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Shrek Academy, First-Year Class One.

"Today's physical training class is suspended." Zhou Yi stood behind the podium, her aged face as stern and indifferent as ever. Yet whenever they attended her class, nearly every student sat ramrod straight, with no one daring to make the slightest move.

"Three months have passed since the start of the school year. You are about to face your first assessment since entering Shrek Academy. Only by passing it can you officially become first-year students and truly become members of Shrek Academy. Barring any surprises, you will be able to remain at the academy and cultivate until at least the first-year graduation examination. The assessment will begin tomorrow. Today, I'll first explain its key points."

Upon hearing Zhou Yi's words, Wang Qiuer subconsciously glanced at the empty seat beside her, a trace of worry flashing through her eyes.

Wang Dong'er noticed Wang Qiuer's movement. She tugged at Wang Qiuer's hand, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Don't worry. Since he said he'd be back before the assessment, he'll definitely return. There's still one day left. Maybe he's already back in Shrek City. Stop worrying."

Wang Qiuer shoved Wang Dong'er away in disgust and said coldly, "Who's worried?"

Wang Dong'er snickered. "Right, right. No one's worried that Ji Lin won't make it back in time for the assessment and get expelled from the academy."

Just then, a figure appeared at the classroom door.

It was Ji Lin, who had obtained his second martial soul, then traveled under Chi Yuan's protection to the Mixed Area of the Star Dou Great Forest, personally slain a thirty-thousand-year fire-element soul beast, and obtained his fourth Soul Skill.

Knock, knock— "Teacher Zhou, I'm back."

Ji Lin knocked on the classroom door and called out to Zhou Yi.

When Zhou Yi saw that it was Ji Lin, her furrowed brows finally relaxed.

"You've returned at just the right time. I was about to announce something."

Zhou Yi beckoned for Ji Lin to come to the podium.

Ji Lin walked up, accepted the stack of papers Zhou Yi handed him, and distributed them to all the students as she instructed.

Taking the opportunity, Wang Dong'er elbowed Wang Qiuer in the waist and teased, "See? I told you he'd make it in time for the assessment. Some people really get muddled when they care too much."

Wang Qiuer swept Wang Dong'er with an icy glance, frightening her into immediately falling silent.

Frightened, Wang Dong'er viciously cursed in her heart, She actually glared at me! If I could beat you right now, Wang Qiuer, I'd definitely settle this score. Sooner or later, I'll get even.

Ji Lin had seen from afar how Wang Dong'er had been subdued by nothing more than a look from Wang Qiuer. He nearly laughed himself to death inside. Serves you right, Wang Dong'er. You wouldn't cultivate seriously, and now you know regret?

When he handed Wang Qiuer her paper, Ji Lin blinked at her, signaling that he had returned safely and that she needn't worry.

But Wang Qiuer ignored him and simply began reading the information on the paper.

Wang Dong'er, on the other hand, gave him a high-five and laughed. "Congratulations. You got your fourth soul ring smoothly, right? And did you get taller? Your skin got fairer too."

Though she was joking, Wang Dong'er was genuinely a little surprised. But she felt even more dejected. The gap between her and Ji Lin was growing wider and wider. He was only a little older than her, yet his cultivation was so far ahead of hers. She had once proudly believed that her talent was excellent.

But now, she had been dealt quite a blow by the two monsters, Ji Lin and Wang Qiuer.

"Mm, thanks for your concern. Obtaining the soul ring went smoothly this time. You should work hard too."

Ji Lin saw through Wang Dong'er's thoughts, but he did not know how to comfort her. He could only offer a word of encouragement.

After distributing the papers, Ji Lin returned to his seat.

Only then did Zhou Yi speak. "After the New Student Assessment ends, instruction will be tailored according to aptitude. Write down your future cultivation direction and hand it to me later."

The cultivation directions she meant were the classifications of soul masters, such as assault, defense, control, and support. During the first three months of teaching, everyone could study together, but once true first-year studies began, distinctions had to be made. After all, the cultivation focuses of different types of soul masters differed greatly.

Ji Lin looked at the paper and thought for a moment before writing down several words: Assault Control Battle Soul Master.

That was right. Ji Lin had no intention of hiding the fact that he had obtained a second martial soul. Displaying his talent would better attract Shrek Academy's investment in him.

Besides, he was not some ordinary soul master without backing. Leaving aside the Star Luo Empire's imperial family behind him, Chi Yuan, a rank ninety-nine Limit Douluo, was personally protecting him. He had no need to worry about being felled by the wind for standing taller than the forest.

Only by displaying his talent could he obtain more resources. This was true for both Shrek Academy and the Star Luo Empire.

If he had not possessed the Ultimate Fire martial soul, and if his talent had not moved Xu Jiawei, would the Snow Empress Embryo have fallen into his hands so easily? He would probably have had to go to the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy and wait until the Body Sect attacked Mingde Hall before fishing in troubled waters.

So, he did not intend to conceal his second martial soul. To Shrek, he would say that he had always possessed Twin Martial Souls: Ultimate Fire and Ultimate Ice. Nothing wrong with that.

As for Xu Jiawei, he would say that Chi Yuan had used a special method to let him fuse with the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast embryo ahead of time. With Chi Yuan, a Limit Douluo, around, anything could be attributed to her. He only needed Xu Jiawei's side to keep the matter of the Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast embryo secret.

After all, only a small number of people knew about it.

Zhou Yi glanced at the students filling out their forms. "You are all students I taught. Although you will be reassigned to new classes after the New Student Assessment, I hope you little brats won't forget what I taught you. Hand in the papers after class. Now, I'll explain the key points of the New Student Assessment."

As she spoke, Zhou Yi turned and walked to the blackboard, sketching a few simple lines upon it. In the center, she wrote two large words: Battle.

"Battle. That's right, the New Student Assessment is about battle. And every single one of you must participate. I know that the Tool Soul Masters among you, especially those of the Support System and Food System, may find it strange. Why must you participate in battle as well? I did not misspeak. You must indeed appear on the battlefield, just like Battle Soul Masters. Although Shrek Academy cultivates well-rounded talents, what matters most is still your ability on the battlefield. On the first day of school, I said that with the emergence of Soul Tools, the classifications of soul masters have become blurred. Even if you are a Support System or Food System Tool Soul Master, you can still unleash formidable combat power with Soul Tools. But where will your combat instincts come from? Do you think any soul master can be handed a Soul Tool and foolishly sent onto the battlefield, then survive? Of course not. Combat ability must come from combat. Therefore, every one of you must undergo a combat assessment."

"Of course, the academy will never make Support System Tool Soul Masters compete against Assault System Battle Soul Masters. That would be unfair to you. Therefore, the New Student Assessment will be conducted in the form of team battles. However, the teams will not be large. This year, each team will consist of three people, which is already a relatively high standard for your age to develop a certain degree of coordination. When forming teams, there may be at most one Assault System Battle Soul Master. The other two members may be arranged freely. Students from the same dormitory will be considered for the same team first. The others may form groups freely. Those unable to form groups freely will be assigned by drawing lots. Later, I will give you a more reasonable plan for forming teams."