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The sound of the shop door opening and closing echoed in his ears.
Flender cast a surprised glance at the gold spirit coins left on the table and Tang San's rapidly retreating figure.
"Could that crystal really be some kind of priceless treasure?" Flender fell into self-doubt.
But soon, he brushed the thought aside. After all, he had only spent a few copper coins to acquire that crystal. Selling it for 100 gold spirit coins meant he was still profiting no matter what. Moreover, he knew that different things held different values in different hands—dwelling on this was pointless.
Tang San was deeply grateful that Ning Rongrong had paid for the crystal and promised to owe her a favor.
Ning Rongrong beamed with joy.
Once someone started owing favors, it was like a rolling stone tumbling down a mountain—impossible to stop. In the end, they would have no choice but to repay the debt by working for the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect.
However, Ning Rongrong was overthinking this. As the future cheat-enabled God King, Tang San would never sell himself to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. Not to mention, Tang Hao would never allow it unless the sect became a subordinate faction of the Hao Tian Sect.
Ning Rongrong was no Xiao Wu. At this moment, Tang San had no intention of sharing the secrets of the Dragon Whisker Needle with her.
The night passed quietly. Unlike the murky air of the city, the countryside in the morning was filled with dense moisture and the fresh scent of grass and trees.
By 10 a.m., a group of people had already gathered at the entrance of Shrek Academy's dilapidated courtyard to register.
Amidst the commotion, Ye Wen understood their purpose—it was undoubtedly another instance of Shrek Academy using the information gap scam, promising graduates the title of baron upon graduation.
However, Shrek's graduation standard was reaching level 40 by age 20. A soul master of this caliber could easily become the mayor of a small town or the principal of a primary academy in either empire. Wasn't that equivalent to a baron? These commoner soul masters were truly naive.
This was a reflection of the times.
These lucky parents of commoner soul masters were mostly semi-literate, so being deceived was normal. Furthermore, these commoner soul masters generally focused solely on rote learning, completely unaware of the true rules of the soul master world—it was no wonder they were so easily duped.
The middle-aged man testing bone ages at the entrance was one of Shrek's five teachers, Li Yusong of the Dragon-Engraved Staff, a Soul Emperor at level 63.
To associate with someone as eccentric as Flender, he must not be a good person either.
As expected, it wasn't long before some parents began causing trouble—either their children didn't meet the age requirement or their cultivation levels were insufficient. And, of course, registration fees were non-refundable.
"These guys are rotten to the core. Aren't you also from humble origins? What's the point of swindling money from these lower-class soul masters?" Ye Wen said with dissatisfaction.
Standing gracefully beside him, Zhu Zhuqing respectfully asked, "Should we step in and stop them, Master?"
After some thought, Ye Wen shook his head and replied,
"A stumble teaches a lesson. Let these ordinary commoners who've just entered the soul master world experience some hardship. Becoming a soul master doesn't equate to entering paradise.
However, an age limit of 13 and a soul power requirement of 20—Shrek Academy really dares to set such high standards. Even my Tianxing Academy wouldn't dare impose such stringent criteria.
Later, intercept those with soul power above level 20 and direct them to Tianxing Academy. After enduring hardship, it's time to let them taste some sweetness."
With that, Ye Wen applied a layer of mimicry to Zhu Zhuqing, mischievously transforming her appearance into Liu Erlong's.
Zhu Zhuqing raised no objections and obediently carried out Ye Wen's orders.
After Zhu Zhuqing left, Ye Wen furrowed his brow. With Tianxing Academy's reputation, why hadn't these young talents registered there?
A moment later, Ye Wen figured it out, his eyes flashing coldly.
"These nobles are shameless. So that's why the number of commoner students has decreased in recent years.
Information suppression? Keeping commoner soul masters ignorant so they can only attend mediocre academies, allowing themselves to grow stronger.
But your days of arrogance won't last long. Just wait."
At this moment, Tang San and Ning Rongrong arrived at the scene.
Their soul power levels, nearing level 30 at just 12 years old, stunned the commoner soul masters present, allowing them to breeze through the registration process.
The fourth test focused on practical combat—a tradition even later series of Douluo continued.
Originally, the examiner was supposed to be Dai Mubai at level 37, but a tall and burly figure blocked him.
"Hahaha, I'll be your opponent, little monsters!" Zhao Wují laughed arrogantly.
Ye Wen watched him from the shadows, speechless. It was fortunate that Zhao Wují hadn't sought him out back then—such a personality would have been troublesome.
What was there to get excited about for a Soul Sage at level 72 bullying a group of novices with average soul power below level 30?
However, Ye Wen's gaze began scanning the group of Tang San and the others.
Tang San and Ning Rongrong were standard fixtures.
But there were two additional individuals.
Fate was indeed curious—they had found replacements for Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing.
One was male, the other female, named Li Jingliu and Shao Tiantian, respectively.
Li Jingliu's martial soul was the Coiling Dragon Staff—not to be compared with the twin Coiling Dragon Staffs of the Spirit Hall's offerings, but rather a rudimentary version with a faintly outlined dragon.
He was likely a favored student of Li Yusong, the one testing bone ages at the entrance. Twelve years old, level 27 soul power.
As for Shao Tiantian, she was a sweet-looking girl with an apple-shaped hairstyle, likely related to Shao Xin, another food-based soul master at the academy.
Shao Tiantian, martial soul Candy Bean, twelve years old, level 24. Compared to Oscar, her talent was slightly inferior, but not by much—after all, Oscar had barely reached level 30 at fourteen.
These were characters who hadn't appeared in the original story. It seemed that Ye Wen's theories had strengthened their bloodlines, allowing them to leave behind descendants earlier.
Still, they were minor players. While their overall talent could be considered Tier 1 on the Douluo Continent, that was all there was to it. Who knew how far they'd grow in the future?
In team battles, control-type soul masters usually took the lead. Tang San naturally began organizing the battle plan.
Were they fearless?
With an average soul power level below 30, they dared to face off against a Soul Sage at level 72. Though the opponent would hold back, their audacity was still impressive.
At this moment, Ye Wen realized something was missing from Tang San.
Where was the "Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moonlight"?
Though Tang San would later discard it like trash and give it to the Tang Sect, it was currently his main equipment for hidden weapons.
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