"Another Soul Elder?!"
"Where are all these monsters coming from?!"
The queue of students was in an uproar.
A young girl dressed in a white long dress suddenly dashed out from the crowd, moving like a graceful butterfly.
She intercepted the crystal ball that Xiao Wu was handing to Ye Qiu.
At the same time, a soft voice rang out:
"Since that's the case, I can go straight to the fourth test too!"
"Hey! You woman—" Xiao Wu looked at Ning Rongrong indignantly.
But remembering that she was Ye Qiu's target, she swallowed her anger.
Ye Qiu gently squeezed Xiao Wu's delicate hand.
A gesture of comfort.
"You damn liar!" Ning Rongrong glared at Ye Qiu.
To maintain her persona, she didn't make a scene.
The crystal ball in her hand lit up with dazzling light—though it was much weaker than Tang San's.
"Level 26! That's good enough!" The testing teacher nodded in approval.
Whoosh! Before Ning Rongrong could react, the crystal ball was snatched from her hand by Zhu Zhuqing.
Ning Rongrong suddenly felt as though some massive object filled her entire field of vision.
She stared blankly at that… explosive area.
Then— A bright white light flashed once again.
Even brighter than when Ning Rongrong had infused her soul power.
It was at the level of 27th rank soul power.
Dai Mubai looked at Zhu Zhuqing with a complicated expression.
After the test, Zhu Zhuqing casually tossed the crystal ball toward Ye Qiu.
Snap! Ye Qiu raised his hand and caught it steadily, then slowly infused it with soul power.
A bright white light quickly spread through the entire crystal ball.
A hint of surprise flashed in Ning Rongrong's eyes.
She hadn't expected the guy who tricked her to be a Soul Elder.
"Another Soul Elder?!"
That full, glowing white light silenced the crowd.
Their gazes suddenly turned strange.
Twelve years old and already a Soul Elder.
Is that even humanly possible?
"Hmph! I told you guys: just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't."
Dai Mubai snorted coldly, repeating himself.
He then took the crystal ball from Ye Qiu.
At the same time—
He felt a bit ashamed. He couldn't deny it. At twelve years old, not even he could reach Soul Elder, let alone Soul Ancestor.
And there was even someone here with a black soul ring. Dai Mubai looked at Ye Qiu strangely and tossed the crystal ball back.
The testing teacher wore an amused expression and clicked his tongue in amazement: "Didn't expect so many talents this year. Looks like I'll finally get a raise. Alright, Mubai, take them to the fourth test."
"Yes!"
Without thinking too much, Dai Mubai responded respectfully and led the group deeper into the academy.
No one else voiced any objections.
Ye Qiu and the others had already proven their strength.
Of the five of them, only Tang San was on friendly terms with Dai Mubai.
The two walked side by side.
Tang San was asking about Shrek Academy.
According to Dai Mubai:
Shrek's founding principle was to only accept monster-level soul masters.
They only took in those with extraordinary talent—not trash.
Anyone not reaching Soul Ancestor by age twenty couldn't graduate.
In the past twenty years, only sixty-two students had been admitted—and only fourteen graduated.
Those who graduated became world-famous figures.
The most outstanding even held positions within Spirit Hall—with a rank just below the Pope!
Upon hearing that—
Tang San clenched his fists, eyes shining.
The Grandmaster hadn't lied to him. This was the right place.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong, who had just been stunned by Zhu Zhuqing's... assets, furrowed her brows as she listened to Dai Mubai.
She racked her brain.
She had no idea who Dai Mubai was referring to.
If someone was that amazing, she should've heard of them growing up, right?
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ye Qiu's slightly amused expression.
Ning Rongrong immediately snorted in annoyance.
Zhu Zhuqing blushed. Ning Rongrong's earlier gaze had made her uncomfortable.
Xiao Wu turned slightly, looking at Ning Rongrong with suspicion.
Her expression was dangerous—like a queen eyeing a fox.
She was sure Ning Rongrong had spoken up earlier on purpose!
Just to seduce Ye Qiu! Xiao Wu was certain.
Ye Qiu, hearing Ning Rongrong's cold snort behind Xiao Wu, glanced at her lazily and said:
"Ning Rongrong, you lied to me."
"Huh?" Ning Rongrong was stunned.
She really couldn't remember when she'd lied to Ye Qiu.
Seeing Ye Qiu looking so serious, Ning Rongrong gritted her teeth: "You're the liar! You tricked me first—don't try to flip the script!"
Ye Qiu chuckled teasingly.
"I'm not lying."
"Didn't you tell me you weren't a soul master? And now..."
Upon hearing that, Ning Rongrong's face changed. She vaguely remembered saying that.
But compared to how Ye Qiu had tricked her, it wasn't even close.
She raised her head and snapped:
"None of your damn business."
"I'm warning you, I've already started charging interest. You better pay me back soon—or else..."
Before she could finish, She noticed Xiao Wu's resentful gaze.
That stare made her nervous.
She pouted and muttered:
"What are you looking at? You're his woman. You gonna pay me back for him?"
"I don't have that much money."
Being called Ye Qiu's woman made Xiao Wu both shy and happy.
But since becoming a Soul Elder, she lost her soul master stipend.
She had been relying on Ye Qiu for support.
Xiao Wu withdrew her hostile gaze and looked at Ye Qiu, silently asking for directions.
Ye Qiu looked at her and shook his head.
Smiling, he said: "Not paying. I earn my meals by skill—why should I pay it back?"
Xiao Wu obediently nodded, eyes flashing.
She turned and relayed to Ning Rongrong: "Ye Qiu says he's not paying."
Zhu Zhuqing looked at Xiao Wu oddly.
A slight smirk appeared at the corner of her lips.
"I heard it!" Ning Rongrong's face darkened.
They were standing this close—was it really necessary to repeat that?
'Who even cared about that damn liar?' Ning Rongrong gave Ye Qiu a vicious glare.
And cursed: "You're shameless!"
Ye Qiu grinned coldly and bared his teeth.
He was sure— If the roles were reversed and she'd scammed him, Ning Rongrong wouldn't pay him back either.
So, not paying back the debt? He felt justified.
Sunlight reflected off Ye Qiu's white teeth, sparkling brightly.
It pierced right into her clear blue eyes, making Ning Rongrong flush red with anger.
Xiao Wu covered her mouth and gave Ye Qiu a playful jab on the side.
Up ahead, Dai Mubai and Tang San— Though interested in joining this "friendly" exchange, I couldn't stop and look back.
Tang San couldn't help asking: "Senior Dai, what's the fourth test?"
Dai Mubai replied:
"The fourth test evaluates real combat experience. The dean said no spoiled brats allowed."
At that, Dai Mubai looked troubled.
He usually handled the fourth test himself.
But this year was different—there were two Soul Ancestors. He couldn't handle even one.
He sighed in his heart.
They'd have to ask the teacher when they got there.
Before long, Dai Mubai came to a stop.
"Alright, we've arrived."
At this moment, Ye Qiu and the others reached an open area.
Roughly 200 square meters.
In the center was a lounge chair, where a middle-aged man around 50 was napping.
Ye Qiu recognized him.
He'd later be brutally beaten by Tang Da Hammer without even using a martial spirit—
The poor punching bag known as Zhao Wuji.
Vice Dean of Shrek Academy, currently the number two figure.
Dai Mubai craned his neck and whispered: "Teacher Zhao, I've brought them for the fourth test."