Shrek Academy

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Chapter 4: Shrek Academy

The city lord's residence in Heavenly Spirit City.

A stern-looking middle-aged man slipped a confidential letter into an envelope and stamped it with a special Snow Lotus seal. Only then did he give a solemn order in a low voice. "Deliver this letter personally into my imperial brother's hands."

"Yes, Your Highness." A black-clad figure appeared without a sound, accepted the envelope, and swiftly vanished again.

The way the black-clad figure addressed the middle-aged man made it clear that his identity was anything but ordinary. He was not merely the city lord of Heavenly Spirit City, but a member of the Heaven Dou Empire's imperial family-the younger brother of its reigning emperor.

"To wipe out the Night Family overnight... there are probably only a handful of powers on the entire continent capable of that." The middle-aged man's brows knitted tightly, his heart heavy.

"And to act with such reckless abandon... that vicious style could very well belong to..."

The middle-aged man drew a deep breath. With his hands clasped behind his back, he walked alone to the transparent, floor-to-ceiling crystal window, as though he could feel an invisible pressure bearing down on him.

"Though the continent appears fairly stable on the surface, treacherous waves are already surging beneath it. The Heaven Dou Empire faces the threat of the Sun Moon Empire head-on. If we wish to survive, it seems we must deepen our cooperation with the Body Sect as soon as possible."

Members of the Body Sect often operated within the Heaven Dou Empire, but apart from the core members of the imperial family, no one knew that the two sides had long been in contact. Now, the empire's young princess had become the link drawing them into an alliance.

Shrek City's southern, northern, and western gates were open to anyone, but the eastern gate belonged exclusively to Shrek Academy.

Though this gate served only Shrek Academy, it was usually bustling with activity. Vendors and stalls flocked there, drawn by the slightest hint of opportunity. During Shrek Academy's admissions period, it became even livelier, rivaling the city itself.

This was thanks to Shrek Academy's unusual admissions process. Every new student not only had to pass the academy's assessment, but also needed a recommendation letter from at least a major city in one of the Douluo Continent's three original empires. As a result, these students either came from noble families or Soul Master clans with deep foundations. Their lavish spending alone was enough to fill every vendor's coffers to the brim.

The sun sank in the west, spilling golden-red light across the sky. It was just dismissal time at Shrek Academy, and students in academy uniforms streamed out through the East City Gate in small groups.

In Shrek Academy Outer Court, uniform colors were strictly regulated, corresponding to the students' years in the same order as Soul Ring ranks. They ranged from white to black, while red uniforms marked inner court students alone. However, inner court students were usually either cultivating on Sea God Island or carrying out missions elsewhere, so they rarely appeared here.

Two figures, one older and one younger, crossed the main road and made their way to the East City Gate of Shrek Academy. They were Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya. Having managed to catch a ride on a caravan's carriage, they had reached Shrek City before nightfall.

After washing and tidying himself that morning, Ye Xixuan had changed into clean clothes, leaving no trace of his earlier bedraggled appearance. Perhaps because of his Martial Soul, his eyes were far darker than Tang Ya's-as bottomless as black holes, yet as tranquil and profound as an ancient lake. An indescribable air of mystery surrounded him.

With the same black hair and black eyes, and equally striking looks, they truly resembled a pair of blood-related siblings as Tang Ya enthusiastically held Ye Xixuan's hand, acting like a little grown-up.

"We finally made it to Shrek Academy!"

"Big Sister Xiaoya, slow down."

Following behind Tang Ya, Ye Xixuan surveyed their surroundings with a helpless expression, but ultimately did not pull his hand free.

More than a dozen boys and girls around twelve or thirteen were on duty at the East City Gate. Each wore a yellow uniform with a green emblem on the chest—the uniform of second- and third-year outer court students.

Seeing Tang Ya lead Ye Xixuan straight toward them, the students immediately stopped them and warned, "Outsiders aren't allowed inside Shrek Academy, and this isn't the admissions period."

;psme&;psme&

"Not even someone with innate full soul power?" Tang Ya proudly pulled Ye Xixuan in front of her, as though she were talking about herself.

At Tang Ya's words, everyone froze, then abruptly turned to look at Ye Xixuan. Just as Tang Ya had said earlier, although Shrek Academy never lacked geniuses, Soul Masters with innate full soul power were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns anywhere. If they grew up without mishap, they could at least become Titled Douluo-level powerhouses!

"You have innate full soul power?!" ;psme&;psme&

"Yes." Under everyone's burning gazes, Ye Xixuan showed no fear at all. Now that he had arrived at Shrek Academy, his safety was somewhat assured. There was naturally no need to conceal his abilities and play the pig to devour the tiger. After all, people would only take you seriously once you demonstrated enough value.

The next instant, an old woman with deeply wrinkled skin and graying hair coiled atop her head abruptly appeared before Ye Xixuan. She wore a white robe and had an average build, while her bright black eyes shone with piercing intensity.

Ye Xixuan immediately felt an overwhelming pressure emanating from the old woman. His Mind Demon Mark manifested beyond his control, like dark flowers from hell blooming across his skin.

"What is this?!" The old woman's gaze suddenly sharpened, shock rising within her. She had only intended to check whether Ye Xixuan truly possessed innate full soul power, never expecting to discover something beyond her understanding.

Just then, an urgent voice sounded beside her ear, seemingly struggling to contain an indescribable excitement.

"Zhou Yi, bring that little fellow to Sea God Island immediately! Never mind, I'll come myself. Take him to the shore of Sea God Lake!"

Because Zhou Yi had suppressed Ye Xixuan's Martial Soul aura, the students on duty noticed nothing unusual beyond the eerie black demonic markings on his body. The boy leading them could not help casting a questioning look at her.

"Teacher Zhou."

"Keep standing guard here."

Zhou Yi took a deep breath and replied with feigned composure. Then she seized Ye Xixuan's shoulder and spoke in a low voice.

"Come with me."

Before Ye Xixuan could say anything, Zhou Yi had already carried him into the air as though riding clouds and mist, the scenery racing backward around them.

Knowing that Zhou Yi was a teacher at Shrek Academy, Tang Ya was not worried about Ye Xixuan's safety in the slightest. Her face lit up as she looked at the students on duty, who had yet to recover from their astonishment.

"What was it you just said?"

The students on duty exchanged looks, the same thought surfacing in all their minds.

Rules were made to be broken, and geniuses always enjoyed special privileges.

Tang Ya turned around smugly and plopped herself down beside one of the East City Gate's enormous stone pillars. With her knees together and her smooth chin propped on her wrists, she tilted her head back to gaze at the sky.

With Ye Xixuan successfully accepted by Shrek Academy, the matter concerning her Tang Sect should go smoothly too, right?

(End of chapter)