Ning Rongrong was completely captivated by Su Bai's strength.
Born into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, she had seen countless geniuses.
But someone like Su Bai—twelve years old, Level 35, with such an outrageous soul ring configuration and Martial Soul—was something she had never even heard of.
"This guy… he's a monster," Ning Rongrong muttered softly.
She was already calculating—if someone like him could be recruited into her sect, it would be an enormous boost.
Behind her, Zhu Zhuqing remained silent.
Her usually cold expression could no longer hide her shock.
She had traveled all the way from the Star Luo Empire, seeking a chance to resist Dai Weisi's pressure—a sliver of hope.
Dai Mubai was her nominal fiancé, but his strength and decadence gave her no hope at all.
But now, Su Bai has appeared.
In an overwhelming fashion, he had effortlessly defeated Dai Mubai.
The power he displayed… was exactly what Zhu Zhuqing longed for.
Perhaps… he was her true chance.
Li Yusong was the first to recover. He quickly rushed to the wall and checked Dai Mubai's breathing.
Finding that he was only unconscious and not in danger, he let out a sigh of relief.
Standing up again, Li Yusong looked at Su Bai with an extremely complicated expression—his earlier arrogance completely gone.
This was a true monster.
Shrek Academy prided itself on only accepting monsters—but this boy was a monster among monsters.
Su Bai casually brushed off nonexistent dust from his hands and walked straight toward Li Yusong.
"I've passed all the tests now, right?"
Li Yusong opened his mouth, taking a moment before he found his voice.
"Pa… passed. Of course you passed."
What a joke—if they didn't accept someone like this, Dean Flender would skin him alive when he returned.
"And what he said—does it still count?"
Su Bai pointed at the unconscious Dai Mubai.
"From now on, I'm the boss at Shrek Academy."
Li Yusong's face twitched.
Although the bet was absurd, Dai Mubai had said it in front of everyone. As a teacher, he couldn't go back on it.
"It… it counts," he said with difficulty, nodding.
"Good."
Su Bai was satisfied.
He didn't move to the shade to rest. Instead, he remained where he stood, calmly looking toward Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
His expression was indifferent, but he knew—the deliberately released auspicious aura had already left its mark in their hearts.
Xiao Wu felt that familiar pull again and glanced back at Su Bai.
Her responses to Tang San became somewhat absent-minded.
Meanwhile, Ning Rongrong searched the crowd for Su Bai—her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda still faintly trembling.
Zhu Zhuqing simply withdrew her gaze, but she knew the ripples in her heart had not settled.
Tang San noticed everything.
He sensed Xiao Wu's distraction while speaking to him, and it made him uneasy.
When he saw her glance back again—even that subtle movement made him feel like something was slipping out of his control.
In his eyes, Xiao Wu was someone he had protected since childhood.
Now, her attention was drawn to another man—and it made him uncomfortable.
"Xiao Wu, what exactly are you looking at?" Tang San asked in a low voice, with a hint of accusation.
Xiao Wu pulled her gaze back and said, "Nothing, Third Brother. Just thought that person was a bit strange."
She didn't elaborate.
Tang San's brows furrowed slightly.
He didn't press further—he knew that once Xiao Wu made up her mind, she wouldn't change easily.
But the dissatisfaction in his heart kept growing.
The line continued moving.
Dai Mubai was carried aside by Li Yusong and a few students to rest.
He hadn't fully regained consciousness, occasionally letting out low groans.
The registration process continued as usual.
Despite the earlier spectacle, Li Yusong's efficiency didn't falter.
Applicants stepped forward one after another—but none caused much of a stir.
Their soul power levels and ages failed to meet Shrek Academy's strict requirements.
Li Yusong rejected them all without hesitation.
After a long while, only Tang San, Xiao Wu, Zhu Zhuqing, and Ning Rongrong passed the first round.
Their talents even surprised Li Yusong.
The afternoon sun softened, and the crowd gradually thinned.
Only then did Dai Mubai fully awaken. His head throbbed, and his body ached.
Recalling what had happened, anger filled his face.
He had been utterly defeated—and in front of Zhu Zhuqing.
It was humiliating.
Scanning the area, he quickly found Su Bai, who was still standing there as if waiting for something.
At last, it was Xiao Wu's turn.
After reporting her Martial Soul and soul power and passing, she didn't immediately go with Tang San.
Instead, she walked straight toward Su Bai.
Tang San stiffened at the sight.
He had assumed Xiao Wu would come to him so they could proceed together.
Xiao Wu stopped beside Su Bai, tilting her head slightly. Her voice was soft as she asked:
"You… you sensed me too, didn't you?"
Her words were quiet—only Su Bai could hear.
There was a deeper meaning behind them, something only soul beasts could understand.
Su Bai glanced at her, then deliberately raised his voice slightly instead of answering directly.
He swept a look into the distance—Tang San stood tense, his full attention fixed on them.
A teasing smile curved Su Bai's lips.
"Of course," he said. "You can come find me tonight."
His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for nearby people—especially Tang San—to hear clearly.
At that moment, the system notification sounded in Su Bai's mind.
[Ding! Xiao Wu's favorability +25. Current favorability: 25!]
[Reward: Favorability Treasure Chest ×1]
Su Bai was in a good mood.
Everything was proceeding exactly according to his plan.
A faint blush appeared on Xiao Wu's cheeks.
She felt a bit shy—but not resistant. She hadn't expected Su Bai to be so direct.
She was deeply curious about the aura around him. In her mind, he had to be a legendary Auspicious Beast—no one else could possess such a presence.
Tang San's body trembled.
He had heard it. Every word.
This Su Bai actually dared to say such things to Xiao Wu right in front of him.
And Xiao Wu's reaction felt unfamiliar.
She had always been lively and carefree—but now, there was a hint of shyness on her face.
Tang San's eyes reddened, his breathing heavy.
He had the urge to rush forward and strike Su Bai down where he stood.