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The opening ceremony was held on the pristine Spirit Ice Plaza.
The academy had six grade levels, which didn't seem any different from ordinary institutions. The number of students in each grade varied but generally hovered around a hundred. Across all six grades, there were roughly over seven hundred students in total.
Each grade had only one class, with no further subdivisions.
Bai Xu stood amidst the sea of people, his thoughts drifting, his gaze unfocused as he stared blankly into the distance, lost in contemplation.
No grand stage had been erected at the front of the Spirit Ice Plaza. Instead, figures descended from the sky one after another—more than twenty in total.
Among them, the one who landed at the very center was the dean of Shrek Academy's outer court—the Silver Moon Douluo, Elder Cai.
A middle-aged man stepped forward through the air.
"The new academic year is about to begin. For Shrek Academy, this time of year is always when we welcome fresh blood. Now, let us invite the dean of the outer court, Her Excellency the Silver Moon Douluo, Elder Cai, to say a few words."
Immediately, thunderous applause erupted from below. Countless students gazed eagerly at the peerless figure at the center, their hearts filled with admiration and silent vows to strive harder.
Elder Cai spoke indifferently, "Shrek Academy has never forced anyone to cultivate. But Shrek Academy has also never been a place of compulsory education. There is a minor examination every year and a major examination every three years. Fail the minor exam twice, and you're expelled. Fail the major exam once, and you're expelled. Thus, the number of students in the academy will only decrease, not increase, over the next three years. This applies to every grade level..."
After this brief speech, Elder Cai declared the opening ceremony concluded. The teachers on the platform each led their respective grades back to their classrooms.
Bai Xu and Gu Yue followed the crowd, led by Wu Zhangkong, and arrived at a massive lecture hall.
"This year, I will serve as the homeroom teacher for the first-year class, with Shen Yi as the academic advisor. Now, students, take your seats in the order I call out. Tang Wulin, Row 1, Seat 1; Xie Xie, Row 1, Seat 2; Xu Xiaoyan, Row 1, Seat 3... Gu Yue, Row 2, Seat 1; Bai Xu, Row 2, Seat 2..."
Perhaps to encourage group cohesion, Wu Zhangkong deliberately placed the five of them in the front-left section of the classroom. Gu Yue and Bai Xu sat side by side, with Tang Wulin directly in front of Gu Yue, and Xie Xie in front of Bai Xu.
After assigning the seats, Shen Yi took over from Wu Zhangkong and began explaining the rules of Shrek Academy. All expenses here were paid using contribution points rather than federal currency. Additionally, classes were only held in the morning, with the rest of the day left to the students' discretion—a point Bai Xu quite appreciated.
The academy operated on a survival-of-the-fittest system. The bottom five performers in the annual minor exams would be directly expelled.
"Alright, that covers the important points. Next, we'll begin today's morning class." Without pause, Shen Yi transitioned into the lesson after finishing the rules.
"Today's first lesson will cover how to become a battle armor master and the definition of a battle armor master." The moment these words left Shen Yi's mouth, the entire class perked up.
Becoming a battle armor master was the dream of nearly every student. Battle armor could become a tremendous asset in the future, and every top-tier powerhouse on the continent was, without exception, a formidable battle armor master.
Gu Yue glanced at Bai Xu, who seemed somewhat disinterested. The clash between technology and cultivation was bound to be fascinating. Battle armor masters were necessarily soul masters—their strength was built upon the foundation of a soul master's power. At higher levels, battle armor became almost an extension of the soul master's body.
Yet, she couldn't help but wonder: Could any cultivation system truly rival a god?
Although the Spirit of the Plane held Bai Xu in such reverence, as if he were a superior being destined for greatness, Gu Yue had never actually witnessed the full extent of his power. Most of what she knew was hearsay.
So far, Bai Xu had only demonstrated some unique abilities—greater physical strength, formidable spiritual power, and control over multiple elements—but nothing overwhelmingly dominant.
With this in mind, Gu Yue straightened her posture and focused on the lecture. In her view, human technology still had merit. With further development, it might even pose a threat to gods.
She was her own person, and Bai Xu was his. They each had their own paths to follow.
