"This is Shrek Academy? It's a bit different from what I imagined…"
A brown-haired girl stood outside the main gates of Shrek Academy, frowning slightly as she looked at the sea of people before her.
It was currently the academy's enrollment season, so the area was particularly crowded. After all, nearly all the geniuses from the entire Sun-Moon Federation had come to apply during this time. It would actually be strange if it wasn't packed.
At the same time, the enormous crowd also served as proof that Shrek Academy was truly still the number one academy on the continent.
"So many people… Are we going to have to wait until the end of time just to get in line?"
Heita looked at the crowd on the field with dissatisfaction. Although the line was constantly moving and some students were actively helping to keep things orderly, just waiting her turn would still take a few hours at the very least.
"Maybe I should just leave. Maybe Shrek Academy isn't as impressive as people say?"
As if she felt there was some truth in what she just said, Heita turned her head, preparing to walk back the way she came. But before she could take more than a few steps, a white-haired old man suddenly appeared in front of her.
"Haha! You're quite the spirited young lady!"
"These past years, you're probably the only one who's dared say Shrek Academy isn't impressive!"
The old man walked toward her with a smile on his face. Judging from his expression, he didn't seem angry in the slightest. However, he also just so happened to be blocking her path.
"Old man, you're in my way. Move."
Heita's face was calm, as if she didn't take the old man in front of her seriously at all—she even spoke such blunt words to him.
As soon as she said that, the old man's eyes widened.
"What do you mean, 'old man'? I'm an Elder of Shrek Academy!"
"Little girl, you should think carefully—if you leave now, you'll lose your chance to join Shrek Academy forever!"
Heita just curled her lip in response to his words.
"I'm not like those ordinary people lining up over there. I'm a true genius—I don't need some academy to prove my worth! Real gold shines wherever it is. Even if I'm not at Shrek Academy, I can still become the strongest on the continent!"
"Sigh…" The old man let out a helpless sigh. "Girl, you're still too young."
"What you just said—I actually agree with a lot of it. Your abilities shouldn't need outside validation. But Shrek Academy is different. The title of 'Number One Academy on the Continent' has always belonged to Shrek. Do you know what that means?"
"A graduation certificate from Shrek Academy is more valuable than anything else. If you ever run into trouble in the future, that certificate means the entire academy stands behind you. It can be a huge help to your future!"
"Fine."
Seeing Heita nod, the old man finally breathed a sigh of relief. He'd finally managed to keep this girl from leaving. He took the chance to introduce himself.
"I am Zhuo Shi, an Elder of the Sea God's Pavilion in Shrek Academy. I've been waiting here for you for quite a while! You're the Heita that Xiao Zhangkong mentioned, right?"
"Yeah, I'm Heita. So hand it over."
"Huh? Hand over what?"
Originally, Zhuo Shi had planned to bring Heita straight into the inner courtyard once he confirmed her identity. But her sudden request left him dumbfounded.
"The graduation certificate, of course! Since the Shrek diploma is so valuable, just give it to me directly. Why go through all this trouble?"
Heita's statement completely stunned Zhuo Shi. He looked at her in disbelief and said, "Heita… you do know that to get a graduation certificate, you have to meet the academy's graduation requirements, right?"
"Of course! I'm already at Level 70, and I'm a Three-Word Battle Armor Master. Isn't that enough to graduate from the inner courtyard?"
"Uh… well… that might still be… a bit lacking?"
Heita's retort made Zhuo Shi stumble over his words, unsure how to respond.
"Tch. So troublesome. I'll just leave, then."
"Wait! Girl, wait!"
He couldn't let such a promising seedling slip away so easily. The reason Zhuo Shi was waiting out here in the first place was because Wu Zhangkong had written to him a few days ago. In his letter, he told his long-estranged teacher that he had encountered a once-in-a-ten-thousand-year genius and recommended bringing her into Shrek Academy.
The letter had detailed information about Heita, and Wu Zhangkong had even suggested reporting her case directly to the Sea God's Pavilion.
At first, Zhuo Shi thought Wu Zhangkong was joking. But after reading about Heita's abilities, he had widened his eyes in disbelief—was there truly such a prodigy in this world?
Zhuo Shi knew Wu Zhangkong's personality well. He wouldn't lie about something like this. So there was a very high chance that this girl named Heita would be arriving at the academy within a few days.
The other members of the Sea God's Pavilion were also very interested in her, but since her arrival time was uncertain, they had arranged for someone to wait outside the academy every day—and that person was Zhuo Shi.
After waiting through several days of sun and rain, he had finally found her. His persistence had paid off!
Yet just as he was about to take her into the inner courtyard, she actually wanted to grab the graduation certificate and leave immediately?
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world!
Just as Zhuo Shi was about to persuade her again, a silver light suddenly fell from the sky, landing beside him.
"Zhuo Shi, I told you yesterday that there's no need for so much nonsense. Just take this girl into the inner courtyard. Why make things so complicated?"
A white-haired woman appeared. From the way she spoke to Zhuo Shi, it was highly likely that she was also an Elder of Shrek Academy. Otherwise, she wouldn't dare use that tone.
"Cai Yue'er, what are you doing? Wasn't it agreed that I'd handle this? Are you trying to steal the credit?"
"Steal the credit? I saw you failing to convince the girl, so I came out to help. If you'd been able to win her over, would I have needed to come out at all?"
"You—!"
Because Heita's information had been reported to the Sea God's Pavilion, many Elders had taken interest in her. But since the letter had come from Wu Zhangkong, the task was first handed to his teacher, Zhuo Shi.
But if he couldn't handle it?
Then the others would step in.
Cai Yue'er was very interested in such a rare talent, and she had an impatient nature. The moment she saw Zhuo Shi fail, she was the first to jump in.
As for the other Elders? They were still observing from the sidelines, planning to see how things played out. In fact, one particularly special expert was silently watching from the shadows at this very moment.
"Win me over? Is Shrek Academy planning to force people to join now?" Heita frowned slightly. "But I'll say this now—no one can make me do what I don't want to."
Facing the two Elders of Shrek Academy, Heita took a step forward. A red aura burst from her body, instantly forming seven bright red spirit rings.
Seeing this, everyone watching—whether already present or hidden—had their eyes go wide in shock.
Just like the intel said—Heita was a Spirit Sage!
And every single one of her spirit rings… was a 100,000-year spirit ring!