"Sis..."
Wei Xiaofeng's smiling face froze instantly as he looked at the person before him, his stiffened expression carrying an indescribable emotion.
"Didn't expect this."
"Our Xiaofeng is quite brave, huh?"
Beside him, the young woman wore a teasing smile. She was strikingly beautiful, with a figure both alluring and enchanting, but in Wei Xiaofeng's eyes, she was nothing short of a perilous presence.
"Sis, please don't make fun of me..."
Wei Xiaofeng sucked in a sharp breath, forcing a friendly smile, though inwardly, he couldn't help but fall silent.
How did he run into his cousin so soon?!
Just the sight of her face involuntarily brought back the terror of the brutal training sessions she had subjected him to in the past...
Though she was undeniably beautiful, the way she disciplined him was pure torment!
Where's the boss? Where's the boss...
"Boss, save me!"
His gaze drifted toward Tang Luochuan, who had already walked far ahead, and Wei Xiaofeng couldn't help but cry out inwardly—though only he could hear it.
"..."
Zheng Yiran's smile gradually faded as she, too, looked in the direction Tang Luochuan had gone, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
So that was Xiaofeng's boss? During the break, she had heard her cousin mention him...
Though she had only caught a fleeting glimpse of him, it was enough to leave a deep impression. According to the teachers at Shrek Academy, he was someone who had reached the final stage with the cultivation of a Soul King.
"A Soul King."
"A twelve-year-old Soul King."
Zheng Yiran took a deep breath, feeling nothing short of awe.
Even Wu Siduo, the top genius on the Teenage Genius List, was far from reaching that level. How could someone be so terrifying?
If he was already a Soul King at twelve, where would his limits lie?
"Seems like..."
"He'll be a very interesting person."
A glint flashed in Zheng Yiran's eyes as she mused.
"Xiaofeng, so this is your sister?"
Beside them, Xie Xie, Zhang Yangzi, and Wang Jinxi all stiffened at the sight of the young woman. Even Xu Xiaoyan and Tang Wulin fell into deep thought—this beautiful sister...
Was nothing like the merciless tyrant Wei Xiaofeng had described, who supposedly beat him as easily as drinking water!
Especially Xie Xie, who was Wei Xiaofeng's partner-in-crime, now wore a contemplative expression. Was this kid just showing off his cousin?!
"Yeah..."
"This is my cousin, Zheng Yiran. Her Martial Soul is the Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, and she's the young lady of the Jade Phosphor Family."
Wei Xiaofeng turned back, nodding with difficulty as he steadied his emotions before speaking slowly.
"Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor, the Jade Phosphor Family..."
"Isn't that the same Martial Soul as the legendary poison master from twenty thousand years ago, the Jade Phosphor Douluo Dugu Bo?"
Hearing this, Tang Wulin and Xie Xie's eyes instantly lit up, their faces brimming with curiosity.
"Exactly."
"That very same Jade Phosphor Serpent Emperor."
Wei Xiaofeng gave a slight nod. Truth be told, his own serpent-type Martial Soul was inherited from his mother's bloodline, though he hadn't inherited the poison attribute, which was why his was the Azure Shadow Serpent.
And precisely because his Martial Soul was of slightly inferior quality, his cultivation was nowhere near his cousin's.
"Hello, everyone."
"You must all be Xiaofeng's classmates from Eastsea City. I've heard him mention you—quite talented geniuses, all of you."
Zheng Yiran's gaze slowly swept over the group as she smiled softly and spoke in a gentle voice.
For a moment, Tang Wulin and the others couldn't fathom how such a gentle girl could be as terrifying as Xiaofeng had described.
"By the way, those two earlier…"
"Are they already Soul Kings?"
Zheng Yiran looked at the group before her and couldn't help but ask.
"That's right. Boss and Sister Gu Yue are both incredibly talented—they've already reached Soul King, so they don't need to go through the preliminary tests."
The group nodded in agreement, answering straightforwardly.
