Soul Land:The Dragon King's God of Nature

Shen Yi led Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue through several corridors, the sound of their footsteps echoing faintly in the spacious halls.

Along the way, they encountered groups of candidates scattered here and there, all teenagers like themselves. Unlike Jing Shaoyu's group, these candidates had no guide and were relying on maps provided at the entrance to find their way.

As the trio passed by, many of the candidates cast surprised or dissatisfied glances at them. Some, more curious or ambitious, even began following them from a distance.

Neither Shen Yi nor the trio paid them any mind.

Shen Yi soon explained the stringent requirements of the Shrek Academy entrance exams. "The academy admits only 200 students each year. Fifty slots are reserved for candidates who didn't make it into the inner court, so only 150 slots are available through the external exam."

Her calm statement didn't faze Jing Shaoyu, Xu Xiaoyan, or Gu Yue.

"Let me explain how the exam works," Shen Yi continued. "The entrance exam consists of ten tests, each scored out of ten, for a total of 100 points.

"Candidates scoring below 60 points will be eliminated outright. Those scoring above 60 will be ranked, and the top 150 will earn admission. Candidates scoring over 85 points will qualify for a special test, and if they pass it, they'll be admitted directly into the inner court."

Hearing this, Xu Xiaoyan's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Teacher Shen, can candidates really enter the inner court directly through this special test?"

Shen Yi initially dismissed the question as a child's curiosity. But when she noticed the eager and determined glints in all three students' eyes, she realized they were seriously considering it. She sighed and explained further.

"The special test is both simple and incredibly challenging. It's all about one thing: battle armor."

"Battle armor?" Jing Shaoyu raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Teacher Shen, are you saying the test is based on battle armor?"

"That's right." Shen Yi nodded, her expression a mix of pride and pity. "The test requires candidates to possess a complete One-Word Battle Armor set. If you have one, you'll pass and become an inner court disciple. If not, you fail."

Xu Xiaoyan blinked and then broke into an awkward smile. "Well, let's focus on the regular exams instead."

The requirement of a One-Word Battle Armor meant that candidates needed to be at the Soul King level—something far beyond their current abilities.

"Alright, we're here," Shen Yi said, stopping in front of a circular hall. "This is where your first test will take place. I can't accompany you further. Just head inside; after completing the first test, the proctors will guide you to the next one."

"Teacher Shen, where are you going?" Xu Xiaoyan asked instinctively, looking a bit reluctant to part ways.

"I need to pick up the other two students," Shen Yi replied, rolling her eyes playfully. "Remember Tang Wulin and Xie Xie? I'll bring them here."

"Oh, right!" Xu Xiaoyan nodded, realizing she had momentarily forgotten about them.

Hearing this, a flicker of disdain crossed Gu Yue's lips, while Jing Shaoyu's expression turned thoughtful.

"Teacher Shen, will you make it back in time?" Jing Shaoyu asked.

"Of course not!" Shen Yi said, exasperated. "But my senior brother won't give up on those two. I'm sure he has a plan. Alright, go take your test—I'm off."

With that, Shen Yi hurriedly left, her footsteps echoing as she disappeared into the distance.

The trio exchanged glances before Jing Shaoyu said, "Let's go."

Entering the circular hall, they found it bustling with candidates. Most were craning their necks to gaze at the ceiling, while a few were entering or exiting the hall. Near the massive stone pillars stood several middle-aged proctors, observing the candidates with amused interest.

"So high!" Xu Xiaoyan gasped in awe.

The ceiling of the hall loomed over twenty meters above them, creating a sense of overwhelming pressure. This pressure wasn't mysterious; its source was the mural on the ceiling.

The mural depicted a single creature—a massive black dragon with golden vertical pupils. Its enormous wings spread wide like the embodiment of death's shadow, and its body radiated an ominous dark purple glow. The intricate details of its scales made it seem as though it might leap from the mural at any moment.

The painting didn't just capture the appearance of the Golden-Eyed Black Dragon King; it also conveyed the essence and soul of Beast God Di Tian. The suffocating pressure that filled the room came from this mural, a force so intense it felt as if the entire space might collapse under its weight.

"Di Tian…" Jing Shaoyu muttered as he looked up at the black dragon. His voice was soft but carried through the hall.

The moment he spoke, the oppressive dragon might seemed to focus entirely on him. Heat surged through his body, his blood boiling with energy, but a serene and detached will deep within his bloodline quelled the pressure. Jing Shaoyu regained his composure quickly, unaffected by the overwhelming dragon might.

Beside him, Gu Yue's reaction was equally calm. She trembled slightly at first, a flicker of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she soon stabilized.

Xu Xiaoyan, however, wasn't so fortunate. Her small frame shuddered, her face pale with fear. She barely managed to grab Jing Shaoyu's arm to steady herself, her legs trembling as if they might give out.

Jing Shaoyu frowned, ready to speak, but something caught his attention. The other candidates had disappeared, leaving the vast hall empty except for the three of them. He realized the first test had already begun.

The pressure from the mural intensified, waves of force crashing down like a storm at sea. The dragon's golden eyes glowed brighter, their light sharp and piercing.

Jing Shaoyu glanced down to find Xu Xiaoyan clinging to him, her face pale and lips trembling. She was clearly struggling to resist the overwhelming dragon might. Compared to Di Tian, she was like a tiny boat adrift in a stormy ocean, barely holding on.

"Xiaoyan, don't be afraid," Jing Shaoyu said gently. He placed a hand on her forehead, and a calm, regal aura radiated from him. His eyes glowed with a warm green light, forming an invisible barrier around her.

Xu Xiaoyan immediately felt the pressure lift, her body relaxing as warmth spread through her. Her face regained some color, and she looked up at Jing Shaoyu, her expression softening.

"Thank you, Brother Shaoyu," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

"Don't mention it," Jing Shaoyu said, ruffling her hair affectionately.

"Hmph!" A cold snort came from his left. Gu Yue stepped into their moment, breaking the atmosphere. "Focus on the test!"

Jing Shaoyu smiled wryly and squeezed Gu Yue's hand briefly in reassurance.

The black dragon in the mural seemed to grow more ferocious, its golden eyes blazing in protest at their lack of respect. However, no matter how the pressure mounted, it had little effect on the trio.

Then, as if the mural had given up or the test had ended, the pressure abruptly subsided, leaving only a faint trace of dragon might. Even without Jing Shaoyu's protection, Xu Xiaoyan was no longer affected.

"Well, well! What interesting little ones!" A deep, aged voice rang out from behind one of the stone pillars.

Jing Shaoyu turned to see S

hen Yi returning, accompanied by an elderly man with white hair and a commanding presence.