# Chapter 17: Assessment
SHREK ACADEMY ENTRANCE
The white-haired elder—Li Yusong, a Spirit Emperor of the sixty-third rank—stood unmoved as people sharp questions hung in the air like a challenge.
His Dragon Pattern Staff remained planted firmly on the ground, its ancient wood still thrumming with barely restrained power.
"Who's running their mouth over there!"
The elder's voice cut through the crowd like a blade. Without bothering to wait for a response, he summoned his Spirit again.
The Dragon Pattern Staff began to glow with ethereal light as soul rings materialized around it—six rings, showing the status of a Soul Emperor.
The pressure that followed was suffocating. Everyone present, including the applicants still waiting in line, instinctively took several steps backward.
The ground itself seemed to tremble under the weight of accumulated soul power.
Dai Mubai's face had gone pale. A Spirit Emperor of sixty-three ranks—that was far beyond anyone like Chen Sheng could challenge, right!
"I will state the rules once and only once more," Li Yusong's voice was cold, each word deliberate and absolute.
"Applicants must be under twelve years old with a minimum spirit power of level twenty. The registration fee is ten gold coins. Non-refundable. Do not harbor illusions about exceptions. Do not test my patience."
The young man who had protested moments before now looked like he wanted to disappear into the earth.
His face had drained of all color, and he remained perfectly silent.
The parent beside him, recognizing a situation beyond negotiation, quickly grabbed the young man's hand.
"Come. A child with his talent can attend any academy. These ten coins..." The parent sighed heavily, accepting the loss as they turned to leave.
But Ning Rongrong, never one to simply accept authority without question, stepped forward with visible frustration.
Her noble bearing and refined dress suggested someone accustomed to having her opinions valued.
"We said it, and is what we said wrong?" Her voice carried the tone of someone unused to being denied. "This is the first time I've seen a registration fee collected without being refunded. He hasn't even begun studying here! This policy seems rather extreme, doesn't it?"
Chen Sheng watched the scene unfold with mild amusement. Ning Rongrong was indeed spirited—that much was immediately apparent. She possessed the confidence of privilege but also genuine curiosity beneath her complaints. An interesting combination.
Dai Mubai's expression underwent a dramatic transformation the moment he spotted Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong.
His face brightened momentarily—hope flickering in his eyes. But that optimism died instantly when he noticed Chen Sheng standing beside them, his hand gently supporting Xiao Wu's back.
Together? Dai Mubai's mind raced. But then reality reasserted itself. He'd suffered a humiliating defeat yesterday.
Did he really want to remind them of that? And besides... Chen Sheng against Li Yusong?
Dai Mubai quickly retreated into the background, positioning himself where he could observe without drawing attention. Perhaps watching Chen Sheng face the elder would provide some entertainment at least.
"Mubai!" Li Yusong's sharp voice cut through the elder's contemplation. "Drive these troublemakers away. Show them the strength of Shrek Academy students. We accept only monsters, not trash."
Ten thousand metaphorical horses stampeded through Dai Mubai's mind. Teacher, I can't beat him!
His face twisted into an expression of pure anguish as he stood frozen, caught between orders and self-preservation.
Chen Sheng's gaze shifted to Dai Mubai, his expression shifting into something gently teasing. The silent message was clear: What's wrong? Yesterday's beating not enough? Want another round?
Zhu Zhuqing, Xiao Wu, and Tang San exchanged knowing glances.
Their silence was louder than any commentary.
Ning Rongrong appeared genuinely confused by the sudden tension. "Why does that person have such an expression?" she asked softly, though her question went largely unheeded.
Dai Mubai's internal struggle lasted only seconds. Losing face through inaction was one thing—losing face and receiving another beating was entirely unacceptable. The math was simple.
He quickly approached Li Yusong and leaned close, whispering urgently about yesterday's encounter with Chen Sheng.
How the boy had single-handedly defeated him. How even Flender had needed to intervene.
Li Yusong's expression shifted as he listened. When he turned to examine Chen Sheng again, there was genuine surprise in his eyes. This young boy had impressed the dean enough to warrant personal intervention? His gaze swept over the group, eventually settling on Yu Xiaogang. That must be the Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang the dean speaks of—the "Corner of Wisdom."
Interesting indeed.
Li Yusong was just beginning to formulate his next move—to properly assess these youngsters—when a familiar voice suddenly cut through the tension.
"Wait!"
Flender emerged from seemingly nowhere, his expression a careful mix of authority and concern.
The dean had clearly been monitoring the situation from the shadows, waiting for precisely this moment to intervene.
"Ah, Li Yusong. About these applicants..." Flender's tone had shifted to something more diplomatic, though his eyes carried an unmistakable warning.
Li Yusong tilted his head questioningly. "Dean? Weren't you scheduled to return tomorrow?"
Flender's mouth twitched slightly. He drew Li Yusong aside, speaking in low, urgent tones. Whatever he said clearly had immediate effect—Li Yusong's aggressive demeanor deflated like a punctured balloon.
After a moment, the elder sighed heavily and withdrew ten gold coins from his pouch, tossing them to the rejected applicant. "Consider this a special exception. Leave. Quietly."
The young man and his parent departed with unprecedented haste, as though fearing the offer might be withdrawn.
"Let me reiterate," Li Yusong announced to the remaining applicants, his voice still stern but significantly less hostile. "Those who do not meet the requirements, depart immediately."
Within moments, the lengthy queue had been reduced to a mere dozen or so genuine prospects.
Flender stepped forward with a carefully practiced smile. "Chen Sheng, you must find us rather amusing. I assure you, our academy's enrollment procedures were not always conducted with such... firmness. We typically provide clear information in advance regarding enrollment conditions. However, there are always those who harbor unrealistic expectations."
