At 9 a.m., the class bell rang.
A man with average looks and build, seemingly in his early thirties and wearing a kind expression, entered the classroom and walked to the podium.
The previously noisy classroom fell silent instantly. One hundred new students turned to look at him, their eyes filled with curiosity and interest.
Despite his ordinary appearance, no one dared look down on him—because he was a teacher at Shrek Academy.
It was well-known across the continent: Shrek Academy teachers are all top-tier experts. To qualify as a teacher at Shrek, you had to meet two strict criteria:
Be a graduate of Shrek Academy.
Have cultivation at least at the Soul Emperor level (six soul rings or higher).
In fact, Shrek's Outer Court was the only intermediate soul master academy on the continent where every teacher is at least a Soul Emperor.
That's right—intermediate. Despite its fame, Shrek's Outer Court was fundamentally a mid-level soul master academy, serving as a feeder to the more elite Inner Court.
Shrek had originally been established as a high-level soul master academy, and the Outer Court only came into existence later to meet the demands of the three great empires.
"First, congratulations to all of you for becoming provisional students of Shrek Academy," the man said, scanning the room before speaking. His voice was calm and even, but his first statement sent a chill through many hearts.
"Why do I say 'provisional' students? Because before you reach your fourth year, you will face multiple assessments. Each test will eliminate some of you. Only those who pass all evaluations will become full-fledged members of Shrek Academy. So don't think you can relax just because you've been admitted."
As he finished speaking, his face grew stern.
A wave of unease swept through the students, and a quiet tension filled the room.
But the man paid no attention to their reactions and continued:
"My name is Xia Yu. From now on, I am your homeroom teacher. Until the end of the freshman assessments, your future here will be determined by me. Let me be clear—homeroom teachers have the authority to expel students directly. So I hope you all take my words seriously."
Everyone's expression changed. They could feel the authority in his tone.
"Lastly—and most importantly—there will be a freshman assessment in three months," Xia Yu said, his face still serious and his tone dropping an octave.
"I can tell you now: that assessment will eliminate half of you!"
"What?!"
The classroom instantly exploded into shocked gasps. Everyone stared at him in disbelief.
"That's too harsh! Half the students?" Tang Ya exclaimed, her face serious.
"It's normal. This is Shrek Academy, after all," Zhu Ziyang said with a faint smile.
"Only the number-one academy in the continent would have rules like this."
"Silence!" Xia Yu snapped. Though his voice wasn't loud, it seemed to ring directly in every student's ear.
The large classroom fell silent once more.
"I know you're shocked, but this is how Shrek Academy has always done things. If you don't want to be eliminated, work hard!" he said without expression.
"Your class is the smallest in nearly 30 years, and also the one with the widest range of soul power levels."
"Teacher, just how wide is that gap?" one male student asked.
"In your class, the lowest soul power level is 16. As for the highest…" Xia Yu paused, his tone slightly reverent.
"There's only one. He is also the strongest freshman in the past ten years. His level is... three-ringed Soul Elder!"
"What?!"
"Three rings? There's a Soul Elder among us?!"
"No wonder this is Shrek Academy!"
"Wow… a twelve-year-old Soul Elder. I was lucky just to become a Grandmaster at that age."
Gasps and murmurs filled the classroom again.
"Nan Nan, how do you think this Soul Elder managed that? That's incredible!" Tang Ya asked, poking Jiang Nannan's arm in disbelief.
"Maybe he's the heir to some hidden sect?"
"No, he's a commoner," Jiang Nannan replied with a small, proud smile. She obviously knew who Xia Yu was talking about, and her voice carried a note of pride.
"A commoner? Impossible…" Tang Ya started to object, but when she saw the smile on Jiang Nannan's face, a sudden realization struck her.
"Teacher, can you tell us this Soul Elder's exact level?" another student asked.
"Why don't you find out for yourselves?" Xia Yu replied with a sly smile as his eyes swept over the class.
"Because this top genius... is one of your classmates in Class Four."
"What?!"
Once again, an uproar broke out in the classroom.
All the students began scanning the room, trying to identify the hidden genius.
"Nannan, is it him?" Tang Ya whispered, looking suspiciously at Zhu Ziyang and Jiang Nannan's composed expressions.
Jiang Nannan nodded with a proud smile. "Mhm."
"Unbelievable!" Tang Ya was completely stunned.
"Alright, that's enough chit-chat," Xia Yu cut in.
"Next, let's go around and have everyone introduce themselves."
"Nannan, come on! Tell me—was it really him?" Tang Ya still couldn't believe it. She hugged Jiang Nannan's arm and shook it nonstop.
"Xiao Ya, calm down! The teacher is watching!" Jiang Nannan said helplessly, gently squeezing Tang Ya's hand.
"Huh?" Tang Ya looked up—and locked eyes with Xia Yu.
"Perfect," Xia Yu said with a smile.
"You, the cheerful young lady—why don't you go first?"
Tang Ya froze for a second, then stood up with a bright smile.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Tang Ya from Tiandou City, Heaven Soul Empire. I'm the current leader of Tang Sect. If anyone's interested in joining, come talk to me!"
She truly had the revival of Tang Sect in her bones, Zhu Ziyang thought, amused.
However, as soon as she said "Tang Sect," the classroom erupted into whispers. Some students looked at her with sympathy, others with mockery, and still others just pitied her.
But Tang Ya didn't flinch. She smiled as if unfazed, clearly accustomed to this reaction.
Jiang Nannan felt a sudden pang of sympathy. She squeezed Tang Ya's hand and gave her an encouraging smile.
"Oh! A member of the Tang Sect!" Xia Yu said with a smile, helping Tang Ya save face.
"That's one of the oldest sects on the continent—just like Shrek Academy! Its founder was none other than Tang San, the original Thousand-Hand Douluo. Anyone interested should talk to Tang Ya after class."
Tang Ya gave Xia Yu a grateful look, then sat down.
"Next, let's hear from the lovely girl sitting beside Tang Ya," Xia Yu continued, pointing to Jiang Nannan.