The Tradition of Shrek Academy

Li Yusong shouted for a long time without receiving a response, realizing he could no longer count on Dai Mubai.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, and his expression returned to a calm, even somewhat chilling, state.

He stopped looking at the father and son, instead locking his gaze firmly onto Zhao Linchuan, his right fingers beginning to tap rhythmically against the table.

Tap, tap, tap...

A tyrannical wave of soul power, like a beast awakening, slowly rose from his lean, withered body.

Beneath his feet, six soul rings bloomed in sequence—white, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black!

Although it was not the optimal configuration, the pressure of a Soul Emperor was like a mountain to ordinary people and low-level soul masters!

A long staff weapon, covered in fine, intricate patterns, appeared silently in his hand.

He slammed the Coiling Dragon Staff heavily onto the ground with a dull thud, causing the floor to tremble slightly.

Li Yusong narrowed his eyes, his cold gaze sweeping over the four of them. "It seems... it was you few who were fanning the flames here, ruining the grand recruitment of my Shrek Academy?"

The Soul Emperor's pressure was released without reservation, causing the father and son to turn deathly pale; their legs gave out, and they collapsed to the ground, trembling in fear.

Zhao Linchuan, however, seemed unaffected by the heavy pressure, his expression remaining calm, even carrying a hint of mockery.

"And if it was? In this bright and clear world, under the broad daylight, are we not even allowed to speak a few truths?"

"Hmph!" A flash of ferocity crossed Li Yusong's eyes. He raised the Coiling Dragon Staff, pointing the tip toward Zhao Linchuan. "Since you admit it, that makes things easier."

"If you ruin our academy's affairs, you must naturally compensate for our losses."

"Compensation? What kind of compensation?" Ning Rongrong blinked her large eyes, putting on an innocent and ignorant look.

"Loss fees!" Li Yusong's voice was cold. "You incited other applicants to leave, causing Shrek Academy to lose a large number of high-quality students and the registration fees we were entitled to!"

"Shouldn't this debt be settled with you?"

"If you don't produce sufficient compensation today, none of you are leaving!"

"Oh~~ so that's how it is." Ning Rongrong drew out the tone, nodding as if suddenly enlightened.

Then, she began to rummage through her person, checking her pockets and patting her sleeves, her small face gradually revealing a look of panic. "Oh no! This is bad! I... I don't think I brought any money!"

She looked at Zhao Linchuan for help, asking pitifully, "Big brother, do... do you have any money?"

Zhao Linchuan shrugged in cooperation, a playful expression of helplessness on his face. "What a coincidence, I didn't bring any either."

"Oh my! What should we do then!" Xiao Wu also revealed a look of "panic" at the right moment, covering her mouth with her small hand, her voice trembling. "He... he is a six-ring Soul Emperor!"

"If he really attacks us, wouldn't we, with our small arms and legs, be in big trouble..."

"Hmph!" Li Yusong let out a heavy, cold snort, the anger in his eyes intensifying.

These juniors were clearly mocking him!

Looking at their attire and belongings, how could they have no money?

Was that storage soul tool just for show?

"Stop putting on an act for me!" Li Yusong lost his remaining patience. He shook the Coiling Dragon Staff, his soul power surging. "My patience is limited!"

"If you don't produce compensation, don't blame me for teaching you ignorant juniors a lesson on behalf of your elders!"

Before the words had even faded, he moved. The Coiling Dragon Staff, wrapped in a fierce gust of wind, swung diagonally toward the shoulder of Zhao Linchuan, who was standing at the front!

Li Yusong did not use a soul skill; he intended to give this ringleader a taste of his own medicine, make him suffer a little, and force him to pay up obediently.

However—

The scene that followed was one Li Yusong would never forget, and it caused Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing to gasp in shock.

Zhao Linchuan did not dodge or evade, nor did he show any signs of mobilizing his soul power. He simply raised his right hand casually, fingers spread, and grabbed toward the whistling staff!

The movement was effortless and graceful, as if he were reaching out to catch a falling leaf.

Courting death! Li Yusong sneered inwardly, his force increasing by another thirty percent.

CLANG—!!!

A crisp, unbelievable sound of metal clashing rang out!

The scene of broken bones and splashing blood that he had anticipated did not occur.

The Coiling Dragon Staff, which could easily shatter a giant boulder, was... firmly caught in the palm of a hand that looked completely devoid of strength!

The violent soul power on the staff collided with an invisible dam and dissipated instantly.

The staff trembled slightly, emitting a reluctant hum, but it could not descend even a fraction of an inch further.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

The savage grin on Li Yusong's face solidified completely, replaced by shock and bewilderment.

He instinctively pulled, trying to retract his martial soul, only to find that the staff felt as if it had been welded into the other's hand, remaining motionless!

He gritted his teeth, pouring soul power frantically into his arms until his face turned red, yet the Coiling Dragon Staff remained firmly imprisoned by that hand, unable to even shake.

This... how is this possible?!

A monstrous storm surged in Li Yusong's heart!

He was a Spirit Emperor of over level sixty!

Even without using a spirit ability, that strike just now was absolutely not something a teenager could catch with his bare hands!

No, let alone bare hands, even a Power Attack System Battle Spirit Emperor of the same level would not dare to be so arrogant!

Unless... the other party was not the age he appeared to be at all!

He muttered to himself, Could it be... he isn't a youth at all, but some old monster who has mastered the art of retaining his youthful appearance?!

And to be able to maintain a youthful face, he must be at least a Spirit Douluo-level expert, or even... a Titled Douluo?!

Thinking of this possibility, cold sweat broke out all over Li Yusong, instantly soaking his back.

It felt as if he were holding not his own martial spirit, but a red-hot branding iron; he hurriedly let go and stumbled back two steps.

"Sen... Senior!" The ferocity on Li Yusong's face vanished without a trace, instantly replaced by an expression of extreme respect, even tinged with sycophancy and fear.

He bowed deeply to Zhao Linchuan, his voice trembling, "This... this junior failed to recognize Mount Tai! I did not know it was you, Senior, who had arrived. I have offended you greatly, and I hope you will be magnanimous and forgive me! Forgive me!"

His waist was bent very low, cold sweat dripping from his forehead, and he dared not look up.

"Eh? Weren't you quite impressive just a moment ago? How did you suddenly go 'soft'?" Ning Rongrong tilted her head and asked with an "innocent" expression, though her eyes were filled with mischievous amusement.

It was not just Li Yusong who was shocked; she was equally stunned, her gaze toward Zhao Linchuan filled with wonder. He looks no more than twelve or thirteen; how on earth did he manage this?

Hearing Ning Rongrong's teasing, Li Yusong acted as if he hadn't heard it at all, merely burying his head lower and saying respectfully:

"Please calm your anger, Senior! The academy is humble, but we do have some simple tea and refreshments prepared. I invite you to do us the honor of stepping inside to rest for a moment, allowing this junior to fulfill the duties of a host and offer my apologies..."