Favorability

Huo Yuhao was the captain, so by rights it should have been called the Huo Yuhao team. This was the name used in subsequent matches. Now, it had suddenly changed to the Wang Dong team, and everyone was momentarily stunned.

Huo Yuhao was the first to react. He pushed Wang Dong forward and said, "Perhaps they misread it. Let's go up."

Huo Yuxi, of course, had also heard this. She glanced at Huo Yuhao with concern.

"Next, I announce the rewards for the top three in the freshman assessment elimination round – Soul Rings. Each student, when needed, can promptly request the academy, and academy teachers will assist them in obtaining a Soul Ring that they can withstand and that best suits them."

Seeing the envious gazes from everyone around her, Huo Yuxi sighed. This reward was equivalent to nothing for her.

But she also knew the weight of this reward. Firstly, the academy's promise was not easy to obtain, and this was for a Soul Ring of the optimal age.

"Given that the Wang Dong team achieved an undefeated record in the previous round-robin matches and displayed excellent performance during the competition, the academy has decided to bestow an additional special reward upon them. After the class assignments are complete, please follow me to the office to collect it."

Huo Yuxi and the others already knew what this special reward was, so they didn't appear particularly curious.

Dai Huabin, however, was different. This special reward should have rightfully been theirs. His bloodshot eyes stared intently at Wang Dong, clearly believing that his defeat was due to Wang Dong.

Wang Dong sensed the malice and turned to give him a dismissive look, mouthing, What are you looking at? Little brat, can't handle losing.

Although he couldn't read lips, Dai Huabin knew it couldn't be anything good. He was instantly so enraged that smoke seemed to rise from his head, wanting nothing more than to rush over and punch him.

However, he was held back by the person beside him. He looked down and saw Zhu Lu shaking her head at him, signaling him not to act impulsively.

"Alright, you nine can return to your teams now."

As Du Weilun finished speaking, the nine bowed politely, then turned and rejoined their respective teams.

"The strength of this year's freshmen is the best in the past hundred years. I hope everyone will not become arrogant in victory or dejected in defeat in the future. Study hard within the academy and continue to strive for excellent results to graduate successfully."

"In view of the outstanding freshman students who appeared in this year's freshman competition, the academy has specially approved a portion of the students to become core disciples of the Outer Court. I will now announce the list."

Everyone present knew that becoming a core disciple of the Outer Court meant preferential access to resources. The plaza fell silent in an instant at these words, with everyone straining their ears, afraid to miss their name.

Du Weilun opened the folder in his hand and began calling out names: "Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Huo Yuxi, Luo Ling, Lu Wanwan, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Ning Tian, Wu Feng."

As Huo Yuxi listened, she felt increasingly uneasy. Why wasn't Huo Yuhao's name on the list?

Everyone else had strange expressions. Huo Yuhao himself was even more so. After hearing the entire list, he was stunned, feeling as if a knife had been twisted in his heart, his face turning deathly pale.

Since entering Shrek Academy, he had felt that his life was slowly improving. For 20 out of every 24 hours, he dedicated himself to diligent cultivation and progress.

He had been so happy to win the championship of the elimination round, but reality had delivered a harsh blow.

A hint of scarlet flashed in Huo Yuhao's eyes. He had even made excuses for them miscalling the team name. So, it had all been planned from the start.

Wang Dong grabbed Huo Yuhao's wrist, afraid he would act impulsively in his anger.

Huo Yuxi was also so angry she wanted to go argue. This was clearly rigged. Students who didn't even place in the top three were approved, but Huo Yuhao, the captain of the champion team, why was he excluded?

Lu Wanwan, fearing she would actually rush forward, quickly said, "Xixi, don't be impulsive. Let's wait and see what Teacher Zhou says."

On stage, Zhou Yi's reaction was similar. She was almost about to rush forward but was pulled back by Fan Yu. "Don't be impulsive. This is a loss for the Martial Soul department."

Du Weilun glanced at the crowd below, then turned another page. He continued, "Given that some freshmen performed exceptionally well in the freshman assessment, but their talent and abilities were somewhat lacking, the academy has unanimously decided to grant them temporary core disciple treatment until the end of this academic year."

"If they achieve breakthroughs in the upgrade examination next year, they will be considered for promotion to official core disciples. The list is as follows: Huo Yuhao, Cui Yajie, Huang Chutian, Long Xiangyue, Nanmen Yun'er."

Huo Yuhao had calmed down by now. Yes, his talent and abilities were indeed lacking. Among so many people, he was the only one who hadn't reached level 20 yet.

Temporarily enjoying core disciple treatment! What a "temporary enjoyment"! Huo Yuhao slowly lowered his head, a trace of sadness flashing in his eyes.

Perhaps, the reason he could even enjoy this temporary core disciple treatment was thanks to his Martial Soul Fusion Technique with Wang Dong.

But what could he do? After putting in a thousand times the effort to cultivate to this point, he still couldn't compare to others who had cultivated for only one or two years.

However, when he looked up again, the disappointment in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a cold glint.

"Yuhao, are you alright?" Wang Dong asked softly.

Huo Yuhao forced a strained smile and said, "I'm fine. Director Du is right. My talent and abilities are indeed lacking. I'm still only a level 17 Soul Master. It's already good enough to receive core disciple treatment."

Wang Dong wanted to say something comforting, but at that moment, she didn't know how to begin. Finally, she sighed and let go of his hand.

Having lived together for so long, she understood Huo Yuhao's personality to some extent. He appeared calm and gentle on the surface, but in reality, he was a very strong-willed person.

At a time like this, it was best to let him calm down and figure things out himself.

After the competition summary, it was time for class assignments.

The entire first-year cohort was divided into four classes. Class One consisted of Attack and Control types; Class Two, Defense and Agility types; Class Three, Support types; and Class Four, other special attribute Battle Soul Masters and Weapon Soul Masters, including Food and Healing types.

"Class One homeroom teachers: Zhou Yi, Wang Yan; Class Two homeroom teacher: Mu Jin…"

For Huo Yuhao, this was probably the only good news of the day.

"The homeroom teachers will lead their respective classes back to the classrooms according to the latest class assignments. Wang Dong, you three, come with me."

He said this and turned back towards the office, with the three following closely. While others returned to their classrooms led by their homeroom teachers, Huo Yuxi stopped in place, looking worriedly at Huo Yuhao's retreating back.

"Don't worry, he's not that fragile."

Huo Yuxi turned to see Zhou Yi.

"Teacher Zhou, how are core disciples selected? If it's based on talent, some three-ringed students weren't selected. If it's based on ability, my brother already won the championship, so why isn't his name on the list?"

Her tone was sullen. She used to think Shrek Academy was so wonderful that she had almost considered it home.

This incident had caused her favorable impression of the academy to plummet.