Chapter 62: The True Monster (Part One)
In front of Shrek Academy, Tang San and Xiao Wu had already entered first and reached the second trial.
Only then did Luo Ling arrive with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, stepping before the old man at the gate.
Following the procedure, the old man examined their bone age and confirmed there was no issue before motioning for them to release their Martial Souls.
Zhu Zhuqing's cat ears and tail emerged, claws extending from her hands as two yellow spirit rings glowed around her. The old man nodded with approval.
Then it was Ning Rongrong's turn. The moment she released her Martial Soul, the old man's eyes widened.
Two yellow and one purple — three spirit rings!
And more astonishing…
Hovering before her was a beautiful, nine-tiered pagoda—radiant and magnificent.
The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
So Ning Fengzhi really did let her have the Qiluo Tulip, Luo Ling thought, a faint gleam in his crimson eyes.
"That's the… Seven—no, Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?" The old man shot to his feet, unable to believe his eyes.
"You truly wish to join Shrek Academy?" he asked in disbelief.
"Is there a problem?" Ning Rongrong replied coolly.
"Do your family members know about this?"
Ning Rongrong stayed silent, glancing toward Luo Ling.
Luo Ling stepped forward with a gentle smile. "I'm Rongrong's cousin. We were curious about this school, so I brought her to have a look."
"Her father is aware," he added casually.
The old man finally turned his attention to Luo Ling and blinked, momentarily dazed by the youth's elegant composure before clearing his throat.
"In that case, you may enter," he said, waving a hand.
Then his gaze hardened. "But you—stay outside. Non-students aren't allowed in the academy."
Luo Ling paused; Ning Rongrong stopped as well.
"When we left our clan, Uncle Ning told me to protect Rongrong. If I can't accompany her inside," Luo Ling said evenly, "then we'll just find another academy."
The old man froze, glancing between the two of them.
A twelve-year-old Soul Sect—a monster among monsters. If he let such talent slip away to another academy, Flandre would tear into him later.
"Fine. You can both go in—just don't interfere with classes," the old man finally conceded.
Luo Ling smiled faintly, nodded, and entered Shrek Academy with Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Not long after they stepped inside, a bearded man pushed a small cart toward them.
"Sausages for sale! Big, long, delicious sausages—useful and tasty! Don't miss out! Oscar-brand sausages, sweet and savory! Only five copper coins for a taste of perfection!"
So that's Oscar, Luo Ling thought, glancing casually at him.
Tang San and Xiao Wu were nowhere in sight—they must have gone further inside already.
When Oscar spotted Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing, his eyes lit up instantly, and he hurried over.
"Ladies, would you like to try my sausages?" he offered enthusiastically.
Luo Ling smiled slightly. Before the two girls could respond, he said, "I've heard your Martial Soul is food-type. These sausages come from your soul skill, don't they? Care to recite the spell for me?"
Oscar froze, his expression stiffening in embarrassment. "What spell? As long as it's edible, that's good enough."
Luo Ling chuckled and shook his head. Ning Rongrong, remembering her studies in Spirit Hall, realized at once what he meant. Food-type soul masters always used incantations to produce food.
"Your incantation must be quite… unique, huh?" Ning Rongrong prodded, narrowing her eyes.
Being stared down by such stunning women, Oscar grew more flustered. Muttering under his breath, he pushed his cart away.
"Whatever, don't eat then!" he grumbled.
As he disappeared into the distance, Luo Ling's smile faded.
Among the Shrek Seven Devils, Oscar wasn't half bad. But Luo Ling had no time or interest in befriending any men.
Soon they reached the spirit power testing area. Tang San and Xiao Wu were currently being examined—both reached rank 29, causing quite a stir.
"Twelve years old and already rank 29? How's that even possible?"
"I'm only rank 21!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Tang San wore a proud grin, and Xiao Wu's lips curved smugly.
Then it was Ning Rongrong's turn. The crystal sphere lit up instantly—then shattered with a sharp crack.
"Soul Sect?" the examiner exclaimed, eyes wide.
Shock spread throughout the testers around them.
Tang San's self-satisfied expression froze. His head snapped toward Ning Rongrong in disbelief.
With the Xuantian Skill, I should've been unmatched. How can that little girl be stronger than me?
Luo Ling observed calmly. Back when she had left Spirit Hall, Ning Rongrong had already reached rank 27—and with the Qiluo Tulip's immense boost, becoming a Soul Sect wasn't surprising.
Ning Rongrong jogged back, smiling as though expecting praise.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing nearby, looked equally stunned. She'd always considered herself talented, yet compared to Ning Rongrong… she was nowhere near.
Not far away, Xiao Wu pursed her lips, irritated by how close Ning Rongrong stood to Luo Ling.
At that moment, Dai Mubai approached, still visibly uneasy in Luo Ling's presence. He gestured for the others to follow.
"You all, come with me. It's time for the fourth test."
They walked deeper into the academy, Luo Ling trailing leisurely at the rear.
Along the way, Dai Mubai explained Shrek Academy's history, boasting about how one of its graduates had become one of Spirit Hall's youngest elders.
Both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing glanced at Luo Ling.
For Ning Rongrong, the connection was obvious—her "cousin" was Spirit Hall's Holy Son.
For Zhu Zhuqing, it reminded her of Luo Ling's earlier comment questioning Shrek's credibility.
Luo Ling only shrugged, expression neutral. He couldn't be bothered to expose their nonsense.
Before long, they reached an open training ground.
"Teacher Zhao, I brought some applicants for the fourth assessment."
"Oh? Fourth test candidates this year? And five of them?" The middle-aged man yawned sleepily, looking surprised.
"I'm only a chaperone, not a student," Luo Ling corrected.
"Chaperone?" the man frowned slightly.
"Teacher Zhao," Dai Mubai explained quickly, "these four are the candidates. They passed the earlier tests directly."
Zhao Wuji's eyes gleamed. "Not bad—four of them above rank 25 already! Alright then, I'll personally give you all a warm welcome. Name's Zhao Wuji!"
"Now, I'll give you one stick of incense to prepare and discuss strategy. Your trial is to withstand my attacks for one stick of incense's time. As long as even one of you is still standing at the end, you all pass."
"Teacher Zhao, isn't that a bit extreme?" Dai Mubai hesitated.
"What's extreme about it? The Dean's not here, so I'm in charge!" Zhao Wuji barked.
Seeing no point arguing, Dai Mubai gathered Tang San and the others, explaining Zhao Wuji's strength.
When they heard he was a Soul Sage, all four of them went pale.
Except Luo Ling, who simply watched, relaxed and amused.
The four grew serious, discussing their abilities and forming a plan. When they learned that Ning Rongrong was already a rank 35 Soul Sect, they were stunned speechless.
"Your Martial Soul is the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda? And you're rank 35?"
Tang San's disbelief deepened. He'd thought their strengths were comparable, that she had only recently stepped into the Soul Sect realm—yet she was rank 35 already?
And a support-type soul master at that.
"What? Rank 35 Soul Sect? The Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda?" Zhao Wuji, overhearing their talk, hurried over.
"Show me your Martial Soul," he said eagerly.
Ning Rongrong didn't refuse. The pagoda appeared once again, gleaming ninefold, her two yellow and one purple spirit rings shining brightly around her.
(END CHAPTER)
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