"Alright, thank you, Teacher!"
Tang San was thrilled. He didn't leave right away—he wanted to see the soul power levels of Xiao Wu and Zhang Fan.
Very soon, the cold and aloof Zhu Zhuqing stepped up. She placed her hand on the crystal, and it glowed brightly.
"Level 27. Not bad. You can proceed directly to the fourth test."
The teacher looked excited. This year had produced a batch of little monsters, and he was clearly in a great mood.
Then Xiao Wu approached and placed her hand on the crystal.
"Buzz..." A brilliant purple glow burst out, so bright it shattered the crystal completely.
"Uh... Over level 30!" the teacher exclaimed in shock.
He quickly pulled out another crystal, one designed to test above level 30, and handed it to Xiao Wu.
She immediately placed her hand on it. The light it emitted was dazzling.
"Twelve years old, level 31. A mini-monster among monsters!"
The teacher was amazed and satisfied. "You can go straight to the fourth test as well."
"Waaah!"
"So impressive!"
Even Zhu Zhuqing didn't expect this cute little girl to be such a freak.
"Uh..."Tang San was stunned too—he didn't expect Xiao Wu to be at level 31, even higher than himself.
The others were also shocked by her soul power level.
"Great! Thank you, Teacher. Next up is my Brother Fan—his level is even higher than mine!"
Xiao Wu nodded cheerfully and bounced back to Zhang Fan's side, practically skipping with joy.
"Next!"The teacher called out. He had overheard what Xiao Wu said and now looked at the handsome boy with growing curiosity.
Zhang Fan stepped forward and placed his hand on the purple crystal.
"Buzz..." The crystal erupted with blinding light, as radiant as the sun.
"Wooooah!" Most of the students nearly went blind from the brilliance.
Wasn't this a bit too bright? It was several times more dazzling than Tang San's.
"Whoa..."
The teacher's eyes nearly popped out of his head as his breath quickened."Twelve years old... Level 38?! I'm not seeing things, am I?"
"Damn... That's freakish!"
"Is he even human?"
Everyone was stunned.
Even Tang San stood frozen in place. How did this guy get so strong all of a sudden?
Dai Mubai's jaw dropped. He always thought he was the monster among monsters.
But this guy—he was a monster among those monsters.
Dai took a deep breath.
"Insane!"
Oscar stared in disbelief. He hadn't expected the new students to be more twisted than the last.
The girl in the white dress took another look at Zhang Fan, a glint of something special in her eyes.
Even Zhu Zhuqing found herself drawn to Zhang Fan's freakishness.
Zhang Fan had become the undisputed center of attention.
Then—
"Dai Mubai, take them to the fourth test."
The teacher turned to the bald white-haired guy nearby.
"Understood!"
Dai Mubai nodded, then waved at Zhang Fan and the others.
They followed him.
"By the way, what's the third and fourth test about?"
Xiao Wu asked Dai Mubai.
"The third test examines how well you can control your Martial Soul. If your control isn't up to standard, you'll fail."
"The fourth test is actual combat. Those with real combat experience are often stronger than pampered geniuses—they know how to survive life-and-death situations."
"In twenty years, our academy has only accepted sixty-two students. And only fourteen of them graduated."
He shook his head.
"That's how strict and brutal the teaching here is!"
"..."
Tang San nodded. His godmother had recommended this academy—it was clearly the right choice.
The others nodded as well.
Zhang Fan, however, remained indifferent.
They soon arrived at an open field.
This place was smaller than the second test area, only about 200 square meters. A middle-aged man in his fifties was snoring away in front of a chair.
"Hooo... zzz..." His snores were thunderous.
"Teacher, I've brought a batch of little monsters for the fourth test. Will you be the examiner?"
Dai Mubai raised his voice.
"Hmm?"
The man sat up from the table, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and looked around with surprise.
"One, two, three, four, five... Am I dreaming? So many little monsters this year?"
He dug out some eye gunk and walked over to get a closer look.
Ding! Plot modification triggered.[Zhao Wuji thinks he's dreaming and suddenly slaps Dai Mubai on the face.] – Two-word modifiable line.
Zhang Fan's thought flicked—he changed "face" to "butt."
Ding! Dialogue modification successful. Plot has gone off the rails. Reward: 50 Mod Points.
Zhao Wuji, still convinced he was dreaming, suddenly smacked Dai Mubai's butt."Smack!"
"Ahhh!"
Dai Mubai's face turned red. He clutched his butt in pain."Teacher Zhao, why did you hit me?!"
"I had to see if I was dreaming! Since you screamed, that proves it hurts—and I'm not dreaming!"
Zhao Wuji blinked. Why the hell did he suddenly go nuts and slap someone's butt? He scratched his head, awkwardly laughing.
"Didn't expect so many little monsters this time. You step aside. I'll take over as the examiner!"
"...Alright."
Dai Mubai was speechless. Originally, this was supposed to be his test to run.
But now that Teacher Zhao had seen the lineup, he went full lunatic and insisted on taking over.
Dai had no choice but to sit off to the side.
"Five monsters over level 25, huh? Not bad. Pass my test, and you'll officially be Shrek Academy students."
"I'm Zhao Wuji. You five are exempt from the second and third tests. Now, here's your trial—survive my attacks for one incense stick's worth of time. This grassy field is your battlefield."
Zhao Wuji looked calmly at the five little monsters.
"Teacher Zhao, are you serious?"
Dai Mubai didn't expect Zhao Wuji to personally participate and be this strict.
"What, got a problem? Wanna join them?"
Zhao Wuji smirked.
"You can go ahead and explain my strength to them."
"N-no thanks!"
Dai Mubai quickly shook his head and turned to the others.
"Teacher Zhao is a seven-ring Soul Sage, level 76. His strength is no joke—not even close to those old guys outside."
He continued with a serious tone.
"He's second only to the headmaster—and he's our vice-dean."
"What? You're kidding, right? A level 76 Soul Sage wants us to survive his attacks? Isn't that bullying?!"
Tang San's pupils contracted. A Soul Sage was a legendary figure in his village—he never expected to meet one like this.
"How are we supposed to fight that?" Ning Rongrong sighed in defeat.
"..." Zhu Zhuqing was speechless.
"Brother Fan, do you think we can handle this?"
Xiao Wu looked at Zhang Fan. In front of others, she called him "Brother Fan." When they were alone, it was "Master."
"It's doable."
Zhang Fan smiled confidently.
"I could beat Teacher Zhao by myself!"
Tang San suddenly snapped and declared with pride. After all, he'd been getting overshadowed by Zhang Fan this whole time.
Now, he was determined to prove himself.
His secret weapon—the Goldfish Whisker Needle—would be the key to his victory!