"Young Miss, it's our turn now."
At that moment, two figures appeared in Tang Wulin's line of sight, addressing Zheng Yiran respectfully.
"Such impressive geniuses…"
"I'll go take my test now. Once we all pass, let's gather at the academy together."
Zheng Yiran nodded, bidding farewell to the group before heading toward the first round of examinations.
"Those two are also rising stars from the Jade Phosphor Family, applying to Shrek Academy. Though their Martial Souls are just Azure Phosphorus Serpents, they're already close to becoming Soul Ancestors."
Only after Zheng Yiran left did Wei Xiaofeng finally relax, explaining to the others.
"As expected of the Jade Phosphor Family."
Hearing this, Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help but murmur. Those who came to Shrek Academy for the entrance exams were truly no ordinary individuals.
"But Xiaofeng, your sister doesn't seem as scary as you made her out to be. She's actually really gentle."
Tang Wulin spoke earnestly, voicing his thoughts directly.
"Don't even start…"
"Wu Lin, don't be fooled by her appearance. My sister is way fiercer when she starts hitting people."
Wei Xiaofeng shook his head, speaking with grave sincerity.
Others might be able to trust her, but he couldn't.
Because he had genuinely been beaten up by her before!
"..."
"The upcoming tests will cover aspects like spiritual power, combat ability, courage, secondary professions, willpower, endurance, and more…"
Meanwhile, as Shen Yi led Wu Zhangkong, Tang Luochuan, and Gu Yue forward, she calmly explained.
"But given your cultivation levels, there's no need to waste too much time on the earlier stages."
Shrek Academy's entrance exams consisted of ten different tests, covering a wide range of skills. However, for Tang Luochuan and the others, these were unnecessary. In fact, if they wanted, they could easily secure direct admission to the inner academy.
"Senior Brother, we're almost there. The teacher will be waiting soon—are you prepared?"
Shen Yi suddenly turned her gaze toward Wu Zhangkong, pressing her lips together before asking softly.
"It's been so many years."
"It's time I faced the teacher again."
Wu Zhangkong took a deep breath, speaking slowly. Even he, known for his icy composure, couldn't help but feel a trace of nervousness at this moment.
He had been gone for too long—ten years, in fact. But at least it was only ten years. He still had the chance to return and stay by his teacher's side.
"We're here."
Before long, Shen Yi led the three into a grand hall. Not far from them, three elders sat in waiting, having anticipated their arrival.
"Xiao Yi, you've arrived."
The elder on the far side, dressed in dark green robes, spoke with a kindly smile.
He was Ye Li, an Elder of the Sea God Pavilion.
"Little Shen Yi, quickly bring Xiao Zhangkong and the genius he brought along. Your teacher has been waiting impatiently for a long time."
In the center was an elderly woman with silver hair. Her aged eyes seemed to flicker with silver light as she gazed expectantly at Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue behind Shen Yi.
This was none other than Cai Yue'er, the Dean of Shrek Academy's Outer Court, a 96th-ranked Super Douluo, Three-Word Battle Armor Master, and the Silver Moon Douluo.
"Elder Ye, Elder Cai."
Shen Yi responded respectfully, speaking in unison with her senior brother Wu Zhangkong, before turning her gaze to the only silent figure present.
This was a tall, red-haired old man. Though he hadn't uttered a word, his eyes remained fixed intently on Wu Zhangkong, as if containing a thousand unspoken words.
He was none other than Zhu Shi, the Crimson Dragon Douluo who had raised Wu Zhangkong like both teacher and father.
"Teacher, I've returned."
Wu Zhangkong's face showed complex emotions as he looked toward Zhu Shi. He knelt on both knees, remaining silent for a long moment before finally speaking. This day was long overdue.
"So you still remember to come back..."
A stubborn expression flashed across Zhu Shi's face as he looked at his long-absent disciple, ultimately unable to suppress his emotions.
