Shrek City, Registration Point.
When the beautiful woman in the red uniform of a Shrek inner court disciple appeared, the crowd instinctively parted, making way for her as if afraid to offend.
She appeared to be around twenty years old, with a striking figure. A red veil concealed her face, making her features difficult to discern, but her pale pink eyes exuded an alluring charm—one that was immediately countered by the coldness in her gaze.
Her figure was undeniably captivating—her curves exaggerated yet harmonious, with a slender waist that sharply contrasted with the fullness of her hips. Her long, straight legs were so perfect that the other women present couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
"What a stunning senior! This is the allure of Shrek!" The thought flashed through the minds of many incoming freshmen.
"It's an inner courtyard senior!" someone whispered in surprise.
"Looks like the Blazing Flame Demon…" another muttered in recognition.
"Shhh! Be careful what you say! Show respect to the seniors from the inner courtyard!" a cautious voice warned.
At Shrek Academy, inner courtyard disciples held a status that even surpassed some of the outer courtyard teachers. So, despite the sudden interruption, the dozen second and third-year students handling the registration—wearing their yellow uniforms—dared not show any displeasure.
The leading student, distinguished by his purple uniform, was especially respectful. He glanced apologetically at the new students waiting in line before turning to Ma Xiaotao with deference.
"Senior Xiaotao, how can we assist you?"
"It's nothing. Carry on with the registration," Ma Xiaotao replied coldly, folding her arms across her chest.
She had originally come to the outer courtyard to find a temporary "sparring partner"—someone who could help her suppress the uncontrollable evil fire within her. But as she neared the registration area, she inexplicably sensed a calming presence. Following that instinct, she had arrived here.
Now, standing among the new students, she couldn't help but wonder. "What exactly is drawing me here? A powerful ice-type martial soul? That handsome little junior… Could it be him?"
"No, no, no! Snap out of it, Ma Xiaotao!"
It was a long-standing tradition at Shrek Academy for senior students to assist in recruiting freshmen, earning financial subsidies in return. The third-year girl in front of Huo Yuhao was one such student.
"Sorry for the interruption, Junior Brother Yuhao. Let's continue," she said with a smile.
It was finally Huo Yuhao's turn. He had just completed his personal information registration and was about to undergo his soul power test when the commotion momentarily halted everything.
He smiled lightly. "It's alright."
Taking the crystal ball offered by the examiner, he channeled his soul power into it.
The blue crystal ball lit up brightly, nearly reaching its maximum luminosity.
"Level 27!!"
To qualify for Shrek Academy's outer courtyard, applicants had to be under twelve years old and possess soul power of at least level 15.
Exceptional candidates with significantly higher soul power might even be granted exceptions to the age requirement.
Hearing the test result, many male students from the outer courtyard—who had been quietly observing—felt a chill in their hearts.
"Another ridiculously talented junior, and good-looking, too…"
Even in the outer courtyard, the most handsome senior, Beibei, paled in comparison to this newly enrolled student.
The other freshmen reacted with mixed emotions—some infatuated, others memorizing his name as a formidable future rival.
The female student conducting the test beamed. "Congratulations, Junior Brother, you've passed!"
"Thank you, Senior Sister," Huo Yuhao responded politely, nodding slightly.
His gentle smile, combined with his striking features and the extraordinary talent he had just displayed, drew even more attention. He wasn't surprised. Ever since arriving in Shrek City, he'd encountered this kind of reaction repeatedly.
"Come on, I'm only eleven years old! Do you people not believe in age-appropriate relationships?"
The enthusiastic senior in front of him seemed particularly eager to help, but Huo Yuhao had no interest in distractions. His focus was solely on his training and mission.
"Junior Brother Huo, the next step is to report to the freshman teaching building. Would you like me to guide you there?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Sister, but I can find my way."
The girl was charming and approachable, leaving a decent first impression. But unfortunately for her, Huo Yuhao had no intention of forming unnecessary attachments.
"You're just a passerby without any achievement-related significance… Sorry, Senior Sister."
As he left, Ma Xiaotao, who had been watching from the side, suddenly shivered and shook her head, a strange sensation rising within her. She hesitated only briefly before following her instincts—trailing after him toward the freshman teaching building.
The remaining students, still confused, began murmuring among themselves.
"Wait… could Senior Sister Xiaotao be after that junior just now?"
"Impossible! No way!"
"Hahaha, I refuse to believe it."
"Can you even imagine the fiery-tempered Flame Demon falling for a kid?"
"I just wonder which poor soul will have to tame this Flame Demon in the future…"
"Alright, alright, focus! There are still people waiting in line!"
Shrek Academy's campus was breathtaking, with lush greenery and an abundance of plant life. No matter which direction one looked, there were at least ten different species of trees and shrubs, all carefully maintained.
About two hundred meters ahead, a group of towering statues loomed into view, partially blocking the path.
There were ten statues in total, each ten meters high, sculpted from the hardest granite. They depicted the legendary Golden Iron Triangle and the original Seven Shrek Devils who had founded Shrek Academy over ten thousand years ago.
Huo Yuhao gave them only a glance, pausing on two in particular.
One was Tang San—the Blue Silver Emperor's inheritor. His long blue hair flowed over his shoulders, his expression as warm and gentle as jade. Yet, for Huo Yuhao, this figure carried the weight of past grievances. The hardships Huo Yuhao had endured in the original timeline all traced back to Tang San's influence.
Even now, the oppressive presence of the God King Tang San loomed over him, an ever-present pressure.
The other was Dai Mubai, the ancestor of the White Tiger Duke's lineage.
Strictly speaking, Huo Yuhao shared a trace of his bloodline. Both of these figures were tied to his fate—whether as allies or obstacles, only time would tell.
"I wonder if these so-called gods will bleed when the time comes…"
Beyond the statues, the path diverged. The left led to the Martial Soul Department, while the right led to the Soul Guidance Department—the two major divisions of Shrek Academy's outer courtyard.
New students were required to register with the Martial Soul Department first. Only after passing the initial assessment could they apply for the Soul Guidance Department.
Turning left, Huo Yuhao followed the lakeside path. Across the shaded greenery, an expansive body of water stretched out before him—Sea God Lake. At its center lay Sea God Island, home to the inner courtyard disciples.
At that moment, Ma Xiaotao caught up to him. Without preamble, she stepped directly in front of him and asked, "My name is Ma Xiaotao, an inner courtyard student. What's your name?"
Huo Yuhao regarded her calmly.
To be honest, he didn't dislike her. On the contrary, he recognized the opportunity she represented.
Tianmeng had been right—training with a fire-attribute soul master would accelerate his cultivation.
"Hello, Senior Sister. My name is Huo Yuhao. I am a freshman at Shrek Academy."
At that moment, a notification appeared in his mind:
[Achievement Task: Your Name]
Both of them had their own motives.
Just as Ma Xiaotao sought him out to solve her martial soul defect, Huo Yuhao saw her as the key to his next step.
Within his perception, Ma Xiaotao's uncontrollable evil fire trembled under the faint breath he unconsciously released.
Huo Yuhao didn't hide his thoughts about the Ultimate Ice attribute.
"It's just an Ultimate Martial Soul, nothing extraordinary. "
He knew that displaying his talent appropriately would earn him better training and protection.
"Ice Soul Body—Ice Jade Emperor Scorpion, manifest!"
...
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