The two "runaways" obviously couldn't produce anything like that.
Hearing Huo Yuhao's question, Dai Yu stopped, turned his head, and looked at him with an ambiguous smile:
"What?
Only realizing you're scared now?
Regretting turning down that Tang Ya?"
"No, no!"
Huo Yuhao hurriedly shook his head and said firmly:
"Since you said it wasn't necessary, Yu Ge, then it definitely isn't necessary! I just... I'm just afraid I'll hold you back."
"Don't worry."
Dai Yu withdrew his gaze and looked toward the imposing academy gates in the distance. The corner of his mouth curved into a haughty arc:
"Rules are dead, but people are alive.
In this world, as long as your fists are hard enough, there's no door you can't get through."
"Fists... hard enough?"
Huo Yuhao froze for a moment. Then, as if he had thought of something, he widened his eyes:
"Yu Ge, you mean... we're relying on practical combat?"
"That's right."
Dai Yu said calmly:
"Although Shrek Academy has strict rules, what it values most are exceptional talents and strength.
As long as you display enough potential, that letter of recommendation will be nothing but wastepaper."
At the words "practical combat," Huo Yuhao's face instantly fell.
He subconsciously hunched his neck, feeling a wave of unease in his heart.
Practical combat?
What kind of joke was this?
His Soul Power had only just broken through Rank 10, and although his First Soul Ring had bestowed him with a Million Year Soul Ring—
that was a purely auxiliary detection Soul Skill!
It had no offensive power at all!
They wanted him to fight those geniuses who had enjoyed fine clothes and rich food since childhood and possessed Soul Power in the teens or twenties?
Wouldn't that be sending him straight to the slaughterhouse?
"Yu, Yu Ge..."
Huo Yuhao's voice trembled slightly as he said with a bitter expression:
"I can't do it...
My Martial Soul is the Spiritual Eye, and my First Soul Skill is also Spiritual Detection. I don't have any combat power at all.
If we really have to fight our way in, I'll definitely be eliminated in the first round..."
Seeing Huo Yuhao's mournful expression, Dai Yu couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.
Dai Yu reached out and ruffled Huo Yuhao's slightly messy hair, his tone carrying a hint of carefree confidence:
"What are you panicking for?"
"If the sky falls, the tall one will hold it up."
Dai Yu withdrew his hand and stared ahead, an invisible aura radiating from him:
"Since I brought you out here, I never planned to make you face those people alone."
"Put your mind at ease."
Dai Yu turned around and walked toward the registration area, leaving Huo Yuhao with only his tall, straight back and a seemingly casual yet sonorous declaration:
"Leave it all to me.
Even if your practical combat ability is zero and you're nothing but a salted fish who only knows how to shout '666,' I can still take you through the gates of Shrek Academy!"
"Pfft—"
A clear, pleasant laugh like silver bells suddenly rang out beside them.
The laughter carried a hint of barely suppressed amusement. Clearly, the woman had heard every word of Dai Yu's arrogant declaration about taking a salted fish into Shrek.
Dai Yu raised his brows slightly. Huo Yuhao also looked curious, and the two instinctively turned toward the sound.
Under the shade of a tree not far away stood a mature beauty dressed in a white martial outfit.
She looked to be around twenty-three or twenty-four years old.
She was tall and well-proportioned, with long black hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall and fluttering gently in the breeze.
Her fair, delicate oval face currently wore a gentle yet teasing smile.
The instant Huo Yuhao saw her, he was dazzled by her beauty, and his cheeks flushed faintly.
Dai Yu's pupils, however, contracted slightly, and a ripple stirred in his heart.
Long, straight black hair, a gentle and dignified bearing, appearing outside Shrek City...
Could this be...
The Inner Court Senior Disciple of Shrek Academy, Zhang Lexuan?!
Dai Yu was secretly astonished. He hadn't expected to encounter Zhang Lexuan before even entering the academy gates.
System, can I bind Zhang Lexuan?
Dai Yu asked inwardly.
But the system still ignored him.
Dai Yu frowned inwardly.
What exactly were the rules for this system's binding?
Did he have to clash with someone to receive a suppression reward, or what?
Seeing the two youngsters staring at her, Zhang Lexuan wasn't annoyed. Instead, she walked over openly.
Her steps were light, and every gesture carried the bearing of a refined young lady.
"Little brother, that's quite a boast."
Zhang Lexuan stopped in front of them and sized up Dai Yu with great interest, a smile on her lips:
"Shrek Academy is the number-one academy on the entire continent. Even imperial family members can only gaze at it from afar if their talent is insufficient.
And you're saying that even if you bring a 'salted fish' along, you can still get in?"
Although she was teasing him, her tone wasn't unpleasant. Instead, she sounded like a girl next door playfully indulging an ignorant little brother.
"Big sister, we really want to join Shrek Academy."
Seeing this, Huo Yuhao hurriedly gave an awkward bow, afraid Dai Yu's words had offended this senior disciple who clearly looked formidable.
Seeing Huo Yuhao's nervous expression, Zhang Lexuan's curiosity—aroused by Dai Yu's wild claim—grew even stronger.
She smiled faintly and said gently:
"Since you're so confident, I'd like to see whether you really have what it takes.
As it happens, I have nothing to do today. If your talent is decent, perhaps I can point you toward a path."
As she spoke, Zhang Lexuan's gaze swept over the two of them, and she asked directly:
"Tell me, how old are you this year? What are your Martial Souls? And what is your Soul Power Level?"
Facing this imposing older sister, Huo Yuhao didn't dare conceal anything and answered honestly:
"I... I'm Huo Yuhao, and I'm eleven years old this year.
My Martial Soul is... the Spiritual Eye. It's a Body Martial Soul."
At this point, Huo Yuhao's voice clearly grew quieter, and he lowered his head in embarrassment:
"I just absorbed my First Soul Ring... My current Soul Power Level is Rank 11."
"Eleven years old, Rank 11?"
Upon hearing this, a trace of disappointment instantly flashed through Zhang Lexuan's originally smiling eyes.
She gently shook her head. Although her tone remained mild, it carried an undeniable harsh reality:
"Little brother, although a Body Martial Soul is rare, it isn't absolutely powerful.
Shrek Academy's admission standard is to reach Rank 15 Soul Power before the age of twelve.
You're already eleven, yet you've only just broken through Rank 10...
To be honest, this talent is far too poor."
Zhang Lexuan sighed and spoke frankly:
"According to the academy's rules, I'm afraid you won't even pass the first preliminary round.
Even with someone's recommendation, it will be very difficult for someone with your aptitude to remain at Shrek."
Huo Yuhao's face instantly turned deathly pale upon hearing this.
Although he had long known that his talent was poor, having a senior disciple from Shrek Academy point it out so bluntly still caused him piercing distress.
Before you continue