Especially when comparing the man before him to the youth who had once left, his stubborn eyes grew moist. He immediately stood up and walked over.
"Coming back is enough. For now, let us old folks take a good look at these youngsters."
"From now on, you'll stay with me at Sea God Island."
Zhu Shi helped Wu Zhangkong up, unable to contain his emotions.
"Yes, teacher."
Wu Zhangkong responded softly to these words.
Then he and Shen Yi stepped aside, leaving the current protagonists—Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue—at center stage.
"Junior Tang Luochuan."
"Gu Yue."
"We pay our respects to the three elders."
Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue stepped forward, offering respectful smiles.
"These two must be the most talented among the youngsters from Eastsea."
"Twelve-year-old Soul Kings..."
"With such talent, our legacy is in good hands."
Cai Yue'er's appreciative gaze lingered on Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue. Such talent would undoubtedly allow them to stand at the pinnacle of the continent in the future.
Even that person from back then...
couldn't compare to them!
"To reach Soul King cultivation at twelve—such potential is unmatched across the entire continent."
Elder Ye nodded approvingly beside her, sighing. Even the Pavilion Master Yun Ming would find it hard to surpass them.
"We've heard of your talents—Golden Dragon King, Elementalist... both Martial Souls never before seen on the continent. Show them to us."
Cai Yue'er spoke with curiosity.
Her own Martial Soul, the Silver Moon, undoubtedly belonged to the elemental category, making her particularly interested in the unique Elementalist Martial Soul.
And it wasn't just her—even Zhu Shi had long since turned his expectant gaze toward Tang Luochuan.
From the first glance, he had sensed the powerful bloodline energy surging within the youth—an aura that exerted immense pressure even on him.
But no matter how strong the opponent was, they were merely a Soul King at present, while he had long been a Super Douluo—a full four major realms ahead.
Under such circumstances, if the opponent could still suppress him…
Just how powerful must their Martial Soul be?
"Understood."
Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue nodded before simultaneously releasing their Martial Souls.
In an instant, as an immense aura surged from the two of them, ten dazzling Soul Rings—red, red, red, red, red, black, black, black, black, red—abruptly appeared in everyone's line of sight.
This was their Soul Ring configuration—not a single one below ten-thousand-year level. Especially Tang Luochuan, whose rings were entirely red.
"Ten-thousand-year Soul Spirits!"
At this sight, Zhu Shi, Cai Yue'er, and Ye Li froze, their gazes locked onto Tang Luochuan's direction. They couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
Ten-thousand-year Soul Spirits!
Even for the three of them, all Super Douluos, aside from their ninth Soul Rings, none of their other rings surpassed the ten-thousand-year level!
"To elevate all Soul Spirits to the ten-thousand-year level at just five rings… Just how powerful must their Martial Soul bloodline and spiritual power be…?"
Zhu Shi's face was filled with awe as he stared at Tang Luochuan, murmuring in disbelief.
"Truly…"
"The new generation surpasses the old."
Cai Yue'er took a deep breath, sighing repeatedly. The allure of ten-thousand-year Soul Spirits was simply too great.
Even though Gu Yue's talent was clearly on par with Tang Luochuan's, standing beside him, she seemed utterly unremarkable.
"Retract your Martial Souls. Your Soul Ring configurations alone speak volumes."
Cai Yue'er said with a faint smile. Such a terrifying Soul Ring arrangement undoubtedly granted the two of them formidable abilities—this was indisputable.
Still, she hadn't expected them to be this monstrously powerful.
Tang Luochuan and Gu Yue acknowledged softly, withdrawing their Martial Souls. Just then, another figure arrived under the guidance of a Shrek Academy teacher.
She was strikingly beautiful, with waist-length crimson hair interspersed with a few white strands, giving her a uniquely bold appearance.
"Someone's already here?"
Yet at this moment, as she gazed at the two figures not far away, the girl's expression turned contemplative.
But…
Wasn't she supposed to be the first to arrive for the assessment?
(End of Chapter)