"Teacher Zhao, please give me another chance!"

With a loud thud, Li Yang dropped to his knees again, pleading desperately.

"This isn't a place you can enter just because you want to!"

"If you fail, you fail—now get lost!"

Zhao Wuji bellowed furiously, then turned around without hesitation and ordered the guards to shut the academy gates.

Li Yang stood up dejectedly and brushed the dust off his clothes.

"Someone actually failed? I thought passing the first round meant you were basically guaranteed admission…"

"This is big news."

In the distance, a few shadowy figures watched the scene unfold, astonishment written all over their faces.

"Li… Li Yang?"

"You?!"

Just as Li Yang turned a corner in defeat, someone suddenly grabbed his arm.

The man appeared to be Li Yang's guardian, but in truth, he was a Spirit Hall agent.

"I… I didn't pass the second round."

Li Yang stammered nervously, trembling as he met the man's glare.

"Useless! You couldn't even complete such a simple task!"

The man cursed furiously after hearing the result.

"It wasn't my fault! The assessment was too difficult—almost impossible to pass. Others are sure to get eliminated too…"

Li Yang tried to defend himself, his voice full of grievance.

"You think I wasn't watching the whole time? You're the only one who's come out so far!"

"Shame on you. You've embarrassed our Spirit Hall scouting unit!"

Smack!

A sharp slap rang out across Li Yang's face.

—Meanwhile, inside the testing room—

Auro had just finished his evaluation and stepped out.

"Didn't seem that hard, honestly."

He let out a long breath, smiling with relief.

At this point, most of the candidates had completed the test. Only Xuanzi was left.

"Congrats, everyone!"

"Do your best, Xuanzi!"

The students congratulated each other, and the atmosphere began to relax.

"Xuanzi!"

Lin Jian called loudly.

Xuanzi took a deep breath and strode into the room with steady steps.

After passing Lin Xue's inner trial, he now stood in front of Lin Feng once more.

"Xuanzi, take this. It might cause your Martial Soul to evolve."

Lin Feng smiled and produced a pill, handing it to him.

"Thank you, Examiner!"

Xuanzi was overwhelmed with emotion. With trembling hands, he prepared to receive the pill, gratitude pouring from his heart.

"Wait—don't be too hasty."

"This pill only might cause an awakening. It could also fail."

"Examiner, I've been an orphan since birth."

"I never dreamed of studying at a soul master academy. Working in inns was just a way to scrape by."

"If not for the academy recognizing my potential today, I'd have spent my whole life in mediocrity."

"Even if there's only a sliver of hope—I'll still be grateful."

Without hesitation, Xuanzi took the pill from Lin Feng and swallowed it.

The moment the pill went down, a warm current surged through his body, coursing through his meridians. A faint white glow enveloped him.

In truth, this was a rare medicinal pill crafted from precious herbs to boost soul power. It wasn't on the level of an immortal herb.

"Examiner, what's happening to me?"

Xuanzi asked, puzzled.

"This is the natural reaction to your Martial Soul transforming."

"Close your eyes, turn your back, and sit cross-legged. I'll guide your soul power."

Lin Feng instructed calmly.

"Alright."

Once Xuanzi was settled, Lin Feng remained composed and silently muttered in his heart:

"System, swap trait."

[Ding! Trait replacement successful.]

As the system's chime echoed in his mind, Xuanzi's soul power erupted like a tidal wave, surging violently within him.

Suddenly, a thick, ink-like black mist burst forth from his body, swirling rapidly and completely enveloping him in an instant.

"Lin Feng, Dean Dugu asked—"

Just then, Liu Erlong stepped into the room, only to freeze mid-step at the bizarre and shocking sight before her.

"What's going on here?"

A hint of confusion flickered in her eyes as she instinctively asked aloud.

Lin Xue, noticing Erlong, walked briskly over with light steps and leaned in to whisper an explanation:

"Senior Erlong, Xuanzi is undergoing a Martial Soul mutation."

At those words, Liu Erlong's eyes widened in disbelief.

Her gaze locked onto the swirling black mist, and she couldn't help but marvel inwardly—

Just what kind of people were around Lin Feng? Each one defied all expectations.

Could Martial Soul mutations now be artificially induced?

"Ahhhhh—!!"

Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted from within the black mist.

Then, it was as if an invisible giant hand had torn the fog apart, revealing a towering, majestic Godly Taotie Bull.

This mythical beast had a massive body, muscles coiled like serpents, exuding an ancient, ferocious aura.

"ROOOAR!"

The Godly Taotie Bull reared back and bellowed to the heavens, its cry shaking the room. A fearsome glint shone in its eyes.

Xuanzi was flooded with joy as he sensed his Martial Soul's transformation. His heart brimmed with uncontainable elation.

"Taotie?! Isn't that one of the legendary ancient beasts?"

Second Uncle was the first to identify it and couldn't help but exclaim.

"The pressure from this mutated Taotie Martial Soul… it's actually stronger than my top-tier Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon!"

Hearing this, Liu Erlong was even more stunned, her lips trembling as she blurted out her shock.

Under the might of this Martial Soul's aura, even the air in the room seemed to thicken.

Everyone felt their breathing grow labored, awe and reverence swelling in their hearts.

Only Lin Feng remained composed, slowly rising to his feet with a faint smile, quietly watching Xuanzi's transformation.

"Thank you, Examiner."

Xuanzi quickly withdrew his Martial Soul and stepped forward, bowing with heartfelt gratitude.

He had now broken through to Soul Power Rank 18.

"Good."

"Study well while you're here at the academy."

Lin Feng patted his shoulder with a warm smile.

He was sure that Xuanzi's talent had now improved tremendously.

After all, innate soul power is closely tied to the strength of one's Martial Soul—an evolved Martial Soul naturally boosts cultivation potential.

"Welcome to Monster Academy, Xuanzi."

Lin Feng said with a smile.

"Congratulations!"

Lin Xue and Lin Jian also stepped forward to offer their congratulations.

"Feng'er, from this moment on, you are the Vice Dean of Monster Academy."

Just then, Second Uncle walked forward and handed Lin Feng a token.

"Dean Dugu asked me to deliver this and give you the news personally."

"From now on, no need to introduce yourself as just a Lin Clan member—just say you're Vice Dean Lin Feng of Monster Academy."

Liu Erlong teased with a melodious laugh.

"Grandfather really thinks things through,"

Lin Feng smiled as he accepted the token.

"Dean Lin!"

In that instant, everyone cupped their fists respectfully and addressed him with the new title.

Lin Feng looked down at the token in his hand, a wave of emotion rising in his heart.

Unknowingly, he now had a position of power within the academy.

---

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