Shrek Academy

Tang Ya looked at them in surprise. "You've made up your minds so quickly?"

Lin Qianyi smiled gently. "The Tang Sect's decline doesn't mean it will remain in decline forever. Like flowers, grass, and trees, there are times when they wither, and times when they bloom with life again. Every sect has its peaks and valleys. I believe the Tang Sect will rise again someday."

Huo Yuhao nodded solemnly. "Qianyi is right."

Tang Ya's eyes grew slightly moist, her heart swelling with emotion and gratitude. "Thank you... Beibei will teach you the Tang Sect's cultivation methods later."

Beibei taught Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao the Tang Sect's techniques one by one. Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track was an evasive movement technique as profound as Lingbo Weibu. With every step, layers of afterimages appeared, making its user impossible to pin down. It allowed one to evade an enemy's attacks in an instant, as though melting into the air and leaving behind only a fading shadow. Vast Expanse Magic Eye was an ocular technique divided into four realms from lowest to highest: Overview, Detail, Mustard Seed, and Vast Expanse. The deeper one's realm, the more one could see things invisible to the naked eye. It also rendered one immune to illusion attacks, and once cultivated to the utmost level, it could even be used to counter an opponent. Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon was the Tang Sect's ultimate grappling art. Those who mastered it could seize objects barehanded and turn them into weapons, attacking without form or trace and leaving their opponents unable to guard against it. The Mysterious Heaven Skill, the Tang Sect's strongest inner cultivation method, fused with Soul Power and grew without end as one's martial soul rank broke through, seeming to possess inexhaustible strength. Hundred Explanations of Hidden Weapons—hidden weapons were the very foundation of the Tang Sect, which was peerless in their manufacture. This Hundred Explanations of Hidden Weapons was the technique used alongside them. No matter what type of hidden weapon it was, this technique could bring its power to the fullest and launch unexpected attacks.

Listening to Beibei's explanations and watching his demonstrations, Lin Qianyi learned at an astonishing speed. Before long, she had developed her own insights and could use the techniques skillfully. Huo Yuhao was also intelligent and diligent. Though he learned a little more slowly, he advanced steadily. "Not bad, Junior Brother, Junior Sister," Beibei said approvingly. "That's because Senior Brother teaches well!" Lin Qianyi replied with a smile. "I merely offered some guidance," Beibei said modestly, waving his hand.

As Tang Ya watched Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao's increasingly noticeable progress, a gratified smile curled across her lips. "Little Qianyi, Little Yuhao, now that you've officially crossed the threshold into the Tang Sect, I'll give you a surprise." Huo Yuhao's eyes lit up as he asked respectfully, "What surprise is it, Teacher Xiaoya?" Lin Qianyi also fixed Tang Ya with a gaze full of curiosity and anticipation.

Tang Ya smiled softly and said slowly, "It's an exemption from the entrance examination for Shrek Academy."

"The number one academy on the continent?" Lin Qianyi's eyes widened in surprise, her voice unable to conceal her excitement.

Beibei, standing nearby, took over. "That's right. Shrek Academy has deep ties with our Tang Sect. Even now, while the Tang Sect is at a low point, Shrek Academy grants us one admission slot every year that doesn't require testing. And this year..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two young people before him. "Making an exception and giving us one more slot isn't impossible."

Tang Ya and Beibei told them of Shrek Academy's past, its weighty history unfolding before them like a vast scroll. They spoke of the Sun Moon Continent's invasion of Douluo Continent. Although victory was ultimately won in that thrilling war, it also marked the beginning of the Tang Sect's decline. At the time, the Sun Moon Continent's soul masters were weaker than those of Douluo Continent, but their Soul Tools—sophisticated weapons powered by Soul Power—became the key factor in determining the war's outcome. In the past, the Three Great Empires had all relied on the Tang Sect's hidden weapons, which had worked wonders in battle. Yet this time, the Tang Sect's hidden weapons were unable to withstand the attacks of the Sun Moon Continent's Soul Tools, resulting in devastating casualties for the Three Great Empires. At that critical moment, Shrek Academy was no longer constrained by any single empire. All of its Titled Douluo mobilized, barely managing to turn the tide and secure victory. But the cost was enormous: one Titled Douluo fell forever on the battlefield.

