Chương 23: No backdoors allowed, even if you're number 1.

The gates of Shrek Academy were more dilapidated than I had imagined.

A crooked plaque hung above the gate, the paint on the words "Shrek Academy" peeling and looking as if it would fall off with a gust of wind. The walls on both sides of the gate were uneven, with moss growing in some places.

Dai Mubai leaned against the doorpost, looking bored, with a blade of grass between his teeth, waiting to guide the new students who were registering.

Seeing Su Chen approach, he suddenly jolted, stood up straight, his pupils contracted slightly, and a blade of grass slipped from his mouth.

"You... you really came?" Dai Mubai's voice trembled slightly.

Su Chen nodded: "I'll sign up."

Dai Mubai swallowed hard, looking Su Chen up and down, his mind racing: Could this guy really be a rejuvenated old monster? How could a twelve or thirteen-year-old be level fifty-nine? He must be an old monster who has lived for decades and used a secret method to maintain his youthful appearance!

The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and his gaze towards Su Chen became more respectful and wary.

Then his gaze swept over Su Chen and landed on Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing was turning her head to say something to Su Chen, her voice very soft, with a faint smile on her face.

The two were less than half a foot apart, appearing very intimate.

Dai Mubai's face stiffened.

Zhu Zhuqing, his fiancée. Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, she was, in name, his.

Now, his fiancée is so close to another man.

A nameless anger rose in Dai Mubai's heart, but he dared not vent it.

He couldn't afford to mess with this old monster in front of him.

He took a deep breath and forced a smile: "Come with me, this is the first challenge."

The examiner for the first round was Li Yusong, who was in his fifties with gray hair, but was in good spirits.

The Martial Soul is the Dragon Pattern Staff, and the user possesses the cultivation level of a Soul Emperor.

"Come one by one, put your hands out."

Tang San was the first to step forward, extending his hand, which Li Yusong then squeezed.

"Yes, that's correct. Next."

Xiao Wu stepped forward; her age matched.

Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward, her age...

It was Su Chen's turn.

Li Yusong squeezed the bones in Su Chen's hand and nodded: "He meets the age requirement for registration."

Dai Mubai's eyes widened, and he blurted out, "What? He's the right age, not over the age limit?"

Li Yusong glanced at him: "The old man tested it himself, is there a problem?"

Dai Mubai murmured, "Impossible... Is he really a Soul King younger than me? This..."

"Soul King?" Li Yusong frowned.

"What Soul King?"

Dai Mubai shut his mouth, but he couldn't hide the shock in his eyes.

Li Yusong didn't press further and said, "Alright, next step: release your martial spirit and display your spirit rings."

Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing released their martial souls in turn.

Blue Silver Grass floated from Tang San's palm, and two yellow spirit rings lit up.

A phantom image of a Soft-Boned Rabbit appeared behind Xiao Wu, surrounded by two yellow soul rings.

Zhu Zhuqing activated her martial soul, and the phantom of the Netherworld Cat flashed behind her, followed by two yellow soul rings.

Li Yusong nodded: "That's right, they are all excellent students."

Then he looked at Su Chen: "It's your turn."

Su Chen took a step forward.

Golden light erupted from his body, the Ancestral Dragon Martial Soul had possessed him!

A phantom of a five-clawed golden dragon rose into the air behind him, its roar deep and majestic.

Soul Rings lit up— Two purples, three blacks!

The soul power fluctuations of level 59 spread out like a tide.

The recorder in Li Yusong's hand fell to the ground with a thud.

He suddenly stood up, his chair sliding back half a meter, and he staggered, barely managing to steady himself by bracing himself on the edge of the table.

"Two... two purple and three black? Level 59?!"

His voice trembled, his eyes widened like saucers as he stared intently at Su Chen's spirit ring, his lips quivering.

"How is this possible?!"

He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was just getting old and his eyesight was failing.

Looking again, it's still two purples and three blacks.

"How... how old are you?" Li Yusong's voice trembled.

Su Chen said calmly, "Teacher, didn't you just touch it?"

Li Yusong took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down.

He had lived most of his life and seen countless geniuses, but he had never seen such a monstrous talent.

At such a young age, at level 59, with two purple and three black marks, this is no longer just a genius, this is a prodigy, a monster, an existence that defies all understanding.

He swallowed hard and said respectfully to Su Chen, "This... classmate, please come in."

Then he turned to Dai Mubai, his tone stern: "Dai Mubai, treat him well!"

"If even the slightest mistake occurs, I will hold you responsible!"

Dai Mubai gave a wry smile: "I understand."

The examiner for the second round was Lu Qibin, a man in his sixties, thin and withered, but with piercing eyes. He was in charge of the soul power test.

When Dai Mubai led the four of them into the second stage's arena, there was already a girl waiting to be tested.

The girl was about twelve years old, with long chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders, snow-white skin, and an exquisitely beautiful face.

She wore a gorgeous white dress with gold embroidery on the hem, exuding a noble air with a touch of arrogance.

She stood there, like a blooming seven-colored flower, brightening up the surroundings.

Su Chen recognized her at a glance—Ning Rongrong, the little princess of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.

Ning Rongrong also saw the group of people who came in. Her gaze lingered on Su Chen for a moment before shifting away, a proud smile on her lips.

"Little girl, it's your turn," Lu Qibin said to Ning Rongrong.

"Place your hand on the crystal ball and release your soul power."

Ning Rongrong smiled confidently and walked to the table.

On the table was a fist-sized transparent crystal ball with a smooth, mirror-like surface.

She placed her slender hand on the crystal ball and released her soul power.

The white light flashed, quickly turning yellow, and the numbers jumped—level twenty-seven.

Lu Qibin nodded: "Level 27, not bad. Martial Soul?"

Ning Rongrong released her martial soul—a crystal-clear Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared in her palm, with two yellow soul rings encircling the pagoda.

"Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, support-type Soul Master." Ning Rongrong's voice was clear and melodious, carrying a hint of pride.

Lu Qibin praised, "A disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School? Truly living up to its reputation. Passed."

Ning Rongrong withdrew her martial spirit and stepped aside, but did not leave. Instead, she watched the people behind her with great interest.

Tang San stepped forward and placed his hand on the crystal ball—level twenty-nine.

Lu Qibin's eyes lit up: "Level 29? Not bad!"

Xiao Wu stepped forward – Level 29.

Lu Qibin nodded repeatedly: "The quality of this year's freshmen is truly high!"

Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward—level 26.

Lu Qibin stroked his beard with satisfaction: "All four are above level 25, good, good."

Then his gaze fell on Su Chen: "Last one, it's your turn."

Dai Mubai quickly stepped forward, stopping Lu Qibin, and lowered his voice: "Teacher Lu, this one doesn't need to be tested, right?"

Lu Qibin frowned: "Why don't we need to test it? It's the rule that everyone has to test their soul power level."

"Or are you trying to pull strings for him? Let me tell you, our college strictly forbids backdoor admissions, even if you're number 1."

Dai Mubai's forehead was covered in sweat: "His... his soul power is too high, I'm afraid the crystal ball can't withstand it..."

Lu Qibin scoffed, "What a joke! How tall could a little kid be? Is he some kind of Soul Master?"

"no."

"As long as it's not a Soul Master, it's fine. Anyone who isn't a Soul Master can handle it."

Dai Mubai hesitated, then said, "But..."

Lu Qibin waved his hand impatiently, "Move aside, I'll do the test. Don't waste time."

Dai Mubai reluctantly stepped back, muttering under his breath, "You said it yourself..."