Faster Than Turning a Page

Dai Mubai was furious.

Trash?

As the third prince of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Mubai had awakened the top-tier White Tiger Martial Soul. At fifteen, he was already a level thirty-seven assault-type Battle Soul Elder. When had anyone ever called him trash to his face?

"You're courting death!"

He threw a punch, its wind howling as it carried the domineering power of the White Tiger Martial Soul straight at Yang Jian's face.

Dai Mubai had put his full strength into that punch.

"Sigh."

Yang Jian sighed. He could not understand why some people liked to solve everything with violence. Watching Dai Mubai's fist draw closer and closer, his expression did not change in the slightest.

Then he raised his hand and casually threw a punch, as though swatting away a fly.

Dai Mubai sneered at the sight.

This brat actually dared to trade punches with him?

He was simply seeking death.

He could practically see it already: the instant their fists collided, Yang Jian's arm would snap. He would be sent flying, coughing up blood before dropping to his knees and begging for mercy.

However...

"Bang!"

Their fists collided.

Dai Mubai's smile froze on his face.

The instant his fist touched Yang Jian's, he felt as though he were facing a ten-thousand-year soul beast—and a strength-type ten-thousand-year soul beast at that.

An utterly unreasonable force surged through his arm. His arm was dislocated on the spot, and he was sent flying like a kite with its string cut.

"Bang!"

He crashed heavily beside Ma Hongjun. His throat sweetened, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Boss Dai!" Ma Hongjun cried out in shock, completely dumbfounded.

Ma Hongjun had never imagined that Dai Mubai, a Soul Elder, would be defeated in a single move.

And his opponent looked like a teenage boy, not much older than himself.

Ma Hongjun's fat trembled slightly with fear, and panic filled his heart.

They had really kicked an iron plate today.

At this rate, he was probably going to get beaten up too.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

Yang Jian withdrew his fist, glanced at Dai Mubai, who was clutching his arm and groaning, then shook his head.

He had not even used any strength just now.

And this guy still could not take it. He was far too weak.

Yang Jian could not be bothered wasting time here. Ignoring Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun entirely, he strode into Shrek Academy.

The environment inside Shrek Academy was even more rundown than it appeared from the entrance.

There were several rows of low, shabby houses, uneven dirt ground, and a weed-choked training field.

Other than being built out in the countryside, where the surroundings were fairly quiet, this place had absolutely nothing going for it.

After walking for a short while, Yang Jian suddenly spotted someone practicing punches in an open area ahead.

The man was packed with muscles, broad-backed and burly, though somewhat short. His square face carried a hint of fierceness.

He wore a short gray shirt that exposed his solid muscles. His punches produced powerful gusts of wind, each one carrying fluctuations of soul power.

Based on his appearance, Yang Jian roughly guessed the man's identity.

The Immovable Bright King, Zhao Wuji.

He walked over.

"Hm?"

At that moment, Zhao Wuji noticed Yang Jian as well. He stopped moving, frowned, and gave Yang Jian a thorough once-over.

That face was unfamiliar. He was certain he had never seen it before.

"Who are you, kid?" Zhao Wuji's voice was extremely rough. "Shrek Academy isn't open to outsiders. What are you doing in here?"

"I want to join Shrek Academy," Yang Jian said bluntly.

Zhao Wuji waved a hand. "Enrollment is already over. If you really want to join, come back next year. Hurry up and leave."

Yang Jian shrugged without answering.

He merely released a fluctuation of soul power.

Zhao Wuji had been rather indifferent, but the instant he sensed that wave of soul power, his eyes flew wide open.

A Soul King!

The indifference on his face instantly vanished, replaced by shock and gravity.

He examined Yang Jian again, his gaze full of disbelief.

This boy looked to be no more than fifteen or sixteen.

And he was actually a Soul King?

Soul Kings in their twenties were already rare. He had never even heard of a Soul King in their teens!

After his shock faded, Zhao Wuji was immediately overjoyed.

Such a genius wanted to join Shrek Academy—what was there to say?

Only an idiot would refuse!

"Come, come, come!" Zhao Wuji changed his attitude in an instant, grabbing Yang Jian's hand as if afraid he might run away. "I'll take you to see the Dean!"

Yang Jian inwardly grumbled that Zhao Wuji changed faces faster than turning a page.

Flanders was counting money in his room.

He poured gold soul coins from a money pouch one by one, stacking them neatly on the table. His eyes narrowed into slits, a satisfied smile on his lips as his fingers gently caressed the coins, producing crisp clinks.

"Knock, knock, knock."

A knock sounded at the door.

Flanders moved with incredible speed. He immediately swept the gold soul coins into the pouch, shoved it into a drawer, and locked it. The entire process took less than a second, as though he had practiced it countless times.

"Come in."

After finishing all that, Flanders sat upright, his face carrying the dignity of a dean as he called toward the door, as if he had done nothing at all.

The door opened, and Zhao Wuji walked in with a grin. An unfamiliar boy followed behind him.

"Old Zhao, what is it?"

Flanders glanced at Yang Jian, his gaze carrying a trace of confusion.

Zhao Wuji burst into laughter, his voice echoing through the cramped room. "Dean, I found a real little monster today. He wants to join our academy!"

As he spoke, he pointed at Yang Jian beside him.

Flanders frowned slightly before finally turning his attention to Yang Jian and looking him over.

The kid was certainly good-looking, with sharp brows, bright eyes, and a face as fair as jade. Even Flanders in his younger days would have had to concede defeat to him.

But Shrek Academy was not a beauty pageant.

"Enrollment is already over." Flanders leaned back in his chair, putting on the airs of a dean. "As the dean, I can't just casually break the rules..."

"He's a Soul King," Zhao Wuji interrupted directly.

Flanders' words caught in his throat.

He shot to his feet, eyes wide and round. The composure and dignity on his face vanished completely.

"What did you say?"

"A Soul King," Zhao Wuji repeated, the smile on his face deepening.

Flanders' gaze fell on Yang Jian again. He extended his soul power perception and swiftly examined Yang Jian's cultivation.

He was a Soul Sage, after all. This was an easy task for him.

A moment later, Flanders sucked in a cold breath.

He really was a Soul King!

Level fifty!

Though he had yet to obtain his fifth soul ring, he was undeniably level fifty!

Flanders' expression changed completely.

He stepped out from behind the desk, his smile blooming like a chrysanthemum as he warmly greeted Yang Jian like a long-lost relative.

"Welcome, welcome!" He grabbed Yang Jian's hand and shook it vigorously. "From this moment onward, you're a member of Shrek Academy!"

"Come, come, come!" Flanders eagerly pulled Yang Jian toward the door. "I'll take you to meet the other little monsters. You're about the same age, so you'll definitely have plenty to talk about!"

Yang Jian nodded and followed Flanders, anticipation rising in his heart. He was finally going to meet Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and Zhu Zhuqing in person.

"Wait for me."

Zhao Wuji followed after them with a grin.