The Fourth Round of Assessment

"It really is that fatso from Shrek." Qian Yu wasn't surprised.

The fight ended, and Qian Yu sent the little girl away, then gestured for Xiao Wu to return to the hotel with him.

Xiao Wu pursed her lips and lowered her head, her mind racing with unspoken thoughts.

A muffled groan escaped her with just a slight movement.

Qian Yu looked down and finally noticed that Xiao Wu's feet were stained crimson. It was clear she had been affected by the Phoenix Flame during her fight with Ma Hongjun.

"No choice," Qian Yu crouched down and offered his back.

"Get on," Qian Yu said indifferently.

"Ah."

Xiao Wu's face instantly flushed to her ears. Seeing her hesitate, Qian Yu assumed her injuries weren't that severe and started to get up.

Fortunately, Xiao Wu seized the moment and immediately leaped onto Qian Yu's back.

Her entire head slowly rested against Qian Yu's back.

All the way, listening to Qian Yu's steady heartbeat, Xiao Wu felt an inexplicable sense of peace.

"What's wrong with me?" Xiao Wu had never felt so at ease; she actually fell asleep peacefully.

Back at the Rose Hotel.

A startled cry suddenly rang out.

"Xiao Wu, you..."

It was Tang San's voice. Seeing Qian Yu carrying Xiao Wu on his back, and in such an intimate pose.

His eyes instantly turned red, but then he remembered Qian Yu's terrifying strength.

Tang San redirected his anger towards Xiao Wu.

Xiao Wu was also awakened by Tang San's shout.

Xiao Wu looked at Tang San, then at herself still on Qian Yu's back.

She was suddenly at a loss.

"Third Brother..." Xiao Wu quickly endured the pain and jumped off Qian Yu's back.

She wanted to explain something to Tang San.

Tang San, overcome with emotion, ran out like a jealous wife.

Tang San thought, Qian Yu must have used some trick to force Xiao Wu, that's why she let him carry her back. It must be like this.

Outside the hotel, Tang San deliberately slowed his pace, believing Xiao Wu would surely chase after him, apologize, and then abandon Qian Yu.

Inside the hotel, Xiao Wu's footsteps were crimson, each step causing her immense pain.

Qian Yu, too lazy to bother with Xiao Wu any further.

He returned to his room to rest without looking back.

Xiao Wu looked in the direction Tang San had run, then looked at Qian Yu.

In the end, as if possessed, she followed Qian Yu back to his room.

Outside the hotel, Tang San waited and waited, but Xiao Wu never came.

"Hmph, I'll give you another hour. Xiao Wu, don't disappoint me."

Tang San thought to himself.

But in reality, Xiao Wu didn't come out to find Tang San until the next day.

Tang San watched as Qian Yu and Xiao Wu entered the room and turned off the lights.

Tears involuntarily streamed from Tang San's eyes: Qian Yu must be forcing Xiao Wu, preventing her from coming to me. It must be. Tang San firmly believed.

The next day, Qian Yu was full of energy, and Xiao Wu's foot had already been treated and she could walk.

Tang San, however, looked much more haggard.

When Tang San saw Qian Yu and Xiao Wu walk out of the hotel, he immediately followed them.

Strangely, Tang San didn't ask Xiao Wu why she hadn't come to find him last night.

He just silently followed Qian Yu and Xiao Wu.

Outside Shrek Academy.

A dense crowd of students lined up to register.

Just like in the original story, Qian Yu at 15 years old with level 39, and Tang San and Xiao Wu at 12 years old with level 25, all passed the first round of interviews and directly entered the fourth.

Also with them were Zhu Zhuqing of the Hell Spirit Cat, and Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed.

"It's you guys?" Dai Mubai was also at the academy entrance, responsible for admissions.

He saw Qian Yu and his group and couldn't help but be stunned, then he sneered inwardly. "Kid, once you're in the academy, I'll be the one calling the shots."

At the same time, his gaze fell on Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes filled not only with greedy desire but also with surprise.

Zhu Zhuqing deliberately avoided Dai Mubai's gaze, standing there without saying a word.

Dai Mubai turned to Qian Yu and the others, saying, "Follow me, you lot."

