Su Yunlin flicked his wrist lightly. To him, this freshman assessment had never been difficult—it was nothing more than a child's game.
"Yay! Yunlin, we won!" Wang Dong flew over excitedly, raising his right hand. Su Yunlin understood immediately and raised his own, the two of them exchanging a crisp celebratory high-five.
On the viewing platform, the two deans and Elder Xuan nodded slightly. For them, this year had finally produced a few promising seedlings—and one true little monster.
Yan Shaozhe glanced at the middle-aged man beside him. "Wei Lun, it's your turn."
Du Weilun, Director of the Martial Soul Department, nodded and stepped forward a few paces. "Now, I announce the final champion of the freshman elimination tournament. The winners are Su Yunlin, Wang Dong, and Huo Yuhao's team!
"That concludes this year's freshman assessment. Tomorrow morning, a freshman assembly will be held to award the top three teams and proceed with first-year class assignments."
As his voice fell, the crowd gradually dispersed from the assessment area.
Huo Yuhao scratched his head, still a bit dazed. He hadn't expected to become champion so easily. Then again, with Su Yunlin on the team, anyone could probably win—especially with how well Su Yunlin and Wang Dong worked together.
That night, Dormitory 108.
"Yunlin, I remember you saying at the start that the Netherworld White Tiger was 'nothing special.' So why did you immediately take out Zhu Lu first? You even used your second Spirit Ability to boost your speed. If I hadn't experienced that ability before, I might've been knocked out of the arena myself."
Lying on the bed, Wang Dong recalled the afternoon's final match. It had felt almost too easy.
Meanwhile, Su Yunlin sat in a chair with his feet propped up on the desk. "Heh. Looking down on the Netherworld White Tiger doesn't mean I'd underestimate it. Do you really think the Star Luo Empire's trump card is just for show?
"It's been passed down for ten thousand years—of course it has its merits. Who in their right mind would clash head-on with it? Spirit battles require brains. Dai Huabin? He's just a monkey with strength and no mind."
Wang Dong sat up. "Are you saying I don't have a brain?"
Su Yunlin shot him a glance. "The difference between you and Dai Huabin is that you look better and have a better personality. Everything else? Still needs work."
Wang Dong puffed up his cheeks and rolled his eyes, but didn't argue. Over these past three months, he had learned a lot from Su Yunlin. His strength had improved tremendously.
Su Yunlin tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling. "I never underestimate my opponents. What I said earlier was just to provoke him. Before a match even begins, you should already be influencing your opponent's emotions.
"Irritability is one of the biggest taboos in battle. Once someone loses control, they're full of openings. Just like our first spar—you got provoked by a few words from me, while I stayed calm and easily dodged your attacks."
Wang Dong nodded with an "I get it" expression. "So you have to keep your mind calm—like still water, right?"
Su Yunlin stood up. "Alright, let's go out for a walk. We just finished the assessment—time to relax a bit. Balancing work and rest helps Spirit Power growth."
"Okay!"
With a nimble flip, Wang Dong sprang off the bed, put on his shoes, and followed Su Yunlin out.
...
The next morning.
All freshmen who had passed the assessment gathered at Shrek Square, awaiting their class assignments.
Soon, Du Weilun arrived with over a dozen teachers.
Holding a document, he began announcing the results of the freshman assessment. As expected, Su Yunlin's team ranked first. Second place went to Dai Huabin's team, and third to the Lan sisters, who also possessed a Martial Soul Fusion Skill.
Next came the rewards for the top three teams. Each member would be allowed to request assistance from the academy in obtaining a Spirit Ring when needed—the academy would help them acquire the most suitable one.
For someone like Su Yunlin, who came from a powerful background, this reward was practically useless. With titled Douluo parents, he had no need for the academy's help—and frankly, relying on Shrek Academy could be riskier than relying on his own family.
Du Weilun continued, "Due to their outstanding performance, Su Yunlin's team will receive a special reward from the academy. This reward will remain confidential. After class assignments, you may come with me to claim it.
"Next, I will announce the students specially approved as core disciples of the outer court: Su Yunlin, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Xie Huanyue, Zhou Sicheng, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng."
Huo Yuhao froze for a moment, then quickly accepted it. Anyone could see he had been carried by Su Yunlin's team—he had essentially coasted to victory.
He didn't feel wronged. After all, becoming a core disciple meant something significant. He had learned from Bei Bei that Xie Huanyue, his roommate, had been cultivated as a core disciple from the moment he entered the academy.
Huo Yuhao was clear-headed about this. He hadn't contributed much—being allowed to stay at Shrek Academy was already a blessing.
Du Weilun went on, "Considering that some freshmen, though lacking in talent and strength, performed well in both attitude and results, the academy has decided to grant them provisional core disciple treatment until the end of this semester.
"The名单 is as follows: Cui Yajie, Huang Chutian, Long Xiangyue, Nanmen Yun'er, and Huo Yuhao."
Hearing his name, Huo Yuhao let out a breath of relief. At least he would enjoy core treatment for a few months. The fact that the academy still valued him despite his limited contribution meant he had potential.
I need to reach Rank 20 as soon as possible. Then I'll head to the Extreme North to awaken my second Martial Soul. Brother Tianmeng wouldn't deceive me. Once I become a twin Martial Soul Spirit Master, I'll shock them all! And Dai Huabin—next time, I'll deal with you myself!
Out of the corner of his eye, Su Yunlin observed Huo Yuhao. There was no abnormal behavior—just determination burning in his gaze.
What surprised Su Yunlin, however, was Xiao Xiao's inclusion among the core disciples. Her ranking had only been mid-to-high tier. Perhaps it was because she had revealed her twin Martial Souls during the assessment.
Twin Martial Souls are indeed worth cultivating. But that's none of my concern. Who doesn't have twin Martial Souls these days? Better think about my fourth Spirit Ring…
My first Spirit Ability is close combat, the second boosts speed, and the third is a mid-range debuffing attack. I'm still missing a buff-type ability. A ten-thousand-year fourth Spirit Ring with a strengthening effect would be ideal.
Next came class assignments. The entire first year was divided into four classes: Class 1 for assault and control types; Class 2 for defense and agility types; Class 3 for support types; and Class 4 for the remaining miscellaneous categories.
Naturally, Su Yunlin and Wang Dong were placed in Class 1. Both possessed flying-type Martial Souls, fitting both assault and agility roles. More importantly, the academy had no intention of separating them—at least, the higher-ups weren't blind.
After the assignments, Du Weilun led Su Yunlin's team to claim their special reward.
Su Yunlin already had a good idea of what it was.
As expected, the academy's special reward was a Spirit Bone—a left leg bone from the Kongming Demon Leopard.
It looked decent, but to Su Yunlin, it was trash.
No matter its age, it couldn't exceed twenty thousand years. There was no way he would waste a Spirit Bone slot on it. With twin Martial Souls, he had the potential to equip a full set of hundred-thousand-year Spirit Bones.
Wang Dong shared the same view. The Spirit Bone offered him little benefit.
Huo Yuhao, however, stared at it with wide eyes—it was his first time seeing a Spirit Bone.