Before long, Su Ming and the others, led by Dai Mubai, arrived at the location for the fourth trial. Sitting before them was a rugged-looking middle-aged man.
Su Ming guessed that the man must be Zhao Wuji!
At this moment, Dai Mubai explained, "Your fourth trial tests combat ability. Some soul masters have high spirit power levels but lack combat experience. Our academy doesn't accept those who are pampered and untested. The headmaster says we don't need weaklings."
Hearing this, everyone was silent for a moment. Xiao Wu couldn't help but retort angrily, "Are you selecting students or wives? Your academy is so run-down! Tell me, how many students have you accepted so far?"
Dai Mubai gave a bitter smile, waving his hands in frustration, "This rule was set by our headmaster. There's nothing I can do. From what I know, Shrek Academy has only accepted forty-two students since it was founded, averaging about two per year. If all five of you pass, it would break the record!"
The women watching the livestream were equally astonished, surprised that Shrek Academy had only admitted forty-two students in total. What was the headmaster thinking?
Bibi Dong internally scorned Flender's rules. If she remembered correctly, Flender was also an orphan with no family, just an ordinary commoner. He should understand how hard life was for regular people. With his power, he could have at least helped a few more commoners. Instead, had he turned this academy into just a money-making scheme?
Xiao Wu, still upset, said, "Let me make it clear: I'm only joining this academy because of my brother. If the teaching quality isn't good, I'll quit anytime!"
Tang San quickly chimed in, "Xiao Wu, don't get so worked up. Shrek Academy's faculty is supposed to be excellent. And as for theoretical knowledge, don't worry about that. I believe my teacher will be coming soon. He's one of the greatest theoretical masters on the continent."
Hearing that Xiao Wu might quit, Tang San couldn't help but try to convince her otherwise, though even he didn't fully understand his feelings.
Su Ming glanced at Tang San, thinking, Is Tang San turning into Xiao Wu's lapdog?
Xiao Wu gave Tang San a side-eye. "We'll see how it goes," she said coldly.
Relieved, Tang San then asked Dai Mubai, "Since you have so few students each year, how does the academy sustain itself?"
Dai Mubai responded helplessly, "Because of the lack of funds, we have to stay in such a remote place. If my family hadn't sponsored the academy a bit, it probably would've closed last year."
Hearing this, Su Ming silently mocked, With such a dilapidated academy, surrounded by rundown wooden buildings and lacking any resources, what costs could you possibly have?
Su Ming suspected that most of the funds from Dai Mubai's family were likely pocketed by Flender, the miser. And with all the powerful teachers at the academy, couldn't they find better ways to make money?
At that moment, Zhao Wuji opened his eyes, a wicked grin on his face. "Well, well! I didn't expect so many new students this year. And they all passed the first two trials without needing to take them. Not bad, not bad!"
Zhao Wuji stood up, stretching and cracking his knuckles loudly as he walked toward the group. His gaze lingered on Xiao Wu, and he chuckled, "Let's see if you can still talk like that later, hehe."
Xiao Wu turned away, visibly disgusted. If it weren't for Su Ming and the system's constraints, she wouldn't have bothered joining this scam of an academy!
As Zhao Wuji approached, Dai Mubai respectfully said, "Teacher Zhao, these five are this year's new students. Should we begin the trial?"
Zhao Wuji gave the five a once-over and laughed heartily, "Great! The trial for the fourth round is simple: the five of you must team up and last one incense stick's worth of time against my attacks."
Seeing so many fresh faces, Zhao Wuji was in a playful mood. It had been a while since he'd had a proper challenge, and he was itching for some fun.
Of course, even if the students couldn't hold out for the full incense stick's time, they would still be admitted. After all, he doubted that any of them could truly withstand his attacks for that long. He just wanted to push them to their limits for fun.
Dai Mubai, shocked, exclaimed, "Teacher Zhao, this isn't following the rules! The fourth trial is supposed to be a test of endurance against my attacks, not yours. How could they possibly last that long against you?"
Zhao Wuji glared at Dai Mubai, "Rules? The headmaster's not here, so my rules are the rules. Now stop talking nonsense."
Turning back to the students, Zhao Wuji said, "You have the time it takes for this incense stick to burn to get to know each other and plan your strategy. Start now!"
As he spoke, a stick of incense appeared in Zhao Wuji's hand. He lit it with a flick of his fingers and planted it firmly into the ground.
He then returned to his seat, crossing his arms and closing his eyes like a meditating monk.
Seeing that Zhao Wuji was adamant, Dai Mubai had no choice but to go along. At the same time, he felt relieved—not having to be beaten up this time meant he saved a bit of face.
Dai Mubai gathered the group to one side, and the five of them huddled together.
With a serious expression, Dai Mubai said, "Normally, with your abilities, passing the fourth trial would be a breeze, especially with these two here." He nodded toward Su Ming and Xiao Wu before continuing, "But now that Teacher Zhao is personally overseeing the trial, you're in danger!"
Tang San asked, "Is this Teacher Zhao also a Soul Emperor like the teacher at the gate?"
Dai Mubai shook his head, "No."
Tang San smiled, "Then that's a relief. With all of us at around level thirty, the five of us working together should be able to withstand the attacks of a Soul King for one incense stick's time."
Dai Mubai gave Tang San a look as if he were an idiot. "Teacher Zhao isn't a Soul King; he's a Soul Saint. He's the vice headmaster of the academy, second in strength only to the headmaster."
After saying this, Dai Mubai thought to himself: If Teacher Zhao were weaker than Teacher Li Yusong, there's no way Li Yusong would be handling the admissions process.