Holiday

The Soul Chasing Sword turned in the air and landed back in Chen Zifeng's hand. He then swung it towards Ma Xiaotao.

At this moment, Ma Xiaotao was fully focused on dealing with Dai Yaoheng and Yao Haoxuan's attacks, completely unaware of what was happening behind her.

"Sister Xiaotao, be careful."

"Fifth Soul Skill, Ice Prison."

Huo Yuxi's voice reached Ling Luochen, who raised her hands. An ice prison rapidly surrounded Ma Xiaotao. This was a group control skill. With Ling Luochen's current abilities, controlling a single prison was enough to block Chen Zifeng's attack.

However, with Dai Yaoheng and Yao Haoxuan attacking from the front, it was highly likely that it would only serve as a buffer, not providing actual protection. It would depend entirely on Ma Xiaotao's agility.

Ma Xiaotao was not an Agility-Attack Soul Master, after all. While she managed to block Chen Zifeng's attack, she still couldn't dodge Dai Yaoheng's fists and palms.

"Yuxi, Third Soul Skill."

After shouting at Huo Yuxi, she turned to Ling Luochen and said, "Luochen, cover her. Give her time to prepare."

She and Ling Luochen quickly separated, encircling the three attackers.

Gongyang Mo saw their actions, lowered his head, and met Ma Xiaotao's gaze. He instantly understood her intention and directly aimed his support at Huo Yuxi.

"Orange Soul, Azure Bloom."

"Third Soul Skill, Soul Devouring Spider Thorns."

With Gongyang Mo's support, Huo Yuxi's entire being instantly warmed up. Her Third Soul Skill was unleashed at her optimal state.

Facing the emotionless barrage, only Gongyang Mo, who was airborne, managed to escape unscathed. Everyone else scrambled desperately.

Ma Xiaotao couldn't help but shout, "Control it! Are you a fake control-type Soul Master? How can you do indiscriminate sweeping?"

During their previous conversation, Ma Xiaotao hadn't noticed any issues. Only now did she realize that Huo Yuxi couldn't control her skills?

After stopping, they all reached out to pull the spider thorns off each other. Huo Yuxi guiltily stepped aside.

It wasn't that she didn't want to control them, but she couldn't! There were so many spider thorns; if she wanted to control them in batches, she needed more practice.

However, after obtaining her third Soul Ring, she had been training her physique. Then came the assessment. During this period, the Douluo Zone was also sealed off, making it impossible to practice.

The trial immediately followed the assessment, leaving her no time or opportunity to familiarize herself with this "new" skill.

Ma Xiaotao also realized this and couldn't say anything more.

Only Gongyang Mo, who had narrowly escaped disaster, was laughing so hard that tears streamed down his face. "This is too tragic. Who told you to underestimate our little ones? Don't you think anyone who can hang out with Sister Xiaotao would be bad?"

As expected, he was mobbed.

Seeing everyone charge at him, Huo Yuxi feared that Gongyang Mo's handsome face would be ruined.

In the end, Ling Luochen had Huo Yuxi follow her to learn control techniques. Yao Haoxuan, like herself, was also a support controller, so she gained two free tutors.

The following days returned to a peaceful rhythm. Huo Yuxi continued her cultural classes as usual, occasionally taking time to train with Ma Xiaotao and the others.

After school in the evening, she would go with Wang Dong and Xiao Xiao to learn the Tang Sect's ultimate skills from Tang Ya. Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao would be studying at the Soul Tool Department during this time.

Both Huo Yuxi, Huo Yuhao, and Xiao Xiao found these days exceptionally fulfilling. Only Wang Dong was reluctantly turned into a diligent little bee.

They endured this for eight months and finally welcomed their first holiday.

Shrek Academy's holidays lasted for one month each year. However, this month was not for the students to relax but to integrate what they had learned over the previous eleven months.