They entered the academy grounds.

Dai Mubai disappeared for a moment.

He arrived at the residence of Zhao Wuji.

He spoke a few words to Zhao Wuji: "Teacher Zhao, there are quite a few promising seedlings among the students this time. One of them is only fifteen years old and has already reached level 39. I'm afraid I won't be able to keep them in check."

Dai Mubai intentionally feigned weakness in front of Zhao Wuji.

He understood Zhao Wuji's personality all too well.

Sure enough, upon hearing that there were talented newcomers—and ones even stronger than Dai Mubai—Zhao Wuji's heart stirred.

He turned to Dai Mubai and said, "Mubai, you are a veteran of this academy; don't let the newcomers outshine you."

Zhao Wuji was intentionally prodding Dai Mubai, hoping to spur him on to greater efforts.

Dai Mubai snorted inwardly, but verbally, he agreed repeatedly. "Yes, Teacher Zhao, you are right. This student will certainly cultivate diligently and set a good example."

"Mm."

Seeing Dai Mubai so compliant, Zhao Wuji was quite satisfied.

Zhao Wuji then followed Dai Mubai to the courtyard where Qian Yu and the others were waiting.

As soon as Zhao Wuji appeared, he released the oppressive aura of a level 40 Soul Ancestor, shaking the entire scene.

Zhu Zhuqing, Ning Rongrong, and Xiao Wu all retreated repeatedly.

Tang San, however, held his ground, refusing to step back. He circulated his Mysterious Heaven Skill and summoned his Blue Silver Grass martial soul to resist Zhao Wuji's tyrannical aura.

Qian Yu, relying on the willpower of a special forces king combined with over a decade of relentless physical training, struggled to hold on.

"Hm. Interesting."

Zhao Wuji had come specifically to give them a show of force.

Seeing that two of them could actually withstand his pressure, he couldn't help but increase his aura.

"Level 45."

"Level 46."

"Level 47."

"Level 48."

Tang San, after all, was not as he had been in the original timeline and could no longer support the weight of Zhao Wuji's pressure.

"Level 49."

"Level 50."

Qian Yu summoned his martial soul, and the Desert Eagle appeared in his hand.

Blood began to trickle from the corner of Qian Yu's mouth.

"Interesting."

Seeing that Qian Yu could still struggle to hold on, Zhao Wuji was surprised but nodded repeatedly; clearly, he was very satisfied with this student.

Sensing that Qian Yu was already bleeding, Zhao Wuji stopped testing them and withdrew his aura.

The group finally caught their breath, gasping heavily.

Seeing that Qian Yu could withstand the pressure of a level 50 Soul King, Dai Mubai gritted his teeth, his mind racing with unknown thoughts.

"To be honest, I am very disappointed in your strength."

If you cannot even withstand the pressure of a level 50, how can you become Shrek's monsters?

"However, considering your young age, I will give you a chance. As long as you can defeat me, I will approve your enrollment."

"Ah." Everyone felt that Zhao Wuji was a madman. A Soul Saint bullying a group of Soul Grand Masters and Soul Elders.

Zhao Wuji was very satisfied with their reaction and immediately added, "Don't worry, I will suppress my Soul Power to level 50."

Zhao Wuji's competitive spirit had been ignited by Qian Yu, and he decided on a whim to test their ability to coordinate.

"Teacher Zhao? Your strength is immense; perhaps I should handle this instead?" Dai Mubai was very surprised, especially since Zhu Zhuqing was still in the group.

Originally, the fourth round of the academy assessment was meant to be conducted by him, but Qian Yu's strength had led Dai Mubai to fetch Zhao Wuji—though that didn't mean he wanted Zhao Wuji to eliminate Zhu Zhuqing along with the rest.

"Hmph, Mubai, can you defeat this kid?" Zhao Wuji pointed at Qian Yu and let out a muffled snort toward Dai Mubai.

Recalling the miserable state he had been in at the hotel yesterday, Dai Mubai instantly calmed down and remained silent.

"Alright, I'll give you half an incense stick of time to recover. During this period, you may restore your Soul Power or discuss your strategy." Zhao Wuji waved his hand, issued his order to the group, and then vanished.