The next morning arrived with mild sunlight streaming through the windows of the Rose Hotel. The group descended from their rooms, the events of the previous day still lingering in the air like perfume. Tang San walked stiffly, his pride still aching after Lin Feng's final modification in the Dai Mubai battle.
In the dining hall, Lin Feng waved his arms dramatically.
"A feast fit for geniuses! I demand pancakes, syrupy and stacked like my soul levels!"
The waiter served him a plate of fluffy pancakes, which he devoured with exaggerated glee. Zhu Zhuqing sat across from him, quietly enjoying her breakfast of grilled mackerels, eyes occasionally drifting to the ever-vibrant Lin Feng.
Xiao Wu and Tang San sat nearby.
"Here, little brother, carrot buns for breakfast!" Xiao Wu declared, practically shoving one into Tang San's mouth.
Tang San sighed, accepting his fate.
---
Once breakfast ended, the four made their way out of the Rose Hotel and down the forested trail leading to Shrek Academy. The small academy's wooden gate and rundown appearance hid its legendary status well.
Before they could knock, an elegant girl walked out from within. Her clothes were finely embroidered, and her face held an air of haughtiness. A white mark on her chest signified a noble lineage.
Ning Rongrong.
The canon event unfolded: she arrogantly introduced herself and subtly mocked Shrek Academy's rundown look. Before tensions could rise too far, Li Yusong, a senior teacher, began asking her the standard questions.
"What's your name, age, spirit, and current level?" he asked.
Ning Rongrong smirked. "Ning Rongrong. Age twelve. Martial Spirit: Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. Level 26."
The name caused a stir among onlookers. A noble clan heiress. Support-type spirit. High innate level.
Then, it was time for the rest.
Li Yusong waved them forward. "You four, step forward. Report age, spirit, and soul ring level."
Zhu Zhuqing calmly stepped up. "Zhu Zhuqing. Age twelve. Martial Spirit: Hell Civet. Level: 27."
A murmur ran through the students gathered nearby.
Next was Xiao Wu. "Xiao Wu. Age twelve. Martial Spirit: Soft Bone Rabbit. Level: 29."
More mutters. A nearly rank-30 auxiliary-type spirit at her age? That was no joke.
Then came Tang San. "Tang San. Age twelve. Martial Spirit: Blue Silver Bamboo. Level: 30."
But what shocked everyone were the two golden rings hovering at his feet — his first two soul rings.
The gathered students gasped. Even the teachers exchanged glances.
"Golden rings?" someone whispered. "A mutated growth?"
Finally, Lin Feng stepped forward.
"Lin Feng. Age twelve. Martial Spirit: Phantom Blood Dagger. Soul level: 40."
Dead silence followed.
"What?"
"Did he say... forty?!"
"No way... he's our age!"
Even the proud Ning Rongrong narrowed her eyes in disbelief. Li Yusong looked stunned for the first time.
Zhao Wuji himself, standing behind the crowd, blinked. "That boy... is abnormal."
Lin Feng simply smiled.
---
After the assessment, Zhao Wuji nodded and said, "You four are more than qualified. Go on in. Dai Mubai is waiting — he'll be your next examiner."
They stepped through the creaky gates, passing through into the inner courtyard.
There, waiting like a lion guarding his pride, stood Dai Mubai, arms folded, his tiger-like aura distinct. His eyes scanned the new arrivals before landing on Tang San and Lin Feng with particular interest.
Next to him, Ning Rongrong had already moved to observe silently. Her expression was no longer mocking — it was intrigued.
And so, with tensions rising, the next test was about to begin.