Just a Little Hard Work

Dai Mubai watched the father and son leave, withdrew his Martial Soul and Soul Rings, and showed no excessive sympathy.

The Douluo Continent was this cruel. The weak were prey to the strong, and strength reigned supreme. Even if he did not do it, Flender would have had someone else do it.

At least that boy was still a Soul Master. In this world, he was already luckier than most.

Dai Mubai turned around, gave Li Yusong a slight nod, then slowly walked behind him.

His gaze passed over the crowd and fell on Zhu Zhuqing at the end of the line.

Their eyes met. Zhu Zhuqing did not avoid his gaze.

Dai Mubai smiled.

Zhu Zhuqing froze slightly, then coldly turned her face away, the tips of her ears faintly reddening.

The admissions continued.

Li Yusong looked at the long registration line, his brows tightly furrowed. He impatiently rose to his feet and shouted, "Everyone in the back, listen up."

"Our Shrek Academy is a Monster Academy. In other words, we only accept monsters, not ordinary people. If you are older than thirteen, or your Soul Power has not reached Level 21, do not waste your time here."

The moment he finished speaking, six Soul Rings suddenly rose beneath his feet. As their light flowed, the pressure of a Soul Emperor spread in every direction.

"What!"

The crowd immediately erupted.

"Six... six Soul Rings! He's actually a Soul Emperor!"

"No wonder they're so strict..."

Whispers broke out as the line immediately fell into commotion.

Quite a few parents pulled their children away, turning to leave with disappointed expressions. The originally long line was reduced by more than half.

Li Yusong sat back down and said blandly, "Next."

Most of the following applicants passed the first test. Dai Mubai constantly brought them to Teacher Lu Qibin at the second test, where their Soul Power Level, Soul Ring configuration, and physical condition were tested.

Soon, Ning Rongrong walked up to the table. She gave Dai Mubai, who stood behind Li Yusong, a slight smile, then extended her slender, fair left hand.

Li Yusong placed his hand over hers and sent out a slight probe of Soul Power.

The next second, uncertainty and surprise appeared on his face.

"May I ask whether I have passed the preliminary test?" Ning Rongrong withdrew her outstretched hand. Her voice was soft and pleasant, gentle and tender.

Even Dai Mubai, standing nearby, felt his body go weak when he heard it. He secretly laughed to himself. This girl really knows how to put on an act. If I did not know she was the notorious little witch, I might really have been fooled by that gentle, lovable appearance.

Suppressing his surprise, Li Yusong asked in a deep voice, "Does your family know you came here?"

Ning Rongrong continued to smile. "They say education should make no distinctions. As long as I meet the academy's requirements, you have no reason not to accept me, right?"

Li Yusong hesitated for a moment, then helplessly waved at Dai Mubai. "Mubai, take her inside."

Dai Mubai gave a polite smile, his voice magnetic. "Come with me."

Upon hearing that, Ning Rongrong lightly lifted her skirt and elegantly followed Dai Mubai inward.

After delivering Ning Rongrong to the second test, Dai Mubai returned just in time to see Tang San and Xiao Wu pass Li Yusong's test as well.

After taking the two of them to the second test, he hurried back once more.

Because Zhu Zhuqing would soon be up.

When Dai Mubai returned to the registration point, Zhu Zhuqing had already passed the first test.

Dai Mubai gave her a slight nod, unconsciously softening his voice. "Come with me."

Zhu Zhuqing silently nodded and followed behind him. The two walked one before the other without either saying a word.

A subtle atmosphere filled the air, along with the faint, cool fragrance emanating from Zhu Zhuqing.

When Dai Mubai brought Zhu Zhuqing into the second test area, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong had already finished their tests and were standing to the side waiting.

There was no interruption of Oscar selling sausages this time. After all, Oscar was already a wealthy man with tens of thousands of Gold Soul Coins and no longer needed to sell sausages. He was probably meditating and cultivating in the dormitory right now.

Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward and displayed her Martial Soul, the Hell Spirit Cat, along with two yellow Soul Rings. Her Soul Power Level was then tested: Level 27.

Honestly, Dai Mubai was somewhat impressed. Zhu Zhuqing had innate Level 7 talent, yet she had already reached Level 27 at this age. Had she done nothing but cultivate all this time?

Lu Qibin revealed a trace of satisfaction and beckoned to Dai Mubai. "Mubai, all four of them have Soul Power above Level 25. According to the rules, take them directly to the fourth test."

"Yes, Teacher Lu."

Dai Mubai led the four of them deeper into the academy.

Along the way, Ning Rongrong finally could not suppress her curiosity. She quickened her pace by two steps, walked alongside Dai Mubai, tilted her head, and asked, "Senior, may I ask how old you are?"

Dai Mubai glanced at her from the side and smiled faintly. "I just turned fifteen. Why?"

"Fifteen?! You're already a Soul Ancestor at fifteen? How... how is that possible?" Ning Rongrong cried out in shock.

Even Tang San, who had always been composed, had his pupils slightly contract.

"Can you tell me how you cultivate?" Ning Rongrong pressed.

"Of course." Dai Mubai's tone was casual. "There is nothing special about it, really. I just worked a little harder. Once you successfully enroll, you will naturally understand."

Dai Mubai's gaze swept over Zhu Zhuqing. She was still turned toward the other side, and he could not see her expression.

As he walked, Dai Mubai continued, "Our academy has not admitted any new students in two years. At present, including me, there are only three students studying here."

"Three?!" Tang San blurted out in shock.

Dai Mubai laughed self-mockingly and spread his hands. "That's right. Across the entire Douluo Continent, we can probably be considered the only academy with more teachers than students."

Tang San looked startled and doubtful. "How can the academy survive like that? Without students, there is no income..."

"That is why the academy is holed up in such a little village." Dai Mubai pointed at the dilapidated campus around them. "If I had not paid out of my own pocket to support it over the past few years, the academy would probably have shut down long ago."

The moment he said that, the other four all looked astonished.

Shrek's campus was pitifully small. After only a few steps, they arrived at the training ground.

Zhao Wuji was sitting on the training ground waiting. He was the teacher in charge of the fourth test, while Dai Mubai was merely labor and muscle.

Dai Mubai stepped forward to greet him. "Teacher Zhao, these four are here for the fourth test. They came directly to the fourth test, so I will test them next while you supervise."

Zhao Wuji swept his gaze over the four figures behind Dai Mubai and said in surprise, "Hm? There are actually people who made it to the fourth test this year? And four at once? Not bad, not bad! Looks like there are quite a few little monsters this year!"

Zhao Wuji stood up. "My name is Zhao Wuji, and I am the academy's vice principal."

An idea struck him, and he continued, "The fact that you made it here proves that your talents are not bad. It seems I will have to personally test you. I hope you can pass my test."

Dai Mubai remained expressionless upon hearing this, but inwardly, he was delighted.

He knew that a Level 95 Titled Douluo was watching right now. He had stolen that man's wife, so he did not dare act recklessly. If he exposed any flaw, he would be finished.

Seeing Zhao Wuji rubbing his fists and looking eager to try, Dai Mubai silently felt grateful, along with a touch of pity.

Teacher Zhao, Teacher Zhao, this eagerness of yours to get beaten up is truly reckless. The little woods behind the mountain would probably not be peaceful tonight.