Chapter 1: Expelled from Shrek Academy? Awakening the Martial Soul Rayquaza!
The autumn sun pierced through the sparse clouds, casting a pale golden glow on the magnificent gates of Shrek Academy, the continent's premier academy.
However, this warmth could not dispel the chill in Liu Yuan's heart.
"Bang!"
A package was roughly thrown out of the door, hitting the stone pavement at his feet and kicking up a cloud of dust.
That was all his luggage.
"Get out! Shrek Academy doesn't need a student like you who breaks the rules and has no respect for elders!"
A security guard in a Shrek uniform looked at Liu Yuan with a mixture of disdain and schadenfreude, as if he were chasing away a dirty stray dog.
Liu Yuan silently bent down, patted the dust off the package, and put it back on his back.
He didn't argue with the gatekeeper, but slowly raised his head, his gaze passing over the school gate that symbolized glory and dreams, and looking into the depths of the college.
His eyes were eerily calm, but beneath that calm lay a raging fire of anger and humiliation.
Just half a day ago, he was a genius student in the outer academy of Shrek Academy.
At less than fifteen years old, he had already cultivated to the level of a three-ring Soul Master, and his Martial Soul was the "Wind Spirit Serpent," a rank of extremely high quality. He was hailed as one of the most promising rising stars in the outer academy.
Now, he has become a "discarded child" who has been kicked out of the house.
All of this changed because of a conversation this morning.
The elder of the Sea God Pavilion, the Gluttonous Douluo Xuanzi, the level 98 Super Douluo who stands at the pinnacle of the continent, personally summoned him.
Liu Yuan had a bad feeling about Xuanzi's summons. Sure enough, it turned out to be a trial wrapped in honey.
Xuanzi invited him to join the Shrek Academy Inspection Team.
For any ordinary Shrek Academy student, this would be an unparalleled honor.
But for Liu Yuan, a time traveler, he understood the meaning behind the words "Supervision Group" better than anyone else.
That wasn't glory at all; it was a contract of servitude, an unpaid contract that would make even capitalists weep.
Joining the Overwatch Corps means you will be carrying out the most dangerous and challenging missions for Shrek Academy, dancing on the edge of a knife and living with death.
You dedicate your youth, your sweat, and even your life, yet receive no tangible reward.
All the credit goes to Shrek, but if you sacrifice yourself, you won't even have a tombstone with your name on it. You'll just be forgotten in some unknown corner, becoming an insignificant footnote in Shrek's glorious history.
Liu Yuan was neither a saint nor a brainwashed, blindly loyal person.
He came to Shrek Academy to survive in this world, to become stronger, and to take control of his own destiny, not to be free cannon fodder for a powerful force.
So he refused.
He still remembers the barely perceptible shadow that flashed deep in Xuanzi's turbid eyes when he said, "I'm sorry, Elder Xuan, my ambitions lie elsewhere."
The Gluttonous Douluo didn't say much, he just waved his hand and let him leave.
Then...
Just half a day later, a disciplinary notice was delivered to him.
The reason was ridiculously absurd: "He was impatient for quick success in his cultivation, took pills repeatedly, overdrawn his own potential, disrupted the cultivation atmosphere of the academy, and was of bad character."
If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext!
Without any investigation or opportunity to defend himself, he was stripped of his Shrek Academy student status and ordered to leave immediately.
At that moment, Xuanzi stood on the tower not far away, coldly watching everything that was happening at the school gate through the window.
He held a chicken leg in his hand, slowly munching on it, a barely perceptible sneer playing on his lips.
"Hmph, little thing, you have talent, but unfortunately you're too ungrateful. I personally gave you a chance, and you dared to refuse?"
"This is what happens when you disobey me. Without Shrek's resources, let's see how far you, this so-called genius, can go."
Liu Yuan had no idea what Xuanzi was thinking.
But he could clearly feel the suffocating pressure and malice emanating from the upper echelons of the academy.
He took a deep look at the plaque that read "Shrek Academy," etching those four words, along with the humiliation he had suffered that day, into the depths of his soul.
Without lingering, he turned and resolutely walked into the streets of Shrek City.
His silhouette, stretched by the sunlight, appeared somewhat frail, yet it exuded an unyielding and proud spirit.
...
Inside Shrek City, there is a restaurant called "Shrek Cuisine".
Liu Yuan found a seat by the window and placed the package aside.
To dispel his frustration, he almost retaliated by ordering a huge table of dishes: fragrant roasted soul beast legs, golden-brown pan-fried silver cod, and a rich soup simmered with precious herbs...
The dishes were served quickly, steaming hot and fragrant.
Normally, he would have already been very hungry.
But now, he simply picks up his chopsticks, takes a piece of meat, and mechanically puts it into his mouth, only to find it tastes like cardboard.
Food could not soothe his inner wounds; instead, it only made his frustration fester.
He has been in this world for over a decade, carefully planning his path.
He diligently cultivated his skills, never daring to slack off in the slightest, which led to his achievement of level 37 today.
He originally thought that Shrek Academy wasn't completely rotten. Although Xuanzi was unreliable, Shrek Academy was ultimately under Mu En's control.
Moreover, Liu Yuan has always been a believer in meritocracy.
He always thought that as long as he had enough ability and talent, even someone as talented as Xuanzi would at least give him the respect he deserved.
But reality gave him a resounding slap in the face.
Since Moon doesn't interfere, Xuanzi is the most powerful person at Shrek Academy.
Moreover, Xuanzi was extremely arrogant and did whatever he pleased.
