Even Tang San and Xiao Wu froze for a moment. This was a sight he had never imagined. According to the theories of his teacher, Yu Xiaogang, how could someone possibly have a Thousand-Year Soul Ring as their second Soul Ring and a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as their third!!!
Ning Yuhao wore a faint smile. "I wonder if you understand now? Naturally, we have our own unique qualities that allow us to enter without lining up for the tests."
Like a teacher, Ning Yuhao imparted a lesson to them. "Before stepping forward to question others, you should first question whether you have the strength to do so."
With that, Ning Yuhao withdrew his Martial Soul, turned, and waved. "I look forward to seeing you join Shrek Academy too."
Then Ning Yuhao took the lead into Shrek Academy, with Dai Mubai and the others following, leaving only the stunned crowd behind.
Even the old man could not help drawing a sharp breath, clicking his tongue. "Good grief, a genuine 'Little Monster' really has shown up this year!"
Tang San's expression was ugly, but not because of what Ning Yuhao had said. As a warrior of feudalism, he naturally had no objection to Ning Yuhao being stronger than him. He even felt that Ning Yuhao's words made quite a bit of sense.
His expression was ugly because he suspected that Yu Xiaogang had deceived him!
According to Yu Xiaogang's theory of optimal Soul Ring ages, a Thousand-Year Soul Ring could only be taken as the third Soul Ring, and one could only attempt to absorb a Ten Thousand Year Soul Ring as the fifth Soul Ring. He had always treated this as gospel, yet now an exception stood right before him. How could he not grow suspicious?
He still respected Yu Xiaogang deeply. Although Yu Xiaogang's cultivation was low, he had perfectly filled that void for someone who lacked a family's love, finally letting him be cared for like a child instead of caring for others.
Thus, the appearance of this thought undoubtedly left Tang San furious, and even somewhat desolate.
Xiao Wu's face was deathly pale, but she still put on a brave front. "Hmph, don't be scared, Xiao San. You'll definitely be stronger than him someday!"
Tang San said nothing, merely taking Xiao Wu's hand and continuing to line up.
Inside Shrek Academy, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze had barely left Ning Yuhao. It was watery, almost clinging.
"Xiao Hao! You were so cool just now!" Ning Rongrong even gave Ning Yuhao a thumbs-up.
"Would you like some grilled sausages?" An "old man" in gray approached, pushing a small cart.
Dai Mubai introduced him. "This is Oscar, one of the only three students currently attending Shrek Academy that I told you about."
Then he turned to Oscar. "Oscar, come say hello."
"Boss Dai, is he your friend?" Oscar asked curiously. If these were merely students here to register and take the tests, Dai Mubai clearly would not have called him over to greet them.
"That's right. We've been good friends for years. Whenever I went out before, I was often off to hang out with him. Let me tell you, he's a master of theory! An incredibly impressive one!"
Hearing Dai Mubai introduce him this way, Ning Yuhao raised his chin slightly, placing one hand behind his back and the other in front of him. Had his face been a little older, he truly would have had the air of a master. Unfortunately, Ning Yuhao was still far too young.
"A master?" A hint of doubt crept into Oscar's voice.
"Hey!" Dai Mubai hooked an arm around Oscar's neck and trapped him under his arm. "You even dare question me now? Let me tell you, if he plans things out for you, you'll benefit enormously in the future. Don't say I didn't warn you!"
Oscar hurriedly begged for mercy. "Ow! I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!"
Only then did Dai Mubai release him. Oscar then offered a proper greeting. "Hello, Master!"
Ning Yuhao nodded with a smile. "Hello."
Only now did Oscar have time to take a good look at the two girls beside him. To his surprise, that one look captivated him, and even his voice grew coquettishly sweet. "Would you ladies like some grilled sausages?"
That affected, cutesy tone sent a shudder through Ning Yuhao. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing also looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Dai Mubai, however, saw what Oscar was doing and gave him a hard slap. "Cut it out! None of that nonsense. Get your mind straight."
After scolding Oscar, he turned to Ning Yuhao and the others. "This guy's a bit of a clown, but don't let his appearance fool you. He's a food-type Soul Master with Innate Full Soul Power. His grilled sausages are very useful too."
"Though I don't know if it's because of his Martial Soul, his hair grows much more thickly than most people's. If he goes a day without shaving, his beard ends up like this. But he's actually only fourteen."
"I'll take one. There are still tests ahead, so they might come in handy," Ning Yuhao said.
"Sure!" Oscar took three grilled sausages from the cart. None of them ate theirs, instead putting them into their Storage Soul Tools.
Dai Mubai found them a room to rest in. "Rest here for a while. I'll take everyone who qualifies to go straight to the fourth round over together later. Ah, this academy only has the three of us students right now. We're seriously shorthanded."
