Douluo Continent: Rebirth of Ma Hongjun, Phoenix of Ultimate Light

Chapter 42 Dai Mubai Arrives!

The school gate is a grand and solemn structure with stone pillars and iron gates. Above the gate, a bluestone plaque is inscribed with the four large characters "Shrek Academy," written in a powerful and vigorous style. Inside the gate is a main path paved with bluestone slabs, leading directly to the teaching buildings. Newly planted saplings line both sides of the path, which will provide shade next summer.

The training ground is paved with thick, polished stone slabs, which provide sufficient friction without causing abrasions from falls. Various training equipment—climbing frames, balance beams, and obstacle courses—are arranged around the field, all custom-made according to Ma Hongjun's design drawings.

The classrooms have been renovated, with new doors, windows, desks, chairs, and blackboards. The dormitories have been reinforced, with new bed boards and mattresses, and each room is equipped with a small stove, so people won't be cold in winter. The library, though small, is fully equipped with bookshelves, desks, and chairs, and the lighting is soft and bright, so reading at night won't strain the eyes. The medical room is well-stocked with medicinal herbs, so Shao Xin's herbal bath decoctions can be prepared in advance here, eliminating the need to brew them fresh every time.

Shao Xin's canteen has also been expanded; the stoves, pots, and storage room are all bigger. He can now cook for dozens of people at the same time without feeling cramped, even though there are only two students in the entire college.

In addition to hardware, software has also caught up.

The school uniforms were custom-made according to Ma Hongjun's design. They are dark blue stand-up collar shirts with double-breasted brass buttons, complete with epaulettes, collar insignia, and cuff decorations. The waist is cinched with a belt, and the trousers are crisply creased. The girls' version includes a skirt design; although there are no girls yet, the uniforms are already prepared.

When Flander first stood in front of the mirror in his full school uniform, he was stunned for a long time.

Zhao Wuji, arms crossed, asked sarcastically, "Dean Flander, are you going on a blind date?"

Flander said "Shut up" expressionlessly, but the corners of his mouth in the mirror were clearly turned up a little.

When Ma Hongjun was standing in the courtyard in his school uniform, Oscar circled around him three times, clicking his tongue incessantly.

"Hongjun, are you going to perform somewhere? You look so handsome in that outfit!"

"Don't describe it as a performance." Ma Hongjun tugged at his collar. "This is a combat suit."

He just wouldn't tell the truth—the design of this outfit actually originated from the German military uniform of his previous life.

Oscar also got a set.

After putting it on, the boy surprisingly showed some semblance of a proper person. His fair and clean face, delicate features, paired with the crisp dark blue school uniform, the gleaming brass buttons at his waist, and the exquisite badge on his collar, made him look every bit the noble young master.

"Little O, if you could stay quiet like this all the time, you'd actually be quite a person," Flander said, making a rare joke.

"Dean, are you praising me or insulting me?"

Figure it out yourself.

The college has improved both its hardware and software facilities, but the enrollment situation remains unfavorable.

It's not that no one came, it's that those who came weren't qualified.

Flanders' admission criteria were written on that wooden sign, hanging high at the entrance: "We accept monsters, not ordinary people."

Throughout the year, people came to register, some from Soto City, some from nearby villages and towns, and one even came from another city after hearing about the program. However, after the tests, some had martial souls that were too ordinary, some had insufficient soul power, and some were too old and had limited potential.

Flanders didn't take any of them.

Zhao Wuji privately discussed with him, "How about we lower the standards a little? The academy is so well-built now, but there are only two students, it's so empty."

Flanders' answer was straightforward: "We won't lower the price for now. We're not short of money right now, so we can wait."

His principle is to have quality over quantity.

Therefore, although Shrek Academy already possessed the qualifications of an advanced Soul Master Academy in terms of hardware facilities, and its faculty configuration far exceeded the standard—two Soul Saints and three Soul Emperors, making it top-tier anywhere on the continent—it still only had two students: Ma Hongjun and Oscar.

