Soul Land: Full Body Martial Soul

For Yang Xiong at this particular stage of his development, neither Tang San, Dai Mubai, nor even Xiao Wu could truly arouse his serious interest or attention. It would be far better to focus his energy and concentration on his own cultivation progress and advancement.

The next morning, Yang Xiong and Ning Rongrong carefully followed the directions they had been given and headed toward the famous Shrek Academy.

However, as they walked further and further from the city center, Ning Rongrong's facial expression became increasingly unpleasant and troubled.

After leaving the bustling streets of Soto City behind them, the two travelers followed the main road leading south. The further they progressed on their journey, the fewer people they encountered along the way. Even the houses became increasingly scarce and scattered, leaving only vast expanses of farmland stretching to the horizon. There was absolutely no sign of any advanced spirit master academy anywhere to be seen, though they did eventually come across a small, humble village.

After some careful confirmation and inquiry with local residents, they indeed discovered a simple table set up at the village entrance. A somewhat dilapidated and weathered plaque hung precariously from a wooden archway, bearing the words "Shrek Academy" in faded lettering.

Ning Rongrong appeared genuinely angry and disappointed. "Dad told me this Shrek Academy was supposed to be excellent and prestigious, but looking at this completely rundown environment, it doesn't resemble any kind of advanced spirit master academy at all. He even claimed that the teaching staff was exceptionally strong, definitely far surpassing ordinary advanced spirit master academies in quality. Was Dad also deceived by false information?"

Although Yang Xiong had long understood from his previous knowledge that Shrek Academy suffered from poverty and general dilapidation, he hadn't expected the conditions to be quite this impoverished and neglected. His face also displayed clear disappointment and concern.

"Rongrong, I honestly think we should consider going to Tiandou Royal Academy instead. The environment there is excellent in all aspects, and they also provide many simulated training environments that should prove much more suitable for your cultivation needs and development."

Ning Rongrong's expression showed stubborn determination. "I made a specific bet with Dad before leaving home. Dad claimed that I couldn't possibly endure the hardships of cultivation at Shrek Academy. I absolutely must prove him wrong and show my strength. Even if this Shrek Academy turns out to be terrible and disappointing, I want to experience it firsthand. Otherwise, Dad will definitely look down on me and consider me weak."

She paused, adding with conviction, "Besides, Tiandou Royal Academy is located far too close to our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. It wouldn't be fun or interesting at all, and I wouldn't have any real freedom there. I might as well just continue cultivating within the sect if that's the case."

Yang Xiong stared speechlessly at Ning Rongrong's determined appearance, which reminded him strongly of a child who had been thoroughly tricked but refused to admit it.

At this moment, a substantial group of people had formed a queue in front of Shrek Academy's registration area. All appeared to be students preparing to sign up for admission. At the foremost table sat an elderly man in his sixties who, judging by his demeanor and the situation, appeared to be a spirit master serving as Shrek Academy's official admissions officer.

However, the number of people queuing in front of Shrek Academy was truly impressive and somewhat surprising. There were actually more than a hundred individuals who had apparently been drawn here by the academy's reputation. Most of them were clearly spirit masters, and quite a few appeared to be Spirit Grandmasters above level twenty.

Many people in the front of the line were actively discussing Shrek Academy's disappointing physical environment, expressing various opinions and concerns about what they had discovered.

One disappointed young man turned to his family. "Father, I really don't want to study here. The environment is far too poor and inadequate. I want to go to Soto City Junior Spirit Master Academy instead. At least I'm a level twenty-one genius with real potential."

The young man's parents attempted to comfort and encourage him. "Now that we've traveled all this way to get here, let's at least take a proper look first. I heard reliable reports that Shrek Academy has exceptionally strong teaching staff, and graduates can even become imperial barons. Perhaps the current poor environment is simply a test designed to evaluate your determination and character?"

Listening to the discussions rising and falling around them, Yang Xiong couldn't help but rub his forehead in frustration. Most of the more than one hundred people queuing up are probably here based on exaggerated claims and misleading information. Shrek's current image reminded him strongly of those questionable institutions from his previous life - organizations with impressive advertisements that boasted about the strength of their teaching staff and promised amazing future development opportunities, but in reality possessed no basic facilities and operated out of rented buildings. These types of schools often disappeared completely after collecting tuition fees from unsuspecting students.

The elderly man handling registrations displayed a particularly lazy and dismissive attitude, maintaining an extremely arrogant posture while showing obvious disdain for the prospective students. Paradoxically, it was precisely this dismissive attitude that seemed to stimulate many people to remain in line, believing it indicated the academy's high standards.

Just then, after a young man finished his registration process and confirmation, the old man responded with unusual casualness. "Your age has exceeded twelve years old, which does not meet our strict admission requirements. The registration fee will not be refunded under any circumstances."

