Because Beibei and Tang Ya were wearing their third-year uniforms, the four of them entered Shrek City directly through the east gate without being stopped.
Along the way, Zhou Sichen attracted the majority of the attention.
He was simply too good-looking; his skin was even more delicate and refined than a girl’s.
Tang Ya couldn’t help but purse her lips.
“It’s obvious they’re just lusting after him.
I can understand the first-year freshmen, but why are those fifth and sixth-year senior girls acting like this too?
So superficial!!”
Beibei couldn’t help but laugh.
“How were you any different from them before?”
“How could I be the same?
I purely think Big Brother Zhou is handsome and appreciate him aesthetically, unlike them with their ulterior motives.” Tang Ya puffed out her chest proudly, not forgetting to warn Zhou Sichen, “Big Brother Zhou, don’t be fooled by those senior girls.
Beibei and I are three years ahead of you; we’re moving up to the fourth year now.
If there’s anything you don’t understand about the academy, just come find me in the fourth-year classroom.”
Hearing this, Zhou Sichen raised an eyebrow and told them, “I actually don’t plan on staying with the freshmen.”
Beibei and Tang Ya exchanged a glance, looking at him in disbelief.
“Big Brother Zhou, you mean…
you want to skip the freshman assessment entirely?”
Zhou Sichen nodded.
“With my current strength, staying with a bunch of freshmen wouldn’t bring me any real benefits; in fact, it would feel a bit like bullying.”
Tang Ya, Beibei, and Huo Yuhao immediately thought of Ah Da and Hellfire.
Those two incredibly powerful, near-ten-thousand-year soul beasts were enough to sweep through the entire freshman class.
Even among the fifth and sixth-year seniors, few could likely defeat Ah Da and Hellfire.
And that wasn’t even considering the mysterious third contracted beast he had yet to reveal.
Beibei nodded.
“That’s true.
There’s precedent for this.
As long as you show enough strength, you can skip grades.”
After a thought, Beibei suggested, “Big Brother Zhou, although your actual combat power is much higher than mine, you are still technically only rank thirty-eight.
How about this: you apply for a skip and just join our class?”
Hearing this, Tang Ya secretly gave Beibei a thumbs-up and chimed in, “Yeah, Big Brother Zhou!
Since you just enrolled and don’t know anyone, joining our class would be perfect so we can look out for each other!”
Listening from the side, Huo Yuhao couldn’t help but clench his fists.
He was still worrying about the freshman assessment three months from now, while Big Brother Zhou could just skip grades directly upon entering.
He silently cheered himself on: You can do it too, little Yuhao!
Keep going!
Zhou Sichen just smiled faintly.
“I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you.
Actually, I want more than just to skip a few grades.”
At these words, Beibei and Tang Ya looked at him in sheer disbelief.
“Big Brother Zhou, no way…
do you want to enter the Inner Courtyard directly?!”
Beibei knew the Inner Courtyard far too well and couldn’t help but warn him, “Big Brother Zhou, I know you’re strong and incredibly talented, but the Inner Courtyard and Outer Courtyard are truly on entirely different levels.”
“Many who are considered top-tier geniuses in the Outer Courtyard would only be at the bottom in the Inner Courtyard.
My advice is to study in the Outer Courtyard for two years first, and then enter the Inner Courtyard.”
Zhou Sichen felt a warmth in his heart listening to Beibei’s advice; at least the guy was being sincere.
But Zhou Sichen wasn’t an ordinary genius—he was a true monster.
Zhou Sichen smiled faintly.
“I understand what you mean, but I’m not an ordinary person.”
“Plus, I like a challenge.
If there’s no challenge and I just idle my time away in Shrek, I might as well go back home and farm.”
“Shrek Academy is a gathering place for geniuses.
My goal here is to compete on the same stage as them, and then surpass them one by one.”
He paused, a boundless confidence radiating from him.
“The Inner Courtyard is my goal.”
Seeing the unwavering confidence exuding from Zhou Sichen, Beibei, Tang Ya, and Huo Yuhao felt an odd sensation.
The gentle and easygoing Big Brother Zhou they had known for the past half-month didn’t seem quite right anymore; this confident, unhurried demeanor felt like his true state.
Had he been acting gentle and easy to talk to just to avoid dealing a blow to their confidence?
Hearing his unquestionable tone, Beibei and Tang Ya opened their mouths but found themselves unable to speak.
After a long while, Beibei finally said, “As expected of you, Big Brother Zhou.
It’s true; for a genius like you, only the Inner Courtyard is a place where you can truly showcase your talent.”
Zhou Sichen returned the smile.
“Am I being a bit too arrogant?”
The three shook their heads.
Beibei said, “Actually, we were just overthinking it.
Your three contracted soul beasts are all near the ten-thousand-year level.
That alone qualifies you for the Inner Courtyard.”
“We were just worrying for nothing earlier, completely ignoring the fact that you, Big Brother Zhou, are a peerless prodigy yourself.
Once you enter the Inner Courtyard, it probably won’t take long for you to carve out a name for yourself.”
Hearing this flattery, Zhou Sichen smiled.
“I’ll borrow your good wishes then.”
Beibei then turned to Tang Ya.
“How about this: Xiao Ya, you take Yuhao to handle the enrollment.
I’ll take Big Brother Zhou to the Inner Courtyard.
Right now happens to be the Inner Courtyard assessment period.
If Big Brother Zhou passes, he can enter the Inner Courtyard directly.”
Tang Ya nodded.
“Then I wish Big Brother Zhou immediate success.
You’ll be our senior from then on.”
Huo Yuhao added, “Congratulations in advance on smoothly entering the Inner Courtyard, Big Brother Zhou.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t let you guys down.
When you all enter the Inner Courtyard eventually, I’ll have the sky propped up for you.”
After a few more pleasantries, the four parted ways, and Zhou Sichen followed Beibei toward the Inner Courtyard assessment area.
Along the way, Beibei kindly explained the Inner Courtyard’s assessment standards and introduced some of its heavyweights.
Zhou Sichen listened quietly, feeling that his entry into the Inner Courtyard was practically a done deal.
Shrek Academy was divided into Inner and Outer Courtyards.
In reality, entering the Inner Courtyard was considered truly entering Shrek, and only then could one enjoy the absolute best treatment.
Furthermore, any student who managed to graduate from the Inner Courtyard would almost certainly become famous across the continent—that was the weight the Inner Courtyard carried.
However, the assessment criteria were exceptionally harsh.
Less than one in ten could pass and endure it, which was why there were rarely more than a hundred Inner Courtyard disciples at any given time; their numbers were incredibly scarce.
Entering the academy proper, the two walked south along a lakeside path for nearly fifteen minutes before turning west.
After another fifteen minutes, a massive rectangular plaza came into view.
A sign reading “Shrek Plaza” stood nearby.
In the center of the Outer Courtyard plaza stood three magnificent statues—the founders of Shrek Academy, the Golden Iron Triangle, who were renowned across the continent ten thousand years ago.
Zhou Sichen was already very familiar with these three without Beibei needing to introduce them.
Past the majestic statues and the plaza, towering teaching buildings came into view.
These buildings varied in color, primarily white, yellow, purple, and black.
In the distance, there was also a cluster of gray buildings.
Beibei continued his introduction: “The colors of the teaching buildings represent different grades, categorized by the colors of soul rings.”
“White is the freshman building, representing the lowest-tier ten-year soul ring.
Yellow is for the second and third years of the Outer Courtyard.
Purple is for the fourth and fifth years, and black is the sixth-year building.”
“Being able to walk out of the black building means you’ve earned an Outer Courtyard graduation certificate.”
Beibei paused, looking at Zhou Sichen with a hint of envy.
“But you’re a special case, Big Brother Zhou.
With your talent, you might never need to set foot inside these buildings.”
(END CHAPTER)