While they were on the road, Beibei and Tang Ya also told Huo Yuhao about things to watch out for at Shrek Academy. Naturally, most of it revolved around Tang San, showering him with endless praise.
However, Huo Yuhao roughly understood that the current Shrek Academy hadn't changed due to his transmigration,no butterfly effect, no strange new quantum theories.
In other words, the story hadn't deviated from its original course. The Shrek Academy before him was still the same one described in the original tale.
"Good. If things really had changed drastically, I'd have to rethink my plans. For now, this is fine,just focus on building strength and getting through this powerless stage."
Finally, the group arrived at Shrek City. Entering through the eastern gate, they could already see Shrek Academy not far away.
Looking at the moderately sized city, Huo Yuhao didn't feel particularly excited. Unlike the original Huo Yuhao, who had never left the Duke's Mansion, he himself had come from a modern world.
After all, he had been a college student who'd traveled by high-speed trains and airplanes across thousands of miles. Compared to that, Shrek City was, at best, equivalent to a small third-tier city.
And not even a developed one. Aside from its imposing city walls designed to defend against beast tides, there wasn't much that impressed him about its so-called prosperity.
"At last, we're here… but still." Huo Yuhao looked around. Rather than the ordinary buildings and street vendors, what truly interested him were the people.
During their journey, he hadn't seen so many people gathered in one place. Activating his "Eye of Truth," he could clearly observe the flow of soul power within each person and the faint outlines of their martial souls.
"If I want to study martial souls in the future, I should come to crowded places like this. It seems differences in soul power do affect martial souls. Tang Ya and Beibei have similar levels, so I didn't notice it before."
"My own martial soul mutated because of my transmigration, so I can't use it as a baseline. But compared to ordinary people without soul power, even a one-ring soul master shows clear differences."
"The higher the soul power, the more solid and complex the martial soul's image becomes… And those lines and patterns that make up the martial soul,what do they represent? I'll have to study that when I get the chance."
"Xiao Yuhao, what are you looking at? Are you dazzled by Shrek City's splendor? Come on, let's go register!" Tang Ya said with a grin.
"Um, Teacher Tang Ya, can I stay in the city for a while? I want to master the Tang Sect's techniques before enrolling."
"That way, maybe I can enter through Tang Sect's recommendation route instead of the special admission quota."
"If I do that, even though my soul power is weak, other students won't have much to say. And if I fail, I can still enter through the regular Tang Sect quota anyway."
Hearing this, Tang Ya looked at Beibei, who smiled and said, "Our little junior brother's progress in mastering the Tang Sect's core skills has been astonishing."
"And it's great that he has this determination. The path to becoming strong is always one of trials."
"I believe in you, junior brother. Teacher Tang Ya, I'll take Yuhao to find a place to stay in the city."
"With his current grasp of the Tang Sect's techniques and his martial soul's perceptive ability, as long as he pairs them with hidden weapons, he should pass the assessment easily."
Tang Ya nodded and thumped her chest confidently. "Leave the hidden weapons to me! Yuhao, practice your Tang Sect Hidden Weapon Techniques well. Show everyone the might of our Tang Sect during the entrance exam!"
Beibei had full confidence in Huo Yuhao. After all, during the early stages of cultivation,at one or two rings,hidden weapons gave a clear advantage. Combined with his powerful perception, Huo Yuhao would be even more formidable.
Although his soul power was low, with hidden weapons allowed during the test, his actual combat power wouldn't be any weaker than that of a two-ring Soul Grandmaster.
That was why Beibei didn't worry. If Huo Yuhao were truly too weak and embarrassed Tang Sect, it would only attract more ridicule, even if he later entered through the regular route.
Huo Yuhao followed Beibei to rent a small inn room in the city. Beibei also gave him some gold soul coins for living expenses.
"Junior brother, I need to return to Shrek Academy to report my recent trip. Once I finish, I'll come find you," Beibei said with a smile. "Use this money to buy what you need and get ready for enrollment."
He knew about Huo Yuhao's poor background, especially after collecting the Mandala Snake corpse together. As a senior brother, he naturally wouldn't let his junior suffer.
"Alright, senior brother. I'll go practice my hidden weapons." Huo Yuhao replied, taking the money pouch.
Once Beibei left, Huo Yuhao finally exhaled deeply after shutting the door.
He wasn't delaying enrollment to protect Tang Sect's reputation,it was to buy time.
He didn't want to be among the earliest students admitted through Tang Sect's special channel and end up assigned to Zhou Yi's class of "unfortunates."
Although he had resigned himself to fate, he definitely didn't want to experience Teacher Zhou Yi's infamous "training methods." At his current weakest stage, the less attention he drew, the better.
"Still, even if I make it in, that only guarantees peace for the first year. Once classes are divided, Zhou Yi still oversees both Control and Power Attack departments. What a headache…"
"Well, maybe it's fine. If the Support Department doesn't suit me, I'll apply for the Agility Department. The story said the divisions aren't that strict anyway."
