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As they approached, they realized that most of the people here to register were teenagers around their age, many accompanied by their parents.
Ning Tianchen's gaze shifted forward.
At the village entrance, a table had been set up, behind which sat an elderly man with white hair and beard.
Ning Tianchen couldn't help but murmur softly, "Why does this person seem familiar?"
Ning Rongrong and the others were already stunned, paying no attention to his words.
They had fantasized countless times about the grand exterior of Shrek Academy, but the wooden archway before them was dilapidated, its plaque battered and worn. Could any academy on the continent look so shabby?
Even the Nuoding Academy where Tang San and Xiao Wu previously studied was far superior to Shrek Academy.
"Third Brother, did we come to the wrong place? Is this really the Shrek Academy Master Yu spoke of?" Xiao Wu muttered in disbelief.
Tang San shrugged helplessly. "Since we're already here, let's see what's going on."
The four of them arrived early, and there were only about twenty applicants ahead of them. Most of these applicants wore frowns, clearly sharing Xiao Wu's doubts.
"Are you also here to register?" A parent in front of them turned to greet them.
"Uncle, do you know anything about Shrek Academy?" Tang San asked politely.
The parent sighed. "I heard from someone at the Spirit Hall that anyone who graduates from Shrek Academy is qualified to become a viscount of the empire."
It should be noted that the value of a viscount title in the Tian Dou Empire was far greater than one in a kingdom.
The Tian Dou Empire had existed for a long time, and with prolonged peace, obtaining a noble title was extremely difficult.
The parents bringing their children here were likely drawn by this rumor.
Whether the rumor was true or not, those who could graduate from Shrek Academy were undoubtedly geniuses among geniuses.
After all, the teachers at Shrek Academy didn't assist students in hunting soul rings. Over the years, out of forty-two students admitted, very few had managed to graduate alive.
The most famous graduate was Qin Ming, who now taught at the Tian Dou Imperial Academy. With his talent, he might even be granted the title of viscount in the future.
For a moment, Ning Rongrong and the others exchanged complicated glances.
If Shrek Academy was so powerful, why was its campus in such poor condition?
Ning Tianchen paid no mind to their conversation and suddenly realized, "So it's him."
The teacher in charge of registration, Li Yusong, was none other than the stall owner who sold 'The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls'.
…
The queue ahead of the four gradually shortened as many applicants, deemed unqualified due to insufficient talent, left dejectedly. Among them, two who met the requirements were sent to the subsequent tests.
Shockingly, the subsequent tests required payments of twenty and fifty gold spirit coins respectively. Regardless of whether they passed, the testing fees were non-refundable.
Not long after, it was a little fat boy's turn to step forward for the talent test.
With just one glance, Li Yusong declared that the boy was over thirteen years old.
The boy's father pleaded desperately but received no leniency. When the father demanded a refund of the registration fee, a classic scene unfolded.
Dai Mubai revealed his three-ring Soul Elder strength and arrogantly declared, "Defeat me, and I'll return your registration fee in full."
The father, an ordinary man without any soul power fluctuations, was no match for Dai Mubai.
Among soul masters, the number of soul rings always determined one's authority.
Though the little fat boy was a Great Soul Master, compared to Dai Mubai, whose White Tiger martial soul was top-tier, the gap in strength was enormous.
Witnessing this, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but complain, "Isn't Shrek Academy being too overbearing?"
She didn't understand what ten gold spirit coins meant to an ordinary family, but she felt that Shrek Academy's actions were akin to banditry.
Although this father-son pair lacked strength, among the crowd were parents with Soul Ancestor or even Soul King-level power.
Seeing Shrek Academy's behavior, they clenched their fists, ready to teach Dai Mubai a lesson.
Li Yusong, worried about the situation escalating, quickly stepped away from the table.
A powerful surge of soul power emanated from his body, and a long staff covered in intricate patterns appeared in his right hand.
White, yellow, purple, purple, purple, black—six soul rings emerged beneath his feet.
"Soul Emperor! It's actually a Soul Emperor! No wonder Shrek Academy's teaching faculty is so terrifying!" Many parents exclaimed in shock.
Tang San suddenly chuckled. "I think Shrek Academy's approach is correct. If they didn't deduct the registration fee, the academy's threshold would be overrun. Those children who've already been eliminated through testing would keep coming back repeatedly to test their talent."
"This way, it would only waste time and energy. Deducting the registration fee is precisely how they filter applicants. Those incompetent fools will naturally be kept out."
"Third Brother, that's ten gold spirit coins!" Xiao Wu scratched her head, feeling sorry for the parents who lost their fees.
Ning Tianchen found this amusing internally.
Tang San's reasoning was indeed unique.
If his own registration fee had been deducted, who knows what he would have thought.
…
Soon, it was Ning Tianchen and the others' turn.
"Hehe, I said two months ago that we'd meet again," Li Yusong said with a kindly smile, his eyes sizing up Ning Tianchen.
The parents behind them were startled.
Previously, Li Yusong had maintained a stern expression, but now he was openly showing favoritism. Did this mean they would be directly admitted?
"You know each other?" Tang San couldn't help but ask.
"We've met once before. But the tests must still be conducted. We can't break the rules just because we know each other," Ning Tianchen said indifferently.
Li Yusong nodded, casting an appreciative glance at him before asking, "Which of you wants to go first?"
"I'll go first," Ning Rongrong stepped forward, extending her right hand.
"Age is suitable. Show me your martial soul," Li Yusong said, stroking his beard with a smile.
Upon seeing the Seven Treasures Glazed Pagoda martial soul, his gaze shifted to Ning Tianchen. "Your families don't object to you coming here?"
Ning Rongrong quickly replied, "We're here to train. Our families don't mind at all."
"Very well. You can wait aside and see if anyone else passes the test."
Next were Tang San and Xiao Wu, both with level twenty-nine soul power.
Though Tang San's Blue Silver Grass martial soul was considered weak, Li Yusong had never seen anyone reach level twenty-nine at the age of twelve. As such, he made an exception and allowed Tang San to pass the test.
After all, Shrek Academy's admissions considered not only talent but also the quality of one's martial soul.
"It's your turn," Li Yusong smiled at Ning Tianchen.
Extending his right hand, Li Yusong quickly verified his age. "Twelve years old, excellent."
"All four of you have passed the test. Mubai, take them inside."
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