The quality of this year's freshmen was indeed far superior to previous years; even Director, the knowledgeable and experienced head of the Outer Court, was pleasantly surprised.
As the applause died down slightly, Director announced in a loud voice:
"Alright, I will now announce the rewards for the top three teams of the Freshman Assessment. The top three teams will all receive a standard reward from the academy: each person may submit a request to the academy when they need a spirit ring, and the academy will assist them in obtaining a spirit ring that they can bear and that is most suitable for them."
For ordinary students, this reward was already very generous.
It meant that the academy would mobilize resources and connections to help them find and hunt the Soul Beast that best matched their Martial Soul, ensuring that the age and quality of the spirit ring reached the optimum for their current Rank.
Ordinary students did not have this kind of treatment; even if they were taken out to hunt for Martial Souls by a teacher, it was usually just a matter of finding something suitable, and it was impossible to strive for perfection.
Director paused, his gaze falling on the champion trio, his tone carrying a hint of profound meaning:
"As for the additional rewards for the champion team, they will be distributed separately after the class assignment ceremony concludes."
The separately distributed champion reward... Caelus understood in his heart; it must be that Spirit Bone that was used as a gimmick.
However, he did not hold high expectations for the Freshman Assessment rewards; he estimated that the age and quality would be relatively ordinary, and for him, the appeal was limited.
"Alright, you may return to your formation."
Director signaled for the top three teams to return to the Ranks.
As the three returned to their places, the atmosphere in the plaza became tense and expectant once again.
What followed was the key that really concerned every freshman's study and development for the next few years—the class assignment.
Director's gaze swept over the freshmen below, who had instantly quieted down and were craning their necks in anticipation, and he said in a deep voice:
"The quality of this year's freshmen is far superior to previous years, but I still hope that you can continue to work hard. Heavenly Dao rewards diligence; no matter how good your talent is, it is futile without effort. Here, I wish you all a smooth graduation."
He paused, his voice suddenly raised with a sense of solemnity:
"In view of the outstanding freshman students who emerged in this year's freshman competition, the academy has specially approved a portion of students to become Core Disciples of the Outer Court. I will now announce the list."
Shrek Plaza immediately became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
The four words "Core Disciple" seemed to carry magic, causing the hearts of all the students to beat faster involuntarily.
Everyone knew that this was not just a title; it also represented the tilting of academy resources, better mentorship, and a more convenient path to the Inner Court.
Since it concerned their own future, everyone held their breath and listened attentively, afraid of missing a single word.
Director opened the folder in his hand and read clearly and forcefully:
"Based on the performance of the freshmen in the assessment, the Core Disciples approved by the academy are: Caelus, Gu Yuena, Ye Guyi, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Ning Tian, Wu Feng, and Xie Huanyue."
As the names were read out one by one, the students whose names were called revealed expressions of surprise and pride on their faces.
The gazes cast from those around them were also full of envy.
This list basically included everyone who performed the most brilliantly in the Freshman Assessment, whether it was the trio of Caelus who won the championship with absolute strength, Dai Huabin and Zhu Lu who possessed the Hell White Tiger, or the twin sisters who performed well, and rare Martial Soul holders like Cao Jinxuan and Ning Tian. Their selection was within everyone's expectations, and there was not much controversy.
However, when Director closed the folder and the reading of the list was finished, some observant people discovered that one name did not appear—Huo Yuhao.
"How could Yuhao not be there?"
Wang Dong almost blurted out. He turned his head abruptly to look at Huo Yuhao, whose face had instantly turned pale, his eyes filled with shock and confusion.
Xiao Xiao was also full of anxiety, her small hands tightly clutching the corner of her clothes, her gaze moving back and forth between Director and Huo Yuhao. If the occasion had not been so serious, she might have raised her hand to ask.
Huo Yuhao stood where he was, feeling a chill surge from the soles of his feet straight to his crown, and the surrounding clamor seemed to drift away from him instantly.
He listened as the names of his teammates Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao were read out. The feeling of happiness he originally had for them turned into disappointment and frustration the moment he realized he had not been selected.
Why? He was clearly the team leader and the tactical core. For the sake of victory, he had tried his best and sacrificed so much... Why was he the one excluded?
A huge sense of grievance and bewilderment welled up in his heart, making his lips tremble slightly.
Caelus took in this scene entirely. His gaze swept calmly over Huo Yuhao's dejected face, and he shook his head slightly in his heart.
In the competition, Huo Yuhao was indeed the team core, and Spiritual Detection Sharing could even be called a divine skill.
But the Shrek high-level management valued the future, the potential for a Soul Master's growth, rather than temporary strength.
Huo Yuhao had disguised himself too much...
A first spirit ring that appeared to be only at the ten-year level, a weak initial impression—even if his subsequent performance was brilliant, in the eyes of those who were accustomed to measuring potential by rigid standards, Huo Yuhao's "upper limit" seemed to have already been framed.
They might acknowledge Huo Yuhao's wisdom and team role, but for a Core Disciple, they were betting on the future of becoming a Titled Douluo or even higher.
In their view, Huo Yuhao's foundation, especially that "white spirit ring," dragged down his future possibilities.
Martial Soul-type Soul Beasts were indeed rare, but with the size and heritage of Shrek Academy, if they truly determined that Huo Yuhao was a peerless Genius, would they not be able to find a suitable Soul Beast to strengthen his foundation?
The problem was that the "potential" Huo Yuhao had displayed had not yet made them determined to invest such huge resources and expectations.
Playing the pig to eat the tiger could indeed hide one's trump cards, but sometimes, it could also cause one to miss the attention and opportunities they should have received.
Huo Yuhao was not wrong, and the academy's high-level management was not wrong; the mistake was that ten-year white soul ring.
After all, a million-year spirit ring was indeed too shocking, and at the current stage, Huo Yuhao did not have a simulation Spirit Ability to disguise his spirit ring.
Therefore, disguising it as a ten-year soul ring was also a helpless move.
These thoughts flashed through Caelus's mind.
He would not speak up or do anything about it; this was a consequence that Huo Yuhao had to bear for the path he chose himself.
In this competitive World, opportunities often coexisted with risks, and how to display oneself was a subject in itself.
Director did not seem to notice the slight commotion below, or perhaps he noticed it but did not care.
He closed the folder and said in a loud voice:
"The above is the list of Core Disciples for this year. I hope all Core Disciples will guard against arrogance and rashness, and Cultivate diligently. Students who were not selected need not be discouraged; the Shrek stage is open to all who work hard, and the future still holds infinite possibilities."
As his words fell, a complex sound mixed with joy, envy, disappointment, and frustration echoed throughout the plaza.
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