New students enroll

Tang San had brewed and blended this blue-green medicinal liquid using that piece of amber.

Sealed within the amber was a Jade Phosphorous Gecko, one of the Jade Phosphorous Five Poisons. Over the years, the outer layer of amber had also become imbued with its poison.

The Jade Phosphorous Gecko had the weakest toxicity, so mild that it bordered on medicine.

Its main function was to carry and activate the unique properties of medicines and poisons, making it an excellent medicinal catalyst.

Within the Jade Phosphorous Five Extremes Formation, it was the most important link.

It belonged to the earth element and bore the responsibility of supporting the other four poisons.

Tang San had used only the amber shell in this medicinal liquid. He had already put away the concentrated essence of the Jade Phosphorous Gecko inside.

Even so, its medicinal potency was not something just anyone could withstand.

Although the Jade Phosphorous Gecko's poison was weak, it was not harmless. It was a corrosive toxin.

Their skin was being steadily corroded, but the medicinal liquid contained more than just Jade Phosphorous Gecko poison. There were other medicinal herbs as well.

These herbs could strengthen their foundations and nourish their vitality, while also providing restorative and healing effects.

They could not only deepen everyone's reserves, but also temper their skin, increasing their defense and endurance.

"This is good stuff. I practically emptied my entire stock for it, so stop just howling and focus on absorbing it."

With that, Tang San submerged his entire body in the water and circulated the Blue Silver Creation Dao.

Seeing this, the other three stopped making a fuss. They had merely felt uncomfortable after suddenly entering the water; it was not more than they could endure.

They immediately bore with it and focused on circulating their respective meditation methods.

Over the course of the night, the four of them absorbed all the medicinal potency in the large bath.

Dai Mubai absorbed the most, followed by Oscar. After all, it had been prepared for the two of them.

Ma Hongjun also absorbed a considerable amount, making the soul power within him more stable. Once he absorbed his third soul ring, he was confident he could advance straight to level thirty-six.

Tang San absorbed the least, because he had no need to compete with the others.

Under the refining enhancement of his First Soul Skill, the emerald right arm bone continuously released vitality, improving Tang San's aptitude and giving him reserves he could almost never exhaust.

The four dried themselves off, exchanged a few glances, and then got dressed.

They left the bathhouse in the order of Tang San, Dai Mubai, Ma Hongjun, and Oscar.

When the four appeared before the teachers, Zhao Wuji and the others immediately burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Why are all of you as fair and smooth as women?"

It was true. After being washed and tempered by the medicinal liquid, they had grown a new layer of tough, resilient skin.

Since it was new skin, its fair, tender appearance was perfectly normal.

Only Tang San and Oscar could carry off that fairness: one was gently handsome and approachable, while the other had a face like polished jade, with handsome, harmonious features.

Dai Mubai decided to spend more time in the sun.

Ma Hongjun did not care at first, but after Zhao Wuji called him a white-cut chicken, he joined Dai Mubai in training hard under the sun.

They spent half a month at Shrek like this.

Dai Mubai also reached level forty.

They did not rush to set out, however, because Flender planned to recruit a few more new students and needed them to put on a good front.

They could also all go hunting soul beasts together and begin Shrek's courses straightaway.

It absolutely was not because he wanted to earn more tuition fees.

Thus, under the new admission requirements devised by Grandmaster, Shrek Academy began another round of recruitment.

Looking at the dilapidated gate before her, Zhu Zhuqing would have thought she had come to the wrong place if "Shrek Academy" had not been written above it.

Quite a few people were already lined up ahead of her.

"You don't qualify. Go home."

"Huh? Why?"

The boy was rather indignant. He had come because he had heard that Shrek Academy could nurture geniuses into even stronger talents.

Yet a genius like him, who had graduated with excellent marks, could not even pass the first test?

Tang San, who was overseeing the first test, remained calm and pointed to the wooden board beside him.

Several lines were written on the board.

First test: [Age no greater than fifteen, soul power above level twenty.]

Second test: [Assessment of mastery over martial souls and soul skills, as well as the effects of soul skills.]

Third test: [The martial soul must possess sufficient potential, though applicants with sufficiently strong willpower may also pass.]

Fourth test: [Choose either a practical combat examination or a theory examination.]

"Your soul power is above level twenty, but you're already over fifteen, so I'm sorry. You don't pass."

"But don't be discouraged. Here, this book contains a special meditation method that can increase the speed of soul power cultivation to a certain extent, along with a matching spiritual power training method."

"Even if you don't enroll, please keep working toward becoming an excellent soul master."

"Oh! Thank you!"

The boy spoke delightedly, immediately feeling that the ten Silver Soul Coins he had just spent had been worth it.

Word that Shrek Academy was providing high-quality meditation methods spread as a result.

More and more people came to apply.

Shrek's new meditation method gradually became commonplace. As for the effects it would bring, those still needed time to develop.

"Oh? It's you, Zhu Zhuqing." Tang San raised an eyebrow when he saw the next applicant.

"Yes. Tang San... right?"

Zhu Zhuqing looked equally surprised. She had not expected to meet someone she had encountered only once before again.

And he happened to be right at her destination.

She had come here precisely to find her fiancé, Dai Mubai. The day that would decide their fates was drawing ever closer.

Zhu Zhuqing could not help growing anxious, so she had come alone to find Dai Mubai, who had chosen to run away back then.

Over the past few days, she had also gathered information about him in Suotuo City.

He looked dispirited, appeared at the Soul Fighting Arena every day, and was a student at Shrek Academy...

That information left Zhu Zhuqing unable to reach a judgment, so she intended to enter Shrek Academy and investigate for herself.

"Level twenty-six. You've been working hard!"

From the brightness within the crystal ball, Tang San determined Zhu Zhuqing's soul power level.

Then, through a handshake, he learned that she was a little younger than him.

Tang San could tell that although Zhu Zhuqing possessed an unusual ability, it offered no help with cultivating soul power.

Moreover, her natural talent was only somewhat above average. Reaching this level had been entirely the product of hard work and sweat.

"Go on to the next test. Of course, you can also wait a while. If anyone else passes, you can go take the tests together. It'll help with the later stages."

Tang San said this to everyone who passed the first test, but most paid it little mind.

"Thank you for the reminder."

Zhu Zhuqing sensed Tang San's goodwill. After weighing her options, she did not head straight to the next test, but waited off to the side instead.

By the time the sun was high in the sky, very few people remained in the queue.

While waiting, Zhu Zhuqing saw quite a few people pass the first test, only to return later.

Presumably, they had failed one of the subsequent tests.

"Sorry. It looks like there's no one who can go with you," Tang San said apologetically to Zhu Zhuqing.

Just as Zhu Zhuqing was about to say it was all right, two beautiful girls approached.

One was a cute girl with pink, ear-length hair and an air of nobility.

The other was a petite girl with black hair in a single ponytail and glasses. She looked rather unremarkable.

"Hello, we're here to enroll."

(An original character has appeared, but don't worry. This isn't some poorly written personal indulgence; she's connected to the upcoming plot.)

(By the way, more original characters will appear, and they'll likewise be involved in later plot developments.)

(If you don't like this, please simply click away. You can also choose to point it out politely in the comments.)