Black World, Heaven Water Academy.
"Is this really Shrek Academy? Why does it look like nothing more than a run-down village?"
"This doesn't resemble a proper Spirit Master academy at all. How could it possibly attract a genius from the Star Luo Imperial Family like Young Master Dai, and how could it nurture Tang San into a god in the future?"
After seeing the full view of Shrek Academy in the comparison video, Shui Yue'er was completely stunned, her disbelief written all over her face.
(Shui Yue'er · Hot Version · Beautiful Image 1 (^▽^))
"Could it be that the real Shrek Academy lies further inside, or somewhere else entirely, and this place is only used as a registration checkpoint to test applicants?"
Yu Hairou spoke hesitantly, still trying to come up with a reasonable explanation for Shrek Academy.
Otherwise, the idea that such a shabby Spirit Master academy could attract a Star Luo imperial genius and even cultivate a future god was simply too absurd to accept.
However, Shui Binger's brows furrowed tightly, a trace of doubt and uncertainty flashing across her gentle face.
Although Yu Hairou's explanation was not impossible, she could not help but question its necessity.
Was such a test really meaningful?
What purpose would it serve?
The more she thought about it, the less logical it seemed.
After eliminating all other possibilities, only one conclusion remained.
Shrek Academy really might be this dilapidated.
Inside Heaven Dou Royal Academy.
"Teacher Qin Ming… is this truly your alma mater, Shrek Academy?"
After witnessing the academy's appearance in the comparison video, Yu Feng spoke with a blank expression, clearly caught off guard.
Qin Ming felt a trace of embarrassment, yet he still maintained a calm smile as he replied.
"That's right, this is indeed my alma mater, Shrek Academy."
"Although its appearance and facilities may seem somewhat worn, the strength of our teaching staff is exceptional. The academy has three Spirit Saints and two Spirit Emperors serving as instructors."
"Moreover, Shrek Academy has always adhered to an elite training philosophy with extremely high standards. We recruit very few students, which is why our reputation in the Spirit Master world is not particularly prominent."
"However, every student who graduates from Shrek Academy is outstanding!"
"Aside from myself, there is even another graduate who became the youngest elder of Spirit Hall!"
As he said this, a hint of pride and shared honor appeared on Qin Ming's handsome face.
However, Dugu Yan could not help but frown slightly, sensing that something was off.
She was familiar with Spirit Hall through her grandfather, Dugu Bo, who had once gone to Spirit City to register. After refusing to join, he had nearly been hunted down by Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan.
From that experience, she knew that only a Titled Douluo could qualify as an elder of Spirit Hall.
If Shrek Academy had truly produced such a figure, its name would have long spread across the entire Spirit Master world.
Although doubt lingered in her heart, she glanced at Qin Ming's proud expression and chose to remain silent.
It wasn't just Dugu Yan. Disciples from major families such as Ye Lingling and the others also had some understanding of Spirit Hall.
They too found Qin Ming's claim difficult to believe, yet out of respect, none of them voiced their doubts.
Meanwhile, the comparison video continued.
["Little San, could the Grandmaster have made a mistake? Are you sure this is Shrek Academy? It looks even worse than Saint Spirit Village. This can't be some kind of scam, can it?"]
[After approaching and seeing the true state of Shrek Academy, Xiao Wu was completely stunned, unable to accept what she was seeing.]
[Tang San forced a bitter smile. Though he felt uncertain himself, he still replied, "Teacher wouldn't deceive us. Since we're already here, let's take a closer look first."]
[With that, Tang San led Xiao Wu to the end of the line. Nearly a hundred applicants stood ahead of them, all whispering among themselves with puzzled expressions.]
[However, since the academy had been recommended by the Spirit Hall branch in Suotuo City, many still held onto a sliver of hope, believing this might be some kind of test.]
[As the line slowly advanced, a disturbance soon broke out at the front.]
[A young boy was found to be over thirteen years old during the bone age test. The old man in charge of registration immediately declared him unqualified and ordered him and his father to leave.]
[The boy's father pleaded with a forced smile, explaining that his son had only just turned thirteen and asking for some leniency.]
[The old man remained firm and impatient, stating bluntly that anyone over thirteen would be rejected without exception.]
[Since they could not register, the father requested a refund of the application fee, arguing that they had not successfully enrolled.]
[However, the old man rejected this outright, stating that refunds were not possible.]
["This is clearly a scam! Return our application fee, or we won't leave! I didn't expect this so-called Shrek Academy to be so shabby. We should never have come!"]
[Hearing this accusation, the old man's expression darkened. With a cold snort, he said, "Mubai, someone wants a refund. Handle it."]
[At his words, Dai Mubai leapt down from a tree. Without wasting a single word, he gave a cold laugh and summoned his Evil Eyes White Tiger Spirit. Two yellow and one purple spirit rings rose beneath his feet as he declared,]
["As long as you can defeat me, your application fee will be refunded in full!"]
[Faced with Dai Mubai's Spirit Elder strength and his domineering tone, the father and son were filled with frustration and anger, yet they had no choice but to retreat and leave in defeat.]
As this scene unfolded, countless people across both the Black World and the White World fell into silence.
Even powerful beings such as Gu Yuena, Di Tian, and the Snow Empress could not help but frown, their previous impressions of Shrek Academy completely shattered.
This academy not only appeared dilapidated, but its conduct also seemed arrogant and domineering, lacking both proper teaching standards and basic ethics.
How could such a place possibly produce Tang San, who would ascend as both the Sea God and the Asura God?
This question echoed in the minds of countless Spirit Masters and intelligent Spirit Beasts alike.
Black World, Shrek Academy.
Watching Li Yusong and Dai Mubai's actions on the comparison screen, Yu Xiaogang immediately realized that Shrek Academy's reputation was about to collapse entirely.
Without hesitation, he distanced himself from the situation. His stiff expression turned solemn as he frowned slightly and addressed Flender in a tone of moral concern.
"Flender, did the academy truly operate this way in the past, collecting application fees without refunds?"
"This is unacceptable. Even if we are short on funds, we cannot resort to such behavior. It borders on exploitation."
Yu Xiaogang spoke as if taking the moral high ground.
Flender, on the other hand, looked visibly uncomfortable, regret filling his expression.
However, his regret was not about the policy itself.
What troubled him was the exposure. The comparison video had laid bare Shrek Academy's practice of non-refundable fees, and as the dean, he felt personally responsible for how this would be perceived.
If his goddess Liu Erlong were to see this and think of him as stingy, cold-hearted, and lacking compassion…
Then his image in her eyes would be utterly destroyed.
Worse still, it wasn't just the Liu Erlong of the Black World. Even the Liu Erlong of the White World might now view him with disdain and disappointment.
The mere thought of it made Flender feel a deep ache in his heart.
At the same time, resentment surged within him.
That damned comparison heaven screen had completely ruined his image in front of his goddess!