The Rise of Shrek and the Desperate Youth

Shrek.

This was a name that appeared a long time ago, founded 10,000 years ago by the Shrek Academy dean, Flender.

At the time, Flender brought together the Spirit Hall wanted criminal Zhao Wuji, the food-system Soul Saint Shao Xin, and the control-system and power-attack-system Soul Emperors Lu Qibin and Li Yusong to establish Shrek Academy, despite having decent teaching staff.

However, having teaching staff was not enough; one also needed resources. From the very beginning, Shrek was merely an academy established in an ordinary, dilapidated village.

Basically, half of it was the villagers' living quarters and half was Shrek Academy, and the living conditions were poor. Even compared to the Notting Academy, where ordinary work-study students went to study, Shrek Academy was far worse.

Furthermore, Shrek's educational system was also quite poor. It basically consisted of making students go for running training, then sending them to fight in the soul arena to earn money for tuition, and the food provided was also very bad.

To summarize, there are many aspects that can be criticized.

The flaws in the academy's hardware and recruitment logic.

(1) High fees for a "backyard" academy: Initially, Shrek was located in the suburbs of Suotuo City. The facilities were so crude that there were no basic dormitories or simulated cultivation environments, yet it charged a 10 Gold Soul Coin registration fee (several months of living expenses for an ordinary family) that was non-refundable, earning it the reputation of a "stupidity tax" and a human trafficker-style harvest.

(2) Extremely low graduation rate: In 20 years of operation, only 14 out of 42 students graduated, with most of the others falling or being eliminated. The academy only picked ready-made geniuses, but failed to protect so many excellent students with high innate Soul Power. What kind of academy was that? It claimed to "only accept monsters" but could not provide matching security or teaching, which was a disservice to the students.

Controversies regarding teaching staff and management.

(3) Low ceiling for teaching staff: Dean Flender and Zhao Wuji were only Soul Saints with no Titled Douluo to hold the fort. The Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang was lackluster in actual combat, and especially Yu Xiaogang, who was only a Soul Grandmaster, was questioned as being unworthy of the "Elite Academy" title.

(4) Profit-seeking and shirking responsibility: Flender was criticized for being greedy, often taking students to the soul arena to gamble on their fights for profit. When students ran into trouble while hunting for Soul Rings, there was a lack of supervision, yet when they became famous, he attributed it to the academy, earning him the mockery of being a "businessman who never loses."

Criticism of the school motto and values.

(5) The "troublemaker" motto: "A Soul Master who dares not cause trouble is not a good Soul Master" was criticized as inciting campus bullying and being a bully that picks on the weak while fearing the strong (daring to provoke Canghui Academy but not Dugu Bo), turning out students like a "bandit den" rather than an orthodox academy.

(6) Double standards and selfishness: The later Shrek faction (especially Tang San) was accused of having righteous double standards, wiping out Spirit Hall while claiming to be righteous. The academy was seen as a community of interest for the protagonist group rather than an educational institution.

The character issues of the students.

(7) Dai Mubai was a playboy who kept women in both arms. Despite having a fiancée, he abandoned her to run away, and after arriving at Shrek Academy, he fooled around with twin sisters.

(8) Ma Hongjun frequently sought out pleasure by taking advantage of his Evil Fire, even having thoughts about underage female classmates. If they were adults, it might be one thing, but the problem was that those female students were all minors.

Oscar was also full of lewd jokes and was criticized for his outdated values.

(9) Tang San was extremely hypocritical. During competitions, he would injure others and it would be fine, but if someone else injured Xiao Wu, it was immediately a "way of seeking death," and he would even use hidden weapons to attack others.

The food provided by the school, dormitory conditions, and brainwashing-style education were all problematic.

(10) The food provided by Shrek in the early days was not even as good as what was provided before they occupied the Blue Tyrant Academy. The breakfast, lunch, and dinner were basically very poor.

Daily standard: Breakfast was usually steamed buns, pickles, and white porridge, with one egg guaranteed per person each day.

Even so, it was worth a tuition fee of ten Gold Soul Coins. This is ridiculous; one Silver Soul Coin should have been enough.

(11) The appearance and allocation of the buildings were as follows.

The school buildings were simply renovated from old wooden houses in a village on the outskirts of Suotuo City.

The living area consisted of two rows of two-story wooden buildings, with men and women living on the left and right sides respectively. Due to the small number of students, the academy allowed students to choose rooms at will, even changing them every day.

The internal living environment was as described below.

Pushing open the dormitory door, one would usually smell a scent of old wood mixed with a faint musty odor.

The room area was cramped, containing only a few of the simplest wooden beds, a table with a missing leg, and a few rickety cabinets. There were even cracks in the walls.

For such a school, one wouldn't want to come even for a Copper Soul Coin.

