Shrek Academy's first trial took place at the Outer Plaza — a massive clearing where hundreds of hopeful examinees gathered, forming a restless sea of excitement and fear. Tall stone pillars surrounded the plaza, each carved with symbols representing past generations of Shrek's proud graduates.
Yuhao trembled at the sight."So many people…"
Tang Ya leaned forward. "Don't be scared! Most of them will be eliminated in the first test."
Yuhao nearly fainted.
Tianyi simply observed the crowd, his calm eyes sweeping across the examinees. Most of the children were dressed in expensive clothing, followed by servants or guards who watched nervously from outside the boundaries. Clearly, many were from wealthy or noble families.
But their status meant nothing here.
Shrek cared only for talent.
Bei Bei brought Yuhao and Tianyi toward a line marked with a simple wooden sign: Physical Assessment.
The instructor standing before the line was a tall woman with sharp eyes and a long whip coiled at her hip. Her expression alone made half the new examinees tremble.
"Line up! First test: sprint across the field and back! If you can't complete it within the time limit, you're eliminated! If you collapse or faint, also eliminated!"
Yuhao stiffened.
Tianyi placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You can do it. Just breathe steadily."
Yuhao nodded nervously.
Tang Ya cupped her hands around her mouth. "GO YUHAO! RUN LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!"
The instructor glared at her. Tang Ya immediately shut up.
One by one, children ran. Some passed. Many failed.
When Yuhao's turn arrived, he took a deep breath and sprinted forward.
Halfway across, his breath faltered. Sweat poured down his forehead.
Too slow… too weak… what if I fail…?
His vision blurred—
A soft vibration rippled through the air.
Yuhao blinked.
The familiar warmth of Tianyi's qin brushed his ears — subtle, gentle, like a steady heartbeat.
Not a soul skill.Not enough to break the rules.Only a resonance pulse, barely audible, but enough to stabilize Yuhao's rhythm.
Yuhao clenched his fists.
I can do this!
He pushed forward.
Somehow, when he collapsed across the finish line, gasping and pale, the instructor looked surprised.
"…Pass."
Yuhao almost cried.
Tianyi knelt beside him. "Well done."
Yuhao managed a weak smile. "Tianyi… thank you."
Tianyi shook his head. "That was your own strength."
The instructor's cold gaze shifted to Tianyi next.
"Lan Tianyi. Your turn."
Tianyi bowed lightly and stood at the starting line.
Tang Ya grinned. "Watch this. I bet he's secretly strong."
Bei Bei chuckled. "He's hiding more than he shows."
When the whistle blew, Tianyi moved like flowing water.
Not fast — not explosively fast — but smooth, steady, efficient. His breathing never broke rhythm. His steps never faltered. He reached the end and returned without a hint of strain.
The instructor narrowed her eyes."…Pass."
But Tianyi caught her slight frown.
She wasn't frowning because he was weak.
She was frowning because she couldn't feel his limit.
Tang Ya threw her arm around Tianyi's neck. "See? SEE? My new Tang Sect brother is amazing!"
Tianyi coughed lightly. "Tang Ya… please let go."
"No!"
Yuhao laughed faintly. It felt like the first time he had laughed freely in months.
Bei Bei smiled at all of them. "Don't relax yet. The next test is the soul power assessment."
Yuhao stiffened again.
Tianyi looked forward calmly.
His fingers brushed the strings of the qin case at his back.
The resonance inside stirred faintly, as if sensing something waiting ahead.