Soul Land:The Dragon King's God of Nature

In Shen Yi's car, Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue sat in the back seat, while Shen Yi drove in the front. As for Ye Yingluo, she had been left behind at the inn, as Shrek Academy's entrance exam rules strictly prohibited anyone other than applicants and examiners from approaching the exam grounds.

Ye Yingluo could only stay back at the inn with Wu Zhangkong and Xie Xie, waiting for Tang Wulin to awaken—a situation she found torturous.

As Shen Yi drove, she glanced at the trio in the backseat through the rearview mirror. Seeing Jing Shaoyu sitting between Gu Yue and Xu Xiaoyan, she smiled lightly.

"Jing Shaoyu, are you confident?" she asked.

"Of course," Jing Shaoyu replied calmly.

"Teacher Shen, are you really our Teacher Wu's junior sister?" Xu Xiaoyan asked sweetly, leaning forward curiously.

"Yes, I am," Shen Yi replied warmly. She found the petite and sweet-smiling girl quite likable.

"Does that mean you graduated from Shrek Academy too?" Xu Xiaoyan continued, her voice full of curiosity.

"Of course. Only Shrek Academy graduates can become teachers in the outer court," Shen Yi explained.

"So that means our Teacher Wu also has a chance to stay at Shrek Academy as a teacher?" Xu Xiaoyan asked innocently. "He's already resigned from East Sea Academy."

"Really?" Shen Yi's voice revealed a hint of surprise, followed by joy. "If Teacher Wu is willing, he can stay at Shrek Academy as a teacher anytime."

"That's wonderful!" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed excitedly. "Does that mean if we pass the exam, we might still be his students? That would be amazing! Teacher Shen, to help us reunite with Teacher Wu, can you give us some hints about the exam?"

Jing Shaoyu and Gu Yue exchanged amused glances. Xu Xiaoyan's directness was endearing yet naive.

"Huh?" Shen Yi was momentarily stunned before smiling helplessly. "As much as I'd like to help, I can't reveal anything. You'll have to rely on your own abilities. But I believe in you!"

"Alright," Xu Xiaoyan said, a bit deflated. She slumped back into her seat, looking disappointed.

"Don't be so glum," Jing Shaoyu said, poking her cheek playfully. "Look outside—we're here at Shrek Academy."

Shen Yi's driving was efficient, and in less than an hour, they had crossed half of Shrek City and arrived at Shrek Academy in the heart of the city. All three of them turned their attention to the view outside.

They saw towering, ancient city walls that exuded a sense of grandeur and history. Stretching as far as the eye could see, these old walls marked the boundaries of Shrek Academy, which occupied what was once the inner city of Shrek City.

"Wow! This is Shrek Academy?" Xu Xiaoyan couldn't help but exclaim in awe.

"Shrek Academy, also known as the Inner City of Shrek, was originally the entire city of Shrek. When the city expanded, this area became exclusively part of the academy," Shen Yi explained proudly. "This is not only where students study but also the core of the entire city. Only individuals approved by the academy can freely enter and exit the inner city."

"An entire city dedicated to an academy?" Xu Xiaoyan exclaimed again. "That's incredible! No other academy could ever do something like this!"

Shen Yi laughed. "Impressive, right? I was just as amazed when I first came here. But once you've been at the academy for a while, you'll get used to it."

Despite chatting with Xu Xiaoyan, Shen Yi maintained her swift pace, and soon they reached the main gate of Shrek Academy.

The academy's main gate, also the northern gate of the inner city, was fronted by a massive parking lot and plaza. Vehicles from all over the continent were parked here, their license plates showcasing diverse origins, though all bore temporary passes for Shrek City.

Above the gate hung a prominent plaque with the words "Shrek Academy." To countless soul masters, this place was a distant dream, one they barely dared to imagine. In front of the gate, a crowd had gathered—mostly young people under the age of fifteen, accompanied by a few adults who had come to see them off.

The young aspirants displayed a range of emotions—confidence, anxiety, indifference—each reflecting their unique personalities and circumstances.

Shen Yi's car, being an official vehicle, drove directly into the gate, drawing curious and envious gazes from the crowd outside.

"Why does that car get to go inside?" someone grumbled.

"That's an official vehicle. If you were a teacher at the academy, you could drive in too," replied one of the gatekeepers without looking up. The crowd instantly quieted. A teacher at Shrek Academy? No complaints here.

Once inside the academy grounds, Shen Yi slowed the car, revealing a vast plaza ahead.

Unlike the cobblestone streets of the inner city, the plaza was paved with massive gray stones, laid out like a chessboard. Surrounding the plaza were ancient buildings arranged in a semicircle, their architecture intricate and monumental. The buildings, made of massive stones and adorned with human-shaped carvings, formed a stunning backdrop.

At the center of the plaza was a large circular fountain, over a hundred meters in diameter. Clearly man-made, its edges were meticulously precise, satisfying even the most perfectionist eye. The fountain featured clear, sparkling jets of water, and at its center stood a statue.

The craftsmanship of the statue was impeccable, so lifelike it seemed almost real. Every detail was vivid and natural, a testament to the artist's extraordinary skill.

Jing Shaoyu's gaze landed on the statue, and a realization struck him. Isn't that Huo Yuhao? He smirked. His looks are average, but those eyes… they've got depth. The sculptor's skill is truly remarkable.

The statue of Huo Yuhao was surrounded by six soul spirits: Skydream Iceworm, Ice Jade Empress Scorpion, Ice Snow Maiden, Eight-Petal Ice Grass, Ice Bear King, and the Mermaid Princess. Each was intricately detailed, overlapping with Jing Shaoyu's recollections of their forms, creating an almost surreal experience.

Many people gathered around the fountain, marveling at the statue.

"Who's that?" Xu Xiaoyan asked. "Is it the legendary Spirit Ice Douluo, Huo Yuhao?"

"Exactly," Shen Yi said with reverence. "This plaza is named Spirit Ice Plaza, built over ten thousand years ago when the outer city was expanded, and the inner city was designated solely for the academy. It was created to honor Huo Yuhao, who once turned the tides of history."

She pointed to the statue. "This statue was carved by his companions after he ascended to the God Realm, to ensure future generations remember this great figure."

Gu Yue's gaze lingered on the statue, her expression darkening as her eyes passed over Huo Yuhao's soul spirits. Lowering her head, her eyes flashed with disdain and hatred. To her, Huo Yuhao symbolized the decline of the soul beast race—a debt she intended to repay in full.

"Come, let's head to the teaching building," Shen Yi said, beckoning them forward.

The trio followed her through the plaza, passing other young candidates, and approached the colossal ring-shaped building. The carvings on its walls became clearer with every step.

"These carvings depict the inner court disciples of the academy. Every student admitted to the inner court leaves behind a statue as a testament to their place in the academy's history," Shen Yi explained, her voice brimming with pride.

Inside the building, Jing Shaoyu was struck by its grandeur. The ceiling soared over ten meters high, with an additional five stories above it. This sixty-meter-tall structure was a marvel. The walls and ceiling were covered in murals, adding an air of elegance and history to the already majestic interior.

"This is Shrek Tower," Shen Yi said. "The murals depict every major event in the academy's history since its founding."

Jing Shaoyu gazed at the murals, feeling a profound sense of awe. Though he knew much of this history from his unique perspective, seeing it depicted so vividly stirred something deep within him. The weight of time and the richness of Shrek Academy's legacy were palpable.

No wonder Shrek Academyis called the sanctuary of all soul masters. Two millennia of unbroken history say it all.

-Support me in Patreon for more chapters 35+ chapters in there 

patreon.com/QueenTL

Thanks!