Impartial Dean Yan

Two years passed amid the silent glow of the Extreme North Ice Palace and the howling wind and snow, like a few ice crystals slipping through one's fingers, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Xue Lingyun woke from meditation, a faint glimmer of icy blue flashing through his eyes before they returned to calmness.

He sensed the surging river of Soul Power within him—peak rank 34. He was only one natural breakthrough away from the barrier of rank 35.

"After rank 30, the growth rate of an extreme attribute's Soul Power is becoming increasingly 'reserved.'" He shook his head with a smile, but he was not dissatisfied.

A towering building rose from level ground. Every bit of solidity in his foundation could be exchanged for ten more feet of height in the future. He understood that calculation clearly.

It was time to leave.

The farewells were simple, but not perfunctory.

Snow Empress straightened the collar of his fur robe embroidered with dark patterns. Her fingertips carried their usual chill, yet her movements were meticulous.

As usual, Ice Empress only said, "Don't embarrass yourself out there," then tossed him a small jade bottle. Three drops of Xuanbing Essence swayed within, their coldness restrained.

Xiao Bai was the most sincere of all. He stuffed a whole bundle full of the various frozen jerkies and ice nectar fruits he had gathered over the past two years and considered the tastiest, nearly bursting Xue Lingyun's luggage.

There were no further words. Xue Lingyun unfurled the Evil God Wings folded behind his back. Dark light flowed over them as he silently glided into the endless snowfall, speeding south toward that noisy, unknown world.

Shrek Academy, office of the Martial Soul Department dean.

Yan Shaozhe looked at the brief report that had just been delivered by a trusted subordinate, the ink seemingly still wet, and the usual refined smile on his face became somewhat... subtle.

"Xue Lingyun, eleven and a half years old, Soul Power rank... rank 34. His Martial Soul has been confirmed as a Heart Body Martial Soul of extremely high quality. Its specific characteristics are still under observation."

"He once effectively suppressed Ma Xiaotao's Evil Fire backlash with an Extreme Ice attribute Soul Skill on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest."

"Additional note: capable of independently completing Third-Grade Soul Tool Core Array Engraving. His technique... is quite ingenious."

He put down the paper and lightly tapped his fingertips against the smooth redwood desk, producing soft knocking sounds.

"Rank 34... not yet twelve years old." He repeated the words quietly, as though weighing their significance. "His registered Martial Soul is a Body Martial Soul, yet he has used Extreme Ice..."

He looked up at the middle-aged man standing respectfully before the office desk. "Weilun, what do you think of this?"

Du Weilun, the Outer Court Martial Soul Department Director of Teaching, wore similarly undisguised astonishment. He chose his words carefully. "Dean, this child's talent... is indeed astounding. Not only is his Soul Power level far beyond those of his peers, but he has also studied Soul Tools."

"However, there seems to be some discrepancy in the Martial Soul information. If he only possesses a Heart Body Martial Soul, where did that Extreme Ice come from?"

"So, isn't the answer right in front of us?" Yan Shaozhe took over, his smile deepening while shrewd light flashed in his eyes. "A Heart Body Martial Soul has absolutely nothing to do with Extreme Ice."

"There is only one explanation for his ability to use Extreme Ice—he has another Martial Soul, and it is the source of that Extreme Ice. Twin Martial Souls... one extreme attribute, one heart Body Martial Soul. Heh heh."

He leaned forward slightly. "Weilun, where do you think a seedling like this should be placed?"

Du Weilun answered instinctively, "By convention and considering his talent, it would not be excessive to admit him directly into the Inner Court and have the Ge Laos personally instruct him..."

"Ah—" Yan Shaozhe drew out the word and waved a hand. "Rules. We must follow the rules. He came to enroll as a freshman with a Recommendation Letter. When has Shrek ever had a precedent of freshmen entering the Inner Court directly? Never."

Du Weilun froze for a moment, then understood the dean's meaning. He ventured, "Then... place him in the Outer Court First Year? But wouldn't that... waste too much of his time? The Outer Court's courses and resources would likely offer him limited benefit."

"Waste? How could it be a waste?" Yan Shaozhe smiled like an old fox spotting a plump chicken. "The Outer Court has its own advantages. His foundation must be strengthened, he must get to know his classmates, he must experience academy life... the Inner Court cannot offer him those things. Besides..."

He picked up his teacup and blew away tea leaves that were not there. "The resource allotment for Outer Court disciples is public knowledge, but when has Shrek ever stipulated that exceptionally outstanding students could not receive 'unpublicized' additional rewards and... guidance?"

He set down the teacup and tapped the report with a finger. "Step by step, with proper justification. Let him first pass the Freshman Assessment and establish himself. After that, there will be the selection of Core Disciples and the evaluation for the Shrek Seven Monsters Reserve Team... aren't those still ahead?"

