At Shrek Academy, Wang Dong'er and the other two followed behind Cai Yue'er, taking in everything around them.
"Good heavens..."
Like a country bumpkin who had never seen the world, Er Ming craned his neck to look around, his mouth hanging wide open for a long while.
"I've never seen any of this before."
Though Da Ming appeared somewhat calmer on the surface, the shock in his eyes was just as impossible to hide.
He stood with his hands behind his back, trying to maintain the bearing of an elder brother, but his constantly darting eyes gave away the turmoil in his heart.
"It truly is... incredible."
As for Wang Dong'er, after that sickening feeling of rejection vanished, she became much more cheerful and curiously examined everything around her.
"The rules for joining Shrek Academy are very simple."
Without turning around, Cai Yue'er spoke in a cool voice.
"You must pass ten assessments."
"Each assessment is worth ten points, for a total of one hundred points."
"As long as your total score reaches sixty, you pass and may stay as an official student."
"Ten assessments?"
Er Ming's ears twitched as he hurried forward and asked in a deep, booming voice.
"Teacher, what exactly are these ten assessments?"
"Could you give us a little hint first? At least let the child prepare herself mentally."
Cai Yue'er stopped walking, turned her head, and coldly glanced at him.
"You'll know when you get there."
With that, she continued onward, showing absolutely no intention of explaining.
"Uh..."
Er Ming had hit a wall. He awkwardly scratched his head and sheepishly retreated.
"This teacher... sure has quite the temper."
Still unwilling to give up, he asked another question.
"Then... what about everyone else?"
"There were so many people outside. Why are there only a few of us here?"
"You were late."
Cai Yue'er's voice remained indifferent, as though saying even one extra word would waste her saliva.
Er Ming shrank his neck. It was not their fault, though. If anyone was to blame, it was that damned Tang San.
At that moment, Da Ming, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke.
Looking at Cai Yue'er's back, he hesitated before asking.
"Teacher, may I ask..."
"Can we really observe the assessments from start to finish?"
"Outside, we saw that many parents seemed to remain at the outskirts of Star Dou Forest and did not enter."
After all, these were internal academy assessments. Some might involve confidential matters, so outsiders generally would not be permitted to watch.
Without slowing down, Cai Yue'er said calmly.
"Since you were able to fly up here through your own abilities, that means you are qualified."
"Watch if you want. Just do not interfere with the assessments."
Cai Yue'er's tone remained flat.
That made Er Ming feel somewhat uneasy.
"Big Brother, this teacher... seems a little off."
He lowered his voice as he spoke to Da Ming.
"We flew straight up here just now! At that speed, even a Title Douluo would have to put in some effort, right?"
"Logically, seeing powerful people like us bringing a child here to enroll, shouldn't she at least look a little surprised or be a bit more polite?"
"Stop talking. It wouldn't be good if she heard you."
Da Ming stopped Er Ming from indulging his urge to talk.
As they spoke, they arrived before a massive circular building.
An electronic screen hung above the entrance, displaying the words, "First Assessment Center: Soul Power Test."
"We're here."
Cai Yue'er stopped and pointed at the intricate, precise-looking instrument inside.
"First assessment: test your Soul Power."
"Place your hand on it and channel your Soul Power into it."
"Alright!"
The moment she heard it was a Soul Power test, Wang Dong'er immediately perked up.
She puffed out her little chest and confidently walked forward. When it came to talent, I, Wang Dong'er, have to count as a genius no matter what.
She was already a Soul Grandmaster before turning twelve!
Wang Dong'er walked up to the instrument, took a deep breath, and pressed her fair little hand against the sensing platform.
"Buzz—"
The instrument trembled slightly, and a gentle light lit up.
Then, a red number appeared on the screen above:
"Level 24."
Seeing that number, Wang Dong'er proudly raised her chin and looked toward Cai Yue'er, waiting for praise.
Da Ming and Er Ming also wore gratified smiles.
As expected of their little genius princess.
However.
Cai Yue'er merely glanced at the number on the screen, expressionlessly recorded it on the form in her hand, and said.
"Level 24. Barely acceptable."
"Seven points."
"What?!"
Upon hearing that score, not only was Wang Dong'er dumbfounded, but Er Ming practically exploded.
"Seven points?!"
Er Ming stared at Cai Yue'er with his eyes wide open.
"Teacher, aren't you mistaken?"
"Our Xiao Qi isn't even twelve yet! She's already a level 24 Soul Grandmaster!"
"Wouldn't she be considered a top genius anywhere? How does she only get seven points?"
"Even on a ten-point scale, that's way too low! She should get at least nine points!"
"This isn't fair!"
Faced with Er Ming's questioning, Cai Yue'er did not even raise her eyelids. She merely said coldly.
"Not satisfied?"
"At this academy, whatever score I say goes."
"If you are dissatisfied, take the child and get out. Her score will be reset to zero."
"You—"
Er Ming was furious. His fists clenched with cracking sounds as he seemed ready to erupt on the spot.
"Second Brother! Stop!"
Da Ming was alarmed and quickly grabbed Er Ming's shoulder, forcibly holding him back.
"Don't act rashly!"
He turned to Cai Yue'er and smiled apologetically.
"Please calm down, Teacher. Please calm down."
"We accept it, we accept it."
"Seven points it is. As long as she passes, that's enough. Hehe..."
Though Da Ming felt stifled as well, he understood their situation better.
If they truly fell out with her and were thrown out, Tang San's task would be ruined.
They would be the ones suffering then.
"Hmph."
Cai Yue'er snorted, put away the form, and turned to leave.
"Follow me. The second assessment."
With no other choice, they could only trail after her dejectedly.
Soon, they were led into a spacious hall.
A huge portrait hung on the wall in the center of the hall.
The portrait depicted a gigantic black dragon, its scales glinting with a metallic sheen!
"The second assessment."
Cai Yue'er pointed at the portrait.
"Stare at those eyes."
"The longer you last, the higher your score."
"Tch, what's so difficult about looking at a painting?"
Wang Dong'er curled her lips, feeling that this assessment was practically child's play.
She casually raised her head and looked at the portrait.
However.
The instant her gaze touched those golden dragon eyes.
Boom!
An indescribably terrifying pressure erupted from the portrait in an instant, crushing down upon them like a towering mountain!
"Hm?"
Wang Dong'er felt her head buzz. Her body swayed, her face turned slightly pale, and she felt utterly miserable and pained.
Da Ming and Er Ming, standing behind her, also shuddered violently as though struck by lightning!
"This... this is..."
Er Ming's pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints!
He knew it far too well!
That was... the aura of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King—the Beast God, Di Tian!!!
Suppressed by that aura, Er Ming nearly summoned his true form on the spot.
"Second Brother! Endure it!"
Da Ming was likewise drenched in sweat, his face pale as paper, but he still managed to stop Er Ming.
The two exchanged a look, each seeing the horror in the other's eyes.
This portrait... was not simple!
The pressure contained within it was absolutely no weaker than what Beast God Di Tian himself could unleash!
Could the people of this academy have flayed Beast God Di Tian and put his hide on this painting?
Before you continue