Purple, Purple, Black to Command the Field; a Hundred Thousand Years to Open the Show

"Host performed exceptionally well in the entrance test."

"Reward distribution in progress..."

"Congratulations, host. The Galaxy Spark Spear has unlocked a new ability: Psychic Spear Control (Beginner)."

Psychic Spear Control range: fifty meters.

Derived ability unlocked: Spear Flight (Beginner).

"Spear Flight: Ride the spear through the air at three times running speed, for a maximum of twenty kilometers. You'll fall if your Soul Power runs out. Use with caution."

"And a Soul Ring Storage Device, capable of storing Soul Rings permanently."

"That Soul Ring Storage Device is pretty useful."

"And Spear Flight? That's way cooler than flying on a sword."

An idea struck Xiao Ran. He took out the Spark Lance, pressed two fingers together, and imitated Sword Douluo's gesture.

"Spark Lance, rise!"

The spear careened around the room, leaving it in shambles, then flew between Xiao Ran's legs.

"Holy crap, that was close. It nearly skewered me." Xiao Ran wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

At first light, Flender called everyone to assemble on the training ground.

Besides Dai Mubai, Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, and the others who had appeared yesterday, Ma Hongjun and Oscar were there too.

Dai Mubai spoke first, introducing the two groups. "This is Oscar, a senior student here at the academy and a Food System Soul Master."

"Hello, everyone. I'm Oscar. My Martial Soul is a sausage."

Dai Mubai turned to Ma Hongjun beside him. "This is Ma Hongjun, another senior student. His Martial Soul is the Evil Fire Phoenix, and he's a Power Attack System Battle Soul Master."

Ma Hongjun chuckled, looking a little bashful. "Hey, everyone. I'm Ma Hongjun. We're all companions from now on."

Xiao Ran and the others then introduced themselves.

Flender adjusted his glasses. "Congratulations again on passing the test and entering Shrek Academy. Our academy only accepts monsters, and you will become Shrek's next generation of monsters."

"An old friend of mine will arrive at the academy shortly. He's the continent's foremost expert in Martial Soul Theory. Starting today, he'll oversee your training. Stay sharp!"

"Yes!"

Before long, the Gray-Robed Middle-Aged Man walked over.

Flender went to meet him. "Xiaogang, you're here."

"Yes. How's Little San?"

"Doing very well. That boy has quite the Martial Soul."

Once they reached the group, Flender raised a hand slightly. "This is Grandmaster."

Seeing the eight monsters, Yu Xiaogang eagerly began introducing himself.

His gaze swept over them. "My name is Yu Xiaogang, also known as Grandmaster... Ah!" His eyes stopped on Xiao Ran.

"You're... Xiao Ran? What are you doing here?" Gangzi looked stunned.

Xiao Ran had guessed who was coming as soon as Flender mentioned him.

"Hahaha... Gangzi, it's been ages. How have you been?"

Yu Xiaogang pointed at Xiao Ran furiously. "Who are you calling Gangzi? You little brat have no right to call me that! I still haven't settled what happened at Nuoding Academy!"

"Bleh... So what? Weren't you the one who attacked first? You may be lousy in a fight, but you sure can talk big."

Yu Xiaogang shook with rage and roared, "Flender, this boy cannot stay! He attacks people and shows no respect for his teachers. Keeping him at Shrek will only set a bad example!"

"Stop... Stop yelling, Gangzi. Since this is Monster Academy, let's settle it with strength." Xiao Ran held up a hand in a stop gesture.

"Strength? What strength do you have? With your innate level-three Soul Power and Short Club Martial Soul, you dare talk to me about strength? If I hadn't let my guard down back then, you'd never have caught me off guard! You only got into the academy by luck. Compared to Little San, you're nowhere close. Hmph." Yu Xiaogang looked at Xiao Ran with disdain.

"I told you: fortunes change. My strength will speak for itself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Ran released his three Soul Rings.

The three rings appeared around him, one above another.

Purple. Purple. Black.

The training ground fell silent. Everyone stared in astonishment.

Yu Xiaogang's mouth hung open, his whole body frozen.

"A Ten... Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring? Impossible! That's absolutely impossible!"

"How could your First Soul Ring be a Thousand-Year Soul Ring? My theory can't be wrong. No, no!"

Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and the others stared fixedly at Xiao Ran. Flender was so shocked his glasses fell to the ground.

Xiao Wu's eyes widened. She tugged hard at Tang San's sleeve. "Brother San, Brother San! His third ring is black! A Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring!"

Tang San kept himself out of sight, cursing up a storm in his head. He said nothing, but his expression gave everything away.

"Well, Gangzi, see that? My strength won't let me keep a low profile. Looks like your precious theory doesn't apply to me!"

Yu Xiaogang muttered, "What method did you use? How could someone at Soul Power level thirty-one withstand the impact of a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring?"

"Method?" Xiao Ran laughed. "Aren't you Grandmaster? Isn't your theory unbeatable? I should be asking you that."

Yu Xiaogang had no answer.

Flender spoke up at just the right moment. "Xiaogang, Xiao Ran passed the standard entrance test. There's nothing wrong with his Soul Rings. Shrek won't expel a monster over your personal grudge."

"Fine. He can stay," Yu Xiaogang said.

"Teacher!" Tang San couldn't help protesting.

Yu Xiaogang raised a hand to cut him off. "But while Xiao Ran is at Shrek, I'll make every arrangement for his cultivation, Soul Ring absorption, daily training, and everything else."

Xiao Ran scoffed. "Fine. I'll listen to Grandmaster."

Yu Xiaogang glanced at Xiao Ran, then addressed the group. "Return to your dormitories and rest. Assemble on the training ground tomorrow morning at the hour of the rabbit. Anyone late will run ten laps around Suotuo City."

Everyone dispersed.

Xiao Ran walked toward the dormitories beside Ning Rongrong. She lowered her voice. "He wants you to follow his orders, and you're smiling? Aren't you afraid he'll make things difficult for you on purpose?"

"What's there to be afraid of? He's only a level-twenty-nine Soul Grandmaster. What can he do, make me run a few extra laps? Don't worry. He won't want me to leave."

"He won't want you to leave?" Ning Rongrong asked, puzzled.

"Didn't you see the way he looked at me?" Xiao Ran's lips curved. "That look was half hatred, half desire. Like he'd found a treasure."

Back in his room, Xiao Ran began thinking about Xiao Wu.

He considered it carefully. "My Soul Power is a little higher than Xiao Wu's, and my mental strength should be higher than hers too. If I use Galaxy Solace to win her over, then let her perform the Flesh Sacrifice she wants, won't I get a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring?"

"After taking the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, I can transfer her soul into her Copy. That way, I won't arouse suspicion."

Xiao Ran activated the Soul Ring Storage Device, preparing to set out that night.