The three of them all came from well-off families. It wasn't about the small reward.
They were simply bored and came here for some fun—plus, it was a good chance to interact with pretty junior girls.
Soul masters' bodies were nourished long-term by soul power and soul rings. Regardless of looks, their temperament was something ordinary people could never compare to.
Not every soul master was handsome, of course—there were all kinds of people in the world.
But the proportion of attractive ones among soul masters was extremely high.
Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, and Tuoba Yu had all changed into yellow uniforms, sitting behind a desk with several metal balls on it used to test soul power.
The Shrek Academy entrance exam only required candidates to be under twelve years old and have at least rank 15 soul power. Testing was simple.
With the development of soul tool technology, devices had been created to test bone age. Students who didn't meet the age requirement and tried to slip through would be screened out in advance.
Only after passing that round would teachers and senior students test their soul power in person.
This greatly reduced the workload.
In front of Zhou Sichen, a new female student with silky blue hair was injecting her soul power into the metal ball while smiling sweetly.
"Senior, did I pass the test?"
"You passed, of course you passed." Zhou Sichen grinned, quickly jotting down her soul power level on the file.
The kid was already lost in the sweet cries of senpai.
On either side, Tuoba Yu and Cao Jinxuan also smiled brightly, enjoying themselves.
Being addressed as senior by a line of pretty girls filled them with satisfaction.
Cao Jinxuan nudged Zhou Sichen with a grin.
"Sichen, you really do come up with the best ideas."
"True." Tuoba Yu echoed with a nod.
As they chatted, from the corner of their eyes they spotted someone new approaching—a figure in a white uniform.
Wait—this was the entrance area for new students. Where did someone in a white uniform come from?
The three quickly reacted and looked up together.
What entered their vision was a face so handsome it stirred envy, especially those deep violet eyes filled with noble warmth. Instantly, he drew the attention of the new female students around.
"Monitor?" Zhou Sichen stood with a grin, then cried out in mock despair: "Why do you look even more handsome than a month ago? How are we supposed to live like this?"
The newcomer was Xu Zihuang, just back from Sunset Forest. Nearing the academy, he had changed back into his white freshman uniform.
Zhou Sichen wasn't wrong. After his spiritual power's transformation and his martial soul's second awakening, Xu Zihuang's aura had elevated once again.
Cao Jinxuan greeted him with a smile, while Tuoba Yu said:
"Tianhuang, I already picked up your uniform. And since the dorm is needed for the new students, you'll have to move to the second-year dorms. I packed up your things into a storage soul tool since you weren't back yet."
Xu Zihuang nodded to Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan, then to Tuoba Yu.
"Alright. I'll report in first, then come find you later."
His important belongings were already stored in his soul tool. Only bedding and such were left in the dorm—nothing of concern.
After Xu Zihuang left, a new group of female students gathered around the three.
At first, they had been pleased with being called senior, but the next questions made their faces twitch.
"Senior, do you know that other senior just now?"
"Senior, what's his name?"
…
Meanwhile, Xu Zihuang had no idea what followed.
He went straight to the teachers' office building behind the senior classrooms and found Wang Yan's office.
As homeroom teacher of Class One—now second-year Class One—Wang Yan was busy overseeing student registration these days.
The office door was open.
Knock, knock, knock—
Xu Zihuang rapped lightly on the thick sandalwood door.
"Come in," Wang Yan's gentle voice quickly answered.
Xu Zihuang stepped inside.
The large office held only Wang Yan at the moment.
Seeing it was Xu Zihuang, Wang Yan smiled and waved.
"Tianhuang, come and register."
The process was just filling out information on a form. According to academy rules, it had to be done, and personally by the student.
Xu Zihuang quickly finished and politely asked:
"By the way, Teacher Wang, is Director Du in his office? I have something to discuss with him."
"You need Director Du?" Wang Yan looked at him in surprise, but didn't press.
"During student registration, Director Du usually won't leave his office. If it's urgent, you should go find him now."
"Thank you, Teacher Wang." Xu Zihuang bowed, then went upstairs to Du Weilun's office.
That office door was also open. But Du Weilun wasn't working—he sat in his chair, hands supporting his chin, staring forward.
"Student Yu, you need something from me?" Du Weilun looked up in surprise, his voice softer than usual.
Outstanding students always received special treatment, and Vice Dean Yan Shaozhe had already spoken to him about Yu Tianhuang's uniqueness.
Xu Zihuang bowed respectfully. "Director Du, previously you mentioned that members of the top three teams in the freshman assessment could apply for assistance from the academy when in need of a soul ring. May I apply now, to obtain the most suitable fourth soul ring?"
"You mean your soul power has broken through to rank 40?" Du Weilun shot to his feet, instantly unsettled. The next moment, his broad hand gripped Xu Zihuang's shoulder tightly.
After his martial soul's second awakening and the transformation of his spiritual power, Xu Zihuang's perception had sharpened greatly.
He imagined that if he didn't use his third soul skill, he still had a fair chance of dodging Du Weilun's sudden grab.
The tangible sense of his own strength's growth was intoxicating.
Du Weilun's furrowed brows eased.
"Indeed, your soul power is rank 40. Condensed and solid, essence restrained, foundation deep. And it's not from borrowed means."
His eyes burned as he looked at Xu Zihuang.
A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor—this broke Shrek Academy's records of the past ten thousand years. Even his calm heart was stirred.
"Wait here, student Yu. I'll contact Dean Yan."
He picked up a voice-transmission soul tool from the desk, pressed a button, and infused soul power.
Soon, Yan Shaozhe's gentle voice came through.
"Weilun?"
"Yes, Dean Yan." Du Weilun's tone was extremely respectful.
He paused, then said solemnly: "Dean Yan, Yu Tianhuang's soul power has already broken through to rank 40. He is now applying for the academy's assistance in obtaining a soul ring."
After that single breathless report, there was silence.
Just as Du Weilun was about to speak again, Yan Shaozhe's voice returned.
"Have Yu Tianhuang wait. I'll come in person."
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