Shrek City — Shrek Academy
As the premier academy of Douluo Continent, Shrek Academy was the sacred ground every Soul Master dreamed of.
Its campus spanned an entire city—vast, ancient, sovereign.
The next morning, Wu Zhangkong led Fang Yang's group to the main gates of Shrek Academy.
Outside—a sea of people surged.
Young Soul Masters from every corner of the continent converged here,
all vying for the once-in-three-years enrollment exam.
"Whoa… so many people!"
Xu Xiaoyan gaped, instinctively clinging to Fang Yang's sleeve.
Wu Zhangkong remained impassive:
"Every intake draws crowds. Only one in ten passes."
Then—a graceful woman approached.
Mid-twenties, snow-white hair cascading, emerald eyes bright, dressed in jade-green silk that highlighted her porcelain skin and noble aura.
"Teacher Shen!" the group greeted in unison.
Shen Yi smiled warmly: "Long time no see."
Her voice soothed like spring rain.
Wu Zhangkong stepped forward: "I entrust Fang Yang's group to you."
(He'd arranged everything with Shen Yi before departure.)
"Leave it to me," Shen Yi nodded, pulling a hexagonal metal token from her ring and handing it to Wu Zhangkong.
"Here's what you requested."
Wu Zhangkong took it, then turned to his students:
"I have urgent matters. Obey Teacher Shen."
Without another word, he strode into the academy's depths.
"Teacher Wu, that's…?" Xie Xie blurted, confused.
Fang Yang eyed the token—understanding dawning.
The others exchanged puzzled glances.
"You'll see him again after passing the exam," Shen Yi explained gently, sweeping her gaze over them.
"Follow me."
"Yes!" they chorused, trailing her inside.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the outside clamor vanished.
An intricate soul-guided sound barrier silenced the world.
"This is Shrek Academy?" Tang Wulin whispered, eyes wide with wonder.
Shen Yi nodded: "This is Shrek Inner City—the original Shrek settlement.
When the city expanded, this entire zone became the Academy's domain. Only approved personnel and students may enter freely."
Around them—ancient trees, serene gardens, timeless elegance.
Shen Yi led them to a grand plaza.
"Spirit Ice Plaza," she announced, pointing to a massive fountain sculpture.
"At its center stands Huo Yuhao's statue, surrounded by his legendary spirit souls.
As the Academy's greatest hero, his likeness faces the Main Teaching Building."
"This way," she gestured toward a colossal ring-shaped structure.
As they neared, countless statues adorned the facade—
each lifelike, each telling a silent saga.
"These are Inner Court disciples," Shen Yi explained.
"Every student who enters the Inner Court earns a statue here—honoring their legacy, etching history."
Inside the building, awe struck them mute.
Ten-meter ceilings, gold-and-ivory grandeur, murals of mythic battles—two millennia of glory painted on every wall.
"This is Shrek Hall," Shen Yi said softly.
"Every mural depicts pivotal moments from our 20,000-year history."
After winding corridors, they reached a circular hall—twenty meters high, ceiling frescoed with epic scenes.
All tilted their heads—and froze.
Dominating the dome—a colossal black dragon, golden eyes blazing with soul-crushing malice, wings spread wide, dark-purple aura radiating.
Such a mural should've crushed minds with spiritual pressure.
Yet—
Fang Yang and Gu Yue stood calm, the others stared in awe—but unharmed.
Thanks to the Fourth-Tier Soul-Transformation Pills, their martial souls had evolved beyond mortal limits.
This mural held only a faint trace of Di Tian's bloodline—insignificant against their refined might.
Only Di Tian's true essence—or the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King himself—could challenge them now.
"This is…?" Xie Xie started—when he noticed Shen Yi had vanished.
They stood alone in the hall.
"What do we do?" Tang Wulin asked.
Zhang Yangzi and Wang Jinxi exchanged helpless looks.
Amidst the murmurs, Fang Yang spoke coolly:
"This must be the first test. Who wants to handle it?"
"I will," Tang Wulin volunteered.
Blue Silver Emperor flashed—Blue Silver Bind shattered the dragon mural to dust.
"IMPOSSIBLE?!"
Shen Yi and an elder in emerald robes rushed from behind a pillar, faces pale with shock.
The elder stared at them, voice trembling:
"The Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King's spiritual pressure… had NO EFFECT?!"
Shen Yi inhaled sharply, heart racing.
In all her years at Shrek, none had ever walked calmly through Black Dragon Hall—let alone destroyed the mural!
"Master Li—how do we score this?" Shen Yi asked urgently, focused on results.
Master Li studied the seven, complexity in his eyes, then declared:
"They ignored the pressure and shattered the mural. Full marks—all of them."
"Thank you, Master Li!" Shen Yi beamed, relief and pride flooding her.
"Good luck, little ones!"
Master Li glanced at them—then departed, mind still reeling.
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