Newborn Assessment

Shrek Academy's assessment area was unlike the grand battle stages of the Douluo Zone. Instead, it was a vast open space enclosed by a relatively low outer wall, with tall internal walls serving as partitions.

These walls were designed like mechanisms, capable of being dismantled and moved to alter the size and shape of the arena.

The entire assessment area spanned approximately twenty thousand square meters, currently divided into fifty zones. The freshman year had a total of three hundred groups of students, meaning each zone averaged six groups.

Within the same zone, teams would first compete in a round-robin format. After all teams in a zone had faced each other, the top sixty-four would advance to an elimination round.

Huo Yuxi and her two companions were assigned to Zone 21, while Huo Yuhao's group was in Zone 33.

With ten minutes remaining until the assessment, Huo Yuxi and her teammates followed the zone markers to their designated area.

A woman with an exceptional aura stood before them. Upon seeing that everyone had arrived, she announced, "Hello everyone, I will be your proctor for the next two days."

"Greetings, teacher," the students replied, bowing formally.

The woman nodded and continued, "There are six groups and eighteen individuals in our Zone 21. Everyone is present. I will now explain the rules."

"The assessment will be conducted in groups of three. Teams will engage in round-robin battles. During these battles, the use of Soul Tools is prohibited, but other weapons are unrestricted."

"The assessment requires everyone to give their best effort, but intentionally injuring others is strictly forbidden. If you win but intentionally harm an opponent, you will be disqualified and may even face punishment from the academy. Therefore, do not resort to cheap tricks. Is everyone clear?"

Although they were only eleven or twelve years old, none of them were foolish. They understood the implications and quickly nodded in response.

"Alright, everyone will only have one match today. Let's begin quickly so we can finish early, get some rest, and prepare for tomorrow."

The proctor opened a booklet in her hand. "First round, first match. Freshman Class 1: Huo Yuxi, Lu Wanwan, Luo Ling, versus Freshman Class 6: Su Boren, Chen Jiaojiao, Chi Shaoxuan."

Being the first group to compete had its pros and cons. On the plus side, like the teacher said, they could finish early and rest. The downside was that as freshmen, they were likely unprepared, and going first might make them hesitant to unleash their full abilities.

Huo Yuxi didn't mind much. Since they had to compete anyway, and their opponents were also first-timers, they would probably hold back and observe. It would be better to get it over with quickly.

She exchanged glances with Lu Wanwan and Luo Ling, then stepped forward with her Soul Devouring Spider, taking a position in the southeast corner. Lu Wanwan stood behind her, while Luo Ling positioned herself parallel to Huo Yuxi, forming a right-angled triangle.

The Class 6 students followed suit. Su Boren, wearing black-rimmed glasses, stood at the rear, with Chi Shaoxuan in the middle and Chen Jiaojiao at the front, adopting a serpentine formation.

With both sides ready, the proctor announced the start of the assessment and stepped outside the arena.

Both sides activated their Martial Souls. The moment Huo Yuxi's Soul Rings appeared, everyone was stunned.

Huo Yuxi appeared to be the youngest of the group. Before the Martial Souls were revealed, no one had paid them much attention. They hadn't expected their configuration to be so formidable: two Soul Masters with two Soul Rings and one with three Soul Rings.

Upon seeing the three girls' Martial Souls, the opposing students became much more serious. The highest Soul Power among them was Chi Shaoxuan at level 25, Chen Jiaojiao at level 23, and Su Boren at level 19.

They were considered a top team within Class 6, but in comparison, they seemed outmatched. Huo Yuxi and her teammates remained vigilant, knowing that even a small opponent should be treated with full force.

"First Soul Skill, Wolf Tooth Hammer!"

Chen Jiaojiao, despite her delicate appearance, wielded a wolf's tooth mace as her Martial Soul. Her yellow Soul Ring lit up, and she leaped forward, gripping the handle with both hands.

