stonecrandall Chapter 15 Shrek
Chapter 15 Shrek
"Young Master, your subordinate has returned." The guard bowed respectfully, then raised his head, a hint of doubt flashing across his face as his gaze fell upon Dai Youheng.
Strange, the young master seems completely unharmed? He just changed his clothes? Did Huang Heyun go to all this trouble to bring a Soul Emperor here just to chat with the young master and get him dirty? That doesn't make sense.
Moreover, the young master's temperament seems somewhat different? He couldn't quite put his finger on what was different, but it was just a feeling that he had lost some of his previous timidity and restlessness, and gained more calmness and composure.
When Dai Youheng saw the guards report to him as soon as they arrived, he understood that after devouring that sycophant, he not only gained the other party's power and martial spirit, but also regained the sense of existence that had been taken away.
Now, in everyone's eyes, he is Dai Youheng, and he will no longer be easily ignored.
He slowly stood up, brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes, and said calmly, "Well. Now that we're back, let's set off as soon as possible. We've been delayed for so long; if we don't get going soon, we might really miss the academy's opening day."
His voice was calm and composed, carrying an unquestionable quality, a stark contrast to his previous subservient and flustered sycophantic persona.
Upon hearing this, the guard's doubts deepened. But after carefully examining Dai Youheng's face, he was certain that this was indeed his young master.
He could only attribute that strange feeling to the fact that the young master had just experienced an attack and was still shaken, or perhaps he had been jolted awake? After all, it was possible that his personality would change after such an incident.
He suppressed his doubts and respectfully replied, "Yes, young master! The carriage is destroyed. I will go to a nearby town to find another means of transportation."
"No need for that." Dai Youheng waved his hand. "The next town is still far from here, and going back and forth would waste too much time. You're fast enough, so just take me on my way. Getting to Shrek as soon as possible is the most important thing."
The guard was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "Young Master is right. It was my oversight."
He was even more surprised. This young master used to be very particular about enjoyment and pomp, but he actually took the initiative to suggest traveling through wind and rain.
Dai Youheng said no more and gestured for the guards to lead the way.
The guard composed himself, his martial spirit re-entering his body, and carefully supported Dai Youheng's arm. After all, the speed of a Soul Venerable was far inferior to that of a Soul King. Then, with a swift movement, he transformed into a streak of green and sped along the official road toward Shrek Academy.
Accompanied by the Wind Wolf Soul King's guards, Dai Youheng sped along the way and finally arrived at his destination—Shrek City.
The majestic city wall seems to have stood here since time immemorial. Its height and thickness far exceed those of the Star Luo Imperial City. The wall is covered with mottled marks left by time and soul skills, silently telling the story of the long years it has experienced and the possible baptism of war.
The city gate was bustling with activity, with a constant stream of people, including Soul Masters, merchants, and students from all over the continent.
This is Shrek City. The undisputed number one city on the Douluo Continent. Its fame and status do not stem from the strength of any particular empire, but entirely from the legendary Shrek Academy located in the heart of the city.
Dai Youheng slowed his pace, his gaze sweeping over the magnificent city, and information about the city and the academy naturally surfaced in his mind.
Ten thousand years ago, a Soul Saint named Flander founded Shrek Academy.
The original school motto was harsh and peculiar: "We only accept monsters, not ordinary people."
Who could have imagined that this initially unknown little academy would produce the "Shrek Seven Devils" led by Tang San, who eventually all became gods, creating a myth in the Douluo Continent that is unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated.
Shrek Academy thus became a sacred place in the hearts of soul masters across the continent.
After thousands of years of inheritance, it has long held the throne of the number one academy on the continent. It is aloof from worldly affairs and does not belong to any country, yet its influence is enough to make any emperor of an empire both wary and have to treat it with respect.
The dean of the academy held a position equal to that of an emperor.
More than four thousand years ago, in that epic war triggered by the collision of two continents, the Douluo Continent suffered repeated defeats in the early stages of the war.
In the midst of the crisis, it was the dean of Shrek Academy at that time who rallied nearly sixty titled Douluo from across the continent with his unparalleled prestige. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the three armies in the face of danger, and ultimately turned the tide, defeated the Sun Moon Empire, and facilitated the unification of the two continents.
After this battle, Shrek Academy's unparalleled status became unshakeable.
However, the passage of thousands of years and its exalted status have also brought new problems.
Every royal family, noble family, and major power on the continent racked their brains to send their children to this "holy land" for a prestigious education. No matter how aloof Shrek Academy was, it could not completely ignore the wishes of the continent's upper class.
But the academy's founding principle of "only accepting monsters" cannot be easily changed.
Thus, a compromise yet ingenious solution was born: to establish an inner courtyard and an outer courtyard.
The entrance requirements for the outer academy are relatively lenient. As long as one's talent is not outrageously bad and one can obtain a letter of recommendation from a noble, a famous soul master, or an official of the rank of imperial city lord or above, one can basically gain admission.
This can be considered as giving face to all the forces on the continent and fulfilling their desire to send their children into Shrek Academy.
But the true core, the essence of Shrek Academy, will always lie in the Inner Courtyard.
The Inner Courtyard is located on the island in the heart of the magical Poseidon Lake in the core area of Shrek City, and is a true gathering place for "monsters".
The vast majority of the academy's top resources, secret techniques, and teaching staff are concentrated in the inner academy. Only the most outstanding geniuses in the outer academy, who pass extremely rigorous examinations or demonstrate astonishing talent that makes people disregard the rules, can be exceptionally promoted to the inner academy.
We've already given you face. Whether you can get into the real core and reap the actual benefits depends on the abilities of your own children.
This is Shrek Academy's silent declaration to the outside world.
This system is quite in line with the realities of the world. It maintains its detached status and the principle of selecting elites while cleverly balancing its relationship with various forces.
"Young Master, shall we go directly to the academy to register?" the Wind Wolf Soul King's guard beside him asked in a low voice, interrupting his thoughts.
Dai Youheng withdrew his gaze and nodded. "Okay, go directly to the outer courtyard registration area."
He is currently using the identity of an external affairs student.
As for the inner academy, he didn't actually look forward to entering it like others. It seemed that one could graduate from the outer academy at level 40, and he wasn't far from level 40 now. He should find an opportunity to leave Shrek Academy.
He doesn't like it here.
Dai Youheng straightened his robes and strode towards the magnificent architectural complex that symbolized one of the highest academies for soul masters on the continent. A new stage was now before him.