Favorability

Huo Yuhao was the captain, so logically, they should have been called the Huo Yuhao team. That was how they had been referred to throughout the later matches. Now that it had suddenly become the Wang Dong team, everyone was momentarily stunned.

Huo Yuhao was the first to react. He pushed them forward and said, "They might have made a mistake. Go up first."

Huo Yuxi naturally heard it as well and shot Huo Yuhao a worried look.

"Next, I announce that the reward for the top three teams in the freshman assessment elimination tournament is—soul rings. Whenever a student needs one, they may promptly submit a request to the academy. Academy teachers will assist them in obtaining a soul ring they can bear and that suits them best."

Seeing the envious looks everyone gave them, Huo Yuxi sighed. This reward was practically meaningless to her.

But she also understood the weight of this reward. The academy's promise alone was difficult to obtain, and this even guaranteed a soul ring of the optimal age.

"Given that the Wang Dong team achieved a perfect record during the previous round-robin stage and performed exceptionally throughout the competition, the academy has decided to grant them an additional special reward. Once class assignments are complete, follow me to my office to collect it."

Huo Yuxi and the others already knew what this special reward was, so they did not appear particularly curious.

Dai Huabin, however, was different. This special reward should have belonged to them. His bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at Wang Dong. Clearly, he believed his defeat had been caused by her.

Wang Dong sensed the malice in his gaze, turned, and rolled her eyes at him. Her lips moved: What are you looking at? You little brat, can't handle losing?

Although he could not read lips, Dai Huabin knew it could not have been anything pleasant. He was instantly so furious that smoke practically rose from his head, and he wanted nothing more than to rush over and punch her.

Unfortunately, someone beside him grabbed his hand. Looking down, he saw Zhu Lu shaking her head at him, signaling that he should not act impulsively now.

"Alright, return to your teams first."

As Du Weilun's words fell, the nine of them politely bowed, then turned and returned to their places in the formation.

"This year's freshmen are the strongest we have seen in nearly a century. I hope that in the days ahead, you will neither become arrogant in victory nor discouraged in defeat. Study diligently at the academy, continue striving forward, achieve outstanding results, and graduate successfully."

"Since several outstanding freshmen have emerged during this freshman tournament, the academy has specially approved a number of 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 receiving preferential resources. The plaza fell silent at once, and everyone pricked up their ears, afraid of missing their own name.

Du Weilun opened the folder in his hand and began calling 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."

The more Huo Yuxi listened, the more something felt wrong. Why was Huo Yuhao's name missing?

Everyone else wore strange expressions. Huo Yuhao's was even worse. After hearing the entire list, he went completely blank. It felt as though someone had carved out his heart, and his face turned deathly pale.

Ever since entering Shrek Academy, he had always felt that his life was gradually getting better. Every day, out of twenty-four hours, he spent twenty training and improving himself.

He had been so happy after winning the elimination tournament championship, only for reality to deliver him a vicious slap across the face.

A flash of scarlet passed through Huo Yuhao's eyes. He had even made excuses for them calling his team by the wrong name. So it had been planned from the start.

Wang Dong grabbed Huo Yuhao's wrist, afraid that he might act rashly in a fit of anger.

Huo Yuxi was also so furious that she wanted to go up and argue with them. This had to be underhanded manipulation. Even those who had not placed in the top three had been approved—Huo Yuhao was the captain of the champion team, so why was his name absent?

Afraid that she would really rush forward, Lu Wanwan hurriedly said, "Xixi, don't be impulsive. Let's first see what Teacher Zhou has to say."

Zhou Yi's reaction onstage was much the same as hers. She nearly rushed forward too, but Fan Yu pulled her back. "Don't be impulsive. This is a loss for the Martial Soul Department."

Du Weilun swept his gaze across the students below, turned another page, and continued, "Given that some freshmen performed exceptionally during the assessment, but lack sufficient talent and ability, the academy has unanimously decided to allow them to temporarily receive the treatment of core disciples until the end of this academic year."

"If they make breakthroughs during next year's advancement examination, 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 then. That was right—his talent was lacking. Among so many people, he was the only one who had yet to reach Rank 20.

Temporarily receive the treatment of a core disciple! What a wonderful "temporary" arrangement! Huo Yuhao slowly lowered his head, and a trace of sorrow passed through his eyes.

Perhaps even this temporary core disciple treatment was only possible because of the Martial Soul Fusion Skill between Wang Dong and me!

But what could he do? He had put in a thousand, even ten thousand times more effort to cultivate to this point, yet he still could not compare to others who had cultivated for just one or two years.

But when he raised his head again, the disappointment in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a glint of coldness.

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

Huo Yuhao forced a smile. "I'm fine. Director Du is right. My talent and ability are indeed lacking. Even now, I'm only a Rank 17 Soul Master. It's already very good that I can receive the treatment of a core disciple."

Wang Dong wanted to say something comforting, but at that moment, she did not know how to begin. In the end, she sighed softly and released his wrist.

Having lived with him for so long, she understood Huo Yuhao's personality to some extent. He appeared calm and mild-tempered on the surface, but in truth, he was an extremely proud person.

At a time like this, it was better to let him calm down and come to terms with it himself.

Once the match summary concluded, it was time for class assignments.

The entire first year was divided into four classes. Class One was for assault and control types; Class Two was for defense and agility-attack types; Class Three was for support types; Class Four was for Battle Soul Masters and Tool Soul Masters with various other special attributes, including food and healing types.

"Class One homeroom teachers: Zhou Yi and Wang Yan; Class Two homeroom teachers: Mu Jin..."

To Huo Yuhao, this was probably the only good news he had received today.

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

After saying that, he turned and headed back to his office, with the three following closely behind. Everyone else returned to their classrooms under the guidance of their homeroom teachers. Only Huo Yuxi remained where she was, watching Huo Yuhao's retreating figure with concern.

"Don't worry. He isn't that fragile."

Huo Yuxi turned her head and saw Zhou Yi.

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

Her voice was muffled. She had once thought Shrek Academy was so wonderful that she had nearly considered it home.

This matter caused the favorability in her heart to plummet.