Lies of sherk Academy

"This academy only accepts monsters. Right now, only three students are here, including me," Dai Mubai said with a proud expression.

"Only three?" Xiao Wu asked, confused.

"Our dean said, even if the academy closes, he will never accept trash," Dai Mubai replied, still wearing that same smug face.

"So far, forty-two students have been admitted into Shrek Academy," he continued. "But only fourteen have ever graduated. The remaining people couldn't break through and either left... or died to spirit beasts."

He paused for effect, waiting for a reaction.

Wu Lan stayed quiet. Xiao Wu blinked. Zhu Zhuqing didn't even flinch.

Only Ning Rongrong reacted. "So cruel..."

Satisfied, Dai Mubai added with a serious look,

"Yes. The graduation standard is soul power level 40 before the age of 20."

After hearing this, Xiao Wu smiled sweetly at Wu Lan and said,

"Brother, you only just joined, but you can already graduate."

Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and Zhu Zhuqing all recalled the moment Wu Lan released his Martial Spirit. That image replayed in their minds.

Still dazed, Dai Mubai finally nodded.

"Yes... you could be the 15th person to graduate."

Wu Lan didn't respond, he just said calmly, "Continue."

"Many failed, but those who graduated became notable figures in the empire," Dai Mubai explained. "The best among them became the youngest elder in Spirit Hall. His authority is second only to the Supreme Pope herself."

Everyone was shocked, except Wu Lan.

While they talked, Tang San finally completed his test and walked back toward them.

They moved to the next test area, but once again, Tang San embarrassingly stood in line for the test.

Still red-faced from earlier, he quietly joined the end of the group.

Dai Mubai glanced at him and frowned.

Ning Rongrong looked annoyed. "So slow..."

Seeing this, Wu Lan spoke calmly,

"If you're in a hurry, you can go ahead. Just tell us the direction of the next test area. We'll join you once Little San is done."

Dai Mubai hesitated, then nodded.

"Alright. Come to the dorms behind the main building."

He turned to leave, and glanced at Zhu Zhuqing. But she ignored him completely.

So they left.

Now only Wu Lan, Xiao Wu, and Zhu Zhuqing remained.

The air grew quieter.

Zhu Zhuqing said nothing, standing still, her gaze occasionally flickering toward Wu Lan.

Xiao Wu didn't like the silence, or the attention Zhu Zhuqing was giving him.

She narrowed her eyes at the girl, then quickly turned to Wu Lan and leaned closer.

"Brother, what do you think about the academy so far?"

Wu Lan replied casually,

"Parasite academy."

Xiao Wu blinked in confusion. "Brother, what do you mean?"

Zhu Zhuqing also looked at Wu Lan, waiting silently for his answer.

Wu Lan glanced at both of them and asked,

"You heard Dai Mubai's words about the academy. So, what do you think of it?"

Xiao Wu thought for a while and replied,

"The academy has high standards... but people who graduate become powerful."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

"You both are really smart," Wu Lan said with a teasing expression.

Both girls noticed it right away, but even after thinking hard, they didn't understand what he meant.

"Brother, tell me. I don't understand," Xiao Wu finally said, pouting.

Zhu Zhuqing also nodded seriously.

"Okay, let's start from the beginning, from Dai Mubai's words," Wu Lan said with a soft sigh. He continued slowly:

"Dai Mubai said the academy only accepts monsters. That means they only accept people under 13 with soul power above 20."

He paused to let them absorb that.

Both girls nodded.

"To reach soul power level 20 before turning 13, your innate soul power must be at least 6. That means all forty-two students had innate power above 6."

He looked at them again.

Xiao Wu still didn't get it. But Zhu Zhuqing's eyes widened.

Wu Lan noticed and praised her softly."Looks like you realized the problem. You're smart."

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head slightly, but her lips curved in a small smile.

Xiao Wu immediately showed a jealous look.

Wu Lan saw her expression and chuckled.

"Brother!" Xiao Wu huffed with a pout.

"Okay, okay. Remember what Dai Mubai said, the others couldn't break through and either left or died to spirit beasts. But think about it: with innate soul power over 6, how could they fail to reach level 40?"

He paused.

"Or die to spirit beasts? That means... the problem lies with the academy's teachings."

This time, Xiao Wu finally understood.

"Rabbit, I don't know how you'll survive in this world," Wu Lan said, shaking his head fondly.

Xiao Wu moved closer and hugged his arm possessively, smiling sweetly.

"Then I'll stay with you. With you, I'll be safe."

Wu Lan looked down at her, lips curving slightly.

Watching the two of them, Zhu Zhuqing felt clearly annoyed. A strange feeling rose inside her, one she didn't understand.

"But brother," Xiao Wu suddenly asked,

"didn't Dai Mubai say that 14 people became important figures? And one became the youngest elder in Spirit Hall?"

Wu Lan nodded slightly.

"Rabbit, all of them were geniuses. With that kind of innate power, reaching level 50 is normal. In small villages, level 50 is huge, but among real powers, it's just the starting line."

He continued, "And becoming an elder of Spirit Hall means having the strength of a Title Douluo. That takes decades. So ask yourself, how many years ago was this academy founded?"

Xiao Wu blinked.

"A 32-year-old Title Douluo... I haven't heard of one. Have you?"

Neither girl answered.

"But here's the real problem," Wu Lan said quietly.

"If the graduates are so successful, why haven't they helped the academy grow?"

The question lingered in the air.

Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu both fell silent. They were beginning to understand.

"wu lan... why did you call this a parasite academy?" Zhu Zhuqing finally asked.

Xiao Wu also looked at him curiously.

Wu Lan gave a faint smile.

"A true genius doesn't need resources to grow, but resources make the path smoother. This academy gives nothing."

"No medicine baths, no beast meat, no special training grounds. They force geniuses to burn their potential early for short-term strength."

He paused.

"That's not cultivation. That's sacrifice. They're trading a genius's life... for the academy's reputation."

Both girls went quiet again.

And slowly, they looked at each other, finally realizing how terrible the truth was.

"I should have expected this," Xiao Wu muttered, clenching her fist. "That trash recommended this place... First, I'll beat his disciple into a pulp. Then I'll find him."

Zhu Zhuqing didn't speak. She was lost in thought.

But the feeling she had toward Wu Lan, it had changed.

Something strange had bloomed in her heart.