"Unexpectedly, your disciple has a mutant martial soul like you."
"A theoretical soul master with unrivaled knowledge, now paired with a monstrously gifted student—your complementarity is almost unfair."
"But still, for all our years in the empire, I've never encountered such an abnormal genius! Twin martial souls, only twelve years old, already at the twenty-third rank!"
Shrek Academy's Dean, Flender, spoke in disbelief after confirming Yu Chen's identity, exchanging words with Yu Xiaogang as he stared at Yu Chen at the front of the group.
His eyes were filled with awe and shock.
"Yes, he's just arrived."
Yu Xiaogang smiled with pride as he watched Yu Chen.
While the two conversed, the group officially stepped into Shrek Academy.
Though its exterior looked shabby and even miserly, the academy's interior held a passable level of functionality.
Beyond a lone teaching building, there were also dormitories for both teachers and students.
In front of those buildings was a large grassy clearing, primarily used by students for cultivation and sparring practice.
Shrek Academy, adhering to its motto of "Only accepting monsters," currently only had a handful of students besides Yu Chen: Dai Mubai, Oscar, and the newly enrolled Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
Due to the small number of students, most dormitories remained empty, allowing Yu Chen his pick.
Naturally, with his overwhelming talent and strength, everyone wished to room with Yu Chen.
Especially the round-bodied Ma Hongjun, who had stuck to Yu Chen like a shadow.
But Yu Chen had no intention of rooming with Ma Hongjun and chose to stay alone.
In the end, Ma Hongjun had to bunk with Dai Mubai and Tang San, while Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing roomed together.
"Brother Chen… can I stay with you?"
Xiao Wu now exhibited an increasingly strong attachment to Yu Chen. Her gaze held both hope and a hint of shyness.
"Ding! Three-choice system activating. Please make your selection:
1. Decline Xiao Wu's request. Let her room with Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong. Reward: 700 gold coins.
2. Accept Xiao Wu's request. Reward: 3000 Thunder Energy and unlock the second phase of 'Thunder Flash' (Lei Shun)!
3. Ignore the request. Reward: Ten-Year Soul Beast Egg!
Please choose within 30 seconds!"
Just as Xiao Wu finished speaking, the system's prompt echoed in Yu Chen's mind.
Yu Chen glanced at the rewards, slightly surprised to find a soul beast offered as a choice.
However, a mere ten-year soul beast wasn't of much use.
In contrast, the second option offered significant advancement in cultivation potential.
Not to mention, looking at the adorably dressed Xiao Wu standing before him, Yu Chen saw no reason to refuse.
"Okay, silly girl."
After reviewing the options, Yu Chen smiled and gently ruffled Xiao Wu's head.
"Thank you, Brother Chen!"
Overjoyed by his acceptance, Xiao Wu immediately dropped her luggage and skillfully pushed their two beds together.
Watching her, Yu Chen smiled again, then closed his eyes and entered his sea of consciousness.
Inside, the Three Thousand Thunders technique, still resembling an ancient scroll, now had its previously fog-covered middle section completely cleared.
Thunder rumbled across the scroll's surface. Purple lightning arcs flickered and cracked with intense might.
Whoosh!
As Yu Chen's consciousness entered the space, the revealed portion of the scroll surged with blue-violet light, instantly flooding into Yu Chen's body.
As that energy entered, a purple glint lit up in Yu Chen's eyes, and he could feel the Three Thousand Thunders technique pushing toward further mastery!
"Brother Chen, let's go!"
"Master just told us that we're about to begin our academy initiation!"
At that moment, Xiao Wu, having finished tidying, walked to Yu Chen's side, her bright eyes full of excitement.
"Let's go."
Yu Chen nodded at her, and the two of them left the dormitory.
Outside in the practice grounds, Dai Mubai, Tang San, and several Shrek teachers were already gathered.
"Brother Chen! Over here!"
Seeing Yu Chen arrive, Ma Hongjun enthusiastically waved him over.
Ma Hongjun's martial soul was the Evil Fire Phoenix, a mutated variant of the phoenix line. Compared to a divine beast like Suzaku, the difference was vast.
So whether it was in soul pressure or bloodline power, Ma Hongjun deeply revered Yu Chen.
And it wasn't just him—Oscar, Dai Mubai, and Tang San all felt a growing respect for Yu Chen.
Meanwhile, both Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing watched Yu Chen with admiration and curiosity lighting their eyes.
"Since everyone's here, I'll keep it brief."
"We welcomed five new students today—a record-breaking intake for Shrek Academy."
"For this occasion, the Grandmaster himself will be instructing all of you."
Flender smiled as he spoke, patting Yu Xiaogang on the shoulder.
"Grandmaster!"
"Grandmaster!"
Yu Xiaogang's reputation as the leading theorist on spirit cultivation was well-known throughout the empire. The students immediately bowed in respect.
"From today forward, I will be guiding your training."
"Since you are monsters, your training must be equally monstrous."
"For your first trial, the eight of you will team up to last three minutes against Teacher Zhao."
"Teacher Zhao will not suppress his spirit power. As long as you endure for three minutes, you pass."
Yu Xiaogang's tone was calm, but as he pointed toward the hulking Zao Wou-Ki, the seriousness in the air intensified.
"What?! Teacher Zhao's spirit power is already at Rank 76!"
"If he doesn't hold back, we'll definitely lose!"
"We're just first or second-ring spirit masters!"
"Grandmaster! This test is too extreme!"
The moment Yu Xiaogang issued the challenge, Ma Hongjun, Oscar, and Dai Mubai's faces changed dramatically. Their panic was visible.
Ding! Three-choice system activating. Please make your selection...
Just as tension peaked, the system prompt echoed once more in Yu Chen's mind.