Exemption Slot? Not Needed! Shrek City, Huo Yuhao: How Can I Get Into Shrek?

As for the Tang Sect?

It was just a measly two or three people, a fallen sect with no benefits to speak of.

Going there wouldn't bring any advantages, and he'd have to slave away for that so-called "God King Tang" to revive the sect.

Dai Yu would have to have water in his brain to take such a losing deal.

"We brothers are used to being free and can't stand the constraints of a sect."

Dai Yu cast a faint glance at Tang Ya and didn't hesitate to twist the knife:

"Besides, a sect with only two people...

Forgive me for saying so, but I really don't see any reason to join."

"You..."

Tang Ya was choked speechless, her pretty face flushed red, yet she couldn't refute him.

After all, he was speaking the truth—the current Tang Sect was indeed so shabby it made one want to cry.

Seeing her recruitment about to fall through, Tang Ya grew so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead.

She gritted her teeth, as if making some huge decision, and suddenly threw out her final trump card:

"Wait!

If you join the Tang Sect, I'll give you this year's 'Exemption Slot' to Shrek Academy!"

"Exemption Slot?"

Huo Yuhao was stunned.

Seeing this, Tang Ya pressed her advantage and quickly explained:

"That's right!

Although Shrek Academy's enrollment is strict, in recognition of the Tang Sect's past contributions, they grant us one exemption slot every year!

With this slot, even if your talent is slightly lacking, you can directly enter the Outer Court of Shrek Academy to study!"

Bei Bei, who had remained silent until now, chose this moment to speak up.

His warm gaze swept over Dai Yu and finally landed on Huo Yuhao, his tone sincere as he analyzed:

"Little brother Dai, your talent is indeed exceptional. Even relying on your own strength, passing into Shrek Academy wouldn't be difficult.

But..."

Bei Bei shifted his tone, looking at Huo Yuhao as he continued:

"Little brother Yuhao's situation, I'm afraid, isn't so optimistic.

Shrek Academy's admission standards are extremely high. They look not only at Soul Power Level but also at martial soul potential and combat ability.

Although little brother Yuhao's First Soul Ring is special, his soul power fluctuations don't seem very strong.

Without this exemption slot, passing the Entrance Assessment would be exceedingly difficult."

Although Bei Bei's words were a bit harsh, they hit the mark.

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao's face instantly turned pale.

He lowered his head, his hands on his knees clenched into tight fists.

Yeah.

Yu Ge was a genius; he'd definitely get in.

But what about himself?

If he couldn't get in, wouldn't he have to be separated from Yu Ge?

Or even... become a burden to Yu Ge?

Huo Yuhao's heart tightened, and his originally firm refusal instantly wavered.

To stay by Yu Ge's side, to enter Shrek Academy and grow stronger...

Joining the Tang Sect seemed like the only choice.

"Yu Ge..."

Huo Yuhao lifted his head, a conflicted light flickering in his eyes, and was about to persuade Dai Yu to agree.

"There's no need."

Dai Yu spoke again, his voice still calm but carrying an unshakable confidence.

Dai Yu casually tossed aside the branch in his hand, stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and looked down at Bei Bei and Tang Ya:

"Thanks for the kindness.

But a mere Entrance Assessment for Shrek Academy is nothing that can stump us."

Bei Bei frowned slightly and couldn't help but advise:

"Little brother Dai, confidence is a good thing, but Shrek's assessment..."

"I said, there's no need."

Dai Yu directly cut off Bei Bei's words, his gaze sweeping over a worried Huo Yuhao as a faint smirk curled at the corner of his mouth:

"Since I brought Yuhao out, I naturally have a way to get him through the gates of Shrek with his head held high.

No need for anyone's charity, and certainly no need to trade it for joining some sect."

With that, Dai Yu turned to look at Huo Yuhao and extended a hand:

"Full?

If you're full, let's go. We still have a road to travel."

"Huh?

Oh!

I'm full!"

Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then quickly snapped back to reality, shoving the last few bites of grilled fish into his mouth and mumbling a reply.

Though his heart still lacked confidence, he had a blind trust in Dai Yu.

Since Yu Ge said there was a way, then there definitely was a way!

Huo Yuhao wiped his mouth haphazardly, slung his pack over his shoulder, and trotted along behind Dai Yu.

"Thanks for the meal."

Dai Yu waved a hand back at the two without turning around, his steps never faltering as he led Huo Yuhao straight into the dense forest.

Leaving Bei Bei and Tang Ya standing there, staring blankly at their retreating figures, utterly bewildered in the wind.

"This..."

Tang Ya looked at the empty campfire and stomped her foot in frustration:

"That guy!

Why is he so stubborn! That was a Shrek Exemption Slot! Something countless people would kill for!

And he calls it charity?!"

Bei Bei gazed in the direction Dai Yu had disappeared, a flicker of thought passing through his eyes as he murmured softly:

"An interesting person...

Looks like this year's New Student Assessment is going to be quite lively."

Several days later.

Southeast of the Heaven Dou Empire.

After crossing the vast Lima Plain, the outline of a magnificent city gradually emerged on the horizon.

It was an enormous city, its walls towering into the clouds, built entirely from bluish-gray stone blocks that exuded an ancient and weighty aura.

And above the city gates, a few bold, powerful characters gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight—

Shrek City!

Gazing at this legendary holy land before him, Huo Yuhao could hardly contain his excitement.

He tightened the pack on his back, his eyes shining with exhilaration, his breathing quickening.

This was Shrek Academy!

The sacred ground for all soul masters across the continent!

As long as one graduated from here—even if only from the Outer Court—it was enough to earn a title of at least viscount in any country on the continent.

From then on, a life of comfort and glory, bringing honor to one's ancestors!

"Yu Ge, we finally made it!"

Huo Yuhao turned to look at Dai Yu beside him, his voice brimming with joy.

Dai Yu kept his hands in his pockets, his expression still calm, merely nodding slightly.

Compared to Huo Yuhao's wide-eyed wonder like a country bumpkin seeing the city for the first time, Dai Yu remained composed and steady.

After all, as a transmigrator, he knew full well the depth of this city—and what was about to happen here.

The two followed the bustling crowd to the east gate of Shrek City.

The area was already packed with people. Young soul masters from all over the continent, accompanied by their parents, surged like a river of fish toward the registration point.

Seeing the long, winding line, the initially excited Huo Yuhao suddenly felt a pang of unease.

He tugged at Dai Yu's sleeve and asked nervously:

"Yu Ge, um... we don't have that recommendation letter, and we don't have the Tang Sect's Exemption Slot...

How are we supposed to get into Shrek Academy?"

Along the way, Huo Yuhao had also heard the rumors.

To apply for Shrek Academy, one usually needed a recommendation letter from a city lord of a main city, or a referral from a reputable sect.