Liu Erlong—alongside Yu Xiaogang and Flender—was one of the famed Golden Iron Triangle.
She was the "Slaughter Corner" among the trio.
Although Liu Erlong had mellowed out considerably over the years, she had once caused rivers of blood to flow.
Especially after her separation from Yu Xiaogang—unable to accept that she was his cousin—Liu Erlong had gone on a rampage, slaughtering an entire spirit beast forest during a period of heartbreak.
Anyone who crossed her path back then—whether evil or not—had no chance of surviving. It wasn't until Flender counseled her that she finally began to calm down.
Thus, Liu Erlong was extremely sensitive to the faint killing intent that Lin Fan was purposely emanating at the moment. That's why she froze slightly when she felt it.
"This youth doesn't look that old, yet his killing aura… it's no less intense than I was back then."
Hearing the sudden voice, Lin Fan glanced over. Though it was his first time seeing her, the earlier address by the teacher had already let him know this was Liu Erlong, Dean of Blue Tyrant Academy.
Liu Erlong was slightly taller than Tang Yuehua, though she was somewhat inferior in beauty and elegance.
Still, Lin Fan remained silent.
Liu Erlong questioned the teacher, Yin Shu, "Teacher Yin Shu, he doesn't seem like one of our students. What's going on?"
Teacher Yin Shu promptly explained, "Dean, this youth came today saying he wants to join our academy's team to compete in the upcoming All-Continent Elite Tournament."
At that moment, Lin Xuan (Lin Fan's alias) introduced himself coldly, "My name is Lin Xuan, 23 years old, a rank-51 Soul King. Per my family's request, I am to enroll in any advanced soul master academy I please and win this year's Elite Tournament—that will complete my family's trial."
Lin Fan's icy gaze met Liu Erlong's as he bluntly stated his purpose.
Liu Erlong knew that there were many powerful clans on the continent with strange customs—but she had never heard of a so-called "Lin Clan."
Still, any family capable of raising a 23-year-old to the level of a Soul King wasn't to be underestimated.
However, Liu Erlong kept her thoughts to herself and asked skeptically, "Though your strength is quite impressive among your peers, our academy's battle team is among the weakest of all the advanced soul master academies.
Are you sure this is the right place to complete your family's trial?"
Naturally, Lin Fan understood that choosing a stronger academy, like Heaven Dou Imperial Academy or one of the Five Element Academies, would make winning the championship easier.
But those academies had powerful backers—far too troublesome for his liking.
Moreover, the system specifically required him to win the championship as a member of the Shrek team.
Besides, with his strength, it didn't matter which academy he chose.
And Blue Tyrant Academy would soon be renamed Shrek Academy once Flender and the others arrived—Lin Fan was simply joining ahead of time.
"I don't like complications. Blue Tyrant Academy is simple. As long as you approve, Dean, even if I fight alone, I'll win the championship for you." Lin Fan replied coolly, his tone calm but direct.
"Quite confident." Liu Erlong's expression darkened slightly. "But I hope you're not just confident—there's a fine line between confidence and arrogance."
"Very well then. If you want me to make an exception and admit you, I won't oppose it. However, since you're a Soul King, Teacher Yin Shu here is also a rank-56 Soul King."
"You'll spar with Teacher Yin Shu. If you can defeat him, proving you have the power to win the tournament without relying on your teammates, I'll agree to let you join."
"Of course, given your strength, as long as you don't disturb other students, we won't restrict you here," she added, her tone firm.
"Fine." Lin Fan nodded without hesitation.
However, Teacher Yin Shu's face immediately darkened.
Though he was a rank-56 Soul King, his soul ring configuration wasn't optimal, and his martial soul wasn't particularly strong either.
Facing Lin Fan's overwhelming killing aura, he knew full well that he wasn't Lin Fan's match.
Still, Liu Erlong had spoken—he had no choice.
He forced a smile, though it looked more like a grimace. "Let's just exchange a couple of moves."
"Teacher, please."
Lin Fan calmly summoned his Slaughter Sword Martial Soul, five soul rings lighting up around him.
Immediately, both Liu Erlong and Teacher Yin Shu felt the chilling, oppressive killing aura from his sword.
"That crimson sword… it might not be inferior to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon. It's likely a top-tier martial soul," Liu Erlong secretly compared it to her own family's martial soul lineage.
Teacher Yin Shu's expression grew even more bitter.
The pressure from Lin Fan's martial soul was suffocating.
Still, he had to go through with it.
He summoned his martial soul—revealing a basic setup: one white, two yellow, and two purple rings. Just an ordinary Soul King.
"Student Lin Xuan, you're the challenger—you may strike first." Teacher Yin Shu could only maintain his demeanor as an instructor.
"First Soul Skill—Annihilating Strike!"
Lin Fan didn't waste words. He immediately activated his soul skill—a crimson glow gathered at his sword tip.
With lightning speed, he lunged at Teacher Yin Shu.
Of course, Lin Fan had no intention of truly unleashing the full power of this ten-thousand-year soul skill.
Utilizing his Divided Mind Control Technique alongside the Phantom Star Grass's power, he perfectly controlled the output of his soul skill and soul power.
Still, his speed was terrifyingly fast—leaving a trail of afterimages as he dashed forward.
Whoosh!
In the blink of an eye, his sword's tip pressed against Teacher Yin Shu's throat.
Gulp…
Teacher Yin Shu swallowed hard, cold sweat pouring down his face. He hadn't even seen Lin Fan's attack trajectory.
"Teacher, you've lost. If I were a real enemy, your throat would already be pierced." Lin Fan retracted his martial soul calmly.
"Such terrifying speed… and such ruthless intent. What kind of training does his clan put their people through? He's trained to kill in a single strike…"
Liu Erlong, watching from the sidelines, was secretly astonished by Lin Fan's cold-blooded combat style.
Though Lin Fan had deliberately suppressed his true power, Liu Erlong—being a Soul Sage—was able to glimpse some of his movements.
"Very well. From this day forward, you are officially a member of Blue Tyrant Academy's battle team."
Liu Erlong handed him a blue iron token bearing the academy's insignia.
"This is your battle team emblem."
"Teacher Yin Shu, take him to meet the other team members," she instructed.
"No need. I'll come myself when the tournament preliminaries start."
Lin Fan declined flatly.
After all, he couldn't possibly maintain his "Lin Xuan" disguise all the time—he'd risk developing a split personality at this rate.
Besides, there was still nearly a year before the tournament's preliminaries in Heaven Dou City. There was no need for him to remain in disguise at the academy all the time.
All he needed was to secure a spot on the team in advance.
Without waiting for further words from Liu Erlong or Yin Shu, Lin Fan pocketed the token and left Blue Tyrant Academy.
"…What a strange youth. Dean, you've seen far more than me—what kind of family do you think could raise someone this cold and ruthless?" Yin Shu muttered nervously, still shaken by Lin Fan's presence.
"I'm not sure either," Liu Erlong replied softly. "But with him here, we might really stand a chance at snatching the championship from Spirit Hall."
After speaking, Liu Erlong also returned to her usual secluded retreat.
Meanwhile, on his way back, Lin Fan passed by Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
After some inquiries, he learned that the Heaven Dou Imperial Battle Team had already left the academy two months ago to train in various Soul Arenas across the region.