Chapter 4: Shrek Academy

City Lord’s Mansion, Celestial Spirit City.

A stern-faced middle-aged man carefully sealed a confidential letter, pressing a special snow-lotus insignia upon it. With a solemn air, he gave his command in a low voice, “Deliver this letter to my royal brother’s own hands.”

“At once, Your Highness.” A figure clad in black emerged soundlessly, took the letter, and vanished again as swiftly as he had appeared.

The man’s title revealed much; he was no ordinary lord, but the ruler of Celestial Spirit City and a scion of the Imperial Family of the Heavenly Soul Empire—the current emperor’s own younger brother.

“To annihilate the Ye family in a single night… There are few powers on the continent with the means to accomplish such a feat,” the city lord brooded, his brow deeply furrowed, the weight of the matter pressing heavily upon him.

“And to act with such unrestrained cruelty… that ruthless style could only mean…” He drew a long breath, clasping his hands behind his back, and paced to the vast crystal window, as though feeling the invisible pressure bearing down from all sides.

“Though the continent’s surface seems peaceful enough, beneath it the currents have grown treacherous. The Heavenly Soul Empire stands before the threat of the Sun-Moon Empire. If we wish to survive, deepening our alliance with the Ontological Sect is our only path forward.”

Members of the Ontological Sect were frequently active within the borders of the Heavenly Soul Empire, though none outside the royal inner circle knew that contact had long since been established between the two parties. And now, the young imperial princess herself had become a vital link binding their cooperation.

…

Shrek City’s south, north, and west gates were open to all, but the east gate was reserved solely for Shrek Academy.

Despite serving only the Academy, this gate was unusually lively, with stalls and peddlers crowding the streets, always quick to seize opportunity. When the Academy’s entrance examinations were underway, the place was even busier, rivaling the city’s bustling heart.

This was thanks to Shrek Academy’s unique admissions system: each prospective student not only had to pass the Academy’s rigorous tests, but also provide a letter of recommendation from at least a main city of one of the Douluo Continent’s three great empires. As a result, almost all new students were either nobility or descended from powerful soul master families, and their extravagant spending guaranteed that every vendor here made a handsome profit.

As the sun set, its golden-red rays bathed the city. It was just the hour when classes at Shrek Academy ended, and students in the school’s uniforms filtered out the east gate in small groups.

Within the Academy’s outer court, uniform colors were strictly regulated, each grade corresponding to the level of a student’s soul ring. The hues ranged from white to black; only those clad in red uniforms belonged to the inner court. Yet inner court students were rarely seen here, usually training on Sea God Island or away on missions.

A pair—one tall, one smaller—made their way along the main avenue to the east gate: Ye Xixuan and Tang Ya. Thanks to a ride in a merchant caravan, they had managed to reach Shrek City before nightfall.

After washing up that morning, Ye Xixuan changed into clean clothes, his former disheveled state gone. Perhaps due to his martial soul’s influence, his eyes appeared deeper and darker than Tang Ya’s—like unfathomable black holes, or ancient lakes, calm and profound. He exuded an air of ineffable mystery.

Both had black hair and dark eyes, and both were strikingly attractive. Tang Ya, lively as ever, held Ye Xixuan’s hand, her childish enthusiasm making them seem like true siblings.

“We’re finally at Shrek Academy!”

“Slow down, Sister Tang Ya.”

Ye Xixuan followed behind, glancing around helplessly but making no attempt to break free.

At the east gate, a dozen or so boys and girls of twelve or thirteen stood guard. Each wore a yellow uniform bearing a green emblem over the chest—signifying they were second- or third-year students of the outer court.

Seeing Tang Ya leading Ye Xixuan straight toward them, the students swiftly barred the way. “No outsiders allowed in Shrek Academy, and it’s not admission season.”

“Not even for someone with innate full soul power?” Tang Ya retorted proudly, pulling Ye Xixuan in front of her as if declaring her own achievement.

Her words startled the group; then they all stared intently at Ye Xixuan. As Tang Ya had said, Shrek Academy was never short of prodigies, yet a soul master born with full innate soul power was a rarity anywhere—and should he thrive, he was destined at the very least for the rank of Title Douluo.

“You have innate full soul power?!”

“Yes.” Under their burning gazes, Ye Xixuan betrayed no fear. Here at Shrek Academy, his safety was assured, so he saw no need to hide his talents. After all, only those who revealed their worth would be valued.

In the next moment, a white-robed elderly woman with silver hair coiled atop her head appeared suddenly before Ye Xixuan. Her eyes, black and bright, shone with piercing intelligence.

Ye Xixuan instantly sensed a formidable pressure emanating from her, and the demonic markings of his heart’s martial soul involuntarily surfaced—dark, hellish flowers blossoming across his skin.

“What is this?!” The old woman’s gaze sharpened, her heart seized with shock. She had meant only to verify his innate soul power, never expecting to uncover something far beyond her understanding.

Just then, an urgent, barely restrained voice rang in her ear.

“Zhou Yi, bring this child to Sea God Island immediately! No—never mind, I’ll come myself. Get him to the lakeshore at once!”

Because Zhou Yi suppressed Ye Xixuan’s martial soul aura, the other students noticed only the strange black markings on him. The leading boy glanced at Zhou Yi, questioning.

“Teacher Zhou?”

“Stay at your posts,” Zhou Yi replied evenly, masking her agitation. She grasped Ye Xixuan’s shoulder and commanded, “Come with me.”

Before Ye Xixuan could respond, Zhou Yi had already whisked him away in a rush, the scenery blurring past as they soared through the air.

Knowing Zhou Yi was a Shrek Academy teacher, Tang Ya felt no concern for Ye Xixuan’s safety. She turned to the bewildered students with a triumphant grin.

“What was it you said just now?”

The guards exchanged uncertain glances, the same thought forming in each mind:

‘Rules exist to be broken; true geniuses always enjoy their privileges.’

With a satisfied air, Tang Ya plopped herself down at the base of the massive stone pillar beside the gate, chin propped on her wrists, gazing up at the sky.

Now that Ye Xixuan had been accepted by Shrek Academy, the affairs of the Tang Sect should present no further trouble.