"Ding! Zhu Zhuqing's corruption value +10." "Zhu Zhuqing's current corruption value: 10." "Total accumulated corruption value: 10 points. Corruption value required to obtain the first soul ring: 100 points. Please keep up the good work, Master."
Qin Ye received the Heart Demon's feedback. The demon seed had already been planted when he touched Zhu Zhuqing. After witnessing Dai Mubai's incompetence firsthand, Zhu Zhuqing had lost all faith in this playboy.
Qin Ye looked at Dai Mubai, who was struggling desperately yet helplessly before him, and chuckled. "What a piece of trash."
With that, Qin Ye lowered his hand, stood up, and returned to Zhu Zhuqing. He bowed politely and extended his right hand.
"Hello, miss. My name is Qin Ye. I look forward to getting along with you."
This time, Zhu Zhuqing did not refuse. Instead, she reached out in full view of Dai Mubai.
Just then, the Heart Demon's phantom vanished from Dai Mubai's eyes, leaving him with a perfect view of Zhu Zhuqing willingly shaking Qin Ye's hand.
"No!" Dai Mubai roared at the sky, then passed out as rage surged straight to his heart.
"Hello, my name is Zhu Zhuqing." Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head awkwardly, her face flushed. "Yes, I look forward to getting along with you, too." After speaking, she buried her head a little lower.
"Zhu Zhuqing? Heh, what a lovely name." Qin Ye drew her small hand toward him and gently kissed her fingertips. "May I call you Zhu Zhuqing from now on, beautiful miss?"
The blush on Zhu Zhuqing's face spread all the way to her ears. She immediately pulled free of Qin Ye's hand and shyly turned her face away. "You can call me whatever you like. Just... just give me some time to catch my breath."
Qin Ye chuckled smugly to himself. As expected, I have to take the initiative with an ice-cold beauty like her. Only by tearing away Zhu Zhuqing's tough, aloof outer shell, layer by layer, can I truly hold her in my grasp.
Just as Qin Ye was imagining taking things further, a shrill voice suddenly rang out behind him.
"Dai Mubai!" Tang San rushed over from the queue and reached out to check Dai Mubai's breathing, confirming that he had merely passed out.
Then Tang San glared viciously at Qin Ye. "How dare you hurt my friend!"
Tang San rose angrily, pointed at Qin Ye, and shouted, "This is Shrek's territory! You injured a Shrek student with such brazen disregard for everyone here. You're clearly challenging Shrek's authority! Today, I, Tang San, must defeat you, both for my friend and for Shrek!"
Tang San's righteous declaration immediately drew everyone's attention. Even the old man handling admissions began to regard the boy in a new light.
"Good lad. You've got some spirit."
But to Qin Ye, everything Tang San said was useless drivel.
How long have you even known Dai Mubai, and you're already trying to stand up for him? Besides, you haven't even joined Shrek yet. Are you that eager to become its watchdog?
Heh, Tang San, what an upright gentleman you are. I haven't even come looking for trouble with you, and you've already slapped the blame on me, Qin Ye sneered inwardly.
The next moment, Qin Ye turned to face Tang San, crossing his arms in a picture of indifference. "And who are you? You saw what happened. I was just getting to know a new classmate, and he insisted on coming over to attack me. It's his own fault that his skills weren't up to scratch."
"Besides, wasn't he acting tough when he was pocketing registration fees just now? Now that he can't beat me, he's started playing the victim? Heh, you don't look like much of a good person either. You only came to help after your friend was knocked unconscious. What the hell were you doing on the sidelines before that?"
Moral blackmail was the last thing Qin Ye feared. On the contrary, he was quite skilled at pinning accusations on others himself. If a few words like these could shake his resolve, then all his years in Slaughter City would have been for nothing.
"You!" Tang San was left speechless by the retort, unable to utter another word.
Just as Tang San was about to subdue Qin Ye by force, the old man in charge of admissions spoke.
"Silence!"
The Dragon Pattern Staff stood planted in the ground, radiating a powerful aura of soul power. Tang San put away the hidden weapon concealed in his sleeve.
The old man stepped forward alone and hoisted Dai Mubai onto his shoulder. "Mubai's fists weren't as hard as his opponent's, so he deserved the beating. In the soul master world, no one will spare you just because you're weak." After rebuking Tang San for trying to fight, the old man turned a cold gaze on Qin Ye.
"However, backing is also part of one's strength. Young fellow, you struck someone from Shrek. If you cannot qualify for admission today, then as a teacher, I must demand an explanation on my student's behalf."
"As you wish, senior." Qin Ye cupped his hands in salute. "I, Qin Ye, fear tests least of all. Whatever challenge you have, please feel free to present it."
Qin Ye's arrogant yet courteous response left the old man unable to muster much anger. Shrek recruited precisely this sort of monster, one who dared to fight and struggle. If Qin Ye had dropped to his knees and apologized merely because he was a Soul Emperor, the old man would have looked down on him instead.
"Very well, then. Hold out your hand."
"Yes."
The old man reached out to examine Qin Ye's meridians. A few breaths later, astonishment appeared on his face. "What level are you now?"
"Senior, I am currently only level ten."
"What? Level ten! Is this some kind of joke?"
The old man was deeply shaken. He knew Dai Mubai's strength well: a Three-Ring Soul Master with the top-tier White Tiger Martial Soul. Yet he had been knocked down with a single punch by a level-ten soul master who did not even have his first soul ring!
What kind of joke was this?!
"What! He's only level ten!" Amid the crowd, Ning Rongrong, dressed in green, covered her mouth in surprise. "He's so strong. He defeated that Three-Ring Soul Master at only level ten. It looks like Shrek really does live up to its name as the Monster Academy."
"Senior, I simply haven't been able to find a suitable soul ring to absorb, so my cultivation has remained at level ten. However, you've seen my strength for yourself. If I wish, even a Three-Ring Soul Master is no match for me," Qin Ye said confidently.
Hearing this, the old man could not help hesitating.
Indeed, there was no shortage of examples on the Douluo Continent of the weak overcoming the strong. A higher level did not necessarily mean greater strength, and Shrek certainly had no shortage of monsters capable of defeating opponents above their level.
Still, Qin Ye's level was rather too low. He would be at a tremendous disadvantage against soul masters his own age.
"I need to consult the Dean about this."
The old man could not make up his mind just yet. Shrek had never admitted a level-ten soul master before, but Qin Ye's performance certainly qualified him as a Little Monster.
Wouldn't it be a shame to miss out on such an extraordinary talent?
"Then you have my thanks, senior."
"Senior, what about us? When do we take the soul power test?" Tang San stepped forward and asked anxiously, secretly shooting Qin Ye a vicious look at the same time. That look seemed to tell him:
You've already chosen the path to your own death!
"I'll test you now. Hold out your hands." The old man's mind was no longer on the task at hand. He only wanted to finish admitting students quickly and return to find Dean Flender.
Tang San immediately held out his hand, thinking to himself, Hmph, my soul power level is twenty-nine. I've long since exceeded the normal admission requirements, and my level is almost three times yours. Let's see what expression you make in a moment.
Before you continue