New Student Enrollment

Following the intense freshman entrance examination, the grand freshman orientation ceremony finally arrived. As per tradition, it was held by the shores of Sea God Lake, where Shrek Square and the statues of the first generation Shrek Seven Devils stood tall. The principal of Shrek Academy would deliver a speech before the ancestors, and once it concluded, students could find their respective classes to begin their first lesson at Shrek Academy.

The teaching buildings were located behind the square, each distinguished by a different color, roughly corresponding to the age of the soul rings for each grade: white, yellow, purple, and black. Freshmen were akin to the lowest-tier white soul rings; yellow represented the second and third-year buildings of the Outer Court; purple was for the fourth and fifth years; and black, naturally, was for the sixth-year students nearing graduation—this building essentially signified that one was about to obtain an Outer Court diploma.

As for the red color representing the highest level, that was reserved for Inner Court students, though few had ever seen it; it remained that way in public rumors. Further away lay the teaching and research zones, primarily gray in color. In terms of land area, the Soul Guidance Department occupied one-third, while the Martial Soul Department took up two-thirds. Of course, in terms of value and consumption, the Martial Soul Department couldn't hold a candle to the Soul Guidance Department; the various equipment inside those buildings alone was enough to buy out the entire Soul Guidance Department. Thus, one couldn't blame the Martial Soul Department for harboring such deep resentment toward the Soul Guidance Department—so much funding had been poured in, yet there were few results to show for it.

The gap compared to the Sun Moon Empire remained vast, yet if one didn't invest, the gap would only widen further. The wars from thousands of years ago had already proven this truth: a disparity in soul guidance devices would lead to greater bloodshed and sacrifice. Shrek Academy had to invest whether it wanted to or not, and any dissatisfaction had to be suppressed. The gap could not be allowed to grow any larger, and as for narrowing it, that would require the efforts of this generation. If the Soul Guidance Department wanted to break out of this predicament, it had to achieve a breakthrough: the mass production and civilianization of soul guidance devices. Only then could they be sold, and with sales came money, allowing them to break free from the shackles of Shrek Academy itself, enter a positive cycle, and gain the possibility of surpassing others.

During this period, the principal of Shrek Academy had to suppress this conflict, doing his utmost to support the development of soul guidance devices while keeping the dissatisfaction of the Martial Soul Department in check. The most effective way to alleviate his pressure was for the Soul Guidance Department to achieve results capable of suppressing the Martial Soul Department. Here, strength was respected; as long as there were results, everything else was negotiable.

Yan Shaozhe intended to make his stance clear this time; he could no longer play the fool or try to smooth things over as he had before. The recent petty actions of the Martial Soul Department had seriously affected recruitment, and even Elder Xuan had come down to observe. This already indicated the attitude of the Sea God Pavilion, or at least a portion of it, and everyone knew which faction Elder Xuan represented. Since the Sea God Pavilion had now signaled its stance, Yan Shaozhe could finally make up his mind to pick a side. This freshman orientation speech was just the beginning.

Yan Shaozhe walked slowly onto the podium, looking at the scenery facing Sea God Lake. A gentle breeze brushed his face, and water ripples constantly lapped against the shore. Yan Shaozhe realized he hadn't truly looked at the scenery in many years. He suddenly found Sea God Lake to be so beautiful, with the rising sun shining on the lake surface, creating tiny ripples. This caused him to ignore even the chaotic noise of the freshmen below. He seemed to be lost in thought for a long time, until a managing teacher noticed the principal seemed to be daydreaming. No matter how unbelievable it was, he had to pull him back; after all, so many students were watching.

The students below were in groups of three or five, but most were individuals. Freshmen came from all over the world, from different families. A portion of powerful families would have several students enrolling, and some would even arrange for a small team to enter the academy. This could be called cultivating one's own people from a young age. The most famous was the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; having so many affiliated sects meant these young masters and misses of the main sect had attendants from childhood—or to put it another way, partners. These people would help the young masters and misses get through the most difficult initial period, and if they remained compatible later, they could form a team; if not, they would be cast aside.

Everyone always had their own choices to make. Regardless of how the young misses of this generation chose, Yan Shaozhe had already made his own choice. In this instant, Yan Shaozhe's heart felt suddenly clear, and he no longer intended to pursue disciplinary issues. No matter how much of a "heavenly pride" these children were, they were still children. Having been admitted to the continent's number one academy, they deserved to be happy.

"Everyone, please quiet down. I know you are all very excited; I was just as excited as you when I was admitted, but listen to me finish first. Only then will you have truly enrolled in Shrek Academy. You are all familiar with our academy's history, so I won't repeat it one by one."

"We will get straight to the point now. Why did you come here? Of course, it is to learn, to learn how to become a powerhouse. Becoming a powerhouse has always been our strength, and that will not be questioned. We have also won the competitions in recent years."

"This should have been something to boast about, but as the principal of Shrek, I must speak up. The competitions we have won in recent years have become increasingly difficult. This is a crisis hidden beneath the championships. We could continue to rest on our laurels, but if a problem arises, I, as the principal, will be the first to bear the brunt. This is my responsibility. Where is the root of all these problems?"

"I think most of you have the answer in your hearts: it is soul guidance devices. The gap between our soul guidance devices and other academies is too large. It is not just the Sun Moon Empire; the soul guidance levels of the three great empires have also surpassed us, yet we have made no progress. This is the root of everything."

The discussion among the students below grew louder. Many found it unbelievable that the crisis had become so severe. They didn't think the principal would lie to them, but most of these students were from traditional soul master families and could hardly accept that the progress of soul guidance devices had already compressed the space for top-tier soul masters like them.

Ignoring the discussions, Yan Shaozhe continued his speech: "Therefore, our academy must also vigorously develop the Soul Guidance Department. I call upon everyone here to study the knowledge of soul guidance devices diligently. This will be a key indicator for your advancement. Let us start changing from your generation. Your seniors need not worry; they must also take remedial courses, or they will not be allowed to graduate."

"Of course, this will certainly involve a shift in resources. The funding for the Soul Guidance Department will increase by another ten percent, and I will weigh how many more enrollment spots to add. Furthermore, there is a hard requirement: the Support Department must take soul guidance devices as a compulsory subject. You may choose the Martial Soul Department, but you must know the knowledge and usage of soul guidance devices. The competitions have exposed too many problems; we must change."

Yan Shaozhe continued to ramble on for a long time before being reminded to finish. This was likely the most satisfying speech he had ever given; it had been a long time since he felt so unburdened. Huo Yuhao, standing in the crowd, was also shocked. His body had not yet recovered, especially his Sea of Spirit, which left him with no options. Thanks to Shrek's advanced medical care and his own formidable recovery ability, he could now walk normally.

He hadn't expected so much news from this speech. According to what Wang Yi had said, shouldn't these speeches be useless? How was it different from what he had been told? However, he no longer needed to hesitate. His martial soul meant he was destined to be a person of the Soul Guidance Department, so there was no need to join the crowd in the Martial Soul Department. From his scores in special abilities, he could already see the attitude of some teachers toward him.

So be it, the Soul Guidance Department. It was just a pity he couldn't be like his senior brother and Xiao Ya. But it was too early to say that; those were matters for the third year.

The first lesson of the semester had begun.