Join Tang San and Get Xiao Wu

**[Main Task 1: Join Shrek Academy.]** 

**[Task Difficulty: Easy]** 

**[Task Reward: Level up by one rank.]**

---

"A main task too!" 

Meng Bei's eyes lit up as he immediately followed the system's directive, saying: 

"Brother San, here's the thing. I came here to join Shrek Academy, but Xiao Wu said the enrollment period has already passed. Do you think you can help me find a way in?" 

He requested earnestly. 

Tang San, naturally, did not refuse. After thinking for a moment, he replied: 

"The enrollment period isn't a big issue. I can speak to Dean Flender about it. But the real question is your talent. Shrek Academy values talent highly. If your aptitude is too poor, I might not be able to help." 

"Brother San, my martial soul is a Snow Rabbit, and my spirit power is at level 29. Will that do?" 

Meng Bei revealed his spirit power level directly. 

He felt that his talent was decent—outstanding among commoners. This confidence had initially driven him to seek refuge with Tang San. However, now that he had the system, Tang San's support was no longer necessary. 

Joining Shrek Academy was solely to claim the system's reward. 

Hearing Meng Bei's spirit power level, Tang San was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Meng Bei to be a talent on par with himself. 

This further solidified Tang San's belief in Meng Bei's identity. After all, both Soft Bone Rabbits and Snow Rabbits were rabbit-type martial souls, making Meng Bei's claim as Xiao Wu's distant younger brother seem plausible. 

"Xiao Bei, your talent is more than sufficient. Let's go meet Dean Flender!" 

Tang San enthusiastically led Meng Bei toward Shrek Academy. 

Meanwhile, Xiao Wu, watching them leave, was furious and anxious. 

Her instincts told her that Meng Bei's entry into Shrek Academy would bring trouble, but there was nothing she could do to stop it. 

---

Soon, Meng Bei followed Tang San into Shrek Academy. 

The academy resembled a rural village, with most of its wooden buildings covered in moss, exuding a rustic charm. 

Tang San led Meng Bei to a small courtyard at the center of the village. 

Meng Bei guessed it was Flender's residence, and his guess was confirmed when Tang San respectfully knocked on the door. 

"Dean Flender, good news! We've got another little monster for Shrek Academy!" 

"Oh? Come in and tell me more." 

A slightly hoarse voice came from within. 

Tang San entered with Meng Bei in tow, and Meng Bei finally saw Flender. 

Flender looked just as described in the original story—a middle-aged man wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Though he appeared a bit haggard at first glance, his sharp eyes hinted at keen intelligence. 

Flender sat in a chair, polishing an old vase. As Tang San introduced Meng Bei, Flender set the vase aside and scrutinized him closely. 

---

"Dean Flender, this is Xiao Bei, Xiao Wu's distant younger brother. His martial soul is the Snow Rabbit, and his spirit power is at level 29. He wishes to join Shrek Academy." 

Flender's interest was piqued. Looking at Meng Bei, he asked, "Are you from the Extreme North?" 

Meng Bei was slightly surprised that Flender could deduce his origin so easily. As expected of a Spirit Saint. 

Giving Flender a thumbs-up, Meng Bei said, "As expected of Dean Flender! I am indeed from the Extreme North. May I ask how you could tell?" 

Flender chuckled and explained: 

"When I was younger, my team and I ventured into the Extreme North. Snow Rabbits, Snow Foxes, and Snow Wolves are the three most common martial souls there. How could I not recognize them?" 

Meng Bei complimented him immediately: 

"Dean Flender, you truly have vast knowledge and experience!" 

Flender shook his head with a smile, pointing at Meng Bei and joking, "Kid, you don't need to flatter me so blatantly." 

Afterward, Flender tested Meng Bei's bone age and spirit power. The results left him very satisfied. 

"Looks like we're about to welcome the eighth little monster to our academy!" 

---

**[Ding! Main Task 1: Join Shrek Academy—completed.]** 

**[Reward issued.]** 

**[Main Task 2: Yet to be unlocked.]**

---

Meng Bei suddenly felt a warm current surge through his body, raising his spirit power from level 29 to level 30 instantly. 

Both Flender and Tang San noticed the spirit energy fluctuation and looked at Meng Bei. 

Scratching his head sheepishly, Meng Bei explained, "Um, I got a little too excited when Dean Flender said I could join Shrek Academy, and my spirit power accidentally broke through." 

Flender and Tang San: "Huh?" 

**Breaking through due to excitement?** 

Though skeptical, the facts couldn't be denied. Meng Bei's spirit power had indeed risen inexplicably from level 29 to 30, leaving them no choice but to believe him. 

---

Even though it was only Meng Bei's first day at Shrek Academy, the academy had to plan for his third spirit ring. 

As Flender made the arrangements, the system chimed again. 

---

**[Ding! Side Task Triggered.]** 

**[Side Task: Help Shrek Academy student Meng Bei acquire his third spirit ring.]** 

**[Task Difficulty: Easy.]** 

**[Task Reward: Third spirit ring's age increased by 1,000 years.]**

---

Meng Bei rubbed his nose, beginning to understand the system's mechanics. 

It seemed that as long as he participated in events related to Shrek Academy or the protagonist group, he could trigger main or side tasks and reap significant rewards. 

With this realization, Meng Bei formulated a plan. 

While his strength was still weak, he would stick with the protagonist group to trigger system tasks and improve his abilities. Once he was strong enough, he could break free and do as he pleased. 

---

Later, under Flender's guidance, Meng Bei met the other members of Shrek Academy. 

First was Grandmaster, a stern middle-aged man who looked even older than Flender. He simply nodded at Meng Bei without saying much. However, his professional skills were apparent—he quickly identified three spirit beasts suitable for Meng Bei's martial soul and mapped out the optimal hunting route for acquiring a spirit ring. 

Next was Zhao Wuji, a burly man who lived up to his title as the Immovable King. He warmly welcomed Meng Bei. 

Meng Bei then met Dai Mubai, the leader of the Shrek Seven Devils. To his surprise, Dai Mubai was approachable and not as arrogant as the original story depicted. 

Finally, Meng Bei was introduced to Oscar and Ma Hongjun. 

Oscar was cheerful, occasionally playful, but always brought joy to those around him. 

Ma Hongjun was straightforward, though he hurried off after only a brief conversation. 

"Gotta, uh, cool down!" Ma Hongjun explained, saying he needed to take care of personal matters before helping Meng Bei hunt for his spirit ring tomorrow.