It was the enrollment season.
Outside the gates of Shrek Academy, a long line had already formed. Young candidates clutched recommendation letters from city lords, most accompanied by finely dressed parents.
The atmosphere was noisy and bustling.
Beibei stood watching the scene, momentarily lost in thought.
He remembered how, years ago, Tang Ya had been just like this—like a lively sprite barging into his heart. Unfortunately...
"Senior Beibei, someone is causing trouble."
A voice brought him back to reality. A young man in a green outer courtyard uniform stood in front of him, looking somewhat embarrassed as he pointed to a commotion in the distance.
In the enrollment line, a noble-looking middle-aged man was with his son, seemingly berating the student in charge at the registration point, muttering discontentedly.
Beibei frowned slightly at the sight.
After being rescued from the Sun Moon Empire, he had been directly admitted into the inner courtyard—without even needing to pass the assessment. Today, the senior sister from the inner courtyard who was originally in charge of enrollment had something come up last minute, so Beibei had been pulled in to fill the role.
Despite complaining, he didn't really mind the task.
Looking at these so-called nobles and powerful clan members—figures who could shake the outside world with a stomp of the foot—yet now humbling themselves before Shrek Academy, he couldn't help but feel a trace of pride for being a part of Shrek.
But now, someone dared to cause trouble at the gates of Shrek Academy. Naturally, Beibei was displeased. The students handling enrollment were only from the outer courtyard, and the strongest among them was merely at the peak of Soul Elder. With no teachers around, he had to step in.
"Hello, I'm the person in charge of this round of Shrek's enrollment—Beibei. May I ask what dissatisfaction you have with the process?"
In just a few steps, Beibei approached the nobleman.
At 1.9 meters tall, he looked down at the noble father and son. Though his tone was polite, there was an innate sense of disdain in his demeanor.
At the same time, six soul rings rose from his feet, and the powerful presence of a Soul Emperor swept out. Around them, countless parents and students were stunned into silence, the noisy chatter instantly subdued.
"No wonder he's from Shrek Academy—already a Soul Emperor at such a young age…"
"He must be only sixteen or seventeen… That kind of talent is terrifying!"
"Sigh… If my son could become a Soul Emperor before twenty, I'd burn incense in gratitude!"
…
Listening to the flurry of admiration, Beibei could barely contain his smirk, but maintained a calm expression as he looked down at the trembling noble father and son.
"Gentlemen, if there's no issue, please leave. Shrek Academy has always upheld its own standards—we don't accept trash."
"You!"
The middle-aged noble gritted his teeth.
Seeing the impatient urging from behind and the mocking gazes from the crowd, he glared at Beibei.
"Hmph! Shrek Academy is already on its last legs, yet still maintains such high standards. Recommendation letters from city lords aside—under 12 years old, and above level 15—what academy on the continent demands such criteria?!"
"In my opinion, the Sun Moon Empire Academy is far more inclusive. They not only have martial soul divisions but also the most advanced soul tool departments on the continent. As long as you're a Level 1 Soul Engineer before enrollment age, you're in. Who still cares about Shrek Academy anyway?"
"Shrek has a soul tool department too," Beibei replied coldly, barely containing his anger. "If you'd rather go to the Sun Moon Empire, then go. Trash filtered out by Shrek won't stir up any waves."
"Hmph…"
The noble father and son left under the crowd's watchful gaze.
The onlookers took the scene in silently.
Though what the nobleman said wasn't entirely wrong, having chosen to come to Shrek, no one wanted to ruin their chances before getting results.
Everyone knew Shrek was in decline.
Eliminated in the top 16 of the last tournament, signs of decay were evident. And then came the widely discussed battle of Mingdu—known across the continent. This once-proud academy that had reigned for millennia was now being overwhelmed by the rising Sun Moon Empire.
Its fall was inevitable. Yet, many noble factions still placed their bets, hoping Shrek could hold on for a few more centuries. After all, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. And with top forces withdrawing, their own children would face less competition.
"Everyone, Shrek Academy does not accept trash. This is a rule set by our ancestors. If your strength doesn't meet the standard, you should leave now. If anyone continues to make trouble… hmph."
As Beibei stretched out his right arm, dragon scales instantly covered it, and a holy aura surged from within.
To these 11- or 12-year-olds—many born into power but weak in strength—it was an overwhelming pressure.
Early Morning — Shrek Academy's Grand Plaza
"Yo, isn't that Mu Jin? What kind of trash can the martial soul division recruit these days? You might as well switch to the soul tool department like I did. These days... it's the age of soul tools."
Newly enrolled students looked around the vast plaza with curiosity and excitement. But unlike past years—when the martial soul division was packed and the soul tool division was almost empty—the situation had reversed.
Mu Jin glanced at Zhou Yi, who stood proudly at the front of the soul tool division, and cursed her luck. But seeing Fan Yu beside her, she could only turn her head away in frustration.
The incident with Zhou Yi, orchestrated by the Sun Moon Empire exchange students, had become widely known in the martial soul division. All the teachers had cheered when Zhou Yi was dismissed.
No one expected that after Fan Yu returned, not only was the soul tool division revitalized, but Zhou Yi's charges were also dismissed. Fan Yu, the former head of the department, fresh from his studies in the Sun Moon Empire, had reinstated Zhou Yi as a homeroom teacher in the now-popular soul tool division.
Complaints from students fell on deaf ears—completely ignored.
Because of Fan Yu, the higher-ups were protective of Zhou Yi. Mu Jin could only curse bitterly in her heart: This bitch sure is lucky.
"Mu Jin, I hope you'll stop targeting Zhou Yi. After all, we're colleagues. If things get too ugly, no one will come out looking good…" Fan Yu said coldly.
"Huh?" Mu Jin was stunned.
Who's targeting who?
But seeing Zhou Yi's smug, provocative expression, she took a deep breath and chose to ignore the pair.
Damn it. I must have been blind back then.
…
Fan Yu was frustrated too.
While he had gone to the Sun Moon Empire to help develop Shrek's soul tools, these martial soul division bastards had ganged up on his wife.
If he'd come back any later, who knew what would've happened?
He looked at Zhou Yi with even more tenderness in his eyes.
Don't worry—I'll make sure you get your revenge!
These days, the martial soul division was at the mercy of the soul tool division. The newly appointed elder was already old and had no energy to develop or fight for the martial soul side. He was clearly just coasting to retirement.
The road ahead… is still long!
(End of Chapter)