For the current Yang Xiong, neither Tang San, Dai Mubai, nor even Xiao Wu held any interest. Rather than paying attention to them, he'd much rather focus on his own cultivation.
Early the next morning, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong followed the directions to Shrek Academy.
However, as they walked further, Ning Rongrong's expression grew increasingly unpleasant.
After leaving Soto City, the two followed the main road south. The further they went, the fewer people and buildings they saw, just sprawling farmland as far as the eye could see. There was no sign of any so-called advanced soul master academy, only a small village.
After some confirmation, they indeed saw a table set up at the village entrance. An archway built out of wood bore a somewhat shabby signboard with the words "Shrek Academy" written on it.
Ning Rongrong was visibly upset.
"Father said this Shrek Academy was good? Just look at this rundown place, how is this even remotely like a proper soul master academy? He said it had excellent instructors and surpassed ordinary advanced academies. Was he also deceived?"
Although Yang Xiong had already known that Shrek Academy was poor and broken down, he hadn't expected it to be _this_ poor. He was just as disappointed.
"Rongrong, I think we'd better go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy. The environment there is great in every way, and they even have simulation areas, much more suitable for your training."
Ning Rongrong was unwilling to give in.
"I made a bet with Father. He said I couldn't handle the hardships of Shrek Academy. I must prove to him that even if the academy is terrible, I'll still check it out. I can't let him look down on me."
"Besides, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is too close to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It's no fun at all. There's no freedom. I might as well train at the sect."
Yang Xiong couldn't help but feel helpless seeing her like this, she really looked like a child who had been tricked.
At that moment, there was a group of people lining up at the academy entrance, presumably students hoping to register. Sitting at the desk was a man in his sixties, likely a soul master and clearly part of the admissions staff.
But what surprised Yang Xiong was how many people were lining up, over a hundred. All duped, apparently. And most of them were soul masters, some even above level 20.
Many in the queue were commenting on Shrek Academy's poor condition, with a variety of opinions flying around.
One teenager said dejectedly,
"Father, I don't want to study here. The environment is awful. I want to go to Soto City Intermediate Soul Master Academy. I'm a genius with level 21 soul power!"
His parents tried to comfort him,
"We're already here, let's just take a look. I heard Shrek Academy has excellent teachers. Graduates can even become imperial viscounts. Maybe the environment is just a test of your will?"
Hearing all the chatter, Yang Xiong couldn't help but rub his forehead.
These hundred-plus people must mostly be paid shills. This Shrek place looks exactly like those sketchy diploma mills from my previous life, loud ads boasting about faculty quality and future success, but in reality, they don't even have basic infrastructure. The buildings might be rented, and the school might disappear after collecting tuition fees.
What's more, the old man at the registration table looked lazy and indifferent, with a condescending attitude toward the students. Ironically, this only seemed to attract even more people to line up.
At that moment, a young man finished registering, but the old man said casually,
"You're over twelve years old. You don't meet the entry requirements. No refund."
The youth and his parents wanted to argue, but suddenly a young man stepped forward, it was Dai Mubai, whom they'd seen the previous day.
"If you want a refund, you'll have to beat me first."
Dai Mubai revealed his fierce White Tiger Martial Soul and his three soul rings: two yellow and one purple. This shocked the entire queue. Who would've thought that such a young man was already a Soul Elder? Everyone marveled at how impressive Shrek Academy's students were. Even most advanced academy graduates only reach level 30.
Yang Xiong: …
Then the old man unleashed a terrifying aura. Countless finely carved rods appeared, and beneath his feet were six soul rings: white, yellow, three purple, and black.
The crowd gasped again.
A Soul Emperor?! A genuine Soul Emperor is actually teaching at this academy? Shrek's faculty really is top-tier. Enrolling here must be the best decision.
Yang Xiong: …
However, once the old man stated the entry requirements, being under twelve years old and having over level 20 soul power with two rings, more than half the queue disappeared. Still, dozens remained, apparently those who met the standard.
The entrance standard was undeniably high, comparable to the best advanced academies in the empire.
Yang Xiong sighed inwardly.
Soto City really is one of Balak Kingdom's most renowned cities. Plenty of kids under twelve here are above level 20. But unfortunately, most of them aren't from soul master clans, and their future paths will be much harder than they realize.
And yet, this Shrek Academy was a major trap. With four rounds of testing, especially the final combat trial, none of the under-level-25 students passed. After all, how many twelve-year-olds really have combat experience?
Ning Rongrong sneered,
"Just a Soul Emperor? And look at that soul ring configuration, how terrible."
Soon, it was Tang San and Xiao Wu's turn. Given their soul power levels, they easily passed the first stage and went straight to the final combat test.
Yang Xiong scanned the crowd as if he remembered something. Sure enough, he spotted a cold-looking, curvaceous young girl. It had to be Zhu Zhuqing from the original story.
She was indeed stunning, more so than Yang Xiong had imagined. Her figure was incredibly mature for her age, her skin pale as snow. You'd never guess she was only twelve.
Suddenly, Yang Xiong felt a sharp pain in his waist. He turned to see Ning Rongrong glaring at him in disgust.
"Xiao Xiong, I thought you only cared about cultivation, but it turns out you're just as shallow, can't take your eyes off a pretty face."
Yang Xiong was speechless.
"Rongrong, aren't you misunderstanding something? I'm just a normal guy."
Ning Rongrong only tightened her grip.
"Normal guy? I don't buy it. I'm beautiful and dazzling at school, but you never look at me like that."
Yang Xiong quickly pulled away, silently complaining to himself: The gap between people is too wide, whether in figure or personality.
But his expression stayed serious.
"Rongrong, it's _because_ you're so dazzling at school that I didn't dare get too close. Anyway, let's focus on registering. No need to get distracted by little things."
Ning Rongrong gave him a suspicious look, but her attention was soon drawn back to the old man at the front.
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