"What about the teachers?" Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Dai Mubai's expression turned a little peculiar. "They've all gone out to earn money. After all, now that this area has developed, there are more job opportunities."
"..."
Dai Mubai went outside and hauled Oscar over again. "Go tell Fatty that tonight's plans are canceled. Have him find a proper restaurant instead. Hurry."
Afterward, Dai Mubai returned to the entrance.
"I didn't expect the two of you to have such impressive cultivation either." Dai Mubai smiled and patted Tang San on the shoulder.
Tang San's expression was normal, while Xiao Wu had already returned to her initial manner. She raised her chin and declared proudly, "We can go straight to the fourth test without relying on anyone else."
Tang San frowned and sighed wearily. "Enough, Xiao Wu."
He could already tell that there probably was not a single easy customer in this academy. They were newcomers, and just as Ning Yuhao had said, they "didn't have the strength." It would be better not to provoke people too much.
By the time everyone in the line had finished, the only ones who could go straight to the fourth round were Ning Yuhao's group of three and Tang San's group of two.
"All right, let's go." Dai Mubai led Tang San and Xiao Wu into the academy.
Ning Yuhao and Zhu Zhuqing showed little reaction upon seeing the pair, but Ning Rongrong sounded somewhat surprised. "Oh! I didn't expect you two to be able to go straight to the fourth round too."
Xiao Wu immediately shot back, "Hmph! Don't look down on people! We're both rank-29 Soul Grandmasters!"
At those words, Ning Rongrong's expression grew somewhat unpleasant.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, showed little reaction. With Ning Yuhao ahead of her, and a weight lifted from her heart, she had naturally thrown herself into cultivation. She was now a rank-29 Soul Grandmaster as well.
Ning Yuhao chuckled and gave Ning Rongrong a pat on the head. "Sister Rongrong, I told you to cultivate properly. See? You've been outdone."
Indeed, Ning Rongrong's playful nature had not changed. Her cultivation was only at rank 28 now. Although that was somewhat higher than in the original timeline, she still had not surpassed Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Hearing Ning Yuhao's words, Xiao Wu immediately realized that Ning Rongrong's rank was lower than hers. At once, her nose seemed to rise all the way into the sky. "Oh, so your cultivation isn't even as high as ours. Your 'strength' isn't much either."
As though retaliating, Xiao Wu deliberately stressed the word "strength." Even Tang San could not help frowning. He tugged at Xiao Wu, then glanced at Ning Yuhao.
Against such an anomaly, he felt somewhat uncertain even with his Tang Sect Hidden Weapons. After all, if Ning Yuhao's Soul Ring ages exceeded the limits, then his over-limit Soul Rings might be his smallest accomplishment, his most insignificant trump card.
Still, Ning Yuhao did not seem angry, and Tang San finally let out a secret sigh of relief.
Dai Mubai spoke up, his gaze somewhat cold. "Enough. If you two pass the test, we'll all be classmates from now on. Don't say things that undermine unity."
Then, under Dai Mubai's guidance, they passed straight through the testing grounds for the second and third rounds and headed to the fourth.
"Teacher Zhao, I've brought people for the fourth-round assessment."
"Hmm? This many this year?" The middle-aged man looked at the five people before him in surprise.
"That's right, and all of them were exempted from the second- and third-round tests."
Zhao Wuji rose from his chair. He was not tall, but he was exceptionally solidly built, like a city wall. He stroked his full beard. "Not bad. Quite a few little monsters this year."
"My name is Zhao Wuji. I'll give you one stick of incense's worth of time to get to know each other and discuss tactics. Once that incense burns out, the test will begin. You just need to work together to withstand my attacks for one minute. As long as one of you lasts until the end, all of you pass. Also, a friendly reminder: don't try to escape by relying on speed. It won't work, and none of you can possibly withstand my attacks alone."
Dai Mubai frowned. "Teacher Zhao, isn't that the wrong test?"
Zhao Wuji glared at him. "What's wrong with it? With the dean away, I'm in charge. If I say this is the test, then this is the test. All right, I'm lighting the incense. Mubai, you can tell them about my Martial Soul, Soul Skills, and so on. Let them prepare properly."
With that, Zhao Wuji took out a stick of incense and rubbed his fingers over it, lighting it. Then he actually stuck it straight into the ground.
Dai Mubai rubbed his brow helplessly and sighed, then gathered them together.
"Don't worry. Even if you really can't hold out, at worst I'll go speak to the dean when he gets back. Put your own safety first."
Xiao Wu's brows shot up. "What's with you? Why puff up someone else's prestige and snuff out our own? We haven't even fought yet, and you already think we're bound to lose."
Then Xiao Wu looked around, letting her gaze linger particularly on Ning Yuhao. "With all of us together, we could probably beat even a Soul Ancestor. We might even be able to put up a fight against a Soul King. Judging by this teacher's age, surely he can't be a Soul Emperor too."