Because the line had suddenly shortened, it was soon Tang San and Xiao Wu's turn.
The two registered together.
When Li Yusong saw that Tang San's Martial Soul was actually Blue Silver Grass, his expression froze for a moment.
Just like in the original tale, Li Yusong found it hard to believe — could Blue Silver Grass really be cultivated to such a level so quickly?
Tang San calmly replied with a faint smile,
"Even a 'trash' Martial Soul like mine can reach this level of cultivation speed. Isn't that proof enough of true talent?"
Li Yusong laughed at that and waved for the two to follow Ma Hongjun, who had just returned from leading the previous group.
However, this time there was no "testing with the soul power crystal ball" scene like in the original story.
For this version of Shrek Academy, Ma Hongjun had already explained to every applicant that if their soul power reached rank 25 or above, they could skip the second and third trials entirely and go straight to the final test, the fourth round.
So when Ma Hongjun learned that Tang San and Xiao Wu's soul power were both rank 29, he led them directly to the fourth test area.
Xiao Wu, naturally talkative, couldn't hide her delight when she learned they could skip straight to the final round.
After all, she had been the top student at Nording Academy for six consecutive years — pure talent incarnate!
As they walked, Xiao Wu couldn't help but ask curiously,
"Senior, why does our— oh wait, your— no, our Shrek Academy set the entrance requirements so strictly?
If it's that harsh, wouldn't we barely have any new students every year?"
Ma Hongjun chuckled.
"Yes, it's strict. But that's exactly why everyone who gets in is the best of the best — true prodigies."
Then, as if remembering something, he added,
"And there's another reason.
By setting the bar this high, we weed out those without enough potential.
Those who remain will all be exceptional talents.
And when geniuses grow together, they can push and support one another."
Tang San nodded in agreement but raised another question.
"But if the Academy has so few students, how does it maintain its funds?"
Ma Hongjun explained patiently,
"Our Academy doesn't rely on tuition anymore.
We've adopted an elite cultivation system.
Every admitted student only needs to pay a hundred gold soul coins per year — that's symbolic, really.
In return, what the Academy gives back far exceeds that."
Hearing this, Tang San became even more intrigued.
This Shrek Academy didn't operate like a normal school at all — it seemed dedicated purely to nurturing geniuses, sparing no expense or effort.
What surprised him most was that, even walking side by side with Ma Hongjun, he couldn't sense the young man's spirit power level at all.
Either Ma Hongjun's soul power was being deliberately suppressed…
Or it was simply far, far above his own.
By appearance, Ma Hongjun looked only a little older — perhaps fifteen at most.
For Tang San, who had spent countless hours refining hidden weapons and cultivating Tang Sect skills, this realization was shocking.
His cultivation speed was among the fastest of his generation — yet here was someone whose depth he couldn't even measure.
There was only one explanation:
Ma Hongjun's spirit power was far beyond his own.
Tang San couldn't help but sigh inwardly,
"So this is Shrek Academy… This must be the reason the Teacher wanted me to come.
To study among such extraordinary geniuses — now that's worth looking forward to."
Of course, Tang San didn't know that Yu Xiaogang had recommended Shrek purely because of its strictness — he had no idea how much the Academy had evolved since.
In truth, Tang San's arrival here was a coincidence shaped by fate.
Since things had changed from the original timeline, there was no "Oscar's sausage stand" along the way.
Instead, Ma Hongjun led Tang San and Xiao Wu straight to the central square — the Arena Platform for the entrance test.
At the edge of the platform, in the rest area below, sat a single person — the beautiful girl who had entered earlier.
That girl was none other than Ning Rongrong, the same noble young lady who had recently stayed at the Lingyu Pavilion in Soto City.
Just like in the original story, she had also come to Shrek Academy.
On the raised platform to one side of the square, four young people sat around a table drinking fruit juice, playing a game of chess.
There were two men and two women.
One of the young men had striking silver hair, looking elegant and noble — his very bearing inspired natural respect.
Across from him sat another youth with golden hair and twin pupils, who was currently losing badly at chess — the game was one move away from checkmate.
The golden-haired youth suddenly noticed Ma Hongjun bringing two newcomers and immediately stood up.
"Oscar, not playing anymore. I've got work to do."
As he spoke, he stood up casually, knocking over the entire chessboard.
