Two Prizes

"The family backgrounds of those unnamed three-ringed Soul Masters are all anything but simple. With the aid of external resources, their strength had long since met the requirements for core disciple treatment, so naturally, they wouldn't appear on the list."

"And your brother's current abilities truly don't meet the requirements for an Outer Court core disciple. However, they're just blind not to see your brother's potential."

A cold glint flashed in Huo Yuxi's eyes. So it was still because they weren't strong enough. Indeed, on the Douluo Continent, strength reigned supreme. Those without power would ultimately be reduced to mere ants.

Meanwhile.

Upon arriving at the office, Du Weilun gestured towards the sofa. "Don't be so reserved, please, sit down!"

Huo Yuhao appeared to have recovered his composure, sitting on the sofa with a formal expression. Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong sat down with him.

"Huo Yuhao, don't feel that the academy has been unfair. As you can see, besides you, there are other outstanding students who didn't become core disciples."

"Your performance has been very good, but your abilities still need improvement. If you perform astonishingly in the second-year assessment, the academy will definitely consider promoting you to a formal core disciple."

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

Huo Yuhao's tone was respectful, but his eyes showed no change. Having been together for so long, Wang Dong could naturally see this and didn't say much.

Du Weilun was pleased with his attitude. He reached out and tapped the ruby ring on his right hand, and a glowing brocade pouch appeared in his palm.

"This is the reward for winning the freshman competition. The academy hasn't given out such a precious prize in the freshman assessment for several hundred years." He placed the brocade pouch into Wang Dong's hand. "Open it and take a look. There's only one prize, so you'll have to decide amongst yourselves who gets it."

Under their gazes, Wang Dong slowly untied the drawstring. A ball of yellow light suddenly burst out and hovered in mid-air.

It was a small Soul Bone, only palm-sized, emitting a faint yellow glow. The dense Soul Power fluctuations significantly dispelled the gloom in Huo Yuhao's heart.

The eyes of the three widened. They had all heard Huo Yuxi mention it, but seeing it appear before them still shocked them at the academy's generosity.

Soul Rings and Soul Bones both originated from Soul Beasts. However, Soul Rings were energy bodies that inevitably appeared after a Soul Beast's death, while Soul Bones were only guaranteed to appear from Soul Beasts of 100,000 years or more, with others depending on luck.

Each Soul Master could possess a maximum of six Soul Bones, corresponding to the head, torso, and four limbs. The most precious and rare were torso Soul Bones, followed by head Soul Bones, with limb Soul Bones being relatively less valuable.

A Soul Bone would grant an additional skill. Soul Masters who possessed Soul Bones had a significant advantage over Soul Masters of the same level.

Because of this, Soul Bones were practically priceless and unobtainable throughout the Douluo Continent. Even though Shrek Academy was wealthy, its Soul Bone reserves couldn't be very large.

Only exceptionally outstanding students, or those who had made special contributions to the academy, could obtain them.

Huo Yuhao's previous thought of the academy being unfair was greatly diminished by this action, as he felt that Shrek Academy was still fair.

And indeed, his own abilities were insufficient! As Dean Yan Shaozhe had said, their generation was the most talented in a hundred years, with several Soul Elders appearing, while he was merely a one-ringed Soul Grand Master.

After Huo Yuhao figured this out, he felt his entire body relax.

"I believe you all know the preciousness of Soul Bones. Although there is only one prize, do not let it affect your friendship."

"Next, I will briefly introduce it. Its name is the Kongming Demon Leopard Left Leg Bone. As the name suggests, it is a left leg bone. After fusing with it, it can increase a Soul Master's speed and grant an attack skill that is launched from the left leg."

"The greatest benefit of a Soul Bone is that the skill it produces varies depending on the fused Martial Soul. I specifically chose this one for you, as it is suitable for Assault and Control type Soul Masters."

"Oh, and this brocade pouch can conceal Soul Power fluctuations. It's also being given to you now, so fuse with it as soon as possible after returning. Also, you must keep the matter of receiving the Soul Bone reward a secret for the academy."

Du Weilun put the Soul Bone back into the brocade pouch and escorted them to the door. The three bowed and left the teaching building.

"Teacher Zhou?" Huo Yuhao's uncertain voice suddenly sounded. Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao looked up and indeed saw a familiar figure standing not far away.

The three exchanged glances. Hadn't Zhou Yi led Class One back to their classrooms? They hadn't done anything recently that would warrant her coming all this way.

"I don't bite, why are you so scared?" Zhou Yi said speechlessly. "You won first place, and I have a prize for you too."

As she spoke, the silver bracelet on her hand flashed, and a brocade pouch identical to the one just seen appeared in her hand.

The three stiffly looked at Zhou Yi, as if confirming something.

Zhou Yi slowly nodded. "It's what you're thinking. I won this one from their class teacher during your fight with Ning Tian."

"Its name is the Secret Method Soul Left Arm Bone. After fusing with it, it provides a 5% increase in Soul Power. Although the increase sounds small, it will always be present, and its effect will become more apparent as your cultivation increases."

"However, its origin is extremely cruel, and the resentment will be quite deep. You must pay special attention when absorbing it; your willpower must be firm."

"Thank you, Teacher Zhou." Huo Yuhao reached out and took it, then looked at Wang Dong. Xiao Xiao had taken the last one, so this one should be for Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong to share, hence he didn't ask Xiao Xiao again.

"I don't want it." Wang Dong didn't even glance at it. "This Soul Bone looks very ordinary. How could it be worthy of a genius like me? Besides, didn't you hear Teacher Zhang say that absorbing it requires immense willpower? It's too troublesome, I don't care for it."

Seeing Wang Dong's proud demeanor, Huo Yuhao felt a surge of emotion. He knew Wang Dong was deliberately letting him have it.

Ever since earlier, Wang Dong had been harboring a desire to right the perceived wrongs for him, and now she was directly yielding the Soul Bone to him...

"Hmm, this Soul Bone is quite good. Keep it for now, and I'll help you use it after some time," Tianmeng Ice Silkworm's lazy voice echoed in his mind.

Huo Yuhao was startled by it. "Tianmeng, Brother?"

Zhou Yi asked Xiao Xiao and Wang Dong to return first, and then took Huo Yuhao to the Soul Tool Department.

Meanwhile, Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao, who had returned to the dormitory building, encountered Huo Yuxi, who was waiting for Huo Yuhao to return.

"Sister Xiao Xiao, Wang Dong, has my brother not returned yet?" Huo Yuxi asked, quickening her pace.

Xiao Xiao explained, "Teacher Zhou has something to discuss with him. He should be back soon."

"Alright!" Huo Yuxi nodded and went back to sit and wait.

Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao also sat down with her.

"We agreed last time that you'd call me 'brother,' but you just called me by my name again," Wang Dong said, placing her hands behind her head, her tone displeased.

Huo Yuxi was adaptable. She immediately said, "Brother Wang Dong."