Outskirts of Soutuo City
The outer perimeter of Soutuo City gradually gave way to wild undergrowth and sparse weeds.Yet even with the land thinning out, no one expected the "famed" monster-academy to look like this.
A crooked wooden gate—barely tall enough to be called a gate—stood at the entrance.The wood was cheap, the planks uneven, and the entire thing tilted to one side as if a stiff breeze could topple it. Graffiti, drawn in childish strokes, depicted a bizarre green creature with big teeth and round eyes. Whether it was supposed to be terrifying or friendly was anyone's guess.
A rough board hung beside it:
"Shrek Admission"—with paint peeling, letters uneven..
Just forest, dirt paths, and a few thatched huts that looked one step away from collapsing.
Many parents and young soul masters standing in line wore the same expression:
Is… this really an Advanced Soul Master Academy?
The further they looked, the more doubts rose.But the long queue hinted that this was indeed the place—and that every other confused person had come to the same reluctant conclusion.
Sitting at a simple wooden table was an old man with grey hair.Wrinkles lined his face—like someone who'd long lost patience with life. His eyes were narrow, constantly flicking up and down the queue with visible irritation.
This was Li Yusong, responsible for the finances of Shrek Academy, although
His voice snapped at the nearest nervous child,"Name! Age! Spirit level! Ten gold coins—NEXT!"
He didn't even wait for the boy to finish trembling before motioning for the next one.
A wooden sign behind him proudly declared the admission requirements.Every time a parent read it, their face twitched violently.
Age ≤ 12Spirit Power ≥ 25Pass Combat TestPay 10 gold coins
Not far behind the table, leaning against a large tree trunk with arms crossed, stood a man as broad as a city wall.
Extremely short for his bulk, muscles knotted across his arms like iron chains.His sleeveless jacket looked stretched to its limit, and the expression on his face could make children cry.
Zhao Wuji, Vice Dean of Shrek Academy.The man also known as…The Vajra King Kong Bear.
In the past Zhao Wuji was a notorious man, who has killed many people.
Many years ago he had heavily injured a clan member of the strength clan , which led to Tai Tan come and search for him. However , in fear of Tai Tan's Soul Douluo he had hidden.
Many years later when he had become a soul sage, due to a disagreement with Spirit Hall which escalated into a deep conflict. The Spirit Hall had then sent Sixteen Bishop for a siege and kill him, however by a stroke of luck he was able to fend them off and escape.
Now invited by an old friend Flender, he is the Vice Dean of Shrek Academy.
His brows twitched, and he muttered with increasing irritation,"That bastard Flender ran away again… leaving all this work to me."
He glanced at the line of hopeful students and desperate parents.
A sudden rise in voices broke the steady rhythm of the admissions line. Heads turned as a middle-aged man, clothes dusty from travel and face flushed with desperation, stood trembling before Li Yusong's table.
His young son, Little Hai, hid behind him—, eyes red from embarrassment.
The father clasped his hands together and begged,"Please, Teacher… please check again. Little Hai only turned twelve last month. His spirit power has already reached Level 24! He—he worked so hard. We came all the way from the border just for this chance!"
But Li Yusong didn't even lift his head fully.His snort was sharp, cold, final.
"Shrek Academy only accepts monsters. Your boy is talented… but not a monster."
His tone was calm, but his refusal struck like a hammer.
The civilian father's shoulders sagged. He looked at his son—who bit his lip to stop it from trembling—and for a moment it seemed he might accept it.
But then, with a trembling voice, he tried again:
"Then… at least return our ten gold soul coins. Our village suffered during the soul beast tide—this money is a year of savings. If we lose it we won't last the winter…"
Li Yusong simply replied,
"No refund."
The civilian father's eyes widened."W-What? Why?! You're not admitting my child—why keep the money?!"
Li Yusong met his furious stare with calm indifference.
"You aren't the first one today."
Then—before the man could speak again—Li Yusong stood up.
A dull thud echoed as his martial soul manifested—a Dragon Pattern Staff, towering and heavy, covered in ancient scales.Behind him, six soul rings rose in order:
White, Yellow, Purple, Purple, Purple, Black.
A collective gasp spread through the crowd.
The man whispered in shock,"A… a Soul King!"
The man faltered, face flushing pale. But desperation made him reckless.His voice cracked as he shouted to the surrounding parents:
"Look! They take our money but won't admit our children! They don't even return it! This academy—this so-called monster academy—is a scam!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd; fear warred with anger.
Li Yusong's eyes flashed.
He raised his Dragon Pattern Staff lightly—not even swinging it, just lifting it.
The air trembled.
A heavy pressure instantly pressed down upon the father.His legs quivered violently, sweat dripping down his temples.He stumbled backward, barely keeping his footing while shielding his son.
Li Yusong said coldly:
"Blame us if you want. But don't forget—this is Shrek Academy. If you aren't a monster, you have no right to complain."