Shrek Academy, Director of Teaching Du Wilun

"Because he wasn't strong enough."

The silver figure explained, "Devouring him now would only heal my injuries. It wouldn't be enough for me to advance further."

"Your subordinate understands!"

Di Tian nodded in acknowledgment.

What Master meant was that Xue Nianbing was still too weak. Once he grew stronger, devouring him would bring greater benefits.

"Mm, withdraw."

The silver figure nodded slightly.

"Yes, Master. Di Tian takes his leave!" Di Tian bowed and departed from this space.

After Di Tian had completely left, the silver figure could not help raising her head. Her mysterious purple eyes instantly pierced through everything, her gaze fixed directly upon the heavens.

"The aura of the God Realm has actually vanished. Could I have sensed it wrong?"

The silver figure murmured, her voice carrying a trace of disbelief.

This awakening of hers had revealed something extraordinary.

And she had that boy to thank for all of it.

So, as thanks, she would swallow him whole in the future.

Shrek Academy was located at the heart of the borderlands between the three great empires.

To the northwest lay the Heaven Dou Empire, to the southeast was the Star Dou Great Forest, to the east was the Dou Ling Empire, and to the south was the Star Luo Empire.

As the foremost Soul Master Academy on the Douluo Continent for ten thousand years, its scale was truly unprecedented and unmatched.

Especially more than four thousand years ago, when the Douluo Continent collided with the Sun Moon Continent, triggering the Continental War.

In the early stages of the war, the three great empires lacked unity and were driven deep into the Douluo Continent by the Sun Moon army, nearly suffering defeat.

At that critical moment, the Shrek Academy dean of that generation issued a rallying cry from on high. In response, nearly sixty Titled Douluo from across the continent gathered under his command. He temporarily became the commander-in-chief of the three armies and defeated the Sun Moon Empire's forces.

In the end, the continent was unified under the name Douluo Continent. The Sun Moon Empire ceded land and paid reparations, and its military strength could no longer contend with the allied forces of the three great empires. At most, its combat power was equivalent to that of a single empire.

Since that battle, Shrek Academy's reputation had soared. It no longer belonged to any empire and instead existed as an independent entity.

Shrek governed its own city—Shrek City.

Shrek City had four gates in the east, west, south, and north. The western, southern, and northern gates allowed free passage, so many merchants from the three great empires came and went through them.

Only the eastern gate was heavily guarded.

That was because Shrek Academy was located in the eastern part of Shrek City, directly facing the Star Dou Great Forest.

Led by Beibei and Tang Ya, Xue Nianbing and Huo Yuhao arrived at the eastern gate.

At the eastern gate, dozens of second- and third-year outer academy students in yellow uniforms stood guard.

Their strength was decent enough, with most of them being Soul Elders.

The moment they saw Beibei, they immediately became respectful. "Senior Brother Bei, you're back."

"Mm."

Beibei smiled and greeted each of them before briefly explaining the situation to their leader.

That person glanced at Xue Nianbing and Huo Yuhao. Though surprised, he still nodded. "Since Senior Brother Bei says so, there definitely won't be a problem. Take these two little brothers inside to register."

"Thanks. I'll treat everyone to something good later."

Beibei smiled.

"Haha, then it's a deal. We definitely won't hold back." The man laughed heartily and raised his hand to high-five Beibei.

"Please, don't hold back."

Beibei smiled, then led Xue Nianbing and the others through the eastern gate that served as the entrance to Shrek Academy.

"Xiao Ya, take Yu Hao to complete the admission procedures for Tang Sect special recruits. I'll take Brother Xue directly to the outer academy's Teaching Affairs Office to find the Director of Teaching and explain the situation."

Beibei spoke as they walked.

"Mm."

Tang Ya nodded, then looked at Huo Yuhao. "Yu Hao, the outer academy is divided into many departments. You'll enter the Control System first, while also studying in the Soul Tool Department."

When she mentioned Soul Tools, Tang Ya instinctively felt a little resistant.

But then she recalled all the things Xue Nianbing had said along the way—things like how the Tang Sect was clinging to outdated ways, refusing to accept new things, and how Soul Tools and hidden weapons were both weapons.

Every remark seemed to disparage the Tang Sect, yet upon careful consideration, none of them were without reason.

So she wanted to dislike Xue Nianbing, but simply could not bring herself to.

Tang Ya's thoughts became increasingly chaotic, but she quickly gathered herself and led Huo Yuhao in a certain direction.

"Brother Xue, come with me."

Beibei said.

Perhaps because Xue Nianbing had often said such things along the way, Beibei's attitude toward him was no longer as warm as before.

Now, it was more about repaying Xue Nianbing for his help.

Xue Nianbing noticed this as well, but he did not care much.

Friends were welcome if they came. If not, there was no need to force it.

"Shrek Academy's environment is rather nice."

Xue Nianbing surveyed his surroundings.

Shrek Academy was not as grand and solemn as he had imagined. Instead, it was beautiful, with lush vegetation everywhere.

After walking roughly two hundred meters, a group of enormous statues gradually came into view.

There were ten in total, each around ten meters tall and carved from Granite.

These ten statues depicted the Golden Iron Triangle and the Shrek Seven Devils from ten thousand years ago.

Xue Nianbing swept his gaze over the Golden Iron Triangle, lingering briefly on the statues to the left and right, but not sparing even a second glance for the one in the middle.

Next came the Shrek Seven Devils. Among them, the handsome figure with long blue hair was the most eye-catching.

"Heh."

Xue Nianbing chuckled and looked away.

Beyond the statues, the road ahead branched. To the left was the Martial Soul Branch, and to the right was the Soul Tool Branch.

Although both belonged to the outer academy, the Martial Soul Branch held a much higher status than the Soul Tool Branch.

Beibei led Xue Nianbing to the left. The road remained broad, and beside it stood a sign bearing the words "Lakeside Path."

Through the greenery on their right, they could vaguely see a vast lake—the Sea God Lake.

Following the Lakeside Path along Sea God Lake would lead them to Shrek Plaza.

Beyond the plaza stood rows of tall Teaching Buildings.

The four colors—white, yellow, purple, and black—represented the six grades.

White was for First Grade, yellow for Second and Third Grade, purple for Fourth and Fifth Grade, and black for Sixth Grade.

Behind the Teaching Buildings were many other instructional facilities, such as the Soul Fighting Arena, Assessment Area, Dormitory Area, and teachers' office area.

Beibei led Xue Nianbing into the teachers' office area and, clearly familiar with the route, arrived at the Teaching Affairs Office.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Beibei raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in." A somewhat imposing voice soon came from within.

Beibei led Xue Nianbing inside.

A man in white sat in a chair. He wore glasses and had a small tuft of beard on his chin, giving him an air of refinement tempered with sternness.

He was the Director of Teaching for the outer academy's Martial Soul Department, a figure of considerable authority within the outer academy.

"Beibei, what is it... Hmm?"

Just as Du Wilun was about to ask, he noticed Xue Nianbing and looked somewhat puzzled. "Who is this young man?"

He was slightly surprised, because he could not see through the boy's Soul Power Level. It seemed that something on the other party was concealing it.

"Director Du, his name is Xue Nianbing. He helped Tang Ya and me in the Star Dou Great Forest."

"He wishes to join Shrek Academy, so I brought him here..."

Beibei got straight to the point without concealing anything.