Entering Shrek Academy

The student did not look surprised upon hearing this; at this time of year, he had seen far too many such youths.

Following protocol, he patiently explained, "Little brother, there are clear requirements for enrolling in Shrek Academy.

First, you must not be over twelve years old; second, your Soul Power Level must not be lower than fifteen.

Third, and most importantly, you must hold a recommendation letter issued by an official body or a major power at the level of a main city from one of the three great empires."

His gaze swept over Huo Yuhao's simple attire once more. Though his tone remained unchanged, the implication was clear—that recommendation letter from a main city was an insurmountable threshold for a youth not born into nobility or a major power.

"I am aware of these requirements."

Huo Yuhao nodded, his face devoid of any embarrassment or anger at being questioned.

He reached into his robe and brought out the dark gold Shrek Token along with the yellowed, ancient letter, handing them to the other party. "However, I obtained this token and this letter by chance. I wonder if they might allow me to enter Shrek Academy?"

The student's gaze fell upon the token and the letter; he was slightly stunned at first, then his expression turned solemn.

He cautiously took the token and the letter, examining them closely.

The token felt heavy in his hand, its patterns ancient and profound, and the three archaic characters for "Shrek" radiated an unquestionable majesty.

He quickly scanned the contents of the letter, and when he saw the seal of the Academy Supervisory Committee and the description of the token's privileges at the end, his expression changed abruptly.

He looked up, his gaze toward Huo Yuhao now carrying a hint of undisguised astonishment and caution.

He first respectfully returned the token and the letter to Huo Yuhao, then his tone became much more courteous: "Little brother, this matter is of great importance, and I cannot make the decision myself.

Please wait here for a moment. I must enter the academy immediately to report this to the teacher on duty. Only after the teacher makes a decision can we determine whether to let you into the city. I ask for your understanding."

Huo Yuhao took back the token and the letter, nodding with a calm expression: "Very well, I shall wait here."

There was little turbulence in his heart.

If Shrek Academy did not recognize this token, or if there were any complications, that would be fine; he would simply turn around and head straight for the Sun Moon Empire, saving himself the trouble and the energy of putting on an act.

He would add this "debt" to Tang San's account.

The student did not dare to delay, turning and running quickly into the city gate, disappearing into the shadows of the tall archway.

The wait was not long. After about the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, the student returned, accompanied by a middle-aged man.

The man appeared to be around forty years old, of medium build, wearing a simple grey robe. His features were ordinary, but his eyes were exceptionally bright and spirited, revealing wisdom and gentleness.

He walked with a composed gait and a steady demeanor, clearly holding a significant position within the academy.

"Hello, student." The middle-aged man walked up to Huo Yuhao, a warm smile on his face, and introduced himself: "My name is Wang Yan, a teacher at the Shrek Academy outer courtyard, primarily responsible for martial soul theory research and some reception work for new students. My student just mentioned that you possess a special token?"

Huo Yuhao bowed slightly: "Greetings, Teacher Wang. Here is the token, along with this explanatory letter."

He handed over the token and the letter once again.

Wang Yan took them with both hands, first carefully feeling the material and the patterns of the token, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, before unfolding the letter to read it word by word.

His reading speed was not fast; his expression was focused, nodding slightly at times and falling into thought at others.

A moment later, Wang Yan looked up at Huo Yuhao, his eyes becoming even gentler, though with an added touch of inquiry: "Student, after my preliminary assessment, this token is indeed a genuine Shrek Token.

According to the academy's regulations, regardless of the path or method by which you obtained this token, the academy will not inquire into its specific origin.

We recognize the token, not the person.

The holder of this token enjoys all the privileges listed in the letter."

He paused, then continued in a sincere tone: "Therefore, you may now use this token to formally enter Shrek Academy, and you are exempt from all standard assessments and requirements, directly obtaining admission. Someone will be assigned to assist you with the subsequent registration, class assignment, and resource allocation."

