Inner Courtyard Disciple

Inner Courtyard Disciple

After the invigilating teachers left the assessment area, Ye Qingchen saw Dai Huabin's upper body sway. He only avoided falling with Zhu Lu's support. Lost. I actually lost. How could this be? How could this be?

At some point, Zhou Yi had already leaped down from the platform and rushed over. This teacher, who had always been strict, was now as excited as a child as she embraced them. After all, two of the top three teams in the New Student Assessment were from her class. Who wouldn't be happy about that?

The homeroom teacher of Dai Huabin's class also came over and comforted the three of them. However, Dai Huabin's expression never changed. From time to time, he glared viciously at Ye Qingchen.

The results of the New Student Assessment finals quickly spread throughout the academy. That evening, Huo Yuhao skipped work again instead of selling grilled fish. Together with Ye Qingchen, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao, he ran out into the wilderness to grill fish just for them.

"My sect is about to be established. After that, it will contend for supremacy over Douluo Continent," Ye Qingchen said as he ate grilled fish.

"A sect? When will it be established?" Huo Yuhao asked.

"I naturally have my own plans. Are you willing to join the Cold Sect?" Ye Qingchen said.

"Ye-dage, I'm willing." Huo Yuhao had promised Ye Qingchen before that once he established a sect, he would definitely join.

"Wang Dong, do you want to join our Cold Sect?" Ye Qingchen brought up the important matter.

Wang Dong hurriedly nodded. "Of course I do!"

Ye Qingchen smiled. "Xiao Xiao, what about you? Interested?"

Xiao Xiao blinked and murmured, "Cold Sect?"

"That's right, the Cold Sect. I can't guarantee you anything else, but I definitely won't be stingy with cultivation resources."

Xiao Xiao smiled. "Then I'll join too. I don't have a sect anyway. Ye-dage, I want to learn Yuhao's kind of movement technique."

Ye Qingchen nodded generously. "No problem. I'll teach it all to you later."

The host has established a sect and prevented it from joining other sects. Reward: Enhancement Points ×3

"Enhance," Ye Qingchen said.

Enhancement successful. Host's current enhancement level: 26+ (Second-Class God)

"Check the refinement progress of the God Slaying Spear," Ye Qingchen said.

Current refinement progress of the God Slaying Spear: 26%

"Looks like the God Slaying Spear won't be usable for at least a year." Ye Qingchen sighed.

Ye Qingchen said, "Do you know what the reward for the New Student Assessment is?"

At the mention of the word "reward," Huo Yuhao and the other two immediately brightened.

Wang Dong could no longer hold back. "Ye Qingchen, what will our reward be?"

"From what I understand, although the rewards for every New Student Assessment differ slightly, they are never too far apart. However, there is one reward that is always included. That is—core disciples."

"Core disciples?" This was not the first time Huo Yuhao and the others had heard the term. Teacher Zhou Yi had mentioned it before as well.

Ye Qingchen nodded. "We're in the top three of the New Student Assessment. Becoming Martial Soul Department Core Disciples should be no problem at all."

Early in the morning, it was another bright and sunny day. Because the campus had Sea God Lake, the air within Shrek Academy was exceptionally fresh. All the new students who had passed the assessment gathered at Shrek Plaza, waiting to be assigned to classes.

Before long, Du Weilun, the director of the Martial Soul Department's Academic Affairs Office, arrived before the students with more than a dozen teachers.

Holding a folder, Du Weilun swept his gaze over the young students with a smile before saying, "I will now formally announce the results, along with the rewards they will receive. Third place in the New Student Assessment: Dai Huabin's team. The team members are Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, and Cui Yajie. Step forward."

Applause rang out, but when Dai Huabin and the other two stepped forward, there was not the slightest excitement on their faces. Dai Huabin in particular had his face drawn tight, his head slightly lowered as though he were lost in thought. There were even faint bloodshot streaks in his eyes.

"Second place in the New Student Assessment: Huo Yuhao's team. Members: Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao."

Another round of applause broke out. Huo Yuhao and the other two were clearly overjoyed.

After a brief pause, Du Weilun raised his voice slightly. "Next, please give a warm round of applause to welcome the ultimate champion of our New Student Assessment. That person is—Ye Qingchen."

Immediately, enthusiastic cheers erupted across the plaza. Amid the cheers and applause of the many first-year students, Ye Qingchen stepped forward.

Seeing Ye Qingchen come forward, Du Weilun revealed a faint smile and gestured for him to stand in the center. Ye Qingchen glanced at Dai Huabin beside him, only to find Dai Huabin staring at him as well.

Du Weilun said, "All right, I will now announce the rewards for the top three teams of the New Student Assessment. The top three teams will all receive a unified reward from the academy. Whenever any of them needs a soul ring, they may submit a request to the academy. The academy will assist them in obtaining one soul ring that is within their limits and best suited to them."

