*Dang! Dang! Dang!*
The bell for class rang across the grounds. By the time its echo faded, the five current students of Shrek Academy were already lined up neatly on the training field, standing in order of height from tallest to shortest: Dai Mubai, Oscar, Xiao Wu, Tang San, and finally Qian Jue.
Yes—Qian Jue was the shortest among them now. The difference wasn't huge, but it was enough to make him sigh helplessly inside.
Once the group had settled in line, Grandmaster and Flender walked slowly to the front, their faces solemn.
Faced with the weight of their gazes, none of the five dared to meet their eyes directly.
"All right," Flender clapped his hands, his voice carrying authority as he addressed them. "From today onward, you are all official members of Shrek Academy. You will be living and training here for years to come, so you must obey the academy's rules. They are few, but every single one is absolute. Do you understand?"
"Understood!" the five responded loudly, their tones almost like soldiers under command.
Flender continued with some instructions about academy life before yielding the floor to Grandmaster.
"On daily matters, you'll listen to Flender," Grandmaster said evenly. "As for cultivation, I will take full responsibility. If you have questions about your training, you may come to me. I will also teach you a new cultivation method—something that can improve both your speed and quality of soul power. But for now, your first class will be something more basic: a clear recognition of your companions."
Xiao Wu raised her hand with a mischievous smile. "But Master, we already introduced ourselves yesterday. Isn't that enough?"
"Yeah," Oscar chimed in, hand raised as well. "We all got to know each other yesterday. Feels like we could skip this part."
Grandmaster's gaze grew colder as he looked at the two. "What I speak of is not simple introductions. Knowing a name is only the surface. What I mean is true recognition. Release your spirits—all of you. Qian Jue, yours as well."
This had been a matter of debate earlier. Grandmaster had considered whether Qian Jue should keep his martial spirit hidden, but with the team's levels soon approaching thirty, and the planned trip to Star Dou Forest for spirit rings, secrecy would not last long. In the end, with Qian Jue's confidence and knowledge of the future, the decision was made: no more hiding. The others needed to see the gap, so they could be spurred forward.
"Got it!" they answered, one by one releasing their martial spirits.
This was the first time they truly witnessed each other's spirits. Their eyes lit with curiosity as unique manifestations came forth.
Dai Mubai's domineering transformation earned instant admiration from the newcomers.
"Wow, Boss Dai, your spirit possession is so cool! Even your hair turns white!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, flicking her newly formed rabbit ears playfully.
"Heh. Your ears aren't bad either—quite cute," Dai Mubai chuckled, pointing at her twitching ears.
Then came the weapon spirits. Oscar's sausage spirit floated in his hand, while Tang San's Blue Silver Grass swayed faintly with soft light.
But the real shock came when Qian Jue revealed his Kindred spirit.
A ghostly sheep hovered at his back, and a wolf spirit materialized in the air. For Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Xiao Wu, it was unlike anything they had ever seen.
"Waaah! Brother Jue, that's your martial spirit? Why didn't you ever tell me?" Xiao Wu leapt up, trying to touch the wolf, her eyes shining.
Oscar gawked with his mouth wide open. Seeing Xiao Wu's eagerness, he teased, "Careful, Xiao Wu. You're a rabbit. That's a wolf. Aren't you afraid it'll eat you?"
"Bah! If anything, it would eat you. You're already cooked food," Xiao Wu shot back, sticking her tongue out.
"Alright, enough fooling around." The Grandmaster stepped in at the right time to stop their bickering.
"You've all seen it—among you, Xiao Jue's martial spirit is the most unusual, and Oscar's comes second. That's why I said today's first lesson is about recognition. You must have a systematic understanding of your companions' abilities and martial spirits. And the fastest way to gain that understanding… is to experience it for yourselves."
"Experience it…?" Other than Qian Jue, the rest muttered in confusion, turning their eyes toward the Grandmaster.
"Yes, experience it. From now on, you'll be part of a powerful soul master team. But what kind of team would you be if you don't even know the effects and traits of your companions' martial spirits? That won't do. So, this lesson, I want you to personally experience the abilities of your companions' martial spirits. Only when you know them will you be able to unleash your team's full strength."
After the Grandmaster explained his thoughts, everyone nodded slowly in agreement.
It did make sense…
Only Qian Jue cast them a sympathetic look—he already knew what the Grandmaster was up to. Tsk, as expected, the Grandmaster is still so black-bellied.
