In his previous life, when Ye Yu first read the novel, he too thought Shrek Academy's "we only take monsters" policy was super cool and impressive.
But after growing up, he realized—
An academy that doesn't strive to nurture ordinary Spirit Masters into talents, and instead only focuses on "monsters"?
After all, if someone is already a monster-level talent, they'll be extraordinary no matter where they go.
And when they eventually achieve greatness, what does that have to do with Shrek Academy?
When Ye Yu took a closer look at Shrek's setup, he noticed that aside from a somewhat decent teaching staff—
Everything else was subpar.
Training resources? Practically nonexistent.
As for auxiliary cultivation grounds like Martial Soul mimicry training fields? Completely lacking!
Shrek Academy was basically misleading people into a dead end!
Any student who could meet Shrek's admission standards would easily get far better training elsewhere.
Forget the excuse that other elite academies like Heaven Dou Imperial or the Five Element Schools only accepted nobles.
What about the Spirit Hall's academies? They didn't have those restrictions.
And Ye Yu still remembered something—
In the novel, Dai Mubai once bragged that Shrek Academy had produced a number of world-famous individuals, including the youngest elder in Spirit Hall history.
Yet that character never appeared in the story at all.
So either Flender was completely bluffing—
Or that "youngest elder" realized after graduating that enrolling in Shrek was the worst decision of their life…
And never looked back.
"Cool? You really fell for their sales pitch, huh?"
Ye Yu couldn't help but laugh when he saw how dazzled Ning Rongrong looked by Shrek's so-called monster-only admissions philosophy.
"You don't find it a little ridiculous that an academy only admits monsters?"
"If someone meets their ridiculous standards, they're already a monster. They'll succeed anywhere."
"So how exactly does Shrek Academy get the credit for that student's success?"
"You really think someone strong enough to get in here couldn't find better training, better resources, and greater accomplishments somewhere else?"
"Shrek doesn't create monsters. Monsters made Shrek famous."
"Don't confuse cause and effect. Don't let them trick you."
Ning Rongrong froze for a moment.
She was clever—once Ye Yu pointed it out, she saw the logic immediately.
He was right. If Shrek only accepted monster-level students, then those students' accomplishments had nothing to do with the academy.
Still… because it was Ye Yu who said it, there was no way she'd admit he was right.
Besides, she didn't come here to study seriously. This was more like a vacation.
Whether Shrek was a good school or not didn't matter to her.
"Hmph! So what if they only take monsters?"
"Maybe the academy can make those monsters even stronger!"
Ning Rongrong placed her hands on her hips, eyes full of defiance, as if Ye Yu was the one being narrow-minded.
Ye Yu simply smiled and didn't argue.
He knew her too well.
That little spitfire would never admit he was right—even when she knew it.
Meanwhile, the admissions line had finally reached Tang San and Xiao Wu.
Li Yusong first checked their bone age and confirmed they met the age requirement.
Then he asked them to summon their Martial Souls and display their Spirit Rings.
Both revealed themselves to be Spirit Grandmasters.
When Li Yusong saw that Tang San's Martial Soul was Blue Silver Grass, he was visibly shocked.
How could such a trash Martial Soul be cultivated so quickly?
Still puzzled, he called over Dai Mubai.
"Mu Bai, take these two inside."
After Tang San and Xiao Wu, a few more people were processed—
Then it was Ning Rongrong's turn.
Li Yusong confirmed her bone age by examining her wrist, then asked her to summon her Martial Soul and Spirit Rings.
With the poise of a noble lady, Ning Rongrong smiled and extended her fair hand. A radiant Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda—crafted from shimmering crystal and glowing with seven-colored light—appeared before her.
Two yellow hundred-year Spirit Rings floated beneath her feet.
Li Yusong's expression changed the moment he saw it. He was stunned, then asked, cautiously:
"Do your parents know you're enrolling here?"
"Didn't your Shrek Academy say you accept students regardless of background?" Ning Rongrong replied sweetly. "Does it matter what my Martial Soul is?"
"…Alright, go ahead."
Li Yusong didn't press the issue and let her in.
But as Ning Rongrong walked toward the academy—
Ye Yu immediately followed.
Li Yusong's expression darkened as he stepped forward to block him.
"Hold it! If you want to apply, you need to pay the registration fee and pass the test."
"Otherwise, no unauthorized individuals are allowed into Shrek Academy."
Ye Yu gave a calm smile. "Sir, I'm her older brother. I'm here to ensure her safety."
"She's joining your academy, so shouldn't I be allowed inside as her guardian?"
Li Yusong paused, glancing over at Ning Rongrong. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ NovᴇlFirᴇ(.)nᴇt
Given her identity, if this young man really was her older brother, Li Yusong wasn't sure what to do.
But Ning Rongrong's eyes flashed with mischief.
"Don't believe him, teacher!"
"I don't even know who he is!"
"I'm not related to him at all!"
She pouted and crossed her arms, playing the innocent and irritated little sister to perfection.
Naturally, with Ning Rongrong denying it, Li Yusong couldn't allow Ye Yu through.
"I don't care who you are. Our rules are clear!"
"Leave now, or don't blame me for what happens next!"
He took a deep breath and warned Ye Yu coldly.
"Oh? I'd like to see exactly what you'll do."
Ye Yu's gaze narrowed as he stared at Li Yusong and began walking forward.
If he wanted to steal Tang San's External Spirit Bone—the Eight Spider Lances—
He'd need to stay close for now.
But he was overage and had no intention of being restricted by the academy's rules.
If he wanted in, he'd have to punch his way through.
If Li Yusong made the first move, all the better.
"Kid, you're asking for it!"
Infuriated by Ye Yu's defiance, Li Yusong finally snapped.
Even if you're from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, you can't disrespect a Spirit Emperor like me!
In a flash of movement, Li Yusong lunged forward and reached out to grab Ye Yu by the shoulder—
Intending to throw him out on the spot.