As soon as those words were spoken, the first-year students erupted into astonished exclamations. This reward was equivalent to the academy promising that the next soul rings of these seven people would definitely be acquired under the conditions of their absolute limits.

Du Weilun continued, "In light of champion Ye Qingchen's outstanding performance and undefeated record throughout the competition, the academy has decided to award them a special reward. The academy will keep this reward confidential. Once class assignments are complete, you may come with me to claim it."

There was even a special reward? This was the difference between the champions and the second- and third-place teams.

Du Weilun said, "All right, you may return to your places."

Ye Qingchen and the other six returned to their original positions.

Du Weilun said, "In light of the outstanding new students who emerged during this year's New Student Competition, the academy has specially approved a number of students to become Outer Courtyard core disciples. I will now announce the list."

Du Weilun opened the folder in his hand and read, "Based on the students' performances in the assessment, the academy has approved the following core disciples: Ye Qingchen, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, Xiao Xiao, Dai Huabin, Zhu Lu, Zhou Sichen, Cao Jinxuan, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, Ning Tian, and Wu Feng."

Du Weilun continued, "In light of the fact that some new students in the assessment were somewhat lacking in talent and ability, the academy has decided to let them temporarily enjoy core disciple treatment until the end of this academic year. If they make breakthroughs in next year's advancement examination, they will be considered for promotion to official core disciples. The list is as follows: Cui Yajie, Huang Chutian, Long Xiangyue, and Nanmen Yun'er. The announcement is complete."

Next came class assignments. The entire first year was divided into four classes. Class One was for Power Attack System and Control System Battle Soul Masters; Class Two was for Defense System and Agility Attack System Battle Soul Masters; Class Three was for Support System Battle Soul Masters; and Class Four was for all other Battle Soul Masters and Tool Soul Masters with special attributes, including Food System and Healing System Soul Masters.

Without question, Class One was naturally the strongest overall. Ye Qingchen, Huo Yuhao, Wang Dong, and Xiao Xiao were all assigned to this class.

Nearly every grade was divided into classes this way. However, the higher the grade, the fewer students there were in each class. Shrek Academy had always maintained an extremely high elimination rate.

"All right. Everyone, return to the teaching building under the guidance of your respective homeroom teachers according to the latest class assignments. Ye Qingchen, come with me to collect your reward," Director Du Weilun announced.

Ye Qingchen followed Du Weilun to the Teacher Office Area behind the senior-grade teaching building. Du Weilun's office was on the top floor.

Du Weilun smiled faintly, pointed at the sofa, and said, "Have a seat."

A large ruby ring on Du Weilun's right hand flashed, and a leather pouch appeared in his hand.

Du Weilun said, "I submitted an application to the academy and secured an exceptional reward for you. This is the most valuable prize the academy has awarded in the New Student Assessment in at least three hundred years. Open it and take a look." As he spoke, he handed the pouch to Ye Qingchen.

A ball of yellow light suddenly emerged from the pouch. Under Ye Qingchen's gaze, it slowly floated in midair.

"A Soul Bone? The academy is certainly generous." Ye Qingchen said indifferently.

"What, judging by the look on your face, you don't seem to want it? Or is there something else you want? Tell me, and let's see whether I can satisfy you." Du Weilun teased, noticing the disdain in Ye Qingchen's eyes.

"That's right. A Soul Bone won't improve me much, and it might even become an obstacle holding me back. As for what I want, I need a piece of land to establish a sect." Ye Qingchen spoke without changing expression.

"Oh? An interesting new student. Establishing a force—not bad. But every inch of land in Shrek City is worth its weight in gold. What capital do you have?" Du Weilun asked as he looked at Ye Qingchen.

"You needn't trouble yourself over that, Teacher. Since I proposed establishing a sect, I naturally have sufficient resources to support one. Do you have the authority to decide on this condition?" Ye Qingchen asked.

"Sorry, I can't make that decision. But I can discuss it with the dean and do my best to meet your request. Go back and wait for news." Du Weilun said, wiping sweat from his face that did not exist.

"Then thank you, Teacher. I'll go back and wait for news. This Soul Bone isn't suitable for me, so I won't take it." Ye Qingchen stood, set down the Soul Bone, and left after speaking.

After Ye Qingchen departed, an elderly man appeared in the office. "There's no need to discuss it with me. Just give it to him when the time comes. Shrek City isn't lacking such a small patch of land. I must keep this Ye Qingchen."

"Yes, Dean. I'll make the arrangements immediately." After receiving the order, Du Weilun began working on Ye Qingchen's behalf.

"Ye Qingchen, Ye Qingchen... don't disappoint me," Yan Shaozhe said as he looked in the direction Ye Qingchen had gone.