Huo Yuhao had anticipated this, and upon hearing it, he only nodded calmly: "Thank you for the confirmation, Teacher Wang." There was no wild joy, no excitement; that composure, which far exceeded his age, made the look of admiration in Wang Yan's eyes grow even stronger.

"You are welcome; this is the academy's regulation."

Wang Yan smiled and stepped aside, gesturing with a "please": "Then, welcome to Shrek Academy. Would you like me to take you inside and show you around?"

Huo Yuhao shook his head, declining: "Thank you for your kindness, Teacher Wang, but I would like to walk around and explore on my own first to get familiar with the place."

Wang Yan did not insist, nodding: "That is fine. Be careful, the academy is very large; do not wander too far.

If you have any questions, you can ask any teacher wearing clothes similar to mine, or those senior students wearing the school badge."

He pointed to the teacher's badge on his chest.

"Understood, thank you."

Huo Yuhao thanked him once more, and then, under the curious and envious gazes of the student and the other guards, he stepped through the tall and majestic East Gate, formally entering the ancient academy known as the "Cradle of Monsters."

Once inside the grounds of Shrek Academy, the noise and restlessness seemed to be instantly shut out.

Before him lay a wide, straight avenue, the surface paved with smooth bluestone slabs, clean and tidy.

On both sides of the avenue were meticulously planned, layered landscaping. Various plants, both known and unknown, grew in an orderly fashion, trimmed neatly and beautifully.

Tall trees cast dappled shadows, and low shrubs bloomed with flowers of various colors, emitting a fresh fragrance.

The air was filled with the scent of grass, earth, and a unique, tranquil atmosphere characteristic of a scholarly institution.

Huo Yuhao walked slowly along the avenue, his gaze sweeping calmly over the scenery along the way.

He had "inspected" every blade of grass and every tree here in his past life, though at that time, it was with the posture of a conqueror and a destroyer.

Now, returning with a different identity and at a different point in time, his state of mind was complex in a way that was entirely different.

After advancing about two hundred meters, the view ahead was blocked by several massive statues.

There were ten statues in total, each standing about ten meters tall, carved entirely from the hardest granite, exuding a magnificent and lifelike aura.

The front row consisted of three statues arranged in a triangular formation.

The one in the very center depicted an elderly man with a smiling face, a slightly plump figure, and a pair of spectacles.

With his hands tucked into his sleeves, he appeared to be a quintessential "good guy," detached from the strife of the world.

Huo Yuhao knew this represented one of the founders of Shrek Academy, Flender, nicknamed the "Four-Eyed Owl," the Wing of the Golden Iron Triangle.

In Wang Teng's memories and the secret records of Shrek, Flender was described as a complex figure: devoted, loyal, business-minded, yet somewhat stingy—especially regarding his deep, unexpressed feelings for Liu Erlong, another female member of the Golden Iron Triangle.

But in Huo Yuhao's eyes, this so-called "devotion" was no different from the term "simp" found in Wang Teng's memories, perhaps even more pathetic.

At least the object of a "simp's" affection would sometimes take the initiative to show favor or offer a response or two.

Yet Flender lacked even the courage to confess, ultimately watching his beloved unite with his own brother.

To the left and right of Flender's statue stood the statues of Yu Xiaogang and Liu Erlong, respectively.

Yu Xiaogang's face was solemn, his eyes deep, carrying the stubbornness and gravity of a master theorist; Liu Erlong appeared heroic and spirited, with a hint of volatility and resolve between her brows.

One was a "Grandmaster" whose theories were "invincible" but whose mutated martial soul prevented him from ever breaking through level thirty; the other was a woman of fierce character, a daughter born out of wedlock to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan who dared to love and hate with intensity.

Their union was viewed by many at the time as a violation of ethical norms—whether they were seen as a model of "bravely pursuing true love regardless of worldly judgment" or a classic example of "disregarding human relations and defying convention" depended entirely on the observer's perspective.

But to Huo Yuhao, an avenger who had seen all the facets of the world and harbored only a cold fire of vengeance in his heart, these were nothing more than tedious gossip and affectation.