Three kilometers east of Soto City.
In the distance stood a cluster of simple wooden huts. Though neatly arranged, they were so basic that they bordered on shoddy.
No one would imagine that this "poor village" was an academy.
To an outsider, it would likely be dismissed as a place that ruins students' futures.
This was Shrek Academy—a unique kind of school.
It only accepted monsters!
"Boss Dai, the new student recruitment is tomorrow. Do you think we'll get a few new faces this time?"
Two figures walked slowly across the academy's plaza, heading west.
Their relaxed manner suggested they were quite familiar with each other.
The one in front looked around fifteen years old. He had broad shoulders, a handsome yet resolute face, and golden hair that fell loosely down his back.
Most striking were his deep blue, double-pupiled eyes—strange and captivating.
The other man wore plain grey robes, a stark contrast to the first one's refined outfit.
His unkempt beard made him look rough, and his squinty peach blossom eyes gave him a strangely eerie appearance.
"Oscar, you've been at the academy longer than I have—haven't you come to terms with things by now?"
The blond youth cast a sidelong glance at the bearded man, shaking his head, clearly not holding out much hope.
"Ugh… people need to have some hope, don't they?"
Oscar sighed. "There are only three male students in our academy. You and Fatty—no worries about girlfriends. But look at me…"
At Dai Mubai's comment, the expectation on Oscar's face faded, and a lonely bitterness replaced it.
He had been at Shrek Academy for the longest. The academy's recruitment criteria were so strict they scared most people off.
Only two people had been recruited in the past two years.
As for pretty girls—he hadn't seen even one.
"Heh, are you envious of that Fatty?"
Dai Mubai chuckled, interest piqued at the mention of women. His eyes gleamed as he teased.
"It's just the sorrow of being single, that's all." Oscar shrugged.
"Haha! How about a trip into town later? My treat—what do you say?"
Seeing Oscar's melancholy face, Dai Mubai clapped him on the shoulder generously.
"Forget it. I'm not a lady-killer like you. I'd rather find someone I truly like."
At those words, Oscar's eyes lit up briefly, but quickly dimmed again as he turned down Dai Mubai's kind offer.
"Alright, suit yourself…"
Dai Mubai didn't push the issue. Carrying a food container, he walked to a shabby wooden cabin to the west.
The hut, made of wood and straw, had a sunken, collapsed roof and blackened timbers that gave off a moldy smell.
Amid the already crude academy, it stood out as especially dilapidated—untouched for years.
"Senior, your meal is here!"
Like clockwork, Dai Mubai stopped exactly three meters away from the cabin and casually tossed the food container onto the windowsill with perfect precision.
It was quiet.
The cabin was dead silent, as though unoccupied.
Dai Mubai and Oscar were used to this. They simply waited.
A minute later…
The now-empty food container flew back out of the window.
"Oscar, I'm heading to town. You take care of this."
With a wink, Dai Mubai flicked his blond hair and sauntered off.
Watching him leave, Oscar picked up the empty container with a twitch of his lips.
Then he looked curiously at the old cabin.
He had been at Shrek Academy for six or seven years now and had never seen the senior inside this cabin step out.
According to the headmaster, that person had been in the cabin for thirteen years.
Everyone—including Oscar—was intensely curious about the legendary Senior Su Xun.
"Oh right, senior, tomorrow's recruitment day again!"
Oscar called toward the cabin.
Seeing no response, he sighed and walked away.
Inside the cabin, a young man froze for a second, looking puzzled.
He scratched his head and tried to recall something with mild frustration.
His spotless white martial attire contrasted sharply with the cabin's filth.
He was enclosed in a translucent energy sphere that completely sealed him off from the outside world.
Through the light, one could make out his features—short, striking white hair; sharp brows, and starry eyes.
His neck and face were pale as snow, smoother than most women's.
This was SuXun, the senior Dai Mubai and Oscar had spoken of.
"Host, stop trying to remember—you've been cultivating here for thirteen years now (you're 19), and the main character of the original story is about to arrive at Shrek Academy."
Suddenly, a male voice echoed in Su Xun's mind.
It sounded strong but also carried a pouty resentment—like a sulking wife.
That's right: Su Xun was a transmigrator, and the voice belonged to his system.
As with many transmigrator, he had his cheat—
the Infinite Quest System.
As the name suggests, it gave him quests to complete in exchange for reward points and items.
To sum it up:
His system was a basic model.
No flashy face-slapping system…
No lucky loot-drop system…
No god-summoning cheats…
Just a steady stream of tasks, and steady rewards. Quiet cultivation.
"So Tang San is coming, huh? No wonder I've been feeling strange lately."
Hearing this, Su Xun nodded in understanding.
When Dai Mubai arrived three years ago, Su Xun had calculated the timeline. He couldn't believe how quickly those three years had passed.
"You've been in here for thirteen years already—please, I beg you, come out! If this continues, I'm going to crash!" the system wailed.
"You've run out of energy points?"
Su Xun paused, raising a brow.
"Ran out? Don't you know yourself?!" the system snapped back, rolling its virtual eyes.
Su Xun: …
This system… it's getting a little too sassy.