The disappointed young man and his parents wanted to protest this decision, but suddenly a familiar young man appeared beside them. It was Dai Mubai, whom Yang Xiong had observed the previous evening.

"If you want to get your registration fee returned, that can certainly be arranged," Dai Mubai said with confidence, "as long as you can defeat me in combat."

Dai Mubai immediately revealed his fearsome White Tiger martial spirit, simultaneously displaying two yellow spirit rings and one purple spirit ring. The faces of many people in the queue changed dramatically with shock and amazement. They had not expected that a young man who appeared to be their peer was already a powerful Spirit Elder. Everyone began praising Shrek Academy, declaring that the students there were indeed truly outstanding and exceptional. People noted that the graduation standard for many advanced spirit master academies was typically only level thirty, making Dai Mubai's achievement remarkable.

Yang Xiong observed this display with knowing resignation.

The situation became even more impressive when the elderly admissions officer released an incomparably powerful spiritual aura. A staff covered with countless intricate fine lines materialized in his hands, while six spirit rings appeared beneath his feet in the configuration of one white, one yellow, three purple, and one black ring.

Everyone in the crowd exclaimed with amazement and respect once again. He was actually a Spirit Emperor powerhouse of incredible strength! No one had expected that such a dignified and powerful Spirit Emperor would serve as a teacher at Shrek Academy. This revelation convinced many that Shrek Academy's teaching staff was indeed exceptionally strong and capable. Coming to Shrek Academy for education now seemed like definitely the best possible choice available.

Yang Xiong continued watching with resigned understanding of the spectacle.

However, as the elderly man clearly stated Shrek Academy's demanding admission standards and demonstrated his impressive strength as a Spirit Emperor, the number of people remaining in the queue instantly decreased by more than half. Even so, dozens of people remained in line, obviously all meeting the strict admission requirements.

Shrek Academy's admission standard required students to be over level twenty at the age of twelve and to have successfully obtained at least two spirit rings. This admission standard was definitely not low by any measure and could already be considered comparable to those of top-tier advanced spirit master academies throughout the region.

Yang Xiong couldn't help but sigh with recognition. Soto City was indeed a famous and prosperous city within the Barak Kingdom. The overall quality of the prospective students was quite impressive and noteworthy. There were many young people over level twenty at the remarkably young age of twelve. Unfortunately, most of these talented individuals were not affiliated with established sects, which meant their future paths as spirit masters would prove much more difficult and challenging than they currently imagined.

Unfortunately, this Shrek Academy before them was also a significant trap and disappointment, featuring not only four demanding rounds of assessment, but especially a final round of practical combat evaluation. None of these students below level twenty-five would likely pass the complete assessment process. Yang Xiong wondered how many twelve-year-old children actually possessed real practical combat experience necessary for success.

Ning Rongrong's face displayed clear disdain and dismissal. "He's just a Spirit Emperor, nothing particularly special about that. And his spirit ring configuration is remarkably poor and unimpressive."

Soon it became Tang San and Xiao Wu's turn for evaluation. With their substantial spirit power levels, they quickly and easily passed the first round of admission standard assessment, and even directly qualified for the final practical combat evaluation.

Yang Xiong seemed to remember something important and glanced around the gathered crowd more carefully. Sure enough, his searching gaze located a girl with a distinctively cold expression and impressively developed figure. This appeared to be Zhu Zhuqing from the original storyline.

Zhu Zhuqing was indeed extraordinarily beautiful, and her physical development was even more remarkable than Yang Xiong had previously imagined. Her skin appeared as white and pure as fresh snow, making it completely impossible to believe that she was only twelve years old.

Yang Xiong suddenly felt a sharp, unexpected pain in his waist and turned to see Ning Rongrong's face filled with obvious contempt and disapproval. "Little Xiongzi, I thought you only cared about cultivation and self-improvement. I didn't expect you to be so inappropriate, staring at other girls simply because they happen to be pretty."

Yang Xiong felt unusually speechless at this accusation. "Rongrong, I think you're misunderstanding the situation here. I'm just a normal person with normal reactions."

Ning Rongrong actually increased the pressure of her grip on his arm. "I don't think you're behaving like a normal person at all. This young lady is supposedly as beautiful as a blooming flower and so dazzling here at school. Why don't I ever see you looking at me the way you were just staring at her?"

Yang Xiong quickly freed himself from Ning Rongrong's painful grip, complaining silently to himself about the significant differences between people, whether in terms of physical development or personality traits.

However, Yang Xiong responded with apparent sincerity and seriousness. "Rongrong, it's precisely because you are far too dazzling and impressive that I don't dare to get too close or stare inappropriately. Registration is the important matter right now - let's not pay attention to these unimportant little distractions."

Ning Rongrong looked somewhat suspicious when she heard Yang Xiong's carefully chosen words, but her attention was quickly diverted and attracted by the elderly admissions officer conducting evaluations in front of them.

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