The silver-haired youth — Oscar — sighed wordlessly, while the two girls beside them smiled in amusement.
These four were none other than Oscar, Dugu Yan, Dai Mubai, and Zhu Zhuqing.
At fourteen, Oscar already carried a calm maturity far beyond his years.
Eighteen-year-old Dugu Yan, equally beautiful and composed, already had the air of a "big sister-in-law."
She and Zhu Zhuqing whispered to each other softly, both watching their partners with amusement.
As Dai Mubai spoke, both Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan rose gracefully to look toward Ma Hongjun and the newcomers.
Behind him, Tang San and Xiao Wu were both struck dumb for a moment.
Not because of strength —
But because of looks.
"Brother… the students in Shrek Academy are way too good-looking!" Xiao Wu muttered, half in disbelief.
Tang San had to admit — he was thinking the same thing.
He had never cared much about appearances before, believing one's face was a gift from one's parents, unchangeable and unimportant.
But after seeing these impossibly handsome and beautiful upperclassmen…
He suddenly felt that appearance might matter a little after all.
Xiao Wu, naturally, was lovely herself — still young, like a flower bud yet to bloom.
Tang San, though, was painfully aware of how ordinary he looked: short black hair, neat but plain features — utterly forgettable among such radiant faces.
Ma Hongjun, noticing their stares, chuckled and introduced casually,
"The silver-haired one's our senior boss — Oscar.
The green-haired beauty is Sister-in-law Dugu Yan.
The golden-haired guy is Dai Mubai, also known as Four-Eyed Tiger.
And the one with the, uh, generous chest — that's Little Sister Zhu Zhuqing.
Mubai and Zhuqing are a couple."
His tone was relaxed, even teasing Zhu Zhuqing, which only showed how close they'd all become.
This Zhu Zhuqing, unlike her cold, lonely version in the original tale, was now much more open and cheerful — her relationship with Dai Mubai had flourished smoothly, and it showed in her smile.
Hearing this introduction, Tang San and Xiao Wu quickly memorized everyone's names.
Each one left a strong impression — especially the "generous" Zhu Zhuqing.
Xiao Wu even snuck a glance downward at herself, only to see… her toes.
At that moment, Ning Rongrong, happy to see new faces, waved cheerfully.
"Hi there! I'm Ning Rongrong!"
Tang San and Xiao Wu smiled back, introducing themselves as well.
Meanwhile, Ma Hongjun had already turned to head back toward the gate to help Li Yusong again.
Tang San and Xiao Wu glanced at his retreating figure, then at the four upperclassmen on the platform, curious —
But before they could say anything, Ning Rongrong whispered with a pout,
"Don't bother looking. I've been here for a while — no one's paid me any attention."
Xiao Wu blinked. "Didn't you call out to them?"
"I did," Ning Rongrong said miserably. "That Oscar senior told me to wait."
Tang San frowned slightly. Wait?
Ma Hongjun had said the fourth test was supposed to be a combat evaluation.
How were they supposed to "wait" for that?
Ning Rongrong opened her mouth to explain that she was a support-type Soul Master, not suited for combat—
But before she could, a tall figure leapt down from the platform in a blur of motion.
Dai Mubai landed before them with a calm but commanding presence.
"I'm Dai Mubai," he said.
"I'll be the examiner for your fourth test.
You should already know the rules from Ma Hongjun, right?"
Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong all nodded.
"Senior Ma said the fourth test is a combat assessment.
If we can pass, we'll officially become students of Shrek Academy."
Dai Mubai nodded approvingly.
"Correct. Combat is the truest measure of a Soul Master's strength.
Your task is simple — the three of you will face me.
Last one standing after one stick of incense passes wins.
No restrictions — use any means you wish."
Tang San's brows lifted slightly. "No restrictions?"
Before he could ask more, a voice came from the platform above.
It was Oscar.
"Dai Mubai, how about letting me handle this one?
I just broke through recently, and I haven't had the chance to stretch my muscles."
Dai Mubai blinked, genuinely surprised. "Huh?"
He hadn't expected Oscar, of all people, to volunteer for such an easy task.
Normally, it was either Dai Mubai or Ma Hongjun who handled entrance duels — Oscar rarely participated.
But Oscar didn't bother to explain himself. He didn't need to.
He simply wanted to personally test Tang San's true strength — seeing it firsthand was different from what he remembered from the "story."
