At Xiao Qi's final words, the class instantly erupted into a buzz. Whispers swept through the rows; the subject of assigning positions and emblems had captured everyone's attention without exception.
Suddenly, Lan Mengqin, who was sitting behind Fan Yue, stood up abruptly.
"But Teacher, that isn't fair. Students with even-numbered rankings automatically become Vice-Presidents and receive fewer emblems. That's unjust."
Xiao Qi didn't show the slightest hint of annoyance. On the contrary, his expression suggested he had been expecting exactly this question.
"Student Lan Mengqin, this problem is solved far more easily than you think. If a Vice-President is unhappy with their position, they can always challenge the President. The winner takes the President's seat. At Shrek, strength determines everything—that is a rule you will learn very quickly."
Lan Mengqin nodded silently and sat back down.
Xiao Qi then proceeded with the lecture, though students still cast occasional thoughtful glances toward Lan Xuanyu.
When the class ended, Fan Yue said goodbye to Dong Qianqiu and Lan Mengqin and headed for the Array Engraving Department. Shrek Academy operated with incredible speed and efficiency; he was cleared to attend engraving classes starting that very day.
His Soul Communicator guided him, and soon he stood before the door of the classroom. He entered an empty room filled with long rows of tables and took a seat in the middle.
Moments later, the door opened again.
A middle-aged man walked in. He was tall, moving with a loose, relaxed gait. There was a deliberate unhurriedness in his movements, the air of a man who was difficult to surprise or unsettle. His gaze slid lazily across the room, barely pausing on Fan Yue.
He sank into the teacher's chair as if he had done so hundreds of times before—softly, with a faint sigh of boredom—and settled in comfortably.
Fan Yue was momentarily thrown off; the teacher's behavior was too… casual. But, maintaining his manners, he stood up.
"Hello, my name is Fan Yue."
The man didn't even dignify him with a look, speaking in a weary voice.
"My name is Meng Hao. I am the instructor for Array Engraving."
Fan Yue was slightly surprised by the man's nonchalant attitude but decided to ignore it. Glancing around the room, he realized he was the only one there.
"Teacher, are there really no other students?"
Meng Hao gave a curt nod, as if unwilling to waste energy on words.
"The lesson lasts an hour and a half. Are you familiar with the terminology, symbols, and patterns?"
Fan Yue nodded. He had been studying everything related to arrays since he was eight years old. Although he lacked practical experience, his theoretical knowledge was profound.
"Yes, fully familiar."
Meng Hao moved his fingers slightly.
"Then tell me about Array Engraving."
Fan Yue began without hesitation.
"An Array Engraver is a Soul Master who draws or erects arrays containing a multitude of specific symbols and patterns. We engage in the creation of special formations that possess various effects. For example, storage rings. They are all created through array engraving, but their storage capacity depends on the master's skill and their understanding of the spatial element."
"Array Engravers have nine ranks, and arrays are correspondingly divided into nine ranks as well. Therefore, a First-Rank Array Engraver must be able to erect first-level arrays and construct first-rank soul tools and weapons."
"Our primary partners are Blacksmiths. They create the components, and we inscribe the patterns upon them, after which we assemble the array as a structure. This is how complete soul weapons and items are created. Furthermore..."
He continued, reciting everything he knew with precision, as if reading from an internal book memorized down to the last line.
But Meng Hao raised a hand, cutting off the flow of words.
"Enough. You have more than enough theory. That part is clear."
He leaned back in his chair and squinted lazily.
"Let's move to practice. Have you ever tried erecting an array?"
"No, never."
Meng Hao sighed quietly. Suddenly, a round iron plate, an array blueprint, and a carving pen appeared in front of Fan Yue.
"This is the simplest First-Rank array. Two symbols, three patterns, enclosed in a circle. Erect it on the plate. And remember: your soul power must flow through the pen continuously. If you break the flow, the pattern is ruined."
Fan Yue nodded and leaned over the blueprint. One glance was enough for him to recognize the basic Light Array.
Studying the blueprint didn't take long, and ten minutes later, he began to work.
Soul power flowed through the pen, humming inside it with a soft vibration, as if responding to his touch. Fan Yue drew line after line, carefully inscribing the symbols. His movements were incredibly precise, his concentration at its peak. Despite this being his first attempt, there was a natural confidence in his gestures.
Ten minutes later, he exhaled and set down the pen.
"Done."
Meng Hao glanced at Fan Yue.
"Infuse it with soul power."
Since this was his first creation, Fan Yue felt a flutter of nervousness. But the moment his soul power entered the array, it flared with a gentle yellow light.
Seeing this, Fan Yue smiled, feeling a surge of joy that he had succeeded.
"Good," Meng Hao said shortly. Not praise. But not indifference, either.
After speaking, Meng Hao produced three thick books and placed them on the teacher's desk.
"These books detail arrays up to the third rank, as well as corresponding soul tools and weapons up to the third level. Study them carefully."
"That is enough for the first lesson. You may go. Oh, and that engraving pen is yours now. Consider it a gift."
Fan Yue thanked Meng Hao, then transferred the books and the pen into his storage ring.
"Thank you. Goodbye." He bowed and left the room.
Only when the door clicked shut did Meng Hao finally pick up the iron plate and peer closely at the lines of the pattern. On his face, previously hidden behind a mask of weary indolence, a flicker of genuine interest appeared.
Hmm… Not bad. Although his control of soul power still needs honing. But judging by the fluctuations of his Mental Strength, he is in the Spirit Sea Realm—and at the very peak, at that. Such a level of Mental Strength is rare even among second-year students.
