> "So... which of you big shots am I supposed to listen to right now?"
Yi Hong fanned the flames shamelessly.
> "Are we killing Tang San or not?"
> "I'm almost there—someone better make a decision fast."
[Destruction God King 002: He must not be killed! The Divine Realm still needs him to hold the fort!]
[Destruction God King 001: I'm not dead yet! Why do we need that guy? Streamer, you took my donations—now you're backing out?]
[Destruction God King 002: You don't understand anything! The current Divine Realm—]
Trying to explain?
Yeah, not happening.
Just then, they arrived at Shrek.
Yi Hong turned the camera toward the outside—before a rundown village, a long line of people was waiting. Tang San blended into the crowd with his average looks, but the pink bunny-eared Xiao Wu stood out like a neon sign.
> "Found Tang San, but he's higher level than me. I can't beat him yet," Yi Hong said with difficulty. "Boss No. 1, whatcha think?"
[User "Destruction God King 001" sent a gift: "God-Given Martial Soul · Destructive Essence" ×1]
[User "Destruction God King 001" sent a gift: "God-Given Soul Ring" ×1]
[User "Destruction God King 001" sent a gift: "Soul Ring Duration +2000 Years" ×3]
[Destruction God King 001: Go! Crush that bastard!]
Yi Hong cashed in happily.
Another God-Given Martial Soul instantly pushed his level to the bottleneck of Level 30.
The God-Given Soul Ring auto-applied—a 4,150-year third ring!
He broke through straight to Level 32.
All rings were boosted by +2000 years.
Wait... his soul power didn't go up?
Oh well.
He felt insanely powerful now.
Yi Hong rolled up his sleeves and jumped off the carriage, heading straight for Tang San.
> "Watch closely, Boss No. 1—I'm about to lay the smackdown on that punk!"
His words were fierce, but his steps were slow.
Because he was waiting...
[User "Destruction God King 002" sent a gift: "God-Given Martial Soul · Ancient Tree of Life" ×1]
[User "Destruction God King 002" sent a gift: "God-Given Soul Ring" ×3]
[User "Destruction God King 002" sent a gift: "Soul Ring Duration +2000 Years" ×3]
[Destruction God King 002: Streamer, don't make a move yet. Let me have a talk with him.]
Yi Hong stopped in his tracks.
This...
Was just too good to say no to.
> "Sure thing, you two go ahead and chat."
Even if this chat led to them realizing that expanding the Divine Realm was a bad idea and called off the fight—
Yi Hong had already made bank.
Best part? He got it all for free—no effort required.
What more could he ask for?
> "Talk about what?" Xiao Wu asked, confused. "You came over all aggressive. Looking to pick a fight?"
Tang San glanced over warily too.
> "Pick a fight? Nah," Yi Hong replied with a grin. "I'm here to apply to Shrek Academy."
He walked right past them to the registration area.
It was obvious now—
In the future, his stream would attract more and more viewers.
Most of them would be connected to the Shrek Seven Devils—whether as friends, foes, or frenemies.
And no one had more enemies than Tang San.
Staying here was perfect for milking these viewers dry.
> "Hey! Get in line!"
> "Cutting in is totally rude!"
> "Get back to the end!"
Surrounded by shouts and complaints, Yi Hong put his hands on his hips.
> "Bumpkins."
> "Don't you know that if your soul power is over Level 25, you skip the preliminary test and go straight to the final round?"
> "Enjoy your line, losers."
He whipped out his Scepter of Destruction and revealed three glowing purple soul rings.
The crowd went dead silent.
Three... three-ringed Soul Elder?!
No wait—
Why are all your soul rings purple?!
> "Holy crap! Millennial rings?!" someone shouted. "Three thousand-year rings?! How is that even possible?!"
The crowd erupted.
> "Those are thousand-year soul rings?!"
> "I thought the first ring could only be a hundred years max?!"
> "Mine's white... I've been scammed!"
The examiner, Li Yusong, instantly appeared with excitement and grabbed Yi Hong's hand to feel his bone age.
> "Twelve years old!" Li Yusong shouted joyfully. "What's your name, kid? What's your martial soul type? Are you sure you want to join Shrek?"
