Chapter 15: Seraphim vs. Berserk Lightning Leopard (II)

"4-ringed Spirit Ancestor?!"

Du Weilun's mouth fell open, his face full of disbelief, completely disregarding his 'dignified' image as the Director.

"A monster! A genuine monster!"

Eleven years old, and already a 4-ringed Spirit Ancestor!

This level of talent would place him at the pinnacle even in Shrek Academy, the continent's number one institution for Spirit Masters, not to mention his four spirit rings surpassing the limits with a configuration of yellow, purple, purple, black!

If Du Weilun remembered correctly, ten thousand years ago, the core and soul of the Shrek Seven Monsters, Tang San, who ultimately became the Sea God, had a four-ring configuration of only yellow, yellow, purple, black!

As a director known for his strict and impersonal demeanor, who always upheld Shrek Academy's motto, Du Weilun found himself tempted to bend the rules for the first time.

Let him in! Let him in!

Du Weilun struggled to compose himself, calming his excitement, and said in a deep voice, "Since you possess the cultivation of a Spirit Ancestor, you naturally qualify to take the Inner Courtyard examination.

However, as the Director and the officer in charge of the entrance examinations, I must remind you of one thing. Shrek Academy's reputation as the continent's number one is well known, but the Outer Courtyard was established by our predecessors at the request of the three great empires to cultivate more talent for the continent. To Shrek Academy, only the Inner Courtyard is truly the continent's number one in the true sense.

Even among the outstanding students who emerge from the Outer Courtyard, only a handful manage to enter the Inner Courtyard each year, just a number you can count on one hand. Moreover, those who fail the Inner Courtyard examination are not allowed to remain at the Academy. The difficulty of directly entering the Inner Courtyard without the foundational education of the Outer Courtyard—I don't need to elaborate; you should understand."

"Bai-ge, why do you suddenly want to take the Inner Courtyard examination?" Ning Tian asked anxiously, her concern also reflected in Wu Feng's crimson eyes.

Bei Bei was momentarily stunned but then revealed an understanding smile. Huo Yuhao and Tang Ya, on the other hand, were filled with admiration. One was struggling to pass the freshman examination, the other worrying about how to graduate from the Outer Courtyard. Now, Ling Bai actually wanted to skip the entire Outer Courtyard education and directly leap into the Inner Courtyard.

The master-disciple duo wanted to hug each other and cry at this moment, then looked up at the sky and cursed inwardly: The heavens are unfair; we hate geniuses!

Ling Bai pretended to be troubled and said, "Xiao Tian, Director Du... I've already broken through to the Spirit Ancestor rank. Competing with freshmen whose average strength is less than two rings is frankly just bullying them and a waste of my talent. If I can't take the Inner Courtyard examination and have to linger in the Outer Courtyard, I'd rather return to the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan and leave."

Du Weilun fell silent.

Shrek Academy's motto is 'We only accept monsters, not ordinary people.' With Ling Bai's talent, no one would dare stop him from entering the Academy. Du Weilun, no, even the Dean would have to find ways to keep him at the Academy.

Let him leave?

Being handsome is one thing, but don't get ahead of yourself, kid!

"Ling Bai, you've misunderstood me. What I mean is..."

Du Weilun cleared his throat, trying not to appear too eager. "If you forgo the Inner Courtyard examination, you can join the third-year class in the Outer Courtyard as a transfer student, right alongside Bei Bei and Tang Ya."

"Huh?"

As soon as Du Weilun mentioned the words 'transfer student,' Bei Bei and Tang Ya's expressions became strange. They tilted their heads in unison, giving him a look that said, Is there something wrong with you?

Since when did Shrek Academy have transfer students?

Who are you, and where has our impartial and strict Director Du gone?

Their gazes made Du Weilun's old face flush red. He was in a difficult position. Letting Ling Bai go was out of the question, but his talent was simply too high. As he said, joining a freshman class where one or two rings were the norm would be overwhelming. Yet, if he took the Inner Courtyard examination, Du Weilun doubted he could pass without the foundational education provided by the Outer Courtyard.

