Facing Dai Mubai, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger!

Yu Xiaogang's theories, revered as golden rules, seemed so pale and powerless before the common-sense-defying purple light before him.

Could it be... that I truly misjudged him back then? This boy... could he possess some unparalleled talent beyond our understanding, one capable of breaking all convention?

Flander's heart pounded wildly. Shrek Academy's pursuit of "monsters" clashed fiercely in his mind with his insistence on maintaining its rules.

Rules... when faced with someone who might rewrite the soul master world's understanding, were they still truly unshakable?

He fell into unprecedented uncertainty and hesitation.

Dai Mubai keenly caught the fleeting hesitation and shock in Flander's eyes.

His brow furrowed, and he sneered inwardly:

A country bumpkin turned away at the gates thinks a thousand-year spirit ring he got through some damn lucky break is enough to make the Dean bend the rules? Dream on!

He took a step forward, his tall frame radiating a powerful pressure as he instantly became the center of attention.

His golden hair gleamed beneath the soul-guiding lamps. His sinister twin pupils locked onto Lin Jiang, and his voice rang out with confidence, even carrying a trace of condescending charity:

"Hmph! So what if you got lucky and acquired two thousand-year spirit rings? Shrek's rules cannot be broken!"

He paused, lifting his chin slightly as he looked down on him.

"Still, for the sake of you 'saving' Ning Rongrong, I'll give you a chance!"

Dai Mubai raised a finger and pointed directly at Lin Jiang, speaking each word with force.

"I, Dai Mubai, am a level thirty-seven assault-type Battle Soul Elder!"

"If you can last one incense stick's worth of time against me without losing, I'll personally plead with the Dean to make an exception and let you stay! Well? Do you dare accept?!"

The moment those words fell, everyone reacted differently.

Xiao Wu supported the swaying Ning Rongrong. Her beautiful eyes instantly widened, and she cried out inwardly:

Dai Mubai! You're shameless! A level thirty-seven Battle Soul Elder fighting a two-ring Grand Soul Master?

And he looks like he only just broke through! This is blatant bullying! How could Lin Jiang possibly win?!

The way she looked at Lin Jiang was filled with worry and indignation.

Leaning against Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong's little face was pale from the pain in her ankle and back. Yet when she heard Dai Mubai's condition, her heart leaped into her throat.

She unconsciously tightened her grip on Lin Jiang's outer robe tied around her waist, her complicated gaze falling upon the upright figure in the field.

He... will he accept? Dai Mubai is so strong... A nervousness and worry she herself had not noticed quietly took root.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun exchanged a glance, identical knowing and gleeful smiles appearing on their faces.

Oscar lowered his voice and said to Ma Hongjun, "Heh, Boss Dai is mighty! This is exactly how it should be! Make this brat face reality!"

Ma Hongjun rubbed his hands lecherously.

"Exactly! Level thirty-seven against level twenty-something—guaranteed victory! Our academy doesn't have many beautiful girls to begin with. We can't let a pretty boy this handsome come in and take a share of the pie!"

The two reached an unspoken agreement: Lin Jiang absolutely could not be allowed to join!

Just as everyone thought Lin Jiang would back down, or at least hesitate—

"Fine! Lin Jiang, level twenty-two control-type Battle Grand Soul Master! Come on!"

Lin Jiang's voice rang out clearly and crisply, without the slightest hesitation!

He did not even look at Dai Mubai. His calm gaze remained fixed on Flander, as though he had merely agreed to some trivial matter.

"What?!" Xiao Wu could not help blurting out, her eyes filled with even greater concern.

Ning Rongrong also sucked in a breath, her fingers clutching the robe tighter.

Oscar and Ma Hongjun froze for a moment, then the mockery on their faces deepened. "Overestimating himself!"

A flash of surprise crossed Dai Mubai's eyes, but it was swiftly replaced by blazing battle intent and contempt.

He twisted his neck, producing a series of cracks. Soul power faintly surged around him as the powerful aura of a Battle Soul Elder began to rise.

He grinned, revealing an aggressive smile.

"Got guts! Then come on! Brat, let me show you what Shrek's true strength is! What a monster really means!"

He suddenly stepped forward, and even the ground seemed to tremble slightly!

The phantom of the White Tiger martial soul flickered behind him. Its violent aura swept outward like a tangible hurricane, firmly locking onto the seemingly slender figure in the center of the field!

The atmosphere on the training ground instantly became taut with killing intent!

On one side stood Dai Mubai, the Evil-Eyed White Tiger, his momentum surging and his level overwhelmingly superior. On the other was Lin Jiang, an Azure Vine soul master at a vastly lower level.

A duel that seemed utterly without suspense was about to begin!

Everyone held their breath, their eyes locked tightly on the field.

Flander temporarily suppressed the turmoil in his heart. He pushed up his glasses, his gaze turning sharp and focused.

He wanted to see whether this youth who had broken all convention truly possessed heaven-defying ability, or whether he was simply... overestimating himself.

Dai Mubai moved!

Like an enraged white beast, the sinister gleam in his eyes intensified as the sense of power brought by the White Tiger martial soul possessing him filled his entire body!

Without any flashy probing, he chose the most direct and violent method—

His right fist clenched, tearing through the air with a shriek as it carried the immense force of a level thirty-seven Soul Elder directly toward Lin Jiang's face!

He intended to crush this challenger who did not know his own limits through absolute strength!

Facing this thunderous blow, Lin Jiang's eyes remained still as water. The deep purple spirit ring beneath his feet abruptly lit up!

"First Soul Skill—Azure Vine Entanglement!"

Buzz!

Several emerald-green Azure Vines, gleaming with a cold, hard luster, burst from the ground like venomous snakes that had lain in wait for a long time!

Rather than lashing about chaotically, they wrapped with incredible precision around Dai Mubai's attacking arm, waist, abdomen, and leg joints!

The vines were exceptionally tough. The moment they made contact, Dai Mubai felt a powerful binding force far beyond his expectations!

"Break!"

Dai Mubai roared. The muscles in his arms bulged as soul power surged wildly, and he tried to tear apart the vines around his arm through brute force!

Yet the emerald vines merely emitted a teeth-grinding creak and shook violently, without suffering the slightest damage!

Dai Mubai's heart shook violently! How is this possible?!

These vines... their toughness is incredible! He instantly understood the power of his opponent's purple spirit ring!

Azure Vines were already renowned for their toughness, far surpassing Tang San's fragile Blue Silver Grass. Now, bolstered by a thousand-year spirit ring, their resilience had reached an unimaginable level!

Even his strength could not break free for the moment!

"Roar—! Don't underestimate me!"

Dai Mubai was completely enraged!

Being forced into such an embarrassing state by a mere two-ring Grand Soul Master was an unbearable humiliation!

A resolute gleam flashed in his eyes. The third spirit ring on his body—a deep purple ring—suddenly erupted with dazzling light!

"Third Soul Skill—White Tiger Vajra Transformation!"

Boom!

A violent surge of energy instantly poured into Dai Mubai's body!

His body swelled again at a visible rate, and his already knotted muscles rose in blocks like granite.

Ferocious black stripes emerged across his skin, and his entire body radiated the aura of a primordial beast!