> "Yi Hong. Assault and Control dual-type," Yi Hong shrugged. "But I lost my money on the road. Can't pay the application fee."
> "Forget the fee!" Li Yusong said boldly. "With talent like yours, you don't pay anything!"
Assault and Control dual-type?!
He grabbed Yi Hong's hand tightly and led him toward the academy.
> "Mu Bai, take over the queue. I'm going to get Flender."
But—
> "Wait!" Xiao Wu called out. "If Level 25 gets to skip the line, then Xiao San and I should qualify too, right?"
Li Yusong paused mid-step.
Then spun around!
Two more?!
He gave Yi Hong a warm smile.
> "Yi Hong, right? Hold on a sec."
> "No problem, teacher. You do your thing," Yi Hong replied obediently.
Li Yusong was even more impressed.
Talented and humble? Every teacher's dream student.
He checked Xiao Wu first—twelve years old.
Then used a Soul Power Crystal to measure her level—Level 29.
Martial Soul: Rabbit. Nothing flashy, but solid.
Still, for a twelve-year-old to reach Level 29? Definitely no ordinary girl.
He hesitated a bit with Tang San. His Mysterious Jade Hand couldn't read the bone age, but checking his foot worked just fine.
Also Level 29, with a martial soul of... Blue Silver Grass?
> "Isn't Shrek Academy for monsters?" Tang San argued confidently. "If I can train Blue Silver Grass to Level 29, doesn't that make me a monster too?"
Li Yusong couldn't help but laugh.
> "Well said!"
> "You're in too. Just pay the fee and follow the old man."
Tang San's confident expression faltered slightly.
Wait… not exempt from the fee?!
But he understood.
Three rings, all at the thousand-year level? That was a different kind of monster.
No point in arguing. He paid the 20 gold soul coins.
Xiao Wu, on the other hand, pouted with visible dissatisfaction.
At that moment—
Two more girls stepped out. One elegant and noble, the other already physically maturing beyond her years.
It was Ning Rongrong and Zhu Zhuqing.
> "Hey mister, I'm Level 26 too," Ning Rongrong smiled. "You probably recognize my martial soul."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda appeared, making Li Yusong jump in shock!
> "Your family let you come here?"
> "Do I not meet the requirements?" Ning Rongrong shot back. "Or is Shrek afraid of accepting students delivered to its doorstep?"
Li Yusong hesitated, then nodded.
> "Shrek welcomes all monsters."
He turned to Zhu Zhuqing.
Her bone age? Only 11. But her level was already 27.
Her martial soul: Netherworld Civet.
Li Yusong looked thoughtful—then laughed heartily.
> "Good, good!"
> "This year, we've got five little monsters. Excellent!"
He turned to the line.
> "Anyone else above Level 25?"
The crowd glanced at each other in awkward silence.
A twelve-year-old Soul Grandmaster was rare enough.
Level 25+?
If not for the five freaks before them, they'd be screaming bloody murder.
Li Yusong didn't mind.
He grabbed Yi Hong again and led him inside.
> "Mu Bai, the rest is up to you."
> "Huh?" Dai Mubai blinked. "Oh—sure, Teacher Li. But... maybe I should take them in instead?"
Li Yusong glanced at Dai Mubai, then at Zhu Zhuqing.
He paused.
Then gave clear instructions—
> "Remember: Yi Hong is exempt from tests and tuition. If Flender has a problem, tell him to take it up with me!"
> "Got it. Understood."
Still not quite reassured, Li Yusong patted Yi Hong on the shoulder.
> "Kid, treat Shrek like home."
> "If anyone gives you trouble, just tell this old man—I'll make sure they regret it!"
Yi Hong was thoroughly enjoying the attention and nodded with a grin.
Dai Mubai led the way, casually chatting with Tang San and Xiao Wu—but kept sneaking glances at Zhu Zhuqing.
He was probably sensing a martial soul resonance, which told him something important.
But Zhu Zhuqing didn't even glance back—her face cold as ice, trailing silently behind the group.
Then—
Ning Rongrong sidled up next to Yi Hong and casually dropped a bomb: