Beside them, Shen Luo looked at Dai Mubai's departing figure, her eyes wide. For a moment, she forgot to breathe.
Dai Mubai turned his head and shot Shen Luo a confident wink before striding forward, clearly satisfied with the attention he had gathered.
Shen Luo stiffened, her cheeks warming despite herself.'This guy… shameless… but strong…'
'Thirteen years old… Level 32?''Was this… what a true monster looked like?'
He Cai moved to follow behind Dai Mubai—but before his foot even crossed the line, a hand slammed down in front of him.
Li Yusong blocked him with a stern expression.
His eyes swept He Cai from head to toe—noting the simple robe,
Then he looked toward Dai Mubai and declared loudly:
"Kid, servants are not allowed in the academy."
Dai Mubai's face darkened instantly.
He opened his mouth to retort—clearly prepared to defend He Cai—but He Cai tapped his shoulder lightly and stepped forward, bowing with a calm smile.
"Young Master, it's fine."He winked secretly."I will find a small place to rent in Soutuo City. You should focus on making new friends in the academy."
He added in a tone only Dai Mubai would understand,"I will send you the cultivation resources periodically."
Dai Mubai paused.
Then he understood.
'He Cai was reminding him: keep your background hidden. Don't expose your identity as Star Luo Royalty. Don't make trouble.'
So Dai Mubai nodded, the irritation disappearing from his face.
"It's up to you, then."With a wave, he stepped into Shrek Academy's grounds.
Meanwhile, He Cai's expression shifted subtly.
He leaned toward Li Yusong and spoke in a quiet, meaningful tone:
"I hope the academy does not interfere with the supply of cultivation resources for the young master."
Li Yusong quickly waved both hands."No, no! Rest assured! The academy won't interfere in anything like that!"
He Cai smiled faintly.
Of course the academy couldn't interfere—because Shrek Academy didn't provide any cultivation resources to begin with..
As Dai Mubai disappeared deeper inside the grounds, He Cai stepped aside, blending into the crowd once more.
-----
Dai Mubai passed through all the tests effortlessly.
His physical strength, reaction speed, and combat instincts were far above the minimum standard. Zhao Wuji the examiner also nodded with satisfaction; even he had to admit the boy possessed remarkable potential.
At Night Flender the dean of the Shrek academy had returned. He was wearing his familiar black-rimmed glasses, lazily flipped through the day's admission record which recorded only one student. His eyes skimmed over the name and paused.
Dai Mubai. Martial Soul: White Tiger. Age: 13. Spirit Power: 32.
A dangerous glint passed through Flender's sharp eyes.
'White Tiger… '
And there was only one place in Douluo Continent where such a martial soul existed.
When Dai Mubai was brought over, he respectfully bowed."Dean, I—"
Flender raised a hand."Let me see your martial soul."
Confused, Dai Mubai still complied.White light erupted behind him — the massive shadow of the White Tiger emerging, muscle, claws, fangs, and the unmistakable pressure .
Flender stared quietly.
A heavy silence settled.
Then he asked in a low, meaningful voice:
"What is an esteemed member of the Star Luo Empire's royal family doing at our humble academy?"
Dai Mubai froze.
Cold sweat broke out along his back.
His first reflex was to deny it—'How did he know? I didn't say anything… …'
His heart raced, but Flender only sighed and adjusted his glasses.
"Relax, kid. You're now a student of Shrek Academy."His voice softened, but his eyes remained dangerous and sharp."The least we can do is protect you from any… unforeseen circumstances."
Only then did Dai Mubai dare to breathe again.
Slowly, awkwardly, he confessed:
"Dean… I ran away from home."
Flender didn't interrupt.
Dai Mubai clenched his fists."The age difference between me and my brother is too great… He's much stronger. I don't think I can defeat him in the future. If I stay in the palace, I will only be crushed. So… I left."
His voice trembled between shame and fear.
Flender understood instantly.
The Star Luo Empire's throne was not inherited by birthright — it was seized through fists and talent. Royal children had to fight among themselves, and there could only be one heir.
Flender placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, his tone firm and reassuring:
"Don't worry.""This is the Shrek Academy.""Here, you will grow into a monster — one that fears no one, not even your brother."
Dai Mubai raised his head, eyes brightening with determination.
Flender nodded approvingly, then he said:
"Our motto is: A soul master who does not cause trouble is mediocre"
Dai Mubai's eyes shone when he heard that.
Actually what Flender wanted to say was : True strength can only come out when facing challenges and a soul master should not back down even from a strong opponent, otherwise he is mediocre.
However, he was a little weak in making phrases and believed that his words conveyed all the above meaning. But he never knew his students will interpret it as something else.
"Good. Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to the other students."
He pushed up his glasses and smirked.
"There are only two right now. After all…"He gestured toward the empty academy."Normal kids can't meet our admission standards."
Dai Mubai blinked.
Two students?
Then again… this was Shrek Academy — the academy for monsters.
He straightened his back and bowed deeply.
"Dean, I will not disappoint your expectations."
What Flender failed to mention to Dai Mubai was a dark truth—two students had died this very year during their first soul ring absorption.