Returning to the dormitory, Fan Yue checked the time.
[14:40]
"I think I should study the Shrek Academy rules, then focus on cultivation."
Entering the villa, Fan Yue noticed that lunch was already prepared. Beside the food lay a book containing the academy's regulations. While he ate, he quickly memorized the rules. They were strict but logical—nothing that would severely restrict him.
After lunch, Fan Yue headed to his meditation room. He activated the room's array and immediately felt his bloodline vortex begin to circulate faster, filling him with vitality and soul power.
Suddenly, red patterns covered Fan Yue's body. These markings wound around him like vines, glowing with a faint crimson light, appearing almost alive.
After five hours of intensive cultivation, Fan Yue ended his practice. In high spirits, he began reading the books on engraving.
The next day, Fan Yue sat in the lecture hall, listening to Xiao Qi address the class.
"As you already know, anyone who hones their strengths to the extreme can achieve extraordinary results. Take speed, for instance, which allows one to close the gap between opponents of different cultivation levels. A prime example is the Emerald Demon Bird, which is capable of killing soul beasts far more powerful than itself. All thanks to its incredible speed. However, speed without the ability to control it will only cause harm. Therefore, I want you to understand that control is the paramount factor for a Soul Master."
After Xiao Qi finished, the Mecha instructor entered the hall.
Mecha piloting was merely one of the secondary professions for Soul Masters. Fan Yue knew a little about them, but after listening to the lecture, he realized the subject didn't appeal to him.
Following that session, Xiao Qi returned to the classroom.
"I have good news for you. You have one week to exchange Soul Coins from the Douluo World for Shrek Academy emblems. 1,000 Soul Coins equal one White Emblem."
Xiao Qi's words caused noticeable excitement among the students. Fan Yue wasn't familiar with the Douluo World or Soul Coins, but hearing that emblems could be earned piqued his interest immediately.
Lan Mengqin poked Fan Yue in the back.
"Don't leave. I know how to earn Soul Coins."
Fan Yue nodded.
Soon, a small group of students gathered around Lan Mengqin's desk: Fan Yue, Dong Qianqiu, Lan Xuanyu, Yuanen Huihui, and another youth named Liu Feng.
"Guys, this is Fan Yue. To Qianqiu and me, he's like a little brother. He's a bit dim-witted, so please be patient with him," Lan Mengqin said mischievously.
Fan Yue rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
"You already know the names of the President and Vice-President. This guy is Liu Feng. They helped us immensely during the exam; you could say we are comrades," Lan Mengqin explained.
Liu Feng was sturdy, with straight posture and gray hair. He had a firm, determined gaze, looking like someone who valued directness and hard work above all else.
"Nice to meet you all. Thank you for taking care of the sisters," Fan Yue said with gratitude in his voice.
Lan Xuanyu smiled.
"Nice to meet you too. I hope we get along."
Fan Yue nodded, then looked at Yuanen Huihui. The boy merely glanced at him indifferently. Liu Feng nodded in greeting.
"Now that introductions are over, down to business. In the Douluo World, there is the Great Soul Arena where we can earn Soul Coins. Are you interested?" Lan Mengqin asked.
"What is required of me?" Lan Xuanyu asked.
"You'll be the leader and give orders. With your level of soul power, what else can you do?" Lan Mengqin shot back.
Lan Xuanyu distinctly felt he was being looked down upon.
"If that's the case, then 30% of the profits belong to me."
"In your dreams! We split everything evenly," Lan Mengqin retorted angrily.
"Then count me out." Lan Xuanyu turned and prepared to leave. Liu Feng and Yuanen Huihui turned to follow him.
Lan Mengqin's face darkened. Dong Qianqiu just stared at Lan Xuanyu's retreating back.
Fan Yue gave a dry laugh and spoke up.
"Sister, you're too harsh as always. President, wait, let's discuss this. Since Sister Mengqin decided to call you as the leader, she obviously can't deny your leadership qualities."
Lan Xuanyu smiled slightly and turned back around.
"I have one condition."
Lan Mengqin was stunned. First he asks for 30%, and now he's compromising!?
"What condition?" Dong Qianqiu asked.
"As Lan Mengqin said, my soul power is indeed low. I recently found a way to accelerate my development. I want to break through to the three-ring realm as soon as possible, but this method requires a large number of emblems. Therefore, I would like to borrow all the emblems we earn. I will pay you back within three months."
"That works for me," Yuanen Huihui said immediately.
Liu Feng expressed his agreement silently. He and their third companion, Qian Lei, had only managed to enter Shrek thanks to Lan Xuanyu. Even if Xuanyu had asked for the emblems as a gift, Liu Feng would have given them gladly.
"I don't object. My cultivation has been going very smoothly lately, so I don't need anything urgent," said Dong Qianqiu.
Lan Mengqin huffed but agreed. "I agree."
Fan Yue thought for a moment.
"I can't give you 100% since we hardly know each other. But considering future cooperation, I am willing to loan you 50% of my share."
Lan Xuanyu considered this, then nodded.
"Your words make sense. But I will only accept if you prove useful to the team."
Fan Yue was confident in his abilities, so he agreed immediately.
"Deal!"
Lan Xuanyu nodded decisively.
"Since that is settled, this afternoon we will register as a six-person team. If Fatty returns by then, we can register as a team of seven."
With the plan set, everyone dispersed and left the academic building.