Choosing the Path Ahead

Oscar had already used his Martial Soul to conjure a few sausages and was gnawing on them heartily, his cheeks puffed out like little buns. Seeing that Lin Feng had finished his awakening, he hurriedly held one out toward him.

"Big Brother, hurry and taste my sausage! It's delicious, super delicious!"

Lin Feng took the sausage absentmindedly, his gaze still fixed on the money pouch in his palm, where golden light swirled.

Could this be the small money pouch from the King's equipment?

What would its ability be?

Taking a few deep breaths, Flender finally managed to calm his mood. He adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and, with his hands behind his back, walked toward the two of them with an air of feigned profundity.

"Lin Feng, Oscar, I wonder if you have ever heard of Shrek Academy?"

Oscar chewed on his sausage, shaking his head with puffed-out cheeks, looking completely clueless.

"What Shrek Academy? Never heard of it. But your academy's name sounds a bit strange... is it very powerful?"

"I haven't heard of it either, though I have heard of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Martial Soul Hall Academy, and the Elemental Academies."

Lin Feng, standing to the side, also shook his head slightly. His gaze rested on Flender as he quickly calculated the future path for himself and Oscar.

With their Innate Full Soul Power talent, once exposed, every top-tier power would throw their doors wide open for them.

The powerhouse-filled Martial Soul Hall, the wealthiest Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, the two great empires with their formidable comprehensive strength... or perhaps Shrek?

"I didn't expect you to be quite so knowledgeable."

Flender glanced at Lin Feng with slight surprise, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes, though he didn't dwell on it.

Yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black—seven soul rings rose from around his body. The light and shadow of the rings intertwined, and a majestic, thick wave of soul power swept across the entire hall.

"Do you know why we are called Shrek Academy?"

He puffed out his chest, deliberately letting the pressure of his soul rings linger for a moment, his voice carrying a hint of agitation.

"Shrek—that is a monster that only exists in legends! Powerful, unstoppable!"

"Shrek Academy only accepts monsters, not ordinary people."

"Only geniuses with Innate Full Soul Power like you are worthy of being called monsters, worthy of entering the gates of Shrek. Those mediocre talents don't even have the qualifications to try."

"Our academy has a deep foundation of faculty; we have two Soul Saints alone, and three Soul Emperors!"

"Not only that, but we also have a cultivation environment tailored specifically for you monsters, and a training model unique to monsters."

After speaking, he stood with his hands behind his back, wearing an expression that said, "You've hit the jackpot meeting me today." He stared at the two of them with burning eyes and asked in a deep voice:

"How about it? Do you want to join us?"

Oscar had already been stirred to excitement by the speech. His eyes were wide as saucers, he gasped, and his legs felt a bit weak.

"So amazing!"

Back at the orphanage, he rarely even saw a Soul Grand Master, and this Shrek Academy had two Soul Saints!

Hearing that they only accepted monsters and not ordinary people, the child's vanity was instantly piqued. He felt lightheaded and turned to tug on Lin Feng's sleeve.

"Big Brother! Soul Saints! There are actually two Soul Saints, and they only accept monsters. Why don't we go to Shrek?"

Listening to Flender talk about a "unique cultivation environment and training model," the corner of Lin Feng's mouth twitched imperceptibly as he quickly weighed the pros and cons of the various powers.

It had to be said that Shrek's faculty was indeed eye-catching; two Soul Saints were top-tier combatants within the kingdom, and there would be no need to worry too much about obtaining future soul rings.

However, the shortcomings were equally obvious: their cultivation resources were far inferior to top-tier powers like Martial Soul Hall or the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

He knew that support-type Martial Souls had inherent cultivation defects and required massive resources to build up.

If his Martial Soul was the small money pouch, it was likely a support-type as well, and naturally, it wouldn't escape this problem.

Yet, the risks of joining a top-tier power were also right in front of him. He and Oscar were both penniless, orphaned geniuses.

Once their talent was fully exposed to the major powers, at best, they would fall into an endless vortex of solicitation and become pawns in the games of others; at worst, he feared they wouldn't even be able to escape secret assassinations.

Should he play it safe first, or take a bold gamble...

Flender looked at the excessively calm and steady Lin Feng and felt a bit panicked. This child was too composed; he wasn't as easy to fool as Oscar.

His eyes carried a hint of urgent temptation, and his tone added a touch of provocation.

"Child, it is only because we have a fated connection today. If it were anyone else, they would have to pass through layers of trials to enter Shrek."

"What, or are you afraid of competing with other monster geniuses and don't dare to come?"

"Who's afraid..."

Provoked, Oscar immediately felt unconvinced. He nudged Lin Feng and whispered.

"Big Brother, what do you say?"

Lin Feng raised his eyes and smiled calmly:

"Afraid? Since Shrek only accepts monsters, then we shall go and meet these so-called monsters."

He decided to stabilize his development in the early stages first and figure out his own Martial Soul.

Of course, there was one aspect of Shrek's style he liked: they dared to protect their students, never backing down even when facing the Titled Douluo Dugu Bo.

"Good, good, good! Worthy of the genius I have set my sights on!"

Flender laughed excitedly.

As the three of them walked out of the main hall, the orphanage director, who had been waiting at the entrance, immediately hurried over. Leaning forward slightly, he asked in a respectful tone:

"Lord Soul Master, do these children... possess the talent to become Soul Masters?"

"One of them has Innate Soul Power of level one. It's not high, but at least he has the qualifications to become a Soul Master."

Flender replied casually, patting Oscar and Lin Feng on the shoulders with a smile he couldn't hide.

"These two children have Innate Soul Power of levels two and three. I think their talent is quite good, so I intend to take them back to the academy to cultivate them properly."

Upon hearing this, the director hurriedly bowed to express his thanks, his face full of gratitude.

"For these two children to be cultivated by a Lord Soul Master is a blessing from the Angel God, and even more so their own good fortune. I will have to trouble you to look after them in the future!"

As they walked out of the orphanage gate, Lin Feng looked back at the stone statue of the Goddess Angel bathing in the sunlight.

A warmth surged in his heart as he silently committed this kindness to memory.

The shelter from the wind and rain over the past six years—this debt of gratitude for taking him in—he had not forgotten, and he never would.

On the road, Oscar held it in for a long time before finally scratching his head, looking at Flender with a puzzled expression.

"Dean, aren't we Innate Full Soul Power? Why did you say level three?"

Flender patted the back of his head, the smile on his face vanishing instantly as his expression turned serious.

"Today, I will teach you the first lesson of enrollment: one must know how to hide their light."

"You currently possess the talent of monsters, but not the strength of monsters. Being too eye-catching is an easy way to invite trouble."

"In the future, no matter who asks, don't be foolish enough to reveal everything. Especially secrets like your Martial Soul and Soul Power Level. Do you understand?"

"The world of Soul Masters..."

He paused, seemingly wanting to say something more cruel, but looking at their two youthful faces, he waved his hand.

"Forget it, you little brats just need to remember my words."

"Oh! I understand."

Oscar nodded, seemingly grasping the concept.

"Yes, Dean."

Lin Feng replied calmly.

In his impression, Flender was still quite reliable.

After about an hour, Lin Feng and Oscar arrived at the gate of Shrek Academy with Flender.

However, the scene before them left both of them stunned.

The entrance to the village was overgrown with weeds, and a few wooden huts stood crookedly, their walls covered in cracks.

A gust of wind blew, and the dilapidated wooden sign hanging under the eaves creaked.

The next second, it fell to the ground with a "clatter," kicking up a cloud of dust.

Lin Feng and Oscar exchanged glances, both seeing disbelief in the other's eyes.