Her target was Lu Wanwan. The Radiant Cloud Spirit Deer was a typical support-type beast Martial Soul, and the unwritten rule was to eliminate the opposing support Soul Master first.

Huo Yuxi and her teammates were aware of this. However, Lu Wanwan was no ordinary support Soul Master. If their levels were higher, they might have a chance, but with most opponents having one or two Soul Rings, there was no need for concern.

For this first match, the three girls had discussed their strategy: if there was a significant level difference, Luo Ling would be the main attacker, and Huo Yuxi would try to conserve her strength.

The later matches would be tougher, so it was best to keep their trump cards hidden. Revealing them now would allow their opponents to devise targeted strategies, leading to certain defeat.

As Chen Jiaojiao unleashed her Soul Skill, Lu Wanwan also moved. "First Soul Skill, Step by Step Bloom!"

A spirit deer began to circle Lu Wanwan, and white lotuses appeared with its every step. They rose into the air and arranged themselves irregularly in front of Chen Jiaojiao.

Chen Jiaojiao felt her speed slightly decrease but wasn't too concerned. Her Soul Power had reached level 23, and she was a power-type Soul Master. Lu Wanwan, a support-type Soul Master two levels lower, wouldn't be able to inflict significant damage.

At their age, they were straightforward, driven by the desire to win and become champions.

With a slight flick of her wrist, Chen Jiaojiao swung her wolf's tooth mace at the lotuses.

"Bang! Bang bang!"

Explosions sounded one after another, catching Chen Jiaojiao off guard. Su Boren, who was controlling the field from the rear, narrowed his eyes and moved forward to catch her.

A page flew out, blocking other attacks before drifting towards Huo Yuxi.

Chen Jiaojiao's group was considered among the top geniuses in Class 6. Occupying one of the six seed spots was enough to demonstrate their strength.

Huo Yuxi didn't know the specific ability of the book page and quickly dodged the attack. However, it clung to her like a stubborn stain, making it impossible to shake off and preventing her from using any Soul Skills.

On Luo Ling's side, Chi Shaoxuan's Martial Soul was a short blade, indicating a speed-type offensive route specializing in close combat. Luo Ling, a long-range battle Soul Master, found being approached by him disadvantageous.

Unfortunately, Chi Shaoxuan's speed was too great, forcing her to engage. Fortunately, to compensate for her lack of close-combat skills, her family had arranged special training for her.

Moreover, such gaps in ability were not insurmountable below level 30, so neither of them could gain a decisive advantage.

Chen Jiaojiao, seizing the opportunity while Lu Wanwan was undefended, intensified her assault, aiming to eliminate her first.

The observing students watched the match with intense focus, knowing they would face these opponents later. Gathering information now would help them devise strategies.

"That three-ring Soul Master still hasn't used any Soul Skills. Are they that strong?"

"It's only the first match. Everyone will surely conserve their strength. Besides, their configuration is so high; they're probably the seed team from Class 1. They wouldn't go all out right at the start."

As time slowly passed, Chen Jiaojiao tightened her grip on the wolf's tooth mace, a fiery glint in her eyes. It had been so long, and she still hadn't defeated a support Soul Master.

Having been hailed as a genius since childhood, this was the first time she felt so stifled in a fight.

Huo Yuxi sensed that Lu Wanwan couldn't hold on much longer. She quickly turned and ran towards the outer edge of the arena. After creating some distance from the book page, she swiftly unleashed her Soul Skill.

"Second Soul Skill, Wrath of the Stranglehold!"

The moment her Soul Skill was activated, Su Boren and his teammates felt their Soul Power consumption double, and their movements became sluggish.

"Second Soul Skill, Drowning Water!"

Luo Ling also took the opportunity to unleash a group attack skill. Seawater, carrying a palpable pressure, flowed quietly across the stage. The proctor promptly activated a protective device, isolating all the attacks within a shield.