Chapter 184: Entering Shrek Academy! 

Shen Yi's car drove into Shrek Academy, heading straight for the main teaching area, the ring-shaped buildings where the admissions exam had taken place earlier that morning. At this time, the exams were still ongoing, but the entrance was already closed.

The car stopped in front of another large building.

"Come on, I'll take you to the Academic Affairs Office to register," Shen Yi said.

"Yes!" Jing Shaoyu and his companions replied with joyful expressions.

While climbing the stairs, they encountered another freshman coming down. This youth was thin, with strikingly handsome features and a gloomy aura. His expression was cold and detached. As he passed by Jing Shaoyu, the latter could clearly feel an air of loneliness and indifference.

The two crossed paths but paid no attention to each other.

Shen Yi led the three into the Academic Affairs Office on the top floor.

"Senior Brother Wang, I've brought three new students here to register," Shen Yi announced as she entered.

"Oh, Shen Yi, why are you personally bringing them in today?" A middle-aged teacher looked up, visibly surprised.

The middle-aged teacher, wearing black-rimmed glasses, exuded a scholarly vibe, resembling a well-read academic. Shen Yi explained the situation.

Registering didn't take long—it was a simple process completed in under fifteen minutes. After registering their details, the three each received two sets of dark green school uniforms and a special metallic card.

The school uniforms were standard—a jacket and trousers, the same for both male and female students.

The metallic card, however, was worth noting. It featured clear soul guidance array patterns and served as the students' identification card, essential for accessing various areas within the academy, including entering and exiting campus grounds.

The card's design was minimalistic. The front bore the words "Shrek Academy" in bold, blocky script, while the back displayed a unique string of numbers in the lower-right corner. This number was their student ID, unique to each individual and never reassigned—even if the student dropped out or was expelled.

Jing Shaoyu's student ID read: 1901081030.

"Alright, let me take you to the dormitory building," Shen Yi said after completing the registration.

It took about ten minutes to reach their destination—a building even more imposing than the main teaching facilities. Stretching north to south, over twenty meters wide, and towering six stories high, the dormitory was a massive structure that looked like a fortress.

"This is the dormitory building for regular students," Shen Yi explained. "The first three floors are for male students, and the fourth to sixth floors are for female students. All first- to third-year students in the outer court live here."

Hearing this, Jing Shaoyu and Xu Xiaoyan raised their hands simultaneously.

"Shen Yi, I have a question," Jing Shaoyu said.

"Go ahead," Shen Yi replied.

"You said this dormitory houses first- to third-year students. Does that mean fourth- to sixth-year students don't live here?" Jing Shaoyu asked.

"Correct. Fourth- to sixth-year students are older and stronger, so they're required to find accommodations in Shrek City instead of staying here," Shen Yi explained.

"Really?" Jing Shaoyu and his friends exchanged surprised looks. This arrangement felt uniquely Shrek.

"What's your question, Xu Xiaoyan?" Shen Yi asked.

"Well, you mentioned this is the dormitory for regular students. Where do work-study students live?" Xu Xiaoyan asked.

"They have separate accommodations," Shen Yi replied calmly.

"Oh, I see!" Xu Xiaoyan nodded, then began observing her surroundings.

The dormitory stood in the northeastern corner of Shrek City's inner area, surrounded by lush forests on three sides. To the east, a road connected it to the rest of the city. The tranquil environment, coupled with its rich spiritual energy, made it an ideal place for cultivation.

"Follow me," Shen Yi said, interrupting their sightseeing as she led them toward the dormitory's entrance.

At the door, an elderly man with silver hair reclined on a bamboo chair, watching the comings and goings of students with a serene expression. Every passing student greeted him respectfully as "Elder He."

"Elder He!" Shen Yi greeted the old man warmly as they approached.

"Well, well, isn't this little Shen Yi? What brings you here, child?" Elder He's voice was slow but clear, and his wrinkled face broke into a smile.

"Elder He, I'm here to help these new students settle into the dormitory." Shen Yi crouched down beside him and gestured toward the three behind her. "This is Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue."

"Good kids, good kids!" Elder He's gaze lingered on each of them, his eyes filled with approval. "Work hard and aim to move to the island someday. Off you go now, don't let this old man hold you up."

"Thank you, Elder He!" the three chorused respectfully before following Shen Yi inside.

They walked to the front desk on the left side of the lobby, where two teachers—a man and a woman—were seated.

"Junior Brother, Junior Sister, I've brought three new students to check in," Shen Yi informed them.

"Got it, Senior Sister Shen Yi," they responded with a smile.

The male teacher called Jing Shaoyu over, while the female teacher gestured for Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue.

"Hand me your student card," the male teacher said.

"Sure," Jing Shaoyu replied, passing over his card.

The teacher inserted it into a soul-guided device and typed a few commands. Moments later, the device emitted a series of beeps, and a red light flashed.

"Here you go," the teacher returned the card and said, "Your dorm room is 226. Pick any empty bed. A few rules: first, you're prohibited from entering the girls' floors. Violators will be expelled immediately. Second, you must return to the dorm by 11 p.m. every night. Late returns will cost you five points per infraction. Lastly, no fighting in the dormitory area. Offenders will lose their residency. Understood?"

"Understood!" Jing Shaoyu replied, mentally noting the rules.

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue completed a similar process. Their room was 636. Unlike the boys, girls weren't restricted from entering other floors.

As they exited the office, Shen Yi prepared to leave. "Remember, the opening ceremony is tomorrow morning. Don't be late. I'll be off now."

"Goodbye, Shen Yi!" Xu Xiaoyan said cheerfully.

With a wave, Shen Yi left. Jing Shaoyu turned to the girls. "Let's go check out the dorms."

"Which room are you in, Jing Shaoyu?" Xu Xiaoyan asked playfully.

"Room 226," Jing Shaoyu replied with a wry smile. "It looks like we'll have to practice separately for now."

"Aw, that's too bad!" Xu Xiaoyan pouted.

"Things will work out," Gu Yue said calmly.

"You're right," Jing Shaoyu agreed. "For now, let's settle in."

The three climbed the stairs. Reaching the second floor, Jing Shaoyu bid farewell to the girls. "I'll see you later."

Xu Xiaoyan and Gu Yue continued upward to their room. Meanwhile, Jing Shaoyu found Room 226 on the second floor, in the southeast corner of the building.