Why Are You Calling Me Uncle?

Dai Mubai definitely had not said all that out of kindness, to avoid wasting Lu Shi and the others' time.

The reason was simple. Like an upperclassman welcoming new students, when he saw a pretty junior girl, he would go over to ingratiate himself and introduce all sorts of things, all so she would understand how outstanding he was.

For instance, telling her which floor of the old and new cafeterias had the best food, which teacher's classes were the easiest and earned credits most easily—it hinted at his ability to gather information.

Saying he was close to the counselor and that the student union president was his roommate hinted that he had connections.

In short, it was all about displaying his uniqueness and superiority.

Dai Mubai was the same. He had gone on and on about how stringent admission was, how difficult each checkpoint was to pass, and then said a few words to the teacher. That was not cutting in line to test early.

It was skipping straight ahead to the fourth test.

Though the reason was that Lu Shi, Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and the others possessed exceptional talent and strength, without Dai Mubai, they definitely would have had to wait. That was preferential treatment.

Preferential treatment granted because of Dai Mubai.

That was him showing off his connections and strength!

Unfortunately, his move was useless. Zhu Zhuqing watched silently. Dai Mubai did not recognize Zhu Zhuqing, but she recognized him. Seeing him strut about like a peacock trying to seduce people, her heart did not stir in the slightest.

The dignified third prince of the Star Luo Empire had actually fallen to this state.

Xiao Wu, meanwhile, was utterly despondent. Unless Bibi Dong stood before her, nothing could draw her attention.

Just as Lu Shi and the others were about to leave, the people in line refused to accept it. "Teacher, why do we have to pass every test one by one while they can go straight to the fourth test?"

"Yeah, why?" "You said the testing was strict, but now they're blatantly using connections?"

Lu Qibin remained calm. "If any of you have Soul Power above level twenty-five, you may also proceed directly to the fourth test. There's no need to waste time here with me."

"But the highest Soul Power among you is only level twenty-one."

"Then you must pass each test one by one!"

Many in the line were stunned. A few refused to believe it. "They're all above level twenty-five? How is that possible? We're only twelve years old. How could anyone have such high Soul Power?!"

Several others echoed, "Yeah, how could that be possible?"

These people were all gifted students from other Soul Master Academies, treated like stars wherever they went.

Now that they had come to Shrek Academy and run into setback after setback, one could imagine how terrible they felt.

Lu Shi stepped forward. "Forget it, Teacher. We should all take the test."

Dai Mubai snorted coldly and glared angrily at the few students stirring up trouble.

"You're useless yourselves, so don't assume others are too. I was already level twenty-five when I entered the academy!"

His perfectly good plan had been disrupted, so of course he was furious.

He picked up the white crystal ball from the table and tossed it to Tang San. "Tang San, show them your Soul Power!"

Dai Mubai found Lu Shi unpleasant, while Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing were both beauties, so he could only toss it to Tang San.

Tang San's lips curled as he looked at the students in line, his gaze seeming to count them.

Open your eyes and watch carefully!

Without saying a word, he poured the Mysterious Heaven Skill into the crystal ball.

In an instant, brilliant white light burst forth.

The white crystal became as dazzling as a diamond. Intense light filled every corner of the crystal ball, a sign that he was about to reach level thirty.

Testing crystals came in different colors based on the level being tested. The white crystal ball was used to test Soul Power below level thirty. If Soul Power exceeded level thirty, it would be directly shattered.

The previously dissatisfied students in line all fell silent.

Tang San could not suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth. He stood ramrod straight and handed the crystal ball to Xiao Wu.

See that? This is strength!

Xiao Wu accepted it absentmindedly and infused it with Soul Power. The white light flared just as brightly in an instant.

She was also level twenty-nine!

"How is that possible?!" someone cried out.

Xiao Wu handed it to Zhu Zhuqing. After she infused it with Soul Power, white light flashed brilliantly.

She was level twenty-seven.

Finally, Lu Shi took it and infused it with Soul Power.

In the silent grounds, everyone clearly heard a crisp sound beside their ears. "Crack!"

Before even more dazzling white light could surge out, the crystal ball was directly shattered!

A Soul Elder!

This time, the students could not even voice their shock. They all stood with their mouths wide open, their pupils trembling.

Heavens...

Within the line, Ning Rongrong's beautiful eyes flickered. She too had been struck by reality.

Even in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had never seen such a monster.

Only Zhu Zhuqing had a trace of sweetness and pride flash across her lips.

Lu Qibin's face was filled with barely concealed shock and joy. Forget there having been only one such person in Shrek Academy's twenty-year history—across the entire continent—

There was probably no second one to be found!

After shocking everyone present, the four prepared to leave when a clear voice rang out. "Teacher, I think I should also be able to skip the second and third tests."

At those words, more than a dozen heads snapped around at once.

!??

There's another expert?!

Turning to look, they saw a beautiful young girl. Unlike that talented girl with the icy temperament, her features were equally exquisite and her aura equally ethereal, but she felt like a warm spring breeze.

Her gentle smile infected everyone around her.

It made hearts flutter.

Lu Qibin took out a second testing crystal, looked at Ning Rongrong with eager anticipation, and handed it to her.

Ning Rongrong accepted it and infused it with Soul Power. White light lit up once again. Though it was not as intense as the others', it still surpassed level twenty-five—roughly level twenty-six.

"Good, good, good!" Lu Qibin could not conceal his delight. "All little monsters, all little monsters!"

"Mubai, take them to the fourth test."

The six followed Dai Mubai toward the fourth test grounds. Before they had gone far, they spotted a short-haired, scruffy-bearded uncle pushing a cart and calling out his wares.

Yet his voice was extremely youthful and soft. "Sausages for sale, sausages for sale! Come take a look! Don't miss out as you pass by! Oscar Sausage... five copper coins each... Eat one, and you're guaranteed to pass the test..."

Waves of meaty fragrance drifted from the cart.

He was clearly heading to the second test grounds to sell them.

Everyone found it strange that an uncle's voice could sound so young.

Only Lu Shi and Dai Mubai were unsurprised; they knew why.

Smelling the sausages, Tang San suddenly remembered that Xiao Wu had said early that morning she was setting out to find Lu Shi. She had not eaten anything until now and must be hungry.

She was grieving right now. If he showed her even more concern and cared for her at this moment—

He would definitely make her understand that he was the only one truly good to her!

He walked toward the cart. "Uncle, sorry for the trouble, give me two."

"Oscar Sausage, guaranteed for young and old alike—"

The voice abruptly cut off.

"Uncle?"

When Oscar saw Tang San's appearance, his face changed. As though startled, he took half a step back, his eyes full of surprise and confusion as he looked Tang San up and down, then retorted:

"The academy clearly forbids parents from entering. Never mind how you got in—I'm only fourteen this year. Why is a rough forty-year-old man like you calling me uncle!?"