Joining Shrek Academy and Meeting Ma Hongjun and Oscar

Early the next morning.

The three left the Rose Hotel, exited Suotuo City through its southern gate, and headed for their destination.

They did not use Xiao Wu's gravity enhancement again to put extra strain on their bodies. Instead, they walked lightly and unhurriedly toward the village where Shrek Academy stood.

Xiao Wu skipped along the way, and the three soon reached the village.

Quite a few people had gathered at the village entrance. Most were twelve-year-olds, and many had come with their parents.

One boy stood out from the crowd. Long golden hair fell down his back almost to his waist. He had broad shoulders and handsome features touched with resolve.

The distinctive golden hair told Lin Hao who he was: Dai Mubai.

It made sense. Dai Mubai was three years older than Tang San, and he had joined Shrek Academy at twelve too.

Tang San was nine now, which meant Dai Mubai would be joining Shrek Academy this year.

A table stood at the village entrance, with a man in his sixties seated behind it. A rather shabby sign hung from the wooden archway, bearing five simple characters: Shrek Academy.

"No way. Isn't Shrek Academy supposed to be an academy for monsters?"

"Xiao Hao, are you sure the three of us should join Shrek Academy?"

Lin Hao answered Xiao Wu's questions.

"This should be the place. Shrek Academy was founded by Flender, the Flying Corner of the Golden Iron Triangle.

"In three years, our cultivation should reach Soul Elder, and we'll be able to obtain our third Soul Rings.

"Once all three of us have them, we'll head to Blue Tyrant Academy in Heaven Dou City together.

"Blue Tyrant Academy was founded by Liu Erlong, the Slaughter Corner of the Golden Iron Triangle.

"So it doesn't matter how run-down this place is. We're only staying here for three years before moving on."

Xiao Wu said, "All right!"

There were around fifty applicants ahead of them in line.

Then it was Dai Mubai's turn to register.

The old man said lazily, "The registration fee is ten Gold Soul Coins. Put them in that box."

"Hold out your right hand."

The old man stepped forward and felt his hand a couple of times, then nodded in satisfaction.

"Your age qualifies. All right, release your martial soul."

Dai Mubai immediately activated his Evil-Eyed White Tiger Martial Soul Possession.

The old man looked surprised at the sight of Dai Mubai's Evil-Eyed White Tiger martial soul. Frowning, he asked, "Does your family know you're here?"

Dai Mubai replied coldly:

"My family doesn't get a say in what I do. Is your academy taking me or not?"

The old man hesitated.

"Go on in."

After Dai Mubai entered, the youths who had been about to leave promptly took their places and lined up properly.

Most paid their ten Gold Soul Coins only to be turned away by the old man. Just a few were allowed inside.

Soon it was Lin Hao and the others' turn.

After they paid thirty Gold Soul Coins in registration fees, the old man felt each of their right hands.

Once he confirmed that all three had a bone age of just over nine, he waved them inside. Clearly, Flender had told him about them.

Lin Hao had thought they would still have to pass the next two tests and then fight Zhao Wuji.

Instead, a chubby, red-haired boy came to greet them as soon as they entered Shrek Academy.

"Hello! I'm Ma Hongjun!"

"I'm a student at Shrek Academy. My teacher, Dean Flender, told me you three can skip the remaining tests. You're officially students here now."

"Come with me. I'll take you to the dorms so you can settle in."

On the way to the wooden dorm cabins, Lin Hao, Tang San, and Xiao Wu each introduced themselves to Ma Hongjun.

"Fatty, does our dean have a hooked nose?"

"Yeah. Xiao Hao, have you three met the dean?"

Lin Hao nodded at Ma Hongjun.

"We have. Before joining Shrek Academy, I looked into it.

"So after we arrived in Suotuo City, I took Tang San and Xiao Wu to meet Dean Flender."

Xiao Wu looked surprised.

"Xiao Hao, we met Dean Flender in Suotuo City?"

"Where?"

"At the shop where we bought the crystal. He was the middle-aged man lying in the rocking chair."

"Ah!"

"Don't worry! Dean Flender might be a little greedy, but his character is beyond reproach. He won't hold those twenty Gold Soul Coins against us."

With Lin Hao voicing their concern and putting it to rest, Tang San and Xiao Wu breathed easier.

Hearing that there was a story behind it, Ma Hongjun pressed them for details.

Tang San told him what had happened.

By the time Tang San finished, the four had reached a cluster of wooden cabins.

"Oh, right. Before you three joined, Shrek Academy had only two students: me and Oscar. He's a Food System Soul Master."

"We each have a cabin to ourselves. Lin Hao and Tang San, you can share one or take one each."

"He's probably asleep in his cabin. You three pick your rooms and get settled. I'll wake him up and introduce you in a bit."

"And Xiao Wu, the girls' dorms are next door, just three cabins away from the boys'. Go see which one you want."

Xiao Wu looked where Ma Hongjun was pointing, thanked him, and went to choose a cabin.

With Xiao Wu off to pick hers, Lin Hao and Tang San discussed whether to share or have separate cabins.

In the end, they decided one cabin each would be better. It would give them more privacy.

Lin Hao chose the cabin closest to Xiao Wu's.

He opened the wooden door. There was not much dust inside. The room held a bed two meters wide and 2.2 meters long, along with a desk and a row of shelves fastened above it.

After half an hour of tidying, Lin Hao had the cabin looking presentable.

He surveyed his handiwork and nodded in satisfaction.

Stepping outside, he glanced toward where Ma Hongjun had been standing. Someone had joined him. It was probably Oscar.

Only when Lin Hao drew closer did he get a good look. Oscar really was handsome. Despite his full beard, his large, alluring eyes made that clear.

"Xiao Hao, this is Oscar, Shrek Academy's other student."

"Xiao Ao, this is Lin Hao, one of our new students this year."

Oscar spoke in a soft voice as he looked at Lin Hao.

"Hello! I'm Oscar. You can call me Xiao Ao or Oscar. We're classmates now. I look forward to getting to know you."

"Hello! I'm Lin Hao. You can call me Lin Hao or Xiao Hao."