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."
The father clenched his fists, heartbroken and humiliated.But he still tried to call to the crowd:
"They take money from poor people! They—"
A shadow stepped forward before he could finish.
Zhao Wuji's low growl cut through the noise.,the heavy voice suddenly cut through the rising noise like a hammer striking stone.
"Do you think you can make trouble here?"
Zhao Wuji stepped forward, each of his steps pressing into the earth like he was dragging an invisible mountain. In the blink of an eye, his entire figure expanded—thick fur sprouting across his arms, his back broadening, his neck swelling with muscles that looked as if they could crush boulders. His Martial Soul, Vigorous Vajra Bear, possessed him fully.
Gasps rippled through the crowd as seven soul rings—two yellow, two purple, three black—rose beneath his feet in a majestic, oppressive power.
This was a Soul Sage.
The colour drained from countless faces instantly.
A Soul Sage appearing at a remote academy? Was Unheard of.
Yet here he stood, radiating a suffocating aura like a living mountain.
Parents and students alike stiffened under Zhao Wuji's pressure. The man who had been arguing with Li Yusong instantly collapsed onto his knees, gripping his son protectively as both trembled. The child, unable to bear the crushing aura, burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably.
Under the weight of Zhao Wuji's oppressive gaze, the father's earlier anger evaporated. He could barely manage to speak, his voice stuck in his throat. Eventually, half dragging and half carrying his still–crying son, he stumbled out of the academy grounds—too terrified to look back.
Once they were gone, many of the onlookers exchanged glances with fear, awe and realization.
One by one, some families began quietly slipping away. The thought of provoking such terrifying teachers was enough to make many reconsider their ambitions.
But even so… the majority remained.
'A Soul Sage personally teaching students?'
Unless it was one of the continent's absolute top academies, even famous institutions rarely had Soul Sages take direct roles. The appearance of one here made Shrek Academy feel like a legendary hidden dragon rather than a shabby rural school.
In today's era Soul Sage is an absolute top combat power for any force.
So, the question came in their minds :If this was the standard of teachers… what would the students be like?
The line trembled with excitement, hushed discussions growing louder.
A fair-skinned, delicate girl with long light brown hair—Shen Luo—stood near the middle of the line, clutching her bag. She wore a simple blue dress and held herself upright, but her eyes betrayed her growing anxiety.
She knew her own limitations all too well.
Twelve years old. Soul Power Level 15
A respectable talent for a normal academy, but far from "monstrous" by Shrek Academy's standards.
She had waited here not because she believed she would be accepted… but because she wanted to witness the geniuses rumored to gather here. Children whose names might shake the future of the continent.
Still, as she watched Zhao Wuji's towering form disappear back toward the registration tables, she couldn't help feeling a tiny ember of determination.
"If… if there are such geniuses here… maybe I can learn something just by watching," she whispered softly to herself.
Just then, Shen Luo heard a voice behind her—smooth, confident, and dripping with arrogance.
"Hey, girl. May I know your name?"
She turned her head slightly.
A blonde-haired boy stood behind her, his posture relaxed, his expression full of self-assured ease. What caught her attention most were his twin pupils—a rare trait that gave his gaze an unsettling depth. His handsome features and noble aura made him stand out instantly.
But Shen Luo wasn't interested.
She replied curtly, without a hint of emotion,"Shen Luo."
And she turned back toward Shrek's gate, dismissing him completely.
Dai Mubai blinked.
Then—he laughed.
A short, amused huff first… followed by a booming, self-confident laugh.
"Ha! Ha! Let me show you how talented I am."
His large steps echoed as he strode forward, cutting directly through the line with the confidence of someone who believed the world revolved around him.
He Cai followed closely behind, grinning as if watching a familiar show.
Dai Mubai placed his palm onto the crystal used to measure soul power. Instantly, it flared with bright light. The number that appeared made several people gasp and several others pale.
Level 32.
Li Yusong's eyes widened.
"Level 32? Good kid!"He shot up from his seat, excitement radiating from his expression."Give me your hand. I want to check your bone age."
Without emotion, Dai Mubai extended his hand. Li Yusong channeled soul power into his bones, checking the reaction. His eyes widened even further, and then—
He burst out laughing.
"Age 13! Level 32! Hahaha! Shrek Academy welcomes a new monster today!"
The line behind them erupted.
Someone shouted in frustration,"Don't cut in line!"
Li Yusong's face darkened instantly.
He slammed his hand on the table and roared,"Shut up! You imbeciles—if you had his talent, you could cut in line too!"
Silence fell.
Even Zhao Wuji's earlier coercion hadn't silenced the crowd this quickly. Several people lowered their heads, embarrassed but unable to argue.
Li Yusong then turned back to Dai Mubai, his tone switching from hostile to respectful.
"Kid, you can go to the next test."
Dai Mubai nodded slightly and walked forward.
Behind them, the crowd buzzed—equal parts admiration, envy, and disbelief.