Shen Yi continued, "Thirty-five years old is the outer court's age limit. If you haven't become a one-word battle armor master by then, you'll have to go home. You won't be allowed to graduate. If you've already laid a solid foundation in your secondary occupation before arriving here, congratulations—your future cultivation will proceed more smoothly. Otherwise, you'll have to work much harder. Those who become one-word battle armor masters before the age of twenty-five will qualify for the inner court entrance exam. If you fail, you'll still graduate from the outer court and leave the academy. Your time isn't as plentiful as you might think."
Here, she glanced at Bai Xu, who seemed lost in his spiritual sea, appearing to meditate. This child was one Wu Zhangkong had specifically asked her to keep an eye on, aside from Tang Wulin and the others.
According to Wu Zhangkong, Bai Xu was strong—exceptionally so. Unlike other soul masters who specialized, Bai Xu was more of an all-rounder, excelling in speed, strength, control, and more. He was a standout in every aspect.
Yet, he showed zero interest in a secondary occupation. Among this year's Shrek Academy entrants, Bai Xu was the only one with a zero in that category. Everyone else had at least some points, with the lowest being a four.
Shen Yi withdrew her gaze and continued the lesson without disturbing Bai Xu's meditation.
The morning class didn't even include a break, running straight until noon when it concluded.
At lunchtime, Bai Xu snapped out of his trance and checked his student card. After paying tuition, his contribution points were running dangerously low—he wouldn't last more than a few days before going into the negative.
He glanced at Gu Yue and sighed. Well, seems like I'll have to accept my fate.
Gu Yue smiled. "Let's go eat. No sighing—finish off your contribution points first."
Once those ran out, Bai Xu would have to rely on Gu Yue for meals.
"Let's go. I'll check if there are any basic tasks this afternoon. There's no way only secondary occupation tasks exist," Bai Xu grumbled defiantly.
"Let's go together!" Tang Wulin chimed in.
But then he remembered his own meager contribution points and his bottomless stomach. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up later," he added before hurrying off.
Xu Xiaoyan linked arms with Gu Yue and watched Tang Wulin's retreating figure. "He's running low on contribution points, isn't he?" she giggled.
Xie Xie patted Bai Xu's shoulder. "Let's eat together, Bai Xu. Good chance to get to know each other."
"Alright."
The group headed to the cafeteria, where Tang Wulin was already waiting.
He stopped at the entrance, pulled out a sheet of paper from his storage soul tool, scribbled a line, and then held it up as he stood there.
"I, a fourth-rank blacksmith, offer to forge thousand-refined, first-grade metal. Currently short on funds, I'm willing to craft a full set of thousand-refined, first-grade metal in exchange for one year's worth of meals. Interested parties may directly treat me to a meal."
Bai Xu's eye twitched. Gu Yue poked him, covering her mouth as she laughed. "You're not planning to do this too, are you?"
Xu Xiaoyan and Xie Xie subtly edged away from Tang Wulin, pretending not to know him.
"I—" Bai Xu was indeed strapped for cash and couldn't refute it. Finally, he muttered, "Let's finish the contribution points on my card first."
The four of them had already gotten their food, while Tang Wulin remained at the cafeteria entrance. Passersby mostly just gossiped—ten minutes passed without a single inquiry.
The four finished their meal and left.
Xu Xiaoyan asked, "Gu Yue, want to explore Shrek together?"
"Not today. I plan to train a bit in the afternoon, earn some contribution points, and polish my mecha skills," Gu Yue declined politely.
She turned to Bai Xu. "What about you?"
"Me? I'll train in the afternoon and then take on some tasks too." Bai Xu couldn't very well rely on Gu Yue to support him.
Xie Xie sighed. "No relaxing on the first day of school?"
Bai Xu groaned. "If I could, I would. But I'm pressed for time."
With that, he and Gu Yue left.
Xu Xiaoyan watched their retreating figures, a little dejected. "Gu Yue really has left us, hasn't she? She's fallen for Bai Xu!?"
Xie Xie mused, "Things are getting complicated. I feel like Boss has some feelings for Gu Yue too."
"Wulin's too innocent—he's still in that clueless phase. Let them figure it out themselves. I'm heading back too." With that, Xu Xiaoyan hurried after the two.
Xie Xie called out, "Not going to the store?"
"My soul power's too low. I need to train! Go by yourself!"
"Guess I'll train too."
In the end, all four returned to their dorms to meditate. But an unexpected visitor arrived.
