, at the instant his right foot touched the ground, his mind felt as though it had been pricked by a needle. It was weak, but it instantly threw off his sense of balance, making his body sway involuntarily!

Now!

Tang San, who had stood motionless like a boulder all along, moved!

Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was exceptionally difficult and slow beneath the immense pressure, but his timing was exquisite! It was precisely the moment Dai Mubai's body swayed, when his old force had run out and his new force had yet to arise!

He did not charge toward Dai Mubai. Instead, he flicked his wrist!

A faint whistle cut through the air! A pebble, as if it had eyes, shot toward Dai Mubai's fluttering hem, lifted by his sway!

Dai Mubai was a Soul Elder after all. He instantly recovered his balance, and upon noticing the sound of something cutting through the air, his evil eyes sharpened as he instinctively tried to dodge!

But Flender's pressure affected him as well, and his movement was half a beat too slow!

Riiip!

A faint sound of tearing cloth rang out.

The pebble flew precisely past the corner of Dai Mubai's clothes, taking a small strip of fabric with it!

Time seemed to freeze.

After doing all this, Tang San swayed, his face pale. Clearly, that move had gathered all his concentration and Soul Power.

Xiao Xiaoxiao had exhausted her Soul Power and could no longer endure it. She went limp and was about to fall, but Xiao Wu, who was barely holding on beside her, caught her.

Dai Mubai stared at the torn corner of his clothes, his evil eyes filled with disbelief.

Flender's pressure abruptly vanished.

Everyone gasped for breath as though they had just been rescued from drowning, their bodies soaked in sweat.

Flender adjusted his glasses and looked at the ordinary pebble on the ground and the small strip of cloth. Then he looked at Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao, whose Soul Power had been exhausted and who were nearly collapsing, before turning to the other students who were barely standing. For the first time, the rigid expression on his face showed a distinct change.

He fell silent for several seconds, then suddenly began to laugh. Yet no matter how one looked at it, that smile was somewhat... chilling.

"Good... very good..." He clapped. "You took advantage of the situation, you were bold and meticulous, and your coordination was flawless. Though you used a trick, rules are rules. You touched his clothes, so you pass."

His gaze swept across the seven of them. "Congratulations, little monsters. From now on, you are official students of Shrek Academy!"

They had passed?!

The joy of surviving instantly swept away their exhaustion!

Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong cheered, while Oscar regained that smug, sleazy grin. Zhu Zhuqing let out a slight sigh of relief, and her cold, beautiful face seemed to soften by a fraction. Dai Mubai looked at Tang San, his evil eyes brimming with intense interest and fighting spirit.

Leaning against Xiao Wu, Xiao Xiaoxiao looked at Tang San, who was exhausted yet still standing straight ahead of her. Her heart brimmed with pride and sweetness. Their tacit understanding in that moment had felt as though their hearts were connected!

Headmaster Flender looked at this vibrant group of young boys and girls, each with their own distinct traits. His eyes especially lingered on Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao, and the corner of his mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

"All right, don't celebrate too soon." He poured cold water on them. "Now that you have entered Shrek's gates, you must obey Shrek's rules! First, tuition is one hundred Gold Soul Coins a year! No delays!"

"One hundred Gold Soul Coins?!" Everyone except Dai Mubai was stunned! This was practically robbery!

Flender ignored their wails and continued, "No money? Fine. The academy provides all kinds of 'work-study' opportunities, such as competing at the Suo Tuo Great Soul Arena for prize money, or completing tasks issued by the academy. Of course, if you think you are capable enough, you can also rob Dai Mubai. I have no objections."

Dai Mubai: "..."

"Second!" Flender's voice turned stern. "At Shrek, a teacher's words are absolute orders! If you are told to go east, you cannot go west! If you are told to catch a dog, you cannot chase chickens! Especially my orders—you must carry them out unconditionally! Do you hear me?!"

"We hear you..." everyone replied weakly.

"Have none of you eaten?! Louder!"

"WE HEAR YOU!!!" This time, their voices were much louder.

Flender nodded in satisfaction. "Finally, I'll give you the afternoon to settle in. Find empty rooms for yourselves as dormitories, and handle your own bedding. Gather at the Training Ground early tomorrow morning for your first class! If anyone is late..." He adjusted his glasses, and a cold gleam flashed over the lenses. "You will bear the consequences yourselves!"

With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and leisurely left, leaving the seven newly minted "little monsters" staring at one another.

That's... it? The legendary Shrek Academy's admission ceremony was a little too... casual, wasn't it?

Dai Mubai walked over and gave this group of bewildered newcomers an evil smile. "Welcome to hell... no, Shrek. Come on, I'll take you to find some 'dormitories' that can at least keep out the wind and rain."

Looking at the even more dilapidated wooden houses before them, which were practically on the verge of collapse, Xiao Xiaoxiao finally understood what kind of academy this "monster" academy was.

Life here would probably be even more "exciting" and... difficult than she had imagined.

But when she looked at Tang San beside her, she felt that everything was worth it.

A new life had begun.