His emotions were highly stirred, yet Huo Yuhao couldn't help but think of the Tang Sect's ultimate techniques. Tang Ya and Bei Bei's introduction to Shrek Academy had completely ignited the passionate flame in his heart.
Walking beside him, Bei Bei and Tang Ya couldn't help but smile at his demeanor. Hadn't they been the same when they first arrived at Shrek Academy?
Several hours later, Huo Yuhao finally saw Shrek Academy.
Calling it an academy wasn't entirely accurate; it was more like a city. Emerging from the forest onto a main road, Huo Yuhao saw, far across the plains, a long, tall city wall stretching out in all directions.
Shrek Academy was built on a vast plain. It was also a city in itself, named Shrek City. On the Douluo Continent, Shrek City could be considered the second or third largest city, with a population of over two million. This city was owned by Shrek Academy and was completely independent of any nation. This alone made it incomparable to other academies.
Shrek Academy was not located in the city center, but rather in the eastern part, because it was relatively far from the Star Dou Great Forest.
Shrek City bordered a nation on each of its four sides, making transportation extremely convenient. It was also a convenient trading hub for all four empires. Coupled with the presence of Shrek Academy, security here was extremely high, and transactions were absolutely safe. Therefore, whenever merchants from the three great empires wanted to exchange goods, they chose Shrek City as their location.
The north, west, and south sides of Shrek City were freely accessible, but the eastern side belonged exclusively to Shrek Academy.
Huo Yuhao was led by Tang Ya and Bei Bei to the East Gate of the city.
One might think that since only Shrek Academy was on the city's eastern side, it would be deserted. In reality, there were over five thousand people outside the city gate, making it extraordinarily lively. Most small merchants had heard the news and arrived, so it was even livelier outside the city than inside.
“Junior Disciple Brother, you’re lucky to have arrived just in time for the academy’s new student recruitment, so you can join smoothly. You’re three classes below me and Little Ya. Normally, to enroll, one must pass an examination and have a letter of recommendation issued by the lord of one of the three great empires. This time of year is always when Shrek City is at its liveliest.”
Huo Yuhao asked in a low voice:
“Senior Disciple Brother, is the examination difficult?”
Bei Bei hesitated, glancing at Tang Ya.
Tang Ya said frankly:
“He’ll find out sooner or later anyway. Perhaps knowing will give him even more motivation to cultivate. Little Hao, to enter Shrek Academy, you must meet two requirements: first, you must not be over twelve years old, and the other requirement is that your Soul Power must not be lower than rank fifteen. Right now, it’s safe to say that, by these requirements, you don’t qualify.”
This was the truth; she wasn't exaggerating to motivate Huo Yuhao to work harder, as he had already worked too hard.
Huo Yuhao said seriously:
“The first examination is in three months, and that’s the Soul Power examination, right?”
For his body, increasing his cultivation from rank eleven to rank fifteen in three months was truly an impossible task.
Bei Bei shook his head and said:
“No, Shrek Academy’s examinations are always practical combat. A certain teacher once said that the numbers on paper are worlds apart from actual combat.”
Huo Yuhao nodded seriously and said, “Teacher Xiaoya, Senior Brother, I may not be as good as anyone right now, but I will definitely surpass all of them in the future.”
Beibei, a head taller than Huo Yuhao, slung an arm around Huo Yuhao’s shoulder and said, “Let’s go. If you can surpass them in three months, then this senior brother is confident you will be able to go all the way.”
Beibei and Tang Ya led Huo Yuhao around the crowd and entered through the east city gate.
At the east city gate, over ten people their age stood guard. Each wore a yellow uniform with an emerald green emblem embroidered on the chest. This was the uniform of third-year outer court disciples.
Seeing Beibei, these young men showed expressions of respect and said, “Hello, Senior Brother Beibei.”
Beibei smiled in return, then exchanged a few words with their leader. The student glanced at Huo Yuhao, immediately nodded, and said, “Since Senior Brother Beibei has said so, what else is there to question? You guys take this junior brother inside to register.”
Beibei looked at him with a smile, raised his right thumb, and said, “Thanks, brothers. I’ll treat you all to a meal later.”
The other man didn’t stand on ceremony, laughing heartily as he said, “Of course! We wouldn’t miss a chance for a free meal.”
“I certainly won’t let you down.”
After saying this, Beibei and Tang Ya led Huo Yuhao away.
Not far away, a new student turned to ask the disciple who had just assessed him.
“Senior, who was that senior student just now?”
“That’s Senior Brother Beibei. His name is Beibei, but everyone usually calls him Pili Beibei. He possesses a top-tier Martial Soul, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon, and also has extraordinary innate talent. He broke through to Level 30 at thirteen, and it’s said he might be close to Level 40 now. In about two more years, he’ll break through to become a Soul Sect. He’s one of the strongest people in the outer court. If it weren’t for Junior Sister Tang Ya, with Senior Brother Beibei’s strength, he probably would have already tested into fifth year. If he breaks through to Level 40, the sixth-year assessment might not even be able to challenge him. Senior Brother Beibei not only has strength but also always helps everyone; he’s arguably the most popular person in the outer court. In the outer court, Senior Brother Beibei is the dream guy for many female disciples, but the only person he loves is Junior Sister Tang Ya. For her, he has rejected countless senior and junior sisters. It’s even said that some senior sisters from the inner court also have feelings for him. Everyone says that, at most, in two more years, Senior Brother Beibei will definitely be able to enter the inner court.”
Beibei and Tang Ya led Huo Yuhao into Shrek Academy. This place was completely different from Huo Yuhao’s imagination: a vast campus, beautiful scenery, lawns everywhere, and fresh, crisp air. Walking along the paths, lush trees were visible everywhere, and these plants were clearly always meticulously cared for.
Two hundred meters ahead, a cluster of massive statues came into view. There were a total of ten statues, each about ten meters tall, and entirely made of the hardest granite.