Chapter 1: The Martial Soul Double Pupils, Heading to the Body Sect.
Shrek Academy, Academic Affairs Office.
Afternoon sunlight streamed into the room through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows.
It should be warm and cozy now, but at this moment, the air in this office seems to have frozen, filled with a suffocating stuffiness.
Dean of Students Du Weilun sat behind his desk, his hands clasped under his chin, looking at the boy opposite him with a complicated expression.
He was a boy who looked only eleven or twelve years old.
He was rather thin, and his faded school uniform looked loose on him, as if a gust of wind could blow him over.
What was most striking were his eyes—thick white bandages wrapped around them, completely obscuring his vision.
He was still tightly gripping a black guide cane in his hand.
The boy's name is Liu Yuan. He is the orphan of two teachers from Shrek Academy who died in the line of duty during a mission to supervise the inspection team.
"Liu Yuan..."
After a long silence, Du Weiren finally spoke.
His voice was low, tinged with barely concealed regret: "After a meeting of the academy's higher-ups, it has been decided... that you will have to leave Shrek starting tomorrow. Pack your things tonight and leave early tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, a young female teacher standing next to Du Weiren showed a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but after glancing at Du Weiren's serious profile, she finally lowered her head helplessly and let out a very soft sigh.
Liu Yuan did not show any shock or anger.
He simply stood there quietly, his bandaged face turned toward Duvilen, as if listening to a trial he already knew.
"Is it because of my soul power level?" Liu Yuan's voice was calm.
Du Weiren sighed, stood up, walked around the desk to Liu Yuan, and softened his tone slightly: "Liu Yuan, you should know Shrek Academy's motto. We only train monsters, we don't take in ordinary people."
"You're already twelve years old. According to the academy's standards, at this age you should have at least level fifteen in soul power and possess a soul ring. But you…"
Du Weilin paused, his gaze falling on Liu Yuan's bandaged eyes, his eyes filled with regret: "Your innate soul power was as high as level nine; you should have been a prodigy. Unfortunately, that accident six years ago..."
Six years ago, it was a disaster that changed Liu Yuan's life.
At that time, Liu Yuan had just awakened his martial soul "Spirit Eye", and his innate level nine soul power made him the center of attention.
However, during a subsequent period of deep meditation and cultivation, his martial spirit underwent an extremely rare "mutation".
The consequences of the mutation were catastrophic.
He went blind.
Being a Spirit Eye Soul Master yet losing one's sight is a huge irony in itself.
Even more terrifying, those blind eyes seemed to have become a bottomless pit, greedily devouring every bit of soul power that Liu Yuan had painstakingly cultivated over the past six years.
For six whole years, Liu Yuan's soul power remained at level nine, without making any progress.
Not only that, but because his soul power had been overdrawn for a long time, his body had become extremely weak and he looked sickly.
"The academy has been observing you for six years." Du Weiren's voice was a little hoarse.
"We have been hoping that your martial soul mutation will take a turn for the better, and that it will be a process of 'accumulating strength for a big breakthrough'."
"But now it seems... this mutation is malignant. Your martial soul is basically useless."
I knew it...
Liu Yuan nodded slightly, a self-deprecating smile curving his lips.
"I understand, Director Du." Liu Yuan loosened his grip on the guide cane, his tone calm. "Thank you for the care the academy has given me over the past six years. I will be leaving."
Du Weilin felt even more uneasy looking at Liu Yuan's overly calm reaction.
He had expected the child to cry, plead, and even bring up his parents, who had both died in the line of duty while on a mission with the Shrek Inspection Team, to gain sympathy.
But he didn't.
"Liu Yuan, you…" Du Weilun hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.
"If there's nothing else, I'll head back now." Liu Yuan bowed slightly, performing a standard student salute, then skillfully used his guide cane to find his way before turning and walking towards the door.
"Tap, tap, tap..."
The sound of the guide cane tapping the ground echoed in the empty office, fading into the distance until that slender figure completely disappeared at the end of the corridor.
...
Not long after Liu Yuangang left, the office door, which had been tightly closed, was pushed open again.
A strong aroma of alcohol mixed with the greasy scent of roast chicken instantly filled the room.
An old man wearing a tattered gray robe and with messy hair walked in.
He held a huge purplish-red gourd in one hand and a greasy chicken leg in the other, eating and drinking without any regard for appearances.
It was Xuanzi, an elder of the Sea God Pavilion at Shrek Academy, known as the "Gluttonous Douluo".
"That kid left?" Xuanzi asked, taking a big bite of chicken, his words muffled.
Du Weilun quickly bowed respectfully: "Elder Xuan, yes, Liu Yuan has already agreed to leave."
"Well, that's good." Xuanzi took a swig of wine and casually wiped the grease off his lips.
"This matter has dragged on for so long, it's time to come to a conclusion."