(12) Brainwashing-style education: The entire education provided by Shrek Academy was brainwashing.

Shrek's interests came first. For example, the old Shrek student Qin Ming—what did Shrek provide for him? Nothing. It was the Heaven Dou Royal Academy that provided him with many shortcuts and excellent resources.

But in the end, this guy only thought of Shrek in his heart, and then directly chose to leave the Heaven Dou Royal Academy to follow Flender and the others to run Shrek Academy.

Shrek was an academy, not a place to train dead soldiers; it could not demand that students be "Shrek's people in life and Shrek's ghosts in death."

Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, one of the Shrek Seven Devils, was originally the little witch of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and should have put the sect's interests first. However, after coming to Shrek, she was directly brainwashed and became Shrek-interest-first.

In summary:

Shrek was originally just such an academy, and such an academy should have been gone a long time ago; it should have disappeared.

But then they met Tang San. After Tang San joined Shrek Academy, he formed the Shrek Seven Devils with Ning Rongrong, Dai Mubai, and Xiao Wu.

They participated in the Soul Master Tournament, won the championship, helped the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire fight against Spirit Hall, unified the continent, and even became gods. Therefore, Shrek Academy became an academy that produced students who became gods.

Such an academy should not have remained, but because it cultivated Tang San, Shrek Academy was able to be preserved.

But in fact, Shrek didn't provide much help to Tang San and the others. The reason the Shrek Seven Devils had the potential to become gods was mainly due to the immortal herbs provided by Dugu Bo, the domain of the Capital of Slaughter, and the Sea God's trials on Sea God Island. These were what gave them the qualifications and resources to become gods.

Shrek was just the academy that taught them; essentially, it had no useful aspects.

Especially the Ten Core Competencies of Martial Soul theory created by Yu Xiaogang was even more outrageous. It was basically either nonsense or common sense, especially that saying: "There are no useless martial souls, only useless Soul Masters."

But the problem was, before meeting Tang San and before Tang San gave him the immortal herbs, Yu Xiaogang had no way to break through level 29, stuck at the Soul Grandmaster level for his whole life, unable to become a Soul Elder.

It can be said that Yu Xiaogang's own words were slapping his own face.

Shrek Academy still touted his theory; isn't that a joke? It can be said that Shrek was essentially an academy that shouldn't exist; it didn't even have the qualifications to be called an academy.

Moreover, the people of Shrek said that Shrek was a monster among Soul Beasts, but in fact, in the records of Spirit Hall, the Shrek Soul Beast was not powerful; it was just relatively strange, and it had long since gone extinct because it was weak.

Even Xiao Wu, as a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast, knew that some Soul Beasts were not that powerful, but Shrek touted these Soul Beasts as very powerful, which was nothing more than bullying the common people for their lack of common sense to trick them into joining.

Furthermore, after Shrek helped the Heaven Dou Empire and the Star Luo Empire eliminate Spirit Hall, there was no longer a Spirit Hall to provide soul master subsidies to low-level soul masters, nor was there anyone to help awaken martial souls for free. Shrek did not inherit these responsibilities that Spirit Hall had fulfilled, and the two great empires were even less likely to help.

The civilization of the Douluo Continent instantly regressed to a slave society. Back in the feudal era, with the support of Spirit Hall, it could at least be considered a feudal era with religious characteristics, and people could barely manage to get by.

But the problem was that after Shrek, the Upper Three Sects, and the two great empires joined forces to destroy Spirit Hall, the lives of the common people became completely unsustainable in an instant.

In particular, many of Shrek's students were also originally from commoner backgrounds. Ma Hongjun and Oscar of the Shrek Seven Devils were also commoners who relied on Spirit Hall subsidies and lived off the land, yet they took action to help Shrek and destroyed Spirit Hall.

This was more treacherous than a white-eyed wolf.

It could be said that Shrek was full of flaws.

But just because Tang San became a god and had a need, he chose to secretly preserve Shrek, even allowing Shrek to become the center of the continent and so on.

Later, the Sun Moon Continent, where the Sun Moon Empire was located, drifted due to tectonic plate movement and arrived at the Douluo Continent. Afterward, the Heaven Dou Empire of the Douluo Continent split into the Dou Ling Empire and the Heaven Dou Empire, while the Star Luo Empire saw its royal family replaced by a different clan.

These three kingdoms were already at a disadvantage in their battles against the Sun Moon Empire and could not possibly defeat them, because the Sun Moon Empire possessed advanced Soul Tool technology and a complete system.

The Sun Moon Empire was extremely powerful; although they had no Titled Douluo, the existence of level-nine Soul Tools was enough to overturn the battlefield.