"Alright, the first effect you need to get used to is Xiao Jue's martial spirit." As the Grandmaster spoke, he brushed his bracelet, and a ruler appeared in his hand. He tossed it to Qian Jue.
"Stretch out your hands. Xiao Jue, use your strength," the Grandmaster ordered. He looked at Qian Jue sternly, his eyes clearly saying:
'If you dare hold back, just see how I deal with you!'
Holding the ruler, Qian Jue looked helplessly at the Grandmaster. Why is this man so petty and vengeful?
Rolling his eyes, Qian Jue turned to Tang San, who was closest to him, and said with some resignation, "Xiao San, put your hand out."
At this moment, Tang San also seemed to grasp the Grandmaster's intent. Helplessly, he turned to look at him. He wasn't afraid—after all, it wasn't the first time he'd experienced the Wolf Spirit's effect. He was only worried Xiao Wu might not handle the pain.
But a teacher's order couldn't be disobeyed. So, he could only plead with Qian Jue: "Brother Jue… when you strike, go easy."
Qian Jue nodded. "Don't worry."
To others, Tang San's words might sound like he was asking Qian Jue to be gentle with him. But Qian Jue, of course, knew Tang San was really talking about Xiao Wu.
Smack!
The ruler came down heavily on Tang San's hand, producing a sharp, ear-piercing crack. The three waiting on the side all flinched involuntarily.
Xiao Wu quickly raised her hand. "Grandmaster, what kind of training is this supposed to be? This is clearly just getting beaten up—firsthand experience of being hit!"
"Whether it's training or not, you can only speak after trying it. Don't worry, I won't use this to settle personal grudges. Xiao Jue, next one, quickly." Facing Xiao Wu's protest, the Grandmaster only replied blandly.
Qian Jue stepped up to Xiao Wu, lifting the ruler. Xiao Wu looked pitifully at him, her large eyes shimmering with tears.
"Brother Jue…"
Smack!
The ruler struck down again, ringing out with the same crisp crack. Xiao Wu quickly pulled back her right hand, clutching it tightly with her left, bracing herself against the pain she thought was coming. But after a few seconds, her scrunched-up little face suddenly relaxed in surprise.
"It doesn't hurt…"
She muttered in confusion, then carefully examined her hand. A red mark quickly surfaced on her palm. Stroking it, she realized that what normally should have burned with pain… now felt like nothing at all.
Her big eyes blinked, and after a moment of silence, she suddenly burst into tears. "Waaah… Brother Jue, you broke my hand!!"
This sudden outburst startled Oscar and Dai Mubai, who had been unconcerned up until now.
What was going on? Could it be that Qian Jue's martial spirit actually crippled bones and tendons? But then why had Tang San been fine?
Watching Xiao Wu's collapse, the Grandmaster rolled his eyes and kept quiet.
Serves you right. That's what you get for laughing at me yesterday, you brats.
Only Tang San gently took Xiao Wu's hand, comforting her.
"Xiao Wu, Xiao Wu, don't worry, your hand is fine. Brother Jue's Sheep Spirit just makes you unable to feel pain."
"R-really?" Xiao Wu's eyes were brimming with tears.
"Mm, really," Tang San confirmed firmly.
Looking at Tang San, Xiao Wu thought of how he had never lied to her before, and so she believed him.
"Hehe… then this martial spirit is actually kind of fun." Xiao Wu smiled through her tears.
Behind them, Oscar and Dai Mubai both let out sighs of relief after hearing Tang San's explanation.
'So that was it. Nothing serious. Alright then, let him hit us—as long as it doesn't hurt, there's nothing to be afraid of!'
Sure enough, when their turns came, neither of them showed any fear. After being struck, they curiously touched their swollen red welts, marveling at how extraordinary Qian Jue's martial spirit was.
After everyone had experienced Qian Jue's Sheep Spirit, the Grandmaster clapped his hands.
"Well? Do you all feel it now? This is the effect of Xiao Jue's martial spirit, the Sheep Spirit. It makes those he strikes completely unable to feel pain. So in future battles, if you see someone hit by Xiao Jue who doesn't react, don't be surprised—just remember it's his martial spirit. And you can also use this effect to create simple tactics. Think it over afterward. For now, let's continue. Next is the Wolf Spirit's effect. This time… there must be blood. Xiao Jue, understood?"
"Understood," Qian Jue replied, rolling his eyes.
...