Shrek Academy's Visit

Luo Chen returned to Heaven Dou City. He could now come and go freely from Heaven Dou Royal Academy, not only because he was Meng Shenji's disciple, but also because he had been hired as a guest lecturer in his capacity as a student.

That afternoon, he was just leaving the Education Committee with a cultivation-resource application form Meng Shenji had approved. As a Five-Ring Soul King, he drew far more glances walking across campus than the children of the nobility.

Before he reached the school gate, he saw the three committee members—Meng Shenji, Bai Baoshan, and Zhilin—standing on the steps in front of the main building. Meng Shenji wore the black formal suit he'd been saving for a special occasion, Bai Baoshan had, for once, changed into a clean robe, and Zhilin had even combed his usually messy hair.

Luo Chen walked over. "Teacher, why have you three come out here? Has something happened?"

"Teacher Qin Ming recommended a group of people," Meng Shenji said. "They're supposedly from Shrek Academy, and he says they have a few promising young talents, so we came to take a look."

Shrek Academy? So it was already this point in time. Luo Chen had nearly forgotten.

The plot of the original story had actually converged with his own life at this moment!

Below the plaza, Qin Ming led a group toward them. At the front was a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed spectacles, his eyes glinting with shrewdness. Behind him walked Yu Xiaogang, whom Luo Chen had met before. The others were probably Zhao Wuji, Li Yusong, Shao Xin, and Lu Qibin, while the youngsters were naturally the Shrek Seven Devils.

Luo Chen's gaze swept over them. The first person he noticed was the blond boy at the front. He was fourteen or fifteen, already taller than his peers, with striking golden hair falling over his shoulders and violet-gold eyes brimming with innate arrogance. Dai Mubai.

Half a step behind him walked a boy in blue. His looks were ordinary, but his black eyes were as still as a pool of dead water. Unlike Dai Mubai, he didn't look around. He simply watched the steps ahead, his pace unhurried.

Tang San.

The corner of Luo Chen's mouth twitched. He had seen this boy once, more than two years ago, on the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest. Tang San had been only twelve then, and hadn't yet obtained his Second Soul Ring. Luo Chen had casually crushed one of his Hidden Weapons.

There was also a handsome but slightly lecherous young man, Oscar, and a fat boy with a red mohawk, Ma Hongjun.

The remaining ones were girls: Xiao Wu, in pink with rabbit ears; Ning Rongrong, dressed in white with long black hair; and Zhu Zhuqing, in black leather, with a stunning figure.

The group entered the Education Committee's reception room and took their seats, guests and hosts settling in separately. Luo Chen didn't sit at the end of the table. Instead, he stood behind Meng Shenji, straight as a spear. He noticed Tang San's pupils contract sharply the moment he saw him, his fingers instinctively pressing against his waist. But Tang San quickly regained his composure, only glancing at Luo Chen from time to time.

Flender got straight to the point. Shrek Academy was struggling to stay in business, he said, and he wanted to bring its students into Heaven Dou Royal Academy. Meng Shenji didn't give an immediate answer. Then Flender and the other teachers introduced their Martial Souls and levels one after another. Nearly all of them qualified as Heaven Dou Grade teachers at Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

Zhilin then stood up and said, "I hear your academy has a genius control-type Soul Master. I wonder which one that might be?"

Yu Xiaogang stood up. "Xiao San, go greet the seniors."

Tang San stood and bowed to the three committee members. "Greetings, seniors. I'm Tang San."

According to the original plot, Zhilin should have released pressure to test Tang San. But at that moment, Meng Shenji came up with an idea.

Meng Shenji rose and cut Zhilin off. "We also have a genius control-type Soul Master at Heaven Dou Royal Academy. I think the young people could have a little exchange. Xiao Chen!"

Luo Chen was taken aback when his teacher suddenly called on him. Then, looking at Meng Shenji's triumphant expression, he could only smile helplessly.

He stepped forward.

Lowering his eyes, he said calmly, "Luo Chen."

Looking at the young man before him, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help remembering what had happened in the Star Dou Great Forest two years ago. His mouth fell open without him realizing it.

Xiao Wu was the other one. She felt a little guilty, thinking, Didn't this guy fall into Da Ming's lake? How is he still alive? Could he recognize that I'm a Soul Beast?

By now, Tang San's fists were clenched tight, and his gaze burned with fighting spirit. Two years had passed. Had this guy improved, too? Tang San was now a Soul Elder, and with his Hidden Weapons, he could even injure someone like Zhao Wuji, a Soul Saint, if he went all out.

Luo Chen looked at Tang San with amusement. "Long time no see. You're already a Soul Elder? Not bad, not bad."

Luo Chen praised him, but Tang San didn't take it as sincere praise.

Just then, Dai Mubai stood up and said, "I've heard Heaven Dou Royal's students are all good-for-nothings. I wonder what you're made of, brother?"

He was already furious because Xue Beng and the others had given him a hard time earlier. After all, he was a prince of an empire. Being spoken to that way had been a blow to his pride.

The words shocked everyone. The three committee members looked displeased, and Qin Ming looked awkward. The Shrek teachers seemed a little embarrassed, but deep down, they thought the same thing. Their academy, after all, was famous for accepting only monsters.

Tang San was also feeling confident now. Two years ago, that man had been able to crush his Hidden Weapon only because Tang San hadn't had good enough materials to make it. Now he had partnered with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and spent two years cultivating diligently. He was sure he could surpass the young man before him.

He spoke first. "Tang San, a level thirty-three control-type Battle Soul Elder, Martial Soul: Blue Silver Grass! Please enlighten me."

"Not bad. You've gained thirteen levels in two years. Luo Chen, level fifty-four control-type Battle Soul King, Martial Soul: Gulu Ball."

As he finished speaking, Luo Chen released his Soul Rings: yellow, purple, purple, black, and black.

What kind of Soul Ring configuration was that?!

Not just the people from Shrek—even Bai Baoshan and Zhilin had never seen anything like it!

Tang San was shocked, and Dai Mubai was at a loss for words. Even Yu Xiaogang, who prided himself on being a Grandmaster of Martial Soul Theory, was stunned. Huh? How was this different from his theories on the limit ages of Soul Rings?

Luo Chen glanced at Tang San, then withdrew his Soul Rings.

"Are you sure you want to fight?"

Tang San nodded. Luo Chen said nothing more. He walked to the center of the reception room and stood face-to-face with Tang San.

"You make the first move."

Tang San took a deep breath. Blue Silver Grass shot up from the floor as his first Soul Skill, Entanglement, activated. The vines had barely wrapped around Luo Chen's lower legs when a flash of silver-white light passed over them. The Blue Silver Grass withered from the roots and snapped, as if time had drained all the moisture from it.

Tang San's expression changed.

Luo Chen looked down at the withered fragments of vine by his feet, then raised his head. "Do you still want to fight?"

This was Time Acceleration. After practicing for a long time, Luo Chen had already mastered it. He could even release it without relying on the Time Indicator, and it had become one of his Self-Created Soul Skills.