Because Tang San had become a god, the Douluo Three Kingdoms chose to promote hidden weapons, so the Douluo coalition forces equipped with Tang Sect hidden weapons fought against the Sun Moon Empire together.

As it turned out, Tang Sect hidden weapons, which were made of metal and gunpowder, were no match for high-tech soul technology.

The Douluo Three Kingdoms were immediately beaten back in retreat. Later, Shrek gathered over 60 Titled Douluo from the Douluo Continent in one go and took over command of the army, only then managing to defeat the Sun Moon Empire.

After that, Shrek became even more arrogant and powerful, and even supervised the continent in crusades against evil soul masters and so on.

This was the development history of an academy that should have been eliminated long ago—a third-rate, bush-league school that ended up becoming the center of the continent.

The era 10,000 years later.

Shrek City.

This was the most famous city on the Douluo Continent 10,000 years later, because the continent's number one academy, Shrek Academy (the scam academy), was located here.

This was the academy established by the dean who founded the Monster Academy, Flender (the shameless scoundrel).

It was originally just a small academy, but it became famous across the continent due to the rise of Tang San and the other Shrek Seven Devils.

Today's Shrek Academy, after 10,000 years of heritage, had become the number one academy on the Douluo Continent.

Currently, Shrek Academy did not belong to any country and held a pivotal position on the continent; the dean could even sit on equal footing with emperors.

Even the emperor of the Sun Moon Empire had to show a certain amount of respect to Shrek Academy, otherwise, the consequences would be severe.

In the current era, the people of the Douluo Continent were brainwashed and did not understand what kind of academy Shrek really was.

However, there was one person who did not want to come to Shrek, yet was forcibly brought to Shrek, and was even forced to do something, unable to leave directly.

He was already fifteen years old this year, but his level was only three. Logically speaking, with such talent, there was no way he could enter the inner court.

It was impossible for him to even enter the outer court. Many Shrek people did not understand why the inner court would allow someone with a Soul Power Level of only three to enter; they couldn't figure it out.

Inside a luxurious dormitory in the inner court, there were two figures, the two of them hugging each other tightly, their bodies surrounded by an incredibly intense light of fire.

The woman was about eighteen or nineteen years old, with long red hair draped over her waist and a pair of pale pink eyes that easily gave people a soul-stirring feeling.

Normally, a hug between a man and a woman should be sweet, but the problem was that this man was different. This man did not want to be in the hug, but the problem was that he was being forcibly held, and even forcibly bound together using a Soul Tool.

Soon, it finally ended.

"I finally managed to get a little soul power, and it was absorbed by you again!"

The man said angrily, looking at the red-haired beauty in front of him. This beauty was exceptionally beautiful, but the problem was that this youth had no good thoughts about her; the youth even wanted to kill this beauty, even wanted to beat her to death.

"The cultivation is over. Now that you have no value, you can leave. You will be paid in Gold Soul Coins when the time comes."

The woman said at this moment.

"Do you think I want to help you? If it weren't for you people, would I have ended up like this? My Innate Soul Power level was 30! My martial soul is a divine beast! Someone like me should have had great talent; I could have received high treatment in any country and become a genius. Whether I was recruited by a top sect or chose to join any country, I could have received the best treatment, but what about you people!"

The youth spoke of his pain angrily at this moment.

"This was your own willingness, remember that."

The girl mocked at this moment, giving off that exact impression.

"I was not willing! It was you who forcibly brought me to Shrek Academy, forcibly brought me to this filthy place, and forcibly forced me to help you solve the problem of the Evil Fire!... Ahhh!"

The youth was sent flying into the wall by a blast of soul power.

"I am warning you again here: if you dare to say it one more time, I will definitely break your legs and cripple you completely."

The girl then left directly.

"Uncle, I miss you... I could have gone to the Sun Moon Empire with you, but instead, I was forcibly taken away by Shrek people, you were also killed, and I have been crippled for three whole years."

The youth said painfully. He was unwilling to have been crippled for three whole years at this Shrek Academy.

Just then, an old man entered. He was eating a chicken leg and drinking wine as he said, "Your task is complete. Here are 100 Gold Soul Coins; take them and leave Shrek Academy afterward. I warn you, it is best not to talk about what happened, otherwise, you know."

"My talent, my future, my talent, my future, is only worth 100 Gold Soul Coins? Are you kidding me?!"

"Remember, it was your own willingness. If you dare to say things you shouldn't, bear the consequences yourself."

Afterward, the 100 Gold Soul Coins were put into a storage Soul Tool. The youth could only endure at this moment; he could not resist Shrek, as he had already been crippled for three years.

He took his money and left the inner courtyard, then departed from Shrek City.

"That loser finally left. It looks like the people at Shrek Academy finally realized that trash has no talent and should just get out."

