Champion

After the qualifying rounds concluded, there was half a day of rest. Early the next morning, the students of Class One were summoned to the classroom for assembly.

Huo Yuxi had recovered most of her soul power after taking the Revival Soul Pill from Wang Dong. When she arrived at the classroom, she found that neither Huo Yuhao nor Wang Dong had arrived yet.

The class bell had rung for quite some time before Zhou Yi finally entered the classroom. She surveyed the room with her eyes, saying nothing, her smooth fingers tapping rhythmically on the podium. The students below felt a jolt of unease at the sound.

A moment later, a report rang out with full vigor. Zhou Yi's gaze was indifferent as she said, "Come in first!"

After closing the classroom door, Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong hurried inside. It was then that Huo Yuxi noticed something was amiss with both of them.

Wang Dong was fine; he always paid attention to his appearance and had tidied himself up considerably on the way to class.

Huo Yuhao, however, looked utterly disheveled. Half of his shirt, which should have been tucked into his pants, was hanging out, and two buttons were undone. His hair was also a mess.

"You two, what's going on?" Zhou Yi stared at them sharply. "Huo Yuhao, tell me, were you out stealing chickens and dogs last night?"

Her voice was devoid of inflection, yet it carried immense deterrence.

"Uh... sorry, Teacher Zhou, we overslept." Huo Yuhao had intended to say they had slept in, but whether he was groggy or too nervous, he didn't notice the ambiguity of his statement.

"Oh? Overslept?" Zhou Yi's eyes glinted with amusement as she looked at them, but she hid it well, so well that it was unnoticeable unless one looked closely.

Huo Yuhao froze for a moment after hearing her words, his face flushing red. Wang Dong, standing behind him, couldn't help but reach up and cover his forehead. What nonsense was this idiot spouting?

Zhou Yi suppressed the smile tugging at her lips and walked to the podium. "Alright, go back to your seats."

Everyone could tell that Teacher Zhou was in a good mood today. They didn't ponder for too long, as her next statement provided the reason.

"Three days have passed, and the freshman assessment has officially concluded. I am very pleased, as all twenty-three groups of students in our class have passed."

"Wow!"

Cheers erupted, shaking the heavens. Some students hugged their teammates excitedly, others shed tears, and some stood up to applaud.

Watching this scene, Zhou Yi smiled, recalling her original intention. With her strength, she could have taught in the inner courtyard. However, she believed that nurturing these ordinary talents into outstanding Soul Masters was her true meaning as a teacher.

This sense of fulfillment was something she couldn't experience elsewhere.

After their emotions settled, she added, "You should all know that Shrek Academy has an advancement assessment every year. Passing this assessment only ensures that you won't be eliminated before the end of your first year."

"If you slack off in the time to come, then I might not see you within the academy in your second year."

"Also, although the freshman assessment is over, there are still fifteen groups of students from our twenty-three groups whose competitions have not yet concluded."

"The matches for the top sixty-four will be even more challenging, and this will further prove your excellence. I hope you all give it your all."

Fifteen groups!

Upon hearing this number, the students of Class One, Year One, all looked up. Out of the sixty-four groups, their class accounted for so many.

Zhou Yi continued, "Among these fifteen groups, two groups of students achieved perfect victories. In the freshman assessment qualifying rounds, only seven groups in total achieved such excellent results."

"I originally wanted to give them some rewards, but because someone from Huo Yuhao's group was late today, their merits and demerits have canceled each other out."

"And Huo Yuxi, you didn't remember what I said during the assessment about staying vigilant at all times, giving your opponent a chance to strike a heavy blow. Therefore, there will be no reward for you either."

Huo Yuxi's eyes had lit up when she heard about the reward, but when she realized the reward she was about to receive had vanished, she instantly deflated.

Zhou Yi, being who she was, naturally saw her reaction clearly. Without further explanation, she continued, "The top sixty-four elimination rounds will officially begin tomorrow. I will explain the rules to you..."

Huo Yuxi was listening intently when suddenly Zhou Yi loudly called out, "Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, you two put on the iron vests and go run. Stop when the dismissal bell rings."

Their guilty expressions were evident. Why did the atmosphere between them seem so strange?

"Remember this: no matter how great your success, you must maintain humility. As Soul Masters, arrogance can lead to failure on a small scale, and on a larger scale, it could cost us our lives."

"You need to engrave this sentence in your hearts. No matter where you are or what you are doing in the future, you must be humble and cautious."

As Zhou Yi said this, she specifically looked at Huo Yuxi. Her talent was enough to make her stand out from the crowd, but her hard work was equally important.

"Alright, that's enough of that for now. I will tell you about the opponents for tomorrow's elimination rounds. The fifteen qualified groups, listen carefully."

Her expression was serious, and the students unconsciously straightened their postures, cocking their ears to listen intently.

"Among the seven groups with perfect victories, including Huo Yuxi's group from our class, a total of two groups have three-ring Soul Elders."

As soon as she finished speaking, a roar erupted from the students below, "What? We didn't hear about any Soul Elders in other classes before! They kept it too well hidden!"

"Quiet. These students are special admissions, so I only recently found out this information. While I expect you to give it your all, do not force yourselves when you encounter them. In the competition, it's said to stop when you've had enough, but nothing is absolute."

"Huo Yuxi, Lu Wanwan, and Luo Ling, come with me. The rest of you, study in the classroom."

Picking up their books, they turned to leave. Huo Yuxi asked Xiao Xiao to inform Huo Yuhao later and then quickly followed.

Arriving at Zhou Yi's office, the three stood in a line obediently, like schoolchildren who had made a mistake.

"Don't be nervous, I don't bite," Zhou Yi said as she sat down at her desk. "What I said in the classroom earlier about not forcing yourselves against three-ring teams was not directed at you. The goal I've set for you and Huo Yuhao's team is the top two. In fact, your team should be the one to win the championship."

"Only the top three in the top sixty-four elimination rounds will receive substantial rewards. I won't hide it from you: the reward for first place is a Soul Bone."

"But you don't need to put too much pressure on yourselves. The perfectly victorious teams from other districts won't encounter each other in the first two matches."

"Furthermore, from what I know, the strength of the other three-ring contestants is not as good as Huo Yuxi's. Coupled with the enhancement from her Soul Ring's age, this championship is likely yours."

"So, all of you, take this seriously."

"Yes!"

Zhou Yi nodded with satisfaction as she looked at their determined expressions. "Have you noted down the opponent information I gave you in the classroom earlier?"

"We've noted it down, Teacher."

"Good. Here is the specific information for those groups. Take it back and review it. However, remember to rest and maintain your energy to prepare for the battles."

"Goodbye, Teacher." After receiving the notebooks, the three bowed in unison and exited the office.

The height difference between the three was quite interesting. Luo Ling was half a head taller than Lu Wanwan, and Lu Wanwan was half a head taller than Huo Yuxi. Standing side by side, the three looked like a signal bar.