Arrival at Suotuo City, Shrek's First Trial Begins

The mountain road stretched out, the morning mist slowly dissipating.

After a steady journey, Lin Chen led Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing out of the rolling mountains, catching sight of the silhouette of Suotuo City in the distance.

Shrek Academy was situated in a remote little village just outside Suotuo City.

At this moment, the area outside the village was already bustling with noise. Young soul masters from all corners of the continent had gathered here, all drawn by Shrek's reputation for "admitting only monsters, never commoners." Countless talented youths filled with dreams converged here, the air thick with a tense and fervent atmosphere.

"The Shrek enrollment site is just ahead."

Lin Chen stopped, his gaze calm as he looked at the surging crowd. His soul power circulated steadily within him, keeping his aura firmly fixed at the level of a level 21 Soul Elder, perfectly meeting the hard requirements for Shrek's entrance.

Xiao Wu looked around with curiosity, her large eyes sparkling with anticipation for the new academy. Zhu Zhuqing slightly reined in the instinctive vigilance of her Hell Spirit Cat, her cold gaze sweeping over the other examinees with a detached expression.

The three walked side by side, calmly merging into the line of candidates.

Before the first checkpoint of the Shrek enrollment, a tall, solemn-faced middle-aged soul master sat upright. This was Li Yusong, the Soul Emperor-level powerhouse responsible for the preliminary screening.

According to Shrek's immutable rules, there were only two ironclad laws: one must be no older than thirteen, and one's soul power must be at least level 21. Beyond that, every candidate was required to pay ten Gold Soul Coins as an application fee; the rules were strict, with no exceptions ever made.

The line moved forward slowly, and soon it was the turn of Lin Chen and his companions.

"Age, soul power, martial soul," Li Yusong said, his voice flat and authoritative without even lifting his head.

Lin Chen stepped forward, calmly handing over thirty Gold Soul Coins, then allowed Li Yusong to reach out and test his bone age.

"Twelve years old."

After the investigation, a flicker of movement crossed Li Yusong's eyes, and he brought the soul power detector close to Lin Chen's body.

Faint black soul power surged slowly as the Ink Shadow Spirit Cat martial soul quietly manifested. Two yellow century-level soul rings circled his body neatly, and his soul power reading remained steadily fixed at level 21—not a fraction more or less, hitting the mark perfectly.

"Twelve years old, level 21 agility-attack system Soul Elder, high-quality martial soul. Qualified."

Li Yusong picked up his brush to record the result, his gaze toward Lin Chen carrying a hint of approval. To possess such soul power at this age was to be a one-in-a-hundred talent.

Next were Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.

A twelve-year-old level 29 Soft Bone Rabbit Soul Elder and a twelve-year-old level 27 Hell Spirit Cat Soul Elder—the talents of the two girls far exceeded the entrance standards, and they passed the preliminary test with ease.

The three successfully obtained their qualification for the next round. Amidst the envious gazes of the other candidates, they walked straight into the village to await the second round of assessments.

Not long after the three had departed, two disheveled figures arrived late at the end of the road behind them.

It was none other than Tang San and Yu Xiaogang, who had endured a journey full of setbacks and were covered in dust.

The two were currently covered in dirt and looked utterly exhausted. The continuous travel and the harassment of soul beasts along the way had drained most of Tang San's soul power, leaving him in a wretched state.

Seeing Li Yusong sitting at the table, Yu Xiaogang's eyes lit up. He immediately led Tang San forward, hoping to use his old friendship with Flender to take a shortcut.

"Brother Li, it has been a long time. I am Yu Xiaogang. Could you perhaps grant us a convenience?"

Unexpectedly, Li Yusong did not even lift his eyelids, his tone as cold as before: "This is Shrek enrollment; everyone is equal before the rules. No matter whose favor it is, if you don't meet the standards, there is no room for discussion. If you don't pay the application fee, please leave."

The words were merciless, causing Yu Xiaogang to lose face in front of everyone.

Yu Xiaogang's face turned from green to white. Helpless, he could only grit his teeth and have Tang San pay the ten Gold Soul Coins.

The bone age test was passed, and on the soul power detector, Tang San's level was indeed 29. However, the anxiety and soul power depletion from the journey had left his soul power fluctuations chaotic and his foundation unstable.

"Soul power is unstable, and your temperament is impetuous. Go to the side to meditate and stabilize your soul power. You are not permitted to participate in the next round of assessment until you are steady."

Li Yusong's flat words were like a slap to the faces of Tang San and his teacher.

Many candidates nearby cast mocking and derisive glances, making Tang San, who had a strong sense of pride, feel so ashamed he wished he could disappear. He could only clench his fists tightly, suppressing his humiliation, and walk to a corner to sit cross-legged and meditate.

Yu Xiaogang looked at the backs of Lin Chen and his companions, who had long since disappeared into the distance, then looked at the disheveled and pathetic state of himself and Tang San. A complex mix of emotions stirred within him, and a deep sense of powerlessness quietly took root.

Passing through the village, the second Shrek assessment site was already in sight.

Dai Mubai, the head disciple of Shrek, was already waiting there. His figure was tall and straight, and his overbearing soul power was faintly radiating outward. He was responsible for leading the candidates who passed the preliminary test through the second round of endurance and agility assessments.

The rugged mountain path served as the examination ground, testing a soul master's soul power endurance, physical stamina, and ability to adapt to the situation.

Lin Chen activated his Ink Shadow Spirit Cat martial soul, his level 21 soul power outputting steadily. His movements were as light and agile as a ghost, walking on the rugged mountain road as if it were flat ground. He moved at a measured pace, keeping an eye on Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing beside him, secretly helping the two girls maintain their soul power rhythm.

The three moved in unison, calm and unhurried, leading the pack by a wide margin and arriving at the finish line first.

Dai Mubai looked at the composed and well-measured Lin Chen, a spark of appreciation growing in his eyes. He had already silently noted this newly emerged talent in his heart.

A long time later, Tang San, having finished his meditation, finally managed to reach the start of the assessment.

His imbalanced mindset, unstable soul power, and the fatigue from days of travel made his progress on the mountain road difficult. His soul power was consumed rapidly, and he trailed far behind all the other candidates for the entire duration.

Yu Xiaogang followed behind, spouting endless theories that had no practical effect and could not help Tang San shoulder even a fraction of the pressure.

When Tang San arrived at the finish line, exhausted and drenched in sweat, the sight that met his eyes was Lin Chen and the two girls resting comfortably.

The massive disparity and intense unwillingness to accept defeat wrapped around Tang San's heart like poisonous vines.

He stared fixedly at that calm, upright figure, the obsession and hatred in the depths of his heart growing ever deeper.

The Shrek assessment had only just begun.

The path ahead for Lin Chen was already wide and open, while the pathetic journey for him and his teacher had only just set off.

The glory that belonged to Tang San had already been stripped away, step by step, by the person before him.