Shrek Academy Comes Calling

When Lin Yao opened his eyes again, an hour had already passed. This absorption speed surprised even Lin Xueli, as he had anticipated that absorbing a soul ring with a limit exceeding the standard would take significantly longer.

Lin Yao stood up, stretched his slightly stiff limbs, and said to Lin Xueli, "It's done, Father. I've finished the absorption."

Lin Xueli nodded and said, "In that case, let's head back. By the way, that little girl named Nan Qiuqiu said that if you have time in the future, you can visit the Earth Dragon Sect's territory to play with her."

Lin Yao nodded. "We'll see when the time comes. After all, I heard the sect master of the Earth Dragon Sect also shares the surname Nan."

Lin Xueli nodded. He had long guessed Nan Qiuqiu's identity, so it didn't surprise him that his son was aware of it as well.

After all, if the son of an academic official were completely ignorant of the continent's affairs, it would truly be a disgrace to the family name.

The journey back for the father and son was smooth, but no sooner had they returned to the mansion than they were greeted by a guest of great importance.

"Greetings, I am Yan Shaozhe, Dean of the Martial Soul Department at Shrek Academy."

In the main hall of the Lin Mansion, a middle-aged man with white hair and wearing white robes sat in the guest seat, introducing himself.

Relying on the protective cover of his young age, Lin Yao sat in his place and remained calm.

Lin Xueli, however, stood up immediately upon hearing the visitor's introduction, his face showing a hint of panic.

One could hardly blame him for lacking backbone; it wasn't just a minor academic official like Lin Xueli—even the Emperor of the Douling Empire would likely struggle to remain composed if a figure like Yan Shaozhe arrived in person.

In the worldview of the Douluo Continent, power determined status. If Shrek Academy wanted to play dirty, wiping out the Lin Mansion would be effortless.

"I am unaware of what brings you here, Senior?" Lin Xueli asked, bowing his waist and speaking with great courtesy to Yan Shaozhe.

Yan Shaozhe also stood up, helped Lin Xueli back to his seat, and then said, "My teacher, Mu En, the Pavilion Master of the Sea God Pavilion, witnessed the scene when your son awakened his martial soul and has specifically invited him to study at our academy."

As he spoke, Yan Shaozhe took a gold-embossed, wax-sealed envelope from his robes and placed it before Lin Xueli. He then added in a flat tone, "Though these words may be unpleasant to hear, with the educational standards of the Douling Empire, teaching a genius like your son would likely be a waste of talent."

Lin Xueli's expression shifted. He had spent his entire life working diligently for the Douling Empire's educational cause, yet now Yan Shaozhe was essentially saying that the entire empire wasn't fit to teach his son.

While Lin Xueli had to acknowledge the truth of the statement to some extent, it was quite another thing to have it pointed out so bluntly.

Yan Shaozhe's approach was essentially to show respect while simultaneously holding the man's profession in contempt.

It was a stinging slap to Lin Xueli's face, yet a smile immediately appeared on Lin Xueli's lips.

He then picked up the recommendation letter with great care, stuffed it into Lin Yao's hand, and bowed to Yan Shaozhe once more. "My son's personality is somewhat eccentric. If he behaves improperly at the academy, I hope you will be lenient."

Yan Shaozhe smiled, then looked at Lin Yao. Seeing the little boy's gaze—neither humble nor arrogant—he raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "No matter. Shrek Academy has the most experience in cultivating geniuses."

Lin Xueli took a deep breath and said to Yan Shaozhe, "To be honest, I will not deceive you, Senior. I don't care how high my son climbs; I only hope he can go safely and return safely."

A strange glint flashed in the depths of Yan Shaozhe's eyes, carrying the implication of once you enter, you think you can return? But he still nodded and said, "That goes without saying. We will certainly do our utmost to ensure all students return safely."

Lin Yao, standing to the side, couldn't help but curl his lips, his mind flashing to the glorious track record of a certain team-leading Douluo.

Hold it, I can't laugh in this situation. My family doesn't have a Super Douluo backing us; laughing could lead to big trouble... wait, didn't a god pay attention to me earlier? Then I'll laugh as hard as I want!

Yan Shaozhe looked at Lin Yao and asked with some curiosity, "What are you smiling about, child?"

Lin Yao waved his hand and said to Yan Shaozhe, "Nothing. I just remembered that there was a Shrek Academy student here in Douling City who didn't walk back on his own, but was brought back in a coffin... I believe that happened within the last few years."

Yan Shaozhe's expression flickered. He gave a light cough and said sternly, "That was merely an accident. He lost his life while covering for his classmates. To face the fangs of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast to protect his peers—he was a hero."

Lin Yao nodded, naturally not continuing to interrupt Yan Shaozhe, though he muttered inwardly, Facing the fangs of a hundred-thousand-year soul beast to be a hero is true enough, but don't ask how he encountered that beast in the first place.

Yan Shaozhe stood up and said to Lin Yao, "In that case, as the Dean of the Martial Soul Department of Shrek Academy, I welcome you to join us. Keep this letter safe. When you reach the appropriate age, bring it and enroll with the incoming freshmen."

Lin Xueli stood up and said with a sheepish smile, "My son is ignorant and spoke out of turn. I hope Dean Yan will not take his words to heart."

Yan Shaozhe smiled slightly and said to Lin Xueli, "It is fine. I find this child very agreeable. With his bearing, he is destined for greatness."

After seeing Yan Shaozhe off, Lin Xueli looked at the recommendation letter on the table with a complex expression and couldn't help but mutter to himself, "I had a feeling that purple beam of light shooting into the sky during yesterday's awakening would lead to trouble. Sure enough, Shrek Academy has set its sights on you."

Lin Yao shook his head helplessly and remarked to Lin Xueli, "Setting aside how unpleasant Yan Shaozhe's words were, isn't it a bit too eager to come knocking when I'm only six?"

Lin Xueli gave a bitter laugh and said to Lin Yao, "Your talent is dazzling, which is why they were relatively polite. If your talent were only average, I fear you would have already been whisked away to Shrek Academy. However, it is a good thing they value you so much; at the very least, it shows you have the potential to become a true powerhouse..."