The Test

Flender had happened to trade shifts with Zhao Wuji and come to watch the shop today. Just as he was about to deal with that fool who had been bullying people, he saw a young girl handle them instead.

The fluctuations of Soul Power around her body could not be hidden from him. She must have awakened not long ago.

Smart yet cautious, chivalrous yet measured, and judging by her clothes, she did not seem to be a noble's child. Was this not the true genius he had been searching for all this time?

Haha, my entrance had to carry the bearing of a great master. I'll win her over in one move!

"Would you like to study under me?" he asked slowly, his hands clasped behind his back.

Shen Ranxi cupped her fists and bent slightly at the waist. Her little face remained calm as she answered neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My apologies, Senior, but I already have a school I wish to attend."

"Very good—hm? No, what did you say?" The smile on Flender's lips froze. He had already been prepared for the child to agree joyfully.

Thinking he had not heard her, Shen Ranxi repeated herself.

The smile at the corner of Flender's mouth faded. There were not many students at the Academy now, and he had originally planned to visit some remote villages to see whether there were any promising young talents.

His eyes narrowed. "Do you know who I am, to dare refuse me?" A Sense of Oppression suddenly descended.

Shen Ranxi asked sincerely, "Who are you, Senior?"

Sincerity was always the greatest Trump Card.

Her words choked Flender up, and even the Soul Power he had released stalled for an instant.

"Owl Avatar!" With a shout, an enormous owl appeared behind him. Golden, purple, and black rings spread outward one after another—yellow, yellow, black, black, black, black, black. Seven Soul Rings pulsed around his body.

This was the third Soul Master she had ever seen up close, and also the strongest one she had ever seen!

The Sense of Oppression she felt did not frighten her. Instead, it stirred up her surging ambition. She would become this strong too! She would become even stronger!

"Dean of Shrek Academy, Flender. Level 70 Soul Saint."

You dropped to your knees far too quickly, didn't you?

"Please accept me as your student, Senior!"

Shen Ranxi had not known Flender, but she certainly knew the dean of Shrek Academy.

The slight displeasure in Flender's heart from being rejected was soothed by her swift change in attitude. "With my strength, I knew it..."

Still appearing casual, he asked, "Where had you planned to study before this?"

Shen Ranxi secretly curled her lips. You hadn't said you were Shrek's Soul Saint just now. How could I possibly refuse then? Honestly!

"Senior, I was planning to go to Shrek Academy to study."

Flender smugly wondered whether his Academy's great name had already spread so far that even a child knew of it.

"What level are you now?"

"Senior, I awakened less than a month ago. I have Innate Full Soul Power."

If not for the Golden Cudgel's suppression, she might have progressed even faster.

Hm?!

Flender had seen that this young girl possessed talent. He could bring her back to the Academy and nurture her in advance; if she failed to meet the requirements in a few years, she could withdraw and attend another Academy. But he had never expected to catch such a treasure in one grab.

Flender almost burst out laughing. His face remained calm, but the corners of his mouth that he could not suppress gave him away.

If that was the case, he would make this young girl understand the value of diligent study and hard training. Strict teachers produced outstanding students.

Failing to meet the requirements—there was no such thing!

He would spare no effort in nurturing her! She had to become a student of Shrek!

"Then come with me. Do you need to say goodbye to your parents?" Flender asked considerately.

In truth, his words struck straight at her heart.

Shen Ranxi hesitated for a moment. When she spoke, her voice seemed to come from deep within her chest, muffled and heavy.

"I'm an Orphan. My Village was also destroyed by Evil Soul Masters." With her Head Drooping, she silently followed behind him.

Flender's steps paused for a moment. He turned around, bent down, picked up the two young girls, and carried them into the shop.

His Big Hand gently patted their heads. "From now on, the Academy will be your home."

After letting the two children sit down, he felt that no matter how good her talent was, some things had to be made clear as early as possible.

"There are some things I must tell you in advance. In this world, Soul Masters and Ordinary People are as different as heaven and earth. So in the future, you must separate from your younger sister. She is only three years old, and the chance of her awakening later is not great. As a Soul Master, your lifespan and the things you encounter in daily life will be completely different from those of an Ordinary Person.

"An Ordinary Person can live only a little over sixty years at most. With your talent, you can live for several centuries. Adjust your mindset early. It will be good for both you and her."

Shen Ranxi did not intend to cry and beg the Dean with tears.

"Dean, do you know what there is the most of in this world?"

Flender did not understand.

"Ordinary People, precisely as you call them. They are like Worker Ants in an Ant Nest, diligently and tirelessly maintaining the world. I am not asking the strong to understand the safety and suffering of the weak—that would be too ridiculous. But I can ask it of myself.

"If there were no Ordinary People, could this world truly be so harmonious? You should know that Soul Masters make up only a very small part of this world, yet such miraculous power has brought no real benefit to Ordinary People.

"Instead, their lives and deaths are controlled at any time and in any place. The aftershocks of battles between Soul Masters can cause Ordinary People to die instantly.

"Since no one ever turns their gaze toward these people, then in the future, I will make this world see just how great the power of Ordinary People can be!"

Flender saw blazing flames in the young girl's eyes—a yearning for strength. In the future, those flames would either burn toward the world or consume herself until she vanished into ashes.

This child possessed a clear goal and incomparable talent.

Though that goal sounded like a dream, like a castle in the air.

Still, he wanted to see whether she could truly shake the structure of this world, even for a single moment, even for one second.

"Hahaha, then I'll wait and see! Oh, and you still have to pay tuition." The crafty Flender was still the same Flender.

Her character and temperament had both passed.

Shen Ranxi asked awkwardly, "Dean, how much is it? I still have to support my younger sister..." She scratched the back of her head.

"We'll discuss it once you truly meet the enrollment requirements. If you fail to meet them, then get lost. I'm telling you in advance." He could not let her become too proud. He had to keep her on her toes.

While the two spoke, Little Bell obediently sat leaning against Shen Ranxi. Only when she heard that she would have to separate from her older sister did she clutch the corner of her clothes more tightly, her little lips pouting high as she held back her tears.

"Dean, I will complete my studies on time and will not delay my cultivation. Can she stay by my side? I'll find someone to care for her the rest of the time."

Flender curled his lips. "As you wish. As long as you can bear the consequences of the decisions you make."

In truth, Flender was immensely satisfied. He was only a teacher—was he supposed to control whether his students interacted with Ordinary People?

Talent was important in his students, but character was equally important. If she truly abandoned the younger sister she depended on for survival just for cultivation, he would have to reconsider. If she were so cold-blooded, could he count on her if the Academy faced trouble in the future?

Not necessarily.

Shen Ranxi wiped away Little Bell's tears. "The Dean was testing me. We won't be separated, so don't be sad, all right?"

Little Bell pattered over to Flender and said in her sweet childish voice, "Thank you, Grandpa Dean. I'll be well-behaved. I can't leave my sister."

Faced with such a tiny little bundle, Flender was at a complete loss. He adjusted his glasses and changed the subject. "Time to go. Let's head to the Academy!"

Flender scooped up the two of them, entered Martial Soul Possession, beat his wings once, and flew into the sky.