Under normal circumstances, Feng Piaoling would not have minded teasing Wang Dong'er upon seeing her in such a state. However, at this moment, he could not muster the slightest bit of interest.
"You seem very concerned about this girl."
It was then that the aged voice of Electrolux echoed in his mind once again.
"I am. She is my friend. Someone has placed various schemes upon her body; though they have been lifted for now, it is only temporary. Sooner or later, that person will take her soul, her body, and eventually, her everything."
Feng Piaoling did not dislike Wang Dong'er. In fact, after spending time together, the two had unknowingly become very good friends. If possible, he did not want her to simply vanish and become nourishment for some fusion monster.
Electrolux remained silent for a while before saying, "Perhaps you can help her."
"Me?" Feng Piaoling was puzzled.
"Yes. Your Heavenly Demon Eye (Heaven-Reaching Demon Eye)," Electrolux said with conviction.
Feng Piaoling replied, "Senior, please don't joke. Though my Heavenly Demon Eye is extraordinary, it is essentially just a spirit-type technique capable of cultivating and restoring mental power and seeing through the weaknesses of an enemy's soul power."
"While I pride myself on the fact that no one in this world possesses a more powerful method of mental cultivation than I do, even if Wang Dong'er practiced the Heavenly Demon Eye, it wouldn't be enough to withstand that person's methods."
"I am not afraid to tell you, Senior, that person is my enemy and has already become a god. Even if his true body cannot descend to the lower realm for now, he is not someone the Heavenly Demon Eye can contend with."
Electrolux said, "That was before. Based on what you told me and what I have observed myself, I have already guessed a thing or two about that person's methods."
"Your Heavenly Demon Eye was created by connecting various points of mental power enhancement and recovery. The trait of seeing through weaknesses that you added later is likely inseparable from your usual cultivation."
"While it is powerful in terms of restoring and enhancing mental power, and its ability to see through weaknesses is strong, it lacks offensive capability."
"Therefore, based on your Heavenly Demon Eye, I have combined it with my own Necromancy and improved it."
As he spoke, Electrolux transmitted the newly improved Heavenly Demon Eye into Feng Piaoling's mind in the form of an information stream.
Du Weilun spoke loudly: "Next, I shall announce the rewards for the top three teams of the freshman assessment. In addition to hunting a soul ring most suitable for each member of these three teams..."
"In view of the outstanding performance and undefeated record of the champion team, Feng Piaoling's team, throughout the competition, the academy has decided to grant them a special reward. The nature of this reward will remain confidential for now."
"Once the class assignments are finished, you may follow me to collect it." These words were directed by Du Weilun toward Feng Piaoling, Zhu Lu, and Nanmen Yun'er.
But Feng Piaoling was no longer listening. His entire consciousness had already sunk into the newly improved Heavenly Demon Eye Electrolux had created for him, unable to pull himself away. It wasn't until Du Weilun signaled for the nine students to return to their ranks that Feng Piaoling snapped back to reality.
"Senior, I just took a look... this improved Heavenly Demon Eye seems terrifyingly strong. It can actually manipulate souls."
Feng Piaoling marveled inwardly.
"It is merely standing on the shoulders of a giant," Electrolux said calmly.
In truth, he was even more amazed than Feng Piaoling. This Heavenly Demon Eye, which contained no flashy fluff and could be described as the "Great Dao expressed in simplicity," was practically perfect and beyond reproach. He had merely added his Necromancy without affecting its original utility, giving it a certain degree of offensive power.
Then, as if remembering something, he spoke again: "During this time, I have remembered many things, including my name. You may call me the Holy Necromancer, the Scourge of Undeath, or simply Electrolux."
"Then I shall call you Elder Yi." Feng Piaoling smiled from the bottom of his heart. He knew that the other party had likely created this new Heavenly Demon Eye some time ago.
Out of concern that he might be a wicked person, Electrolux had withheld the teaching, merely fulfilling their previous agreement. Perhaps it was only at this very moment that Electrolux truly accepted him.
Because he was not a villain, but a man of flesh and blood who cared for his friends and those who treated him with sincerity.
Just then, Du Weilun's voice rang out again: "Given that several outstanding new students have emerged in this competition, the academy has specially approved a portion of students to become core disciples of the Outer Court's Martial Soul Department. I shall now announce the list."
At this point, Du Weilun opened the folder in his hand and read: "Based on the performance of the freshmen in the assessment, the final core disciples are: Feng Piaoling, Zhu Lu, Nanmen Yun'er, Dai Huabin, Wang Dong, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, Lan Lulu, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng."
Feng Piaoling had no interest in being a so-called core disciple, though he was slightly surprised that Nanmen Yun'er and Zhu Lu—who no longer possessed a martial soul fusion skill—were also able to become core disciples.
He figured it was because they had been on his team and remained undefeated throughout, coupled with the assistance of his Dark Gold Talismans, which allowed them to steal the spotlight during the finals. After all, sometimes luck is a form of strength.
Feng Piaoling also had some recollection of Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan. One possessed a Grimoire martial soul, capable of summoning the soul beasts he had hunted from his absorbed soul rings to fight.
The other possessed the Time Flies Clock martial soul. This martial soul involved the element of time, allowing him to increase his own speed and slow down opponents by accelerating or decelerating time.
Both were extremely rare martial souls with considerable potential. This was why, despite not making it into the top three of the assessment, they became core disciples along with Ning Tian and Wu Feng.
As for Huo Yuhao, just like in the original story, he still did not become a core disciple of the Martial Soul Department. From the moment he revealed his two white soul rings, Yan Shaozhe had already passed a death sentence on his prospects.
Sure enough, as soon as he heard his name was not on the list, Huo Yuhao's disappointment was written all over his face. He looked as if all the strength had been drained from his body; his footsteps faltered, and his face turned pale instantly.
He stumbled and likely would have collapsed if not for Dai Huabin supporting him. His eyes were completely bloodshot, filled with resentment and grievance, subconsciously putting on a pitiable act.
Had it not been for his nauseating dynamic with Dai Huabin, he truly might have fooled many people and earned their sympathy.
Next, Du Weilun announced that Huo Yuhao, Cui Yajie, Huang Chutian, and Long Xiangyue—who had teamed up with Zhou Sichen and Cao Jinxuan—were designated as provisional core disciples.
Hearing that he was a provisional core disciple, and with Dai Huabin's comfort, Huo Yuhao finally managed to suppress his aggrieved expression.
Wang Dong'er watched from the side and shook her head. This person truly was exactly as Feng Piaoling described—he loved to play the victim. If being a provisional core disciple made him "pitiful," then what about those who were eliminated and expelled?
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