Du Weilun's heart tightened as he looked at Xuanzi's nonchalant demeanor. After hesitating for a moment, he couldn't help but ask, "Elder Xuan, is there really no room for maneuver? Liu Yuan... after all, has a special background."
Du Weiren took a deep breath, his tone pleading: "His parents were both excellent teachers at Shrek Academy back then."
"Six years ago, if it weren't for carrying out the inspection team's mission to raid that evil soul master's stronghold, they wouldn't have both perished, their bodies never to be found..."
"So... even if he's not suited to be a Soul Master, could we at least let him do some simple work at the academy, or... at least let him live at the academy and support him?"
Upon hearing this, Xuanzi paused in his chewing motion.
A glint of light flashed in his cloudy old eyes, but it was quickly replaced by indifference.
"Viren, remember this," Xuanzi's voice suddenly turned low and serious, "Shrek doesn't support idlers."
"But..."
"There are no buts!" Xuanzi interrupted Du Weiren, his tone becoming firm.
"They joined the Shrek Academy's oversight group voluntarily. Their sacrifice for the peace and justice of the continent is an honor for the Shrek people. The Academy has never forgotten their contributions."
Xuanzi casually tossed the chicken bone in his hand into the trash can and said coldly, "For the past six years, the academy has provided Liu Yuan with food and clothing, given him the best medical resources, and even used rare and precious herbs to try to repair his eyes. We have done more than enough!"
"The academy has given him countless opportunities. Even if his martial soul mutation showed the slightest positive trend, I would have overruled all objections and kept him."
"But what's the truth? The truth is, six years have passed, and he's still a level nine blind man! He can't become a Soul Master at all!"
"Shrek's resources are limited and must be used on monsters with real potential."
"Letting him stay here is not only a waste of resources, but also cruel to him. Let him return to the world of ordinary people; that's what's best for him."
After saying this, Xuanzi seemed to feel a bit thirsty, so he picked up his wine gourd and took a big gulp. Then he waved his hand and said, "Alright, there's no need to discuss this anymore. Just follow the rules."
Looking at Xuanzi's unwavering back, Du Weilun could only sigh deeply and lower his head to reply, "Yes, Elder Xuan."
...
Meanwhile, at the Foreign Languages College dormitory building.
Liu Yuan did not hear the conversation that took place in the office afterward.
He returned to his single dormitory room.
The room wasn't big, but it was very clean.
Although Liu Yuan was blind, six years was enough time for him to become intimately familiar with this small space.
He walked expressionlessly to the bedside, pulled a small box out from under the bed, and began packing his things.
Several sets of clothes to change into, some daily necessities, and a prepaid card with gold coins left by her parents.
"Fortunately, my parents left behind a considerable amount of compensation." Liu Yuan felt a slight sense of relief as he touched the cold card.
"If we save a little money, even if we become an ordinary person, we won't starve to death in our lifetime."
He stuffed everything into an antique-style ring—a storage soul tool, and his parents' only keepsake.
After doing all this, Liu Yuan sat on the bare bed board, gently stroking the bandages in front of him with his fingers.
He harbored no resentment or nostalgia towards Shrek.
As a time traveler, he knew all too well the nature of the original story.
The so-called "Shrek Glory" is nothing more than self-indulgence built on a foundation of overwhelming strength.
They are protective and biased towards those who are valuable;
For those who have no value, like myself now, the so-called "doing everything I can" is the final answer.
"Fine, it's better to leave. It saves me from being cannon fodder for these people again."
Liu Yuan muttered to himself in a low voice.
Six years of living as a blind man smoothed out his rough edges and made him extremely realistic.
His current wish is humble; he dares not have any ambition to dominate the continent. He just wants to survive in this dangerous world.
Night falls.
Liu Yuan lay down directly on the bed.
He needs to get plenty of rest as he has to leave early tomorrow morning.
However, this night was destined to be anything but peaceful.
...
In the middle of the night, Liu Yuan suddenly woke up from his sleep.
"Hmm..."
A familiar burning sensation came from my eyes, as if two balls of fire were burning in my eye sockets.
This feeling was not unfamiliar to him.
Six years ago, when his martial spirit began to mutate, he felt the same way.
But in the past six years, apart from the occasional slight fever, it has never been as intense as it is today.
This time, the hype is just getting bigger!
pain!
Excruciating pain!
It felt as if someone was branding his eyeballs with a red-hot iron, or as if countless steel needles were piercing his retina at the same time.
Liu Yuan gritted his teeth, gripping the sheets tightly with both hands. His body trembled violently from the intense pain, and cold sweat instantly soaked his clothes.
"What's going on... this damn mutation... isn't it over yet?"
He roared madly in his heart, the pain coming in waves, seemingly without end.
Time passed in agony until the first light of dawn broke on the second day.
The pain finally reached its peak!
"ah--!!"
Liu Yuan finally couldn't bear it any longer and let out a suppressed and painful growl from deep in his throat.
In that instant, something unexpected happened!
"Sizzle—!"