After he rejected Xuanzi, he showed him no respect whatsoever and kicked him out in just half a day!
Xuanzi completely disregarded Liu Yuan's talent and abilities, which he was so proud of!
"Damn it!" Liu Yuan roared inwardly, his chopsticks creaking in his hand.
"If...if I also had a system..." This thought uncontrollably emerged from the bottom of my heart, carrying a trace of resentment and fantasy.
In the online novels of his previous life, weren't systems a standard feature for transmigrators? With a system, how could he have been forced into such a miserable situation by an old guy?
The instant that thought flashed through his mind, a crisp, mechanical, emotionless voice rang out in his mind without warning.
[Ding! Strong host intent detected, meeting binding requirements.]
[The Elf Check-in System is binding... 10%... 50%... 100%!]
[Ding! System binding successful! Host: Liu Yuan. This system will serve you wholeheartedly and help you reach the pinnacle of Douluo Continent!]
Liu Yuan froze, and the chopsticks in his hand fell to the table with a "clatter".
He stared in astonishment, wondering if he was hallucinating from anger.
He tentatively asked in his mind, "System?"
[Ding! Host, I'm here.]
It's true!
It really is a system!
An indescribable ecstasy instantly swept away all the gloom, anger, and resentment in his heart, and an immense sense of happiness swept through his body like a volcanic eruption!
His body even trembled slightly from excessive excitement.
System! He really has a cheat system!
Having the system means he has unlimited possibilities!
What does Shrek Academy's abandonment matter?
What does Xuanzi's suppression amount to?
From this day forward, Liu Yuan's fate will be completely in his own hands!
He no longer needs to be mindful of anyone's feelings, and he no longer has to worry about ruining his future by refusing the unreasonable demands of some "big shot"!
This system is his biggest trump card in defying fate! What he has lost, he will surely get back a hundredfold, a thousandfold in the future!
After his excitement subsided slightly, Liu Yuan immediately asked in his mind, "System, what functions do you have?"
[Ding! This system is the "Pokémon Check-in System".]
[The host only needs to visit designated locations in Douluo Continent to check in, and will receive various rewards from the Pokémon world, including but not limited to powerful Pokémon, amazing items, and various special abilities.]
Pokémon? Is it the Pokémon from the globally popular game and anime from my past life? Liu Yuan's heart raced again.
Before he could ask any further questions, the system's voice sounded again.
[Ding! System binding detected for the first time. A newbie gift pack will be issued. Open now?]
"Activate! Activate immediately!" Liu Yuan said without hesitation.
[Ding! New player gift pack activated... Congratulations, host, you have obtained the divine-level martial soul—Rayquaza!]
[Martial Soul Description: This martial soul has overwritten the host's original martial soul; all original spirit rings will be reset to zero.]
[The host can summon the Rayquaza Spirit from outside the body at any time to assist in battle.]
[Alternatively, one can undergo Spirit Possession, transforming into Rayquaza form and gaining all of its abilities.]
This martial spirit possesses unlimited growth potential, with an initial strength equivalent to a 100,000-year-old soul beast.
boom!
It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in Liu Yuan's mind; he was completely stunned by this incredible reward.
Rift... Rift Throne?!
That's a legendary Pokémon from the Pokémon world, the guardian of the sky, the ultimate being who quelled the battle between Kyogre and Groudon! It's the overlord of the sky, surpassing countless legendary Pokémon!
And now, it has become its own martial spirit?
What does this mean?
The martial soul system in Douluo Continent ranges from the common Blue Silver Grass to top-tier spirits like the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus Rex, Six-Winged Angel, Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, Ice Snow Maiden, and Golden Dragon King...
The Rift King is absolutely no less important than any of these!
Its initial strength is comparable to that of a 100,000-year-old soul beast, and it can grow indefinitely! What does this mean?
This means that from this moment on, Liu Yuan has a mobile "100,000-year-old soul beast" as a henchman! Moreover, this henchman can continue to grow stronger as he grows!
What's even more terrifying is that a Soul Master can attach nine Soul Rings. Does that mean that his Rayquaza Martial Soul can be equipped with nine powerful skills in the future?
A Rayquaza with nine skills, what a devastating existence that would be!
Let alone the Gluttonous Douluo Xuanzi, I'm afraid even a god would dare to fight him!
Liu Yuan clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms. The stinging sensation confirmed to him that this was not a dream.
Overwhelmed with joy, he almost wanted to roar to the heavens.
Shrek, Xuanzi! I, Liu Yuan, will remember your kindness in expelling me today!
Just wait, it won't be long before I make you regret your decision to the core!
Suppressing his excitement, Liu Yuan took a deep breath and asked the system, "System, where is my first check-in location?"
The flames of revenge have been ignited, and he can't wait to embark on a journey to become stronger.
[Ding! The first daily check-in task has been issued.]
Location: Outside Shrek City, beneath the Three Lives Stone on the banks of the Sunset River.
[Task Requirements: Arrive at the designated location and remain there for ten minutes.]
[Task Reward: ???]
Outside Shrek City, on the banks of the Sunset River?
Liu Yuan's eyes narrowed, and he didn't hesitate at all.
He paid the bill quickly, without even glancing at the almost untouched food on the table.
Shouldering his bag, he strode out of the restaurant and sped off toward the west gate of Shrek City.
The gloom of the past has been swept away, replaced by boundless fighting spirit and infinite expectations for the future.
A new legend will begin on the banks of that river!
(End of chapter)