Chapter 23: Shrek Academy
"This is the Gold of Life."
Retracting his Darkgold Dreadclaw, Chen Junting grasped the radiant crystal-like carving knife in his hand. As he observed its shimmering surface, an immense surge of life force peeled away, flowing toward the vague figure of Electrolux.
In the next moment, a bright green light erupted within the room!
Electrolux's ethereal form solidified, and an indescribable pressure enveloped the space. However, it did not weigh down on Chen Junting.
"Holding the sun and moon in my hands, plucking stars from the sky—there is none like me in this world!", Electrolux murmured, his voice deep and ancient. "I remember now… I am the Scourge of the Undead, the Holy God of the Dead—Electrolux!"
He turned his gaze toward Chen Junting. "Boy, I owe you a favor."
Chen Junting chuckled. "Old man, I should be the one thanking you."
Electrolux burst into laughter, his expression a mixture of amusement and complexity. "Hah! Interesting. Truly interesting. But don't call me 'old man'—it makes me feel ashamed. Just call me Electrolux."
Then, shifting the topic, he said, "Boy, I'll give you another gift."
Raising his right hand, he traced an intricate pattern in the air. The golden carving knife shimmered with life, moving as if guided by an unseen force. It swiftly carved a sigil between Chen Junting's eyebrows.
A vertical eye, akin to the legendary Eye of Heaven, manifested on his forehead!
Before he could react, the Golden Carving Knife of Life merged into the eye at lightning speed.
Instantly—
A powerful wave of vitality surged through him.
His once-gray spiritual sea became saturated with golden-green radiance, expanding at an astonishing rate. A sensation of unprecedented comfort spread through his body, reaching every fiber of his being.
His meridians toughened.
His bones grew denser.
His internal organs strengthened.
His very cells brimmed with life.
His entire being underwent a fundamental transformation!
He could feel his blood surging with newfound vitality, his spiritual sea expanding to an ethereal vastness. His cultivation speed, which had slowed down over the years, now surged back to its peak, as though time had reversed.
With this, he effortlessly broke past the bottleneck of Rank 33—ascending naturally to a higher level.
As the transformation concluded, he exhaled a deep breath, rich with life essence.
Chen Junting's lips curled into a pleased smile.
"This Gold of Life is truly priceless!"
A faint chuckle echoed in his spiritual sea. "The Gold of Life is a divine object nurtured by the heavens and earth. No matter the cost, it is always worth it," Electrolux remarked.
"Junting, my boy, this treasure has helped me recover some of my lost memories. I need time to sort through them."
With that, Electrolux stretched out his hand. A strange gray hexagram appeared, and a sealed sphere descended into Chen Junting's grasp.
The sphere pulsated with a fierce energy, yet Electrolux's power kept it restrained. Only by probing it with spiritual energy could one feel its turbulent presence. But for now, it remained safely contained.
"This is what you asked me to leave behind. If you need me, reach out through the Sea of Spirits."
With a final motion, Electrolux drew a line in the air. The sigil on Chen Junting's forehead cracked open, revealing the Eye of Life, which projected a shimmering green gateway.
Stepping through it, Electrolux's figure vanished.
Chen Junting exhaled lightly, watching the fading light. "Yi Lao left too quickly."
(TLN: Electrolux is also known as Yi Lai Ke Shi)
He had wanted to ask about improving spiritual power and Electrolux's profound knowledge of souls. But, shaking his head, he decided, I'll ask next time.
Storing the sealed sphere away, he turned toward the door.
The moment he opened it—
A soft figure lunged into his arms!
"Ning Tian?"
Before he could say anything, she lifted her head, scanning him up and down. After confirming that he was unharmed, she let out a relieved sigh.
"How did it go?" she asked softly.
"It's all taken care of."
—
A Few Days Later – Shrek Academy Enrollment
As the morning sun bathed the land, four figures arrived at the eastern gate of Shrek City—the designated entrance for new student admissions.
Even though the enrollment period was nearly over, thousands of people still gathered outside, forming an immense crowd.
"There sure are a lot of people!" Wu Feng muttered, scanning the crowd. Her striking features and confident stance drew the attention of many male students. However, their gazes quickly flickered to the girl beside her—Ning Tian.
Before they could stare for too long, Wu Feng shot them a cold glare, instantly making them avert their eyes.
"Hey, swordsman! Aren't you going to do something about this?" she huffed.
Chen Junting's expression remained calm. "People admire beauty. Can't really do anything about that."
Even as he spoke, he reached out and gently clasped Ning Tian's hand.
She chuckled, her smile warm. At the same time, a faint yet unmistakable aura of deterrence emanated from Chen Junting, making it clear—Ning Tian was not to be approached.
"Tsk! Hypocrite," Wu Feng muttered, rolling her eyes before turning to Huo Yuhao. "Right, Yuhao?"
Huo Yuhao simply smiled, choosing to remain silent. He knew better than to get involved.
Since their time in the Star Dou Forest, he had undergone a remarkable transformation. His cultivation had reached Rank 15, meeting the academy's minimum requirement. Moreover, his once frail body had strengthened considerably thanks to medicinal supplements like thousand-year-old whale glue. His physical fitness now rivaled that of an Assault-type Soul Master of the same rank.
Eventually, it was their turn to register.
After verifying their ages and presenting four letters of recommendation from Nine Treasure City's Lord, they proceeded to the cultivation test.
The Shrek disciple administering the test went through their results, his expression shifting dramatically.
Huo Yuhao – Soul Power: Rank 15
A low-tier freshman…
Wu Feng – Soul Power: Rank 26
Above average…
Ning Tian – Soul Power: Rank 31
A rare talent…
Chen Junting – Soul Power: Rank 34
A monster!
The disciple's gaze sharpened at the names. Ning Tian… and a recommendation from Nine Treasure City? That could only mean one thing—she was from the legendary Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
Realizing their extraordinary backgrounds, his attitude turned notably more respectful.
"Welcome to Shrek, junior students!"
"Thank you, senior," Chen Junting responded with a slight nod before leading the group into the academy.
Inside, the crowd dwindled. Most applicants had already been eliminated due to the stringent requirements.
As they walked, they passed the Sea God Lake, the heart of Shrek Academy. Further ahead, five distinct teaching buildings came into view—white, yellow, purple, black, and a distant gray structure.
"Yuhao, do you see that?" Chen Junting asked, pointing to the gray building.
Huo Yuhao followed his gaze.
"That's Shrek Academy's Soul Guidance Department," Chen Junting explained. "One of the places you'll be studying in the future."
Huo Yuhao nodded subconsciously, but then he noticed three pairs of eyes staring at him—Chen Junting's, Ning Tian's, and Wu Feng's.
"Uh… what's going on?" he asked, scratching the back of his head.
Chen Junting's gaze was calm yet piercing. "Yuhao, do you want to be a Soul Engineer or a Soul Master?"
A voice in his consciousness—Tianmeng Iceworm—urged him to choose the path of a Soul Master, the path of gods.
But…
Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, looking straight at Chen Junting.
"I choose both!"
Chen Junting and Ning Tian exchanged knowing smiles.
"Then let's get you registered."
With that, the four of them stepped into the White Teaching Building, beginning their journey at Shrek Academy.
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(End of chapter)
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This is bonus chapter, y'all deserve it