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Li Yusong raised an eyebrow. "Mubai, you know them?"
"We met in Soutuo City a few days ago," Dai Mubai replied, omitting his defeat to preserve his image before Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu huffed, "More than met, he got thrashed by Ning Tian."
"You—" Dai Mubai's brow furrowed, but he swallowed his anger.
Li Yusong's surprise grew. "Even Mubai couldn't beat him? Quite the little monster. Mubai, take them inside."
As Li Yusong resumed registrations, Dai Mubai led the trio into Shrek Academy—really just a village. Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, having completed their registrations, followed.
They reached a 500-square-meter clearing ringed by wooden huts, where earlier applicants waited. "This is our training ground," Dai Mubai said.
"It's pitiful. I've never seen a training ground without a blade of grass," Xiao Wu remarked bluntly.
Dai Mubai glanced at Zhu Zhuqing, pride in his voice. "Don't judge by looks. Our faculty is exceptional: the dean and vice-dean are Spirit Saints.
Hearing the highest rank was Soul Saint, Xiao Wu relaxed slightly but pressed, "If the teachers are so strong, why is the academy like this?"
Eager to impress Zhu Zhuqing, Dai Mubai explained, "Our admission standards are strict. Students must pass four tests. The first, which you cleared, weeds out those over thirteen or below Level 20. The second evaluates martial souls, only those with strong potential or unique ones advance, like Oscar, one of the students with his rare sausage martial soul. The third tests martial soul mastery." He glanced warily at Ning Tian, awed by his sword qi control without soul skills.
"And the fourth?" Ning Rongrong asked, intrigued.
"Combat experience," Dai Mubai said, eyeing Ning Tian again.
The group, aware of Dai Mubai's loss, stifled smiles but listened intently.
Xiao Wu teased, "With such strict rules, are you picking wives or students? Don't tell me it's just you and the sausage guy."
"Three," Dai Mubai corrected, holding up three fingers. "In twenty years, Shrek has admitted sixty-two students. Only fourteen graduated, all becoming renowned. The best is now the youngest Martial Soul Hall elder, second only to the Pope. The rest either failed to reach Level 40 by twenty or died hunting soul beasts. Our dean says he would rather have none than mediocrity. Below Level 41, don't embarrass him."
His pride captivated the applicants, including Tang San. But Ning Tian interjected, "I have a question."
"Go ahead," Dai Mubai said, valuing his strength.
"You said the academy's twenty years old, and students are under thirteen. That makes the elder thirty-two at most. All Martial Soul Hall elders are Title Douluos, except Ning Fengzhi, an honorary elder for his support skills and sect status. So, who's this thirty two year old Titled Douluo?"
The crowd stirred, realizing the improbability. Even a twelve-year-old Soul Honor was rare; a Title Douluo by thirty-two was near impossible.
Dai Mubai faltered, turning to the second test examiner. "Teacher Lu Qibin, do you recall that senior's name?"
Lu Qibin, a Level 66 Control System Battle Soul Emperor with a Star Luo Chess martial soul, flushed. No such Douluo existed, Flender had exaggerated. He coughed, 'Martial Soul Hall elders' identities are secret. Even as teachers, we can't say. You'll learn when you meet him."
Skepticism lingered, but Lu Qibin shifted focus. "Mubai, many here are above Level 25. Test them and take them to the fourth test." He tossed a white crystal ball, capable of testing up to Level 30, to Dai Mubai.
"Yes, Teacher Lu," Dai Mubai said, offering it to Ning Tian.
"Let them go first," Ning Tian declined.
"Fair enough," Dai Mubai agreed, passing it to Tang San, then Xiao Wu, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing.
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