At three in the afternoon, Gu Yue had already left to take on tasks at the academic affairs office to earn contribution points. Meanwhile, a peculiar spiritual force roused Bai Xu from his cultivation.
"Come out. I want to talk."
The voice was cool, carrying a hint of hostility.
Bai Xu knew who it was and followed the summons.
After winding through the woods, he spotted the silver-haired figure in a pavilion. "Aren't you worried about causing a scene, coming out like this?" he asked.
Na'er was quite the celebrity at Shrek Academy, with a near-perfect recognition rate—like a superstar.
Na'er frowned. "Are we that close? You seem to know me?" But then she smiled faintly. "Then again, as someone who can see through past and future, my existence must be within your expectations."
"So? Why did you call me here?" Bai Xu cut to the chase.
"Just to talk."
"Talk? Or probe? To test the waters about your future, your brother's future, whether Gu Yue will kill him." Bai Xu laid it bare.
She didn't seem surprised. "Correct, but not entirely. I've always wondered—Gu Yue was supposed to be the least emotional personality. Why did she still fall for you?"
Bai Xu sat in the pavilion, his aura calm. The greenery around him seemed to bow in his presence. "Aren't you the one who understands human emotions best? Wasn't that why you made that bet with Gu Yue, staking everything on the unknown variable of emotions? Don't tell me you still don't get it?"
Na'er shuddered, horrified that Bai Xu could read her thoughts so clearly.
Bai Xu explained, "I only said a few words. I didn't help Gu Yue—she figured it out herself."
"A few words..." Na'er lowered her head, her expression unreadable. "It seems my efforts were in vain. Emotions can save, but they can also destroy."
"But if I killed you here, would everything return to normal?" She summoned the Silver Dragon Spear, its tip aimed at Bai Xu, her aura unstoppable.
Bai Xu smirked. "Forget whether you can even do it—you, who emulate humans, should know better. Killing me now would only make things worse. But right now, it's Gu Yue who's more human. And she's known you were coming for a while."
With that, he looked toward the woods, where Gu Yue emerged from the shadows.
Na'er froze, staring at Gu Yue, unsure how to react.
"Do you really love him that much?" Gu Yue asked.
"Yes."
"I have to admit, even as a mere imitation of a human, you outmaneuvered me. Real humans truly are full of surprises." She glanced at Bai Xu. "Leave us. Na'er and I have things to discuss."
Bai Xu: "?"
'What can't I hear?'
But he left anyway. The only reason he'd informed Gu Yue via soul communicator was to avoid secrecy.
Bai Xu returned to his dorm to cultivate, waiting for Gu Yue to return so they could have dinner together.
She came back at dusk, just in time for the cafeteria's last call.
On the way, Gu Yue was unusually cheerful, her lips curled in a smile that piqued Bai Xu's curiosity.
"Why do you seem even happier after talking with Na'er?" he asked.
"That's a secret! But since the great Immortal Bai Xu can see through past and future, why don't you divine what's to come?" she teased.
"You're still mocking me with that? I've said it before—those were empty words, not to be taken seriously." Bai Xu rolled his eyes. "But 'Immortal' does have a nice ring to it. This venerable one accepts."
Their banter was light, their understanding mutual, though neither voiced it outright.
Bai Xu marveled at Gu Yue's transformation. The more she experienced human society, the more her personality would solidify.
She would live this life until all around her grew old, her friends passed on, and she severed her earthly ties—only then would she grasp the truth of the world.
---
"Today, we'll elect class officers." Shen Yi announced. Wu Zhangkong stood nearby, his icy gaze sweeping over the students.
"At Shrek, strength reigns supreme. Your temperaments have already been assessed, so the academy trusts that anyone elected will perform well. Thus, the class will hold a competition. The final victor will become class monitor. Outstanding performers, as judged by Teacher Wu and myself, will fill the remaining positions. In total, the class officers consist of: one monitor, two vice-monitors, one forging representative, one design representative, one production representative, and one maintenance representative—corresponding to the four secondary occupations."
The monitor received an extra 1,000 contribution points monthly, vice-monitors 600, and subject representatives 500.
This was what Bai Xu cared about. Otherwise, he'd truly be at Gu Yue's mercy.
Being the top dog was too much responsibility, and without a secondary occupation, he couldn't qualify as a subject representative. Better to coast as a vice-monitor—why carry when you can freeload?
*
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