"Exactly! Exactly!"

The youth listened to the gossip of these people, but he had nothing to say. He only hated Shrek, and he hated himself for not being strong enough to take revenge on those people.

Soon, the youth arrived at the woods outside Shrek City.

He found a tree with plenty of shade and sat down.

He felt despair toward this world.

"What am I supposed to do? Uncle, tell me, please. If your spirit is still watching, tell me what I should do."

Xiao Changge! No matter what, you must live on well. You must live more brilliantly than anyone else!

This was the last thing the uncle he spoke of had said to him.

"But I still don't even know your name. You hadn't even told me your name before you were killed by those people from Shrek."

Just as the youth was drowning in despair, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Young man, do you need my help?"

"Who are you?"

The youth was startled the moment he heard the voice.

He did not understand who could possibly be speaking to him.

"Young man, do not be like this. In fact, I have been observing you ever since you awakened your martial soul.

You want to become stronger, right? You were originally a genius with Innate Soul Power level 30. In this world, the highest Innate Soul Power for an ordinary person is only level ten. Some people, like the legendary descendants of gods, can reach Innate Full Soul Power level 20. You are stronger than all of them; being able to reach Innate Full Soul Power level 30, and with a divine beast martial soul at that, proves you are a genius among geniuses.

But those people at Shrek Academy crippled you, turning you into a loser, all for the sake of that woman named Ma Xiaotao."

The youth was filled with rage when he heard the owner of the voice say this. Ma Xiaotao was one of the contemporary Shrek Seven Devils of Shrek Academy ten thousand years later.

"In reality, you should have had a better life. In this world, people awaken their martial souls at age six, but back then, only those noble factions and their lackeys had the qualifications to do so.

You awakened your martial soul at age twelve, which was already very late because you lacked the resources. The one who helped you awaken was a soul engineer from the Sun Moon Empire. He helped you out of kindness and discovered you possessed a top-tier martial soul. You should have gone to the Sun Moon Empire to live a better life, but in the end, the people from Shrek discovered you. For the sake of that person named Ma Xiaotao, they killed the man from the Sun Moon Empire who helped you awaken.

Furthermore, they coerced you into helping Ma Xiaotao stabilize her Evil Fire, and they even forced you to contribute your soul power levels for Ma Xiaotao to absorb. It is safe to say they are shameless enough.

To call this place the holy land of the continent is laughable. Their character is truly pathetic."

Hearing the voice say this, the youth was truly furious. These were the hardships he had suffered. In this world, everyone should have awakened their martial soul at age twelve, but the problem was that martial souls had perished ten thousand years ago.

Neither the two great empires nor Shrek Academy chose to help civilian soul masters awaken. Therefore, civilians today had no way to awaken their martial souls unless they had enough money.

Only the Sun Moon Empire, the overseas continent, awakened martial souls for the citizens of their country for free.

The youth was an orphan, or rather, he was an orphan in this life. The first time he opened his eyes, he saw his mother, but she chose to abandon him, throwing him into a village that was not wealthy either.

Because of this, there was no money to help the youth. He had no way to awaken his martial soul. At age six, he worked for merchants to earn money, at least hoping to live a better life.

The youth had been in despair, but he met that uncle, the soul engineer from the Sun Moon Empire, and finally awakened his martial soul.

The youth was very grateful to that uncle, even treating him like family, yet he was killed by the people of Shrek.

It was all for the sake of that person named Ma Xiaotao, and after they were done using him, they only gave him 100 Gold Soul Coins before driving him away.

In the youth's eyes, this was an unforgivable act, but the problem was that he had no power, not even the ability to resist. He could only be toyed with by them. This was the most disgusting aspect of Shrek.

"Take me as your master, and I can help you. However, my current appearance might frighten you."

"Then please reveal yourself." As soon as the youth said this, the owner of the voice appeared, but the figure was not human—it was a soul body.

"Holding the sun, moon, and stars in my hands, there is no one like me in this world."

"You!" The youth was startled the moment he saw the figure.

"This is what I remember. My name is Electrolux. I was originally a remnant soul, merely a soul fragment, but when you awakened your martial soul, I entered your mind. With the help of your martial soul, I am slowly recovering my soul.

If you are willing to take me as your master, I will do everything in my power to teach you and allow you to take your revenge."

"I!"

Just at this moment, another voice echoed in the youth's mind.

[Congratulations to the host for awakening the system! The system has detected that you need help and has granted you the template of the Flame Emperor, Xiao Yan, from the Battle Through the Heavens world to help you begin your revenge in this world.]

My moment of revenge has arrived.

I, Xiao Changge, will have my revenge! Shrek! Ma Xiaotao! Just you wait!

Once I become a powerhouse again, once I become a genius again, I will make you pay the price!