Tang Sect? Shrek?! Just a false reputation!

"Tang Sect?"

"It's just dust swept into the garbage heap of history. How dare you flaunt it to deceive people? You're truly bullying honest folk who haven't seen the world."

On the outskirts of the Star Dou Forest, the air was filled with the aroma of grilled fish, but the atmosphere at the moment was chillingly cold.

The speaker was a young man in black, his expression stern, a hint of undisguised mockery playing on his lips.

The young man's name was Gu Yuejin, and he had transmigrated to this world eighteen years ago.

Just now, as he passed by, he accidentally stumbled upon Tang Ya and Beibei who were "preaching," and Huo Yuhao, who was about to take the bait.

It was at this very moment that the golden finger, which was eighteen years late, finally arrived.

There were no flashy bells and whistles, just a simple panel.

[Main Quest: Take Huo Yuhao as a disciple, change his fate, and reshape his worldview. The greater the contrast, the more generous the reward. Completion: 0%.]

It was precisely because of this quest that Gu Yuejin chose to appear at this juncture.

Frankly speaking, he had no good feelings towards Shrek Academy or the Tang Sect.

The so-called "Shrek's glory" was, in his opinion, merely a synonym for double standards.

On one hand, they preached fairness and justice, yet on the other, they tacitly approved or even encouraged cheating during competitions. On one hand, they claimed to uphold peace on the continent, yet on the other, they suppressed dissent for their own selfish interests.

As for Huo Yuhao, the son of destiny with extraordinary talent in the original work, he was eventually brainwashed into a mere lapdog who only obeyed orders, even having his surname stripped away.

With the two combined, it was no wonder he lived like a joke later on.

"You... What nonsense are you spouting!"

Having his scar publicly exposed, Tang Ya's pretty face turned red with anger, her chest heaving violently, the finger she pointed at Gu Yuejin trembling.

"Nonsense?"

Gu Yuejin sneered, his gaze sweeping over the "golden couple" before him, finally landing on the clueless Huo Yuhao.

"The current Tang Sect has long been annihilated. They don't even have a base of operations, with only a handful of scattered remnants left."

"Are you recruiting him to help you reclaim your legacy, or are you looking for a free laborer?"

Beibei's brows furrowed, and he stepped forward to shield Tang Ya, attempting to maintain his refined and amiable demeanor.

"My friend, you speak too harshly. Although the Tang Sect is in decline, we have Shrek Academy behind us."

"As long as Little Brother Huo joins the Tang Sect, I can secure him a special admission spot at Shrek Academy."

Beibei invoked the golden signboard of Shrek, believing it would be enough to deter the madman before him.

Indeed, upon hearing the words "Shrek," a flicker of hope flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes.

It was the sacred land his mother had told him about before she passed away.

"Shrek Academy?"

Gu Yuejin acted as if he had heard the greatest joke in the world, his laughter filled with disdain.

"Beibei, those words of yours can only fool country bumpkins who haven't seen the world."

"I have three questions. Do you dare to answer them?"

Without waiting for Beibei's reply, Gu Yuejin raised a finger, his sharpness fully revealed.

"First, Shrek claims, 'There are no useless Martial Souls, only useless Soul Masters.' This slogan has been shouted for ten thousand years, but what is the reality?"

"You have never accepted an ordinary person with mediocre talent. The so-called 'only accepting monsters' is merely cherry-picking the best to flatter yourselves."

"Since your theory is so invincible, why not accept a few with weak Martial Souls to prove it? You're just living up to a false reputation."

Beibei's breath hitched, his expression changing slightly. Just as he was about to retort, Gu Yuejin gave him no chance.

"Second."

Gu Yuejin's gaze fell upon Huo Yuhao, his eyes sharp.

"Huo Yuhao's Martial Soul is the Spirit Eyes, an inherent-type Martial Soul."

"Despite Shrek's ten-thousand-year heritage, your understanding of inherent-type Martial Souls is scarce, almost to the point of being completely ignorant."

"To have a possessor of an inherent-type Martial Soul go to an academy that completely misunderstands inherent-type Martial Souls, are you trying to use him as a guinea pig?"

These words struck Beibei and Tang Ya like a barrage of cannon fire, leaving them speechless.

Shrek indeed lacked systematic teaching regarding inherent-type Martial Souls; this was a fact.

"Third, and most importantly."

Gu Yuejin took a step forward, forcing his gaze onto Beibei's eyes, his tone as cold as a knife.

"Do you dare to tell him what his outcome will be, even with a special admission spot, given his current cultivation and aptitude?"

"Within three months, the freshman assessment will begin."

"Shrek's dropout rate is over fifty percent. With his situation, he won't be able to pass the assessment at all."

"At that time, he will be ruthlessly expelled and sent packing in disgrace."

"This is your so-called noble academy. For commoner Soul Masters without background or resources, there is simply no way to survive."

If he didn't have the Sky Dream Ice Silkworm cheat from the original story, Huo Yuhao, an orphan with only Level 10 Soul Power and a frail body, would just be throwing his life away by going to Shrek Academy.

"Nonsense!"

Tang Ya finally couldn't hold back and retorted angrily, "How could our Shrek Academy be so cold-blooded!"

"Are you speaking nonsense, or do you not know yourselves?"

Gu Yuejin's lips curled into a mocking arc, and he looked at Beibei playfully. "Beibei, do you dare to guarantee that he can definitely pass the freshman assessment?"

Beibei opened his mouth, his face quickly turning red, and he froze in place.

He didn't dare to guarantee it.

Shrek Academy's assessment system was extremely cruel; those were hard requirements. Even if he were Elder Mu's great-grandson, he couldn't change the rules.

The more he was silent, the less confidence he had.

Seeing Beibei's hesitant, speechless, and blushing appearance, Huo Yuhao's once burning heart gradually grew cold.

Although he was young, he had endured countless scornful glances in the Duke's mansion and was most skilled at reading people.

Beibei and Tang Ya's avoidance had already explained everything.

So, the holy land his mother spoke of was also a place that valued background and talent.

If he had foolishly followed them, only to be expelled a few months later, wouldn't that make him the biggest joke?

That feeling of being bestowed charity by the powerful and then casually discarded reminded him of the disgusting faces in the Duke's mansion.

"Although... although the assessment is difficult, the academy has a legacy of ten thousand years and profound foundations. There must be a way to cultivate a Body type Martial Soul!"

Beibei took a deep breath, forcibly calmed himself down, and tried to salvage the situation with weak words.

"As long as little brother Huo is willing to work hard..."

"Enough."

Huo Yuhao suddenly spoke. Although his voice was young, it carried an unprecedented coldness.

He took a step back, creating distance between himself and Tang Ya and Beibei. The hope in his eyes completely disappeared, replaced by vigilance and disappointment.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't want to join the Tang Sect, nor do I want to go to Shrek Academy."

At this moment, he felt a deep disgust for the condescending charity of the powerful.

Seeing this scene, the panel before Gu Yuejin finally flickered.

[Huo Yuhao has developed doubts about Shrek Academy, worldview reconstruction has begun, mission completion: 5%.]

"What, still not leaving?"

Gu Yuejin glanced at the two stunned figures, his tone contemptuous. "Or do you want me to escort you out?"