Malice Within, Kindness Within

Su Yu stood at the gates of Shrek Academy, while Mo Qi stood respectfully at his side. No one in the Outer Academy recognized either of them, so no one paid them any attention.

Su Yu said, "There are far too many people, aren’t there? How many students does Shrek Academy recruit each year now?"

"Your Excellency, we recruit roughly a thousand students each year," Mo Qi answered.

Su Yu had told Mo Qi not to call him Senior, so Mo Qi addressed him as Your Excellency instead.

Su Yu said, "…Don’t you think that’s a bit too many?"

"Uh, but there really are a lot of geniuses these days," Mo Qi said with a bitter smile.

Su Yu stroked his chin. "Go inform the admissions staff that the rules have changed. Starting this year, Shrek Academy’s recruitment will have a quota. Only five hundred students will be admitted each year. Have everyone who passes the earlier assessments enter a free-for-all. The last five hundred standing may join Shrek Academy."

"Huh? Your Excellency, are we really doing this? Cutting the available spots in half all at once?" Mo Qi asked in shock.

With his hands behind his back, Su Yu said, "That is how it will be. And future entrance examinations will only become more difficult. Mo Qi, remember this: Shrek Academy’s most important rule is that it only accepts monsters, not ordinary people. Geniuses are merely one kind of ordinary person."

Mo Qi froze. After a long while, he clasped his fists and bowed. "This junior will remember your teachings."

"But, Your Excellency, if we have these children fight in a free-for-all, I’m afraid there may be casualties…" Mo Qi said worriedly.

Su Yu took out a Crystal Ball. "It’s fine. Use this. Place it on the training grounds and have someone control it, drawing the minds of the examinees inside. It will feel as though they have entered another world. Even if they die in that world, they will only be weak for a short while."

Mo Qi’s eyes lit up. Taking the Crystal Ball, he said, "Your Excellency, I’ll go notify the admissions staff immediately." With that, Mo Qi left.

Very soon, Shrek Academy announced that it would only recruit five hundred students per year starting this year. All students who passed the examinations would participate in a free-for-all, and the top five hundred would be admitted to Shrek Academy. The free-for-all would not be dangerous, so everyone was told not to worry.

Those who had believed their admission was guaranteed immediately grew nervous. They were nervous, and their parents were even more nervous. However, some clever parents promptly began building connections with others. In a free-for-all like this, victory did not necessarily depend solely on strength. Connections could matter too!

Some parents were Soul Masters and understood this clearly, so they immediately helped their children find teammates. Anyone fighting alone would definitely become a target!

Su Yu was not worried about them forming groups. He simply felt there were too many people and wanted to eliminate some. After all, the preparations had been insufficient. Starting next year, Su Yu would create an admissions plan to evaluate people comprehensively. After all, some might have poor character.

Or there might be children with insufficient strength but tremendous perseverance. Su Yu could not let such hidden gems go unnoticed.

However, Su Yu was still figuring things out this year. It would indeed be a pity if some promising candidates were eliminated just like that. After thinking for a long time, Su Yu decided to give the eliminated children another assessment.

Su Yu recalled a piece of music that was perfect for testing them. He immediately informed Mo Qi to announce, after the assessment ended, that this year would have a revival assessment because of the rule changes.

"Thought," a qin piece created by Su Yu. Effect: Those harboring malice would suffer the agony of ten thousand ants boring into their hearts. The greater the evil in their hearts, the greater their pain. Conversely, those who harbored kindness and possessed excellent character would feel extremely comfortable. The greater their goodwill, the greater their comfort; it could even serve as an opportunity for a breakthrough.

Su Yu and Mo Qi arrived beside the training grounds. Shrek Academy’s grounds were enormous. More than a thousand twelve-year-old youths lay on the ground, their minds already inside the Crystal Ball. Su Yu had explained how to use the Crystal Ball to Mo Qi, and a massive screen appeared above the training grounds.

The screen displayed the scene within the Crystal Ball. More than a thousand people stood on a huge platform, beyond which lay a bottomless abyss. One teacher’s mind had also entered—the teacher responsible for controlling the Crystal Ball. He floated above the crowd and said, "Youngsters, the free-for-all began the moment you entered the Crystal World. To keep you from refusing to fight, this platform will gradually shrink over time. You may only leave once there are five hundred people remaining."

The moment he finished speaking, fighting immediately erupted below. No one could truly die anyway, so what the hell was there to fear? Just fight!

Su Yu watched the scene and smiled. This method was indeed suitable for competitions, but it was certainly inappropriate for admissions, because the ones who remained through such a method were often those with powerful family backgrounds.

An hour passed, and the group of more than a thousand had been reduced to five hundred. The battle ended, and everyone woke up. The five hundred successful candidates happily received Shrek uniforms and badges, then were taken to the Teaching Building to fill out their enrollment information.

Meanwhile, the remaining six hundred or so hung their heads in dejection. They could have joined Shrek Academy too. They could only hate that they had not been born a year earlier!

Just as they were preparing to leave, the teacher in charge of admissions said, "Students, do not be discouraged. You still have one more chance to join Shrek Academy!"

"What? Really?" They immediately looked at the teacher excitedly.

The teacher smiled. "The next assessment will test your character. Those with excellent character may join Shrek Academy. Let me warn you in advance: those with poor character will suffer greatly. If you do not wish to participate in this assessment, leave the training grounds now."

Many of them glanced around, but in the end, not a single person left. A faint smile appeared on Su Yu’s lips. Not leaving, are you… Just don’t regret it.

Su Yu rose and walked onto the platform at the training grounds. The teacher responsible for admissions knew Su Yu’s cultivation level and immediately stepped aside.

The six hundred-plus students below stared at Su Yu in shock. They realized they could not remember this teacher’s face. Su Yu said, "Let me make this clear in advance. If you cannot bear the pain later, raise your hand yourself. Otherwise, even if you die here, my music will not stop."

An uproar broke out below. They were all discussing whether this teacher was really so cold-blooded.

Su Yu released his Soul Rings. "Silence!"

Nine dazzling Soul Rings appeared around Su Yu’s body. Everyone was instantly so frightened that they did not dare speak again. A Titled Douluo—wouldn’t speaking again be courting death?

Su Yu sat down in the prepared chair, placed the Taigu Yiyin Qin on the table, and began playing "Thought."