The Next Day.
Tang San took Xiao Wu out through the south gate of Soto City. Throughout the journey, both of them felt a deep sadness.
The scene of Yu Xiaowei beating Dai Mubai kept replaying in their minds.
Especially when Tang San mentioned that Yu Xiaowei might actually be around their age, Xiao Wu could hardly hide her shock.
With Dai Mubai's full strength, Tang San had been completely defeated without Yu Xiaowei using any hidden weapons at all.
And a young man about their age had seriously injured Dai Mubai effortlessly.
It truly made them question everything they knew about strength.
After walking for quite some time, they saw a small village.
Relying on his Purple Demon Eye, Tang San saw that many people seemed to be gathered at the village entrance, as if something significant was happening.
As they got closer, they saw that most of the people gathered were teenagers around their age, many accompanied by their parents.
What shocked them most was that at a simple arch at the entrance of the village, there was a tattered sign with five large characters written on it:
Shrek Academy.
"No way! Is this Shrek Academy?"
The two of them looked on in disbelief.
But trusting his teacher, Tang San decided to step forward and inquire.
Just then, an argument broke out ahead of them.
"We do not accept students under thirteen years old or with soul power below level twenty-one."
"What about the registration fee?"
"No refunds after payment."
"Are you trying to scam us? Return our money now, or we'll report you to the patrol."
"Mubai, there's trouble. Handle it."
With a shout, Dai Mubai hobbled over, bandaged and supported by Zhu Zhuqing.
The middle-aged man who had been arguing was about to mock the arrival of a cripple.
But Dai Mubai casually released his soul power. Three dazzling soul rings appeared around him, and the overwhelming pressure made the man's expression change dramatically.
Sensing the fluctuation of soul power, Tang San and Xiao Wu leaned forward. When they saw Dai Mubai, Xiao Wu's eyes sparkled.
"Hey, Xiaosan, isn't that Dai Mubai and the girl?"
"Looks like him. Is he also a Shrek student?"
As they whispered, the conflict resolved. The middle-aged man, realizing he had offended a soul master, left with his son, reluctantly.
Seeing the strict entrance requirements of Shrek Academy, many in the queue backed off.
Before long, Tang San and Xiao Wu were next in line.
Dai Mubai glanced at them. He turned and spoke weakly to the elderly man handling admissions.
"Teacher Li, these two meet the entrance requirements."
The old man looked confused, then suddenly widened his eyes, stood up angrily, and released a powerful aura.
Thick red light gathered in his right hand, transforming into a dragon-patterned staff.
Six soul rings rose from under his feet, and the terrifying pressure of a Soul Emperor suddenly bore down on Tang San and Xiao Wu.
The old man shouted fiercely:
"So you're the little bastards who injured Mubai!"
"Today, I'll teach you a lesson so you know your place!"
Seeing the misunderstanding, Dai Mubai tried to step in, but his injuries made it hard to move or speak. He could only blink at Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing, no longer the timid girl from the inn, stepped forward and stopped the old man coldly.
"Teacher Li, it wasn't them who injured Dai Mubai."
"Huh?"
The old man paused, frowning at Zhu Zhuqing, "Are you sure? Then how did Mubai know they met the requirements at first glance?"
Relieved by the lessened pressure, Tang San quickly explained.
"We fought yesterday, but I lost."
"Uh…"
The old man gave a sheepish smile and withdrew his soul rings. The mighty aura of the Soul Emperor vanished instantly.
"In that case, just pay the registration fee and you're in."
"Stingy," Xiao Wu pouted, displeased. "Still need tutoring too."
---
Shrek Academy, in the old office.
Zhao Wuji reported Dai Mubai's beating to Flender.
"You say someone beat Mubai that easily?"
Flender pushed his glasses up, disbelieving.
Although Dai Mubai wasn't the most talented student at Shrek Academy, he currently had the highest soul power.
At 15 years old, he was already level 37 — likely their only graduate in years.
Now he had been beaten like that by some unknown kid?
"Yes, that's what the hotel staff said. Judging by their description, the boy was probably younger than Mubai."
Zhao Wuji also found it extraordinary. Dai Mubai fought often and knew who to provoke and who not to. How did he run into a monster like this?
After thinking for a while, Flender suddenly asked:
"Did the hotel staff say his name was Yu Xiaowei?"
"Yes."
"Yu Xiaowei… surname Yu, Yu… Could it be that boy?"
"Boss, do you know who he is? Just tell me!"
Zhao Wuji asked anxiously, seeing Flender lost in thought.
Flender shook his head, gazed at the ceiling, and reminisced. After a long time, he said emotionally:
"Yes, only he could raise such an outstanding child."
"I only met that kid once, then searched for him in Soto City for a long time but couldn't find him."
"I didn't expect he was still in Soto."
Zhao Wuji sighed helplessly.
"Boss, I didn't ask for your sighs. I asked who that boy was. Mubai can't be beaten for nothing."
"Oh."
Flender came back to his senses and said:
"The boy must be the heir of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan."
"Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?!"
This name stunned Zhao Wuji. If true, there was no way to take revenge for Dai Mubai. You don't mess with the top three sects.
He had already offended the Li Clan, followers of the Clear Sky Sect, and had been hunted for years.
Let alone dealing with a true genius from a top sect.
"Yes, the last time I saw him in Soto City, he was 12 years old and had already reached level 38 soul power."
"What?! 12 years old and level 38! What kind of monster is that? Did he take drugs?!"
Zhao Wuji's voice rose sharply, shaking the office windows.
"Do you know who that boy's uncle is?"
"Who?"
"Thunder Douluo, Yu Yuanzhen."
Hisss...
"So Wuji, don't mess with that boy again. If you hurt a genius like that, Shrek Academy might be destroyed tomorrow."
"Alright…"
This time, Shrek accepted three new students:
Zhu Zhuqing, Tang San, and Xiao Wu.
Among them, Tang San was the most impressive: 12 years old with soul power level 29.
Li Yusong, the examiner, was very satisfied.
Supported by Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai limped as he gave Tang San and Xiao Wu a tour of the academy.
While walking, Xiao Wu, who had been watching Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing closely, couldn't help but ask:
"Zhuqing, what's your relationship with that guy from yesterday?"
Dai Mubai stopped, squinting at Zhu Zhuqing.
Zhu Zhuqing ignored his gaze coldly and answered in a flat tone:
"I have no relationship with him."
"Then what's your relationship with Dai Mubai?"
Tang San immediately covered Xiao Wu's mouth. How could this little girl say something like that?
You can eat recklessly, but you can't speak recklessly.
However, Zhu Zhuqing didn't lose her temper, and Dai Mubai remained silent, making the atmosphere awkward.
After a moment.
Recalling the eager expression Dai Mubai had when hugging the twins, Zhu Zhuqing calmly said:
"He's my fiancé."