Vacation

A month later, Ye Qingchen attempted to inscribe a third-level core. Though it took some time, he still succeeded. Fan Yu had expected it to some extent, but when Ye Qingchen truly presented his success before him, he was still somewhat shocked.

"The system only strengthens my abilities, and it doesn't give me Soul Tools. Life is hard—Qingchen has to make a living with his craft." Ye Qingchen shook his head and sighed.

Two and a half months of forging practice had made Ye Qingchen's body much sturdier. Though he still looked delicate and frail, he had gained a little more presence.

Fan Yu beckoned to his two disciples. "Both of you, sit down."

Fan Yu said, "The holiday is about to begin. What plans do you two have?"

He Caitou gave an honest, silly grin. "Teacher, I'm an orphan, so I'll stay at the academy and keep practicing. Qingchen's progress is too fast. I'm already feeling the pressure. I'll strive to reach Fourth Level Soul Tool Master. At this rate, Junior Brother Qingchen will probably catch up to me before long."

Fan Yu smiled. "You don't need to belittle yourself. The higher a Soul Tool Master advances, the harder it becomes to level up."

Ye Qingchen said with a smile, "Teacher Fan Yu, I'll be going out during the holiday. There are some things I need to finish."

Fan Yu said, "The holiday is about to begin, so don't work so hard today. Go on, head back and pack your things. Get some rest too."

He Caitou could not help widening his eyes. This was the first time he had ever heard the word "rest" from his teacher.

Ye Qingchen left the Soul Tool Department's experimental area. It was already dark outside. The weather was truly poor today; fine, dense rain fell in a steady drizzle, bringing waves of chill even in this late spring season.

Just as Ye Qingchen was about to step into the rain and enjoy the coolness, his gaze shifted slightly, and he turned to look to his left.

An umbrella had already been raised over him. Beneath it stood someone in a first-year uniform, her large pink-blue eyes holding a trace of faint surprise.

"Ye Qingchen, you know how to slack off too?" she asked Ye Qingchen with a smile.

Ye Qingchen looked at her. "Why are you here?"

"It's raining. We'll be parting ways the day after tomorrow, so I came to pick you up." The girl brushed back her short pink-blue hair, and there seemed to be something unusual in her eyes.

"Let's go. Back to the dorm first." Ye Qingchen said with a smile.

The two slowly made their way toward the dormitory over the rain-soaked ground. Within the curtain of rain, everything felt different. Both of them deliberately slowed their pace as they walked on.

"Are you leaving?" Wang Dong asked.

Ye Qingchen nodded. "Of course. I still have some things I haven't finished."

Wang Dong said, "Ye Qingchen, be careful when you go out."

Ye Qingchen chuckled. "I watch over your cultivation all the time, and you're worried about me?"

"Uh, can we not bring that up? My butt is practically blooming from your beatings." Wang Dong's body immediately tensed as she spoke with a shudder.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. Let's go back to the dorm."

Ye Qingchen took Wang Dong's hand and returned to the dormitory with her. During that time, he also examined Wang Dong's body and discovered that the strand of divine sense had only a faint trace of aura left. It was just a little short of being completely devoured.

The next morning was also the final day of their first-year studies. Tomorrow, Shrek Academy's Outer Courtyard would officially begin its holiday.

Zhou Yi and Wang Yan entered the classroom together. Wang Yan walked onto the podium, while Zhou Yi went to the back of the classroom and sat in an empty chair.

"Students, today is the final day of your first year. The academy has not assigned any teaching tasks. I'll say a few simple words, then everyone can go back and pack your things."

As soon as Wang Yan said this, the entire class erupted in cheers. Everyone wanted to go home as soon as possible, while Ye Qingchen was thinking about how to lure the Ice Empress over.

Wang Yan smiled. "Over the past year, everyone has worked very hard. I can say that you are the finest class I have ever taught. On behalf of Teacher Zhou Yi and myself, I thank you all for your efforts. Your efforts will bring shared glory to our Class One."

"However!" Wang Yan's tone suddenly changed.

"The academy will be testing whether you can become qualified second-year students. If you still don't have two soul rings, then I suggest you need not return next school year. At the same time, the advancement assessment is not merely a matter for each of you individually. It also concerns our class. Our Class One must advance as well."

"Class advancement?" The students whispered among themselves.

Wang Yan said calmly, "Every class is a whole. If the whole cannot advance, what use is it for the students to advance? Among all students who pass the assessment, the bottom ten percent in assessment results will be eliminated."

With that explanation, everyone immediately understood—but they were also dumbfounded. The students who had thought they could relax and rest properly after the holiday were all so shocked that their mouths hung open.

Wang Yan smiled faintly. He looked gentle, but his words carried a trace of chilling menace. "I believe that among the students selected to participate in the class assessment, if anyone makes a mistake and causes the evaluation to drop, the entire class will remember them. That is all I have to say. Class dismissed. Go back and pack your things."

"Ye Qingchen, Wang Dong, Huo Yuhao, you three stay behind." Zhou Yi's cold voice rang out.

The three quickly stopped. Once the other students had left, Wang Yan and Zhou Yi called the three of them to the front of the podium.

"What do you think about the class assessment Teacher Wang just mentioned?" Zhou Yi asked.

Wang Dong said helplessly, "What else is there to think? We just do it. Oh, right, and Xiao Xiao has to be added too."

Wang Yan nodded. "You few will definitely need to participate when the time comes. We don't know what the specific assessment will be. However, over the next month, you'll have to work hard."

Ye Qingchen yawned. "The moment I make even the slightest move, that will be their limit."

"Next school year's studies will be even more demanding. I won't say much else. You three should leave early and return early. As class monitors, I hope all of you can return ahead of time—the earlier, the better. Teacher Wang and I will probably receive the assessment details around ten days before the term begins. If you return earlier, you can prepare yourselves."

"Yes, Teachers!"

After bidding farewell to the two teachers, Ye Qingchen had Wang Dong return first and kept Huo Yuhao behind alone. Before Huo Yuhao could react, Ye Qingchen instantly spread the Barrier, suppressing Ice Silkworm Skydream and Huo Yuhao's souls. He used a trace of divine power to awaken that shadow.

"Why did you awaken me?" Electrolux asked.

"What do you think of Huo Yuhao?" Ye Qingchen did not answer his question and simply continued speaking.

"This boy is quite good. In every respect, he is passable. It's just that that big bug seems to have ill intentions." Electrolux fell silent for a moment before speaking.

"Let's make a deal, Electrolux," Ye Qingchen said.

"What deal? Tell me first. I'll need to think it over," Electrolux replied.

"You will be responsible for teaching Huo Yuhao from now on. Teach him everything you can, and in return, I will grant you true resurrection."

"What about that bug?" Electrolux asked.

"Just devour it. It can also restore your damaged divine consciousness—killing two birds with one stone. Besides, I have no need for a fence-sitter following me."

Ye Qingchen raised a hand and pointed at Huo Yuhao. Ice Silkworm Skydream's soul emerged at once, and Ye Qingchen directly sent it into Electrolux's body. With Ye Qingchen's help, Electrolux's divine consciousness recovered to some extent.

"Alright. You will become Huo Yuhao's second martial soul. Once I succeed, you will truly be resurrected."

Ye Qingchen gave Electrolux a few instructions, ensuring that Ice Silkworm Skydream's departure would seem completely flawless to Huo Yuhao. Then the Barrier vanished as well. Even at the very end, Ice Silkworm Skydream never realized that he had left just like that. Ye Qingchen picked up Huo Yuhao, carried him back to the dormitory, and then departed.