Fatty Wang fell silent.
After a long while, he let out a deep breath. "No wonder you dared to travel alone. A genius with Innate Full Soul Power is a once-in-a-century find. Shrek Academy will definitely snatch you up."
He paused, then sighed again. "What a pity it's a book Martial Soul. Though you never know—a book Martial Soul can be powerful, too. When I was young, I met a Soul Saint with a book Martial Soul. He was incredible..."
"He had offensive, defensive, speed, control, support, and healing abilities."
"He was practically an all-around Soul Saint. If developed well, that Martial Soul could indeed be quite impressive."
Bai Lan listened to him ramble, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Fatty Wang was a good man, after all.
Ten days later.
The caravan finally reached Shrek City.
Standing outside the city gates, Bai Lan looked up at the towering walls, which seemed to reach the clouds. They were truly magnificent.
Soul Masters patrolled the walls, their auras plainly formidable.
Above the city gate, four bold characters stood out:
Shrek City
"We're finally here."
Bai Lan took a deep breath and stepped into the city.
Fatty Wang called out to him from behind. "Kid, want me to take you to the academy?"
"No need. Thank you for looking after me all this way, Uncle Wang." Bai Lan turned and clasped his hands, giving him a sincere bow.
Fatty Wang paused, then smiled and waved his hand. "All right, all right. Go on. When you make it big, just don't forget me. Look out for me a little, and I'll be forever grateful."
"I will. I promise."
Bai Lan nodded and exchanged a few polite words with him, then turned and walked through the city gate.
Behind him, Fatty Wang watched his retreating figure and murmured, "That kid... He's something."
"If he grows up, he'll be a powerful ally for me."
"Hope you don't die."
Shrek Academy stood in the inner city of Shrek City and occupied a vast area.
After asking for directions, Bai Lan headed straight there.
Two young men in fitted clothes stood guard at the academy entrance. Judging by their auras, they were at least three-ring Soul Elders.
"Stop. What are you here for?" one of them asked, holding out a hand to stop him.
"I'm here to enroll," Bai Lan said.
The young man looked him up and down. "How old are you?"
"Six."
"Martial Soul?"
Bai Lan raised his hand, and the Contract Book appeared.
The young man glanced at it, frowning slightly. "A book Martial Soul? What's your Innate Soul Power level?"
"Ten."
The young man's eyebrows shot up.
"Ten?!"
"So you have Innate Full Soul Power!"
"No wonder you were confident enough to come all the way here at six!"
He turned to look at his companion, who was just as surprised.
Ordinarily, very few children came at the age of six.
"Wait here. I'll go report this."
The young man turned and ran into the academy.
Before long, a middle-aged man in a long robe came out. His aura was unfathomable.
He stopped in front of Bai Lan. His gaze fell on the Contract Book in Bai Lan's hand, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
"Six years old, with Innate Full Soul Power?"
"Yes."
"Your Martial Soul is a book?"
"Yes."
The middle-aged man pondered for a moment, then suddenly reached out. "Let me check your Soul Power."
Bai Lan didn't refuse. He let the man place a hand on his shoulder.
A warm force entered his body, circulated once, then withdrew.
The middle-aged man took his hand back, his expression complicated.
"It's indeed Innate Full Soul Power, at level eleven, with a solid foundation."
"But your Martial Soul... It's too unusual."
"There have been book Martial Souls in Shrek Academy's history, but never one with Innate Full Soul Power."
"I'll need to ask for approval."
He looked at Bai Lan.
Bai Lan nodded and waited quietly.
The middle-aged man turned and left.
A quarter of an hour later, he returned, accompanied by an old man with a full head of white hair and beard.
The old man came up to Bai Lan, gazing at him with deep-set eyes.
"Kid, release your Martial Soul with all your might."
Bai Lan did as he was told.
The Contract Book appeared in his palm. Its pages turned without any breeze, giving off a faint golden glow.
The old man stared at the book, then suddenly smiled.
"Interesting. Very interesting."
He looked at Bai Lan. "What's your name?"
"Bai Lan."
"Bai Lan..." The old man nodded. "I'm the Sea God Pavilion Master of Shrek Academy. You can call me Mu En. Starting today, you're an official student of Shrek Academy."
He happened to be free that day. When he heard that a six-year-old boy with a book Martial Soul and Innate Full Soul Power had arrived early to seek admission, he'd made a special trip to see him.
Bai Lan paused, slightly stunned.
This man was actually the Sea God Pavilion Master, Dragon God Douluo Mu En!
Damn, he'd actually met him just like that?
And Mu En had come out in person?
Mu En seemed to see what he was thinking and smiled. "A genius with Innate Full Soul Power is worth cultivating, no matter how weak his Martial Soul may be. Besides, that book of yours isn't as simple as it looks."
He gave Bai Lan a meaningful glance, then turned and left.
The middle-aged man smiled too. "Come with me. I'll take you to complete the enrollment procedures."
Bai Lan put away the Contract Book and followed him.
As he entered Shrek Academy, he glanced back in the direction of the city gates.
God Soul Village, Old Jack, Fatty Wang, and Huo Yuhao, whom he'd never met...
At the crossroads of fate, everyone was walking their own path.
And Bai Lan's path had only just begun.
Shrek Academy, New Student Registration Office.
Bai Lan followed the middle-aged man through several corridors to a spacious hall.
A long table stood in the middle of the hall, with two teachers responsible for registration seated behind it.
"Let's get the paperwork done first," the middle-aged man said. "Just tell them your name, age, Martial Soul, and Innate Soul Power level."
Bai Lan nodded and stepped forward.
"Name?"
"Bai Lan."
"Age?"
"Six."
"Martial Soul?"
Bai Lan raised his hand, and the Contract Book appeared in his palm.
The teacher responsible for registration glanced up. His pen paused, then he wrote "Book Martial Soul" in the register.
"Innate Soul Power level?"
"Ten."
The teacher's pen stopped.
He looked up at Bai Lan and studied him for a long while before slowly asking, "Innate Full Soul Power?"
"Yes."
"A book Martial Soul?"
"Yes."
The teacher fell silent for two seconds, then lowered his head and continued filling in the form. He muttered, "Interesting. We've got a rare one this year."
The paperwork was completed quickly.
A quarter of an hour later, Bai Lan held a metal badge engraved with the words "Shrek" and his student number.
"This is your student badge. You'll need it to enter and leave the academy, collect supplies, and borrow cultivation manuals."
The middle-aged man explained, "You're young, and you're a new student, so you'll be assigned to the Junior Class. With your Innate Soul Power level, though, you should be able to skip grades soon."
Bai Lan nodded in thanks.
Just then, footsteps sounded at the hall entrance.
Bai Lan turned to look and saw an old man with a full head of white hair and beard walk in.
It was Mu En, the Sea God Pavilion Master he'd met earlier.
Three children followed behind Mu En.
At the front was a boy of about ten, with refined features and a gentle air. A faint smile played on his lips, and he seemed easy to get along with.
Behind him was a girl of about the same age, her hair tied in a ponytail. She had big eyes and an alert, curious look as she glanced around.
At the back was a boy with his arms crossed and a haughty expression. He was slightly younger than the first two, his chin tilted up as though he thought himself impressive.
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