The start of the new semester would directly involve the advancement examination. If they failed, they would be eliminated. Therefore, this month actually became the busiest period for the students. After all, the competitive pressure here was so intense that no one dared to truly rest.

They had to seize every opportunity to overtake others.

The day for officially leaving school was the day after tomorrow. Teacher Zhou would likely hold a meeting tomorrow to brief them on holiday arrangements and new requirements for the next semester.

Since Huo Yuxi had no classes today, she went to Lake Center Island to bid farewell to Ma Xiaotao and the others. Huo Yuhao had told her that he would be undergoing a ranking assessment at the Soul Tool Department today and that she didn't need to wait for him for dinner, so she decided to stay and eat at Lake Center Island.

The next morning.

The students arrived at the classroom early, waiting. By the time Huo Yuxi and Xiao Xiao arrived, the classroom was already full.

Without exception, their faces were filled with excited smiles. It was evident that everyone was looking forward to this holiday.

It made sense. After being away from home for so long for the first time, everyone would miss their families. Of course, Huo Yuxi and the others were exceptions; they didn't have a home!

"Class, tomorrow is the official start of the holiday. I've seen all your hard work throughout this year. So, on the last day of this academic year, I want to tell you: You are the most outstanding class I have ever taught."

Hearing this, the students below were visibly excited. The common saying among teachers in other classes was: "You are the worst class I have ever taught."

Teacher Zhou's contrasting statement made it difficult for them not to be excited.

"Does it feel like Teacher Zhou is praising us before criticizing?" Wang Dong muttered from his seat.

Xiao Xiao nodded in agreement. "I also feel this isn't like Teacher Zhou's usual personality. It's likely that what she says next won't be good news."

After all, they had been together for so long; they couldn't say they understood Teacher Zhou's personality perfectly, but they could guess it roughly.

As expected, the next moment, Teacher Zhou's condition was revealed.

"However, whether you can continue to stay at Shrek Academy next semester and become qualified second-year students depends on the results of your advancement examination next semester."

The students below exchanged glances, starting to feel nervous. The freshman assessment had already eliminated so many students, and there was another one next academic year!

Standing beside them, Wang Yan, whose presence was almost negligible, stepped forward to explain, "The primary condition for participating in the advancement examination is reaching Soul Power level 20. Students who haven't reached it need to work harder."

"And students who have already reached level 20 but haven't obtained their second Soul Ring must also strive to get it during this holiday, otherwise, they will not be eligible to participate in the advancement examination next academic year."

Teacher Zhou added in a flat tone, "Also, consider this a warning: if anyone fails the assessment and embarrasses me, you'll face the consequences!"

As soon as she said that, all the students below couldn't help but shiver. The academy was ruthless, and Teacher Zhou was even more so! They wouldn't even have peace at home.

Seeing their reactions, Teacher Zhou curved her lips in satisfaction. "Alright, go back and pack your things. Get ready to go home!"

The moment she finished speaking, the students scattered and disappeared in a flash.

Only Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong calmly packed their belongings. Huo Yuxi waited for her brother with her hands supporting her chin, while Xiao Xiao waited for her to return to the dormitory together.

Wang Yan called out to the two, "Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, come up here for a moment."

"Huo Yuxi and Xiao Xiao, you too," Teacher Zhou added.

The four exchanged glances and walked forward.

"Yuhao, is your second Soul Ring problematic?" Teacher Zhou asked Huo Yuhao, who was at the front of the line, sternly.

Huo Yuhao replied seriously, "I have no problems."

"Good. I asked you to come up because the advancement assessment format is rather extreme. I need to give you some important instructions then, so I hope you can all return in advance."

"Yes."

After bidding farewell to the two teachers, the four left the classroom and met Tang Ya and Bei Bei, who were waiting for them outside. They decided to find a place to grill fish and have a celebratory meal for the holiday.

Huo Yuhao also invited his senior from the Soul Tool Department, He Caitou. He Caitou was a talkative person and quickly became familiar with them. The seven of them chatted late into the night.