"Ha! Ridiculous!"
"You actually believed such an absurd claim?"
"Innate level seven soul power? I'd love to see how you ever become a Titled Douluo!"
Dai Mubai spat out his words in anger before storming off without another glance. But just before leaving, his eyes paused darkly on Qi Lin.
If not for his wariness of Qi Lin's talent and strength, he would've beaten the guy black and blue for ruining his plans.
Zhu Zhuqing watched Dai Mubai's departing figure. Then, she turned to Qi Lin beside her, her cold expression softening just a little.
"Just now... thank you for your encouragement."
Even though she knew the chances of reaching the Titled Douluo level were incredibly slim, Qi Lin's words had still ignited hope in her heart.
Man proposes, heaven disposes.
All she could do was stay firm in her beliefs and fight for her goal. As for the rest...
Let fate decide.
Beside her, Qi Lin gave a light smile.
---
Time flew by, and soon it was the next day.
Today marked the official enrollment exam for Shrek Academy.
The exam was divided into four stages: Martial Soul Assessment, Soul Power Testing, Martial Soul Application, and a final Combat Trial.
The first three stages were overseen by Li Yusong, Lu Qibin, and Shao Xin respectively.
The fourth and final combat trial was assigned to Dai Mubai.
Outside the gates of Shrek Academy, a long line of young boys and girls stretched out in front of them. Qi Lin, sitting in the shade near the village entrance, glanced at the crowd and muttered to Flender beside him.
"Dean Flender, seriously now... with the state our academy's in—"
"One: no decent cultivation environment. Two: no advanced teaching philosophy. And yet you've managed to attract—oh no, trick this many people into applying? This is witchcraft."
Flender let out a couple of dry coughs. He wanted to argue, but Qi Lin did have a point.
Thinking back to their "teaching methods" over the years… it was mostly running laps around the village or fighting in the Great Spirit Arena. Was there any actual teaching going on?
Maybe a little. But not much.
Still, Flender wasn't about to admit Shrek's education system was worthless. With great confidence, he replied:
"Let's not talk about the past. Just wait and see—Shrek Academy is about to undergo a huge transformation."
"A friend of mine is coming. He's a master in this field. A theory genius, unmatched in knowledge."
"I've already contacted him. He'll be joining our faculty soon. Once you see him in action, you'll understand just how capable he is at teaching."
Hearing this, Qi Lin raised an eyebrow. He immediately guessed who Flender was referring to.
It could only be the so-called "Grandmaster."
Feigning casual curiosity, Qi Lin said, "Oh? Then, Dean, how high is this friend's soul power?"
"For you to speak so highly of him, he must be powerful. Soul Sage? Soul Douluo, perhaps?"
Flender froze for a moment before sighing.
"Alright, alright. Don't pretend you don't know I'm talking about Xiao Gang."
"I heard Xiao Wu mention it yesterday. The reason you guys came to Shrek was because he recommended it."
"I figured, if you followed his advice to come here, you must respect his abilities."
"But now... maybe I was wrong."
He shrugged.
As Grandmaster's old friend, Flender knew full well that Yu Xiaogang's reputation wasn't exactly stellar out in the world.
Qi Lin made a small bear-like shrug and replied, "I don't mean to disrespect Grandmaster. He's more suited to be a scholar, not a teacher."
"As a Soul Master, one's strength determines the height of their perspective. At only level twenty-nine, what can he teach?"
"Combat experience? Soul power application?"
Qi Lin's bluntness left Flender silent.
Still, with a friendship spanning over two decades, Flender wasn't going to lose faith in Yu Xiaogang over a few harsh words.
On the contrary, he hoped Xiao Gang would arrive soon, so he could prove his worth with real results.
In Flender's eyes, Yu Xiaogang was definitely capable.
After all, didn't he cultivate a disciple as outstanding as Tang San?
Even if Tang San couldn't compare to Qi Lin or Xiao Wu in terms of raw power...
Flender believed they weren't comparable in the first place.
Tang San's martial soul was a useless one—Blue Silver Grass.
Which only further proved Yu Xiaogang's famous motto:
There are no trash martial souls, only trash Soul Masters.
As the two chatted casually, a young girl in a turquoise dress suddenly appeared at the academy gate.
She had exquisite features, smooth skin like peeled lychees, flowing long hair, and a noble aura. It was clear she came from an extraordinary background.
But what truly shocked everyone was the moment she released her martial soul.
Even the proctor, Li Yusong, was stunned. Flender's brows furrowed deeply.
"The Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda?"
"What's someone from the main bloodline of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan doing at a humble academy like ours?"
For once, even Flender referred to Shrek as a "small-time academy."
Because compared to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, Shrek really was nothing.
Li Yusong hesitated and asked, "Do your family members know you're here?"
Ning Rongrong smiled sweetly. "If they didn't, would you refuse to admit me?"
Li Yusong's mouth twitched. He glanced toward Flender.
Seeing the Dean give a small nod, Li Yusong smiled and said, "Alright, you may enter."
Ning Rongrong smiled like a refined noblewoman and walked gracefully through the gates.
But just before she passed through, her gaze drifted to the side.
Li Yusong's little signal hadn't escaped her notice.
The first person she spotted was Flender's long, shoehorn-like face.
Instantly dismissed.
But then… her eyes landed on Qi Lin.
And her eyes lit up.
She didn't know why, but that lazy-looking guy gave her a very… special feeling.
He…
He's kind of handsome!
At that moment, Qi Lin's gaze happened to meet hers.
Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
Their eyes met.
And for the first time in her life, Ning Rongrong felt her heart speed up because of a boy.
Qi Lin scratched his head, puzzled.
What's going on? Could it be that I really have some kind of passive buff toward rich girls?
Whether in this life or the last, Qi Lin had noticed he was unusually popular with wealthy ladies.
If his charm was a 95 out of 100 for average girls…
Then for rich girls, it was a full 100.
What was he?
A charm demon in the eyes of heiresses?