At this moment, Dai Mubai didn't pay much attention to the details and continued speaking boastfully.
"The academy has accepted a total of sixty-two students, but only fourteen have actually graduated. Every one of those fourteen went on to become prominent figures in the world. The most outstanding among them is now the youngest elder of the Spirit Hall, second only to the Pope in authority. As for those who didn't graduate, they either couldn't reach level 40 before the age of twenty or died while hunting soul beasts. The dean always says, 'If you can't reach level 41, don't embarrass me by going out.'"
By the end of his speech, Dai Mubai was visibly excited. It was clear that he had great respect for the dean of Shrek Academy.
However, Ning Rongrong couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Pfft—"
Dai Mubai's excitement froze the moment he heard the laughter. He looked at Ning Rongrong with a slightly displeased expression.
"What are you laughing at?"
Ning Rongrong shook her head at his question, not answering him directly. Instead, she asked:
"May I ask, what is the name of that titled Douluo who graduated from Shrek Academy?"
Dai Mubai was taken aback by her question.
Right, what was the name?
It seemed like he didn't know either.
Seeing the expression on Dai Mubai's face, Ning Rongrong's smile grew even brighter.
"Since you don't know, let me tell you the names of the titled Douluo in the Spirit Hall that I'm aware of. Let's see if any sound familiar to you."
Dai Mubai was dumbfounded by her words.
Did the Spirit Hall really have that many titled Douluo??
Tang San, in particular, was excited upon hearing these names. He couldn't help but think, if he could join the Spirit Hall, wouldn't he be able to secretly—no, learn—a lot of knowledge and gain powerful backing?
Dai Mubai, however, didn't know how to respond. But with everyone watching, he could only stiffen his expression and say:
"Maybe it's one of them, and I've just forgotten the name."
Ning Rongrong didn't press further upon hearing Dai Mubai's response.
However, Yun Feng looked at Ning Rongrong with a hint of confusion. He couldn't help but wonder, how did Ning Rongrong know the names of those titled Douluo at this time?
Even though Ning Fengzhi had a position in the Douluo Hall, it didn't seem likely that she would know so many details.
Despite his doubts, Yun Feng didn't say anything.
After all, he wasn't supposed to know this information at this time.
"I'm quite curious, though," Ning Rongrong continued, "what kind of person would be so persistent in establishing an academy for twenty years."
Hearing this, Yun Feng almost burst out laughing.
Flender?
Was it persistence? Responsibility? Or idealism?
No, it was groveling. Even knowing he had no chance, he still stuck to it.
To be honest, Yun Feng admired him.
That's some serious devotion! No, I mean, deep affection. He even voluntarily stepped aside for the sake of his brother.
But at the same time, he kept dreaming unrealistic dreams.
He's like a walking contradiction.
Dai Mubai, seeing this, lifted his chin slightly.
"You'll meet him soon."
"We've arrived."
Dai Mubai stopped walking.
They had arrived at another open space, much smaller than the second trial area, covering only about 200 square meters.
A middle-aged man, who appeared to be in his fifties, was sitting in a chair, dozing off.
"Teacher Zhao, I've brought people to take the fourth trial."
"Hm? Someone's made it to the fourth trial this year? And five of them at that."
The middle-aged man opened his drowsy eyes, looking at the five young boys and girls in front of him with surprise, as if witnessing something unbelievable.
Dai Mubai's eyes darted around for a moment before he said:
"Not only did they reach the fourth trial, but they were also exempted from the second and third trials."
"Teacher Zhao, I don't think I can assess them properly. Why don't you take over?"
Hearing this, Teacher Zhao nodded, his eyes lighting up as he stood up from the chair. He wasn't tall and had an ordinary appearance, but he looked incredibly solid.
Despite being shorter than the twelve-year-old Tang San, his stature gave off a feeling of strength.
His broad shoulders were like city walls, and his outer garment couldn't hide his muscular, iron-like body. Although his expression was friendly, his robust physique exuded a sense of overwhelming pressure.
"Alright, all five of them are over level 25. Not bad, not bad. It seems we've got a lot of little monsters this year. This is the final trial, and now it's my turn to test you. If you pass, you'll officially become students of Shrek Academy. However, my test isn't easy. Combat experience is essential for every soul master's strength. That's what I'm going to assess today."
He smiled warmly at the five of them, sweeping his gaze across their faces.
"My name is Zhao Wuji. Since you all passed the second and third trials by exemption, and Dai Mubai said so, I'll personally play with you. You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn to strategize. After that, the test begins. Your task is to withstand my attacks for the duration of the incense."
"As long as one of you is still standing by the end, you pass. I hope you understand—don't try to outsmart me. There's no way anyone can outrun me, and there's no way you can block my attacks alone. Coordinating and working together is your only chance."
Dai Mubai, hearing Zhao Wuji agree, was secretly relieved. He no longer had to worry about getting beaten.
On their way here, he had been anxious, afraid of encountering Yun Feng, the monster, and Tang San, the freak.
Now, he was finally free of that concern.
After Zhao Wuji finished speaking, he somehow pulled out an incense stick from nowhere, and with a pinch of his fingers, lit the incense. In an instant, the incense was inserted into the ground, standing without a single tremble.
Having done that, Zhao Wuji sat back down in his chair and closed his eyes to continue his nap.
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