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"Alright, Xiao Ya, everyone has their own aspirations. He didn't belittle our ancestor Tang San. It's normal for a young person to idolize their elders. Sometimes when I walk down the street, I even hear children say that their father is stronger than Ancestor Tang San," Bei Bei said, his tone much calmer and more stable than Tang Ya's. He wasn't upset over this minor incident.
After leaving the statue of the Seven Monsters of Shrek, it was time to part ways. To the left lay the Spirit Soul Academy, and to the right, the Soul Conductor Academy. These were the two major divisions of Shrek Academy, both part of the Outer Academy. Relatively speaking, the Spirit Soul Academy was larger. The Spirit Soul Academy also had several subdivisions. Freshmen had to register at the Spirit Soul Academy first and check in for dormitory assignments. As for the Soul Conductor Division, one could only apply after passing the first freshman assessment.
From the statues, heading left along the path, there was a signpost reading "Lake Path." Through the lush green trees on the right, one could faintly see a broad expanse of water. Behind the seven statues of the Seven Monsters of Shrek stood a large lake.
This artificial lake was built as a tribute to Tang San and was called the Sea God Lake because Tang San inherited the divinity of the Sea God. The lake was vast, supplied by underground water sources. The Inner Academy of Shrek was located on an island in the middle of the Sea God Lake, and all Outer Academy students aspired to set foot on this island.
Xiao Xiao looked toward the direction of the Sea God Lake, her eyes gleaming with determination and persistence.
Yu Wen Tuo, however, showed no interest. He wouldn't enter the Inner Academy and might not even stay in the Outer Academy for more than two years.
The Sea God Lake was indeed massive. Following the lakeside path southward, they walked nearly fifteen minutes before turning west, then another fifteen minutes or so before the trail began to narrow. A wide rectangular plaza came into view. Nearby, a sign read "Shrek Plaza."
Tall teaching buildings loomed ahead, each painted in different colors—white, yellow, purple, and black, making up four distinct hues. Additionally, far to the north of the Shrek Plaza, there was a cluster of gray teaching buildings.
Xiao Xiao explained, "Hehe, I did some research about the school before coming here. Let me check… The introduction says that the colors of the teaching buildings represent different grades, based on soul ring colors. White is for freshmen, like a ten-year soul ring. The second- and third-year Outer Academy buildings are yellow, representing hundred-year soul rings. Fourth- and fifth-year buildings are purple, symbolizing thousand-year soul rings. Finally, the black buildings, representing ten-thousand-year soul rings, are for sixth-year students. Graduating from the black building means you've completed the Outer Academy curriculum."
"As for those gray buildings, they belong to the Soul Conductor Division. But we probably won't be going there, right?"
Xiao Xiao didn't plan to join the Soul Conductor Division to study soul conductors. It was a common mindset among the original inhabitants of the Dou Luo Continent—they preferred cultivating their own strength over relying on soul conductors.
Yu Wen Tuo remained silent. In truth, in this era, soul conductors were already very powerful. Even later on, even Extreme Douluo warriors fell victim to soul conductors.
Still, despite their power, Extreme Douluo weren't entirely helpless against level-nine soul conductors as long as they didn't foolishly walk into a trap surrounded by them. Compared to duels, soul conductors were now more effective in warfare.
Yu Wen Tuo, however, wasn't interested in power struggles just yet. His initial claim of wanting to attend the Tianhun Empire Academy to serve the nation was merely an excuse to decline joining Shrek. Yan Shaogezhi, though, disregarded his wishes and forcibly locked him up.
The white teaching building for freshmen was located on the southernmost side of the school, closest to the lakeside path. Walking through the southern edge of the plaza, the two arrived near this building.
Since it was enrollment day, the freshmen building was bustling with activity as newly admitted students who had passed the assessments registered here. Thanks to Xiao Xiao's prior investigation, their registration process went smoothly. Yu Wen Tuo wasn't short on money. Over the years, every time Ma Xiaotao used him, she would give him some gold soul coins to buy nutritional supplements.
But it seemed she overlooked the fact that for six years, he hadn't even been able to leave his room, and many items were brought to him by Senior Ling Luochen. What use was the money? Still, it allowed him to save quite a bit.
A year's tuition cost ten gold soul coins and didn't include meal expenses. If a student failed the assessment and dropped out mid-term, the tuition wouldn't be refunded.
It was undeniable that, even after ten thousand years, Shrek's money-sucking rules hadn't changed a bit.
That said, compared to the past, Shrek was now genuinely the number one academy, so charging higher tuition wasn't without justification.
After receiving the dormitory key and a white freshman badge, Xiao Xiao and Yu Wen Tuo exited the freshmen teaching building.
Xiao Xiao said, "Yu Wen Tuo, the dormitories are behind the teaching building, in that largest building across campus. Let's tidy up our luggage first. Later tonight, we'll meet at the cafeteria—I'll treat you to dinner. Don't worry about money; now that we're officially registered soul masters, we'll receive a monthly stipend from the three empires. It's not much—just enough for regular meals."
"Alright, see you later, Xiao Xiao!" Yu Wen Tuo liked this enthusiastic little girl.
Though he preferred older women like Ling Luochen, being friends with Xiao Xiao posed no issue.
He didn't care for Shrek Academy, but he wasn't extreme enough to hate all the freshmen.
His target for revenge was the Sea God Pavilion, and especially its leader, Dragon God Douluo Mu En—the one who, though never appearing before him, Yu Wen Tuo knew was truly responsible for ruining six years of his life.
Walking between the freshmen building and the second- and third-year teaching buildings, Yu Wen Tuo spotted the dormitory building he was assigned to.
At the base of the white building sat an old man, dressed in a gray robe, his face lined with wrinkles, lacking vitality, looking as if he were on his last breaths. Yet, basking comfortably in the sunlight, half-reclined in his chair, he appeared quite content.
Yu Wen Tuo glanced at him, recognizing him instantly. He'd just been thinking about him, and now they met face-to-face.
Unlike Huo Yuhao, who would have politely greeted him, Yu Wen Tuo walked straight past without acknowledgment. Many others didn't greet him either, so he wasn't unique in that regard.
Yu Wen Tuo remembered that Mu En didn't have much time left. He feared that before he could exact his revenge, this old man would die naturally—a fate too peaceful for someone who deserved none. He vowed to ensure Mu En met an unnatural end, which would bring him some semblance of satisfaction, a tiny fraction of justice served.
Mu En clearly noticed Yu Wen Tuo and muttered softly, "This child still harbors resentment toward Shrek, even refusing to greet an elderly man like me whom he doesn't recognize. Sigh!"
At that moment, another voice rang out: "Grandpa, hello! I'm a new student checking into the dormitory. Do you need to verify my admission certificate?"
Without lifting his head, Mu En extended a shaky hand. A hoarse, low voice responded, "Let me see it."
Huo Yuhao quickly handed it over.
Mu En briefly inspected it before returning it. "Go ahead. Your dorm is the third room on the left, on the first floor."
"Thank you." Huo Yuhao bowed respectfully to the elder before entering the dormitory building.
The old man continued swaying in his rocking chair, muttering softly, "Ah, what a polite child."