Registration Test

After Tang San finished speaking, Ning Rongrong looked at him in shock. Even a young lady like her knew that such behavior was wrong and could sympathize with them. Tang San clearly did not look like any noble, so what gave him the right to say such things?

Xiaoxiao's expression darkened. Though her parents had come from extraordinary backgrounds, they had been killed by enemies long ago, and she had not had an easy childhood. After being reborn, she had relied on Spirit Hall subsidies to survive on her own in one piece and cultivate to the strength of a Soul Grandmaster.

Youquan merely cast Tang San a faint glance, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but she did not speak up to refute him.

Tang San sensed that the atmosphere was off and felt somewhat displeased himself. Suppressing his emotions, he asked Youquan and the others, "It's our turn. Are you still registering?"

Youquan looked at Ning Rongrong and Xiaoxiao, wanting to hear their opinions. Xiaoxiao seemed to want to see more of Shrek's situation and nodded.

After hesitating for a moment, Ning Rongrong said, "Just as Sister Youquan said, we're already here. I came all the way from Heaven Dou City. If I leave without seeing what Shrek Academy's teachers and students are like, I won't be satisfied. Let's see how things go."

Youquan nodded and said to Tang San, "Let's go register."

When the group stepped forward, the father and son who had been demanding registration fees still had not left.

The old man said coldly to everyone present, "Shrek is a kind of monster, an exceptionally strange existence even among Soul Beasts. The meaning of Shrek Academy is that we only accept monsters, not ordinary people. If you are over thirteen years old or your Soul Power has not reached level twenty-one, don't waste your time here."

Tang San's interest was completely piqued. An academy that only accepted monsters—didn't that mean it only recruited geniuses?

Youquan curled her lip. If Tang San's teacher was also a member of Shrek Academy, then wasn't everything Shrek Academy said completely self-contradictory?

They claimed that there were no useless martial souls, only useless Spirit Masters. If that was the case, why were their admission requirements so harsh? To put those words into practice, shouldn't they teach all without discrimination and cultivate every student into a powerhouse?

If they were geniuses among geniuses, they would be geniuses anywhere. Other places even had simulated cultivation environments, so why come to this run-down academy that had nothing? At that moment, Youquan could not help but miss Jia Nan Academy, which she had once attended.

Xiaowu's thoughts were completely different from Youquan's. She said excitedly to Tang San, "Brother, this academy is way too interesting! An academy that only recruits monsters and not ordinary people—it sounds so cool!"

Tang San nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "Shrek Academy was recommended by Teacher. It isn't just any academy. You don't doubt what Teacher said now, do you?"

Hearing Tang San constantly mention his teacher, Youquan could not help becoming curious about him. Her mood also sank a little. She missed her own teacher very much too.

"Hello, Teacher. We'd like to register together." Tang San placed the twenty Gold Soul Coins he had prepared in advance into the wooden box, then extended his hand alongside Xiaowu.

The old man squeezed Xiaowu's hand and nodded in satisfaction. "Your age is suitable."

He then squeezed Tang San's hand and asked in surprise, "Have you cultivated some kind of soul skill in your hands?"

Tang San froze for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

The old man frowned. "Lift your lower leg."

Tang San raised his lower leg and placed it on the table. The old man squeezed it several times through his trousers, then nodded in satisfaction. "Your age is suitable too. All right, release your martial souls."

After Tang San and Xiaowu exchanged a glance, they began circulating their Soul Power.

Blue and pink light lit up simultaneously. Two yellow Spirit Rings revolved around each of them.

A pair of fluffy, adorable rabbit ears appeared atop Xiaowu's head.

"My name is Xiaowu, the Wu from dancing. My martial soul is the Soft Bone Rabbit. Level 29 Assault-type Battle Soul Master."

The most ordinary Blue Silver Grass grew from Tang San's palm.

"Tang San. My martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. Level 29 Control-type Battle Soul Master."

The old man looked at Tang San in astonishment. "Blue Silver Grass can actually cultivate this quickly?"

Tang San smiled faintly. "My teacher once said that there are no useless martial souls in this world, only useless Spirit Masters. Teacher, do we count as monsters?"

The old man burst into laughter. "I've heard our Dean say that too. You really are little monsters. Mu Bai, take them inside."

"Yes." Dai Mubai came forward and gave Tang San and Xiaowu a friendly smile.

He then looked behind Tang San and Xiaowu, and his expression became somewhat unpleasant.

"Rongrong, Xiaoxiao, you go first," Youquan said to the two of them.

Rongrong looked at Xiaoxiao. "Little Sister Xiaoxiao, you go first."

Xiaoxiao did not stand on ceremony. She immediately stepped forward and extended her hand to the old man.

"Age qualified."

Next was Ning Rongrong.

"Age qualified."

Finally, it was Youquan's turn.

The old man held Youquan's hand, and his brows immediately knitted tightly. When he used Soul Power to probe her, all he sensed was scorching heat. He could not determine Youquan's age. "Have you cultivated some kind of soul skill in your hands too?"

"No." Youquan shook her head.

"Extend your lower leg," the old man said with a frown.

Youquan raised her lower leg, and the old man continued feeling it, but he still sensed only scorching heat and could not detect her age.

"Have you cultivated a soul skill in your legs too?" The old man's brow furrowed deeply. It was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

"More or less." Youquan understood. It was probably because the Heavenly Flames protected her body. Ordinary people could no longer determine information such as her age through bone examination.

Youquan took out a scroll from her Soul Tool. "This is the information registered with Spirit Hall. It should be able to prove my age."

The old man's brows relaxed, and he muttered, "At least Spirit Hall is somewhat useful."

Youquan sneered inwardly. When recruiting students, they know to rely on Spirit Hall's name. When collecting registration fees, they know to squeeze out the subsidies commoners receive from Spirit Hall. Now they're cursing Spirit Hall again. What a fine academy—eating from the bowl, then cursing the one who fed them.

"All right, your ages qualify. Release your martial souls."

Golden light and seven-colored light shone forth. Like Tang San and Xiaowu, two yellow Spirit Rings gleamed around Xiaoxiao and Ning Rongrong.

"Xiaoxiao. My martial soul is the Three-Life Soul Suppressing Cauldron. Level 29 Assault-type Battle Soul Master."

A massive golden cauldron appeared beside Xiaoxiao. As it descended, it kicked up a cloud of dust.

"Ning Rongrong. My martial soul is the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Level 26 Support-type Tool Soul Master."

A Glazed Pagoda radiating seven-colored light appeared in Ning Rongrong's hand, drawing everyone's attention.

"Does your family know you came here?" the old man asked in a trembling voice.

"I came here to study. What does that have to do with my family?" Ning Rongrong asked calmly.

"Youquan. My martial soul is fire. Level 39 Control-type Battle Soul Elder."

A shapeless flame ignited in Youquan's palm. Using her powerful Soul Force, she concealed one of her Spirit Rings and changed the colors of the others, displaying only three Spirit Rings: two yellow and one purple.

Her teacher had once told her that in an unfamiliar environment, she had to hide her trump cards well. She should not casually reveal her strength and give enemies an opportunity to target her.