After considering all the options, Du Weilun had a sudden inspiration and decided to let Ling Bai join the third-year class with Bei Bei and Tang Ya as a transfer student.

He looked at Ling Bai, a hint of hope flashing in his eyes!

Ling Bai caught the signal in Du Weilun's gaze, which seemed to say: Come on in!

"Thank you for your kind offer, Director Du, but I don't wish to enroll in the Outer Courtyard."

Ling Bai refused to accept the 'signal.'

From age six to eleven, he had already studied combat techniques, spirit beast knowledge, spirit master theory, and more at the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Clan. The Clan Head and the Clan's Protector Douluo personally taught him. These two eminent figures were far beyond the 6-ringed teachers of the Outer Courtyard. For him, the education of Shrek's Outer Courtyard was almost no different from wasting time.

That night, Bei Bei's casual remark had prompted him to think deeply, and he ultimately decided to aim for the Inner Courtyard.

Moreover, just now, Electrolux had spoken in his mind.

There was a supreme treasure at the center of Shrek Academy that could suppress the evil power of the Death Abyss Spider Emperor!

The heart of Shrek Academy was Sea God Island, the cultivation ground for the Inner Courtyard students. Therefore, Ling Bai had compelling reasons to enter the Inner Courtyard!

"Please arrange for me to take the Inner Courtyard examination," Ling Bai requested.

Du Weilun's facial muscles tightened as he said, "Thirty-seven years. It's been a full thirty-seven years since an outsider was admitted to the Inner Courtyard."

"A true expert doesn't give up because of difficulties."

Ling Bai spoke just one sentence, but whether it was Du Weilun or Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and the others, they could all see the determination and confidence on his face.

"Stubborn young man!"

Du Weilun scolded, but the corners of his mouth subconsciously lifted slightly. He had been earnestly advising Ling Bai not to challenge the Inner Courtyard, but secretly, he hoped Ling Bai would rise to the challenge.

As Ling Bai had said, only those who never feared a challenge were qualified to become true experts.

"I'll take you there. If you can't pass, then you'll have to come back and join as a transfer student!"

Du Weilun let out a heavy sigh and gestured for him to follow.

"Thank you, Director Du."

Ling Bai thanked him with a smile.

Hmm, Director Du is a good person.

The Clan Head was muddle-headed back then!

"Director Du, Director Du! Can we go and observe the Inner Courtyard examination?"

Tang Ya clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling with a pleading look. Bei Bei stood beside her, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Seeing her so interested, he had no choice but to plead as well:

"Yes, Director Du, please let us go."

He understood in his heart that with Tang Ya's talent, unless she had some miraculous encounter, she absolutely had no chance of entering the Inner Courtyard and even graduating smoothly from the Outer Courtyard would be extremely difficult. Allowing her to observe the Inner Courtyard examination was actually to help her fulfill a dream.

"Hmm..."

Du Weilun pondered for a moment. Tang Ya was lively and likable, but her Martial Spirit and abilities were mediocre by Shrek's standards. If only she had wanted to observe the Inner Courtyard examination, he would certainly have refused outright.

But Bei Bei was a top genius in the Outer Courtyard and was certain to enter the Inner Courtyard in the future. Moreover, he had heard from the Dean of the Martial Spirit Department that Bei Bei seemed to have a familial connection with a certain elder in Shrek.

In any case, the Inner Courtyard examination changed every year; there was no fear of outsiders learning the examination content. This favor could be given.

Du Weilun said calmly, "Considering that you two will be eligible to take the Inner Courtyard examination in a few years, I'll let you gain some experience this time. But don't expect this to happen again.

Xiao Tian, Wu Feng, Huo Yuhao, today is the last day of admissions. Tomorrow morning is the first lesson for new students. You three should head to your dormitories and get some rest."