When Tang Ya heard this, her eyes lit up. "Yu'er, would you like to join the Tang Sect? We have a cultivation technique that's especially suited to you. And if you join the Tang Sect, you can enroll directly in Shrek Academy."
Huo Yu'er wanted to agree at once. Shrek Academy was the greatest Soul Master Academy in the world, and she had grown up hearing her mother tell stories about the Tang Sect. But when the words reached her lips, she hesitated and turned to Lin Shuo. "Big Brother Lin, are you going to join?"
Lin Shuo shook his head, his expression calm and serious. "Joining a sect is a very serious matter. Most people join only one sect in their entire lives. You don't need to consider anyone else; just follow your heart." Lin Shuo thought for a moment, then added, "One of Shrek's entrance requirements is having Soul Power above Level 15. Since the Tang Sect can get you in directly, they must have special admission slots of their own."
Huo Yu'er paused, a trace of disappointment flickering through her deep blue eyes, so faint it was hard to notice. Though she had known Lin Shuo for only a day, she could truly feel how much he cared for her. If Big Brother Lin joined the Tang Sect too, they would be able to see each other often.
But Big Brother Lin was right. Joining a sect was her own decision. She couldn't hand her future over to someone else—not only would that be irresponsible of her, it would also place an unnecessary burden on Lin Shuo.
"Big Sister Xiaoya, I'm willing to join the Tang Sect."
Tang Ya was delighted that Huo Yu'er had agreed to join, but she didn't want to deceive her. A rare solemnity appeared on Tang Ya's youthful face as she looked Huo Yu'er in the eye and told her about the Tang Sect's current state. The Tang Sect, once the greatest sect in the world, now had only two members left.
Though shocked by the Tang Sect's situation, Huo Yu'er still answered firmly, "Big Sister Xiaoya, I'm willing to join."
Tang Ya excitedly hugged Huo Yu'er. Watching them, Bei Bei wore a heartfelt smile on his refined, easygoing face. "Welcome to the Tang Sect, Junior Sister. From now on, we're family."
They held the joining ceremony right there. When it was over, Bei Bei cupped his hands toward Lin Shuo and asked, "Brother Lin, did you come to enroll at Shrek too?"
When Lin Shuo nodded, Bei Bei promptly invited him to join them. "Brother Lin, we came to the Star Dou Great Forest to help Teacher Xiaoya obtain her third Soul Ring. If you don't mind, why not travel with us? After we get the Soul Ring, we can take you and Junior Sister to register. What do you say?"
Lin Shuo considered it briefly, then nodded. "Then I'll leave the wayfinding to you, Brother Bei."
As they searched for a suitable Soul Beast, Lin Shuo saw Tang Ya teaching Huo Yu'er the Tang Sect's unique techniques. To avoid intruding, he took the lead and scouted ahead.
When he sensed movement up ahead, Lin Shuo stopped and signaled for the others to halt. The four quietly moved closer. It was a thousand-year-old Datura Snake.
Tang Ya's eyes shone with excitement as she signaled Bei Bei with a look: this was the one.
Just as Bei Bei and Tang Ya were about to attack, Lin Shuo raised a hand to stop them. He summoned his Martial Soul and formed a series of ice spears, casually hurling them forward. The thousand-year-old Datura Snake was gravely wounded on the spot and slammed heavily into the ground.
"Go finish it off, before you miss your chance. The three of us will guard you."
At Lin Shuo's words, Tang Ya suppressed her shock, hurriedly drew a Hidden Weapon to finish off the snake, then sat cross-legged and began absorbing its Soul Ring.
Bei Bei still hadn't recovered from seeing the snake killed in an instant. His pupils contracted. The moment Lin Shuo had summoned his Martial Soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon within him had felt an oppression several times stronger than before.
And that had been a thousand-year-old Datura Snake. Even Bei Bei couldn't say he would defeat it for certain. Yet Lin Shuo was a few years younger than him and had killed it in a single blow.
What did that mean? Bei Bei knew full well: in front of Lin Shuo, he was nothing more than a speed bump. And Bei Bei was already one of the strongest students in the outer court.
But what truly left his mind blank was the glimpse he'd caught of three Ten Thousand Year Soul Rings.
How was that possible? It completely defied Soul Master theory.
"Brother Lin, thank you. With strength like yours, it seems Shrek Academy has gained a true monster." Bei Bei's admiration was genuine.
"You flatter me." Lin Shuo put away his Martial Soul, his tone even.
A little while later, Tang Ya opened her eyes and sprang to her feet, excitement written all over her face.
"I did it!" As she released her Soul Power, two yellow Soul Rings and one purple Soul Ring appeared beneath her feet.
"Xiaoya, congratulations," Bei Bei said with a smile.
"Thank you, Lin Shuo. I wouldn't have obtained my Soul Ring so smoothly without you."
Tang Ya hadn't forgotten who had found and killed the thousand-year-old Datura Snake. She thanked Lin Shuo first, then stuck her tongue out at Bei Bei.
Bei Bei coughed, easing his own embarrassment.
"All right. Now that we've all obtained our Soul Rings, let's head back to the academy."
Huo Yuhao also took the opportunity to test the Soul Skills he had gained on the way back: Spiritual Detection and Spiritual Sharing. Tang Ya and Bei Bei couldn't help marveling at them.
"Junior Sister, your Soul Skill doesn't seem like something a ten-year-old Wind Baboon could produce at all. It's practically a divine skill! And its range can even grow along with your Spiritual Power."
Huo Yu'er shyly scratched her head at their praise.
The next day, the four finally reached the eastern gate of Shrek Academy. More than a dozen Shrek students were on guard there, and Bei Bei flashed his face to get himself and the other three registered. They didn't need any recommendation letters at all.
The four entered Shrek Academy, and Bei Bei and Tang Ya introduced the buildings along the way to Huo Yu'er and Lin Shuo. Huo Yu'er listened with great interest, but Lin Shuo was barely interested in anything besides taking a few glances at the statues of the "Grandmaster" Yu Xiaogang—who had reached Level 29 before breaking through at age fifty—and Tang San.
When they reached the teaching building, Huo Yu'er didn't need to take a test because she was using the Tang Sect's special admission. Lin Shuo, however, still needed his Soul Power tested. The moment his Level 35 Soul Power was revealed, everyone present stared wide-eyed. The three new students who had arrived this year at Level 31 had already been a pleasant surprise, and now there was another at Level 35. What's more, although no one present had heard of the Seven-Colored Dragon King Martial Soul, its aura alone made it clear that it was an exceptionally powerful Martial Soul.
After Lin Shuo left, the staff on duty immediately went to report to Yan Shaozhe, the dean of the Martial Soul Department.
After collecting their dormitory keys, uniforms, and badges, Lin Shuo and Huo Yu'er headed for the dormitories. Before leaving, Lin Shuo glanced at their class assignments. They were both in Freshman Class One, with Zhou Yi as their homeroom teacher.
Lin Shuo rubbed his forehead. Why did some people go out of their way to get beaten up? Then he put the matter out of his mind. If Zhou Yi wanted to cause trouble, he didn't mind showing her what the Seven-Colored Dragon King Martial Soul could do.
If things really came to that, what Shrek Academy would choose was anyone's guess.