The Academy's Current State, a Change in Fate

Shrek Academy had once been the continent's number one academy.

As for why people said "once," that was because whether Shrek Academy still held that position was now fiercely debated.

At the last Continental Elite Soul Master Tournament, Shrek Academy had lost to Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy.

Its reputation and prestige had suffered, and the defeat had inadvertently exposed a great deal of damaging information about the academy. It had even sparked a massive public outcry across Douluo Continent.

That was why many people now said Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy was the best academy across both continents.

Shrek Academy could only rank second.

On that matter, Huang Jinxu truly wanted to say that none of it had anything to do with him.

Shrek Academy's defeat was Xuan Zi's fault, while the public outcry had been stirred up by the Heaven Dou Empire and the Dou Ling Empire, two of the Douluo Three Kingdoms.

It was all a coincidence.

Much as he wanted to distance himself from it, Huang Jinxu could not deny one thing: both that class of Shrek Academy students' defeat and the strength of Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy had, to some tiny extent, an indirect connection to him.

A dead tiger's frame still stood. Even so, plenty of people still longed to attend Shrek Academy.

Today was the final day of registration at Shrek Academy, and the crowd at the gates had gradually thinned.

By the time Bei Bei arrived at the registration desk with Huo Yuhao, enrollment was about to close.

"Director Du, sorry for the trouble, but could you handle the enrollment paperwork for this little brother of mine?"

Seeing that the teacher in charge of admissions was about to pack up, Bei Bei hurried forward and ushered Huo Yuhao over.

Du Weilun was the dean of instruction for Shrek Academy's outer-court Martial Soul Department and the outer court's highest-ranking administrator with real authority. He oversaw freshman assessments, admissions, core disciple selection, and disciplinary action. He was also an Eight-Ring Soul Douluo.

Given his position, he ordinarily had no reason to be there. But Shrek Academy's reputation had fallen sharply over the past two years, and unnecessary trouble often arose. As a result, he personally presided over admissions each year.

"Oh, it's you, Bei Bei. All right, I'll set up an enrollment file for your friend."

Du Weilun had looked somewhat displeased, but the moment he saw Bei Bei, a warm smile appeared on his face.

As one of the outer court's leaders, he was among the few who knew Bei Bei's identity. Bei Bei was not someone he could afford to offend.

"What's your name, young man? What's your Martial Soul, and what's your current Soul Power Level?"

Du Weilun took out an enrollment file as he asked Huo Yuhao for his basic information. He did not even ask for the required recommendation letter from a city lord.

Someone brought in by Bei Bei had no need for such things.

"My name is Huo Yuhao. My Martial Soul is Spirit Eyes, and my Soul Power... I haven't had it tested yet."

Having only just obtained his First Soul Ring, Huo Yuhao did not know his exact Soul Power Level.

"A Body Martial Soul?"

Du Weilun was somewhat surprised to hear that. Body Martial Souls were rare, but that did not necessarily mean they were especially powerful. A Body Martial Soul's Second Awakening was difficult to achieve and required stringent conditions. Shrek Academy did not have a particularly good relationship with the Body Sect, so this was hardly its area of expertise.

"That's all right. I have a crystal ball here. You can test your Soul Power now."

Since Bei Bei had brought him, Du Weilun remained patient.

He then took a crystal ball from his Storage Soul Tool.

Following his instructions, Huo Yuhao placed his palm against it.

The crystal ball erupted with a dazzling light.

"Soul Power, level fifteen."

Seeing that Huo Yuhao had only just met the admission standard, Du Weilun was puzzled. The boy was remarkably ordinary. How had he become such good friends with Bei Bei?

"Would you like to join the Soul Tool Department or the Martial Soul Department?"

"And let me see your recommendation letter."

Though Du Weilun still appeared warm, he had already lost much of his interest in Huo Yuhao.

He had thought Bei Bei would bring him a genius.

He had expected a great deal, only to get this result. Naturally, he felt a little disappointed.

"The Soul Tool Department? The Martial Soul Department?"

"A recommendation letter?"

Huo Yuhao looked utterly lost. He knew nothing about any of it.

"Director Du, Yuhao is the Heavenly Fiend Douluo's disciple."

Noticing Du Weilun's displeasure, Bei Bei hurried forward to explain.

This time, Du Weilun was truly shocked.

The boy before him was actually that fiend's disciple.

The look he gave Huo Yuhao changed completely. He had no thought of currying favor; there was merely a trace more pity and sympathy in his eyes.

"Yuhao, Shrek Academy is divided into the Soul Tool Department and the Martial Soul Department. In the past, students had to spend a full year in the Martial Soul Department before they could choose whether to join the Soul Tool Department. Four years ago, the academy reformed that rule. New students can now join the Soul Tool Department right away."

"The Martial Soul Department is stricter. There are advancement assessments every year, and students who fail to meet the requirements are expelled. The Soul Tool Department is more relaxed. Soul Power cultivation isn't a strict requirement there; it places more emphasis on Soul Tool research..."

Bei Bei went on to explain the details to Huo Yuhao.

Soul Tools!

Remembering the gift his teacher had given him and the hopes his teacher held for him, Huo Yuhao made his decision at once.

"Brother Bei Bei, I'll join the Soul Tool Department."

Huo Yuhao spoke without a trace of hesitation.

On hearing that Huo Yuhao would join the Soul Tool Department, Du Weilun thought even less of him.

Although Shrek Academy had reformed after losing the last Soul Master Tournament to Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and had begun placing more emphasis on Soul Tools, many of its senior figures still harbored a deep aversion to them.

In their eyes, only people with no talent for Martial Soul cultivation joined the Soul Tool Department.

Du Weilun then handled Huo Yuhao's enrollment and all the related paperwork. Once everything was done, he left.

Bei Bei was a little surprised by Huo Yuhao's choice, but he respected it.

He then offered to take Huo Yuhao to the Dormitory.

Bei Bei had a peculiar feeling. He kept drawing close to Huo Yuhao without meaning to. Being near him made Bei Bei feel comfortable, even oddly at ease.

Is he already quietly changing the fates of those around him?

As expected of a Child of Fortune!

Huang Jinxu, returning from the Star Dou Great Forest, happened to witness the scene. His gaze did not linger on Huo Yuhao. Instead, he looked at Bei Bei.

In Huang Jinxu's eyes, Bei Bei was now utterly different from before.