Thinking this, Huo Yuhao relaxed slightly. As for cultivating Tang Sect techniques, with the "Tianmeng Auto-Cultivation System" in his mind, he didn't even need to practice manually.
He had already memorized the entire Tang Sect Hidden Weapon Manual. Combined with his mental power and the Eye of Truth, even if his body wasn't that strong, he could easily handle fights against one- or two-ring soul masters.
"The entrance exam lasts three days. With Tang Sect's recommendation, I can skip the first two stages,the recommendation letter and the soul power and age tests."
"The third test checks martial soul compatibility and control. Tang Sect's backing covers that too."
"That only leaves the fourth test,actual combat. It shouldn't be too difficult, but I should still prepare. When Beibei comes back, I'll ask him for some sparring practice."
"After all, even though I've learned to control my martial soul, I haven't had a real fight yet."
Two days passed quickly. On the second day, Beibei returned with a gift from Tang Ya,a set of Tang Sect's basic hidden weapons.
Because of Tang San's legacy, Shrek Academy allowed Tang Sect mechanical hidden weapons in all its exams and competitions, unlike soul tools.
On the third day, the final day of the entrance exams, Beibei brought Huo Yuhao to Shrek Academy. The first three stages were completed smoothly under Tang Sect's guarantee.
The fourth test was actual combat,a group battle. Students were divided into teams of three to demonstrate cooperation.
Defeating the opponent wasn't required, since they were up against upperclassmen. These one- and two-ring rookies couldn't hope to win.
The goal was teamwork,enduring as long as possible under the seniors' attacks, maximizing each martial soul's strengths.
Teams were assigned semi-randomly, ensuring a balance among attack, control, and support types.
The longer they lasted or the better they performed, the higher their score. Only those with sufficient combined scores from all four stages could become Shrek Academy students.
"Main martial soul: eyes? And your skills lean toward agility and support? Got it." said the student handling registration, nodding at Beibei. "Senior Beibei, leave this one to me."
Beibei nodded, and Huo Yuhao followed the examiner. Looking around at the others waiting nearby, he realized his earlier plan might fail.
Although the first three stages could be taken at any time, the fourth required teams, so most applicants took it on the third day. Only those with special connections,like Tang Sect, the White Tiger Duke's Mansion, the Nine Treasure Glazed Sect, or royal families,could take it earlier.
"That chubby one must be Xie Huanyue… and that pink hair,wait, no, please don't tell me I'll end up in Zhou Yi's class."
Activating the Eye of Truth, Huo Yuhao scanned the area but avoided deep analysis,it would consume too much mental energy.
"Group 1, 2, 3,assemble. Ten minutes to discuss tactics."
"Group 31: Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Zhao Haichen,assemble and prepare for battle."
Huo Yuhao sighed inwardly. "It seems even Buddha Tang is playing jokes on me. What are the odds?"
Why was he teamed up with Wang Dong of all people? Considering her connection to the Clear Sky Sect, she didn't even need to take the exam.
"You're my teammates? Don't hold me back!" said a handsome youth with clear eyes, pale skin, and short pink-blue hair, his tone full of pride.
"Wang Dong. Level 21, two-ring Power Attack Battle Soul Master."
"I'm Zhao Haichen! Martial soul: Big Drumstick! Level 15, Support Battle Soul Master. Please take care of me, big bro!" said the chubby boy beside him excitedly.
"Huo Yuhao. Level 12, currently classified as an Agility Attack Battle Soul Master," Huo Yuhao replied calmly.
"Level 12?" both Wang Dong and Zhao Haichen turned to look at him in surprise. "Isn't the entry requirement level 15?"
The chubby boy asked curiously. Huo Yuhao just shrugged and said nothing.
He had only recently broken through to level 12, thanks to the 24-hour cultivation assistance of the Tianmeng System,much faster than the original Huo Yuhao, who was still stuck at level 11 at this point.
Wang Dong raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. I don't care how you got in,just don't drag me down!"
"Sure, sure," Huo Yuhao replied perfunctorily.
"You,!" Wang Dong was about to snap, but before he could, a voice called out:
"Group 31,Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, Zhao Haichen,enter the arena for your test!" announced a senior from Shrek Academy.
"Hmph. We'll see." Wang Dong marched toward the arena, with Huo Yuhao and Zhao Haichen following behind.
"Examiner: He Heng'an, level 45 Defense Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Golden Armor Beetle."
"Wang Dong, level 21 Power Attack Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Radiant Butterfly Goddess."
"Huo Yuhao, level 12 Agility Attack Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Spirit Eyes."
"Zhao Haichen, level 15 Support Battle Soul Master. Martial Soul: Big Drumstick."
Another examiner at the side lit an incense stick to mark the start of the test.
The battle officially began.
If you want to read 30 advanced chapters and 3 new chapters daily, please subscribe to my : patreon.com/Moorowkeel