Time flew, and five years had passed in a blink.
When Zhou Hao returned to Notting City that year, Tang San had already enrolled in the Junior Soul Master Academy and was likely apprenticing under Yu Xiaogang.
Back in Zhou Hao's Village, the only girl with decent awakend soul power, whose Martial Soul was Bloom Sunflower, had also been sent to the academy by Ji Ke.
Now Zhou Hao's cultivation had reached level 32.
His three soul rings were enough to amaze anyone, particularly the third, which had a faint black tinge.
Using the system's sign-in rewards, he cleverly masked its color, presenting it as two yellow rings and one purple, keeping his true strength hidden.
Although his first soul ring had come from a thousand-year-old beast, his Martial Soul was still far too young to handle anything stronger.
Even if a ten-thousand-year soul ring appeared, attempting to absorb it now could shatter his soul, due to soul shock and resentment and severely injure his body due to backlash.
His third ring, while powerful, was perfectly matched to his current strength, a safe but formidable addition that would allow him to grow steadily.
A few days prior, Zhou Hao had fought at the Suotuo Great Soul Arena for his Golden Soul Badge promotion. When Suddenly, the system had announced:
"New Sign-In Location: Shrek Academy detected.
Sign-in reward: Soul Spirit upgrade once, soul power increase by three levels."
Zhou Hao's heart raced.
Under the admiring eyes of the young lady at the front desk, he slipped his golden Soul Badge into the Storage Ring and rested briefly before heading to Shrek Academy to register.
On the outskirts of Suotuo City's south gate, a small village with over a hundred households had a long line of people waiting.
Among them stood a sunny, handsome boy.
Despite being only twelve, his height of 1.8 meters and clear muscle lines hinted at explosive strength hidden beneath a calm exterior.
Zhou Hao's gaze fell on the tattered Shrek signboard above the wooden gate, and a spark of anticipation rose in his chest.
This recruitment was likely tied to the future Shrek's Seven Monsters batch.
He wondered when Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong would arrive.
In his previous life, he had quite liked Zhu Zhuqing, a cold and strong girl. While Ning Rongrong had later found happiness with Oscar, it was also a love Zhou Hao quietly envied. As for Xiao Wu and Tang San, they were bound together by fate, and Zhou Hao had no intention of interfering.
Dai Mubai, on the other hand, earned Zhou Hao's disdain. A man who avoided responsibility and drowned himself in wine and frivolity was hardly admirable. Only when a determined girl pursued him did he bother to improve himself, moved by her diligence and beauty.
A sudden commotion at the front of the line drew Zhou Hao's attention:
"My child is a top student at Soto Junior Soul Master Academy! Why won't you accept him?""Our rules are clear. Shrek only recruits small monsters. Anyone over 12 years old with soul power below level 21 cannot enroll."
"Then refund the tuition fees I paid!"
The registration elder, holding a long stick adorned with six floating soul rings of white, yellow, purple, purple, purple, and black, stepped forward.
His presence, of a Soul Emperor, instantly silenced the crowd.
"The tuition fee is in the locker. If your child defeats him, it will be refunded."
This Soul Emperor leisurely pointed to a blond boy with different colored eyes who was eager to go.
This guy was Dai Mubai, after Dai Mubai's display of his rings.
The parents were stunned, and fled in despair with their children.
Most People in the line bowed their heads and left one after another, leaving Zhou Hao to step forward.
"Name?"
"Zhou Hao."
The old man extended a hand to examine Zhou Hao's bones, checking for age and growth anomalies.
"Huh? Your hands… how hard have you practised before?" he asked, eyebrows raised.
Zhou Hao smiled faintly, flexing his dark golden claws just enough to reveal the martial soul's edge.
"It's from my Martial Soul practice," Zhou Hao replied lightly. "Why? Don't you only recruit monsters here?"
The old man's astonishment deepened as he verified Zhou Hao's legs and posture. Finally, he nodded:
"Okay, age of twelve years old is fine. Now release your full Martial Soul."
Dai Mubai, observing nearby, suddenly felt immediate suppression.
Zhou Hao's Martial Soul, a level 32 Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear (upgraded once), was clearly superior. Its majestic, dark golden claws exuded an aura capable of tearing everything apart.
Even Principal Zhao's Vigorous Vajra Bear paled in comparison.
As Zhou Hao activated the Martial Soul, three brilliant soul rings, yellow, yellow, and purple, rose from his feet, momentarily shocking the crowd. The display, though masked by the system, still marked him as a prodigy.
"Monster… a true monster," the old man muttered. A twelve-year-old soul elder, was a rarity few could comprehend.
Zhou Hao walked forward, indifferent.
Dai Mubai approached, patting his shoulder respectfully:
"You're very strong, a true monster. Welcome to Shrek."
"Thanks," Zhou Hao replied curtly, keeping his distance.
Nearby, Zhou Hao noticed two familiar figures: a boy in blue with faint purple eyes and a lively girl in pink.
Despite the years, he instantly recognized Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Tang San smiled, introducing Zhou Hao to Xiao Wu:
"Xiao Hao is from the neighboring village, he is a good friend."
"Little San, it looks like you've grown stronger these past years and even managed to get a girlfriend." Zhou Hao teased Tang San.
Tang San hurriedly clarified Xiao Wu was his younger sister, blushing slightly.
Everyone, including Ning Rongrong, laughed and greeted Xiao Wu warmly.
Zhou Hao then noticed a girl in black with cold, piercing eyes, Zhu Zhuqing.
Dai Mubai couldn't recognize her at first tho.
Zhou Hao's gaze lingered on her briefly before he withdrew it respectfully.
Finally, a soft, cheerful voice called from behind:
"Selling sausages, delicious and inexpensive, only five copper coins!"
Zhou Hao smiled, ahhh, the "Uncle Sausage," had arrived.