Entrance Assessment

The line moved quickly, and before long it was Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong's turn.

When Yang Xiong held out his hand, the old man felt around it, a flicker of confusion appearing in his eyes.

"Eh, there's something odd about your hand. It's somewhat similar to that boy who passed earlier, yet it also seems different."

Yang Xiong guessed the old man meant Tang San. Tang San had cultivated the Mystic Jade Hand since childhood, making him somewhat different from ordinary people. Yang Xiong, however, appeared utterly casual. "Maybe it's because I liked training my body from a young age."

The old man carefully examined Yang Xiong's body for a while, particularly several joints, before finally sighing. "Your age meets the requirements, but your physical condition far surpasses what someone your age should possess. I really don't know how you trained it. What is your Martial Soul?"

Yang Xiong said, "My Martial Soul is rather special. It's my own body."

The old man was startled again. "Now that truly is strange. I've traveled the Soul Master world for many years, but I've never seen a Martial Soul like yours."

Yang Xiong smiled. "Sir, Martial Souls come in all kinds within the Soul Master world. It's perfectly normal for there to be all sorts of Martial Souls. Just like your Dragon Pattern Staff Martial Soul, which is also rarely seen among Soul Masters."

Only then did the old man nod. "That is true. You've passed the first trial. Mu Bai will take you to the later assessments next."

Hearing this, Yang Xiong stepped aside, intending to wait until Ning Rongrong had finished her assessment so they could go together.

After testing Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul and Soul Power, the old man was equally astonished. "Little girl, do your family know you've come here to study?"

Ning Rongrong pursed her lips. "Why should they matter? Isn't this a Soul Master Academy? As long as I meet the requirements, I can enroll."

The old man could not help sighing. He directly lamented that this year's enrollment had brought far too many strange things. Why were all the people coming to Shrek such unusual characters?

Soon, under Dai Mubai's lead, they skipped the second trial. Of course, aside from Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong, there was also Zhu Zhuqing.

Seeing that Tang San and Xiao Wu had actually passed the assessment directly and could even skip the second and third trials to proceed straight to the Fourth Trial, the surrounding people seemed rather dissatisfied, saying the academy was treating students differently.

Dai Mubai's expression turned cold. "If you can reach Level 25 by the age of twelve as well, then you can also proceed directly to the final trial."

One student was clearly furious. "How is that possible? I'm already considered outstanding at my academy, yet I'm only Level 22 at most. How could someone reach Level 25 at twelve years old?"

Dai Mubai did not waste words and directly brought out a Crystal Ball for testing Soul Power.

Tang San and Xiao Wu were tested in turn, and both had reached Level 29. Everyone present exclaimed in amazement. A twelve-year-old at Level 29 might not exist even in all of Suotuo City. What kind of geniuses were they?

Yang Xiong's heart sank as well, but he soon could not help smiling. Tang San and Xiao Wu's talents truly were outstanding. He had also looked into the records of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Over the past century, only one person in the sect had reached Level 29 at the age of twelve. That person had been Sword Douluo. Even Bone Douluo had fallen somewhat short, while everyone else had lagged far behind.

However, Yang Xiong believed that although his Innate Soul Power was inferior to theirs, he would certainly surpass them soon enough.

Before long, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong underwent their Soul Power tests together. One was Level 26 and the other had reached Level 28, so they too came directly to the Fourth Trial site. Even Zhu Zhuqing beside them possessed Level 27 Soul Power.

Along the way, they encountered a middle-aged man selling sausages. He was Oscar, the sausage specialist. In theory, he was actually the most gifted among the Shrek Seven Monsters.

However, when everyone heard the incantation Oscar used to summon sausages, each of them looked slightly nauseated.

Yang Xiong did not care. He had spent several months in Sunset Forest; what had he not eaten? He bought a sausage and began eating it right away. The sausage actually tasted pretty good, and it could even restore Soul Power. Its effects were quite impressive.

However, Yang Xiong's actions earned a wave of disdain from the girls. He could not help shaking his head. These girls have seen too little of the world and lack far too much experience. For ordinary commoners, having food to eat is already good enough, let alone a sausage that restores better than a Spirit Herb.

Moreover, Yang Xiong had always harbored a suspicion. If Tang San had not undergone Ice Fire Body Tempering, then purely in terms of physical condition, Oscar might have been the strongest among the Shrek Seven Monsters. Food Type Soul Masters in Douluo Continent were practically cheat-like existences. Theoretically speaking, this even somewhat violated the law of conservation of energy.

Dai Mubai also introduced everyone to Shrek's situation. Shrek Academy currently had only three students, while its number of teachers exceeded its number of students, drawing strange looks from everyone.

Shrek Academy's enrollment was especially strict, and its graduation requirements were even stricter. Students had to reach Level 40 before turning twenty. By that standard, it was practically the highest-tier Advanced Soul Master Academy, and even many Advanced Soul Master Academies might not produce a twenty-year-old Soul Ancestor.

Yang Xiong was speechless as well. He truly acknowledged Shrek Academy's teaching strength, but it seemed that strength had not really been applied to the students. In the Original Work, aside from Zhao Wuji, the other teachers barely appeared at all.

Especially considering Shrek's casualty rate, it was completely incompatible with its teaching strength. By later generations, student deaths had even become a tradition.

If these geniuses recruited by Shrek had been raised in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, then although they might not all have met the graduation requirements, the casualty rate would definitely have been close to zero. Most of them might even have become sect elders in the future.

Unfortunately, this was also the sorrow of the Soul Master world. Sects could provide students with the most comprehensive cultivation conditions, but they likewise demanded absolute loyalty in return.

As for ordinary commoner Soul Masters, aside from joining a sect, most would perish during their growth. Only a small number could cultivate to the realm of high-level Soul Masters. Once they reached that realm, Soul Rings became increasingly difficult to obtain, and the risks could be said to multiply.

Take the old man whose Martial Soul was the Dragon Pattern Staff. With such a Soul Ring configuration, he had still cultivated to the Soul Emperor Realm. If he had received training from a sect and hunted suitable Soul Rings, becoming a top-tier Soul Saint likely would not have been difficult.

When everyone arrived at the Fourth Trial site, a powerfully built middle-aged man was sitting there. He was only around 1.7 meters tall, but his muscles were extremely solid, as though filled with explosive force. This man was Zhao Wuji.

Dai Mubai seemed somewhat afraid of Zhao Wuji. "Teacher Zhao, these five are here for the Fourth Trial. They came directly to the fourth trial, so I'll assess them next while you supervise."

Zhao Wuji stood up directly. "This year is rather interesting. Five little monsters actually came straight here. The fact that you've reached this point means your talents are not bad. It seems I'll have to assess you personally. I hope you can pass my test."

The new students all appeared rather unconcerned, but Dai Mubai's expression changed drastically.