Douluo Continent: I, an evil soul master, work nine-to-five in the Tang Sect.

Chapter 18 There are always people more capable than you, and heavens beyond heavens.

"The only requirements for admission to Shrek Academy's outer academy are that the student be no older than twelve and have a level fifteen soul power. However, the requirements for the inner academy are extremely strict. Not only do they require approval from the school's higher-ups, but they also have to complete the academy's specially set assessment tasks."

"Only after meeting both of these standards can one be considered a true inner court student. Moreover, normally only those students who graduate from the outer court after six years of study and complete the assessment, and whose assessment results are particularly outstanding, will have the opportunity to be assessed again in the inner court."

"However, if a student has exceptional talent and strength far surpasses that of ordinary geniuses, they may have the opportunity to skip the outer academy and go directly to the inner academy for study. But such geniuses may only appear once every few decades."

As Luo Chen began to explain, Huo Yuhao, standing before him, was somewhat stunned. He hadn't expected Shrek Academy to have such a rule, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise:

"So that's how it is. Survival of the fittest, huh? According to you, Brother Luo, the outer academy is actually a cradle for talent cultivation set up by Shrek Academy for the three great empires. Only those who enter the inner academy can be considered true Shrek students."

"But Brother Luo, I feel that with your talent, you should be able to apply directly for the Shrek Academy's inner court entrance exam, right? It's just that at eleven years old, you can already hunt thousand-year-old soul beasts on your own. Even among the senior students in the inner court, I feel that in terms of talent, you're not as strong as Brother Luo, are you?"

As he spoke, Huo Yuhao looked at Luo Chen in front of him. Even now, he still remembered that terrifying figure, like the Grim Reaper, wielding a blood-red scythe and reaping lives again and again under the moonlight.

Even those assisting from behind felt the chill that seemed to seep into their bones. This was the first time he had ever so directly and vividly experienced the aura of death!

However, in response to Huo Yuhao's words, Luo Chen shook his head and said:

"Yuhao, there are always people stronger than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding. Perhaps you think my current strength is very high, but you should know that this continent is never short of geniuses. Just as I know, there are peerless geniuses who were able to break through to the seventh-ring Soul Saint before the age of twenty and successfully absorb a 100,000-year Soul Ring!"

"Compared to such monstrous beings, my prized talent is almost insignificant, no different from the weeds that grow everywhere by the roadside. Therefore, I have always been as strict with myself as possible, not seeking to become the strongest in the world, but at least to have the ability to protect myself..."

"Wait a minute, Brother Luo, he broke through to the seventh-ring Soul Saint before he was even twenty years old, and he even absorbed a 100,000-year-old Soul Ring... Is this really possible?"

Upon hearing Luo Chen's words, Huo Yuhao's eyes were filled with astonishment, to the point that he almost spilled the tea he was holding, which showed how unsettled he was.

However, Luo Chen gave him a strange look at that moment, his eyes conveying a rather complex meaning.

What is there to doubt? Don't I know what year my first spirit ring was?

However, he couldn't say this directly, so he explained:

"Of course it's possible. A genius who cultivates to the seventh ring Soul Saint before the age of twenty is extremely rare, but such geniuses have appeared many times in Shrek Academy's tens of thousands of years of history, not to mention the entire continent."

"As for a seven-ring spirit absorbing a 100,000-year spirit ring, as long as one's physical attributes are strong enough to rival those of a Title Douluo, and one's mental strength is sufficient to resist the soul impact of a 100,000-year spirit beast, then absorbing a 100,000-year spirit ring is not impossible, although the possibility is pitifully small..."

As Luo Chen spoke, he stood up and patted Huo Yuhao, who was deep in thought, on the shoulder, and said:

"It's almost time, let's go complete the enrollment procedures. The sect leader and senior brother have already gone to prepare for the entrance exams, so I'll take you through the process. Who knows, we might even be in the same class?"

Since Huo Yuhao has now broken through to level 15, meeting the minimum standard for admission to Shrek Academy's outer court, he only needs a recommendation certificate from the Tang Sect to directly complete the admission procedures without having to use the special invitation student quota.

Therefore, Bei Bei and Tang Ya were able to focus on preparing for their college entrance exams, leaving Huo Yuhao, who didn't know much about these matters, to Luo Chen.

Although the two are of similar age, Luo Chen is undoubtedly much more mature than Huo Yuhao in terms of mentality and interpersonal skills.

"Okay, let's go, Brother Luo!"

Huo Yuhao responded, a hint of excitement showing in his eyes.

……

At the east gate of Shrek City is a special examination area for new students set up by Shrek Academy. Ordinary new students who want to study in the outer courtyard of Shrek Academy can only be examined and registered in the examination area.

The number of people gathered here was much larger than in Shrek City, probably several thousand, but the vast majority of them were just there to observe the Shrek Academy freshman assessment.

Among them are many officials from the three great empires who gather intelligence, students from junior academies, and merchants of all sizes, all gathered here. This is a common occurrence during Shrek Academy's annual freshman assessment.

Luo Chen and Huo Yuhao, who had just arrived at the East Gate of Shrek City after making a detour through the city, passed the first test set by the outer court examiners smoothly after showing the recommendation certificate given by Bei Bei.

It's called an assessment checkpoint, but it's really just verifying the background of the new applicants and finding out if they have relevant referral certificates. If not, they will naturally be excluded and unable to enter the new student assessment area of ​​the other colleges.

After all, there are quite a few cases of forged referral certificates and impersonation of referral personnel every year, so Shrek Academy naturally takes strict control over this.

After Luo Chen and Huo Yuhao submitted their Tang Sect recommendation certificates, they successfully entered the assessment area under the interested gazes of the examiners. Two young students dressed in Shrek Academy's outer court uniform then walked towards them one after another.

One of them was holding a completely transparent, crystal-like blue sphere, seemingly in charge of the assessment, while the other was holding paper and pen to record the results.

"Hello, senior."

"Hello, juniors. Place your hands on this crystal ball. After your soul power is tested and your information is registered, you can go in."

Without much conversation, the young student released his martial spirit, and a cyan spear appeared in his hand. At the same time, two yellow spirit rings rose from his feet, revealing him to be a two-ring Great Soul Master!

Following the instructions of the young cadets, Huo Yuhao placed his palm on the crystal ball first. After a moment, a not-so-dazzling white light spread out from inside the crystal ball, and at the same time, his own spirit ring appeared...

An inconspicuous, extremely low-key "ten-year soul ring".

Seeing this, the young man glanced at Huo Yuhao with some surprise, but didn't say anything more. After speaking to the student in charge of registration beside him, he smiled, nodded to Huo Yuhao, and said:

"Congratulations, junior, you passed the assessment. After registering your information over there, paying your tuition, and being assigned a dormitory, you can go in. By the way, the dormitory is behind the teaching building."

"Yes, thank you, senior."

As Huo Yuhao spoke, he glanced at Luo Chen beside him. After seeing Luo Chen nod, he walked towards the registration area not far away.

He had only gone halfway when a gasp rang out behind him, followed by the surprised shout of the young student from before:

"Eleven years old, level twenty-seven?!"

(End of this chapter)