Seeing that Oscar was serious, Dai Mubai hesitated.
"Oscar, are you sure about this? If you go all out, they won't even last a breath, much less a stick of incense."
Oscar shot him a glare worthy of Zhao Wuji himself.
"What's wrong with that? The Dean's not here, nor are the others. I'm in charge right now, so it's fine."
Then he turned to the three newcomers and said,
"Alright, I'll light the incense. You'd better prepare quickly.
Dai Mubai, you can tell them about my abilities — give them a fighting chance."
With a flick of his fingers, Oscar produced a slender incense stick from his soul guide, rubbed the tip, and lit it with a spark of soul power.
He planted it upright in the ground — perfectly still, not even trembling.
Then, calmly, Oscar folded his arms and looked over the trio — studying Tang San in particular.
He found him… quite ordinary.
In truth, Oscar had already observed Tang San and Xiao Wu half a year ago, when Lingyu Pavilion and Lingyu Escort Agency had set up branches in Nording City.
Through one of his incarnations, he had quietly watched them.
He also knew that Xiao Wu's spirit beast identity could not remain hidden forever — though for now, she was safe.
After all, Zhao Wuji had recently broken through to rank 80 and gone with Flender and Lu Qibin to the Star Dou Forest to obtain his eighth spirit ring.
Meanwhile, Gai Yue was in the Icefire Yin-Yang Well, striving for rank 90 and attempting to condense his first Spirit Core.
For now, Shrek Academy had no Soul Masters above rank 80, meaning no one present could see through Xiao Wu's identity.
Even Oscar himself couldn't perceive her true form — his spiritual power was immense, but only at the high Soul Emperor level.
Without a technique like Eye of Truth, he couldn't discern a transformed soul beast.
Of course, Oscar already knew who she was — but he would never say it aloud.
It wouldn't make sense for his character, and more importantly…
revealing it now would only ruin everything.
If Tang Hao — who was undoubtedly watching from the shadows — discovered Xiao Wu's identity too soon, he would certainly take her away.
Originally, Tang Hao had viewed Xiao Wu as a backup soul ring for Tang San — it was only because of their love that he spared her.
As Oscar pondered these thoughts, Tang San, Xiao Wu, and Ning Rongrong exchanged quick introductions of their spirit power levels.
Both Tang San and Xiao Wu were ranked 29, while Ning Rongrong was ranked 26.
When Tang San heard that Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul was the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, he was astonished — just like in the original tale.
After all, that Martial Soul belonged to one of the Three Upper Sects, and her being a direct descendant made it even more shocking.
The revelation made Shrek Academy seem even more extraordinary to Tang San and Xiao Wu.
After their introductions, Dai Mubai sighed lightly.
"You three… good luck. Since Oscar's handling your test, your challenge just got a lot harder."
Ning Rongrong tilted her head in confusion.
"Why? Is Senior Oscar like that teacher at the gate — a Soul Emperor?
That's impossible! He doesn't look much older than us.
How could such a young genius exist?"
Dai Mubai nearly laughed.
If only you knew.
Though Oscar wasn't truly a Soul Emperor in cultivation, his combat power absolutely reached that level.
He shook his head.
"Not that exaggerated — but close."
Xiao Wu grinned confidently.
"Then it's fine! There are three of us, almost at rank thirty, and we've got a top-tier support like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda.
Even if he's strong, surely we can last one stick of incense, right?"
Dai Mubai gave her a look that could only be described as pitying.
"If you think Oscar's attacks are that easy to block, you're in for a rude awakening.
No, he's not a Soul Emperor — his spirit power's only' rank forty-seven.
But his overall strength is the strongest in our entire Academy.
Even if I team up with Zhuqing and Ma Hongjun — the three of us together — we still wouldn't beat him."
He added helpfully,
"For reference, I'm rank thirty-nine, Zhuqing is twenty-nine, and together we can use a Martial Soul Fusion Skill — strong enough to rival a high-level Soul Ancestor.
Ma Hongjun, though younger, is already ranked forty-five.
So if the three of us can't beat Oscar, do you really think you three, without even a third spirit ring yet, can last a full stick of incense?"
He smirked slightly.
"Even with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda's buffs, I'd say… Oscar could finish you in one strike.
Of course, he won't go all-out. It is just an entrance test.