"Okay." Du Feng and Dai Mubai answered respectfully to the lead teacher.
With that, the two senior students guided Tang San, Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing toward the fourth level of the entrance test. Dai Mubai's gaze, however, never left Zhu Zhuqing.
Du Feng chuckled inwardly. The carefree days of my dear brother—master of romance and woman-chasing—are over. Judging by the way he was holding his twin sisters in the hotel yesterday, today marks the beginning of his personal love tribulation. Looks like my emo brother is about to be born…
Just as Du Feng was imagining the future heartbreak of his friend, Tang San's curious voice interrupted him. "Brother Dai, are there only four levels in the entrance exam?"
Dai Mubai nodded. "Yes, four levels in total. The first stage you've already gone through—it's designed to screen candidates whose soul power can reach level twenty-one before the age of twelve. The second stage measures your specific soul power and martial soul. Strong soul power alone isn't enough; the martial soul's potential is crucial."
He continued, "Before entering the third stage, you must have a martial soul with sufficient growth potential and the correct path of cultivation. That's how even our Oscar got in. The third stage tests control over your martial soul; the academy doesn't want students who can cultivate but cannot fight effectively."
Tang San frowned. "But my martial soul is Blue Silver Grass. Isn't that considered weak in potential? How could I still be accepted?"
Du Feng answered for Dai Mubai with a smile. "There's another rule here. If a registered student's soul power exceeds level twenty-five, they can skip the second and third stages. After all, more soul rings mean more power. Even if the martial soul isn't perfect, strong soul power alone can make a student formidable. A Soul Venerable without that kind of power would be almost impossible to beat—unless the opponent is an auxiliary or support-type Soul Master. One extra soul ring can crush someone."
Dai Mubai then explained the fourth level. "It tests actual combat experience. Some students may have strong theoretical knowledge, powerful soul power, and fine control over their martial soul, but when confronted in real combat, they panic. That's exactly the type of student Shrek Academy doesn't want. We only accept monsters—better scarce than misused."
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others fell silent, absorbing the academy's strict requirements.
Xiao Wu, never one to hold back, piped up. "This is ridiculously strict, isn't it? No wonder you only accept monsters at Shrek Academy. How many students are enrolled now? How many do you admit each year?"
Du Feng replied matter-of-factly, "Currently, Shrek Academy has four students. Since its founding, we've only accepted forty-three students. Some didn't meet graduation standards or died pursuing strength. I've been the only student in recent years. If you three can join, you'll make history."
Tang San and the others gasped. "Only four students?"
Dai Mubai smirked bitterly. "Shrek Academy probably has more teachers than students. And as for my strength—you've experienced it, Tang San. But Du Feng standing here? He's even more… perverted. If it weren't for a certain accident, he'd be on par with the Soul Sect. I am not his match."
Tang San's eyes widened. He had known Dai Mubai to be strong—he was already formidable, with the White Tiger as a top-tier beast martial soul. And yet… Dai Mubai admitted he couldn't compete with Du Feng. That was a stunning revelation.
At that moment, Tang San realized just how fearsome Shrek Academy really was. The Soul Emperor who tested them at the gate. The senior students—each stronger and stranger than the last. This was no ordinary academy, and he found himself looking forward to the coming days.
Ning Rongrong, ever curious, asked, "Then how does Shrek Academy sustain itself? If you only accept a few students, where does the funding come from?"
Du Feng smiled. "Otherwise, why do you think we're in this small village? It's not because we lack resources. Without support from Dai Mubai's family and my own, the academy might have closed years ago."
Ning Rongrong tilted her head. "Then why not lower the standards? Charge a few more students. There are plenty of people lining up now."
Dai Mubai shot a look of respect at his friend. "You must understand the dean's philosophy: better scarce than misused. Even if Shrek Academy closed tomorrow, he would not lower the bar. Only monsters are allowed."
Du Feng added, "Since its founding, only fourteen students have truly graduated. Those who left became world-renowned figures on the mainland. The rest either didn't reach the Soul Sect in time or died chasing strength. The dean always says: if you can't reach the Soul Sect, don't go around claiming you're from Shrek Academy. That would be embarrassing."
Dai Mubai continued, "The graduation standard is reaching the Soul Sect before the age of twenty. This is not a small feat. Here, the schedule is grueling. Every second of meditation comes at the expense of sleep. By graduation, your strength will be unmatched compared to students from Intermediate or Advanced Soul Master Academies."
Tang San's eyes sparkled. "In that case… I'm glad to be here."
He couldn't help but wonder about the dean—a person who could run such a strict academy in a small village for over twenty years. The trace of fanaticism in Dai Mubai's voice gave Tang San a glimpse of the academy's true spirit.
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and the others were filled with curiosity, eager to meet the legendary Shrek Academy dean for themselves.