Chen Sheng offered a subtle nod, his expression carefully neutral. He had no particular interest in the academy's administrative philosophy. He wasn't some charitable benefactor—if a situation could be helped, he would help. But past matters? Those were beyond his concern or control.
"Xiaogang," Flender said, turning to Yu Xiaogang with a knowing wink. "Come with me for tea. These youngsters can proceed directly to the fourth stage. I'd like to discuss several matters with you first."
Yu Xiaogang accepted the invitation without hesitation. With the demonstrated power levels of Tang San, Chen Sheng, and Xiao Wu, passing any standard assessment would prove trivial. "What comprises the fourth stage assessment?" he asked casually.
Flender gestured vaguely toward Dai Mubai, who suddenly looked very interested in examining his own feet. "They must persist for the duration of one incense stick under Mubai's hands."
In other words, Chen Sheng's mind translated, they need to survive against Zhou Wuji, with his seventy-six rank Vajra Bear martial soul.
The implications were clear—this academy didn't do simplistic tests. They tested practical combat ability.
Dai Mubai's silent suffering was almost painful to witness.
Yu Xiaogang, satisfied with the response, simply nodded. "Then there's absolutely no problem."
After a final glance at Tang San and the others, Yu Xiaogang followed Flender inside, eager to understand the academy's current situation and future plans in detail.
Li Yusong retracted his Spirit, his expression returning to its previous state of austere indifference. "Who's first?" he asked flatly.
Chen Sheng and his companions exchanged brief glances. There was no point in prolonging the process.
Chen Sheng stepped forward without ceremony, his movements calm and deliberate.
Around him, his White Tiger materialized. The yellow, purple, and black rings circled his form with unmistakable clarity.
"Chen Sheng, White Tiger martial soul, Spirit Power level thirty-nine," he announced simply.
Li Yusong's eyes flickered for just a moment—but that was all. Thirty-nine... that was respectable but not particularly shocking.
Then the elder examined the spirit rings more closely.
His eyes widened.
"Yellow, purple, black..." Li Yusong murmured, his gaze growing intense. His hand actually rose to rub his eyes, as though questioning whether his perception was accurate. These weren't just any rings—they were perfectly optimized for power.
"Brother? When did you reach rank thirty-nine? Weren't you only rank thirty-five yesterday?"
Xiao Wu's question echoed the elder's own astonishment. The implication was staggering—rising four levels in a single day?
『DING! DETECTED Xiao Wu's Shock and Amazement emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Tang San's Exhaustion and Despair emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Dai Mubai's Disbelief and Hidden Jealousy emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Zhu Zhuqing's Confusion and Subtle Awe emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
『DING! DETECTED Ning Rongrong's complex emotion toward host. Congratulations! Reward: Treasure Chest acquired!』
Chen Sheng's expression remained calm, almost indifferent. "I work hard. That's all."
The simplicity of his explanation somehow made it worse for Tang San.
Why? Tang San's internal monologue screamed silently. How can he raise his spirit power like this? No matter how hard I pursue, I can't catch up?
In truth, Tang San harbored no suspicion about Chen Sheng's explanation.
This wasn't the first time the boy had demonstrated unusual growth rates over their years together. It was simply... frustrating.
Tang San was already a Spirit Elder now. Suddenly rising several ranks seemed disproportionate.
Xiao Wu's small mouth hung slightly agape, her expression one of surprise so pure and adorable it was almost painful to witness.
She looked at Chen Sheng with new wonder, as though seeing him for the first time.
Zhu Zhuqing's confusion was evident on her delicate features. Rank thirty-nine? And those spirit rings...
She had been struck by the quality of Chen Sheng's rings today. They were exceptional in every way—something that marked him as fundamentally different from typical practitioners.
"Hey! Chen Sheng!" Ning Rongrong's sudden appearance at his side made several people jump. Her eyes sparkled with unmistakable curiosity as she studied him intently. "How did you do that? I've never seen anyone so... unusual in the Sect."
This was apparently Ning Rongrong's awakening moment—the realization that there were always people better than you, and always higher heavens beyond those heights.
Before Chen Sheng could respond, Ning Rongrong withdrew slightly, seeming to remember something. "Oh! I should introduce myself properly. I'm Ning Rongrong, from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
The next instant, a magnificent seven-story pagoda materialized before them, its structure adorned with two yellow spirit rings at its base. The pagoda glowed with soft golden light, its presence utterly distinctive.
"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda!"
Li Yusong's voice carried genuine shock. "How could someone from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect attend our academy?"
Ning Rongrong's attire now made perfect sense—the refined elegance, the natural authority in her bearing, the expensive materials. This was a direct descendant of one of the Upper Three Sects.
"Ning Rongrong, Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda martial soul, Spirit Power level twenty-six," she announced proudly.
After declaring her status, Ning Rongrong's attention returned immediately to Chen Sheng. "So, are you going to tell me how you achieved such rapid growth? I've never encountered anything like it before."
Chen Sheng smiled faintly, his expression deliberately mysterious. "That's quite a long story, actually. Perhaps we can discuss it after everyone has passed the assessment. If there's an opportunity, of course."
The non-answer only seemed to deepen Ning Rongrong's curiosity.
Meanwhile, Tang San's expression had grown deeply contemplative. Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Isn't that one of the Upper Three Sects that Teacher mentioned?
The implications began to form in his mind. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect supposedly possessed wealth rivaling small nations.
All its direct descendants were auxiliary spirit masters, their sect focused on support and enhancement abilities.
An idea crystallized in Tang San's consciousness—a plan that could potentially solve his most pressing problem.
Could I sell some of the Tang Sect hidden weapons from my previous life to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? They possess both the wealth and the influence to recognize their value. Initial capital for rebuilding the Tang Sect...
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