The next day, at Monster Academy.
The school gate was crowded, though noticeably less so than in previous years.
"Why is the entrance exam for Monster Academy so strict?"
"Exactly, I heard the same thing last year. So many people came, but barely anyone got accepted."
Voices buzzed through the crowd. Many were now hesitant after seeing only two candidates successfully pass.
A good portion of those lining up at the registration area quietly left.
Just then—
A little girl in a pink dress, with two rabbit ears atop her head, bounced happily toward the registration table.
Behind her walked Lin Feng and a chubby little boy in a tight red outfit.
Previously, Lin Feng had already awakened their martial souls and innate soul power for them at Flame Valley.
"Teacher Flender,"
"These are two new students for our academy—Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun. Please evaluate them."
Lin Feng stepped forward to speak with Flender.
"Yes, Young Master,"
Flender replied with a respectful bow.
"You two, come here."
Flender stood up and beckoned to the pair behind Lin Feng.
"Okay!"
Both Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun responded cheerfully.
"Let me first test your innate soul power."
"Xiao Wu, you first."
Flender took out a blue crystal ball from his robes.
Xiao Wu approached curiously, studying the crystal. Then, she gently pressed her small, fair hand onto it.
In an instant, the crystal radiated with dazzling light.
"Innate full soul power!"
Flender exclaimed in shock, and the surrounding crowd burst into an uproar.
"Look! Over there—someone with full innate soul power!"
"What?! There are barely any of those on the whole continent!"
"Where? Where?!"
Within moments, a swarm of people had gathered tightly around the area.
"Test passed!"
Flender announced with visible excitement.
"Lin Feng, I did it!"
Xiao Wu beamed as she bounced back to Lin Feng's side, pride sparkling in her eyes.
"Great job, Xiao Wu!"
Lin Feng praised her with a smile and patted her head affectionately.
Off in the distance, Dugu Bo observed the scene silently.
Feng'er really never ceases to surprise me.
A hundred-thousand-year soul beast in human form with full innate soul power... impressive, Feng'er.
Behind him, Liu Erlong, Dugu Yan, Ye Lingling, and Yu Kuang also wore expressions of shock.
They hadn't expected Xiao Wu's talent to be this extraordinary.
Next, Ma Hongjun stepped up for his test. The soul power light was also brilliant, though not quite as intense as Xiao Wu's.
"Ma Hongjun, innate soul power of level eight. Test passed."
Flender's eyes widened again as he announced the result.
"Innate level eight?!"
"Just now someone had full innate soul power, and now we have another with level eight?"
"This Monster Academy is ridiculous!"
"Still, it's a good thing. It's been a long time since our city has seen such talented kids."
Another wave of astonishment swept the crowd.
"Alright, Xiao Wu, Ma Hongjun, go ahead into the academy."
"I've arranged for Dugu Yan and Lingling to show you around."
"Teacher Zhao, I'll leave the rest to you. I've got something to handle, but I'll drop by during the freshmen welcome tonight."
Lin Feng smiled at the group.
"Understood, Young Master,"
Flender replied.
"Sister Yan, Sister Lingling!"
Xiao Wu and Ma Hongjun eagerly dashed toward the group waiting at the gate.
"You're here, let's go."
"Lin Feng already told us to give you a campus tour."
"But first—cafeteria time! We're letting you taste the best of our Monster Academy chefs."
Dugu Yan said with hands on her hips.
"Cafeteria? Awesome! I'm starving."
Ma Hongjun patted his round belly.
"Cafeteria? Do they have carrots?"
Xiao Wu asked adorably, twitching her bunny ears.
"Pfft!"
"Of course, as many as you want."
Ye Lingling, watching their antics, couldn't help but laugh.
---
Later that evening, as twilight faded from the sky…
Though the academy gates remained open, only a handful of people lingered out front.
"I think we'll end today's admissions here,"
Dugu Bo said with his hands behind his back, addressing Flender and Zhao Wuji.
"But... Dean, we've only admitted four students this year,"
Zhao Wuji said with a hint of regret.
"Teacher Zhao, have you forgotten Monster Academy's admissions philosophy?"
"Better none than mediocrity. This school only accepts true monsters."
Dugu Bo's tone grew stern.
"Yes, Dean,"
Zhao Wuji immediately bowed.
"Better none than mediocrity…"
Flender echoed softly to himself.
He had witnessed all the changes over the past year. This was exactly the kind of academy he had once dreamed of building.
Thinking of this, Flender felt once again deeply grateful to Lin Feng for inviting him.
The academy may not have shown its fangs yet, but in the tournament three years from now, Monster Academy will shake the continent!
Flender vowed silently.
---
In the training hall…
The newly enrolled students had just completed Lin Shui's hypnosis-based aptitude tests.
As they exited, Lin Feng watched them with a trace of disappointment in his heart.
Sigh... It's been half a year and still no good new traits showing up. Even Dugu Yan and the others haven't refreshed anything great…
Then, Lin Feng suddenly remembered Tang San.
I wonder how that kid is doing. It's been a day already.
Could he have gotten exposed and locked up by Tang Hao for a brutal "re-education"?
No, I better go check.
"Lin Jian, Lin Shui, take everyone back to the dorms to rest."
He instructed the two standing beside him.
Once everyone had left the training hall—
"Astral Projection."
His divine soul shot out from the top of his head, vanishing in a flash and reappearing at the blacksmith shop in Holy Spirit Village.
There, Tang San stood alone, eyes full of complicated emotion.
On the ground lay Tang Hao's corpse.
"Tang Hao, you're finally dead."
Tang San raised his head and howled to the sky, venting all his years of resentment.
Whoa… I was only gone for a day…
Tang San acted that fast?!
Lin Feng was frozen in shock.
How the hell did he even do it?
Tang San dragged Tang Hao's body into the courtyard and buried it on the spot, disguising the grave to avoid suspicion.
When all was done, he stepped outside again.
Lin Feng quickly followed.
Tang San ran all the way to the pond where Lin Feng had once appeared, then respectfully knelt and kowtowed.
"Master, it's all my fault you've returned to slumber."
"I'm starting school soon… But one day, I swear I will bring you back to life."
Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered.
Standing nearby, Lin Feng couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
This kid… he's got a heart, I'll give him that.
Even touched his "master"…
Better leave before I get soft…
With that, Lin Feng silently turned and vanished into the night.
---
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