After that, the Sun Moon Continent renamed itself the Sun Moon Empire. Though the war ceased, it seemed to be bound by invisible shackles. It was now utterly quiet, like the calm before a storm, and no one knew what sort of conspiracy it might be brewing. Shrek Academy, meanwhile, became an independent entity no longer belonging to any empire. It was clearly divided, with the Outer Court and Inner Court each undertaking different missions. The Inner Court was the true Shrek Academy, gathering geniuses among geniuses like brilliant stars. The Outer Court, meanwhile, was divided into the Martial Soul Department and the Soul Tool Department. The Martial Soul Department focused on cultivating martial souls and increasing Soul Power, while the Soul Tool Department specialized in the creation and use of Soul Tools. Each had its own distinct characteristics, and together they formed an essential part of this legendary academy.

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After Tang Ya and Beibei brought Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao to complete their registration and collect their school uniforms, Tang Ya softly instructed them, "Go put down your luggage first. We'll meet up later." Lin Qianyi obediently answered, "Okay," then split up with Huo Yuhao.

As Lin Qianyi walked alone, her gaze happened to fall upon a reclining chair beneath the shade of a tree. An elderly man with snow-white hair lay on it. Her steps slowed, and she politely approached him, bowing slightly as she asked softly, "Hello, Grandpa. Could you tell me how to get to Room 206 of the girls' dormitory?"

The old man slowly opened his eyes, a trace of warmth in his gaze. "You really are a polite little girl. Go to the second floor, turn right, and it's the sixth room."

Lin Qianyi bowed slightly again and sincerely thanked him. "Thank you, Grandpa." She then turned and left.

But this old man's identity was anything but ordinary. As he watched Lin Qianyi's retreating figure, a glint of surprise flashed through his eyes. In that brief instant, he had already sensed an unusual aura from the girl, an exceedingly rare talent. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly as he murmured, "Interesting..."

After putting away their luggage, Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao went together to find Tang Ya and Beibei. Just then, they heard Tang Ya's somewhat worried voice. "Why is the homeroom teacher of Class One for new students her? She's famously strict!"

Lin Qianyi asked in confusion, "What did you say, Teacher Xiaoya?"

Beibei explained, "Your homeroom teacher, Zhou Yi, is extremely strict. The academy's rules are so harsh they seem tailor-made for monsters rather than ordinary people. Teacher Zhou originally taught the Third Year Class, and her teaching style can only be described as 'severe.' Students under her instruction will be punished for the slightest mistake. Her strictness is simply extreme. However, the students she teaches generally become Inner Court disciples. That's the advantage of being strict, I suppose. As for why she's been assigned to teach you, perhaps she was reported and demoted."

Hearing this, Huo Yuhao felt a chill spread up his spine. Cold sweat silently soaked his back, and waves of unease rose in his heart. Lin Qianyi, however, reacted completely differently. Her expression remained calm as she said, "Teachers are serious because they have our best interests at heart. But if her strictness goes too far, it would be rather inhumane. Still, as long as her intentions are good, there's nothing wrong with it."

Tang Ya gazed at Lin Qianyi and Huo Yuhao before speaking slowly. "Qianyi, judging from all the traits of your martial soul, you'll be better suited to cultivate in the Martial Soul Department as well in the future. As for Yuhao, you should focus on the Soul Tool Department." Lin Qianyi nodded quietly without saying anything. Huo Yuhao, however, asked with some confusion, "What is the Soul Tool Department?"

Tang Ya's expression dimmed slightly upon hearing the question. Seeing this, Beibei hurriedly explained, "The Soul Tool Department mainly researches and creates Soul Tools. Simply put, Soul Tools are devices powered by Soul Power. This field truly requires exceptionally gifted people to master, whether in their creation or use. Actually, the emergence of Soul Tools should have been a good thing, but it also became the turning point that led the Tang Sect's hidden weapons toward decline."

Tang Ya's expression grew even more downcast. "That's right. After Soul Tools rose to prominence, the Tang Sect's hidden weapons sold far less well, and the Tang Sect rapidly declined as a result." Lin Qianyi comforted her softly, "Teacher Xiaoya, the emergence of something new doesn't necessarily mean the Tang Sect's hidden weapons are destined to decline."