Chapter 44: Wild Chicken School

At this stage, Yang Xiong finds that neither Tang San nor Dai Mubai nor even Xiao Wu can pique his interest; rather than focusing on them, he'd rather calmly cultivate himself.

Early the next morning, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong followed the directions to Shrek Academy.

As they went further, Ning Rongrong's complexion grew increasingly sour.

After leaving Suotuo City, the two walked south along the official road; the farther they went, the fewer people and houses they saw, until only a vast stretch of farmland remained, and there was no Advanced Soul Master Academy in sight, only a tiny village.

After a quick check, they indeed saw a table at the village entrance, and a wooden archway there bore a slightly tattered plaque that read "Shrek Academy".

Ning Rongrong seemed irritated: "Dad said this Shrek Academy was good, but with such a shabby environment, how could it resemble an Advanced Soul Master Academy? He even claimed the teaching staff were strong, far surpassing ordinary Advanced Soul Master Academies—did Dad get duped?"

Although Yang Xiong already knew Shrek Academy was poor and dilapidated, he hadn't expected it to be this destitute, and he too wore a disappointed expression.

"Rong Rong, I think we should go to Heaven Dou Royal Academy instead; its environment is excellent in every way, and it even has many Simulated Environments, which should suit your cultivation better."

Ning Rongrong's face was full of resentment: "I made a bet with Dad, and he said I couldn't endure the hardships of training at Shrek Academy. I must prove it to Dad; even if Shrek Academy is terrible, I have to see it, otherwise Dad will really look down on me."

"Besides, Heaven Dou Royal Academy is far too close to our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect; it's not fun at all, nor is it free at all, so I'd rather cultivate within the sect itself."

Yang Xiong looked at Ning Rongrong's demeanor and was speechless; she looked like a child who had been swindled.

At that moment, a crowd was queuing in front of Shrek Academy; they all appeared to be prospective students, and at the front table sat a man in his sixties, who seemed to be a Soul Grandmaster—or perhaps a recruiter for Shrek Academy.

However, the line at Shrek Academy's entrance was truly long—over a hundred people had been duped, and most of them were Soul Grandmasters, with quite a few Great Soul Masters above Level 20.

Especially, many ahead were debating the shabby environment of Shrek Academy, offering all sorts of opinions.

One teenager, his face full of disappointment, said: "Father, I don't want to study here; the environment is too poor. I want to go to the Suotuo City Intermediate Soul Master Academy—after all, I'm a Level 21 prodigy."

The teenager's parents each tried to comfort him: "Since you're here, let's take a look first. It's said that Shrek Academy's teaching staff are strong, and graduates can become Barons of the Empire; perhaps the current environment is just a test for you."

……

Seeing the back-and-forth chatter, Yang Xiong couldn't help but rub his forehead: "Those over a hundred in line are probably just a bunch of fake troops; Shrek's image is reminiscent of those Wild Chicken Universities from a past life—advertisements blare loudly, constantly bragging about teaching staff and future prospects, yet they lack even basic facilities, the buildings are rented, and after the tuition is collected the school might disappear."

Especially, the elderly registrar's lazy demeanor, his lofty posture, and his disdain for the students actually enticed many more to line up.

At that moment, after a teenager finished checking in, the elder said casually: "You're over twelve years old, which doesn't meet the admission rules; the registration fee is non‑refundable."

The teenager and his parents were about to speak further when a young man appeared beside them—none other than Dai Mubai, whom they had seen yesterday.

"You can get the registration fee back, if you can defeat me,"

Dai Mubai manifested a fierce White Tiger Spirit Soul, along with two Yellow and one Purple Soul Rings; the faces of the queue changed dramatically, for they hadn't expected that a mere youth was already a Soul Elder, and they praised Shrek students as truly outstanding, noting that many Advanced Soul Master Academy graduates only reach Level 30.

Yang Xiong: ……

Especially, the elder exuded an incredibly formidable aura, wielding a staff covered with countless fine patterns, and six Soul Rings appeared at his feet: one White, one Yellow, three Purple, and one Black.

The crowd gasped again: "He's a Soul Emperor! Who would have thought a bona fide Soul Emperor serves as a teacher at Shrek Academy? It seems Shrek Academy's teaching staff truly are strong; studying there is definitely the best choice."

Yang Xiong: ……

However, as the elder announced Shrek Academy's admission standards and displayed his Soul Emperor power, the line instantly thinned by more than half, though dozens remained, evidently all meeting the criteria.

The admission standard for Shrek Academy is being over twelve years old, above Level 20, and possessing two Soul Rings; this benchmark is certainly high, comparable to the top Advanced Soul Master Academies.

Yang Xiong also couldn't help but sigh: "Suotuo City truly lives up to its reputation in the Balak Kingdom; the overall quality of its students is decent, with many over twelve and above Level 20, but it's a pity they aren't from sects, so their future path as Soul Grandmasters will be harder than they imagine."

Yet this Shrek Academy in front of them is a huge trap; it has four assessment stages, especially the final practical test, and none of those below Level 25 have passed it—how many twelve‑year‑olds even have combat experience?

Ning Rongrong's expression turned disdainful: "It's just a Soul Emperor, and the Soul Ring configuration is terrible."

It wasn't long before it was Tang San and Xiao Wu's turn; with their Soul Power Levels, they swiftly passed the first admission test and proceeded straight to the final practical assessment.

Yang Xiong seemed to recall something, scanning the crowd, and indeed spotted a cold‑distant, voluptuous girl—most likely Zhu Zhuqing from the original work.

Zhu Zhuqing was indeed stunning, her figure even more exaggerated than Yang Xiong imagined, and her skin was as white as snow, making it impossible to tell she was only twelve.

Yang Xiong suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist, and saw Ning Rongrong sneering: "Xiao Xiongzi, I thought you only cared about cultivation, but you're actually so indecent—once you see a pretty girl you can't take your eyes off her."

At this moment, Yang Xiong was speechless: "Rong Rong, are you mistaken? I'm just a normal person, too."

Ning Rongrong's grip tightened even more: "You don't seem like a normal person. I, a lady as beautiful as a flower, shine so brightly at school—why didn't you look at me the way you did just now?"

Yang Xiong quickly broke free from Ning Rongrong's hand, thinking to himself: "The gap between people is truly huge, both in physique and personality."

Nevertheless, Yang Xiong said earnestly: "Rong Rong, it's precisely because you're so dazzling at school that I can't get close. Registering is what's important now; don't worry about these trivial matters."

Ning Rongrong's eyes showed a hint of doubt at Yang Xiong's words, but her gaze was quickly drawn to the elder at the front.

(End of Chapter)