Only Monsters, No Ordinary People

Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Imperial Palace.

After finishing a day of meetings, Xue Qinghe was exhausted in both body and mind. After locking the doors and windows and drawing the curtains, he made sure no one was around before raising a flawless white hand to press against his face.

A mask came off silently. Beneath it was a flawless, beautiful face, golden hair cascading down her back, her exquisite features like an angel fallen into the mortal world.

Having returned to her original appearance, Qian Renxue let out a deep sigh. "Being the Crown Prince isn't easy."

Indeed, being the Crown Prince was no easy task. There were political affairs to handle from dawn to dusk, and sometimes she had to attend important events, such as her visit to Heaven Dou Royal Academy yesterday.

Curled up beneath a golden silk quilt, she stared blankly at the lavishly decorated ceiling overhead.

Ever since meeting Ye Hao yesterday, for some reason, the first thing that came to Xue Qinghe's mind was that nearly identical face.

"Phew..."

Qian Renxue sighed deeply. "Ye Hao has already set off?"

From a concealed corner of the room, a black figure silently emerged, then respectfully bowed to Qian Renxue.

"Young Master, Ye Hao has already left Heaven Dou Royal Academy and is heading toward Suotuo City."

"Suotuo City?" Qian Renxue was slightly taken aback. "What is he going there for?"

In her memory, although Suotuo City was a small city, its grain exports were the largest on the entire Douluo Continent, supplying most of the army's military rations.

Shadow said, "Young Master, according to what I have learned, Qin Ming of Heaven Dou Royal Academy came from Shrek Academy in Suotuo City."

"Shrek Academy?"

Qian Renxue muttered to herself.

"What kind of academy is that?"

Qian Renxue asked again. In her memory, Shrek Academy? She had never heard of it. Could it be some obscure academy?

Shadow continued, "Shrek Academy was founded by Flender, one of the Golden Iron Triangle. The academy advocates the principle of accepting only monsters, not ordinary people."

"Only monsters, not ordinary people?"

Qian Renxue smiled faintly, rubbing her smooth chin as she muttered, "Interesting. Only monsters, not ordinary people. What a bold claim!"

"Keep a close watch on Ye Hao's movements. The moment there is any development, report to me immediately."

As soon as Qian Renxue finished speaking, Shadow gave a slight bow, and his figure gradually vanished.

After Shadow left, Qian Renxue slowly rose and walked behind the curtains. As her clothes fell away, her graceful body gradually...

Meanwhile, outside Suotuo City, in a small village.

The place was incredibly desolate. A lonely little village stood there, and the sign at its entrance bore the five words: "Shrek Academy."

That was right—Shrek Academy, Qin Ming's alma mater, and an unlicensed, shady academy at that.

Registration cost ten Gold Soul Coins. Paying did not guarantee admission, and if you were rejected, they would not refund your money. How was that any different from robbery?

With its philosophy of accepting only monsters and rejecting mediocrities, this kind of academy... think it over carefully.

The night was hazy. Inside the dean's office of Shrek Academy.

Two figures were staying up late, deep in conversation...

"The little monsters have finally completed the first phase of their training. Xiao Gang, what are your plans next?"

Flender asked. He wore crystal spectacles, had a hooked nose and a thick beard covering his jaw. As Shrek Academy's founder and dean, he knew the academy truly had no money left; it was practically at the end of its rope.

Sitting opposite him was none other than Grandmaster. Back then, to get Ye Hao into Shrek Academy, he had put in no small amount of effort. Yet Ye Hao had simply let his words go in one ear and out the other, not taking in a single thing Grandmaster said.

Ye Hao had openly embarrassed Grandmaster. He was an elder, after all. How could Ye Hao refuse to listen to an elder's words?

Even now, Grandmaster still bore a grudge over the matter. What bothered him was not that Ye Hao had refused to enter Shrek Academy, but Ye Hao's attitude toward him. It was obvious that Ye Hao looked down on him.

(Ye Hao: I simply look down on you.)

Grandmaster said, "In a few days, I plan to take them to fight at the Suotuo Great Soul Arena. As Soul Masters, combat is indispensable."

Flender's eyes lit up. "Good, good."

Yet inwardly, he was already scheming. Victories at the Great Soul Arena came with generous Gold Soul Coin rewards, and during team soul battles, betting could make them a fortune.

Seeing the drool at the corner of Flender's mouth, Grandmaster coughed. "Xiao San and Mu Bai have reached that stage as well. As for you, just get your money pouch ready."

Flender grinned. "You really do understand me."

"By the way, Xiao Gang, there's something I've been meaning to ask. In your last letter, didn't you say that besides Tang San and Xiao Wu, three other people were planning to enter Shrek Academy? What happened to the other one?"

At this, Grandmaster's expression darkened, and his hand unconsciously clenched.

"That child is named Ye Hao. He has Innate Full Soul Power, and his martial soul is the Death Spider Emperor. Like Tang San and the others, he had been studying at Nuoding Junior Soul Master Academy. I tried to persuade him to enter Shrek Academy, but the child simply refused to listen. He even said that Shrek Academy was beneath him, a place where only trash gathered. Then, the day before graduation, he suddenly left the academy. He truly is hopeless."

After speaking, Grandmaster pulled a long face, showing Ye Hao no goodwill whatsoever.

Upon hearing this, Flender was also filled with rage and slammed his fist onto the table.

"Hmph! What an ill-mannered little brat. What is wrong with our Shrek Academy? We have first-rate training facilities, a first-rate teaching staff, and this dean's careful planning. That Ye Hao must be blind. It is better that he does not come. If he did, I would have Zhao Wuji teach him a proper lesson."

Grandmaster waved a hand impatiently. "Let's not mention him. Just mentioning him makes me angry. Xiao San has made good progress lately. The only flaw is that his External Soul Bone has yet to truly become one with him, though there should be no major problems with everyday use."

"Xiao San already has good talent. Besides, his father is a Titled Douluo. Our Shrek Academy has a powerful backer this time." Flender beamed smugly, propping his legs up before the desk. Looking at the pile of Gold Soul Coins in the desk drawer, his grin spread as wide as a chrysanthemum.

Grandmaster shook his head and said irritably, "Don't celebrate too soon. Xiao San's father is indeed the Clear Sky Douluo, but do not forget Xiao San's identity. If Spirit Hall finds out, I doubt this Shrek Academy of yours will be able to remain open."

"I know, I know. Don't worry. When it comes to keeping secrets, I have it completely under control."

Grandmaster added, "The All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Elite Tournament will be held in a little over two years. Do you have any plans?"

At that, Flender fell silent...