The thick bandages that were tightly wrapped around his eyes seemed unable to withstand some kind of terrifying internal pressure and burst open without warning, turning into countless white pieces of cloth that scattered and flew everywhere!
Immediately afterwards, an indescribable, eerie power, like a flood bursting its banks, surged outwards from his eyes!
Liu Yuan suddenly opened his eyes!
The world has become clear.
The long-lost light suddenly flooded my mind.
But before he could even rejoice at regaining his sight, the power surging from his eyes fixed his gaze on the iron bars of the dormitory window.
In Liu Yuan's view, the world seemed to have changed.
The originally hard material structure, under his gaze, became as fragile and malleable as dough.
"That is..."
Liu Yuan's eyes widened. He felt his eye sockets burning as an extremely domineering spiritual force crashed against the window railing with his gaze.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle—!
A sickening metallic creaking sound rang out.
Under his horrified gaze, the once straight and sturdy iron railings began to bend and deform little by little.
It was as if an invisible giant hand was kneading and twisting the hard iron railings. In just a few seconds, the railings were twisted into a complex braided shape, and some parts even broke due to excessive twisting!
"Huff... huff..."
As the railing twisted and deformed, the excruciating pain that had tormented him all night finally receded like a receding tide.
Liu Yuan gasped for breath, utterly exhausted, and collapsed onto the bed.
"It doesn't hurt anymore..."
He subconsciously touched his eyes; they were wet with cold sweat.
etc!
Liu Yuan suddenly realized what was happening, and he looked up at his surroundings.
Dilapidated tables and chairs, white walls, window bars twisted into a pretzel shape, and the rising sun outside the window...
"I...can see?"
Liu Yuan stretched out his hand, trembling, and waved it in front of his eyes.
I can really see it!
Not only that, he felt that the soul power within his body, which had been dormant for six years like stagnant water, was now surging wildly like boiling magma.
Level 9... Level 10...
The bottleneck was broken through in an instant, as if it were made of paper!
Soul power is still surging!
Level 11, Level 15, Level 18...
Finally, the violent fluctuations of soul power subsided slowly when they reached the critical point of level 20.
"Level 20?!"
Liu Yuan was so shocked he almost jumped out of bed.
In just one night, his soul power increased by a full eleven levels?
The soul power that had been devoured over the past six years had not disappeared, but had been accumulated for this moment of explosive release.
"My eyes..."
Liu Yuan immediately rushed to the half-length mirror in the room.
When he saw himself clearly in the mirror, his pupils suddenly contracted.
The boy in the mirror still had a delicate, pale face, but his eyes had undergone a dramatic change.
Those were no longer ordinary black pupils.
In each of his eye sockets, there were two pupils overlapping!
His eyes overlapped, both eerie and sacred, as if they contained a terrifying power that could pierce through all the illusions of the world.
Just by looking into the mirror, Liu Yuan could feel a chilling aura emanating from those double pupils.
"This is... double pupils?!"
Liu Yuan's heart began to pound violently.
Having read countless fantasy novels in his past life, how could he not know the legend of this kind of eye?
Double pupils are an invincible path, why borrow someone else's bones!
These are the eyes that only saints and gods possess, representing unparalleled talent and combat power!
"I see...I see!"
Liu Yuan was so excited that he trembled all over and even wanted to burst out laughing.
It turns out that the six years of blindness and stagnation were not a malignant mutation at all, but rather the process of nurturing this pair of unparalleled double pupils!
Shrek Academy thought he was useless, and Xuanzi thought he was a burden.
Little did anyone know, he not only didn't waste his time, but he also evolved into an even more gifted being!
"Level 20 soul power, double pupils opened... I may have also awakened some kind of innate soul skill, just like the twisting railing just now."
Liu Yuan took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.
Now is not the time to celebrate.
He glanced out the window; it was already broad daylight.
This is Shrek Academy. The burst of soul power and the sound of the railings twisting just now, although not very loud, could not be hidden from a high-level soul master with keen senses.
"We must leave immediately."
Liu Yuan made a decisive decision.
Now that he had been fired, he didn't want to have anything to do with Shrek Academy anymore.
If they discover that he has not only regained his sight but also awakened such a terrifying martial spirit, those old guys might try to detain him forcibly under the guise of "for the honor of the academy."
He had long seen through the true nature of this academy and was absolutely unwilling to continue being their tool.
Furthermore, his martial soul is the Spirit Eye, so there is absolutely no reason for him to continue staying at Shrek Academy.
He is not Huo Yuhao; he is going to a place more suitable for him—the Body Sect!
So, Liu Yuan quickly picked up his already packed bag and took one last look at the dormitory where he had lived for six years.
Goodbye, Shrek...
Liu Yuan pushed open the door, nimbly rushed out of the dormitory building, and sprinted towards the school gate.
...
Just two minutes after he left the dormitory building.
Two figures arrived at Liu Yuan's dormitory.
(End of chapter)