But today, Flander dressed up early in the morning and sat at the school gate waiting.

Today is the day for student admissions.

Although he hadn't recruited anyone even once in the past year, he had never missed a single recruitment day. Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he would wait at that door.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar, dressed in school uniforms, stood behind him, one on the left and one on the right, like two guardian deities.

Sunlight shone on the bluestone courtyard wall, gilding it with a layer of gold.

"Teacher, will anyone be coming today?" Oscar asked listlessly.

"Yes." Flander's tone was as certain as ever.

"You always say that."

"I'm right every time. It's just that I don't accept the people who come."

"Doesn't that mean we came for nothing?"

"I have to come, even if it's for nothing. It's his business if he comes, it's mine whether I accept him or not."

As Ma Hongjun listened to their conversation, his gaze remained fixed on the dirt road outside the school gate.

With newly built walls, a magnificent school gate, and stylish high-class uniforms, plus two Soul Saints and three Soul Emperors overseeing Shrek Academy, everything is now ready except for one thing: a "formal high-class academy certificate".

This is not something that can be bought with money.

It requires official recognition from the Spirit Hall or the Empire. Flander said that this matter cannot be rushed and must wait for an opportunity.

A figure appeared at the other end of the road.

Ma Hongjun's gaze sharpened slightly.

The figure drew closer. At first, it was a blurry outline, then it gradually became clearer—a boy, about eleven or twelve years old, tall and slender, much taller than his peers. He wore a dark, close-fitting outfit and walked very fast, each step carrying a beast-like sense of oppression.

The sunlight shone on his face, and Ma Hongjun could see his features clearly.

A pair of eerie eyes—blue in the left eye and green in the right.

Heterochromatic eyes.

The boy had distinct facial features, and his brows carried a sharpness and arrogance beyond his years. His lips were slightly pursed, neither smiling nor not smiling, but rather displaying a natural condescension, as if no one in the world was worthy of his attention.

Ma Hongjun's heart skipped a beat.

The name in my memory overlapped with the face in front of me.

Dai Mubai.

Prince of the Star Luo Empire, possessing the White Tiger Martial Soul, and the leader of the Shrek Seven Devils.

He finally arrived.

The boy walked to the school gate, his gaze sweeping from the imposing gate to the wooden sign at the entrance, past Flander, lingering on Ma Hongjun and Oscar for a moment, before returning to Flander's face.

"Is this Shrek Academy?" The boy's voice was somewhat deep, unlike that of an eleven or twelve-year-old.

Flanders sized him up, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes.

"I'm here to register," the boy said.

Flanders did not answer immediately. His gaze lingered on the boy for a long time, from top to bottom and from bottom to top.

"How old are you?"

"Ten years old, almost eleven."

"Martial Soul?"

The boy didn't waste any words.

He raised his right hand, and a ball of white light shone from his palm. Within the light, the phantom of a white tiger appeared behind him, its eyes wide open, fangs bared, radiating a chilling aura.

White Tiger.

The top-tier existence among Beast Martial Souls.

Flander's pupils contracted slightly. He had seen many beast spirits, but those who could cultivate Tiger Might to this level at this age could be counted on one hand.

"Soul power."

The boy channeled his soul power, and two soul rings rose from beneath his feet.

Two yellow spirit rings.

The most standard.

Seeing this, Flanders nodded in satisfaction.

Ma Hongjun and Oscar exchanged a glance, not particularly surprised.

The test crystal lights up, and the numbers jump.

Level 29.

Peak Soul Master.

Flander stared at the two yellow spirit rings and remained silent for a long time.

His gaze shifted from the spirit ring to the boy's face, and he saw something familiar in those heterochromatic eyes—not arrogance, not cockiness, but a kind of ruthlessness that comes from being forced into a corner and having no choice but to fight his way out on his own.

"What's your name?" Flanders asked.

"Dai Mubai."