Two Prizes

"None of the three-ring contestants without names came from simple backgrounds. With the help of external resources, their strength had long met the requirements for core disciple treatment, so naturally they would not appear on the list."

"And your brother's current abilities truly did not meet the requirements for an Outer Court core disciple. But they were blind too, unable to see your brother's potential."

A cold glint flashed through Huo Yuxi's eyes. So it was still because they were not strong enough. That made sense. On the Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme. Those without strength would ultimately be reduced to ants.

Elsewhere.

Upon arriving at the office, Du Weilun pointed at the sofa. "No need to be nervous. Have a seat."

Huo Yuhao appeared to have returned to normal. He sat on the sofa with a solemn expression, while Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong sat down beside him.

"Huo Yuhao, do not think the academy has been unfair. You saw it yourself—besides you, there were other outstanding students who did not become core disciples either."

"Your performance was excellent, but your abilities still need improvement. If you perform spectacularly in the second-year assessment, the academy will certainly consider promoting you to an official core disciple."

"Thank you for your concern, Director Du. I will definitely work hard."

Huo Yuhao's tone was respectful, but his eyes did not change in the slightest. Having spent so much time with him, Wang Dong naturally noticed, but she said nothing.

Du Weilun was very satisfied with his attitude. He tapped the ruby ring on his right middle finger, and a brocade pouch glowing with faint light appeared in his hand.

"This is the reward for winning the freshman tournament. The academy has not given out such a precious prize during the freshman assessment in hundreds of years." He placed the pouch in Wang Dong's hand. "Open it and take a look. There is only one prize, so you must decide among yourselves who will receive it."

Under the gazes of the other two, Wang Dong slowly untied the cord. A ball of yellow light suddenly flew out and hovered in midair.

It was a small soul bone, only the size of a palm, radiating a faint yellow glow. The dense fluctuations of Soul Power eased much of the frustration in Huo Yuhao's heart.

The three of them widened their eyes. Huo Yuxi had mentioned soul bones before, but seeing one truly appear before them still left them shocked by the academy's extravagance.

Like soul rings, soul bones came from soul beasts. However, soul rings were energy forms that would inevitably appear after every soul beast died, while soul bones were guaranteed to appear only from soul beasts over one hundred thousand years old. For all others, it depended on luck.

Each soul master could possess at most six soul bones: one for the head, one for the torso, and four for the limbs. The rarest and most valuable was the torso soul bone, followed by the head soul bone. Limb bones were relatively less valuable.

A soul bone granted an additional skill. Compared with soul masters of the same rank, a soul master with a soul bone possessed an enormous advantage.

Because of this, soul bones were priceless throughout the Douluo Continent. Even though Shrek Academy was wealthy and powerful, its stockpile of soul bones could not possibly be large.

Only especially outstanding students, or students who had made special contributions to the academy, could receive them.

The academy's action greatly wore away at Huo Yuhao's sense that it had been unfair, because he could feel that Shrek Academy was still fair.

And his abilities truly were insufficient! Dean Yan Shaozhe had said that their class was the most talented in a century. Several Soul Elders had appeared, while he was merely a one-ring Soul Grandmaster.

After Huo Yuhao came to terms with it, he felt his whole body relax.

"I believe you all understand the value of a soul bone. Although there is only one prize, you must not let it affect your friendship."

"Next, I will briefly introduce it. It is called the Kongming Demon Leopard Left Leg Bone. As its name suggests, it is a left leg bone. After fusion, it can increase a soul master's speed and grant an offensive skill activated through the left leg."

"The greatest benefit of soul bones is that different martial souls produce different skills after fusion. I selected this one specifically for you. It is suitable for assault-type and control-type soul masters."

"Oh, and this pouch can conceal Soul Power fluctuations. It is yours now as well. Fuse with it as soon as possible after you return. At the same time, you must keep the matter of receiving a soul bone reward secret for the academy."

Du Weilun put the soul bone back into the pouch and escorted them to the entrance. After the three bowed to him, they left the teaching building.

"Teacher Zhou?" Hearing Huo Yuhao's uncertain voice, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao looked up and indeed saw a familiar figure standing in the distance.

The three exchanged glances. Hadn't Zhou Yi led the Class One students back to the classroom? They had not done anything recently that should warrant her coming all this way, had they?

"I am not going to eat you. What are you so afraid of?" Zhou Yi looked speechless. "You won first place, so I have a prize for you as well."

As she spoke, the silver bracelet on her wrist flashed, and an identical brocade pouch appeared in her hand.

The three looked stiffly at Zhou Yi, as though trying to confirm something.

Zhou Yi slowly nodded. "It is exactly what you think. I won this in a bet with Ning Tian's homeroom teacher during your battle against her."

"It is called the Secret Method Soul Left Arm Bone. After fusion, it provides a five percent increase in Soul Power. Although that may not sound like much, the increase is permanent. Once your cultivation rises, its effects will become obvious."

"However, its origin was extremely cruel, and its resentment is rather deep. You must be especially careful when absorbing it. Your willpower must be firm."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhou." Huo Yuhao reached out to take it, then looked at Wang Dong. Xiao Xiao had taken the previous one, so this one should be divided between Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong. Therefore, he did not ask Xiao Xiao again.

"I do not want it." Wang Dong did not even spare it another glance. "This soul bone looks utterly ordinary. How could it possibly be worthy of a genius like me? And did you not hear what Teacher Zhou said? Absorbing it requires incredibly strong willpower. It is such a hassle. I do not care for it."

Seeing Wang Dong's proud manner, Huo Yuhao felt a surge of emotion. He knew Wang Dong was deliberately giving it to him.

Ever since earlier, Wang Dong had been feeling indignant on his behalf, and now she was directly yielding the soul bone to him...

"Mm, this soul bone is not bad. Keep it for now. In a while, I will help you use it." Sky Dream Ice Silkworm's lazy voice rang out in his mind.

Huo Yuhao jumped in fright. "Brother Sky Dream?"

Zhou Yi had Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong return first, while she brought Huo Yuhao to the Soul Tool Department.

Back beneath the dormitory building, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao ran into Huo Yuxi, who was waiting for Huo Yuhao to return.

"Sister Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong, has my brother not come back yet?" Huo Yuxi hurried forward a few steps and asked.

Xiao Xiao explained, "Teacher Zhou needed him for something. He should be back soon."

"Alright!" Huo Yuxi nodded, returned to her seat, and continued waiting.

Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao sat down beside her as well.

"We agreed you would call me brother last time, yet you called me by my name again just now." Wang Dong rested both hands behind her head, her tone displeased.

Huo Yuxi was quick to adapt and immediately said, "Brother Wang Dong."