"Gold must be polished before others can see its worth clearly, and only then can it be... placed in the most suitable position, where it can shine brightest."

Du Weilun understood completely. He bowed slightly in heartfelt admiration. "Dean, your foresight is profound."

This was hardly just nurturing a student. It was clearly selecting and polishing a precious jade stone in advance to stabilize Shrek's future, while firmly tying that jade's allegiance to the Martial Soul Department, to Dean Yan's branch.

"Go invite him over." Yan Shaozhe waved a hand, resuming his refined and approachable bearing as dean. "Remember, treat him well. This is a future Pillar of the State for our Martial Soul Department. Give him every benefit according to the highest and most considerate standards."

Led by an assistant professor with a respectful attitude, Xue Lingyun crossed the imposing Shrek Square and entered the white Office Building that symbolized the core of Outer Court authority.

At the dean's office door, he saw Director Du Weilun, who had been waiting there with an exceptionally warm smile.

"Student Xue Lingyun, welcome to Shrek Academy!" Du Weilun took the initiative to extend his hand, his smile several degrees more sincere than when he received any noble's child. "Dean Yan is waiting for you inside. Please come with me."

The office was spacious and bright. Yan Shaozhe rose from behind the enormous office desk and came around to greet him, undisguised appreciation and enthusiasm on his face. "Little Lingyun, we've finally been waiting for you! Was your journey smooth? It's a long way from the north. You must have had a hard trip."

"Dean Yan, Director Du." Xue Lingyun greeted them politely, neither servile nor overbearing. His gaze swiftly swept through the office—the brand-new books on the shelves, the desk polished bright enough to reflect a person. This place was so clean it seemed more like an exhibition hall specially prepared for receiving guests than somewhere used for daily work.

"Good, good, it's good that you're here!" Yan Shaozhe gestured for him to sit and personally poured him a cup of water—an action that made the corner of Du Weilun's eye twitch almost imperceptibly.

"I have read your Recommendation Letter, and I have a general understanding of your circumstances. For Shrek to welcome a genius like you is the academy's honor."

"Rest assured, here, you only need to focus on cultivating. Everything else, the academy—especially our Martial Soul Department—will provide you with the very best support!"

He deliberately emphasized the words "Martial Soul Department," then took a ring of brass keys from a drawer and pushed it toward Xue Lingyun.

"These are your dormitory keys. The academy's freshman dormitories are fairly basic, but given your special circumstances, I had someone make a few adjustments. The room number is 106. Just follow the numbers."

"There should be enough space inside. If you lack anything, whether daily necessities or cultivation resources, you may come find me or Director Du at any time."

Yan Shaozhe's smile was gentle, but the meaning behind his words could not have been clearer. "Our Martial Soul Department will certainly do its utmost to meet your needs."

Xue Lingyun accepted the heavy ring of seven or eight keys. He understood perfectly what they meant, but his expression remained calm as he merely said, "Thank you for your consideration, Dean."

These were hardly dormitory keys. They were plainly a silent declaration and binding.

"No trouble, no trouble. It's only proper." Yan Shaozhe asked a few more concerned questions about what he had seen on the road, as if they truly were old friends despite their age difference, before having Du Weilun personally see him out.

After leaving the Office Building, Du Weilun accompanied Xue Lingyun toward the Dormitory Area. Along the way, he quietly reminded him of a few basic academy rules and precautions. His manner remained courteous and attentive, even carrying a trace of barely perceptible caution.

Only after Xue Lingyun's figure disappeared at the entrance to the Dormitory Area did Du Weilun turn around and hurried back to the dean's office.

"Dean, won't this arrangement... be too obvious? The other freshmen all have standard rooms..." Du Weilun could not help asking.

Yan Shaozhe was reading another file without even raising his head. "Obvious? What is obvious about it? The academy rules specify which dormitory area freshmen live in, but they do not say that a student can only live in one standard-sized room."

"I merely had someone remove the interior partitions between several adjacent vacant rooms. From outside, 106 is still 106. What is the problem?"

Du Weilun was left speechless.

The dean's skill at wanting both sides of the bargain was truly becoming ever more refined.

"Oh, right." Yan Shaozhe put down the file, as though suddenly remembering something.

"Doesn't that little fellow also know Soul Tools? Later, privately give that miser Qian Duoduo a heads-up. Tell him our Martial Soul Department has produced a promising talent interested in Soul Tools, and have him 'give a little guidance' now and then. Don't let him hide things away."

"Good things should be shared... in any case, the person will ultimately belong to our Martial Soul Department."

Du Weilun was genuinely impressed now. With a wry smile, he replied, "...Yes, Dean."