After exchanging a few brief words with Zhao Wuji, Du Tu left.
Zhao Wuji turned to Du Feng and said, "Follow me."
Without waiting for a response, he strode toward the inner area of Shrek Academy, with a small teacher explaining Du Feng's situation. Du Feng had no choice but to follow.
"Our academy currently has only three students," Zhao Wuji said. "With you joining today, that makes four."
Just then, a cheerful voice rang from a distance:
"Sausages for sale! Don't miss out! Five copper coins—Oscar-brand, a must-try!"
Du Feng looked ahead and saw a young man pushing a food cart, loudly hawking his wares. The cart was loaded with sausages of various sizes and a small brazier.
The young man wore simple gray clothing and had a full beard, but his eyes were sharp and full of life.
"Oscar! How many times have I told you to stop selling sausages in the academy? Don't embarrass the school!" Zhao Wuji's voice boomed.
Oscar immediately smiled apologetically. "Teacher Zhao, is this the new student?"
Zhao Wuji introduced, "This is Du Feng, a new student officially joining today. You all need to train harder now; this boy became a Soul Master at twelve years old."
Oscar was stunned. "What?! Twelve and already a Soul Master? Teacher Zhao, you're serious?"
"Do I look like someone who jokes?" Zhao Wuji replied firmly. "You've all been lazy in training; now you feel a little shaken, right?"
Oscar could only gape in awe. Zhao Wuji continued, "Stop looking so shocked. You're responsible for taking Du Feng to the dormitory. I still have students to recruit."
Zhao Wuji added, "Du Feng, this is Oscar, a formal student of Shrek Academy, a Food-type Soul Master with full innate Soul Power."
Du Feng smiled and nodded. "Nice to meet you."
Finally, Du Feng met one of the Shrek Seven Devils, a man known across the Douluo Continent for his courage.
Oscar set aside his cart. "I'll take you to the dormitory area."
Seeing Oscar leading Du Feng, Zhao Wuji returned to the school gate to continue recruiting students.
Along the way, Du Feng noticed two people sparring in an open area.
Oscar introduced them: Dai Mubai, Martial Soul: White Tiger, Level 28 Battle Soul Master; and Ma Hongjun, Level 15 Battle Soul Master, Martial Soul: Grass Chicken—though Ma Hongjun quickly protested.
"Oscar, stop joking! I have a Phoenix Martial Soul! Even if my ancestors all had chicken Martial Souls, mine is a Phoenix. Don't insult me!" Ma Hongjun exclaimed.
Dai Mubai chuckled. "Alright, alright, Phoenix it is. Oscar, is that the new student behind you?"
"Yes," Oscar replied.
Du Feng introduced himself: "I'm Du Feng, Martial Soul: Purple Crystal Violent Bear, Level 31, Power Attack-type Battle Soul Master."
"Level 31?!" Ma Hongjun and Dai Mubai shouted in unison, eyes wide.
Du Feng couldn't help but smile. Seeing these two future powerhouses of the continent stunned gave him a strange sense of satisfaction, like drinking an ice-cold beverage on a scorching summer day.
Dai Mubai asked, "How old are you?"
"Twelve," Du Feng replied.
"I'm the same age, yet your Soul Power is three levels higher than mine," Dai Mubai said, astonished.
Oscar interrupted, "Alright, we'll talk later. I need to take Du Feng to the dormitory."
Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun immediately ended their training session and followed Oscar, guiding Du Feng to the dormitory while introducing him to the academy.
Soon, they reached the dormitory area, which consisted of several slightly worn wooden houses.
Dai Mubai explained, "The academy rented about a third of this village for facilities. The dormitories are just old villagers' houses converted for student use, so they're a bit shabby."
Du Feng smiled. "It's fine. I'm not picky. This environment works for me."
He then found an empty house and stepped inside, ready to begin his new life at Shrek Academy.